Partagas Salomon ROA MAY 06

[dcse]

I just love this box.

[ucla695]

Holy cow...those wrappers are dark! They look mighty tasty! Enjoy!

[Harelind]

Wow! They look really nice!

[thechenman]

Holy crap! Those are hands down the darkest wrappers I have seen on a Cuban cigar. Glad to hear you are enjoying them. I bet they have some serious aging potential.

[FireDigger]

DCS, what's the story on these Salomones? I thought the only Salomones Partagas makes are the LCDH ones or are these special releases? Thank you for the info ahead of time!

[dcse]

Bought them in Geneva September 2008. They had some five or six boxes, the others being on the colorado end of the scale. When I visited Geneva September 2009, they had some more boxes, however none as dark as the box I bought. The manager told me he bought them in Spain, but they look more like some special release than regular production cigars.

[Buch0]

That is indeed a site to see.. Never have I seen such a dark wrapper on a CC. What do they smoke like?!

[Alberto_Magnus]

Wait, no offence meant, but I smell something fishy there.

Partagàs Salomones have only been produced as a LCDH release, not before 2008 and only in 10-count boxes.

What I see above it's just not possible. In Geneva it's plenty of fakes.

I would love to be wrong but Im afraid that's not the case.

[android]

Those look amazing. What a shame.

[mkz]

Wait, no offence meant, but I smell something fishy there.

Partagàs Salomones have only been produced as a LCDH release, not before 2008 and only in 10-count boxes.

What I see above it's just not possible. In Geneva it's plenty of fakes.

I would love to be wrong but Im afraid that's not the case.

They look great but theres something fishy indeed...

[FireDigger]

Bought them in Geneva September 2008. They had some five or six boxes, the others being on the colorado end of the scale. When I visited Geneva September 2009, they had some more boxes, however none as dark as the box I bought. The manager told me he bought them in Spain, but they look more like some special release than regular production cigars.

I don't know man. These sticks do not show up anywhere on Trevor's website, which is a pretty accurate site for all Habanos SA releases.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable can shed some light?

[CIGARHead]

I have seen some Party Salomones 25 count boxes like this one..not as dark mind you. All were billed as kind of an "unofficial" production that were very limited. Are they real? Beats the **** out of me! I did however see some for sale back in 05-06 at some reputable merchants. One merchant had them for sale as singles and before I got the nerve to buy a few, they sold out. Truth should be in the smoking mate. If you like them, good on ya! Please do let us know how they smoke.

[mkz]

Seems like the Salomones has been discussed before... http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...showtopic=84912

[dcse]

Indeed, and Claudius (Jul 3 2008, 04:01 AM) seems to have bought his cigars in Geneva as well. The cigars are still listed on their website and I find it hard to believe that a reputable cigar merchant would be offering fakes.

[Alberto_Magnus]

Indeed, and Claudius (Jul 3 2008, 04:01 AM) seems to have bought his cigars in Geneva as well. The cigars are still listed on their website and I find it hard to believe that a reputable cigar merchant would be offering fakes.

I do understand what you mean, but CC's are commercialized in standard packagings, there are no variations to the routine unless noted.

Since HSA has never published or communicated anything about non-LCDH Partagàs Salomones, in 25b instead than in 10b, it is more than reasonable to infer that these are fakes.

The only notable variation in the commercialization of Partagàs Salomones was the special humidor released in 1998 (if i recall correctly), the Salomones Espanola.

[FireDigger]

I find it hard to believe that a reputable cigar merchant would be offering fakes.

You'd be surprised, but read this thread regarding the infamous fake Swiss Partagas Piramides:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...es#topicoptions

[dcse]

There is a lurking and growing depression hovering heavy over my head. Are they really fake cigars?

[mkz]

There is a lurking and growing depression hovering heavy over my head. Are they really fake cigars?

Lets hope someone has some more solid info on these. It would be a shame if they were bogus...

Have you smoked one yet?

If not: Do so and let us know.

[thechenman]

Fake or not...if you enjoy them...that is what is most important.

[Alberto_Magnus]

Fake or not...if you enjoy them...that is what is most important.

Well I'm not sure if I agree. There is anyway an important merchant speculating on the CCs market by selling fakes.

This is serious, it's actually quite a disgrace.

Not to mention the fact fakes are more likely to develop bicho etc. and the fact you payed hard-earned money for some cheap tobacco.

There is a "brighter" possibility though: the person has just falsified the box, and the Salomones are likely to be regular Cuabas with a Parti band. After all, they are hard cigars to roll.

In every case there is a fraud.

[dcse]

Perhaps a bit controversial. Anyway: Last night I sent an email to the merchant, asking them to explain the history and origin of the boxes they are offering. In their response, the merchant offered a three step explanation:

- This cigar brand now exists in boxes of 10 cigars and is specially sold at the "Casa Del Habano" shops.

- A few years ago, this cigar brand was also sold in boxes of 25 cigars. This merchant still has some boxes left.

- The quality in the box of 25 cigars is higher than the quality in the box of 10 cigars.

This merchant has been into the cigar business for a long time, and the cigar merchants depends on its credibility and reputation. What do you think?

[FireDigger]

DCS, after some more research on another forum, it seems like these Partagas Salomons in 25 count dress boxes do exist. They are not official releases, but the fact that you got them from there is a good thing. From what I've read, they were a special release for this merchant from the early 2000s. Some people have boxes with box codes from 2000, 2001, and 2004. It seems like since 2004, Habanos SA has become very strict with these "special releases", so the 2006 box code you have still raises some questions.

[thechenman]

Well I'm not sure if I agree. There is anyway an important merchant speculating on the CCs market by selling fakes.

This is serious, it's actually quite a disgrace.

Not to mention the fact fakes are more likely to develop bicho etc. and the fact you payed hard-earned money for some cheap tobacco.

There is a "brighter" possibility though: the person has just falsified the box, and the Salomones are likely to be regular Cuabas with a Parti band. After all, they are hard cigars to roll.

In every case there is a fraud.

I certainly see your point. Of course there would be concern over a legitimate Habanos merchant selling fakes. If that were true, it would definitely be something buyers should be aware of. And I can see where one may be upset if you thought you had purchased authentic Habanos only to find out that they were fake. However, if what you purchased, authentic or not, is an enjoyable smoke that you like...I don't think it really matters whether they are real Habanos or not. Cigars are made to be smoke, and if they are good, tasty cigars, it should not matter whether they are Cuban in origin or not. That is just my own opinion though...others may certainly disagree.

[Colt45]

Take no offense guys, but I've edited out the name of the merchant from this and the old thread. We don't openly mention sources here, and perhaps

more importantly in a case like this with no definitive proof of authenticity (or lack thereof), were the merchant in question so inclined, Rob would be

on the hook for libel - not us.

[dcse]

DCS, after some more research on another forum, it seems like these Partagas Salomons in 25 count dress boxes do exist. They are not official releases, but the fact that you got them from there is a good thing. From what I've read, they were a special release for this merchant from the early 2000s. Some people have boxes with box codes from 2000, 2001, and 2004. It seems like since 2004, Habanos SA has become very strict with these "special releases", so the 2006 box code you have still raises some questions.

Interesting. When visiting the merchant in question, the oldest box code dated back to 2002. If the mechant had a special release production line in the early 2000, how likely is he to switch to fake cigars, mixing them with the real ones? Would it make sense? There have been several special releases in the past and even today offered by cigar merchants, so this cannot be completely unheard of.

Take no offense guys, but I've edited out the name of the merchant from this and the old thread. We don't openly mention sources here, and perhaps

more importantly in a case like this with no definitive proof of authenticity (or lack thereof), were the merchant in question so inclined, Rob would be

on the hook for libel - not us.

None taken. I was reluctant to identify the merchant in question until I saw several references in older threads. My apologies.