This article offers an insightful journey through the changing landscape of Cuban cigar box codes, from their inception in 1985 to the current era
In the rich world of Cuban cigar-making, an important detail catches the connoisseur's eye: the stamping of each box with a unique code, a signature of authenticity as important as the smoke itself. Crafted with the precision of a master engraver, these codes are the silent heralds of provenance, tracing each box back to the very factory of its birth, its date of creation etched in time.
Such markings are not mere adornments, they are the keys to a kingdom of quality and tradition. Before the acquisition, the passionate collector may decipher these cryptic runes, ensuring the lineage of their impending prize. These codes represent sentinels of quality, scrutinizing each factory's output with the keen quality observing eye.
Yet, these codes are more than mere markers of authenticity; they are the compasses by which collectors navigate the ever-changing world of Cuban cigar craftsmanship. In the hands of the aficionado, they become the map to a treasure of the most sought-after habanos, each year's yield marked by the caprices of climate and soil, making each harvest a unique chapter in the story of Cuban cigars.
However, this coding system, like a double-edged sword, introduced a perilous game of preference among connoisseurs and aficionados. The allure of boxes from certain celebrated factories began to skew the market's balance, creating ripples of value across the entire spectrum of production. The ever-evolving nature of these codes became a dance of deception, steering buyers away from the siren song of specific factories.
Thus, the architects of this system were tasked with a Herculean challenge: to forge a code, a cipher impervious to the prying eyes of the world. The integrity of Cuban cigar legacy hung in the balance, the coding system would be a shield against the tempests of market whims and forgeries. In the end, the code stands, a testament to the unyielding spirit of Cuban cigar artistry, a beacon of authenticity in a world full of imitations.
What is Cuño?
Picture yourself, if you will, cradling a box of the finest cigars, their aroma a prelude to the stories they hold. As you gently turn this treasure over in your hands, your eyes are drawn to a stamp, a seal of sorts, imbued with tradition and craftsmanship. This, dear aficionado, is the Cuño - the silent guardian of genuineness.
This term, Cuño, speaks not just of a stamp, it is the custodian of heritage, a symbol delicately placed on the reverse of each cigar box. But its presence is not confined to this singular position. In instances of cigars that carry with them an air of prestige - think of brands that resonate with the sophistication of Cohiba – the Cuño extends its realm and can be found on the cofret in which the cigar box is placed.
The Cuño is a bridge between the connoisseur and the rich history of cigar-making. Each stamp, each Cuño, is a fingerprint, telling its own tale of origin, of care, of the meticulous art that is cigar crafting. It's a whisper from the past, a nod to the future, a symbol that stands resolute against the tide of time, ensuring that what lies within the box is as authentic as the legacy it carries.
A dash of history:
The journey of the Cuño, the Cuban cigar stamp, unfolds like a tale of evolving identity and heritage. This story, steeped in tradition and marked by change, takes us back to a time before 1960, a chapter where the language of the empire intertwined with that of the island. In those days, each Cuño whispered its provenance not just in the language of its birth but in English too, a nod to a world beyond the rolling hills of Vuelta Abajo.
Yet, as the winds of history shifted, so too did the Cuño. Post-1960, a transformation occurred, a turning back to roots, as these stamps began to proudly declare their origin in the tongue of their homeland. Phrases like “Hecho en Cuba” – Made in Cuba – became the standard bearer, a statement of national pride etched on every box.
The narrative of the Cuño took another significant turn in 1985, a milestone in the cigar chronicles. This was the year when the Cuban cigar boxes were first graced with specific box codes. No longer were these stamps mere markers of Cuban heritage; they became precise indicators of origin, a detailed passport of each box's journey from factory to aficionado.
Let us now delve into the epochs and their respective stamps.
Pre-revolutionary boxes were stamped: "MADE IN HAVANA-CUBA"
1961 this stamp was changed to: "HECHO EN CUBA"
1985 Cubatabaco started using date codes
1985-1995 a tobacco leaf (iron) is above Cubatobacco
1989 Cubatabaco introduced the stamp: "Totalmente a Mano"
1994 Cubatabaco changed to the Habanos S.A. logo
The nuances of factory codes offer a glimpse into the evolution of tradition and practice. These codes have seen variations in their presentation over the years.
One such variation, predominantly observed until the year 1999, was the encasement of factory codes within a rectangle, similar to a stamp. This stylistic choice was not merely aesthetic but a method to distinctly and elegantly mark the birthplace of the cigars within.
Moving beyond this period, we encounter another interesting practice in the presentation of these revered boxes. Typically, varnished boxes - those that gleam with the sheen of careful craftsmanship - are often accompanied by a cardboard outer box. This outer layer, more than just protective armor, serves as the canvas for the warranty seal and code. This placement ensures that before one even glimpses the cigars, one is introduced to their lineage and guarantee of quality.
However, the versatility of these codes means that they are not exclusively found on the cardboard embrace. In several instances, the actual cigar box itself bears this mark of authenticity. Whether on the cardboard or the box, the presence of these codes and seals is a silent promise of the excellence contained within. This practice of code placement, varying yet consistent in its purpose, weaves an additional layer of intrigue and heritage into the rich narrative of Cuban cigar-making.
A deeper understanding of box codes
Understanding box codes is like unlocking a secret history of these treasured smokes. Since 1985, every box of Cuban cigars has been embossed with a coded date stamp, a chronicle of its inception. This practice marked a significant departure from the era before 1985, where the concept of an official date identification on cigar boxes was non-existent. During those times, some dealers took it upon themselves to date the boxes, their handwritten, penciled inscriptions serving as the only temporal guideposts.
These codes find their place either on the bottom of the timber box or on the cardboard outer packing. In some instances, they grace both. These dates, along with the factory codes, are applied with a sense of finality before the boxes leave the factory, readying them for their journey to warehouses or to distant shores as exports.
The evolution of the date system on Cuban cigar boxes can be traced through three distinct periods since its inception in 1985:
1985 to 1998 - The Original Date System: This era marked the genesis of the date stamping practice, setting the precedent for years to come. The system used during this period laid the foundational format of date coding.
1999 - The Transitional Date System: This year served as a bridge, a period of change where the date coding system underwent modifications, transitioning from its original format to something more evolved.
2000 to the present - The Current Date System: Embarking from the year 2000, the date system received a more standardized and consistent format, which continues to be used. This current system reflects the culmination of past experiences and adaptations, solidifying the practice of date stamping in the history of Cuban cigar production.
Each of these systems narrates a different chapter in the story of Cuban cigar box coding, reflecting not just changes in administrative practices but also the evolving nature of the Cuban cigar industry itself.
The Original Date System, used in Cuban cigar box coding from 1985 to 1998, is often referred to by the intriguing moniker "NIVELACUSO." This term, derived from the coding system used in the "cuño" or stamp, represents a fascinating period in the history of Cuban cigar production, marking the first standardized approach to date stamping on cigar boxes.
The NIVELACUSO code, ingeniously simple in its construction, encapsulates three critical pieces of information:
Name of the Production Factory: Each factory had its unique identifier within the code, linking every box back to its place of origin.
Month of Production: This aspect of the code was represented numerically, with each month assigned its corresponding number, ranging from 1 to 12. Depending on the month, this could be a single or double-digit representation.
Year of Production: Reflecting a streamlined approach, the year was encoded using a unique identifier as shown in the image above.
The full date code, a blend of these elements, would either be a 3 or 4-digit sequence. This sequence placed the month (M or MM) before the year (yy), resulting in combinations such as Myy or MMyy.
To illustrate, consider these examples:
A code reading "NNSU" would be deciphered as "1198," indicating a production date of November 1998.
Similarly, "OESC" would translate to "0497," pointing to April 1997.
In instances where the code like "CSC" appears, it translates to "797," denoting July 1997. It's noteworthy that in the NIVELACUSO scheme, the month wasn't always represented by two digits.
The NIVELACUSO system, while effective for a time, eventually became transparent to those familiar with its coding pattern. Once the intricacies of this coding system were unraveled and widely understood, it necessitated the introduction of a new system. This transition reflects the dynamic and secretive nature of Cuban cigar box coding, a dance of concealment and revelation, echoing the ever-evolving craft of cigar making itself.
The year 1999 in the chronicles of Cuban cigar manufacturing is marked by the beginning of the "CODIGUENTA" coding system. This system, emerging as a successor to the NIVELACUSO, was envisioned as a more enigmatic approach to date coding on cigar boxes. However, its role in history was brief and transitional, serving as a bridge to a more refined system.
Intriguingly, the CODIGUENTA system, while intended to be a permanent replacement, ended up being a short-lived phase in the saga of cigar box coding. During this period of transition, the implementation of CODIGUENTA was not uniform across all factories. Approximately half of the factories adopted this system from January to May of 1999, after which they shifted to a fixed code system for the remainder of the year.
To decode a CODIGUENTA stamp, one would need to interpret a combination of letters and numbers. For instance, the code "EAT CCUG" would translate to a Partagas cigar box, produced in May 1999. Each element of the code corresponded to specific details about the cigar's production.
However, the CODIGUENTA system's tenure was fleeting. By the end of its four-month run, the system had been deciphered and understood. This revelation prompted Cuban cigar manufacturers to reassess and innovate their coding approach yet again.
The subsequent system, introduced post-CODIGUENTA, embraced a more straightforward methodology for date identification. In this system, each month was assigned an alpha code based on the first three letters of its Spanish name. The year continued to be indicated by its last two digits, adhering to the short year format. For example, the year 2006 would be succinctly represented as "06".
This evolution in coding practices reflects the constant interplay of secrecy and discovery that characterizes the Cuban cigar industry. Each system, with its unique approach to encoding production details, represents a chapter in the ongoing story of maintaining the mystique and authenticity of one of Cuba's most celebrated exports.
Now, the gem of the entire coding system, the Factory Codes.
The current factory code system stands as the crown jewel of the coding scheme. This system, intricate and revered, is a subject of much discussion and analysis among enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. For those seeking a deeper understanding of this enigmatic coding process, the internet offers a wealth of information. However, for the classic aficionado who prefers a more tangible, scholarly approach, there is a definitive resource: the esteemed work of Alexander Groom, titled "El Habano Moderno."
"El Habano Moderno," a creation that resonates with elegance and authority, is a testament to Groom's expertise and dedication to the art of Cuban cigar making. This book, which I am honored to possess a signed copy of, delves into the intricacies of factory codes with a level of detail and sophistication that is nothing short of remarkable. Groom's narrative guides the reader through a labyrinth of codes, unraveling their meanings with precision and clarity.
In conclusion, the journey through the evolution of Cuban cigar box coding systems – from the NIVELACUSO and CODIGUENTA eras to the current sophisticated system – is a testament to the rich history and dynamic nature of Cuba's cigar industry. Each system, with its unique methodology and brief tenure, reflects not only the relentless pursuit of security and authenticity in the cigar world but also the adaptability and innovation inherent in Cuban craftsmanship.