Published Spring 1996
The Cigar Adviser
Q: I recently received a few Cohiba Robustos as a gift. I am curious as to why the ring was not marked "La Habana, Cuba"? Just a few months ago, the rings from another box of Cohibas were marked this way; also, there are other subtle differences on the rings. Please help.
John D. Peck
Oaklyn, New York
A: Counterfeits are rampant today. If you've been told the cigars are Cuban, but you noted significant variations in the band, you're probably holding a counterfeit. But it is possible you received a cigar that was older; the La Habana designation appeared on Cohiba bands during 1992.
Q: My wife recently presented to me the gift of an antique humidor. We are not sure of the age of the humidor but believe it is approximately 40 years old. It is very solid, made of cherry and lined with a milky white glass. Where the lid seals, it is rimmed with cedar, which is grooved to fit very tight. It does not have any type of humidifier device built in. I have been using a small Petersons humidifier disk made of clay. This appears to be working, but is there a better way of insuring the proper humidity level of my cigars? The dimensions of the humidor are 6.5 inches by 11 inches with a depth of four inches. Do these types of humidors require any additional humidity source? Was this type of construction standard for humidors of years past?
Martin Ballor
Plymouth, Michigan
A: It sounds as if you own a well-built humidor. Of course, the lack of any cedar lining will not provide the enhancement cedar aromas give to your cigar. The clay disk you describe is adequate at best. If your humidor is full, you might want to try a Credo system humidification device, which will provide a higher level of humidity.
Q: I do not have the financial means to indulge in a large-capacity quality humidor. I have been an avid (if bargain conscious) wine collector for years and store my wines in a "natural" (dirt floor) environment--my apartment building's cellar. This cellar has a slow seasonal fluctuation in temperature and humidity, from approximately 70 degrees/65 percent humidity in the hottest part of the summer, to 60 degrees/50 percent humidity in the winter. I have stored wines there for 10 years and this has so far been fine. But can this work as well for my cigars? There is also an earthy aroma down there; will this hurt the cigars?
Neil Miller
Rocky Hill, New Jersey
A: As far as temperature, your cellar is fine. The high temperature is perfect, and although 60 degrees is cool for a cigar, it won't harm it. However, the combination of low temperature and low humidity is harmful to cigars. Cigars should be maintained in a constant 70 to 72 percent humidified environment. At 65 percent humidity, you are right on the lower edge of acceptable humidity levels and your cigars will most likely dry out at that level. But at 50 percent humidity, the cigars will definitely be dry. I also assume that the "earthy" aroma is the normal mustiness of a slightly damp basement; it would not be good for your cigars.
Q: My friends and I have debated whether a cigar band should be removed. A statement from Alfred Dunhill in New York maintains that the band should stay on the cigar while smoking to avoid tearing the wrapper of the cigar. But some in our circle still believe it should be removed. Which way is preferable?
Trygve M. Gravdahl
Oslo, Norway
A: Leaving on or removing the cigar band is entirely a matter of personal choice. It's understandable that a cigar brand owner would prefer a smoker to leave on the band; it's free advertising. But in many countries around the world, it is considered impolite to leave on the band. My personal preference is to leave the band on the cigar. I like to know what other people are smoking, and talk with them about it, and I assume they feel the same way.
One tip if you are going to remove the band. Wait until you have lit the cigar and it has warmed up. That will loosen the glue. You also may find cigar bands where too much glue has been applied and it has adhered to the wrapper. In that case, do not remove the band--you will tear the wrapper.
Q: My question is how to determine whether Cuban cigars are authentic or counterfeit. Recently, a friend returned home from a trip to the Dominican Republic with a box of Cohiba Corona Especials. I noticed that the bands seemed to be the same as the band from an authentic Cohiba that I had in the Cayman Islands with the exception that the dots around the word Cohiba were round, instead of square. Could this mean that they are not authentic? Also, the dimensions were slightly off according to your Buying Guide to Premium Cigars.
David M. Zulla
Bordentown, New Jersey
A: The Dominican Republic does not allow imports of Cuban cigars. If the cigars were purchased there, it means one of two things: They were smuggled (and smugglers are not known for their ethics) or they are counterfeit cigars made in the Dominican Republic.
Consolidated Cigar Corp. makes a Montecristo brand for the United States and General Cigar makes a Cohiba for the U.S. market. Both of these are clearly marked as to country of origin, and contain significant packaging differences to avoid deceiving the consumer. Both cigars are also made in duty-free zones, which prohibits them from sale on the island. In the case of both brands, however, counterfeit cigars are being produced in the Dominican Republic.
Q: Recently I have had the opportunity to try a number of different Cuban cigars that I had purchased at reputable cigar stores during my last trip to Europe. In my opinion, most of them were just OK and others were pretty good. However, none of them seemed to be as well constructed as a good five- or six-dollar Dominican, and none of them gave me as much pleasure as do my Hoyo de Monterreys and La Unicas. Is there something I'm missing?
Mark Sulzinski
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A: No. You may simply prefer the slightly milder or less robust flavor and strength of a Dominican or Honduran cigar. Taste is personal. Just like some people prefer red wine to white wine or vice versa, there is no right or wrong, or better or worse. It's what you like. You should also consider that, depending on where you purchased your cigars, they may not have been properly humidified. This will drastically affect your reaction to a cigar.
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