Suspect sophisticated Sir Winston fake

[Cestis4]

First off, the box in question is from an extremely reputable source and it was my first one acquired. I subsequently sourced others from legit sources . For a Christmas party, I opened the box in question and handed a few out and noticed the band. I then compared it to three other boxes I have and noticed some discrepancies in the box construction (height is different in lower part) and lid is thinner.  See photos below : The box in question and the suspect cigars are in the middle for comparison in all photos except the side profile where the suspect band is on the left and the very last photo where the suspect box is on the right and shows the height difference. Note the embossing, font and ink spillover on the suspected band below compared to legit ones straddling it from different boxes.    Appreciate all input.

 

[nKostyan]

The box looks like a fake:

• the lock's nails are unevenly hammered, causing deformation;
• the internal vertical seal lacks rounding;
• the height of the bottom and lid do not match;
• and the bottom has a knot, which is not acceptable.

There is a good lecture by Dmitry Drutsa, brand ambassador of Habanos S.A., on fake boxes. It is in Russian, but an online translator will help you.

[Chibearsv]

I’m not liking the sloppiness of the bands or the box. Ink on the bands, ink on the liner and lid, are a mess. Too much for me to buy. 

[gormag38]

Yeah I would be quite suspicious of that box as well. Too many red flags: the bands ink, the embossment on the bands, the large discrepancy in the box height. I mean it VERY well could all be 'Cuba being Cuba' but it would be enough to steer me away. 

With all that being said, I've gotten some TRULY messed up HU bands on some HU2s before (purchased here at FOH). They looked MUCH worst than the pictures you've posted in regards to alignment. Just thought I'd share. 

I'll also mention that there was a post on Reddit a while back that had some folks talking about getting some fake boxes of HUSWs from a site that was on their 'list'. That may be worth checking out if I was you, or you can PM me and I can give you the details that I recall from reading it. I don't recall what was ever the outcome of but a couple people on there had noticed some discrepancies in boxes coming from one retailer. 

[NYGuido]

On 12/16/2025 at 10:45 AM, gormag38 said:

I'll also mention that there was a post on Reddit a while back that had some folks talking about getting some fake boxes of HUSWs from a site that was on their 'list'. That may be worth checking out if I was you, or you can PM me and I can give you the details that I recall from reading it. I don't recall what was ever the outcome of but a couple people on there had noticed some discrepancies in boxes coming from one retailer. 

This was me. I connected with some folks from this forum and other trusted individuals and the consensus is that they're either fake or too close for comfort. Same with the Lusitanias I got from that vendor. I did a chargeback with AMEX and returned the product (even though AMEX didn't require it); found out today the vendor refused delivery, so they'll be back with me tomorrow.

@Cestis4 My issue was with the marca-specific text being different in color and depth from the 2 legit boxes I have, box height being off about 1/8 inch, no sticker on the varnished box (which the 2 legit boxes have), and some band printing discrepancies. Plus, they tasted like air when I smoked one (though I may have had a cold, so I will smoke another when I get them back).

If @Habanoschrisor @LizardGizmo are willing, I would gladly send a few of each to them (or to Hamlet, frankly) to smoke and let me know what they think. I could also meet them in Queens or NJ. But yeah, some definite questions.

[gormag38]

2 hours ago, NYGuido said:

I connected with some folks from this forum and other trusted individuals and the consensus is that they're either fake or too close for comfort.

Yeah I don't recall all of the specifics, but from what I can recall there was a couple things that weren't typical on most genuine boxes. That missing DOP sticker in the corner being the most glaring. Hopefully others don't fall for their crap in the future. 

[NYGuido]

1 minute ago, gormag38 said:

Yeah I don't recall all of the specifics, but from what I can recall there was a couple things that weren't typical on most genuine boxes. That missing DOP sticker in the corner being the most glaring. Hopefully others don't fall for their crap in the future. 

From now on, it's FOH, BR, or nothing for me.

[Habanoschris]

18 hours ago, NYGuido said:

If @Habanoschrisor @LizardGizmo are willing, I would gladly send a few of each to them (or to Hamlet, frankly) to smoke and let me know what they think. I could also meet them in Queens or NJ. But yeah, some definite questions.

As always, I'd be happy to help in any way. You can message me.