Cigar Box Purchase Preference - 20/25 Count or Less

[perezam]

I am curious of those that buy boxes out there prefer smaller box sizes compared to the traditional 20/25 count. I find myself struggling sometimes to justify purchasing an entire box vs. purchasing 10-15 individual sticks (two five packs). I only say this because I know sometimes I get tired of the same smoke and do not want to purchase a full box knowing I will want something different. Not only that but it allows me to spread my dollars over different sticks to collect. Thoughts?

 

[Craig Mac]

I think over time you see the box guys with as much if not more variety. Plus the "stock" is deeper as well.

 

[raspol]

I am curious of those that buy boxes out there prefer smaller box sizes compared to the traditional 20/25 count. I find myself struggling sometimes to justify purchasing an entire box vs. purchasing 10-15 individual sticks (two five packs). I only say this because I know sometimes I get tired of the same smoke and do not want to purchase a full box knowing I will want something different. Not only that but it allows me to spread my dollars over different sticks to collect. Thoughts?

IMO you are thinking short term about getting tired of the same smoke. If you have larger quantities of boxes, you have the variety to smoke different smokes and at the same time age them. You may want to revisit that smoke after a few years and see what has changed. Sometimes you'll wish you bought even more sticks

 

[Bsneed51]

I think it also depends on your preferences. When I first started out I was all about trying every cigar made, and buying every new stick that came out. After nearly 4 years at this, I'm at the point that variety doesn't interest me as much as consistency. I would rather spend my money on a full box of cigars I know I'm going to enjoy, over buying singles and 5ers of things I know nothing about and being disappointed. My cooler has less and less variety in it all the time.

 

[WhiteWolfIndulgence]

I tend to keep the same things around right now but once I have the ability I"ll probably pick up boxes and not mind the fact that I have 400 padrons LOL!

The aging process, along with personal palate development and fun in this is my goal.

 

[tmoney2007]

For LE smokes, I like smaller boxes because I don't have to invest as much.

For regular smokes, I'd rather have a 25 count than smaller. For some reason that is the sweet spot. A 50 count cabinet smoke like the epernay makes the box cost too much for me. The fun of buying boxes is that they get pushed to the back and you get to rediscover them when you go digging in your humidor.

The only problem is running out of space...

 

[dpricenator]

This all depends on what your storage capacity is as well as your spending capacity.

If you only have a small desk top humidor, and tend to get tired of the same cigar, then buy samplers or 5 packs so can keep a variety in the given storage space.

If you have a wine cooler, or igloo cooler sized storage, and you can afford boxes, then you save per stick by buying boxes, and the opportunity to age some of them too.

At my beginning 4 years ago, I was all singles, and variety. As my storage capacity grew, I began buying some boxes, and growing my stash. Now I rarely smoke the same cigar twice in a row, and wish I could continue affording to buy boxes, but the spending capacity has diminished.

 

[wilfredsimpson]

IMO you are thinking short term about getting tired of the same smoke. If you have larger quantities of boxes, you have the variety to smoke different smokes and at the same time age them. You may want to revisit that smoke after a few years and see what has changed. Sometimes you'll wish you bought even more sticks

Right on. The change in flavour can be great. Also, if you are enjoying a particular smoke, you can get a friend together, enjoy a smoke and compare tasting notes. If you only have a few, you might be inclined to not share about or at least not have the option.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Craig and Dave pretty much summed it up for me! :thumbsup:

 

[Treinenwj]

Just don't buy a box at all if you're not sure you'll like them enough to enjoy the whole box. Buying 5ers is great, because by time those 5 are gone you know if you'll like a whole box or not.

 

[danthebugman]

I don't buy many boxes due to storage and $ concerns. A full box represents a pretty big investment where I can usually pick up a 5er and not have to hear the wife bitch. When considering buying a box though, you can bet it's going to be something that I know 100% that I like. So that stick I've only smoked a few isn't going to be a box purchase just yet. If you have the room, you can have just as much variety when you purchase boxes as you do with getting 5ers. Plus they'll probably last you longer which means you'll get to see how the flavor profiles change over the course of a few years. Just some thoughts.

Dan

 

[gibbleguts]

I generally like 25 count boxes. Smaller box counts interfere with my ability to share. I will never give someone a cigar I haven't tried so there is at least 1 gone. If it is quite good I have to let a few brothers try and see if they agree with my thoughts so there is another 3-5 gone. And finally if I smoke 1 every 2months the will last me a little over 3 years. If they are spectacular cigars I am almost out of them before I start with a 10 count box.

 

[CWS]

I generally like 25 count boxes. Smaller box counts interfere with my ability to share. I will never give someone a cigar I haven't tried so there is at least 1 gone. If it is quite good I have to let a few brothers try and see if they agree with my thoughts so there is another 3-5 gone. And finally if I smoke 1 every 2months the will last me a little over 3 years. If they are spectacular cigars I am almost out of them before I start with a 10 count box.

Totally agree Aaron. I buy boxes of quality cigars. Cigars I have tried or ones that people I respect have rated well. I hate buying a fiver and finding out that the cigar is stellar and there are no more of that year. Buy a box and that rarely happens. Some times two boxes, one to age and one to smoke. I allows me to hand out a few sticks to the guys at the shop or after a dinner. It always starts with a desk top. One day you find a cigar that you really like and splurge for a box. Then a second awesome cigar and a second box. etc etc

 

[Farani]

My current strategy is to buy boxes of LE sticks. If I don't like them, I know I can easily pass them on to others easily since they're LE. Other than that, I don't buy many singles or fivers. I arrived at this because if I get something I really love and only have 4 sticks left and I can't get anymore, I'm not happy haha. This is the scenario I'm trying to avoid.

 

[jsnake]

For me it always depends on the deal. I usually buy boxes when they are discounted at an insane amount. That gives me a bunch of sticks to put in my trades and bombs. Last year I purchased about 10 boxes with MSRP at $120 or over for around $50 each. I just couldn't pass up the deals. I don't usually do any LE stuff because I just don't spend that much at one time. I will get those in singles.

 

[orangedog]

Don't forget to consider your smoking quantity. For a casual smoker, it would take a long time to work through a selection of boxes of 25.

I like to buy 5ers on cigars that are new to me. If I really like them, I will buy a box of 10... so I can give two or so away, and then put the rest away for some time to age (if appropriate). It takes me a while to work through a 10ct when I've got 20 or so 10ct boxes. If I think they are phenomenal sticks with aging potential, I'll buy a box of 20 or 25 knowing that I'll give/trade at least 5 away, and can keep the rest for a longer period to allow them to develop.