Got some "Cuban Cohibas" from my father-in-law who was in the Dominican Republic recently. He knows nothing about cigars, so he opted to pay more and buy the gars at the store in his 4 star hotel - to avoid getting a fake.

My first issue is the "Cohiba" is packed in a cell wrapper. Machine made?

Then, just beneath the wrapper, there is an emerald green leaf (thought it was mold at first). It looks lighter than a double claro.

The smoke was good - a bit tough on the draw - but a good medium to full bodied smoke with a great taste of what I could only describe as wheat.

To answer the most obvious question - yes the ash was a dark grey and black.

I'm most confused with the green wrap / binder. I'm no expert on Cuban cigars, and I've never heard of anyone mentioning it. Anyone have any explanations or comments?

Thanks in advance,

JFO, the RedLeg

Cohiba in cello... Fake! I can guarantee that one.

It certainly could have been Cuban tobacco though...

I thought the same thing about the cellophane wrapper, but some net surfing found that some Cuban Cohiba's are wrapped. One site stated it's a sign of a machine made Cuban.

I am no expert on Cuban cigars, but I do have a pretty good book to guide me (Min Ron Nee), and it doesn't list a single Cohiba cigar in production anymore that is in cello.

Just my .02

This maybe a rumor but I have heard that Emilia Tamayo or however you spell it is no longer the factory manager at El Laguito home of Cohiba… Don’t know how long ago this was but try to find out how new the box was add 2 and 2 together and who knows…. Now I AM NOT SAYING this is true just rumors, maybe they have changed and are now adding cello to the cigars now that she is gone.

…..I do have to say that if you have the old style band forget it and I am sorry to say you have a fake, but if you enjoyed it that is all that you should look for in a cigar……

…I would definitely call the hotel and get pissed that the cigars were fake…..

GIG’EM,

Better yet, you said you had more than one..............POST A PIC OF IT!!! That will get you a better answer.

GIG'EM,

A 4-star hotel will sell a fake just as easily as a street vendor ... but charge top dollar.

I know of no Cohiba that was ever machine-made ... and NONE ever in cello ...

Maybe it's made with farm Cuban tobacco ... but definately NOT a Cohiba.

They are originated in Cubahana, but there are some fake ones in the U.S, which are pretty bad, they are kinda mild, but yet sweet.

thankyou