HOW TO SPOT A FAKE CIGAR

The most often faked cigars are always those which are the most popular and expensive. Even in Havana, if bought in a reputable shop a box of Cohiba Esplendidos would coust you around $400.00 or a box of Cohiba Robustos around $250-300. One can safely say that the most faked cigars are Cohiba Esplendidos, Cohiba Robustos, Montecristo No2, Partagas Lusitanias, Romeo Y Julieta Churchills, Ramon Allones Gigantes, etc.,

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE BY THE BOX

(Cohiba Esplendidos and Robustos)

The first sign of fake cigars - counterfeited box. Very often counterfeited boxes are made in Cuba (in the middle), sometimes they are made somewhere else (right). A genuine box is made of cedar wood, has a fine finish and lacquer (left). There should be a Government seal and Habanos chevron in the left top corner of the box.

Counterfeited boxes very often do not even have a Government seal applied. The genuine ones always have (bottom).

Check out the hinges of the box. Genuine is left.

Counterfeited Cohiba Robusto box (right) made of simple plywood with lighter colour and rough surface.

More than that, very often counterfeiters do not even bother to do standard marking and factory codes on the bottom of the box.

The next fake looks very authentic and only good professional could spot the fake features. The shield on the Government seal should be applied so that when the box opened it must be cut in the middle. When one of the cigars was taken apart, only two fillers were found there.

Always pay attention to a Brand Label (in this case it's a Cohiba Esplendidos). Fakes normally have faded colours.

Under ultraviolet light protection signs on the Government seal would not show up.

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE BY THE APPEARANCE OF THE CIGAR

Pay attention to the cigar bands. Genuine band has clear, slightly raised print. Colours should be bright and crisp. Top band is authentic.

Appearance of the cigar can tell a lot of its origin and authenticity, but also can be deceiving. That's why when buying a cigar from an unknown source, if you have a slightest suspicion, do not buy it or seek advice from an expert.

A Faked Cohiba Robusto below (bottom) has irregular shape, the foot of the cigar has not been cut straight, the cap has not been formed properly and a ring gauge is less than it should be. Besides the print on the band is nor crisp and clear.

Faked Montecristo No 2 (bottom) has asymmetric shape and uneven edges.

A faked Cohiba Esplendidos (bottom) has a very dark wrapper and very rough wrapper and rolled unprofessionally.