How can I identify if I have CC or fakes?

Mikepd · 07-28-2012, 05:00 PM

Like Moe suggested, post some detailed photos. He's a smart egg. Without a box or bands it gets harder but sometimes it is easier to confirm a "fake" than a real. Also if when you take photos lay them all side by side to show if there is consistency or not, that can help.

07-28-2012, 05:29 PM

I will try and get some pics posted on here as soon as I get a chance. Thanks everyone for all the advice and putting up with a relative newbie like me!

bobarian · 07-28-2012, 05:49 PM

Pictures of unbanded cigars will only lead to speculation and guesses. Unless a cigar is very obviously fake(bad construction, wrong size, etc) it is very difficult to tell by seeing a picture. Check the measurements exactly and compare to a true Monte #2 shown on the site mentioned.

Monte #2's are one of the most faked cigars in the world. It has been speculated in many articles that 30-60% of the Cuban cigars in the US are fake. Many legitimate shops in the US sell fake CC's out of the back room.
Also, fake does not necessarily mean bad. A few months ago I smoked a Cohiba "Esplendido" that came from Cuban and through two other countries. It was clearly a fake band, but it was still a very good cigar.

Did these come directly from Cuba or from another location in the Carribean?

07-28-2012, 05:59 PM

"Supposedly" they came direct from Cuba. My buddy goes down to the Carribean 2-3 times a year and has done so for 20+ years (hotel business) and has a guy down there that he has been buying from that "supposedly" brings them over from Cuba himself. Hes been getting 2-3 boxes a year (same thing every time) from same guy for over 20 years but who knows cause when money is involved honesty has a way of being absent. This is pretty fun though trying to play super slueth!

Bax · 07-28-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd7400

"Supposedly" they came direct from Cuba. My buddy goes down to the Carribean 2-3 times a year and has done so for 20+ years (hotel business) and has a guy down there that he has been buying from that "supposedly" brings them over from Cuba himself. Hes been getting 2-3 boxes a year (same thing every time) from same guy for over 20 years but who knows cause when money is involved honesty has a way of being absent. This is pretty fun though trying to play super slueth!

RED FLAG!!!! Anytime they come from a friend who has a friend...

07-28-2012, 05:00 PM	#1
Mikepd I Miss Pnoon Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Michael Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 583 Trading: (10)	Re: How can I identify if I have CC or fakes? Like Moe suggested, post some detailed photos. He's a smart egg. Without a box or bands it gets harder but sometimes it is easier to confirm a "fake" than a real. Also if when you take photos lay them all side by side to show if there is consistency or not, that can help.

07-28-2012, 05:49 PM	#3
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: How can I identify if I have CC or fakes? Pictures of unbanded cigars will only lead to speculation and guesses. Unless a cigar is very obviously fake(bad construction, wrong size, etc) it is very difficult to tell by seeing a picture. Check the measurements exactly and compare to a true Monte #2 shown on the site mentioned. Monte #2's are one of the most faked cigars in the world. It has been speculated in many articles that 30-60% of the Cuban cigars in the US are fake. Many legitimate shops in the US sell fake CC's out of the back room. Also, fake does not necessarily mean bad. A few months ago I smoked a Cohiba "Esplendido" that came from Cuban and through two other countries. It was clearly a fake band, but it was still a very good cigar. Did these come directly from Cuba or from another location in the Carribean?

07-28-2012, 05:59 PM	#4
Bigd7400 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How can I identify if I have CC or fakes? "Supposedly" they came direct from Cuba. My buddy goes down to the Carribean 2-3 times a year and has done so for 20+ years (hotel business) and has a guy down there that he has been buying from that "supposedly" brings them over from Cuba himself. Hes been getting 2-3 boxes a year (same thing every time) from same guy for over 20 years but who knows cause when money is involved honesty has a way of being absent. This is pretty fun though trying to play super slueth!

07-28-2012, 05:29 PM	#2
Bigd7400 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How can I identify if I have CC or fakes? I will try and get some pics posted on here as soon as I get a chance. Thanks everyone for all the advice and putting up with a relative newbie like me! Last edited by Bigd7400; 07-28-2012 at 05:37 PM.