Expert: James Yee - 5/26/2007

Question
QUESTION: James,  Have you ever heard of a Partagas Serie D No 5?

ANSWER: Hi Craig,

A Partagas Serie D 5 did exist but was unpopular and discontinued in the early 1970's.  They were about the same size as a Montecristo #5 (Tres Petit Corona).  Currently D5s are no longer made, no longer sold (by commercial retailers) and extremely rare.  You may find a private collector with D5s for sale but whole boxes will cost around $1,000-$1,200 USD.  Any commercial retailer offering D5s at "retail price" would be selling fakes.

Hopes this answers your question.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If somebody is in possession of one of these what would be the best way to tell if it is real.  Were pre-embargo samplers ever imported with Monte Cristo, Cohiba and Romeo Juliete?

Answer
Hi Craig,

One of the clear signs of a true vintage cigar would be the appearance. The cigar(s) would look extremely old and less "shiny" as much of the wrapper leaf's natural oils have long crystallized.  If properly maintained, the cigars should have a thick coat of plume or look "dusty" in appearance.  The plume is actually what gives an aged cigar the dusty look. Plume is the natural cigar oils from the cigar but now crystallized from age.  The underside of the cigar band would be yellowed and slightly stained brown from the natural oils of the cigar staining it over the years and the colour of the bands should slightly be faded.  Glossy bands would also lose their shine.  Any visible adhesive residue holding the band together should be darker than normal from years of age.  The original packaging, if available, would also look old and faded.  The cigars may also VERY SLIGHTLY shrink in size and the wrapper leaf shrivel and tighten from the loss of natural oils over the years.

Vintage Montecristo, Cohiba and Romeo y Julieta samplers do also exist but again, these cigars are extremely rare now and you would most likely find them at a Christie's or Sotheby's auction. Many of these sampler boxes were never mass-produced for commercial sale and instead, were produced in limited numbers for special occassions.

If you know someone that is offering you vintage cigars, the best option for you would be to contact an antique cigar dealer or an antique appraiser specializing in "vintage tobacciana" and get a more proper assessment in person.

Best regards,
James