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Cigars/Half-Moon Cutout on Cedar Divider

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Expert: - 11/28/2011


Question
James,
I have read that all genuine Habanos cigars have a half-moon cutout on the upper right hand corner of the thin cedar divider between the two layers of cigars (presuming the box has such a divider). This is opposed to a straight diagonal cutout on the divider.

I am not sure if this information is dated or not. Wondering what your take is. Thanks.

By the way, this is not associated with the pyramides I emailed about before. This is just a general question.

Answer
Hi Matt,

I've seen both notch variations among genuine Cuban cigar boxes (mostly purchased at La Casa del Habanos stores) so it's no longer a clear sign that a certain box is counterfeit.  It also depends on the brand and sometimes the specific cigar size (or model) within that brand as they will always use a specific type of notch design.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
James  

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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