which Cohiba?

[avantgrade]

Hi guys,

I am certainly not experienced with CCs, but tomorrow I will light up this Cohiba to commemorate finishing up my last final exam, as well as passing qualifying exams for my PhD.

I was given this on a trade with a gentleman in Copenhagen at the Davidoff-branded store (pretty much the only shop I could find outside of a few pipe shops). Certainly, please chime in on it's authenticity, but I believe it is real, given the soure (I did chat with him for a good amount of time and he was a very down-to-earth type).

Anyone can tell me, from the pics, what is this Cohiba. My best guess is an older Esplendido, given the size and band.

I appreciate the help!

Tadas

 

[KcJason1]

Error 404: Pics not found!

Measure the Cigar... And what do you think the RG is?

 

[avantgrade]

Sorry, couldn't post from the phone...

The length is right around 6.75 inches and the RG is, I'd say, about 47 or 48.

 

[KcJason1]

hmmm a Esplindido is 7x47
Sig V is 6.7x43

I don't know enough about the old bands to help you. Does it have a triple cap?

 

[avantgrade]

Ok, remeasured with a good ruler... 7 inches exactly.

Tripple cap.

 

[Jfire]

If its real and that old (old band) it should tell u if it is real when u smoke it. The only 2 older cohibas I've had w major down time were a 98 humi and a 02. Both were some of the best I've ever had. On my phone and hard to see pics really good. Smoke it. I was looking for stitching and didn't see any. Another good indicator of a CC.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Really hard to tell man. If it is legit, the age is from 1993-2003. What did you give him in trade, cuz a 2003 or older Esplendido is worth a good chunk of change. The Esplendido is the most counterfeited cigar in the world... what are the odds that some guy is just gonna give you a 9+ year old one?

Here is a picture of a legit band for that cigar. Yours looks pretty close to it, but there is a difference on the "H" in Habana. Not sure if that's a printing mistake or not. Also hard to tell on yours without seeing the whole band. Are there 4 rows of white squares? We can only see the 2...

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/images%5CCohiba_band_1440836416full.jpg

Who knows?

 

[hawaiian]

I sure hope it's real. The cigar itself looks very nicely and yummy. Dunno why but I keep looking at the La habana, Cuba... the font looks a little thick. Either way, congrats and good luck!

 

[Gravity]

Well, it's the Espléndidos if it measured exactly 7", as that is the only Cohiba to ever be released measuring precisely 7".

As to whether it is real or not, that is a little hard to determine from those two pictures. From what I see from the angle in the pics, the comma is in the wrong spot, the font isn't quite right and the spacing of the letters is off. BUT, that is from a bad angle, and with very little knowledge as to the cigars origins. It's quite possible that the comparison band is a little more worn than I would prefer for this sort of thing. There is missing font flourishes on the comparison band, so it's hard to be precise. Now, if those pieces of font flourishes are supposed to be missing, well then it's a given that it's fake. But, as previously stated, I believe the comparison to be older and more worn than would be preferred.

 

[Alwayslit]

......enjoy

 

[avantgrade]

Thanks for all of your input.

I am currently smoking the cigar... it's a great stick. Has some nutty character as well as very pronounced nutmeg. The finish is almost meaty (for my not-so-refined palate). I'm also picking up on some faint cocoa.

Overall, the body seems to be a little bit more subdued, nothing green about it.

Very happy, real or not.

 

[avantgrade]

Half way in:

Lots of cedar and the most creamy texture that I have ever experienced. Burning like a champ, too.

Very faint spice in the background.

 

[avantgrade]

The last few inches were beautiful...

Lots of creaminess, some black pepper spice and a floral note here and there.

I'm happy. Back to the lab.

 

[mk05]

What is important here is that you enjoyed the experience regardless of the label. I think you may like the Illusione Cuchillos Cubanos.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Very happy, real or not.

Well that's the main thing... glad you enjoyed it!

 

[Gravity]

Awesome! Sounds like it was great.

 

[avantgrade]

What is this "stiching" you are referring to?

It was 4 rows of squares... band is identical to what I have seen posted for pre 2004.

 

[avantgrade]

Thanks for the recommended Illusiones!

 

[Jfire]

For some reason (probably due to the way cuban tobacco is fermented and only aged for 180 days) many ccs often have a "stitching" effect on the cigars wrapper were a secondary vein was on the wrapper leaf. While not 100% indicative of ccs, it's often present on them. I'll post a pic in a little bit if I can get photobucket to behave.

 

[mk05]

Eh, I think the stitching depends on the tobacco source from farm to farm. You can find the stitching on Montes, but not on HdMs - for example.

I think the bigger indicator is the wrapper color, sheen, and the black (not white) veining, when not even taking into account the band. I have seen that exact cigar come from the in/famous collectable glass tops. Guaranteed that Espi wrapper felt very "heavy" and "thick" to the touch.