How to Spot the Difference Between Original and Imitation Cuban Cigars – Smoke World UAE

Original Cuban cigars are globally admired for their craftsmanship, heritage, and distinct flavor. However, with high demand comes a growing market of counterfeits. In this guide, you’ll learn how to spot fake cigars and ensure you’re buying only authentic Cuban cigars, especially when shopping in the UAE.

 

1. Packaging: The First Indicator of Authenticity

The packaging of a cigar box is often the first clue to its authenticity. Real Cuban cigars have a few key elements that are hard to replicate:

The Habanos S.A. logo appears on the upper right corner of the box.

A Cuban Warranty Seal is placed on the left side, featuring a watermark and serial code.

Labels are physically attached, not printed or embedded directly onto the wood.

Cigar bands are clean, vibrant, and perfectly aligned.

For example, a Quai d’Orsay Capitolio (Edición Francia 2018) box includes all the correct verification stamps, proving its Cuban origin.

You can explore our collection of Cuban cigars in the UAE to see authentic packaging and features.

 

2. Ash Quality: A Natural Clue to Authenticity

Ash color and texture are excellent indicators of a cigar’s origin. Genuine Cuban cigars typically burn with a firm, salt-and-pepper gray ash, indicating high-quality filler tobacco and expert rolling.

Fake cigars often:

Burn with a bright white ash, signaling poor-quality or non-Cuban filler.

Fall apart easily due to inferior construction.

Display uneven burning or dark, flaky ash.

Take the Partagás Serie D No. 4 as an example—authentic ones burn with consistent gray ash and excellent construction.

 

3. Know the History of Limited Editions

Edición Limitada cigars are a special annual release by Habanos S.A., and only three are produced each year. If you’re offered a limited edition cigar that wasn’t part of an official release, it’s likely fake.

For example, Cohiba did not release any Edición Limitada cigars in 2015 or 2016. Any cigar with that branding from those years is a counterfeit.

To verify official releases, visit the Habanos official website.

 

4. Symmetry and Construction Matter

One of the key signs of a genuine Cuban cigar box is uniformity. Cigars should be:

Consistent in size and shape.

Evenly colored and slightly oily.

Wrapped with bands placed at the same height on each stick.

In contrast, fake cigars often have:

Uneven thickness.

Wrappers that differ in tone or texture.

Sloppy band placement, often printed or glued incorrectly.

Whether it’s Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 or Por Larrañaga Montecarlo, quality and uniformity are non-negotiable in real Cuban cigars.

 

5. Why Authenticity Matters

Choosing original Cuban cigars means choosing the finest quality in aroma, craftsmanship, and satisfaction. Counterfeit cigars not only offer poor performance and taste, but they also pose health and safety risks.

You can shop verified brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta directly from Smoke World UAE with full confidence in authenticity.

 

Final Thoughts

At Smoke World UAE, we take pride in providing only genuine, certified Cuban cigars. Every product is inspected for quality and origin, and we work with trusted distributors to ensure the integrity of every box.

Learn more about our authenticity policy and commitment. For any questions or personalized recommendations, don’t hesitate to contact our team on WhatsApp.