RASS - question to experts

[cooper669]

If you got a Trinidad Robust Extra box with a 2016 code it is fake! Discontinued in 2012

[TheBaron]

4 hours ago, nick-seattle said:

Thanks, everyone. it looks like I have a fake

The cigar tastes significantly better. SOM box was underwhelming for me, but it's getting better. BAM box is a true gem - exactly how RASS is supposed to taste, power, complexity, pepper, coffee - all there. These might have come "directly" from the factory, so I have no clue what's going on. 

 

But if it tastes great, who cares about authenticity? Taste trumps all IMO.

[AlohaStyle]

5 hours ago, nick-seattle said:

These might have come "directly" from the factory, so I have no clue what's going on. 

 

No, they absolutely did not come from the factory.  You do not have RASS cigars, highly doubt someone would put legit cigars in a totally fake box.  As I said in PM, if they truly came from Cuba, you most likely have cuban tobacco.  You very well could like it, but they're not RASS. 

[AlohaStyle]

5 hours ago, nick-seattle said:

BTW, I also got Trinidad Robust Extra from the same person - also with 2016 code. Perfect cigar as well, but these have been discontinued. 

 

Also, fake.  Sorry man.  But if you like the taste, oh well. 

[BuzzArd]

6 hours ago, nick-seattle said:

that's true, but Rob's statement that "the best are listed in 24:24" raises my question about what is in the store

I buy from CUNTINT regularly.  Everything has been fantastic.  The crap ends up at the gas station counters and night clubs, not sent to FOH members.  

Fear not.

[BuzzArd]

Forgive the double post....

[NSXCIGAR]

Am I the only one who sees this more as a commentary on how 2016 RASS are getting blown away by some backdoor Cuban fugazis? 

[BuzzArd]

7 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Am I the only one who sees this more as a commentary on how 2016 RASS are getting blown away by some backdoor Cuban fugazis? 

Nope.  Not past me.  I've had a hate/hate relationship with every RASS I've ever tried and I'm glad the saving grace here is that they seem to be good cigars. 

[Shaunster]

I never have liked the RASS. its a consistent let down for me.

[nick-seattle]

Thanks, everyone. Really appreciate your help. It just shows how far fakes progressed. All embossing is perfect - more pronounced and higher quality than on the original box. All watermarks are there, all holograms are there, labels on cigars look absolutely perfect as well - if I wouldn't have compared it to the original box I wouldn't have noticed anything suspicious. 

[SCgarman]

19 hours ago, nick-seattle said:

Thanks, everyone. it looks like I have a fake

The cigar tastes significantly better. SOM box was underwhelming for me, but it's getting better. BAM box is a true gem - exactly how RASS is supposed to taste, power, complexity, pepper, coffee - all there. These might have come "directly" from the factory, so I have no clue what's going on. 

 

Don't kid yourself. They are 100% fakes. Box is wrong. Box code font is all wrong. Smoke them if you wish, but I would toss the box if it were me.  The factory they came from was most likely a counterfeiters house.  Not any cigar factory. 

[nick-seattle]

1 minute ago, NYgarman said:

Don't kid yourself. They are 100% fakes. Box is wrong. Box code font is all wrong. Smoke them if you wish, but I would toss the box if it were me.

Don't have any doubt now, I was just pointing that without comparing them to the real thing, it's becoming reaaaaaalllllly hard to say.

Sorry, can't through them away - these are one of the best cigars that I have smoked and I have quite a few boxes from Rob to compare (about 50 different types of cuban boxes in my humi)

[Fugu]

53 minutes ago, nick-seattle said:

It just shows how far fakes progressed. All embossing is perfect - more pronounced and higher quality than on the original box. All watermarks are there, all holograms are there, labels on cigars look absolutely perfect as well

Yup, in particular one has to appreciate how meticulously abuelita cut out the bands using her nail scissors... 

[canadianbeaver]

We here know what to look for in genuine and have this resource to discuss with knowledgeable friends. Most travelers do not or like a bargain.

On our trip that is ending today, we hear about this like always when we offer Cuban cigars to guests every night at a small smoking area. I do this to offer appreciation for this annual business trip.

If a person is a decent collector I tell them about FOH.

 

[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, NYgarman said:

...but I would toss the box if it were me.

Yeah, toss them into my trash can so I can pull them out and smoke them!

I'm hoping you're kidding. Due money was paid for these. Fake or not, one is doing more to support the actual Cuban people if you buy a box of counterfeits. The only reason one should avoid counterfeits is because they generally are inferior to Habanos. If they smoke great, hell, I'd go back to the same counterfeiter! I know they're not RASS, but in this case, I'd be glad they're not. I wouldn't endorse the pursuit of counterfeits, as one is going to get burned 99% of the time, but the OP might have stumbled on to a 1% gem.

[Shaunster]

I guess the problem with fakes regardless of taste is you never know what else could be inside the cigar you are smoking.

[Jimmy_jack]

cut one open and take a look at the bunching

[CaptainQuintero]

People are faking RASS now? 

Seems a strange thing to fake. What's next, fake La Fuerza?

[PigFish]

Interesting discussion all around. While I like the spirit of smoking a great cigar as indicated by @NSXCIGAR and others, I cannot align myself with purchasing from a purveyor of frauds...

I was careful here not to say 'thief.' As if that was the standard, I could not buy my cigars from Isla Castro! Being a Cuban cigar smoker, the standard held to whom I will do business with is therefore quite low (my mate Rob, is a notable exception). As the stage has been set, the purveyor of frauds in obviously below even my standard!!!

Not all Cuban cigars are gems. I too am someone who has never enjoyed the RASS. I have one box that I may likely never smoke.

-Piggy

[NSXCIGAR]

2 hours ago, PigFish said:

Interesting discussion all around. While I like the spirit of smoking a great cigar as indicated by @NSXCIGAR and others, I cannot align myself with purchasing from a purveyor of frauds...

I was careful here not to say 'thief.' As if that was the standard, I could not buy my cigars from Isla Castro! Being a Cuban cigar smoker, the standard held to whom I will do business with is therefore quite low (my mate Rob, is a notable exception). As the stage has been set, the purveyor of frauds in obviously below even my standard!!!

Not all Cuban cigars are gems. I too am someone who has never enjoyed the RASS. I have one box that I may likely never smoke.

-Piggy

Yes, I agree I cannot endorse or condone the purchasing of fakes as a general rule. However, often in life we accidentally stumble on to something unexpected, bizarre or unique, and exceptions can be made in specific instances. While also trying to avoid aligning myself with purveyors of fakes, one must take into account the state of affairs on the island and realize it is a place full of oddity and mystery and unique circumstances. As you aptly note, HSA, Cubatabaco and the Cuban state are themselves all far from the most virtuous organizations.

At the end of the day, I want great cigars, and if it is a purveyor of fakes that provides them, I am willing to entertain it. However, this is such a rare circumstance I feel comfortable in issuing a blanket advisement to never pursue it. If, however, they are stumbled upon or accidentally discovered, then what the hell. As long as you know they are not what they claim to be and you understand fully what it is you are buying, I have no issues. That's my decision to make as a fully-informed adult if I choose to purchase more of them from that source. 

[NSXCIGAR]

8 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

People are faking RASS now? 

Seems a strange thing to fake. What's next, fake La Fuerza?

I agree, it's a bit of a curve ball. However, if I saw it anywhere I'd expect it to be in Cuba. RASS is ultimately a very popular cigar worldwide, and one that a lot of people are looking for and buy in Cuba. It just doesn't command the high prices that Cohiba and Monte do, and that's why fakes outside of those two brands are uncommon in Mexico and the Caribbean these days. I would imagine there are probably quite a bit of PSD4 fakes as well there.

[SCgarman]

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2017 at 4:33 PM, NSXCIGAR said:

Yeah, toss them into my trash can so I can pull them out and smoke them!

I'm hoping you're kidding. Due money was paid for these. Fake or not, one is doing more to support the actual Cuban people if you buy a box of counterfeits. The only reason one should avoid counterfeits is because they generally are inferior to Habanos. If they smoke great, hell, I'd go back to the same counterfeiter! I know they're not RASS, but in this case, I'd be glad they're not. I wouldn't endorse the pursuit of counterfeits, as one is going to get burned 99% of the time, but the OP might have stumbled on to a 1% gem.

I am not kidding, if were me I would toss them. What is the loss of 150 dollars or so in the jist of things? Certainly many of us have wasted much more money on more foolish things.  But as the old adage goes; Ignorance is Bliss!

[canadianbeaver]

This thread is why I only buy cigars from 2-3 completely trusted sources, and this one where we are typing is number one online.

The only time I buy on dry land is if I am traveling and the store owner looks me in the eye and chats with me. We usually sit together and enjoy a smoke. In the last seven days I sat with Justin, who owns the biggest cigar store in Hawaii. Do not faint, but I bought 10 black band Tatuaje lonsdales. They are really nice!

CB