Different Rings?

[ShortyStogie]

Hey there,

I recently picked up what I remember to be a very good cigar... The Hoyo Double Coronas.

I've currently left it in my humidor for a few days, and plan to light it up in a week or two. However, I suspected that I remembered the ring to be slightly different to what it was on the cigars that I bought. I looked it up on the Habanos site, and it was confirmed. The current ring is different to the one that I bought.

The first picture is the ring that I remembered it to be, and what Habanos claims it still is.

The second is what is currently on the DC's that I just bought. (I couldn't find that particular ring on the net, so I uploaded a pic of the Corona... but the ring is the same... just to give you an idea, as my own digital camera is not working.)

Do they do that? Change the rings in the middle just like that for no reason? Or could it be a regional thing? I doubt that I have a fake, because I bought from a Habanos dealer. Any other possible explanation?

Just curious...

-SS

[bimmian]

I dunno.. I thought the DCs came with the white band, too. I'd be very concerned as well, however:

It seems to be the general consensus among the more experienced folks here (who help me with my issues such as this) that Cubans are crazy and inconsistent. I personally have given up on trying to decipher bands... But that being said, they can also be a very good indicator of authenticity...

All I can say from my own experience is to smoke one and see what your tastebuds tell you. Maybe one of the other guys/girls can shed some light on your question, but for me, a Habano usually has a very distinctive flavor that is only very rarely imitated. So tasting is usually how I determine if a vendor is doing right by me..

I wish I could offer more wisdom than that! - Mike.

[Snake Hips]

Conventional wisdom says that the large Hoyos (Churchills and Double Coronas) come with the round white bands and only the round white bands, officially. I do know that they have changed the bands to the "standard" Hoyo band on the Churchills. But the Double Corona bands should still be the big white ones. I don't think the bands like you have in the second picture are even in use any more. However, if it's from a trusted shop or vendor, I wouldn't worry. Cuba is Cuba and stranger things have been seen, particularly in regards to mis-banding cigars.