Buying Only The Premium Cigars

Even if faced with almost certain irrevocable embargo, numerous fraudulent copies, and hamstringing by rival brands, Cuban cigars (affectionately called ‘Habanas’ by the aficionados) still holds the distinction as being the best, premium cigars in the market. And even if priced ostentatiously by retailers and even if stocks dry up as swiftly as alcohol exposed in air, these Cuban premium cigars will still remain in demand and the fastest selling internet commodity.

Yes, it has become more of an internet commodity, especially in the United States, especially with this age. Habanas are strictly contraband, and one cannot normally get these items easily on any sidewalk cigar vendors. If you had, better watch carefully for telltale fraudulent signs since it might be among the thousands of fake Habanas circulating United States.

So how do you spot premium cigars from counterfeit ones? Packaging check is the most reliable method. Counterfeits, due to its non compliance of standards, tend to exhibit sloppy packaging. Closely inspect the seals and labels. You should know that cigar manufacturers so prided themselves; watch out for signs of these characteristics. Hazy letterings, low quality paper wrappings, obscure printing; these are definite signs of fakes. Also be mindful of the cigars themselves, try inspecting the cigar wrappers themselves and see if the color is consistent with your knowledge of the product. Remember, there are different makes of cigars, if it is a ‘Colorado Maduro’ that means it should be consistently dark brown, not light brown or dark and light on some areas. And if it is a ‘Double Maduro’ or an ‘Oscuro’, then it should be black and slightly moistened (oily) in appearance. Some reputable retailers do offer samples, especially if you are buying by volumes. Try handling them and check if the cigar is what you expect of a certain quality. Is the wrapper too dry? Was it really long filler?

Another way of checking premium cigars is by seal. Authentic Cuban cigars with all duties paid (meaning not contraband); with quality standards met, and checked by expert handlers or retailers, since cigars still require attentive storage until they are bought by consumers –carry the EMS seal. This EMS seal –meaning English Market Selection, is labeled on those cigars Cuba has manufactured for the English market.

To prevent proliferation of counterfeits, Habanos SA imports only from one cigar dealer per country. Except the United States, Habanos SA has one dealer per region: Hunters & Frankau for Great Britian, 5th Avenue Cigars for Germany, Intertabak for Switzerland…so on and so forth. All these Cuban direct retailers carry a seal. Look for them and determine that your premium cigar is genuine.