Cohiba Packaging Info Needed

[Knuck42]

I know they began using the gold lettered bands in '03, but when did they go to gold letters on the large, band-like stickers on the cardboard sheathing and the under side of the dress box lid?  TIA as always!!!!
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[Knuck42]

It occurs to me that perhaps this questions appears a bit silly to folks which in turn may explain the complete lack of responses, so I will explain.

I recently came upon a box of Cohiba Lanceros that were marked '01.  Everything appears as it should, but I noticed that the large stickers on the box have the gold lettering, such as can be found on the '03 and later bands.  And this set me to wondering if the gold lettering was adopted for use on the large sticker some years prior to it being adopted for use on the bands.  If not, the box I came upon... well...

[Tech]

Sorry, I don't have a real answer for you but if you look at page 69 in MRN (revised copy) you'll see a box of '01 Lanceros.  From what I can tell from the pic it appears to be the embossed gold label.

[Knuck42]

Thanks Tech.  Thats the second indicator that the gold lettering is legit.  Guess I'm good to go on this box.  Still would be interesting to know when the gold lettering was adopted for use on the larger stickers.  Hopefully some additional digging will turn up the answer.

[The Master]

If the source is beyond reproach, then packaging shouldn't be an issue. I have seen some strange inconsistent things from Habanos Sa over the years, especially in the packaging department.

[Knuck42]

Regarding the source I agree completely, but this was a new source that I was trying out for the very first time.  He came highly recommended so I pulled the trigger, but still wanted to do some investigatory work upon receipt of the cigars, just to make sure.

[kmax]

Smoke one that will tell you for sure....let us know

[Knuck42]

'Smoke one that will tell you for sure....let us know'


They've been through the deep freeze and have been  in the humi for about a week.  Should be about another month befrore I can do that.