Recent Purchase Authenticity Question.

[Jesuscookies]

I recently purchased a couple of boxes from an online vendor. Normally, I would not make a purchase like this online, but a friend said he had been in their store while visiting Spain, and the cigars were infact "authentic". Since I am unable to get real Habanos any other way, I figured I would give it shot.

I scoured over the boxes, and everything looks legit, but I am not a seasoned pro. In any event, I would like to ask for your help.

My main issue is with the warranty seal. It has the yellow crest when exposed to UV light. However, the seal numbers do not really flouresce when exposed to the UV light. I compared this to another known "good" box, and the numbers on this one would flouresce while the letters did nothing. Are there normal variations in this feature? Do some not flouresce at all? Is this a normal occurence? Or do I have fakes?

Thanks for any help you can offer

[Ginseng]

My main issue is with the warranty seal. It has the yellow crest when exposed to UV light. Doesn't worry me However, the seal numbers do not really flouresce when exposed to the UV light. Not a problem, so do, some don't I compared this to another known "good" box, and the numbers on this one would flouresce while the letters did nothing. Are there normal variations in this feature? Yes. Doesn't worry me Do some not flouresce at all? Right Is this a normal occurence? Yes Or do I have fakes? Nothing in your text or images seems particularly fishy to me

Thanks for any help you can offer

If you want, you can PM me with the vendor information and perhaps I can give you some assurance.

Wilkey

[toracubed]

From what I can see they look authentic. If not, they are good counterfeits. Is the Habanos SA imprinted into the box? Almost like it was burned? I'm not sure about the factory code, but I think they changed that up over the years to be more diffcult to identify.

To me they look real, but I'm no authority, and can't see or feel the stamp on the bottom of the box. I'm sure the Pros here in the forum will let you know jiffy quick.

[shrink]

Nothing in your text or images seems particularly fishy to me

Wilkey

Not even a Devil with the name "Jesuscookies"?

[Jesuscookies]

Lol...The devil is in the details my friend.

To answer the above question, yes the markings on the bottom are burned into the box.

Wilkey, thanks for you quick response.

Not even a Devil with the name "Jesuscookies"?

[FlyFishingDude]

As for the serial number on the warranty seal, I've seen both, some of them fluoresced, some didn't, so I wouldn't hold that as the ultimate determining factor.

[nocsious]

The well done fakes I've seen, the swords on the montecristo trademark have a better looking and more brightly colored gold. The real deal is much more dull in appearance. they look good, so smoke em.

[Jimmy2]

Look real to me...

[Ken Gargett]

Look real to me...

agreed.

[El Presidente]

agreed.

Looks good to me. Flavour determines.

Wilkey can assist on the finer detail of fluorescence of the seal as I don't have a clue

[Ginseng]

We are working on a database to catalog features such as fluorescence and other seal details but it is presently still in alpha/beta testing.

Thus far, no patterns present themselves. More data would be of help though.

Wilkey

[strayvector]

Those look pretty good. Smoke'em, but I'd be more worried about the box of PSD4 next to them. Box just doesn't look right.

cheers,

JK

[Jesuscookies]

Those are from the same vendor, and again everything appears legit, except for the fact that the numbers don't flouresce.

I will post up more pictures of that box for you to take a look at.

I'd be more worried about the box of PSD4 next to them. Box just doesn't look right.

cheers,

JK

[jeromeroselli]

Any luck with photos from the psd4 box?

[Jesuscookies]

Any luck with photos from the psd4 box?

Yeah, I got a couple here. Again from the same vendor.

[Jay Hemingway]

looks good to me.

[jeromeroselli]

Beauties!

[Donnie]

If the vendor is spanish, Montecristo's box are fake. They don't have the ALTADIS (official spanish importer) sticker.

Same for other boxes without altadis sticker..

[smokem]

The PSD4s appear to have too much color variation between cigars, especially the 2nd row. Or is it just my eyes and the photos?

[Ginseng]

If the vendor is spanish, Montecristo's box are fake. They don't have the ALTADIS (official spanish importer) sticker.

Same for other boxes without altadis sticker..

This is true only if the vendor's stock came through Altadis. Parallel importation out of Spain is not an impossibility.

Wilkey

[Jesuscookies]

If the vendor is spanish, Montecristo's box are fake. They don't have the ALTADIS (official spanish importer) sticker.

Same for other boxes without altadis sticker..

I hope it is okay to put a supplier name down? If not, please edit as you see fit.

The supplier for this vendor is Socorro Tabacos, S.A. (Sotabac). So, it would not have an ALTADIS import sticker. And yes, it is still in Spain.

[Ginseng]

I think you're fine, JC. HSA list Sotabac as a distributor on their page here.

Wilkey

[Jesuscookies]

I am not worried Wilkey, I just wanted to answer the question on the distributor sticker. I have tasted both and am certain they are fine.

I think you're fine, JC. HSA list Sotabac as a distributor on their page here.

Wilkey

[Ginseng]

I was referring to your naming Sotabac. But either way, good is good.

Wilkey

[Jesuscookies]

LOL... for being a retard.

I was referring to your naming Sotabac. But either way, good is good.

Wilkey