Quality Or Quantity?

[Rubix^3]

Originally Posted by Cigar Man Andy

To me, I love the HTF and top shelf, but have your delema as well. I keep glued to CI Joe Cigar and Famous Monster. I get great deals that don't break the bank. example: CI - 10 Padilla Signature 1932 Robo for $34.99, and Monster - 5 Gran Habano #5 Corojo Rothchild for $9.95. Great sticks for great prices. And I treat myself with the Opus, PAM 1926 and GoF.

I gave up on the hit or miss cheapies.

Dittos.
I also limit my cigar consumption and do not smoke every day...
(I know, I know, thats crazy talk.)

[bogner]

I'm still stuck with a bundle of cheap-ish cigars I bought when the main goal was to fill my humidor as fast as possible .. none of them really worth mentioning, but they were smokeable at the time when I bought them, today my palate has evolved, and I mainly buy higher quality but less of them per purchase (have 5-8 brands I usually stock up on, one or two at a time) - and then sometimes I throw in a new brand just for the fun of it - mostly based on reviews .. I'll choose quality over quantity anytime!

[pitbulljimmy]

If it was me, I'd say Quality over Quantity.... But I'm only a 1 or 2 sticks a day smoker...

[blueeyedbum]

I smoke a lot on a budget so bundle sticks are key, but I'm starting to build a variety in a $3 to $5 dollar price range. Usually samplers, or from auctions, Joes daily deal or monster.

CI's 5 star sampler deal - 3 different 5pack samplers for $49.95 yields some nice sticks for $3.50 / stick.

JR's Figurado sampler looks good for 10 /$50.

I like a couple varieties of RP seconds.

MY Top 5 bundles Cigars:

TNT Joya de Antano Alternative
TNT Padron Anniversary Alternative (nat or Maduro)
Famous 3000 Nicaraguan
Holt's Fumadores
Famous Dominican 1000

But opinions vary.

[ribletman]

I choose both, and at a very nice price. I like variety more than I like the best of the best.

Similar to you, I have been hunting for the awesome but cheap stick. And now, you could not have a better time at it. With so many boutique manufacturers, there are many, many, many good to very good cigars (not great ones, though) that can be picked up for around $1.50-$2.50 a stick off of CBID, CI samplers, seconds bundles, and knockoffs (like nica libre, or the special limitada cuban-like JR alts).

So I suggest more humidor space, first. More Heartfelt beads (for the set-it and forget-it attitude), second. Then start buying samplers instead of boxes or bundles. Also try trading in PIFs or passes to try out some of the good bundles, especially in a low-price pass where you will get to sample some really fine cheapies to figure out what to buy. But be sure to bundle all your CBID auctions to one-shiping-per-week, and use free shipping codes on other sites.

The end result will be a huge variety, but not too much of any one cigar, and lots of really good sticks (plus some not so good ones).

[itsme_timd]

I'm one of the lucky ones that has an unlimited budget and I just smoke top shelf sticks all the time without really thinking about it <SNAP!> Oh sorry... I was daydreaming again!

I think there's a difference in an OK stick and a good stick. I can smoke good sticks that are decently priced and enjoy them but smoking an OK stick disappoints me. I smoke for relaxation and enjoyment, not nicotine, so I don't want to smoke a cigar that I don't thoroughly enjoy.

Unfortunatley, I find my preference in most of the illusiones and brown label Tats and I don't have the budget to smoke $10.00 sticks everyday, even at only 1 stick per day.

[GJProductions]

I have had some cheap cigars and some more pricy ones and they make a difference to me. The only problem is I can not spend a lot on cigars when im trying to pay for college, haha, so I'm fine with smoking a cheaper cigar. But more isn't always marrier.

[tx_tuff]

One thing different with me compared to yourself is I don't smoke cigars for "nicotine habit". So maybe I'm the wrong guy to be answering the question. I tend to go for quality, but that doesn't mean I am buying just $10 sticks, there is good quality sticks out there for good prices. Somebody already mentioned Oliva, can get much better quality for the price when it comes to them.

Seems trying to find a good cheap stick isn't working out for you since you "usually end up giving them away". So I would say instead of looking for that great cheap bundle, just start looking for some great deals on good cigars. They are out there.

[Herf N Turf]

Check out Mr Bundles. Mikey Banks has some of the best tasting bundled cigars Ive ever tried and while not as cheap as the "skunk cabbage" they are very reasonable. Call and talk to Mikey and tell him your flavor preferences and get his recommendations. He's the most knowledgble tobacconist Ive ever met.

[holmes711]

I always strive for quality. Believe me I definitely don't have a large budget for smokes. But, I'm in this hobby because I want to be, not because I have to. So, I'm going to buy the decent cigars and every once in awhile, I'll get a top shelf smoke for special occasions. Not that there's anything wrong with cheap cigars, I just want to enjoy myself, so why settle for cheap that taste terrible. Just keep an eye out for deals online, there everywhere. Bottom line is do what's right for you.

[dj1340]

Originally Posted by Bigtotoro

Nothing wrong with that. I often wonder how I would feel about other sticks if my goto was a Padron Anni? Would I get bored with it?

My first answer would be no you wouldn't. That being said, quality comes in all shapes and prices for different people. Padron Anny has been my goto smoke for many years and I never get tired of one. I favor quality first and foremost. Price is relative at best. I have some great smokes that are in the $4 range that I like better than some I've paid $10 for.

[tmanqz]

Quality is my first thought , however quality does not always equal expensive.
Im a deal hunter, if like something I'll buy it, but I'll try to find a deal.

Speaking of deals, Joes daily deal is calling me (can you hear him) padilla 1932 robustos.

[DBCcigar]

I live by Mark Twain's famous quote....

"Life is too short to smoke cheap cigars." - Mark Twain

[Toulouse]

Well Warren, you're not alone ...

I've wasted more than my share of money on bundles of Flor de Skunk Cabbage and was so sure that I'd someday find that great $2 stick that even after realizing how bad they were, went back and ordered the Flor de Skunk Cabbage Maduro and a bundle of Burdock de Cubana just knowing that one of them had to be great.

It hasn't all been a total loss however because although I never found that great $2 stick, I did find some good $2 smokes along the way. Now I keep a bundle or two of those on hand to satisfy my need to smoke more often than I can afford and spend the rest of my cigar allowance on more expensive but better cigars.

I'm pretty happy with what I smoke - its a mix of good and great, plus some new ones for variety.

Still .... those super cheap boxes of cigars on cbid (even brands I've never heard of) are hard to resist.

Enjoy

[UPGRAYEDD]

I guess it really depends on what your personal budget is. There are lots of great cigars that won't break the bank. You don't have to smoke a 26 or Serie JJ everyday.

Hang around little Havana and you might be surprised to see what cigars many Cubans choose. An old favorite of mine seems to be a favorite of many Cubans as well. Many will gladly trade their Habanos for my RyJ Bully. I have no trouble handing off any CAOs or Toranos either.
Most of these are available under $5 a stick online and make perfect daily smokes.