Cohiba Sublime EL 2004 - Fake!

[Kingantz]

This was NOT purchased from anyone on CP (came from another forum). I was digging through the humi today and came across this smoke I bought a little while ago. I got to looking at it and my heart started sinking as it looked like it could possibly be fake. I compared the EL band with an 03 DC and it's very apparent that the Sublime band does not have the embossing it should. The length and general look of the cigar seem okay, however the RG is more 52 than 54. Of course, I could be wrong and maybe that's just the way the 04 band was made? ??? :blush:

Opinions....please.

 

[siriusstoogie]

Looks like it may have come from the glass top version, Greg

 

[Mabpi]

I very quickly looked at my '06. Embossing all the way. The gold on your "questionable" one does not look very flakyish....

 

[Kingantz]

Anyone have a close up of a Sublime EL band to compare?

 

[whopper]

From Vitolas.net:

Linky

It's a fake 2004 DC but it seems the no embossing is a giveaway.

edit : P.S. Greg, Hopefully the genuine Sublimes are not embossed.

 

[Kingantz]

From Vitolas.net:

Linky

It's a fake 2004 DC but it seems the no embossing is a giveaway.

edit : P.S. Greg, Hopefully the genuine Sublimes are not embossed.

Yeah...I went to Vitolas and saw the pic there, some really bad font on that fake. I still wanted to get more opinions/thoughts. Maybe see if someone had a genuine article to compare against. I feel pretty sure that I've got a fake due to the lack of embossing. Man, I was sooo tickled to finally get one of my wish sticks too!! Back to the drawing "board"! :laugh:

 

[whopper]

Figured you saw that already.

Hmmm, If you need someone to come over and taste test for you to determine authenticity let me know. :whistling:

 

[MocoBird]

Hey Greg!

I have my last '04 sitting right in front of me and the EL band has embossing all the way around. Sorry no camera or I'd post a pic for you. Sorry bro.

 

[mmburtch]

Mine is sitting here on my desk, looking delicious by the way. Purchased at LCDH Vancouver. Embossed. Seek retribution

 

[moki]

At quick glance, the bands look fairly decent other than the lack of embossing. I've seen legit cigars with non-embossed band (though in theory, this should never happen). I've also seen fake cigars with non-embossed bands, perhaps purchased factory rejects or simply fake bands.

How does the cigar compare to known good Sublimes otherwise, in terms of the size, girth, etc? How do they taste?

 

[Kingantz]

At quick glance, the bands look fairly decent other than the lack of embossing. I've seen legit cigars with non-embossed band (though in theory, this should never happen). I've also seen fake cigars with non-embossed bands, perhaps purchased factory rejects or simply fake bands.

How does the cigar compare to known good Sublimes otherwise, in terms of the size, girth, etc? How do they taste?

Hey Moki! This is my first and only Sublime. Length seems to be okay, however the RG is 52 instead of 54, which may not mean anything. I've smoked a number of Cohibas (Robustos, Siglos), however never any EL's. I'll put fire to it tomorrow and report back with how it smokes/tastes.

 

[B.HOBS]

Greg, aside from the questionable EL band, the Cohiba band looks really closely cut to the white dots on the top of the band. There should be a 1/16"-ish black border all the way around, if im not mistaken. It should look exactly like your 2003 Cohiba band...Just something to look into as well....Good luck buddy. Hopefully it still tastes pretty good!!

~Billy

 

[Kingantz]

Took the Sublime out this morning to put fire to it. I immediately knew when lit this was 100% fake. Very bland, almost acrid smoke. Immediately began to run and put it down after about 1/2". Terribly, terribly disappointing. I broke the stick open and it's hard to tell from the picture, however the binder was a completely green leaf. Filler was long leaf, however full of stems. Verdict....FAKE!

 

[Infinity]

Excellent pics Greg!

Brian

 

[lordlister]

Wow that sucks! Besides the embossing issue and the review, I'd say that the ash, the band, and the wrapper looked up to snuff. You see what happens when Wilkey retires!

 

[Captain Leafheart]

Great pics!

Seek retribution

Good one!

 

[themoneycollector]

Hope you can get your money back

 

[Kingantz]

Hope you can get your money back

Very nice gentleman who was completely unaware it was fake. It's being replaced, unfortunately not with the same smoke (didn't have another one). However, very good of him to make it right.

 

[steamboat]

It is my understanding, if it only has three rows of dots, it is probably fake. If this is wrong,please jump in and let me know.

 

[moki]

Took the Sublime out this morning to put fire to it. I immediately knew when lit this was 100% fake. Very bland, almost acrid smoke. Immediately began to run and put it down after about 1/2". Terribly, terribly disappointing. I broke the stick open and it's hard to tell from the picture, however the binder was a completely green leaf. Filler was long leaf, however full of stems. Verdict....FAKE!

Just because it is bad doesn't necessarily mean it is not Cuban. I've had some fairly rancid but very genuine Cuban cigars.

Some of the construction from your photos, though, does look very off.

It is my understanding, if it only has three rows of dots, it is probably fake. If this is wrong,please jump in and let me know.

You can see some real and fake bands here:

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Co...0,3390,,00.html