True Dan. I knew they were the same shape (Torpedo) I was making reference to the color, size and construction. Since you are the one with them in your hand...you know they are different.

Anyway...I think they look good enough to smoke. Your supplier may have been as unwary as you, if they aren't the real deal

Ray, that's a good point and maybe someone here could tell us if ISOM have more of a set standard for there size of a certain shape from factory to factory as these are very close. The color and smell vary quite a bit and since I have only smoked one of them I can't comment on the taste.
The guy I purchased them from only sells Cuban's and I don't think he has a reason to sell anything but.
Dan

While in Toronto, I went into three different cigar shops and all three had only Cubans aka ISOM's! It was like walking into a part of Heaven, wow!

Charlie

"so half way through I light up a Monte C Limitada and finished both together.I don't know if that's proper cigar etiquette but since I was by myself it worked for me! In fact it was quite enjoyable!"

The last sentence here answers your etiquette question.

I've done this myself a time or 2 when I'm not completely satisfied with the 1st, but don't want to waste it either. I'd say you're a purist.

Ray, I just looked through my humidors and pulled out all my Honduran, Dominican what ever they are domestic torpedoes and the sizes were the same Monte christo white, Trinidad, Romeo y julieta, same size. Only slight variation in tips. so maybe there is a set standard in torpedoes,domestic or ISOM. Seems like other sizes vary a lot more,robusto, coronas etc. Amazing what I find time to do on Sunday!

I think you have what you think you have. Right now the cigar industry in Cuba is in such a flux. I have been reading numerous articles on the subject. They have put forth a lot of effort to make it more difficult to counterfeit cigars. However, in the process, they are getting rid of their inventories of old bands and boxes so they can use their new stuff. Communists don't waste very much.

Looks like a handsome batch of cigars to me. I bought a few in Ensenada. The store owner showed me his certificate to operate a cuban cigar distributorship and he had the nicest shop on in town. I tried one on the ship and felt I got the real deal. If I didn't, I paid for a darn good fake.