I just smoked a fake Cohiba

[gammanine]

It's been quiet here for a few days, so I figured I'd make a quick post.
A friend of mine just returned from Santiago, and he brought me a 'Cohiba Esplendito'. Very thoughtfull of him to do that. I know he always buys his cigars on the street. I don't even discuss this with him anymore. I brought the stick home, and torched it up, acting as if it were real. Well the lable was authentic enough. The wrapper was pretty good too. Nice and firm, not too tight. I didn't measure or weight it though, hehe. It burned perfectly, no runs at all. Perfect draw till the end. The ash was solid white, almost looked like snow. The taste was blan, no spice, no real flavours to talk about really.. There was a fair amount of nicotine, but not at all like a real Esplendito. So, my point is this. Once again, the 30 dollar box of Cohibas turn out to be a pointless issue. Personally, I would rather have one good Cohiba, than a box full of duds.

[CharterCaptain]

I agree, there is nothing like the real thing. I recently had a few smokes given to me by a well intentioned friend coming back from a vacation in Mexico. Most of which got placed in the circular humidor, also known as the trash can, or disected to inspect the contents, but one I actually smoked as it looked and smelled o.k. and I did not want to hurt the feelings of the giver. Never made it all the way through, as it lacked complexity and flavor, not to mention the aftertaste that lingered for what seemed to be days. Boy, I sure hope that it was at least tobacco... The term "dogrocket" comes to mind :P I would take a half smoked CoRo over 10 boxes of whatever those were!

[gammanine]

"DogRocket" Now thats a term I'm definitely going to keep on hand for those discussions about street cigars. I usually call them stinksticks, or ammonialogs. And you are so right about the lingering aftertaste. I'm going to go smoke a Fundadore now, just for that reason.

[greslogo]

"dogrocket".... the common term, in cigar circles, used to describe really lousy cigars.

Personally, if you can't tell the difference, or cannot appreciate, a "good" cigar, you are wasting your money. Go ahead, buy the $35 box of CoHHibas.

In my case, only Cuban cigars, only legit cigars "brands" although I have been known to smoke the odd peso cigar.

[cubafish]

To further clarify the definition of "dogrocket," it is the item that nature produces out of a dog's rear end. :o

[CharterCaptain]

MMMMMMM, Fundadore, now there is a good smoke! Has anyone tried any of the three new sizes of Trinidad? I believe they are the Reyes, Coloniales, and the Robusto Extra. I have not been to Windsor lately so I havn't gotten my hands on any to sample yet. Would love to hear a review on them.
CC

[gammanine]

I looked for the newer size Trinidads, but was unable to find any. I would be very interested in a Trinidad Robusto. The Fundadore is a fine smoke, but prone to being a bit tight and a tough draw sometimes. I enjoyed the one last night, no issues, perfect draw, burn, etc.

[greslogo]

I haven't tried the new ones yet but have friends, with good pallets, that have.

Nothing spectacular but the reviews are moot bacause there is rumor that there was a blend change at some point during the initial production.

[DaveUK]

You`re not alone,friend. ;-) 90% of all "Cuban cigars" sold in the US are fakes. (Yep, I know this was in Cuba, but... same principle holds.)

I`m in the UK, where we get English Market Selection (EMS) - I`ve read US based reviews where the reviewer is OBVIOUSLY smoking a fake and can`t recognise it.

Cohibas are - easily - the most faked brand of Cuban cigar in the world. Point your friend to http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Counterfeits/Counterfeit_Gallery/0,3390,,00.html - and - if next time he comes across a box of Cohibas and it sounds too good to be true.. it is. Sorry.

[jackd]

DaveUK, point of info., there are NO Cuban cigars sold in the USA.

For almost 4 decades it has been illegal to import or sell anything Cuban in the USA, it's called an embargo.

[gammanine]

Well, I've sold a box or two. And they weren't fakes.... hehehe
Good point tho....

[DaveUK]

DaveUK, point of info., there are NO Cuban cigars sold in the USA.

For almost 4 decades it has been illegal to import or sell anything Cuban in the USA, it's called an embargo.

Jack...... wake up. ;-))) It`s called "smuggling" . ;-))))

[jackd]

Ok, 90% of the cigars smuggled into and sold in the US are fakes *;).

The exception being the ones g9 brings in. *::)

[DaveUK]

:D

Ahhh, Jack, it`s sad but true. And I wish we could all sit down, irrespective of nationality or politics or income, and enjoy a good Cuban cigar together. The world would be a much happier place if we all did just that.

[jackd]

DaveUK, in about 2 hrs from now I will take out an R&J Churchill and enjoy it with that thought in mind *8)

[Cohibin]

It's been quiet here for a few days, so I figured I'd make a quick post.
A friend of mine just returned from Santiago, and he brought me a 'Cohiba Esplendito'. Very thoughtfull of him to do that. I know he always buys his cigars on the street. I don't even discuss this with him anymore. I brought the stick home, and torched it up, acting as if it were real. Well the lable was authentic enough. The wrapper was pretty good too. Nice and firm, not too tight. I didn't measure or weight it though, hehe. It burned perfectly, no runs at all. Perfect draw till the end. The ash was solid white, almost looked like snow. The taste was blan, no spice, no real flavours to talk about really.. There was a fair amount of nicotine, but not at all like a real Esplendito. So, my point is this. Once again, the 30 dollar box of Cohibas turn out to be a pointless issue. Personally, I would rather have one good Cohiba, than a box full of duds.

Hmmm. How do you know this was a fake and not a poor quality legit? Just curious.

txs

[greslogo]

Also the fakes sold in the US are virtually all sourced from the DR.

[gammanine]

That is actually a very good question. First the obvious *answer: My buddy never buys legit cigars. Never, he says a cigar is a *cigar. He also buys his *Cologne in the flea market and his Rolex on Canal street. I know him well and I've spent time in Havana with him.
The not so obvious reasons.
1) the Label was all wrong.
2) the box was all wrong.
I wont go into the specifics, cause that info is well documented *here on the web. Trust me, they were fakes.
And they were from Havana.

[Cohibin]

Interesting. Why would they go through the trouble of making such a decent fake, yet put a funky label on it... Canal st? Your friend is right around the corner from my job (assuming this is the downtown Manhattan Canal st)...

[greslogo]

Keep in mind that the buyers are people that usually do not smoke cigars themselves or are very new to cigars and do not know any better.

I know a LOT of smokers that travel to Cuba regularly. They'd laugh at the suggestion that you can get anything legitimate on th street. With that, I agree.

[Cohibin]

Greslogo, later I'm going to post 2 pics of my Cohiba Pyramids and give me your opinion.

[greslogo]

I probably won't be able to say much from just a picture.

[Salomones]

In September last year a guy suddenly entered my gf's flat in Cerro with a box of cigars. I don't remember the brand or anything because I almost started laughing seeing the box.

The box was open and with the green seal free inside the box, unglued. The box "may" of course have been nicked before sealing in the factory, but when I scrutinised the seal, it was of the old type and printed on very thick paper. I also believe the green ink was too light and the details on the seals were a bit blurred. A good, but not too good scan printed on a nice pc-printer?

As anyway I try not to be rude, so I told him politely I had already bought my full quota of 23 single cigars without a receipt for bringing home, and had to buy all cigars now with receipt (hence in Casa de Habanos) due to the possible customs control where I might lose every cigar.

The guy looked at me and said: I may get you a receipt.... *

The only Cuba rule: "In Cuba everything is possible!"


When I then said the box missed the new hologram, he finally retreated.

By the way, the cigars looked perfect - maybe they were?

The fakes sell like hell, because many tourists are greedy, puros are expensive outside (and inside...) Cuba, and buying "counterfeit" is a bit tittilating: "You know Doris, I met this really scary Cuban guy with dark shades in a narrow back street in Havana, but I followed him to his home and he had soooooo many really good cigars.... You know his best friend works in the famous Partagas cigar factory and he...."

[Cohibin]

just give it a shot

[greslogo]

Unless it is a "real" receipt, recently stolen (like the day before you leave), they won't pass Customs scrutiny.

They also are designed in a such a way that they do not photocopy properly.

By the way, I still have a few "real" ones. I use them to get through Canadian customs without getting hit with too much taxes..... jeje

I haven't been able to get any "real" ones in well over a year now.

[Cohibin]

lets see if this works. Tried to take the pic as big as possible. Left are the ones I got from last year, right the ones i got now...
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/corcel2000/album?.tok=phn72FBBMb01wXhE&.dir=/Yahoo!+Photo+Album&.src=ph

[Cohibin]

I'm enjoying one of the dark ones right now for the first time. I wish I could describe the flavors but I'm not that experienced. In comparison to the light ones, it's much stronger and full body. The others are more pepery?? This to put it on better terms compares to a full body aged red wine with strong flavor and after taste. Got some slight bitterness to it too. It's probably a cigar for the advanced smoker. Did I mentioned I'm very relaxed? *::) The ash is almost white and slightly beige and strong (doesn't fall off despite dropping it slightly head first in the ash tray couple of times). I can taste the flavor through my nose. When i puff, i can feel a "tingle" in the tip of my tonge. Smoke is dense white.

[mellisas]

they look and sound wonderful. [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

[Cohibin]

ushhh *:-[ I'm a wimp. Had to put it down half way through. Too strong for me. Whipped my butt... Question, how long does it take for a good cigar to go out on its own?

[Salomones]

cohibin:

I put the picture in a picture program to zoom and look:

I guess the cigars to the right are (maybe, probably) fakes:

1. Look at the foot, they are not cut with a guillotine, are they? Worst feet I have seen.

2. The cigars are not of the same length.

3. Inconsistent figure of the tapered heads.

4. Too many cigars with rather big veins (but this is no longer a consistent quality mark). The darker ones are definitely "uglier" than the ones to the left.

But: The heads on the left cigars are not much better....

Do you know? If both sets of cigars are from your cigar friend my best guess is: All of them are fakes...

[Cohibin]

Txs Salomones. My brother got me both. They've been through some trajectory and no boxes. Plastic bag from Cuba to Miami, then from Miami to NY.

[Salomones]

Smoke them!

If you like them, enjoy them!

The problem with "street cigars" are the risk for bad cigars before buying, and the "you will never know" situation after you bought them.

If you like the cigars, forget me and all the others "experts"....

This is no contest, this is fun!

[Cohibin]

Man I was ready to throw them down the drain ;D Txs for the words of consolation Salomons jejeje.

[greslogo]

If you like them, enjoy them. Can't argue with that.

Just do not think you have something that you don't.

[Cohibin]

I wonder if these could be rejects. Have you guys ever actually seen the "real" pyramids? Are they that perfect?

[greslogo]

I have lots of "real" torps. The ones on the right are obvious fakes. The uneven feet are a dead giveaway. I'm surprised how poorly they have been cut, even for fakes. The ones on the left... too hard to tell but if they are sourced from the same place then one can only assume they are fake also.

The color match within the 2 batches is very good, imo. Torps are assigned to the best rollers in the factory. You don't see rejects, or very few and they are, believe it or not, destroyed or re rolled. Cigars are rejected if they are not within certain physical dimensions or weight range.

Another item. The bands. They've recently changed the Cohiba bands. Wheras before they were printed "flat", they are now glossy and embossed. The bands in the picture look like the older ones. If you got those cigars this year, from a factory, the bands are wrong.

[gammanine]

Perhaps a close up of the band would reveal more.
But I've had fakes with real bands, so it's not the final say.
Cohibin, Yes - Canal St NYC. Land of the counterfeit everything.

[greslogo]

Yes, but in this case, fake (old) bands on fake cigars.

[Cohibin]

Yeahh nothing like old NYC... Got to love it!!! BTW, the bands are old legits. You may not be able to tell from the pics but trust me, they are.
The vitolas where taken out of the factory by my brother before banded. He kept them like this not to arise suspition in aduana since they don't let you out with more than 25 cigars without receipts. If he had taken the cigars with the Cohiba bands with the ribbon and the wax paper, changes are they would've been taken away. Once in Florida he told me he had the old and the new rings with the raised gold. I told him take his pic I don't care much about the bands.

[greslogo]

Sorry for the disrespect to your brother but the cigars on the right are fakes, imo.

[Salomones]

...they don't let you out with more than 25 cigars without receipts.


It's only 23 cigars without receipt. Probably due to the 8-8-8 way of boxing some cigars?

Is there already fake holograms around? I hope not, but with the Cuban connections to China for technology (telecom, bicycles!, ...)I unfortunately expect to see them soon on boxes with fakes.

[Cohibin]

Sorry for the disrespect to your brother but the cigars on the right are fakes, imo.

I'll have to investigate this with my brod. Txs Greslogo. Now, how would you describe the flavor of a Cohiba Pyramid dark wrapper or any full body cigar? I'm learning too you know.

[Cohibin]

It's only 23 cigars without receipt. Probably due to the 8-8-8 way of boxing some cigars?

Is there already fake holograms around? I hope not, but with the Cuban connections to China for technology (telecom, bicycles!, ...)I unfortunately expect to see them soon on boxes with fakes.


The guy at the aduana told my brod it was only 25 (he had 50 pyramids loose with no band) but he would let him go because he wasn't coming back (visa parole). What's interesting, is that they don't check quantity on the oddities (pipe culebra). It passes as art. He had 30 culebras and 10 pipes besides the 50 pyramids (25 went to my ant and 25 to me).
The holograms, seals, and receipts can be obtained. Just have to know the right people. You may also get away with loose cigars on your luggage that goes inside the plain. That's less restricted. Now, you go overboard and they'll call you on the loudspeaker.

[greslogo]

The limit is 23, for undocumented cigars. They even have small pamphlets at the airport and the cigar stores outlining the regulation and what a legit box should have in the way of seals.

2 actual boxes should not present any problems if you pack them in your checked luggage. They will, more than likely, not pull the suitcase at x-ray. Add another 23 loose ones in a carry on. This at Jose Marti. Other airports may be different.

[Cohibin]

Yeah that's from where my mom and my brod came out. Also cubans that visit from Canada and countries other than USA get a much lenient and relaxed treatment.

[greslogo]

Ya, going into and leaving from Terminal 2 (USA) is not the same thing.....lol

Terminal 3, International, is more relaxed.

[Cohibin]

My gf wants to go next year to visit her family and she's begging me to go with her. I'm contemplating. I've heard they treat Cubans like **** when they visit and make you pay "donations" besides treating you like the scum of the earth at the aduana. I simply don't put up with that from no one, that + my short fuse = trouble in Cuba (bad combo). I've learned to steer clear of forseable trouble due to my temper... The plus is we could bring a nice load of cigars.

[Salomones]

I feel some relaxation in Custom and Boarder Police officers attitude from June last year, (another visit Sept. -03) and Feb/March this year.

Leaving in June last year I had to show my cigar receipts, but in March nobody cared. It may have something to do with the kind of airplane used on the flight.

In June -03 it was MartinAir Holland and not so many passengers. Two last times was Air France with full jumbo's. Jumbo's is really at the edge of what a modern airport may handle efficiently, that goes both for CDG/Paris and for Jose Marti/Havana. Big commotion, two hours to check in, and I guess the customs simply don't have time to check everything except the x-ray. No check by opening of carry-on.

Could have taken 100's of single cigars... (had 23 in carry-on and another 22 in checked in luggage (+boxes). The 22 were not planned, but were gifts given me the last day from the people in one cigar shop. Among these gifts were 8 double coronas, 10 pyramids,.... Talk about nice people!

I could not see any sign of a check from Havana and Paris when I took out some warm clothing in Copenhagen, but the check in Copenhagen was terrible! The camera wrecked by forcing it open destroying the lock adn putting light to my last Havana pictures, disaster all over with my things, but my cigars had not been touched!

[greslogo]

I think if you have a few boxes, they most likely won't bother inspecting your cigars. I've been going 4-5 times per year since 1997 and have only been checked when I have 8+ boxes in my suitcase. I've either had 2 boxes or 8+, so don;t know what, for example, 3 boxes would do. Mind you, there is a way to pack them to minimize the profile. Stack the boxes on top of each other with your suitcase laying flat. I've seen how the boxes show up on x-ray. With that method, it looks like 1 box. 2 stacks, 2 boxes.

[jackd]

Greslogo, good point, they x-ray from the front or back, not the sides *;)

[Cohibin]

Vvvvvvvery good points ::)
I hear when you come from Canada it's very very relaxed most of the time.

[greslogo]

Flying to Canada, I'm not sure it's more relaxed. It seems to be but Canada is co operating closely with Cuba in trying to reduce the amount of counterfeits entering Canada.

Just an fyi. I always declare all my cigars to Canadian customs. The last FIVE times that I brought 200 cigars, they didn't charge me any duty, although they were concerned with my bottles of rum, in excess of 2 bottles, for which they did charge me duty, which is surprisingly minimal. This is flying into Toronto. I KNOW Montreal is a different matter. Freakin Nazis work that airport, imo.

I've passed this info on to friends and they also have experienced the same treatment out of Toronto. I haven't done the 200+ cigars in about a year now, so don't know if the policy has changed at that airport.

Also keep in mind, that, since a couple of years ago, you cannot bring in more than 200 cigars, for personal use. If you have more, and they know it, they will classify it as a commercial shipment and you will lose all the cigars. This almost happened to me the first time they implemented this. I spent over 1.5 hrs talking my way out of this situation. Since then I never bring more than 200 at a time.

[Cohibin]

200 cuts it for me, but that's calling it close in cuba isn't it?
So Toronto is the way to go. That's not a long fly from NY.

[greslogo]

You can bring as many as you want out of Cuba, as long as you have receipts. Once you get beyond $2,000, or is it now $5,000, you need a letter from the store manager.

[poco_pete]

...if I may ask, how much was the duty on the ron ?
what was the declared value of the ron ?

[jackd]

Cohibin, Ottawa is closer and even less constipated (except for the Fed. Government)

[greslogo]

If I recall, on 3 bottles of rum I paid $13cdn in duties/taxes. I probably declared them at $30cdn, total. I had 5 bottles.

[jackd]

Last trip I got nicked $6 and change for one xtra bottle, gift morning I was leaving (probably stolen from a hotel bar) ;D

[Cohibin]

Cohibin, Ottawa is closer and even less constipated (except for the Fed. Government)

Is this something that those travel agencies have in their packages in Canada. Talking about the agencies that specialise on Cubans traveling from USA

[Salomones]

You can bring as many as you want out of Cuba, as long as you have receipts. Once you get beyond $2,000, or is it now $5,000, you need a letter from the store manager.

Interesting, I beleived the max 50 boxes still applied, but you are right:

Cuban customs rules e. exporting cigars are:

http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/ropae3.htm

Special regulations:

Cigars:

It shall be possible to to export an amount of up to 23 (twenty three) units of rolled cigars, in individual units, without producing any relevant purchase document.

If you exceed that amount, you will be obliged to claim the official purchace receipt and a copy of it at the shop, and hand a copy in at the Customs Office at the exit point where you'll be leaving with the cigars, wich must be contained in the original cases with all official seals, incluiding the new holographic seal

Any failure to abide by the basic requirement of a legal purchase, the product will be seized by Cuba's Customs Office."

So the old limit on 50 boxes is out. Anyone with a big suitcase for hire....

Norway: Max 25 cigars without customs, then you may pay a *for up to additional 50 cigars. Period. Bastards!

The tariff is NOK 1,77 (U$ 0,25) per gram, net weight! *Buy them dry!

[greslogo]

They don't mention the "letter" but it IS a requirement.

[jackd]

Cohibin, I haven't seen many that specialize in Cuba.

In Canada any and all travel agencies will book whatever package is available to wherever you want, whenever you want, no problem, it's caled freedom *;)

Most will also advise you of the possible consequences if they know you are american.

[Cohibin]

Yeah but the twist is, is not ilegal for me to go to Cuba since I'm a natural Cuban born despite being a US citizen. The problem is I need a visa to go back (believe this, a visa to visit my own country) + I must have the Cuban passport stamped and up-to-date. Fidel doesn't recognize double citizenship.These "specialized" firms do everything for you...

On another note, I just lit one of them culebras, and I was happy to see they do draw while tied up. If you smoke all as one it may take a couple of puffs to get the smoke from the foot to your mouth (9") since you're pulling on 3 tubes. After that, I broke the wrapper on the head and split them. They are much easier to draw like this, and you end up with the classic culebra or snake looking panetella, which I thought was rather cool. The individual panetelas if you straighten them up come up to about 9 3/4 -10" each. Pretty darn good flavor too, got nice white ash also.
I may take a walk on 5th ave with one of these and watch people stare *:P

[greslogo]

A nice white ash used to be one way to tell they were fake (not Cuban).

Until recently, or very old cigars, the ash would always be dark grey, even black. You don't see white ash on Cuban cigars that often. Grey, maybe, white... eh....Depends on the tobacco used, I guess.

[mellisas]

it's funny you should mention ash.
the cigar l had last night smoked really well.
l noticed the ash.
full bodied would be a good term.
very dark and you could see the rings.
.

[Cohibin]

My graf, a cigar smoker since the age of 12 and born in Cuba, always told me a good cigar could be told by the ash. Always a ligth white to beige ash on the outside was indicative of quality cigars. All cubans in the island know this since birth...I remember all the cheap low quality pesetas cigars they sold to cubans in the bodegas always had that dark grey ugly ash, and a particular stench. Believe me, I know that stenge from a mile away, had to live through many of those in my infant and younger years *:-X *and because of that, I can pick the "cuban spice" rather easily just by opening a box or a bag where the cigar has been. My granf used to say bhawww hierba seca(dried grass) to those...

[mellisas]

here we go again :)
so what is best light or dark ash...
we need an expert opinion on this matter [smiley=bow.gif]

[greslogo]

The white ash is caused by adding magnesium to the soil. It serves no purpose other than to make the ash (pretty) white.

Since the early 90's Cuba stopped using chemical ferilizers, hence the dark ash on ALL Cuban cigars since the 90's.

[Cohibin]

Another thing I used to see him do with this cheap cigars was since they burnt very unevenly, he would "even" it by taking some saliva moist his index and run it wet just below the ash line of the area that was burning the fastes. This would slow it down and by the time it dired up the other side would've caught up with the rest...must admit, it takes practice on how much saliva to use. Too much and that spot won't burn well, too little and you'll burn your finger ;D love the latest.

[Cohibin]

I will dissagre with that, and will always steer clear of any dark grey or black ash cigars, but that's just my opinion and based on my years lived in the island. Even the cigars the militaries (top army people) smoked always could be set aside by the light ash, and they ONLY smoke the best of the best.

[greslogo]

Without resorting to insults, although I see no other choice. With all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about.

Go peddle your fakes on Ebay.

[Cohibin]

Returning the favor; I do know what I'm talking about on this subject, and you my friend, take a hard look at where you get your "Habanos" or maybe live in the island a bit and mingle with the Cubans for some 15 years and maybe you can pick what is part of our heritage by birth right.
Why do you bring the subject of selling anything? I'm not interested on anyone here buying anything from me, nor did I mention anything of the like.

[mellisas]

so birth right has something to do with knowing about cigars.right ;D

[Cohibin]

No not at all. There must be people out there that dedicate their lives to cigars and know a whole bunch. To those I bow my head. But when you try to convince me of something so commonly known in the island by everybody, I just can't help but to frown in dismay, because you put yourself in the position of "I know more than every Cuban about cigars".
I must say, a statement like this would be followed by laughter amongst old smokers, those to me are the real connoisseur of the subject who have smoked every "hierba seca" roll or excellent cigar since before the revolution till today. Can't just put that down and walk all over it because you take a couple of trips to the island a year and spend a few days at the factory as a guest (all part of a charade to make you feel "special" and keep you coming to spend your $$$), then go back and read a bunch of books and literatures of the subject.

PS: I'd never taken it down this road out of respect if it wasn't for that uncalled "go peddle your fakes on eBay" bull****.

[greslogo]

I will repeat. YOU DON'T KNOW SQUAT ABOUT CIGARS.

I've spent over 2 years on the island and I know the cigar business there intimately, top to bottom, even well before that. From the vegas to the factories to the rollers, the directots, the street cigar business and the "black market". As do about 2 dozen close friends of mine.

Most Cubans, and I've said this before, no NOTHING about tobacco. Most workers in the industry no nothing and care even less about cigars and tobacco.

You come here showing a picture of torp's with uneven feet and different lengths and ASK whether they are legitimate ? Give me a break. I would have thought it would be obvious to someone with your "birth right".

Read my previous paragraph.

btw.. I noticed you are selling the strange culebras on Yahoo, so do not play innocent.

Read your previous posts

"I wish I could describe the flavors but I'm not that experienced"

"Have you guys ever actually seen the "real" pyramids? Are they that perfect"

" will dissagre with that, and will always steer clear of any dark grey or black ash cigars, but that's just my opinion and based on my years lived in the island"

How old were you when you left. I gather you haven't been back. *

I have no more time to waste on you.

[cbob]

FWIW, I'm backing Greslogo. ;)

I used to see the "militaires" stopping at the little (now gone) Varadero cigar factory so the driver could pop in and pick up a bundle of cheap cigars for the officer. Smoke quality cigars? I don't think so. 8)

One of the chief characteristics of those mild, mild, mild ( some might say tastless) Dominican cigars are their pure white, tight grained ash. One way to tell a fake Cohiba (a Dominican with nice Connicticut Shade wrapper) from the Real Thing is the white ash. :o

Due to the unique mineral composition in the Cuban soil, the cigars made from Cuban tobacco, even the "Havana Seconds" made in Canada with Cameroon wrappers have a mottled grey/white/black ash that is quite distinctive.

So is the flavour; so is the wrapper. ;D

Just because I've been away, and unable to follow the stroke-fest between those two cigar "aficianados" over on those other threads, it doesn't mean I don't still have strong opinions about Cuban cigars. ::)


Commander Bob
Who is presently stuck in Singapore, where the heat is high, the humidity is higher, and the cigars are very expensive.

[Cohibin]

"Most Cubans, and I've said this before, no NOTHING about tobacco. Most workers in the industry no nothing and care even less about cigars and tobacco"

I'll pretend you're under a heavy doze of banana leaves when you said this. So Mr. your know more about cigars in the world than everybody because you spent 2 yrs in the island? (doubt consecutively) Most cubans can spot a fake cigar faster than you can say Viva la Revolucion!
That pretty much sums it all up about what you think you know or think you are. For starters, unless you have dinner with El Comandante, YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A PAWN A MERE "GUEST" AT SOME FACTORY WHO KNOWS WHERE JUST LIKE ANOTHER 300 CANUCKS THAT VISIT THE ISLAND AND IS MADE FELT IN A WAY "SPECIAL" BY SHOWING HIM/HER THE PLANTATIONS AND CIGAR MANUFACTURING PROCESS SO HE DOESN'T FEEL SO RIPPED OFF PAYING RETAIL PRICE FOR HABANOS ON HIS WAY OUT. IS THE REALITY OF THAT UGLY CAPOTE BITING YET? YOU ARE NOTHING ELSE AND WILL NEVER BE!! If you were that special you could take all your 200, 300 cigars out with no receipt no label no NOTHING.
2 years? 2 freagen years? Is that a joke? That's it? That's all you need to become the "expert" on this forum? How about 15 - 20 years on the streets where the real Cuban lives? How about that ah? You think you can pass a fake over me? The comments about the "bad" pyramids heads was uterly bullcrap. I guess you've never SEEN pyramids in amounts over 1-2 in your life? Or from behind of a glass window in a box? And because one torp had a crocked foot who knows why you hung to that to scream FAKE FAKE?? What say you???
You paint the Puros manufacturing with a glorifying and VERY FALSE velum, and put the roller down like a dumb machine, any idea what they think of you to themselves when you pass by as did the other 300 "special" tourists that he shows the techniques etc?? You're a joke to them my friend. And they laught at you as they see you buy into it. Sorry to brake the truth. And the DIRECTOR is doing a heck of a job by making you feel "special".
Truth of the matter, the reality is NOT as glorified, sofisticated and pretty and perfect as you put it. It's not that difficult at all to make a good Puro when you got the guajiros who know the art from generation to generation, the perfect genetic profile of the plant, the perfect land, the perfect soil, temperature and humidity my friend. It comes natural pal.
Wether you want to accept it or not (because you're ass would sore if you did), TONS of 10000000% LEGIT PUROS make it to the streets on a daily basis. OF COURSE the directors would want you think otherwise, BECAUSE YOU ARE ABOUT THE ONLY POOR SOLES THAT STILL PAY THOSE PRICES FOR CIGARS IN THE DARN ISLAND!!! (the latest also a very well known fact amongst all Cubans). I GUARANTEE YOU, whenever I decide to go back I'd never be approached on the street by some odd looking felow about some good cheap cigars made out of scrap tobacco and some mulched left overs. That bull**** is saved for the "turistas" that can only spot a cigar by the band and label they last saw in a magazine my dear friend.
What's your business what I do or don't sell outside of here? You may have a bunch here blinded with your "impressive" and "exclusive" cuban cigar factory stories and priviledges, but it aint going to fly ONE INCH with me pal, cause I know the story from the inside. I trully feel sorry for those who have no choice but to come to you and your bull****.

Now Mr. special, I'm tired, and I am the one that has no more time for you and your low grade cigars and your "heard it from the director" (can't keep a straight face while I say that) bogus expertise.

He dicho y buenas noches.
Ps: You wouldn't happen to know the "official" weight of a Cohiba Pyramid would you Mr. Tabacon?? Give you a hint, this is still one of the most effective ways to spot a fake in Cuba in Paris in Check Slovakia or Canada. May wanna call that "director" friend of yours and ask him :-X

[Cohibin]

FWIW, I'm backing Greslogo. *;)

I used to see the "militaires" stopping at the little (now gone) Varadero cigar factory so the driver could pop in and pick up a bundle of cheap cigars for the officer. Smoke quality cigars? I don't think so. *8)

One of the chief characteristics of those mild, mild, mild ( some might say tastless) Dominican cigars are their pure white, tight grained ash. One way to tell a fake Cohiba (a Dominican with nice Connicticut Shade wrapper) from the Real Thing is the white ash. *:o

Due to the unique mineral composition in the Cuban soil, the cigars made from Cuban tobacco, even the "Havana Seconds" made in Canada with Cameroon wrappers have a mottled grey/white/black ash that is quite distinctive.

So is the flavour; so is the wrapper. *;D

Just because I've been away, and unable to follow the stroke-fest between those two cigar "aficianados" over on those other threads, it doesn't mean I don't still have strong opinions about Cuban cigars. *::)


Commander Bob
Who is presently stuck in Singapore, where the heat is high, the humidity is higher, and the cigars are very expensive.



Ok should i also take a pic of the ash? I never said it was white like paper (I've never owned nor smoked a Dominican cigar so never seen that "white" ash), What I was trying to casually describe before it was taken as another opportunity to accuse me of having dominican fakes cigars, is a light whitish gray with hints of beige with more dark gray tones in the core of the ash and some light gray rings on the peripherals.
Don't know what militares where those, the real pinchos smoke nothing but the best and it costs them $0.00.

[gammanine]

Hey Cohibin, if your gonna walk down Fifth ave smokin one of those medusa sticks ya got there, let me know. We could meet on some corner and stink the neighborhood up but good.
PM me.

[Cohibin]

Check this fake pyramids
http://fujipub.com/btac/s9903.html

[Cohibin]

Hey Cohibin, if your gonna walk down Fifth ave smokin one of those medusa sticks ya got there, let me know. We could meet on some corner and stink the neighborhood up but good.
PM me.


Sounds like a plan to me!

[gammanine]

I'm at 17th and Fifth. You?

[Cohibin]

Pine and wall

[gammanine]

Ah, you must be one of them suit wearin types. lol.
We could meet on 5th in front of Banana Republic. Sometimes I sit on the window sill on the 17th st side and light up. Its a good place for viewing and smoking. I'm there a few times a week around 5:45.

[cbob]

And while you are there, Gammanine, check this "suit-wearin'" guy out, would you? 8)
So far, I've sure read a lot of "I'm Cuban so I know everything about cigars" crap coming from him, but his info seems to be all from places like the FujiPub website, never a trusted source of Cuban cigar facts. ;D
Certainly anyone who thinks the average Cuban knows anything about cigars, or "can spot a fake cigar faster than you can say Viva la Revolucion!" must have a rich fantasy life. ;D ;D
Perhaps it's just that it's been so long since he got thrown out of Cuba with the other undesirables, he is just out of touch with what is going down in Havana.
( That last bit just thown in to get back for those nasty cuts at our long-time Cubamaniac Greslogo) :o

CB

[Cohibin]

And while you are there, Gammanine, check this "suit-wearin'" guy out, would you? *8)
So far, I've sure read a lot of "I'm Cuban so I know everything about cigars" crap coming from him, but his info seems to be all from places like the FujiPub website, never a trusted source of Cuban cigar facts. *;D
Certainly anyone who thinks the average Cuban knows anything about cigars, or "can spot a fake cigar faster than you can say Viva la Revolucion!" must have a rich fantasy life. *;D ;D
Perhaps it's just that it's been so long since he got thrown out of Cuba with the other undesirables, he is just out of touch with what is going down in Havana.
( That last bit just thown in to get back for those nasty cuts at our long-time Cubamaniac Greslogo) *:o

CB


Ufff nothing worse than the stenge of a Communist. Any idea of how many Cubans wish they could thow themselves out!? That link to that site is not a source. They don't sell ****. I just wanted the expertise to comment on the pictures to get some amusement.

You're uneducated, but comical. Keep it up.

[Cohibin]

cohibin:

I put the picture in a picture program to zoom and look:

I guess the cigars to the right are (maybe, probably) fakes:

1. Look at the foot, they are not cut with a guillotine, are they? Worst feet I have seen.

2. The cigars are not of the same length.

3. Inconsistent figure of the tapered heads.

4. Too many cigars with rather big veins (but this is no longer a consistent quality mark). The darker ones are definitely "uglier" than the ones to the left.

But: The heads on the left cigars are not much better....

Do you know? If both sets of cigars are from your cigar friend my best guess is: All of them are fakes...



I found a pic of pyramids deemed to be legit at a place called cgrsltd in UK I think, and they look much worse than mine with regards to head, veins, foot etc... Just making an observation no more fighting please.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/corcel2000/album?.tok=phn72FBBMb01wXhE&.dir=/Yahoo!+Photo+Album&.src=ph
second pic

[Salomones]

Yes, but they are all of different brands, where the piramid vitola are not the same.

Pls look at the rings, they are all different. ...but easy to overlook if you only look at the heads of course.

The Monte to the right is def not a beauti..

No fighting intended, only polite discourse on mutual interest.

[Cohibin]

Yes, but they are all of different brands, where the piramid vitola are not the same.

Pls look at the rings, they are all different. ...but easy to overlook if you only look at the heads of course.

The Monte to the right is def not a beauti..

No fighting intended, only polite discourse on mutual interest.

Always up for that over here Salomones. ;)

[Cohibin]

And while you are there, Gammanine, check this "suit-wearin'" guy out, would you? *8)
So far, I've sure read a lot of "I'm Cuban so I know everything about cigars" crap coming from him, but his info seems to be all from places like the FujiPub website, never a trusted source of Cuban cigar facts. *;D
Certainly anyone who thinks the average Cuban knows anything about cigars, or "can spot a fake cigar faster than you can say Viva la Revolucion!" must have a rich fantasy life. *;D ;D
Perhaps it's just that it's been so long since he got thrown out of Cuba with the other undesirables, he is just out of touch with what is going down in Havana.
( That last bit just thown in to get back for those nasty cuts at our long-time Cubamaniac Greslogo) *:o

CB


Well, I'm not the "suit-wearing" guy :-/ Attires in Wall St. have laxed since before 9/11 and it's very casual now.
I regret the nasty cuts but I didn't start the caca slinging, know what I mean?
Gammananie, I bought my brod a ticket to come visit me (flies in tomorrow at Newark). I haven't seen him for almost 10 yrs since "they threw me out". It's going to be nice to see each other again. I'm planing on showing him the city and whatever I can squeeze in a weekend. Maybe I'll run by your spot, who knows.

[gammanine]

lf you can let me know you might come by let me know. If the weather is good I'll spend some time in Union Sq park instead. Sometimes Madison Park too. Depends. I move around. I've been shooting alot, which coincidentally means smoking alot too. Hehe. Keep in touch. You can email me too ya know.

[Cohibin]

In case anybody is interested...

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=7311&st=0#entry108323

[Salomones]

Thanks for the link to cigarpass.

Nice forum, a bit too "religous" to my taste, but a lot of info. Nice pictures. I have registered and will join now and then.