How do these Montecristo no 4's Look?

[AndrewDill]

I'm working on buying these hopefully this weekend, and I want to know what any of you guys think about the authenticity and condition of these smokes.

Thanks!

 

[Altercall]

I've got extensive experience with Montes. Send me one and I'll let you know.:starrylov

 

[Altercall]

And how the heck did you post those huge pics? I have to reduce every pic I post.

 

[aleam_38]

I've got extensive experience with Montes. Send me one and I"Ll let you know.

How did I know you were going to say that.

 

[AndrewDill]

I used imageshack.us

i figured it would be a good idea to not scale these down, so you can get a better look.

 

[Headbanger]

Weird. :scratchhe From what I have seen posted, there should be a box code on the bottom that is burned in to show the month and year produced. Not an indicator, just an issue and possible clue something is not right. Getting a box second hand as it sounds you are, consider the person and their source very carefully. Good luck.

 

[Altercall]

Just noticed something, no box coed or date stamp. Don't think I've ever seen a box w/o those.

 

[tubaman]

boxcode?

 

[tubaman]

banger and alter beat me to it!!

If he is passing these off as aged, before boxcode use in mid 80's, the bands are the new style.

 

[Altercall]

Steve, the Habanos SA is heat stamped, the box code and date stamp are in ink. I've seen them stamped very lightly a couple of times, but that doesn't have any stamp. I can't tell from the pics, but I'm not sure it the Habanos SA is a heat stamp or not. It should be pressed into the wood on the box.

 

[CWS]

Since it is illegal for a U.S. citizen to purchase or smoke Cuban cigars, I would assume they are suspect.

 

[Jwrussell]

Yep, same thing jumped out at me. Everything else looks plausible, but I have to say I don't think I've ever seen a box without a boxcode and date code on the bottom...I've seen it where they are hard to read, but certainly not missing completely.

I'd take a pass on these.

 

[frankluke]

i/ve never seen the red numbers on the tax seal printed so crappy.. no date/factory code, and i cant tell from the pics, but it looked like no triple cap.. IMO, there fakes

 

[Altercall]

The box looks identical to all the Montes I've seen pics of... It just boils down to who your source is and do you trust them? BTW, you do know that buying Cubans is illegal?

 

[BrettMaverick]

Andrew,

These appear to be fakes I'm sorry to say.

 

[Altercall]

Nick I think they are trip capped, I clearly see two on all the cigars and often that 3rd is above the curve in the head.

 

[tubaman]

Can't tell much about the caps from the angle of the photos.

I agree with Nick, the red ink looks awful. Then again, this is Cuba and the quality control is very suspect. The lack of a boxcode disturbs me the most.

 

[Headbanger]

Let's take a guess: A "friend" brought these back from Mexico last weekend and is being nice by offering to sell you the box.

 

[Altercall]

Can't tell much about the caps from the angle of the photos.

I agree with Nick, the red ink looks awful. Then again, this is Cuba and the quality control is very suspect. The lack of a boxcode disturbs me the most.

I agree. Everything else looks plausible except the lack of a boxcode/datestamp. On the other hand, those look nice and dark, if they are real I bet they're really good.:drool:

Side note, we need a better drool smiley.

 

[AndrewDill]

Haha no, He's a Canadian professor that takes trips out to Cuba annually.
He's doing a sabbatical here in San Diego and decided to sell them off.

Thanks everyone for your input, the lack of the date stamps does raise a reg flag.