Input Requested From the "Cuban Experts"

Greetings! Noob here, did a brief intro on the general discussion forum and also introduced my motorcycles there.
I'm looking for input from the 'Cuban Experts' if ya'll don't mind. I'm in Afghanistan on an 'all expense paid vacation' at the moment and have found a local who has been selling Romeo y Julieta #2 Tubos. Research seems to suggest that these aren't among the better of the Cuban crop but what the heck. They do have a 'triple cap' altho not as nice as the Montecristo that I (overpaid for and) picked up in the Romanian airport. Any thoughts on whether or not these are real? The only thing that seems to not match up with my research is the 'Habanos' band in the top right corner. The website I found said that it would have two gold bands and two thin black lines parallel to them. This one doesn't have the thin black lines and has the 'Denominacion...' writing. Is this new? Date code on the bottom of the box is Nov 05. 'Habanos s.a. HECHO EN CUBA Totalmente a mano' is burned into the bottom of the box as well.
Thanx in advance for any input.
'Weazel
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/989019/RJ.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/989019/RJTube.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...JBoxCorner.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/989019/RJBox.JPG

I'm no expert with RyJ nor do I have any to reference, but the cigars look legit. Notice the green splotches? It is common on Cuban cigars.

Im in no way an expert but i have read alot about Cuban cigars. What you want to look for is all Cuban cigars bands will say Habana,Cuba,made in Havana or hecho en Cuba. Tubes containing individul Cuban cigars also have that on it.
All Cuban cigar boxes carry the Cubatabaco name and the logo of a stylized tobacco leaf.
But the most important thing to look for is the stamp that seals the box is very ornate and almost looks like currency and it is real hard to duplicate.

Not an expert but it does look legit from what I can see. Would love to take a look at the pic of the bottom of the box ( box code, etc ) and the security label the green label on the side of the box

as everyone has posted, i am aslo not an expert but have heard that the stamp is always on the right side of the box. just what i've heard.

Again, not a pro.. Does the tube say "the rich aromatic flavour of this fine Havana cigar will be protected by the aluminim container until opened.?
Also, I think the boxes are suposed to come with a slip of paper in them that certifies they are real.

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Originally Posted by Kass

Again, not a pro.. Does the tube say "the rich aromatic flavour of this fine Havana cigar will be protected by the aluminim container until opened.?
Also, I think the boxes are suposed to come with a slip of paper in them that certifies they are real.

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Yes, that's on the other side of the tubes. Pics of the bottom and the 'seal' included now. My research suggested that the 'seal' should be on the left side of the box. I got the last four sticks and ended up with the box, so no papers or anything inside. Next time I'll get a whole box, new in the wrapper.
My thoughts on these would be that it would be like counterfiting five$ to make fakes of these. They're lower on the food chain than many of the other, larger cigars. It would hardly seem worth all the effort to make bands, tubes and a box for as little as they go for. Anyway, here's more pics and Thanx Again!
Weazel :smiley41:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...Jboxbottom.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-.../RJboxCert.JPG

All looks good to me :smiley20:

Just another thought. Is there a cedar thing in the tube?

I know a guy in Kuwait. Just about all he can get is the RyJ Tubos. The ones he brought back home were legit.

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Originally Posted by Kass

Just another thought. Is there a cedar thing in the tube?

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Yes, there's a cedar wrap inside the tube.
I smoked one tonite and it was pretty decent. I didn't gain 20# of lean muscle mass or become more handsome after smoking it (as if that were possible) but it was a decent smoke. Probably worth about what I paid, but not what he was asking originally.
All the guy had left today was the #1s and I have heard that they aren't as good as the #2s, plus they're more $ since they're longer. I'll wait until he has a new, in wrapper box of the #2s and I'll buy it from him.
If nothing else, I can write home to all my friends and tell them I'm smoking Cubans over here... :smiley37:
Thanx again.
Weazel

They look legit to me bud. There should be a clear seal on the front right hand corner of the box as well. But the way you have described them and the questions you have answered would lead me to be 97.5% sure that they are real. But one question for you, are you not committing a crime by smoking a cuban cigar? Couldn't the sales of those cigars be funding terrorism that you are in IRAQ to stop?

They look okay to me too but I can't stand RyJs so........

As far as the seal being on the left side, do you mean the green stamp (which is already on the left side) or the "Habanos" sticker which is on the upper right? If it's on the upper right, that's where it's supposed to be.

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Originally Posted by bigsmoke

They look legit to me bud. There should be a clear seal on the front right hand corner of the box as well. But the way you have described them and the questions you have answered would lead me to be 97.5% sure that they are real. But one question for you, are you not committing a crime by smoking a cuban cigar? Couldn't the sales of those cigars be funding terrorism that you are in IRAQ to stop?

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This is only true for boxes purchased in Cuba itself, not boxes that are exported.

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Originally Posted by drew_goring

This is only true for boxes purchased in Cuba itself, not boxes that are exported.

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:smiley20:

Give that man a cigar!

Just a few more things to note. Authenticating most specimens is extremely difficult with just pictures alone. Also, the fact that there are legitimate inconsistencies coming out of Cuba makes it that much harder.

The seals/codes/stamps appear to be in the right places, and as well the warranty code seal appears to be in line with an '05 box of mine that I checked. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but on the warranty seal where you see the portrait of the workers in the tobacco field with the trees, there is micro print. Unless you have a genuine box next to it to compare, it is difficult to determine if it is legit or not. I really don't like RyJs all that much, so I don't have any bands sitting around to compare it to, but it appears correct to me. As does the tube. The only real concern that I have would be one the bottom, where the paper of the dress box does not overlap. However this could be due to damage during transport, or another one of Cuba's famous inconsistencies. Also, it would be strange for a counterfeiter to go through the import process and have the health warnings on the box.

The main thing is that you enjoyed it.:smiley20:

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Originally Posted by bigsmoke

But one question for you, are you not committing a crime by smoking a cuban cigar? Couldn't the sales of those cigars be funding terrorism that you are in IRAQ to stop?

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Holy Shit! I'm in IRAQ?! They told me I was in Afghanistan :smiley3:
I'm not going to worry about whether or not JFK's embargo applies to a US base on Afghani soil. There's plenty of Mo-Fo's that outrank me smoking the same sticks and they're not worried about it, either. I'm busy dodging rockets, mortars and the occasional stray bullet, the national origin for my carcinogin of choice is not at the top of my list of concerns.
As for funding terrorism (I'm going to quote a much overused term from the Army vocabulary), 'Are you serious?' (Gawd I hate that phrase). If I was buying opium from the local drug lord then perhaps that could be the case. I guess maybe they could get themselves a new AA gun and some RPGs from my purchasing four sticks at five bucks apiece, but I don't think so. In that case, EVERYTHING that we buy at the Bizarre is supplying Osama with new toys.
I had a feeling that someone might flame me soon after I got here but I thought it would be over my eclectic choice of motorcycles or joining the Army instead of the Chair Force, not over a $5 stick. I re-enlisted as a 37 year old Private so I've learned not to enter into pissing matches with someone who's been in one place longer than me, but I've also learned how to push back without being disrespectful.
Please, sir, go back to watching FOX news, the BBC and reading the New York Times...
All the best.
Weazel

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Originally Posted by Road Weazel

Holy Shit! I'm in IRAQ?! They told me I was in Afghanistan :smiley3:
I'm not going to worry about whether or not JFK's embargo applies to a US base on Afghani soil. There's plenty of Mo-Fo's that outrank me smoking the same sticks and they're not worried about it, either. I'm busy dodging rockets, mortars and the occasional stray bullet, the national origin for my carcinogin of choice is not at the top of my list of concerns.
As for funding terrorism (I'm going to quote a much overused term from the Army vocabulary), 'Are you serious?' (Gawd I hate that phrase). If I was buying opium from the local drug lord then perhaps that could be the case. I guess maybe they could get themselves a new AA gun and some RPGs from my purchasing four sticks at five bucks apiece, but I don't think so. In that case, EVERYTHING that we buy at the Bizarre is supplying Osama with new toys.
I had a feeling that someone might flame me soon after I got here but I thought it would be over my eclectic choice of motorcycles or joining the Army instead of the Chair Force, not over a $5 stick. I re-enlisted as a 37 year old Private so I've learned not to enter into pissing matches with someone who's been in one place longer than me, but I've also learned how to push back without being disrespectful.
Please, sir, go back to watching FOX news, the BBC and reading the New York Times...
All the best.
Weazel

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I was just being synical. Have fun over there and stay safe. Six of my fellow Canadians were just eliminated the other day and that makes me sad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigsmoke

I was just being synical. Have fun over there and stay safe. Six of my fellow Canadians were just eliminated the other day and that makes me sad.

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Make that two more after yesterday :smiley6: .

Anyhow, also there might be slight difference from that box and what we would see in Canada since it is a European export as well. Otherwise, looks legit to me as far as one can tell from pictures.

-W.

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Originally Posted by Monk

Make that two more after yesterday :smiley6: .

Anyhow, also there might be slight difference from that box and what we would see in Canada since it is a European export as well. Otherwise, looks legit to me as far as one can tell from pictures.

-W.

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My sympathies go out to the family's of those who died. They were brothers (and sisters) of mine and they will be missed. That's the bitch about being a soldier, good men and women will be lost. On a brighter note, we mashed a bunch more Tali-beaners over here :smiley42:
Thanx again to everyone for the input on these sticks. I'll probably get a box of them for the novelty of it all. They're not bad at all but there are actually some Honduran and Nicaraguans that I like better.
All the best.
Weazel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Road Weazel

My sympathies go out to the family's of those who died. They were brothers (and sisters) of mine and they will be missed. That's the bitch about being a soldier, good men and women will be lost. On a brighter note, we mashed a bunch more Tali-beaners over here :smiley42:
Thanx again to everyone for the input on these sticks. I'll probably get a box of them for the novelty of it all. They're not bad at all but there are actually some Honduran and Nicaraguans that I like better.
All the best.
Weazel

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Well with full access to Cubans up here I too find that there are some Hondurans and Nicaraguans I prefer over many cubans as well.

Keep yourself safe over there bro!

Fior go bas!!!

-W.

Stay safe man. We don't need any extra death on our planet. There is too much already.

im no expert either, but from what i remember, Cigar Aficionado had a very good section on their website on how to tell if u bought a fake or not. if i find the site ill post it

Fake I S O Ms exposed here... http://www.vitolas.net/index.php?cat=16

and here... http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar...,3390,,00.html