I will for now give you the BOTD, as it does smell quite cuban. However, Ian, that band is NOT authentic. That band is an Obvious Fake. Just because (and I reserve my thoughts until after I smoke it) a cigar is made in Cuba, or even from real Cuban Tobacco, that does not make it a "COHIBA ESPLENDIDO". It also does NOT make it nearly as valuable as the real thing. A fake cuban Cohiba is not even worth what you charge for shipping, honestly.