VIDEO / Cohiba Siglo de Oro Year Of The Rabbit 23 with NFC technology

[Zigarren.Zone]

Hello everyone

The NFC technology has now found its way into cigars. The introduction of NFC technology to the world of Habanos is a remarkable innovation. A short video with English subtitles:

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It allows users to access a variety of content simply by touching the cigar box with an NFC-enabled device. The 18 cigar box has a beautiful and elegant finish. The individual cigar costs CHF / EUR 240.00 (the whole box CHF / EUR 4,320.00). The Cohiba Siglo de Oro Vitola presents itself with a ring gauge of 54 and a length of 115 mm. It is small. 🇨🇺

[Zigarren.Zone]

Thanks @El Presidente for the permission to show the video.

[Vetteman]

Interesting video, thanks for posting. It is a beautiful cigar and box, but I doubt I'd pay 240 euro for a cigar even if I could easily afford it

[ATGroom]

It's a nice video, but it doesn't answer the one question I have about this technology, which is "how does the authentication work?"

I.e., as far as you can tell from the video it is just a link to a page on the Habanos website.

Are they relying on just the fact that the box has a chip in it to say "it must be authentic because a chip is technology that could never be replicated"?

Or is there some kind of more sophisticated handshake going on that actually verifies the authenticity in some way.

[Zigarren.Zone]

A very good question! Only the chip says "I am an original and not a fake". It is now more difficult for counterfeiters to fake this line of Cohiba cigars. They would have to get their hands on the original chip to put it on a fake box. Or they could steal the original box and put fake cigars in it. In any case, it's more difficult for counterfeiters now.

PS: I love your "cubanscigarwebsite". It was suddenly destroyed a few years ago 😱 At the time I was able to give you a tip on how to get it back online. Of course, I don't know if you remember me. It was 382 years ago 😅

[El Presidente]

Excellent video! 

I would love to see them roll this out on all boxes over time. 

Let's face it. It isn't a cure-all. However it is another step. 

At today's prices, they can afford to implement it 

[Zigarren.Zone]

Thank you. Yes, I am curious to see what boxes they will integrate this into in the future.

[Bijan]

The next step is to put the chip in the cigar, perhaps under the cap, and have the chip deactivate/self-destruct when the cigar is cut or smoked.

That would end any fakes, except for those produced with internal collusion.

 

14 hours ago, ATGroom said:

Or is there some kind of more sophisticated handshake going on that actually verifies the authenticity in some way.

This would be the kind of authentication you get from tapping a credit card. It's an authentication handshake/protocol that verifies the identity of the chip without revealing enough information for one to be able to duplicate the chip.

[Zigarren.Zone]

23 minutes ago, Bijan said:

This would be the kind of authentication you get from tapping a credit card. It's an authentication handshake/protocol that verifies the identity of the chip without revealing enough information for one to be able to duplicate the chip.

This is a very good idea. But it would have to be such that you don't get any metal splinters or microplastics on your tongue. 😅

[Cigar Surgeon]

5 hours ago, Bijan said:

This would be the kind of authentication you get from tapping a credit card. It's an authentication handshake/protocol that verifies the identity of the chip without revealing enough information for one to be able to duplicate the chip.

Plasencia had a cigar release where there was an NFC in the band. 

[Zigarren.Zone]

2 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Plasencia had a cigar release where there was an NFC in the band. 

Oh? In the USA? That is unknown to me here in Europe.

[Cigar Surgeon]

Just now, Zigarren.Zone said:

Oh? In the USA? That is unknown to me here in Europe.

I believe Plasencia was one of the earlier brands getting distribution in Europe. But I assume the NFC cigar was only available in the US.

https://www.plasenciacigars.com/stores/?location=europe

[Corylax18]

I'm confused. How does this make the cigars better/improve QC? Or are we completely past the point where the actual cigars matter? 

[bates40]

Someone should advise Jack Ryan immediately. He just saved San Diego from similar technology. 

[Bijan]

6 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Plasencia had a cigar release where there was an NFC in the band. 

That's closer but people could reuse the bands or the chips in them. Unless there is some provision to disable them once they are taken off the cigar.

[Chas.Alpha]

16 hours ago, Zigarren.Zone said:

Thanks @El Presidente for the permission to show the video.

At least he let you show yours.

Mine was banned on FOH and 74 other countries…😔

[Zigarren.Zone]

8 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

I'm confused. How does this make the cigars better/improve QC? Or are we completely past the point where the actual cigars matter? 

Of course, the cigar does not get better, that's true. For counterfeiters it becomes more difficult.

[Cigar Surgeon]

17 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

I'm confused. How does this make the cigars better/improve QC? Or are we completely past the point where the actual cigars matter? 

We've been completely past the point where the cigars matter for some time. 😆

[Corylax18]

15 hours ago, Zigarren.Zone said:

For counterfeiters it becomes more difficult.

Does it? Many people buy fakes now that are very easy to discern as fakes with the existing safeguards. Codes in the wrong font, serial #s that return to the wrong cigar, "DIY" sticker kits, glasstops. 

What does adding a little chip into .00000001% of the yearly production actually do to prevent fakes? I'm certain that these boxes will still be faked and suckers will still buy those fakes. 

This is just more rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  

[Corylax18]

9 minutes ago, BoliDan said:

I doubt they care about keeping counterfeits away from non-connoisseurs, and the goal is to bring peace of mind to those that are frequent purchasers of $3000 boxes.

So you're only a "connoisseur" if you buy $3000 boxes of cigars? I would argue the exact opposite is true, but what do I know. How many of these "Ultra Exclusive" cigars are actually smoked? Very few, especially compared to regular production cigars. The flash is what's important here, not the cigars. 

13 minutes ago, BoliDan said:

They are the only one paying attention to this stuff anyway.

Apparently not. The guy with the Youtube channel that bought a $7500 box of Fake Majestuosos without even reading the insert would lead me to believe that the details really dont matter to these people. Its all about Piano Black and Gold Leaf, the details don't seem to matter at all. 

[Zigarren.Zone]

On 7/27/2023 at 6:22 AM, Corylax18 said:

Does it? Many people buy fakes now that are very easy to discern as fakes with the existing safeguards. Codes in the wrong font, serial #s that return to the wrong cigar, "DIY" sticker kits, glasstops. 

What does adding a little chip into .00000001% of the yearly production actually do to prevent fakes? I'm certain that these boxes will still be faked and suckers will still buy those fakes. 

This is just more rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  

Yes, it is not easy, the brands will continue to be counterfeited in the future. But maybe you have a good idea? 😅

 

On 7/27/2023 at 6:44 AM, BoliDan said:

I want a DNA test kit on my cigars so I can verify the roller. 

Well, THAT would be most interesting indeed. Then we would know if the people are right who claim that some wrappers on Cuban cigars are the wrappers from Nicaragua. If that were true, then there would not be a shortage in Cuba of wrapper leaves. I think that is a fairy tale.

[Rhinoww]

I have had two unbanded of these sticks. They were very good. Not worth the ask with bands and box, but a step above say a coro. 

[Hammer Smokin']

dumb question but, if they were unbanded, how do you know what you were smoking? 

[Rhinoww]

24 minutes ago, Hammer Smokin' said:

dumb question but, if they were unbanded, how do you know what you were smoking? 

Like all cigars these days - how long have you known your source and do you trust them. Simple as that. I’ve known my source since well before cigarmageddon and was introduced by someone else I trust who has purchased from them for nearly 20 years. Could I be wrong. Maybe, but I doubt it. Historically on point as well.