Famous for their quality, aroma and flavor, Cuban cigars are renowned throughout the world. They are so famous that illegitimate cigar dealers are always catching out enthusiastic but unknowing cigar smokers, with fakes. Shopping from a reputable dealer can dramatically reduce the chance of you being supplied with counterfeit versions. There are legitimate sources out there to buy from such as mail order cigar suppliers or your local tobacconist.
If you are a serious cigar smoker, there is a very good chance that at some point you will be offered a box of Cuban cigars but would do well to examine them thoroughly first. Being armed with a little knowledge on the subject should help you spot the fakes. As far as the Cuban cigar box is concerned, there is much to be learned about its authenticity, for example it should have seal with an insignia on it that has an image of a shield and a hat in addition to a green and white warranty mark on the front left side of the box. Also there should be a white sticker placed across the box with the word ‘Habanos’ printed on it; this can be found on the upper right corner.
The overall appearance of the box should be neat and clean so if the box appears damaged, smudged, frayed, marked, or if the color of the box is dull, don’t buy it. A heat stamp is also used to imprint the word ‘Habanos’ onto the bottom of the box. It is quite normal for fake Cuban cigar boxes to have a printed paper label stuck on or a rubber stamp impression to try and forge this imprint. Each cigar box should also have a coded factory stamp on the base in blue, black or green ink, which can tell you exactly when and where the cigars were rolled.
However, it is still possible that even though the cigars are genuine they may still have suffered some damage whilst en-route. If you are given the opportunity, smell the Cuban cigars as they should have a rich, deep aroma that a cigar enthusiast will find seductive. A weak or an indistinct aroma is a sure sign that it is not a box of Cuban cigars. Also all the cigars in the box should be facing the same way although the upper row may seem a little flatter than the rest of the box.
The foot of each cigar should have been cut cleanly plus the caps and bands, identical. It is a good idea, if allowed, to touch the cigars as they should have a firm but pliable feel without any hard or soft areas. There are many factors to distinguish a real Cuban cigar but if you are a dedicated cigar lover, the last thing you would want is a fake box.
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