Hello all,
Have been a cigar smoker for quite a few years, however have been away from the "Island" scene for a while. Have lately been acquiring some boxes from what I feel are reputable sources (doesn't everyone feel that way about their sources) and it appears have had good success when comparing my goods to the fake and real stuff on this board.
I bought a 10 box of Partagas 8-9-8's from a new source, thinking to start small in case of a fake, and since I have never bought a 10 box, I am having a little trouble making sure they are legit.
They smell real. They look real (bunching at foot, etc.) The bands check out OK. The clasp is German. The stamp on the bottom of the box is clean and crisp. The triple cap is good. The seal looks good, right down to the micro print lines. The cigars inside were bound in a yellow CABINET ribbon. The inside instruction sheet is genuine per your discussions on other topics. The only problem I have is that the varnished wood box came in a cheap gray cardboard box that had a red and gold PARTAGAS 898 sticker on one end, the factory stamp NRG NOV 05 on the bottom and the warranty seal properly placed across the end of the box with the PARTAGAS sticker where the box would open. The Habanos seal was on the inside wood box. Both seals were breached (which I know can be from pre-shipping inspection.
The cheap gray cardboard outer box is what is creeping me out, and since I have not bought this arrangement of cigar before, could someone school me on this, please?