Recently on a trip to Mexico I picked up some "Cuban" Hoyo de Monterreys and Cohibas. Even as I was buying them I knew that there was a chance that only the bands were authentic. I know, I know, just send you the cigars and you'll check them out for me. Seriously, is there any way to tell with a reasonable certainty? After smoking a couple, I gotta tell you, I like the legal Hoyos better anyway,no Cuban maduros. Regarding the Cohibas, I've got no basis to compare.