Quality Or Quantity?

[Pugsley]

I've been smoking cigars for about 20 years now and I have to admit that most of my money has been spent trying to find that Holy Grail among bargain priced bundles. They end up taking up precious space in my humidor and after smoking a few I usually end up giving them away. Since I found this forum I've been looking at the cigars that people buy and and I think to myself "I could afford those if I hadn't just bought those 2 bundles of Flor De Skunk Cabbage." So here's my dilemma. Should I smoke less and smoke better or continue to feed my nicotine habit and keep buying the cheapies with an occasional Padron 64? What would you do on a limited budget?

[madurolover]

There are many smokes that are excellent and are a good price. Check out the Benchmade by Ashton, Tatuaje VI, and the Padron X000 series.

[DSturg369]

"Flor De Skunk Cabbage"

[Nickerson]

Good question.

If you got the $ smoke Padron Anniversary, Opus X, Anejo and other upper class stuff.

I for one do not. The highest I buy is a CAO which can be around $5.00-$8.00.

For me its the cost to quality ratio. If the cost is cheap and quality is good, then jump on that. If the cost is great and the quality is average, may want hold off. And if the cost is great but the quality is dirt, then stay away (And theres a lot of dirt cheap budget sticks that taste like dirt!).

[MrRogers]

Cigars are supposed to be for enjoyment. The idea of finding the cheapest possible stick that is "ok" seems strange to me. If finances were every really tight id rather smoke nothing than smoke a ho hum stick.

Still, I smoke 3-5 a day and they cant all be vsg's. Joya de nic antanos for 65$ a box are a great deal for a great cigar. Vegas golds are 42 on cbid and a fine morning smoke that I look forward to each day. Indian tabac super fuerte's; 50 a box and a great smoke. SO many options at a decent price point, there is no reason to smoke even average sticks IMO.

MrR

[DSturg369]

There are good smokes to be found without having to take a second mortgage out on your house.

For myself, I've run the gambit from dirt cheap to "OMG, You paid HOW MUCH?!?" and everywhere in between. Now days I'm happy with a good cigar for a decent price.

With that being said, what I consider "good" may differ from your definition of the word, but I refuse to pay over $100 for a box of cigars anymore.

[Bigtotoro]

I only have about 2 cigars a week which allows me a little flexibility in pricing. Not saying I have a Padron 64 or Opus X every week or even every month (still never had an Opus X), but they are not out of the question either. And if I did buy one, it would not have to be my super special occasion Christmas Eve cigar. Now I certainly appreciate a good bargain as much as the next fellow, but I also don't feel like I have to make due with a "meh" cheap stick. I usually stay in the $5-$8 range, but if I am in the B/M and am in a good mood (or in a bad mood...good stick is a mood lifter you know?) I'll spring for a nice $12 Ashton Heritage or some such. And I dropped $40 last week on the debbil's site on a God of Fire 2006 Don Carlos and a Padron 1926 40th. I guess I see this as more of a treat than an everyday necessity.

[Nickerson]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

There are good smokes to be found without having to take a second mortgage out on your house.

For myself, I've run the gambit from dirt cheap to "OMG, You paid HOW MUCH?!?" and everywhere in between. Now days I'm happy with a good cigar for a decent price.

With that being said, what I consider "good" may differ from your definition of the word, but I refuse to pay over $100 for a box of cigars anymore.

Well said.

The quality of the smoke often effects the price. Though you can find some good cigars at cheap prices, generally you get what you pay for.

The best thing to do is find something you like, then comparison shop between different stores to find the place for the cheapest price on them.

CAO Brazilia's are normally $7.00 each say, $140.00 for a box of 20. One tactic is to shop around and see who has a cheaper box price, or find deals where the price per cigar is cheaper. Doesn't have to be a box. Holts sells CAO Brazilia's in a 6 pack for $18.00. Thats $3.00 a stick.

[gjcab09]

I hit the B&M and buy "samples" that are near or just beyond the upper end of my price limit, currently around $6-$7 a stick, then I try to find the ones that I like online at significant reductions so they'll fall below my "real" limit $3-$5 a stick. I don't suffer lousy cigars though, if it doesn't please my palette, I move on. This hobby is supposed to be enjoyable!

[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.

[apevia]

Honestly, I go with more of the lower-end sticks and then just treat myself to a nice one every once in a while

[Bigtotoro]

Originally Posted by apevia

Honestly, I go with more of the lower-end sticks and then just treat myself to a nice one every once in a while

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?

[karmaz00]

do whatevwer makes you happy..if thats smoking alot, maybe try to find a nice value smoke....oliva O or G line...maybe some padron series, agree with the GH 5 corojo there a decent smoke for the money.
good luck

[Criminal]

I would say I definately fall into the "quality" side of the equation. I smoke probably 4-8 cigars a week. I would rather smoke a small number of "great" smokes, rather than twice as many "bargains". I tend to have the same experience with wine.

While there may be some great bargains out there that are certainly smokeable, I have yet to smoke anything that I like more than the higher end Padrons, Opus, Fuentes, and CAOs.

[Koolpsych]

I don't really feel I fall into either camp. I enjoy smoking different smokes till I find one I enjoy, while every once in awhile falling back on an old favorite.

Price isn't usually too much of an object for me as I only smoke 1-2 sticks a week but I can see how more frequent puffers need more value in their cigars.