Corylax18 Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I recently received a box of Monte No. 2s from what I believe to be a trusted source. I know our host certainly trusts him very much. I am not completely certain regarding the authenticity of the cigars though. As you can see in the photos below the box Code is OPG AGO 14. The box and labels all appear to be legit. The serial number appears to check out on the Habanos SA website as well. It says: "The product is original from Habanos S.A. HSA: 10.9071.17.0190 Descripcion: MONTECRISTO MONTECRISTO No.2 CB-UW-C/L-12,13-n-25" Now for the doubt. No Gilding on the bands. I know that the Non Gilded Montecristo bands were discontinued in 2012. Yet my box is date AGO 14, UH OH. Add to that, some of the cigars look ROUGH. You can see in the pictures below, spotted/splotchy wrappers, barber polling (not intentional to my knowledge ) some rough feet and overall far inferior in appearance to any Monte No. 2 I've seen in the past. I compared the bands and cigars to two existing batches of No 2.s that are already in my possession and are are certainly authentic. One being from 2011 and the other from MAR 2015. As you can see below the authentic 2011 band and the new band from my 2014 box appear to match. The color, size, raised lettering and layout all appear to be the same. The two proven cigars have much richer and more even wrappers that show much more oily sheen as well. So, help me out here. Fake sticks in a real box? Did they find a couple boxes of the old bands sitting in a factory and decide to use them two years later on a low quality batch? I haven't smoked one yet and I would prefer to hear some feed back from you guys before I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfain Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Don't be so paranoid. Monte 2s were still using the embossed non glided bands in 2014. I have a few 2014 boxes, they didn't use the gilded bands. AFAIK, I think they only started using the gold bands for Monte 2 in 2015 onwards. Only the petite 2 and double edmundos were the first to use gold bands. I think the QC ain't that great on monte2s, I had some fatter ones, thinner ones but most of them smoked well. If you trust your source, yeah just go and smoke it. I really don't think it's fake. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I don't see anything that would indicate fakes. The band was still sporadically used much later than 2013. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I don't see anything that would indicate fakes. The band was still sporadically used much later than 2013. Yes...true, Habanos factories are known to use up all of their supplies in manufacturing cigars, nothing is wasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corylax18 Posted January 30, 2016 Author Share Posted January 30, 2016 Don't be so paranoid. Hahaha. Fair enough, I feel like you never know though. I had always heard 2012 for the Gilded band switch, CCW indicates the same. But, as you guys are indicating that doesn't mean they didn't keep using them for a year or more till the old ones were all gone. Thanks for calming my "paranoia" I will proceed to try one out this weekend and post a review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westg Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Looks like you received a fairly good box as well . You can do far worse than what you have , enjoy . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpmurrin Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Hahaha. Fair enough, I feel like you never know though. I had always heard 2012 for the Gilded band switch, CCW indicates the same. But, as you guys are indicating that doesn't mean they didn't keep using them for a year or more till the old ones were all gone. Thanks for calming my "paranoia" I will proceed to try one out this weekend and post a review. Agree with what others said. I must have 8-10 boxes post 2012 that have the old bands. Monte #2s in my experience vary wildly in quality and looks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUBANO Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 They look like the "Real Deal" to me. Just enjoy them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archosaur Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Agree with the above, you're good to go. I was just in on a split of Monte #4 from FOH, SEP 14, still old bands there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corylax18 Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 Thanks for the knowledge Guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guyman1966 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Hey! Good thread. I had the same question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SofaKing Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Agree with the above, you're good to go. I was just in on a split of Monte #4 from FOH, SEP 14, still old bands there too. Those #4's were fakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archosaur Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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