Cigars/box of cuban cohibas
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Question
i have a box of cohiba esplendidos that has a glass top. i have read a bunch of stories online that say if it has a glass top, it is a fake box. i have looked at the seals, they look legit, but i suppose that is the point. is there any way for me to know for sure? i know they are old, as they were in a closet for god knows how long. i read that i can restore them but wanted to make sure they are real before i even try or open the sealed box it is in. thanks
Hi Fred,
Unfortunately, your Cohiba cigars are indeed fake. The reason why they're definitely fake is because they are sold in a glass-top box and genuine Cuban Cohiba cigars are not manufactured or sold in glass top boxes at all. This is actually the most recognizable counterfeit among fake Cuban cigars. Genuine Cuban Cohiba cigars are sold in varnished cedar boxes with either a simple sliding lid or hinged lid with a brass clasp (The type of lid depends on size of Cohiba cigar being packaged. Smaller Cohibas such as the robusto or Siglo series will use the sliding lid while larger sizes such as the churchill, gran corona or piramides will use the hinged lid).
You can still restore these cigars if you want but keep in mind that they are counterfeit and may not be comparable to genuine Cuban Cohibas in taste and quality. Believe it or not, glass-top Cohiba boxes are usually sought after by cigar collectors simply because it's a very well known fake and many cigar collectors actually want a glass-top box just for the sake of having one. The item may not command top dollar but there are always collectors looking for this iconic Cuban counterfeit.
Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.
Regards,
James
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | very nice. kind and honest answer. more information then i expected and very much appreciated. glad i found your site | ||
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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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