Choosing a Good Bundle

[docruger]

Choosing a Good Bundle Some things to consider when buying bundles, even if you know they came from a highly respected cigar maker: 1) The cigars often do not match in color. 2) The taste may be inconsistent. 3) Some bundles are machine made and some are made with short filler for what's known as a "sandwich" blend.
When it comes to "inspecting" a bundle cigar, you start with a disadvantage. Because of the way bundles are packaged, you can't just pick one up and check it out like you would a boxed cigar. Probably the only thing you can do is inspect the package to see if the cigars have been bruised, ripped or squished. So what else CAN you do? Several things.

• Always try to buy bundles that contain long leaf filler.
• Check the blends. Chances are if the blend and body is similar to what you already smoke, you may also enjoy that bundle.
• Shop by Country: If you like Honduran blends, you may want to go for an un-banded bundle labeled "Honduran Bundles." The same would go for other no-name bundles, such as "Nicaraguan Closeouts," "Dominican Seconds," etc. Chances are these cigars are over-runs made in some of the best factories and are usually available in natural and maduro wrappers.
• Try a "private" blend such as those made specifically for the retailer or labels the merchant has purchased as an exclusive: We've got some great ones right here: Dominique, La Floridita, Baitoa, Tabamex, and our Famous Value Line series, to name a few.
• Read & Learn: Carefully read the descriptions and the customer comments about each bundle. Sometimes the copy will indicate the factory or company who produced the cigars and can often be the deciding factor in choosing a bundle. Some examples of the latter are National Brand (Baccarat), El Credito (La Gloria Cubana) and Matacan (Te Amo).

Not unlike finding a good premium cigar, finding a good bundle takes a certain amount of experimentation. Don't let price fool you, either. Price can be determined any number of reasons, from the what the retailer paid for the cigars to just wanting to move merchandise quickly. Though some bundles may be closer in price to boxed cigars, there are some really excellent buys at $19.95 and $24.95 a bundle. ;-/


from CigarAdvisor.com

[AspiringGent]

Thanks. I've always found buying bundles a bit of a crap-shoot, but maybe I'll give it a shot.

btw, do you ship to Canada?

[tx_tuff]

But be careful reading what the retailer has to say about said cigar (CI comes to mind here). But nice find, and thanks for posting.

[AspiringGent]

I usually do due diligence, but that's a good point, thanks. Really, I'm not sure I could go for a bundle. I like the nice boxes too much

[a j]

Caution Famous cigar has terrible cust. service, they change rules to suit themselves
A J

[docruger]

Originally Posted by a j

Caution Famous cigar has terrible cust. service, they change rules to suit themselves
A J

I buy 80 % of my sticks from them and never had a problem. but every dog has his day

[jledou]

Originally Posted by a j

Caution Famous cigar has terrible cust. service, they change rules to suit themselves
A J

[SmoknTaz]

Great thread Joe! RG woot woot!

Originally Posted by a j

Caution Famous cigar has terrible cust. service, they change rules to suit themselves
A J

Never had a problem, April has been very helpful helping me set up my account!

[a j]

never had a problem either until it happened. Have not bought anything from them since. and never will. on average i spned 150.00 to 200.00 a month, their loss.
a j

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by a j

never had a problem either until it happened. Have not bought anything from them since. and never will. on average i spned 150.00 to 200.00 a month, their loss.
a j

Please explain what the problem was you are talking about. Otherwise please don't thrash a company. It's fine to make a post saying "I won't use them", but to come on and say there is something wrong with them without explaining is not cool.

[Sweet_Cigars]

Nobody is perfect we all know that. I am sorry you had a bad experience with famous but I love them. I made my very first online order with famous and they sent me a free CAO Cx2 with was great. Now, the only online retailers I use is Famous, CI and that damn Devil Site.

As far as bundle cigars. I go with the Flor de Olivia Naturals. IMO they are a great budget smoke.

[jledou]

Mean while back at the ranch ............


Although not a true bundle cigar some short filler / Cuban sandwhich filler styles like the Tat P series and the Benchmade can also be good IMO.

[blueeyedbum]

Originally Posted by docruger

I buy 80 % of my sticks from them and never had a problem. but every dog has his day

I've bought a lot of bundles from Famous. Never had any problems. Maybe its just good luck, but I enjoy several types of Famous banded smokes and have never had a problem with any of them.

[orca99usa]

The vast majority of online vendors are genuinely interested in our business and will do whatever they can to keep it. They know that there are a lot of other places we can buy from, and also places like this where word gets around quickly if they screw one of us over. I have only had a problem twice, and both times the vendor corrected the problem quickly. On a delayed order on an item that turned out to be unavailable, the vendor (Cigar Fox) sent me sticks of my choice at a value of more than twice what I had originally ordered, for the price I had already paid.

[slyder]

Ive had loads of good luck with bundles. Sol Cubano Series B is an awsome Oliva Cigar. Flor de Oliva Naturals are good. Tabamex I had a taste for a while back but not so much now...still ok. Famous Dominican 5000s are ok. Nestor Reserve Maduros are excellent! I know there is more but they slip my mind.