Fake Monte Cristo No2

[Nemi]

Hello!

A friend of mine recently went to Cuba and brought home a box of " Monte Cristo No 2 ".

When he gave me the box, my heart skipped a beat.

Obvious fake. Serial number does not match the type of sigar, box is pasted, hologram sign is pasted onto the tax stamp... So yeah...

I took 2 apart to see whats inside, this however seemed ok? No bits and pieces or dirt only tobacco leaves. The cigars where well forged, all the same color, form was not all over the place.

I smoked one, taste seemed fine - Smokeable - ( i'm not a profesisonal, just a beginner ), only the draw was a bit uneven but very smokeable.

Still, i stay suspecious about these cigars.
What would you do? Trow them in the bin?

[Maplepie]

I've gotten my hands on a box of fake Esplendido's.

Rubbed them up into flakes for some half decent pipe tobacco.

Infused Dalmore 12 in em for some outstanding pipe tobacco.

If that's not your thing, keep them handy. You'll never kno when you'll need spare cigar wrapper or binder

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[potpest]

Any pictures of said cigars? Always interesting to see fakes

[Nemi]

Will post some pictures when I'm back home

[Nemi]

Some images as promised:

As you can see they are a bit boxpressed aswel.

[Clynch]

They seem alright in the pictures.

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[shlomo]

I've never seen a box pressed Monte 2. Maybe they exist for others though...?

[shlomo]

Also missing a few things like the date stamp, the hologram and the warning sticker

[shlomo]

The Chevron looks odd as well

[AlohaStyle]

Clearly fake. That box press makes it look like a Fuente Anejo Shark...

[Nemi]

No doubt they are fake. But would you smoke them or trow them away?

[Maplepie]

No doubt they are fake. But would you smoke them or trow them away?

Refer to my post (number 2)

Don't bin them. Might come in handy down the road.

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[cigcars]

I always recall the incident when I purchased some "Cohiba" (uh huh) Esplendidos in 1998 or so, and when I got home and opened the box I felt the sensation of that stone falling and falling - and falling until it lands on your heart, to discover these were a box of fakes. CLEAR fakes. The wrapper was dark greenish and gravelly or sandy in texture, all were uneven and not sized properly, the whole 9 yards. After a VERY LONG time I finally broke down and decided to smoke one...it was the most Heavenly, wonderful, spectacular smoking stick I'd EVER had to that date. Sacrilege to say, I know. But I have to be truthful. Maybe, just maybe THIS one WAS a case of somebody's "cousin"/"brother"/"uncle"/"acquaintance"/ad infinitum who actually "worked at the factory", etc., etc., etc. What can I say!?

[Maplepie]

After a VERY LONG time I finally broke down and decided to smoke one...it was the most Heavenly, wonderful, spectacular smoking stick I'd EVER had to that date. Sacrilege to say, I know. But I have to be truthful. Maybe, just maybe THIS one WAS a case of somebody's "cousin"/"brother"/"uncle"/"acquaintance"/ad infinitum who actually "worked at the factory", etc., etc., etc. What can I say!?

Huh. Who knew ageing them would work with some.

But be honest, you wouldn't buy fauxplendidos in the present day, eh?

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[Nemi]

I know. I smoked one yesterday and it was not bad at all. Im Just scared it was a lucky one out of 25...

[Maplepie]

I know. I smoked one yesterday and it was not bad at all. Im Just scared it was a lucky one out of 25...

Cut 2-3 open. Make sure it's all good there.

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[Nemi]

I cut 2 open. Nothing but tobacco.

[Maplepie]

I cut 2 open. Nothing but tobacco.

Smoke away.

Save the cut tobacco. Binder and wrapper is good for touching up destroyed cigars.

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[Andy04]

I've never seen a box pressed Monte 2. Maybe they exist for others though...?

Box pressing can be unavoidable if a box is stored in a place with excessive humidity causing each stick to expand a little.

[shlomo]

Box pressing can be unavoidable if a box is stored in a place with excessive humidity causing each stick to expand a little.

Makes sense. I still have never seen it though. Wonder how much plumper the cigars have to get to deform like that. maybe in the shower?

[cigcars]

Huh. Who knew ageing them would work with some.

But be honest, you wouldn't buy fauxplendidos in the present day, eh?

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*Of COURSE not. No knowingly, anyway. As I said that was years and years ago when I was very new at acquiring these items. I know now about taking precautions and getting them from accredited dealers today.

[Habana Mike]

Also missing a few things like the date stamp, the hologram and the warning sticker

Yeah, missing box code alone is a sure tell....

[Nemi]

I know, i would never buy it like this. Allways from a confirmed source.

But people who never smoke and who want to do a favor for you sadly dont know this and think they get a good deal.

I warned him before he went though... But cant blame someone for his good intentions.

[Newkarian]

Yeah, missing box code alone is a sure tell....

These definitely look like fakes. But not always fake with a missing code. I believe Rob has a case with missing stamps a while back that he sold at a discount. Cuban quality control ftw

[Maplepie]

I believe Rob has a case with missing stamps a while back that he sold at a discount. Cuban quality control ftw

X2

Good on you, Sean.

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