Looking for some opinions on various Davidoffs

[Fumadoro]

Hello all,

Like the title says, I was offered to take a look at some Davidoff cigars that a person is selling who shares an acquaintance with me. We have not yet talked prices, but these are the pictures I was sent. I do not have any experience with vintage Cuban Davidoffs, and am hoping those with experience can take a look at these and share your opinions on their authenticity, quality, etc. I know that a lot of advice given here is to "trust your source" and I agree with that. I have bought from our mutual acquaintance before and the cigars were legit and he seems to be a very good chap, but I want more opinions since this purchase could be very pricey and my lack of experience. If you have any questions for me, please ask away. Thank you in advance for your help!

[sengjc]

Bands look very nice and white. The wax paper on the other hand.

How old are these? Looks very well kept.

[Fumadoro]

Bands look very nice and white. The wax paper on the other hand.

How old are these? Looks very well kept.

They are from the 80's. 83-85 is my guess on time period.

[Puros Y Vino]

Those are some of the nicest Cuban Davidoff's I've ever seen. The sticks look fantastic, maybe too good.

Here's what I notice.

• The cigars look too perfect. Given decades of sleep I'd expect the white bands to yellow a bit and the feet to show a little sign of trauma. The odd flake and flare on the foot should be expected with older cigars. Unless this person layed them down upon purchase and never handled the box since that's kinda rare.
• Complete lack of box code stamps on the bottom. Box codes started appearing in 1985 and if you surmise these are pre 1985 then i's a moot point.
• Missing warranty seals on one of the boxes. Any evidence there was ever one applied? Any glue residue? A rectangle that is a different hue from the other wood?

Potential to do's.

• Check the warranty seals against what's on CCW.
• Have you ever handled cigars of that vintage before? if so, do they smell similar? An older box of cigars smells very different from a new one. That's possibly the only thing that cant be faked.

Hopefully, some of our more experienced members will chime in as well.

Good luck!

[Lotusguy]

These were also faked so I would be very careful. They do look too perfect, if you ask me.

[LGC]

I've seen someone else post pics of Davidoff DPs that were "found" in a basement. The bands were also ultra white. I'd be suspicious.

[Fumadoro]

Those are some of the nicest Cuban Davidoff's I've ever seen. The sticks look fantastic, maybe too good.

Here's what I notice.

• The cigars look too perfect. Given decades of sleep I'd expect the white bands to yellow a bit and the feet to show a little sign of trauma. The odd flake and flare on the foot should be expected with older cigars. Unless this person layed them down upon purchase and never handled the box since that's kinda rare.
• Complete lack of box code stamps on the bottom. Box codes started appearing in 1985 and if you surmise these are pre 1985 then i's a moot point.
• Missing warranty seals on one of the boxes. Any evidence there was ever one applied? Any glue residue? A rectangle that is a different hue from the other wood?

Potential to do's.

• Check the warranty seals against what's on CCW.
• Have you ever handled cigars of that vintage before? if so, do they smell similar? An older box of cigars smells very different from a new one. That's possibly the only thing that cant be faked.

Hopefully, some of our more experienced members will chime in as well.

Good luck!

Thank you for the well put together reply. I have never handled cigars of that age before. The oldest I have ever smoked was a custom roll from 2000. Also, and unfortunately, I would not be able to handle them personally unless I took a long plane trip! Haha! Also, your point about box dating, I would have expected that last box with the Tabacuba leaf to be box stamped since that was changed in 85 as stamps were introduced. With all that said, I think I'm going to stay away. I don't think my associate is trying to pull the wool over my eyes purposefully, I just think they could be very good fakes and I don't want to risk the money.

[finecigar]

That is a good choice to stay away from. Though surely they all look nice, I am also a bit wary of these being re-banded cigars and not original. Many of those boxes look handled- like item off ebay, yet the cigars look sooo perfect. Almost too perfect. If you are willing to spend that kind of coin I would suggest a few noteworthy online vendors who specialize in these rare davidoff and dunhill cigars.