Should I smoke it?

[DoubleDD]

Recently a friend gave me a questionable cigar. Some say it's real, some say it's fake. No matter what, it looks and feels good. He purchased these back in 2001 and has been sitting on the box for a while. He has been enjoying Habanos for years but picked these up when he first started the hobby. He has smoked a few and said they were great, although he has been informed by several people that these were never issued as genuine. I've also looked into it and the authenticity is debated. Below are a few pics of the cigar. So, smoke it or dissect it?

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[HarveyBoulevard]

The 2001 RyJ LE was a robusto so not sure there is much of a debate about it being genuine or fake. My vote is dissection.

[Edwhatever]

It is quite clear to me what it is. I'd say go ahead and smoke it, for experiment purposes. Take notes for future reference. If you cant stand it half way, cut it open and see whats inside.

[CUBANO]

If you friend said they were great, smoke it.

[Laxman]

Hell ya smoke it especially if he said it was great! Smoked a Cohiba Sublime someone gave me this week that was suspect. Though it was probably not real it was a great smoke, ya never know.

[Lotusguy]

I would not knowingly or voluntarily smoke a fake - you never know what's in it.

[ogus]

smoking a fake montie now. Better than most genuine NC's.

[JHands]

I would say it looks smoke able even if it's a fake. I've had fake cubans that have been better than domestic American ****. Burn it! Someone spent money on it at some time, and to not smoke it would be a waste of their money. Give it a chance

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[garbandz]

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Romeo_y_Julieta

not shown here..............Faque...............

[canucks6024]

I would not knowingly or voluntarily smoke a fake - you never know what's in it.

Agreed

[UpInSmoak]

I would say it looks smoke able even if it's a fake. I've had fake cubans that have been better than domestic American ****. Burn it! Someone spent money on it at some time, and to not smoke it would be a waste of their money. Give it a chance

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Food that gives someone food poisoning cost money as well......

[Lasabar]

I would need more info.

If it was bought while on a vacation or some other crazy story then I would not as I don't want to get sick off crazy stuff.

But if it was bought or perceived to be bought from a reputable vendor or online I don't think I'd worry about it. Even fakes that I've seen from the internet at least have tobacco in them otherwise you'd have no repeat business. Fakes from the beach while on vacation are sold by people that don't want repeat business so they don't care.

[Dozerhead]

I would not knowingly or voluntarily smoke a fake - you never know what's in it.

x 2. Back in my cigar halcion days I had a Cohiba 2003 LE pyrimide. As any knowledgeable cigar smoker would tell you, no legitimate cigar ever existed. When I went to the Habanos S.A. website and learned that it was indeed a fake, I decided to smoke it. It was actually a beautiful looking cigar but it was the most vile wretched thing I have ever smoked, and I have smoked Acids and a Ghurkas before! I ditched it pretty quick.

[BonVivant]

i always prefer fresh fakes to aged ones, but that is just an opinionf

I would not smoke that one, and the reason is that blume/plume, Bloom are very suspicious

[JHands]

Food that gives someone food poisoning cost money as well......

Fair point. Guess I've had good experiences with fakes

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[shrink]

Wilkey, you once sent me a Cohiba Sublime that you believed to be fake. It was a very well constructed cigar, and looked authentic to me. I smoked it, and although I agreed that it was faux, it was a surprisingly good smoke. Probably Cuban tobacco.

[CaptainQuintero]

Depends on the quality of fake, is it just half inched Cuban tobacco, a basic Dom/Nic cigar with fake bands or it floor sweepings with rat droppings/pellets and plastic in it?

Personally I wouldn't take the risk of inhaling when it could be the dangerous side of the above

[laficion]

You can do whatever you want with It but know that It's a fake because It did not exsit In 2001, It NEVER did.

Guy

[DoubleDD]

Although tempting, I don't think I'm going to light it up. Not knowing what could be inside worries me. I might open it up just to see how it looks. I'm waiting for my online degree in agricultural engineering to arrive so I'll wait until I receive it. ?

[StingMeadery]

Wilkey, you once sent me a Cohiba Sublime that you believed to be fake. It was a very well constructed cigar, and looked authentic to me. I smoked it, and although I agreed that it was faux, it was a surprisingly good smoke. Probably Cuban tobacco.

Same, an experiences CC friend gave me a fake Piramides Extra to try just for a fun comparison as PE is one of my favoutites.

The ONLY reason I tried it is he smoked the entire box and has dissected one for inspection and confirmed the tobacco was good and genuine product from Cuba.

Otherwise I would not touch a Fohiba under any circumstances...