4 months into the hobby. Too soon for first box?

[HIM*]

I think the T52s do better than the 9s but they still aren't the same after a year to me. You may like them more, or not. There's only one way to tell.
If your going to smoke the box in a couple months I'd say why not go for it. If your going to smoke it over the course of a year Id get 5ers. Just my take. YMMV

 

[IMABEAST]

I still have a couple weeks before i decide...I plan to try some new sticks in that time to see if i really want a box.

I appreciate everyone's input. I'll be sure to post an update here when I finally make a decision.

 

[L8A]

Never too early for a box but if you can't afford to buy what you want then just stay with loose singles and wait otherwise you end up with 3/4 of a box of something you wish you didn't have. I found my tastes changed alot when I first started so I was glad I stuck with samplers and singles until I figured out what I actually liked enough to have 25 of. Good luck.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

@IMABEAST

Here is some more food for thought regarding your box purchase. As I said, don't get hung up on the buying for aging part and the comments regarding it.

http://www.botl.org/threads/fiscal-responsibility-part-ii-buying-plan.23229/#post-1552657

 

[CVAC085]

I prefer going with the sampler packs or single smokes. Although I'm in love with quite a few cigars and would jump on a box of one in a heartbeat, I've only purchased maybe 3 in my 8 or 9 years of cigar smoking. My pallet is all over the place and now that I've been trying to pair smokes with a nice bourbon, scotch or whiskey. But I would wait a little longer before going with a box unless you have someone that you could maybe split with a friend, especially if you're on a budget.

 

[Senor Perfecto]

I'd wait. Ligas can be provocative early on, but they may not hit you as very complex after a year. 5ers and bombs/trades will bring you the variety you need right now.

A great piece of advice I've seen here is to make your first box something you can bomb out of, which means something relatively new and sought-after (not necessarily expensive!). That way, even relatively experienced brothers can benefit from your wise purchase. Pick something that came out in the last 6 months that you liked and have seen a lot of chatter about. You'll be sending/receiving BOMBS with the best of them, and trying all manner it stuff that's new to you.

 

[IMABEAST]

@IMABEAST

Here is some more food for thought regarding your box purchase. As I said, don't get hung up on the buying for aging part and the comments regarding it.

http://www.botl.org/threads/fiscal-responsibility-part-ii-buying-plan.23229/#post-1552657

That was indeed a great post, thanks for finding that one. Read through it about 4 times before I really understood it. Cigar smoking is definetly a luxury and should be treated as such.

With that being said, I guess it's all about planning. I have to plan my next cigar purchases more carefully. I've been pretty much randomly picking up some here or there. Still buying responsibly, but without a plan. Now that I have a large wishlist. I should map out my next few purchases all at once. Whether it is a box, some 5ers, or samplers.

 

[IMABEAST]

I prefer going with the sampler packs or single smokes. Although I'm in love with quite a few cigars and would jump on a box of one in a heartbeat, I've only purchased maybe 3 in my 8 or 9 years of cigar smoking. My pallet is all over the place and now that I've been trying to pair smokes with a nice bourbon, scotch or whiskey. But I would wait a little longer before going with a box unless you have someone that you could maybe split with a friend, especially if you're on a budget.

I'd wait. Ligas can be provocative early on, but they may not hit you as very complex after a year. 5ers and bombs/trades will bring you the variety you need right now.

A great piece of advice I've seen here is to make your first box something you can bomb out of, which means something relatively new and sought-after (not necessarily expensive!). That way, even relatively experienced brothers can benefit from your wise purchase. Pick something that came out in the last 6 months that you liked and have seen a lot of chatter about. You'll be sending/receiving BOMBS with the best of them, and trying all manner it stuff that's new to you.

I've picked up some singles on my "to smoke list" to smoke while deciding if the box purchase is right for me. Even if I pick up a box, I'm not swearing off of other cigars. I would continue to pick up five packs and singles here and there as I do now. I basically just want a reserve of my favorite smoke at the moment and to allow them to get a few months rest before I smoke some of them. and when I get into sending out bombs one of the brothers can expect some nice T 52 or undercrowns lol

 

[BourbonBinder]

I don't consider myself an enabler, I haven't ever bought a full box of cigars myself but I've put serious consideration into it. If you found a particular cigar that you really enjoy, then its financially responsible of you to buy a box. (lets face it this hobby is expensive) When you take a look at the total costs, its usually less then $5 per cigar, when buying a box. Take that same cigar that you purchase singularly at your local B&M and its likely to cost anywhere from $9-$10.
Lets say it's a box of 21 cigars for $89 online (about $4.26 per stick). If you were to buy those separate up to 21 sticks, figuring they cost $9 each at the local B&M, that would cost $189 (more than twice the price). Its just being logical and that extra coin you save can stay in your pocket or be spent on another box of 21 cigars.

Just my 2 cents, spend it wisely or toss it into a fountain

 

[IMABEAST]

I don't consider myself an enabler, I haven't ever bought a full box of cigars myself but I've put serious consideration into it. If you found a particular cigar that you really enjoy, then its financially responsible of you to buy a box. (lets face it this hobby is expensive) When you take a look at the total costs, its usually less then $5 per cigar, when buying a box. Take that same cigar that you purchase singularly at your local B&M and its likely to cost anywhere from $9-$10.
Lets say it's a box of 21 cigars for $89 online (about $4.26 per stick). If you were to buy those separate up to 21 sticks, figuring they cost $9 each at the local B&M, that would cost $189 (more than twice the price). Its just being logical and that extra coin you save can stay in your pocket or be spent on another box of 21 cigars.

Just my 2 cents, spend it wisely or toss it into a fountain

Los Angeles B&M prices are up there. I seen the Ligas for 22.50 in a particular shop on Venice Blvd. That's pretty steep.

 

[BourbonBinder]

Los Angeles B&M prices are up there. I seen the Ligas for 22.50 in a particular shop on Venice Blvd. That's pretty steep.

Then there you go, buy online and get yourself a box. If you really enjoy a particular cigar and will have more than one, I say its worth getting a box.

 

[jonnylieberman]

I waited at least 4 days before buying my first box.

That out of the way -- buy a Box like Pudgy Monsters, or the Tatuaje Lancero Sampler. That way, you get a box, but still get a big variety to learn from.

Or, just buy a box. I think my first box was PSD4. No regrets, save for the fact that I should have bought 2 boxes.

 

[StogieNinja]

Buy a fiver. If you smoke through it and still like them, buy another fiver. If after that you still think it's boxworthy, then buy a box.

In my experience, about 90% of what I initially thought were box-worthy end up failing the second-fiver test. Either you've grown tired of them, your palate has changed, or your in the mood to try more new stuff instead. I've been smoking cigars about twice a week for about 6 years now and outside of the boxes celebrating the births of my children, I don't own a full box of anything. There are only a handful of cigars I consider box worthy, and only two of them are domestically available. And those two I've never gotten around to buying a full box of because there are other things I kinda want to try.

Keep in mind I'm on a very limited budget, so my priorities may be different than yours. But I would strongly suggest the rule above as a general principle.

 

[skyfoxsxer]

I don't consider myself an enabler, I haven't ever bought a full box of cigars myself but I've put serious consideration into it. If you found a particular cigar that you really enjoy, then its financially responsible of you to buy a box. (lets face it this hobby is expensive) When you take a look at the total costs, its usually less then $5 per cigar, when buying a box. Take that same cigar that you purchase singularly at your local B&M and its likely to cost anywhere from $9-$10.
Lets say it's a box of 21 cigars for $89 online (about $4.26 per stick). If you were to buy those separate up to 21 sticks, figuring they cost $9 each at the local B&M, that would cost $189 (more than twice the price). Its just being logical and that extra coin you save can stay in your pocket or be spent on another box of 21 cigars.

Just my 2 cents, spend it wisely or toss it into a fountain

This is the way my mind works as well. It is especially true if you are buying your fivers from a B&M in a state with high taxes. Here in VA depending on the county, taxes can be as high as 16%. Its easy to walk out of a store with just 3 sticks and a bill for $35 bucks, where you could have bought an entire box for $70-$80 buck more.

 

[jfettlol]

fwiw, i joined botl in november. before that, i had humidors full of fivers. bought maybe 4 boxes in my lifetime. since joining, a mere 3 months later, i now have approx 16 boxes. going by the title of the thread alone, no it is not too soon. if you have a monthly budget, respect it. if you don't, go apeshit.

 

[IMABEAST]

Well...the verdict is in on the box purchase...and im going to hold off at the moment. I dont think my mailbox can handle something like that right now.

http://www.botl.org/threads/botl-newbie-sampler-thread-2-0.67690/page-171#post-1558585

 

[IMABEAST]

fwiw, i joined botl in november. before that, i had humidors full of fivers. bought maybe 4 boxes in my lifetime. since joining, a mere 3 months later, i now have approx 16 boxes. going by the title of the thread alone, no it is not too soon. if you have a monthly budget, respect it. if you don't, go apeshit.

Going ape shit is quite tempting though.

 

[Isaiah]

I have been smoking almost two years and have yet to buy a box of something. I do the same stupid thing. Add it to the cart and then find something I might want to try to see if its better.