Request for Pictures of Cuban Cigars

[Kid Montana]

Gentlemen,

I'm a Soldier deployed to Iraq. Some of you may be aware there is no restriction on Cuban cigars sold on US bases especially large ones like the Baghdad International Airport complex known as Victory Base Camp. As a result there are many vendors who sell Cubans in addition to numerous other counterfeit items such as DVDs and games. I've assessed that the bulk of the Cubans sold are fakes. Decent fakes, perhaps superb fakes, but likely forgeries none the less. OTOH, there are some genuine Cuban at a few shops however I'm paranoid since its been a long time since I've seen a genuine Cuban.

Cohiba, Montecristo, Bolivar, Hoya De Monterrey are just a few of the brands available. If people could post up macro pictures of the cap, the wrapper, the label, and the open end of Cuban cigars known to be genuine, I will go out and buy the locally available version and post a side-by-side comparison for the gallery to decide wether the cigar is real or fake.

I discovered a lot of the Cohibas are fake because the burn was uneven, the ash flaky, and the cap was not triple capped. I think that is the main way I've been determining which is a real Cohiba and which aren't; the cap quality. The labels are absolutely superb and I will post pictures of those as well.

Thanks.

 

[jepe]

I discovered a lot of the Cohibas are fake because the burn was uneven, the ash flaky,

Thanks.

Even Cuban cigars have burning issues every now and then,so that not a cause for concern.
Did you buy some already?
If so put some pic of them so we can help.

You can see here some of my 3 boxes for a comparison:
http://www.cigarpass.com/forumsipb/index.php?showtopic=63643
1.BBF
2.RASS
3.PSD4

I will try and upload more.

 

[souldog]

Gentlemen,

I'm a Soldier deployed to Iraq. Some of you may be aware there is no restriction on Cuban cigars sold on US bases especially large ones like the Baghdad International Airport complex known as Victory Base Camp. As a result there are many vendors who sell Cubans in addition to numerous other counterfeit items such as DVDs and games. I've assessed that the bulk of the Cubans sold are fakes. Decent fakes, perhaps superb fakes, but likely forgeries none the less. OTOH, there are some genuine Cuban at a few shops however I'm paranoid since its been a long time since I've seen a genuine Cuban.

Cohiba, Montecristo, Bolivar, Hoya De Monterrey are just a few of the brands available. If people could post up macro pictures of the cap, the wrapper, the label, and the open end of Cuban cigars known to be genuine, I will go out and buy the locally available version and post a side-by-side comparison for the gallery to decide wether the cigar is real or fake.

I discovered a lot of the Cohibas are fake because the burn was uneven, the ash flaky, and the cap was not triple capped. I think that is the main way I've been determining which is a real Cohiba and which aren't; the cap quality. The labels are absolutely superb and I will post pictures of those as well.

Thanks.

Off the top of my head, two good guys to get in touch with are wavescrashing and Stoggie13. They have on the ground knocledge of what is fake there, and can likely steer you clear of spending your hard-earned combat pay on re-rolled dog turds.

 

[DirtyDave]

Check out www.cubancigarwebsite.com. There is a ton of info out there including pictures. I hope it helps.

Stay safe out there!

 

[LarryH]

Check out the "Kingantz Review Thread". You'll find excellent photos of most of the brands there.

 

[grateful1]

Gentlemen,

I'm a Soldier deployed to Iraq. Some of you may be aware there is no restriction on Cuban cigars sold on US bases especially large ones like the Baghdad International Airport complex known as Victory Base Camp. As a result there are many vendors who sell Cubans in addition to numerous other counterfeit items such as DVDs and games. I've assessed that the bulk of the Cubans sold are fakes. Decent fakes, perhaps superb fakes, but likely forgeries none the less. OTOH, there are some genuine Cuban at a few shops however I'm paranoid since its been a long time since I've seen a genuine Cuban.

Cohiba, Montecristo, Bolivar, Hoya De Monterrey are just a few of the brands available. If people could post up macro pictures of the cap, the wrapper, the label, and the open end of Cuban cigars known to be genuine, I will go out and buy the locally available version and post a side-by-side comparison for the gallery to decide wether the cigar is real or fake.

I discovered a lot of the Cohibas are fake because the burn was uneven, the ash flaky, and the cap was not triple capped. I think that is the main way I've been determining which is a real Cohiba and which aren't; the cap quality. The labels are absolutely superb and I will post pictures of those as well.

Thanks.

That's interesting...are armed forces personnel removed from the restrictions of the Trading with the Enemy Act?

Let me rephrase that as you did not say you bought any.

I'm suprised that a US base has cuban cigars although an international base would.

As for photo's, do a search on here for the smoke you are interested in and I'm sure you'll find a lot of information as well as photo's.

 

[Kid Montana]

That's interesting...are armed forces personnel removed from the restrictions of the Trading with the Enemy Act?

Let me rephrase that as you did not say you bought any.

I'm suprised that a US base has cuban cigars although an international base would.

As for photo's, do a search on here for the smoke you are interested in and I'm sure you'll find a lot of information as well as photo's.

Yes, I should have clarified that US Bases in Iraq don't prohibit Cuban tobacco sales.. Since our bases in Iraq are not US sovereign soil the US respects laws of Iraq and Iraq has no embargo against Cuba. On the other hand, as a result alcohol and pornography are expressly forbidden. YMMV.

I have pictures of the cigars I've purchased but can't figure out how to upload. Does CP not have local upload/caching?

 

[grateful1]

You can click the 'picture' icon within the reply window and then put a link in to post the photo...or go to the 'gallery' in your profile and load it there.

 

[thechenman]

Check out www.cubancigarwebsite.com. There is a ton of info out there including pictures. I hope it helps.

Stay safe out there!

I second Dave's suggestion. Trevor has put up a wealth of information on this site, and is defacto the only accurate Cuban Cigar reference that is constantly kept up to date.

 

[Kid Montana]

Check out www.cubancigarwebsite.com. There is a ton of info out there including pictures. I hope it helps.

Stay safe out there!

I second Dave's suggestion. Trevor has put up a wealth of information on this site, and is defacto the only accurate Cuban Cigar reference that is constantly kept up to date.

Thanks guys, that site is exactly what I wanted.

Here are the pics I snapped. I smoked a Siglo VI after taking these pictures. It turned out ok but not stellar. Still not sure if it was a real Cuban or not but the quality of construction was just top notch. The ring gauge was about right though I don't really have a rule of thumb for establishing gauge nor did I lay down a ruler to measure the length. I was slightly dissapointed by the flavor. The first third showed a lot of promise then it got sharp and leathery. It was never spicy though.

 

[mmburtch]

From where I'm sitting, they look real, or very close. Now, the slightly off taste could have something to do with being in the same humidor with those Acids.

 

[MoeCizlak]

Not to be a wet blanket, but if I'm not mistaken it is still against the law for you to possess those cigars even though they are allowed to be sold on base. There may be some leeway for you guys because of the job you are doing but I don't know of any legal exemptions.

 

[vortex]

The smaller cigars are somewhat less forged.

Not to say it's a gimme but try some smaller ring gauge front marks and, if you hit good ones, stick with them.

Like Trini Reyes, RASCC, Diplo 4 & 5, Partagas Serie Du Connoisseur No.!, 2, & 3, and Le Hoyo Des Dieux, for example.

And get home well and soon, bro!

Steve

 

[grateful1]

Not to be a wet blanket, but if I'm not mistaken it is still against the law for you to possess those cigars even though they are allowed to be sold on base. There may be some leeway for you guys because of the job you are doing but I don't know of any legal exemptions.

Procurement is the offense.

 

[DirtyDave]

Not to be a wet blanket, but if I'm not mistaken it is still against the law for you to possess those cigars even though they are allowed to be sold on base. There may be some leeway for you guys because of the job you are doing but I don't know of any legal exemptions.

Procurement is the offense.

Yup, and it doesn't matter where you are in the world as long as you're still a US Citizen.

 

[vortex]

Not to be a wet blanket, but if I'm not mistaken it is still against the law for you to possess those cigars even though they are allowed to be sold on base. There may be some leeway for you guys because of the job you are doing but I don't know of any legal exemptions.

Procurement is the offense.

Yup, and it doesn't matter where you are in the world as long as you're still a US Citizen.

Yup, that's why none of us CPers that are US citizens EVER procure, possess, OR smoke Cuban cigars!

Yupper

Yessireebob

Cause that'd hippercritical, now wouldn't it?

Piece of advice. The band or the box is the only way it's identified. But once the band is off it's just another cigar.

 

[Spanishcedar]

Yup, that's why none of us CPers that are US citizens EVER procure, possess, OR smoke Cuban cigars!

Yupper

Yessireebob

Cause that'd hippercritical, now wouldn't it?

Piece of advice. The band or the box is the only way it's identified. But once the band is off it's just another cigar.

^ :<)

The band and box are what gives them the flavor though! The best are the cohibas with the special edition box w/ plexi-glass top! Something about the way the sun hits them...

 

[Mr Peat]

Gentlemen,

I'm a Soldier deployed to Iraq. Some of you may be aware there is no restriction on Cuban cigars sold on US bases especially large ones like the Baghdad International Airport complex known as Victory Base Camp. As a result there are many vendors who sell Cubans in addition to numerous other counterfeit items such as DVDs and games. I've assessed that the bulk of the Cubans sold are fakes. Decent fakes, perhaps superb fakes, but likely forgeries none the less. OTOH, there are some genuine Cuban at a few shops however I'm paranoid since its been a long time since I've seen a genuine Cuban.

Cohiba, Montecristo, Bolivar, Hoya De Monterrey are just a few of the brands available. If people could post up macro pictures of the cap, the wrapper, the label, and the open end of Cuban cigars known to be genuine, I will go out and buy the locally available version and post a side-by-side comparison for the gallery to decide wether the cigar is real or fake.

I discovered a lot of the Cohibas are fake because the burn was uneven, the ash flaky, and the cap was not triple capped. I think that is the main way I've been determining which is a real Cohiba and which aren't; the cap quality. The labels are absolutely superb and I will post pictures of those as well.

Thanks.

Bunch of slackers. I'm completely disappointed in all of you. Hasn't anyone noticed he joined today and hasn't even done the common courtesy Introduction thread on the forums. Slackers...you're all fired. Go back to your cages and lock yourself in. :sign:

 

[Kid Montana]

Bunch of slackers. I'm completely disappointed in all of you. Hasn't anyone noticed he joined today and hasn't even done the common courtesy Introduction thread on the forums. Slackers...you're all fired. Go back to your cages and lock yourself in. :sign:

If I were to post in the Intro thread it'd be redundant because I've put all that information in my profile.

 

[DirtyDave]

Bunch of slackers. I'm completely disappointed in all of you. Hasn't anyone noticed he joined today and hasn't even done the common courtesy Introduction thread on the forums. Slackers...you're all fired. Go back to your cages and lock yourself in. :sign:

If I were to post in the Intro thread it'd be redundant because I've put all that information in my profile.

Still, Mr. Peat does make a good point. While it may be redundant, it is still proper form. Welcome aboard.