Need help identifying a cigar

[ChazHollywood]

I was recently handed a cigar of unknown make model and origin. I was wondering if any of you guys might recognize it. The guy who gave it to me had been given it by a friend, and didn't know anything about it. I figure if anyone has seen it before it'd be you guys. I've attached a picture. Look familiar to anyone? Any help or insight is appreciated.

Thanks

-Charles

 

[ctaylor]

Looks like a Don Lino Africa to me

 

[theribdoctor]

Looks like a Don Lino Africa to me

looks like ctaylor is right.

http://www.thompsoncigar.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=68847&cm_vc=10583

 

[PLUSH]

Looks like a Don Lino Africa to me

I thought that at first. However, it does not look like any I have.

all mine look like this

 

[theribdoctor]

yeah the A is different.

 

[ctaylor]

Yeah they are different but the design and colors are similar. IDK maybe a new band?

 

[ChazHollywood]

The bands have distinctive elements in common, but that doesn't seem to be it. Possibly another of the same brand, or maybe a knock-off?

The band is real weird, it's made of a fairly thick stock, almost index card. Also, that color difference between the wrapper leaf above and below the band is not just from the camera, it's a sharp visible difference. I'm very tempted to take the band off and take a closer look. The cigar looks like it's probably taken too much wrapper damage to smoke, anyway.

-Charles

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

The bands have distinctive elements in common, but that doesn't seem to be it. Possibly another of the same brand, or maybe a knock-off?

The band is real weird, it's made of a fairly thick stock, almost index card. Also, that color difference between the wrapper leaf above and below the band is not just from the camera, it's a sharp visible difference. I'm very tempted to take the band off and take a closer look. The cigar looks like it's probably taken too much wrapper damage to smoke, anyway.

-Charles

Charles, that's where I'd put my money, until we can really determine what it is.

 

[USNStoops]

A knock-off Africa. What is the world coming too.

 

[ctaylor]

I think it may have been a custom band whoever gave it to you had made. Re-banding the cigar could have contributed to the damaged wrapper too. I just can't see why someone would counterfeit the Africa, they are fairly inexpensive and not incredible popular. I know places online make it easy to create your own band, my guess is he made it to resemble the Africa, prob because of an initial or something.
I could be totally wrong too. I have looked at a lot of pics online of the Africa and anything else that came up in the search to no avail. I would smoke it just to see how it is, could be a nice smoke.

 

[VillageIdiot]

The head looks like it may have been dipped in something, so it could be have a sweetened tip. Or maybe someone walked around with it in his/her mouth for a hour or two. I've never seen that band. I don't think it's a rip-off of anything else. More than likely it's just another bundle cigar. The band does look nice though. It could even be something new coming out.

 

[Robinsond]

Some mystery!! Knowing what I know about cigars, I can't help much, but I'll definitely keep checking back b/c now I'm curious.

-Dave

 

[Virtuoso]

I was going to say the Africa as well but like everyone else, no idea why anyone would counterfeit one.

Maybe a new super secret Aurora haha jk. Good luck!! Interesting to say the least!!

 

[tcampbel]

Ver interesting. good luck with that one.

 

[ChazHollywood]

So, at this point I'm leaning toward the "private label" theory, based on the unusual stock the band is made of. I need to look closer at the edges of the band, but it looks like it could possible have been hand cut, or punched out of something perforated. I might brave the wrapper damage and try to smoke it once I'm over my break, just out of curiosity.

Thanks for all the help!

-Charles

 

[jmatkins]

It looks like a C and an A or on the band. Now it could be CA or AC. I looked for while too with no luck

 

[whodeeni]

Can't you just ask your friend to give you the guys number so that you can ask him?

So, at this point I'm leaning toward the "private label" theory, based on the unusual stock the band is made of. I need to look closer at the edges of the band, but it looks like it could possible have been hand cut, or punched out of something perforated. I might brave the wrapper damage and try to smoke it once I'm over my break, just out of curiosity.

Thanks for all the help!

-Charles