busdaddy ... don't be to quick to negate that dark Monte #2, my friend. I've been gifted many Monte #2's that I thought were genuine, untill I was given one by a friend who is very knowedgeable about Cuban cigars. He goes by the name 'canjuneh' at many boards, and is well respected ...
I compared the one he gave me 'side-by-side' with one that I previously had aging in my humidor. Much to my surprise, the wrapper on canjuneh's was darker, smoother, and was a deep reddish color. It was even a differnt torpedo shape. I smoked them one right after the other ... starting with the first one I had. It was great, and I savored it as I would a fine ISOM.
But ... lighting up the second, I was immediately struck with an entirely different taste and smell. The two didn't even compare, different as night and day. The unmistakeable thick 'creamy' quality of the smoke of the Cuban cigar was prominent ... along with the 'tingling' sensation to my lips and tounge that only a Cuban cigar can produce, ensured me that the first was not a Montecristo #2. I even got a 'buzz' from it.
Now ... I didn't say the first wasn't Cuban, I just said it wasn't from the factory of Montecristo. I belive it was what is called a 'farm' cigar, grown and made in Cuba, but one of the lesser known (and smaller) farms that neighbors the larger, more well known factories. The tobacco leaves can be of an inferior quality.
So, while you still may be smoking a genuine Cuban cigar ... it is a 'fake', because it is not what the band said it was ... and still may be a darn good cigar.