I'm sure this is common knowledge to most of us here, but it may be some useful info to new BOTLs here:
Cigar Boxes: The Fine Print
Most premium cigars are boxed in cedar, which enhances the cigars’ flavors and helps prevent drying. Boxes come in two versions, a cedar plywood “dress box”, which is covered with labels and edging designs, and the cedar “cabinet box”, which is outfitted with brass hinges and nails that will not rust in a humidor. Cigar manufacturers have been applying ornamental labels to boxes since the nineteenth century. But some of these labels are not merely decorative. On Cuban cigars a green and white label is applied to indicate that the product is genuine Havana. Following this custom, similar marks of brand authenticity are added by many companies.
But no matter where the cigars are made, the box should tell you how they are made. Only “Toalmente a mano” means completely handmade, and the cigars will be priced accordingly. Beyond that, there is some confusion. “Hecho a Mano” (made by hand) fails to specify exactly how much of the cigar was made by human hands. Cigars that are machine bunched and hand finished may carry this label. They may also say “Hand Rolled”, which means that only the wrapper was applied by hand. And further possibilities for deception lie in “Envuelto a mono”, which simply means hand-packed, not even close to handmade.
Even in the world of cigars, buyers must beware, or at the very least, be informed. The intriguing designs, with their golden lions, handsome birds, and swirling script are one of the most delightful cigar traditions. But to know about the cigars, read the box.
Source:
Resnick, Jane.
International Connoisseur’s Guide to Cigars. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers: New York, 1996.
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