5 Robusto Sampler- Cigar Gift from Cuba

[schubb]

Hi Everyone,

My aunt just went to Cuba and brought me back this sampler. The bands looked decent at a glance but after further inspection seem a bit off. We also haven't been able to find any information about a sampler of robustos with these cigars together like this. I'm almost positive this is too good to be true as they smell a bit off and feel a bit squishy but they also haven't been properly humidified in at least two weeks. The Cohiba and PSD4 bands seem a little off compared to those we've gotten from our host, but the other three bands look ok. The Cohiba in particular, after comparing to a Coro from our host, is very much fake with no embossing. The rest look decent compared to similar bands.

Wondering if they are fake or just really awful cigars that barely passed inspection. Thanks for your help!

[schubb]

Sorry, I meant to post this to the suspect cigar forum.

[Habana Mike]

Sorry, I meant to post this to the suspect cigar forum.

Probably a good idea. Quite suspect.....

[Mformal]

Scott and I decided to cut open the Cohiba robusto since it looked the most fake out of the 5. Looks nasty. Guess we should toss the rest I suppose.

[schubb]

Probably a good idea. Quite suspect.....

Thankfully a mod moved it over. After cutting open the Cohiba its looking like the rest are destined for the trash. I'm just surprised a Vegas Robaina was included for this. The PSD4 band looks off compared to the legitimate one I smoked the other day. The other three look fine compared to what I already have (recycled bands I'd guess?). Maybe I'll cut the rest just to see.

[JohnS]

Indeed, especially as only Partagas and Cohiba have robusto vitolas with single banding. Romeo y Julieta have the Short Churchill, but this cigar has double banding. H.Upmann and Vegas Robaina have current production Hermosos No.4 cigars (the Connossieur No.1 and Famosos respectively at 48 ring gauge by 127 mm) but not robustos which are 50 ring gauge by 124 mm. It may be only a small difference, but they are not quite the same. All those cigars look the same size.

[schubb]

Indeed, especially as only Partagas and Cohiba have robusto vitolas with single banding. Romeo y Julieta have the Short Churchill, but this cigar has double banding. H.Upmann and Vegas Robaina have current production Hermosos No.4 cigars (the Connossieur No.1 and Famosos respectively at 48 ring gauge by 127 mm) but not robustos which are 50 ring gauge by 124 mm. It may be only a small difference, but they are not quite the same. All those cigars look the same size.

Yep, all the same size (robusto around 124mmx50). H Upmann was thicker and shorter than the only legit Connie 1 I have. I just was curious if there was some release similar to the 2003 - Seleccion Robusto. But it seems like I have my answer laying in many pieces on that cutting board.

[Habana Mike]

Besides other obvious issues the oddest to me was the internal notice included in the shrink wrap. Just a strange touch.....

[schubb]

Besides other obvious issues the oddest to me was the internal notice included in the shrink wrap. Just a strange touch.....

Thank you for confirming what I was worried about when I got home and actually had a chance to examine them. Oh well, we had no idea she was going until she was already there, or we could have warned her to only buy at an LCDH. It was a nice thought at least.

[stogieluver]

No doubt in my mind these are fake. I would not smoke them.

Nice box, though.

[ChefBoyRG54]

Indeed, especially as only Partagas and Cohiba have robusto vitolas with single banding. Romeo y Julieta have the Short Churchill, but this cigar has double banding. H.Upmann and Vegas Robaina have current production Hermosos No.4 cigars (the Connossieur No.1 and Famosos respectively at 48 ring gauge by 127 mm) but not robustos which are 50 ring gauge by 124 mm. It may be only a small difference, but they are not quite the same. All those cigars look the same size.

Cmon John, looks like a legitimate ryj Ex4;)

[Habana Mike]

Agree very thoughtful of her regardless. I'd just thank her and mention checking out an LCDH if she ever returns

[Fuzz]

[JohnS]

Cmon John, looks like a legitimate ryj Ex4;)

Below is what a legitimate Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 (POU Jun 13) looks like underneath a legitimate Cohiba Robusto (MUO May 14).

[Dimmers]

nope nope nope

[Zigatoh]

Not to be picky but RyJ do have a single banded robusto - but only in the Seleccion Robusto 5 pack boxes

[JohnS]

Not to be picky but RyJ do have a single banded robusto - but only in the Seleccion Robusto 5 pack boxes

Yes, but wouldn't one consider the Seleccion 5 pack a special release, rather than a regular production release? I understand it's still available after first being produced in 2003. The Seleccion Robustos sampler comes in a wooden box and has Cohiba, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta marcas, but not Vegas Robaina and H.Upmann, instead it includes Montecristo and Hoyo de Monterrey.

[Zigatoh]

I know what comes in it, my comment could have been considered slightly tongue in cheek... Not sure what codes there are for those selections either, you'd have thought they'd make a great gift but they always seem to be available?

[JohnS]

I must say that I'm not aware of how commonly available the Seleccion Robusto pack is currently, and the Seleccion Piramides pack too, of which I've had the Hoyo de Monterrey variety and it was a nice change of pace. At the very least, if members come across these Seleccion offerings they now know that they come in wooden boxes, if they didn't already.

Cheers, I do appreciate the tongue-in-cheek comment!

[Fugu]

Nice artisanal cigar case

[ChefBoyRG54]

Below is what a legitimate Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.4 (POU Jun 13) looks like underneath a legitimate Cohiba Robusto (MUO May 14).

20160314_161501.jpg

Mmmm legitimate cubans:)