Hi all. I just purchased a box of these from an online retailer, I read the rules about not mentioning sources, so I won't name them. First time I've done this. When the box arrived I see that the stamp for the code is in green ink but is a bit faint. The cigars look OK, wrappers all similar shades, no big veins. The caps look a bit rough though, and on a couple of the sticks, the leaf for the cap is clearly a different colour from the rest of the wrapper. I have heard this dealer is OK, and haven't bought Hoyo cubans for a few years, I'm suspicious. Any thoughts? If you want to PM me, I'd be happy to name the place. Thanks in advance, Kevin
Hoyo Epicure no. 2
- Thread starter docb
- Start date
I am no expert, I will only go by what I see when comparing your CAB SLB to mine.
First off I could not make out the box code on yours...can you post it?
Now mine is FIM MAR05 so the differences could be due to year changes or factory changes but on my box the word "CABINET" is in Caps, yours is on lower case, and the boarder around the "Jose Gener" in yours looks smeared or that the ink bleed out into the wood. My boarder is very sharp and clear.
From what I can see of the Warranty seal looks in the correct position and of the correct shade, you may want to take a better image of the seal. Do you have a black light....if so use it on the seal and you should be able to see a Lemon-yellow UV image of the "Coat of Arms"
The cigars them selves look a bit edgy with some shade difference in the wrappers But the bands look good to me. HdM uses a band that is embossed so you should feel the ridges on the band, it is a very nice band. Have you smoked any of these yet....it should help you decide if they are real.
If you bought these from a reliable vendor, maybe one posted at this site then from experience I would say that they are real, cuba does not always produce the best looking stock day in and day out on some brands, maybe you have a box from a roller that had a hard day!
You can take a look and compare yourself to my CAB SLB and the sticks in the images that I took when I received mine if you follow this link.
http://www.botl.org/community/gallery/browseimages.php?c=69&userid=
Hope that helps...let me know if you have any other questions, and maybe some other members that have more experience than myself will chime in on this one.
eyetek
First off I could not make out the box code on yours...can you post it?
Now mine is FIM MAR05 so the differences could be due to year changes or factory changes but on my box the word "CABINET" is in Caps, yours is on lower case, and the boarder around the "Jose Gener" in yours looks smeared or that the ink bleed out into the wood. My boarder is very sharp and clear.
From what I can see of the Warranty seal looks in the correct position and of the correct shade, you may want to take a better image of the seal. Do you have a black light....if so use it on the seal and you should be able to see a Lemon-yellow UV image of the "Coat of Arms"
The cigars them selves look a bit edgy with some shade difference in the wrappers But the bands look good to me. HdM uses a band that is embossed so you should feel the ridges on the band, it is a very nice band. Have you smoked any of these yet....it should help you decide if they are real.
If you bought these from a reliable vendor, maybe one posted at this site then from experience I would say that they are real, cuba does not always produce the best looking stock day in and day out on some brands, maybe you have a box from a roller that had a hard day!
You can take a look and compare yourself to my CAB SLB and the sticks in the images that I took when I received mine if you follow this link.
http://www.botl.org/community/gallery/browseimages.php?c=69&userid=
Hope that helps...let me know if you have any other questions, and maybe some other members that have more experience than myself will chime in on this one.
eyetek
avid toker
Regulator
I don't like the looks of that warranty seal.....pm me where you got it and I can offer you further advice.
I do not like the looks of the caps. They are very uneven in looks, some downright awful. Also the length of the sticks is way off too. I am no expert here, but I would be suspect. Smoking one should also help. Good luck and Avid knows what he is talking about, go with what he says.
Moglman
Mountain Hound
From the pics, I don't see any one thing that jumps out, but more pics would be good. Take several clear closeups of the cigars, especially the caps, and warranty seal. The code is OEB DIC 06 (I think) which is valid and logical. I think the differences in length is an illusion from them not being lined up, but you can verify. Not the greatest construction but fairly consistent and the caps look ok. I've certainly seen much worse. The warranty seal sticks out but I'll reserve judgement without more pics. Wilkey did an excellent post on several boards about the changes in paper used for the seals in 2006, which now has UV optical brighteners, and what can pass for a missing UV watermark is really just much harder to detect. The white border on the seal looks too wide though.
Thanks guys for your help on this. I want to smoke one, but in the meantime have e-mailed the retailer and await their reply. I have heard that they are reputable, doesn't sound like they would knowingly sell me fakes. Will post more pictures. Cheers and thanks again, Kevin
How can you get away for a vacation during the busy season, what will they do at the hospital without you?
eyetek
Now that I think of it....there is not a better time to take vacation!
Enjoy your much deserved time off....
eyetek
Hey Crossbow. That's very generous of you. I have an Epi #2 in my humidor, but it is about 10 years old, not sure how valid a comparison this would be, the code on this box says '06. I'll PM you, be happy to send you some sticks as well, I have Padron 1964 annis, Monte #2. Thanks, Kevin
