Ok guys/gals. I went to Cozumel and got a few sticks. First stop was Luigi Batista.. I have found some differences in his sticks and the ones I have at home and was wondering is Luigi for real?!? The one on the left is one that someone sent me and the one on the right is Mr. Luigi Batistas. The red marks are the triple caps since they are a bit hard to see. I also noticed a difference in the bands, Luigi's bands on the Monte #4 are a paper feel and the bands I had on the one on the left are a more shiny label. Im hoping someone is going to tell me that both of these are real. If not ive been had by Mr. Batista.

The one on the right is the old style band which means it should have come from a box before 2004(i think). They changed the little logo in the middle either mid 2003 or 2004, but the one on the left is the newer style. The older bans were definately darker as well, but that doesn't mean its real. Unfortunately, I was the one who suggested him. I was there five years ago and bought a box of Bolivar with my first humidor and when I brought them back had them checked by a few experienced locals who said they were ok. You really can't tell from the pic if they're fake or not, but if it ends up that they are, I'm really sorry for sending you there. I just figured that since his store is an autorized Habanos dealer and gets random spotchecked that he wouldn't risk losing his license, but maybe he's turned into a crook like the rest of them. E-mail me at [email protected] and I'll fill you in on how to know for sure if its real. Frank.

Just my $.02 but it appears you've been had by Luigi.

The Fleur in the middle appears to not have the lines under the "arms" and appears a bit muddled. Could just be the camera glare. Also the width of the brown around the band appears a bit larger compared to the ones I have with the older band. Again could just be the picture. I'd say the tell tale sign is the cap. Seems way too large to be authentic. I'd defer this to someone who has seen much more Cubans than I have but looks a bit suspect to me.

The other is the new band that I believe started being used towards the end of 2003.

Again this is just my observations for what it's worth.

Here is a pic of the old band if this helps. The good news is that the old band wasn't glossy like the new ones are. The bad news is that the band is kind of large, but you really can't go by that either. You really need to smoke it to know for sure.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Static/Counterfeit/count_mcpage1.html 

The caps do look a little large on the right, but the #4 is a small cigar, so looks can be deceiving with blown up picture. How is the wrapper (not so much the color) how is the texture, veins, and hairiness (yeah, you heard me). Considering it has the older style band, when you smoke it, you'll know it shouldn't taste green, or sick. So if you do, at least it was a #4, and not an EL.

Damn, thanks Frank I have 4 fakes in my humi. I had no idea they were gifted from Bro-inlaw. It's the thought that counts anyway. Hope there not dog rockets


Thanks again

Doug