Just got a box the other day, and wanted to find out more about the code on the bottom. it read, LLN Jul.07 picture
Everything I've found with google on this factory is from 03 & 04, the olde partagas factory. Is this factory still making cigars, esplendidos to be particular? Thanks in advance.
A general description of how you acquired these (the country you got them from, etc, but no vendor names) would go a long way toward suggesting whether or not they're authentic. Not all the way, but a long way.
The box code creates some doubts because of the fonts used, and because looking at a (likely incomplete) list of JUL 07 box codes I know of, LLN doesn't show up.
I believe LLN was the code used for Jose Marti - the former Upmann factory - circa 2003.
The fact that you're asking about Esplendidos gives one pause as well - there are many fake boxes of them out there.
Man, trust me there are tons of this out there. I went on vacation to St. Maartin & basically lived in the LCDH on front street. Now, have had complications from three locations - maybe I should just live it up on the NC's.
Now I don't know anything about LLN in 07. But condemning boxes because of the date stamp? Really? It doesn't look like any stamp I have but there's so little box-box consistency let alone month-month or factory-factory on this that I wouldn't think much if they started inventing new months.
"You want WHAT on the fu<king ceiling?" - Michelangelo, 1566
You're correct did64, and thanks for your opinion. The sticks look, smell decent... haven't had a chance to have one yet. Tonight looks like the night I'll get my chance. My curiosity is what lead me to learn about this (factory code), and there was no information I could find. Curiosity killed the cat tho
Back in 2003 I was unfortunate enough to purchase a box of sticks that turned out to be fake. The factory code stamp was laid out the same way as yours except the letters on mine were printed in blue. The reason that your box code makes me suspicious is the only time I've ever seen the three letter month followed by a period is in the case of the fake box that I received. I know that the proof is in the pudding, but the box code is an ominous sign. If you are able to offer up more pictures that would be great.
_________________ Dominari Nolo
Posts: 43 | Location: The forgotten Borough | Registered: February 10, 2008
My monte petit edmudos box code is RTO FEB 07 is purple...
Most of my 07s are purple, but at least one is black, it seems to be stamped about three times and is still barely legible... again the variatiion on this is just too big to say anything. But- yes other pictures would say a lot more.
"You want WHAT on the fu<king ceiling?" - Michelangelo, 1566
Originally posted by did64: Now I don't know anything about LLN in 07. But condemning boxes because of the date stamp? Really? It doesn't look like any stamp I have but there's so little box-box consistency let alone month-month or factory-factory on this that I wouldn't think much if they started inventing new months.
I'm confident these are fakes based on that one picture alone. For some reason they can get almost everything about the packaging right, EXCEPT for the box code. It's always some different font, size, or layout. This is rather funny to me since it's not really meant to be a anti-counterfeiting measure at all. The green warrantee seal is, but there's mounds of those available on the internet.
Drewman two things: 1) That long crease you notice under the wrapper is from the binder when they press the cigars in the molds to get them in shape. 2) I sent you an email but got no response.
