HoyoDC Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Hi I purchased this box from private seller. The Cohiba Esplendido looks off and not high quality. Can this be ok? This is a 2023 box. Is this for sure a fake, or you would need to see the cigars? thx… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 That picture isn't going to be of any help. Post the serial#, the box code, the front, the back, the bottom, etc, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoDC Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 Ok, I will send tomorrow with cigar. Pics too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoDC Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 Ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormag38 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Unfortunately these are fake my friend. But definitely not the worst ones I've seen. The biggest tells (while not the only ones): Font and numbering on the SN on the green seal is wrong. Should not be a 23 box. The factory code is an old one. No longer used in 2023. If possible I'd try and get your money back. If that's not an option, I'd just chalk it up to a learned experience. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 The serial # does check out. MAR is an El Laguito code. But I'm not sure if it's valid in 2023 as referenced above. The box code font does look off, but that's expected. Not every factory uses the same stamps, though you'd expect the same factory to be consistent. I haven't bought boxes in a while and certainly not Cohiba's at the new prices, so I can't compare. The cigars themselves look good. The bands, outer box, Habanos seal, leaf insert, etc. Placement is correct too. The seal font and color shade do seem off. The zeros on the box presented are somewhat elongated in comparison to what is on CCW. The green is also darker and muddy. But that could be a photo quality issue. Take a higher quality picture of the warranty seal. Maybe even scan it if possible. If these are indeed fakes, the quality is very good and that's scary. Let's see what others have to say. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoDC Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 14 hours ago, gormag38 said: Unfortunately these are fake my friend. But definitely not the worst ones I've seen. The biggest tells (while not the only ones): Font and numbering on the SN on the green seal is wrong. Should not be a 23 box. The factory code is an old one. No longer used in 2023. If possible I'd try and get your money back. If that's not an option, I'd just chalk it up to a learned experience. So no way, a manufacturer mistake? That doesn’t happen, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormag38 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 1 hour ago, HoyoDC said: So no way, a manufacturer mistake? That doesn’t happen correct. Not that I have ever seen. MAR was no longer used as a box code after JAN or FEB of 22. So that fact alone would make me believe they're fake. But then you add in the weird font with the incorrect serial number; just is too many coincidences. A box starting in 000050 should be a 2020 box if I'm not mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfestrelabr Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 " A box starting in 000050 should be a 2020" A good point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormag38 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 13 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said: If these are indeed fakes, the quality is very good and that's scary. Indeed it is, quite scary. The cigars/caps looks pretty damn good imo. Also, @HoyoDC, by chance do you have a UV light? If so, I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the UV seal on the green seal as well as the bands. (While these measures have been successfully copied by forgers before, I'd still be interested in seeing what your box has). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arabian Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Is the lettering supposed to be printed? This looks like someone took a hammer and a chisel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arabian Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 10 hours ago, gormag38 said: Indeed it is, quite scary. The cigars/caps looks pretty damn good imo. Also, @HoyoDC, by chance do you have a UV light? If so, I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the UV seal on the green seal as well as the bands. (While these measures have been successfully copied by forgers before, I'd still be interested in seeing what your box has). I was watching one of old heads cigar aficionado and he talked about there's fake cigars with the original boxes/packaging and bands and the SN checks out. Basically there's no way you can tell if its fake or not unless you take it to Cuba. scary indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypots Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 In my cigar infancy there were rumors that vendors would switch bands on fugazies and mix a few in with authentic cigars. It’s about the vendor in the end and even they can be fooled. The big prices make it more worthwhile to counterfeit cigars. BTW, shouldn’t the warranty seal have another sticker, I forget what it’s called, under it thus providing a little bump in the outer sticker? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoDC Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 10 hours ago, Arabian said: I was watching one of old heads cigar aficionado and he talked about there's fake cigars with the original boxes/packaging and bands and the SN checks out. basically there's no way you can tell if its fake or not unless you take it to Cuba. scary indeed. I will send Monday. The box Esplendido type caught my attention but the cigars looked great. I will send the UV light Monday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormag38 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 16 hours ago, joeypots said: t’s about the vendor in the end Always. Holds even more weight in today's cc world. 16 hours ago, joeypots said: BTW, shouldn’t the warranty seal have another sticker, I forget what it’s called, under it thus providing a little bump in the outer sticker? Yes there is a tax stamp underneath the green warranty seal. @HoyoDC you could gently rub your finger over the green warranty seal (near the edge of the box where it starts to fold) and see if you feel another 'sticker' or 'stamp' underneath. Again this is something counterfeiters have started applying, but if there isn't anything underneath then it certainly be another indicator of a fugazi. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoyoDC Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 From seller : The Esplendido a purchased from a Habano Sommelier in Havana. They regularly get boxes and samples from the factories and Habanos SA. That box is 100% from the El Laguito factory, which is the mother factory of the Cohiba brand. The factory code of the El Laguito was MAR, now it is GES. It is hard to say when they changed it, because it does not happen from one day to another. With the code of 000050791106, I agree with you. This barcode was used on 2021 boxes. Maybe they stamped the box later, and that is why the inconsistency between the date stamp and the barcode. I sent you many photos, when I offered the box to you. I did not want to hide any detail. What you can be sure, that the box is from a reliable source, and the content of the box is 100% authentic Cohiba Esplendidos cigars. This box is over 2500 USD in Havana in the shops, and over 3000 in Europe. I could give it to you for 1800 because I could buy it from a Habanos Sommelier, who would never sell non factory cigars. He is willing to arrange for a refund. 15 hours ago, gormag38 said: Always. Holds even more weight in today's cc world. Yes there is a tax stamp underneath the green warranty seal. @HoyoDC you could gently rub your finger over the green warranty seal (near the edge of the box where it starts to fold) and see if you feel another 'sticker' or 'stamp' underneath. Again this is something counterfeiters have started applying, but if there isn't anything underneath then it certainly be another indicator of a fugazi. Will check that Monday too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li Bai Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 15 hours ago, HoyoDC said: He is willing to arrange for a refund. I would take it, I'd always have a doubt otherwise but that's just me. Personally, I don't buy Cohiba but if I did, it would be from here or from a trusted shop with the additional official importer seal on the box. It's a shame but looking for cheaper Cohibas nowadays is like fighting windmills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormag38 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 15 hours ago, HoyoDC said: I could give it to you for 1800 HUGE red flag. No one is giving away cohibas for discounted prices like that. 15 hours ago, HoyoDC said: It is hard to say when they changed it While they do not officially release factory codes/announce when they change it is totally possible to piece together information to get a general idea as to when codes change/which ones they are using. MAR has not been seen since the start of 2022. (This is when it changed to GES). 15 hours ago, HoyoDC said: He is willing to arrange for a refund. Take it. 15 hours ago, HoyoDC said: I could buy it from a Habanos Sommelier Judging based on this, he very well could've bought it from someone in Cuba. The sticks look quite good and are could very likely be Cuban tobacco. With that being said, do you really wanna pay 1800 for some farm rolls with Cohiba bands slapped on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfestrelabr Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 Take the refund. This story is very folklore to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chibearsv Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 5 hours ago, gormag38 said: HUGE red flag. No one is giving away cohibas for discounted prices like that. Agreed on the refund suggestion here. $75 per cigar is too much to spend on orange or red flags and a story about why they may exist; especially if the cigars should cost $100. If they're willing to give the refund, I'd take it, run, and never look back at this seller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wailbait Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Take the refund. Run. There are no “deals” on Cohiba. No one “knows” anyone. I’m personally scared if I start seeing fake PLPC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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