Verifying Holograms

[I.T. Guy]

So I went to check a box I just got and...

Does this happen a lot or is this bad juju?
I’m fairly new at this...




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[I.T. Guy]

Ugh.




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[Boudie]

Wish I could help. What do the cigars look like?
I'd be concerned also, the box looks like it's been through hell.

 

[Drexell]

I think some vendors rub that off intentionally.

Certainly one of the guru's around here will pipe in soon.

 

[Pedro849]

Take a pic of the sticks


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[Xavier Dredo]

Gray market barcodes are sometimes removed by vendors so original distributors can’t be identified.

 

[ChuckMejia]

Didn’t know these hit grey vendors yet....

Interesting

 

[Tyler86]

I know very little about identifying fake CC. That said, the water ring on lower right side and folded Habanos sticker are concerning. Especially for a new cigar. Did Bolivar do a 2018 Special Release?

@icehog3 @Lok17


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[Palama]

Looks legit
https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/

 

[GoBison]

So I went to check a box I just got and...
Does this happen a lot or is this bad juju?
I’m fairly new at this...
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Ok, Google: "code scratched off habano seal"
you will be fine as long as you purchased from a 'trusted' vendor
Disclaimer: I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night

 

[Nacho Daddy]

the fact someone took out the bar code is positive.
We need to SEE THE CIGARS !!

 

[Tyler86]

He posted the cigar pic in CC purchase I believe. They look correct to my ignant ass.


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[icehog3]

I know very little about identifying fake CC. That said, the water ring on lower right side and folded Habanos sticker are concerning. Especially for a new cigar. Did Bolivar do a 2018 Special Release?

@icehog3 @Lok17


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I don't see anything that screams "fake" to me.

 

[I.T. Guy]

Take a pic of the sticks


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Here they are.




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[I.T. Guy]

Pics to compare:

http://www.habanos.com/en/noticias/...-de-bolivar-soberano/?age-verified=7390d34b8a


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[Boudie]

Just looking at other pictures on the net yours sure seem "rough" and maybe darker. Caps look sloppy and I didn't notice any discoloration on the other boxes. Is it normal for Bolivars to have that veiny texture?

 

[Tyler86]

@I.T. Guy was the box still sealed or did you cut the stamps and seals to open?


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[icehog3]

@I.T. Guy was the box still sealed or did you cut the stamps and seals to open?


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Yes, or were there seals that looked reaffixed? The packaging looks good but I agree those cigars look a little rough.

 

[I.T. Guy]

All seals pre-cut and yeah my other expert buddy says wrappers all wrong.

I think I’m done with international shippers and going back to Cuba and official stores in Canada and the Islands only. Too many fakes out there. I bet a lot even from trusted vendors (where I got these) are just good fakes that smoke well.

 

[Lok17]

Have you tried putting the serial number together with the micro printing on the seal and running it through habanos website. Im guessing they are real just not cream of the crop visually. Which is weird since they are LEs