1995 PSD4 and Monte #2

[dochowl]

I've just inherited a couple of boxes of cigars that are both dated to 1995. I have no reason to question the authenticity of these have been in the family for the last 12 or 13 years. That said, the one thing that stands out is that the cigars in both boxes have no bands. Is this normal for 1995 stock? Unheard of? They are just a bit underhumidified, but shoulld freshen up nicely here in the next couple of months. I'll post pictures later, but figured I'd check and see if anyone can verify that these cigars should be real, even without the bands.

I guess it is possible that the bands were removed for some reason (getting through customs, etc.), although I don't know.

Thanks for the insight.

--Mike

[thechenman]

In 1995 I thought dress boxes were banded and cabs were not. Although I am no expert having only beginning my Cuban Cigar exploration in the past couple of years. Maybe one of our more experienced BOTLs can chime in here. Also...I though that when they removed the bands, they also shipped in a bag or unlabled box. What would be the point of putting unbanded cigars in a Cuban cigar box?

[MontrealRon]

In 1995 I thought dress boxes were banded and cabs were not. Although I am no expert having only beginning my Cuban Cigar exploration in the past couple of years. Maybe one of our more experienced BOTLs can chime in here. Also...I though that when they removed the bands, they also shipped in a bag or unlabled box. What would be the point of putting unbanded cigars in a Cuban cigar box?

You are, of course, correct on all points.

The only logical explanation, other than the cigars not belonging to the boxes,

would be if the original owner, being in the US,

removed the bands himself to allow the cigars to be discretely smoked in public.

[dochowl]

You are, of course, correct on all points.

The only logical explanation, other than the cigars not belonging to the boxes,

would be if the original owner, being in the US,

removed the bands himself to allow the cigars to be discretely smoked in public.

Yeah, I am guessing that there is some story behind this, although I will never know. I guess it now becomes a bit of a lottery. I'm gonna give these a few months in the humidor and give them a shot.

[thechenman]

Let us know how they smoke...as they were gifted to you, I would say that how they smoke and how you enjoy them is the only important thing. Country of origin, not so much...

[dochowl]

Good news... I did some digging and found that the cigars are actually from 2005/2006. He had purchased them from a retailer that sent them without the bands so there would be no issues getting them into the US. I suspect the bands are sitting in a drawer somewhere as I know the retailer would always send them separately. He had used his old boxes to hold the new sticks, since he didn't get boxes when he bought them.

All that to say, I smoked the Monte #2 yesterday and it was fantastic. While not a 15 year old smoke, these will turn out to be good just the same.

[thechenman]

Good news then...enjoy the smokes.