A fake Cuban can look convincing in a photo and still smoke like burnt cardboard. The good news: a few quick checks catch most counterfeits, and a little care keeps the real thing tasting the way it should. Here is what to look for, and how to store cigars once you get them home.
Why fake Cubans are so common
Cuban cigars carry a premium price and a famous name, which makes them a target. Tourist stalls, online marketplaces and "a friend of a friend" are where most fakes turn up. The simplest protection is buying from an authorized Habanos retailer. Tobacconist & Vape, a franchised Express News store on East Hastings in Vancouver, is one.
How to spot authentic Habanos
1. The warranty seal
Genuine Habanos boxes carry the Cuban government warranty seal across the box, with security features such as a hologram and printed codes on current seals. A missing, photocopied or blurry seal is a red flag.
2. Box markings
Look for the Habanos logo and "Hecho en Cuba" on the box, plus a factory code and date stamp on the underside. Sloppy print, misspellings or a box that feels flimsy are warning signs.
3. The band
Bands on current production are crisp, with fine detail and, on many brands, raised or holographic elements. Compare against the brand's official images. Smudged print, wrong fonts or bands that slide off loosely are common on fakes.
4. The cigar itself
Real Cubans are well filled, with an even, oily wrapper and a neatly applied cap. Very spongy cigars, soft spots, or every stick in the box looking identical in colour can point to a problem.
5. The price and the seller
If a "box of Cohiba" is far below normal price, it almost certainly is not real. Ask whether the seller is an authorized Habanos retailer.
Cuban cigars to try
Starting out? Minis and cigarillos are an easy way to taste the big names: Cohiba Mini – 20 Pk, Cohiba Club – 20 Pk, Montecristo Mini – 20 Pk and Partagas Serie Mini – 20 Pk. For a full-size smoke, try Romeo Y Julieta Mille Fleurs, or the lighter, everyday Guantanamera Cristales and Guantanamera Decimos (Single). See them all in our Cuban cigars collection.
How to store cigars at home
Cigars are made from leaf that keeps breathing. Too dry and they crack and burn hot; too wet and they draw poorly and can mould.
- Humidity: aim for roughly 65-70% relative humidity.
- Temperature: keep them cool and steady, around 18-21°C, away from sun and heaters.
- Use a humidor: a cedar-lined box with a hygrometer and a two-way humidity pack, such as a 72% RH Boveda humidity pack, is the easiest setup.
- Short term: a sealed bag with a two-way humidity pack works for a few weeks.
- Keep flavours apart: store aromatic or flavoured cigars separately so they don't scent your Cubans.
- Rest after travel: let cigars settle in the humidor for a few days before smoking.
In store, every single is kept in one of our four walk-in humidors, maintained with distilled water and automatic humidity controllers, so you can take it home ready to smoke.
Shop Cuban cigars in Vancouver
Visit us at 140 - 2741 E Hastings St, Vancouver, or order before 5 PM for same-day delivery between 6 PM and 7 PM. You must be 19+, and two pieces of ID are checked at the door.