gifted cigars

[gumbydamit]

A friend gave me a box with 6 cigars of what are supposed to 2001 Cohiba Esplendidos. They were given to her by a cuban friend that bought the box in Cuba. They have been unhumidified since the purchase date and I has hoping to bring them back to life. I did a search and came up with a few links to help me to determine if they are real. The box looks to be real to me but the band on the cigars is a little off. I was unable to find a picture of the band on any site, real or fake. I took some pictures and if it's all right I was hoping to post them and get some input. I'll post them if it's ok but I wanted to ask first.

[icehog3]

Sure, post 'em......99% chance they're fake, and 99.9% chance they are beyond saving if they have been unhumidified since 2001. Hope we can help you determine their legitimacy, but as far as making them smokable...can't help you there.

EDIT: Didn't mean to sound like an azz when I said 99% chance they are fake...but if you have experience with these types of things, you will see the vast majority are when brought back by friends from Cuba. I would especially be interested in seeing the box they came in...did it have a glass top?

[OtterAKL4987]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Sure, post 'em......99% chance they're fake, and 99.9% chance they are beyond saving if they have been unhumidified since 2001. Hope we can help you determine their legitimacy, but as far as making them smokable...can't help you there.

The friend of a friend from Cuba deal almost certaintly dooms them to be Fugazzis, but stranger things have happened.

[boonedoggle]

WELCOME!

[gumbydamit]

[icehog3]

No tax stickers when you got it? The date code stamp looks bad, maybe some guys with more Cohiba experience than I can chime in here.

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by icehog3

No tax stickers when you got it? The date code stamp looks bad, maybe some guys with more Cohiba experience than I can chime in here.

Also, it appears the scripting is "off" on the bands and on the box sticker. Lemme see if I can find a good pic/comparison. I know where one's at....

[The Professor]

Here's one good page:

http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-942

3x5card (am i spelling that right?) has done some good threads around here, too....

[icehog3]

I didn't scroll over far enough, I see the tax sticker in the box now.

Can you post a picture of the foot of the cigar?

[terrantheman]

They look fake, sorry!

[JCK]

shouldn't there be a hologram on the box as well if they were purchased in Cuba?

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by khubli

shouldn't there be a hologram on the box as well if they were purchased in Cuba?

yes ... and/or the tax stamp should be solidly affixed and not look perfectly pressed....

[icehog3]

gumby has left the building....

[gumbydamit]

I smoked one of these just now. It wasn't bad at all. Nice even burn, the salt and pepper ash dropped off at about 3in. It was mild and smooth. Much better then I was excepting after being dry for 7 years.

[BamaDoc77]

Originally Posted by gumbydamit

I smoked one of these just now. It wasn't bad at all. Nice even burn, the salt and pepper ash dropped off at about 3in. It was mild and smooth. Much better then I was excepting after being dry for 7 years.

Real or fake....if you enjoy em, smoke em up brother!