Some Basics in Distinguishing a Cuban Cigar

Just as Detroit reminds us of great cars and Hollywood of great movies, when you think of cigars what comes to mind are Cuban cigars. Cuban cigars are no doubt the best in the world. What is it that makes them so special?

First and foremost is the tobacco that goes into making Cuban cigars. Three kinds of tobacco are used in any cigar. These are the wrapper (which is exactly what it sounds to be), the binder (which binds the cigar and keeps it together) and the filler (which gives the distinct taste of the cigar). The plant that gives the tobacco grows best under exacting conditions and this is what gives it the Cuban taste.

Tobacco plants need wet soil, yet it shouldn’t be raining during the growing season. Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo valley is the only place where these conditions are abundantly prevalent. Although it rains extensively in the Vuelta Abajo valley for most part of the year, there is very little rain during the actual tobacco growing season. Besides the temperature is warm, but not too hot. Although wrapper tobacco needs a little more rain than filler tobacco, the fact remains that tobacco grown in Vuelta Abajo valley is contributory to the ultimate taste of a Cuban cigar.

How do you ensure that the cigars you purchased are indeed original stuff? Look for the warranty seal. Authentic Cuban cigars will have a Cuban tax stamp on the top left front edge of the box. Check if the tax stamp has clear print and recent date.

As an example, on any authentic Cuban cigar box you will see a green and white warranty seal on the left front side of the box with the insignia that has a picture of a shield and a hat. At the same time you will find a white sticker placed diagonally with the word " Habanas" on the upper right hand corner of the box. But if you buy Cohiba’s you will see the green and white warranty seal on the right hand side of the box.

Every box of Havana cigar has an additional label with the imprint of tobacco leaf. All original Cuban cigar boxes will have a factory code stamp at the bottom which is stamped in green, blue or black ink. It tells you when and where the cigars were rolled. Cuban cigars themselves have burned-in marks on the wrapper. They indicate the name of the exporter. For example if the company that exports is Havanas it will say Habanos s.a.

There are 3 trademarks burned into the wood at the bottom of all authentic cigar boxes. The first trademark says Habanos s.a ( for the exporter company say Havanos), the second trademark says Hecho en Cuba ( which means "made in Cuba" - this was put in 1960) and the third trademark says Totalmente a mano ( which means by hand only - this was added in 1989)

Inside the box packing you will find a piece of parchment with the manufacturer’s logo and storage recommendations in several languages including English, French, German, and Spanish.

If you find handmade Cuban cigars wrapped in cellophane, well then they are not original stuff. So is the odor of ammonia in the box. If you smell ammonia in the box then those aren’t original hand-made Cuban cigars.

On the contrary when you open a box containing authentic Cuban cigars you will get a deep rich aroma. All the cigars in the box should be facing the same way with the top row appearing slightly flattened. Make sure that the caps on all cigars are identical with the foot of each cigar being clean cut. Authentic Cuban cigars will have identical bands on each cigar and they will be arranged in such a way that they face the same direction. Check along the length of each cigar for hard or soft spots. Original Cuban cigars will feel firm yet pliable. Moreover every Cuban cigar is rolled with a triple cap with three roll lines in the cap.

Finally have a good look at the cigars you have bought. Authentic Cuban Cigars are well made, finely-veined but in an unobtrusive kind of way or better still, not veined at all. The bands are ornately designed, embossed and then glued on to the wrapper. The counterfeits have faded colors and off-center embossing.

When you go on to smoke these cigars you will notice their smoothness and rich flavors too. The taste of an authentic Cuban cigar is full bodied, not harsh and powerful, yet smooth nevertheless. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to buy your Cuban cigars from a legitimate online store.