Box Code: A code stamped in ink of varying colour on the bottom of the box that identifies the date and factory of production

Irons: The standard marks on the bottom of a box of Habanos. E.g. the words "Habanos SA" over an oval containing the words "Hecho en Cuba" over the scrpit "Totalmente a mano." All of these are "branded" into the bottom of the box by pressing a heated iron against the wood. Hence the term "irons" is used to describe these marks. As with all things related to Cuban cigars you should expect variation. Some folks have reported seeing irons that looked as if they were simply stamped in ink, but close examination revealed some indentation of the wood. Some were clearly colored (i.e., inked), not just burned, but which also showed at least a slight indentation. YMMV Original Cuban Box Codes

Starting in 1985, Cubatabaco started using box codes as a way of identifying where and when any given box of cigars was produced. These codes are typically found stamped on the bottom of the box. They were never intended to be known by the consumer.

The original box codes identified the date using the NIVELACUSO scheme. Each number is signified by a letter, as follows:

N I V E L A C U S O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

The code signifies the month and year of manufacture. For example, the code NNSU would translate to 1198, which translates to November 1998. Similarly, OESC would translate as 0497, or April 1997. Under the NIVELACUSO scheme, the month is not always signified by two numbers. Hence, a code of CSC would translate to 797, or July 1997. Original Factory Codes

Havana Cigar Factories BM Briones Montoto (Belascoain 852, Havana) - Romeo y Julieta CB Carlos Balino (San Carlos 816, Havana) - El Rey del Mundo EH El Habanero EL El Laguito (2302 Calle 146, Marianao, Havana) - Cohiba FL/PL/PO Por Larranaga (Carlos III no. 713, Havana) FPG Francisco Perez German (Industria 520, Havana) - Partagas FR Miguel Fernandez Roig (Zulueta 106, Havana) - La Corona HM Heroes de Moncada (13402 Ave. 57, Marianao, Havana) - Jose Peidra JCS Juan Cano Sainz - Por Larranaga JM Jose Marti (Amistad 407, Havana) - H. Upmann LM Las Mambisas (sub contractor only) Provincial Factories CFG Cienfuegos CFGS Cienfuegos (regional facility in Cienfuegos) - Quintero y Hno FD/PR Francisco Donantien (regional facility in Pinar del Rio) LV Las Villas MAM ??? Las Mambisas ??? PR Francisco Donatien (regional facility in Pinar del Rio) RD Ricardo Donatien (regional facility in Pinar del Rio) SLR ??? Las Mambisas ??? SS Sancti Spiritus (regional facility in Sancti Spiritus) TLP Lazaro Pena (group of factories in San Antonio) TTB Granma (regional facility in Bayamo) TTH Holguin (regional facility in Holguin) VC Villa Clara VSC Villa Santa Clara (regional facility in Santa Clara)

In 1994 the Habanos Seal (sticker across the box corner) was added. It is not uncommon to see stamps in red, blue, green or black ink across the years. Cuban Box Codes - 1999

The original NIVELACUSO code was broken in 1997, thus rendering obsolete the objective of the code to prevent buyers from selectively purchasing cigars by factory. The penchant for seeking out Havana factory codes stemmed from the idea that some factories got the better raw materials. This is difficult to argue with those that have actual experience; Habanos S.A. would never admit as much. Allocations to factories is closely monitored now, hence less perceived discrepancy between factories.

Thus in 1999 the box codes were reworked to a different scheme. The date code was changed to the NETAGIDOCU scheme and the factory codes were redefined to all use 3 letter codes. The NETAGIDOCU scheme specifies the date that cigars were boxed, and is translated into numbers in the same manner as the earlier (NIVELACUSO) scheme. Together with the 3-letter factory code, the 4-digit NETAGIDOCU scheme designates the specific date and factory of origin for each box of Cuban cigars. For example, a box of Partagas Serie D No. 4 cigars boxed at the Partagas factory in March 1999 would have a box code EAT CCUT. (CCUT = 9903) 1999 Date Codes

First 1999 Date Codes N E T A G I D O C U 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Date Codes starting from 05/99 ?GOO 05/99 EPOO 05/99 ESOO 06/99 EUOO 07/99 EAOO 08/99 EOOO 09/99 LEOO 10/99 LLOO 11/99 LROO 12/99

1999 Factory Codes

Ciudad de La Habana - Havana EGD Carlos Baliño - El Rey del Mundo EDC Briones Montoto - Romeo y Julieta EUN El Laguito EAT Francisco Pérez Germán - Partagás EOG Miguel Fernández Roig - La Corona ENI Héroes de Moncada ECA José Martí - H. Upmann EEO Juan Cano Sainz - Por Larrañaga Cienfuegos Province OTC Cienfuegos I OAI Cienfuegos II OOG Cruces OET Cumanayagua OIN Lajas Granma Province NAT Bayamo NOO Jiguaní Holguín Province UNG Antilla UDI Gibara UAN Holguín I UCE Holguín II UET San Andrés La Habana Province TEN Artemisa I TEC Artemisa II TND Bejucal TOU Güines TAE Güira I TDC Güira II TIO Quivicán TCI San Antonio I TNG San Antonio II TGT San Antonio de las Vegas TUD San Nicolás de Bari TTA Santa Cruz del Norte Pinar del Rio Province GDI Candelaria GAO Consolación del Sur GCN Piloto GNU Pinar del Río GOC San Juan (Rio Seco) Sancti-Spíritus Province CEG Arroyo Blanco COT Cabaiguán CGI Fomento CNE Guayos CTO Jatibonico CUN Perea CID Sancti-Spíritus CDU Taguasco CAC Trinidad CCA Zaza del Medio Santiago de Cuba Province AGE Santiago de Cuba Villa Clara Province DNU Báez DDE Camajuaní DIT Esperanza DEC Manicaragua DGC Placetas DAI Quemado de Güines DOD Ranchuelo DCO Remedios DTA Santa Clara I DAT Santa Clara II DNC Santo Domingo DUN Vueltas

Code since 2000

In 2000 Habanos SA changed the code yet again. The new code uses a 5 digit alphanumeric sequence to define the date. The first 3 digits are alpha and indicate the month. The last two digits are numeric and correspond to the last two digits of the year made. Thus, December 2000 will be DIC00, January 2001 will be ENE01. 2000 Date Codes

Code Month ENE January FEB February MAR March ABR April MAY May JUN June JUL July AGO August SET September OCT October NOV November DIC December

200 0 Factory Codes Factory Codes EOG, EAR La Corona ECA H.Upmann RPO H. Del Moncada OSU Partazas PEL Briones ( Romeo Juliet) CLE EL Laguito ( Cohiba ) ARA J. Cano LRL, SLA Pinar Del Rio PUL, URE, UPA, IESC Holguin URL, LES, SUA,CPV, RSE, PUC Villa Clara VCR, DUO, REC, PAS, USP, APE, LUL, CLO, SRA,OVU S. Espiritus CAV,ALV,SSU,VEL,SOL, PAR, SCO, LPE La Habana EOP, LAC, SEL, PUV Cienfuergos ACS, PLO Granma OLA S de Cuba LOC Carlos Balino(Rey Del Mundo)

2000-2003 Box codes - Details LOC Carlos Balino ( Rey Del Mundo) La Corona (note that SUA was used in 2000 EOG, EAR according to one source) ECA H.Upmann RPO H. Del Moncada OSU Partagas PEL Briones ( Romeo Juliet) 2000 - LOME, LQME 2001 - CLE EL Laguito ( Cohiba ) ARA J. Cano LRL, SLA Pinar Del Rio PUL, URE, UPA, IESC Holguin URL, LES, SUA, CPV, RSE, PUC Villa Clara VCR, DUO, REC, PAS, USP, APE, LUL, S. Espiritus CLO, SRA, OVU CAV, ALV, SSU, VEL, SOL, PAR, SCO, La Habana LPE EOP, LAC, SEL, PUV Cienfuergos ACS, PLO Granma OLA S de Cuba

New factory codes in 2003

Once again Habanos S.A. has changed factory codes. Starting in May 2003 several new codes have appeared. While we are still seeing quite a few codes from the 2000 list above, so far we have been able to decipher a few of the new ones.

Known 2003 Box codes GKI Francisco Pérez Germán (Partagás) LLN José Martí (H. Upmann) KMM Briones Montoto (Romeo y Julieta) MKO El Laguito (Cohiba) FRH Miguel Fernandez Roig (La Corona)

Factory Addresses and Known Brands

The following is a list of some factories with their addresses and the brands they are known to produce. This list should not, however, be considered inclusive nor exhaustive.

Factory Address Known Brands Romeo & El Rey del Mundo, Romeo & Julieta, Quai Belascoain 852, Havana Julieta d'Orsay,Cuaba, Saint Luis Rey El Rey del San Carlos 816, Havana Mundo Ramone Allones, Bolivar, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas Industria 520, Havana Partagas San Cristobal, Hoyo, Por Larranga, Flor de La Corona Zuleta 106, Havana Cano, Punch Amistad 407, Havana Diplomatico, Monte Cristo, H. Upmann, H. Upmann (closed/moved) Robaina Por Larranga Carlos 111, Havana

El Laguito 2302 Calle 146, Havana Cohiba,Trinidad Heroes de 13402 Ave 57, Mariano, Moncada Havana La Habana Sancho Panza,Juan Lopez,Fonseca

Pinar del Rio Vegueros