The Chase

[Bearclaw]

This topic comes up in threads from time to time when a new cigar is released, but I'm curious to poll this issue without mixing in a particular cigar or manufacturer.

Generally the question is: to chase or not to chase? Do you enjoy the journey or do you prefer a stand-by that you can count on?

I get my tendencies from exploring micro-brewed beer, and really enjoy the chase. But I'm new to cigars, maybe that will change. What say you?

 

[RacFocus]

I used to be into the chase. Now, not so much. There are so many great cigars and brands readily available I don't feel like I need to chase unicorns.

 

[Bearclaw]

I used to be into the chase. Now, not so much. There are so many great cigars and brands readily available I don't feel like I need to chase unicorns.

I get that. Do you drink/chase beer or wine? I'm curious if there is a link between chasers of cigars and chasers of wine/beer.

 

[RacFocus]

I'm a take what's available kind of guy on beer and bourbon as well. If I stumble into a liquor store and there happens to be a bottle I've been looking for or wanting to try I will pick it up, but not really going far out of my way to find it.

I see both sides, I used to chase Unicos and Opus, but now I only get them if I see them on the shelves. Not running after them.

 

[atbat82]

I think I used to chase a lot more when I was relatively new to this. After smoking for a while, I realize most chases are due more to marketing than to the quality of the cigar. Sure, some of the cigars are great, but just as many are good/average. There are plenty of great cigars that are not hard to find/scarce. I think the industry as a whole has taken the limited release idea a bit too far, but it's what sells, so good for them.

That's not say I won't quasi-chase. I picked up some ratzillas when I got an email from a vendor that they were in stock. I bought some older CCs recently that I stumbled on. I still fall for the hype from time to time, but I don't make it a point and I TRY not to overpay for them. I think once I found Tatuaje, Crowned Heads, Warped, etc and realized I had ready access to great stick, chasing became a lot less important.

My $0.02.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

With all the new releases and the good cigars that are already out there I'm not much for the chase. If I see something hard to find and its the right time I'll pick it up.

 

[Dick Leighton]

After smoking for a while, I realize most chases are due more to marketing than to the quality of the cigar. Sure, some of the cigars are great, but just as many are good/average. There are plenty of great cigars that are not hard to find/scarce. I think the industry as a whole has taken the limited release idea a bit too far, but it's what sells, so good for them.

I agree to a certain extent. IMO, with Tatuaje, it seems most of the releases are of equal quality to their MSRP. Not usually the case for secondary sellers and people that pay outrageous amounts for them.
Personally, I enjoy chasing specific items I find of interest. I work in the visual arts so I appreciate a good creative concept, but only when it's backed by a great product. Plus I only smoke 1-2 cigars a week so I find it somewhat fulfilling to try something different or new.

EDIT: Again, IMO, Crowned Heads is another good example of marketing and quality product.

 

[Bearclaw]

I agree to a certain extent. IMO, with Tatuaje, it seems most of the releases are of equal quality to their MSRP. Not usually the case for secondary sellers and people that pay outrageous amounts for them.
Personally, I enjoy chasing specific items I find of interest. I work in the visual arts so I appreciate a good creative concept, but only when it's backed by a great product. Plus I only smoke 1-2 cigars a week so I find it somewhat fulfilling to try something different or new.

EDIT: Again, IMO, Crowned Heads is another good example of marketing and quality product.

I'm with you on the specific items. I would only chase something that I feel will be a superior quality product. Whether or not it is will direct future purchases.

 

[jonesry09]

When I first got in to cigars I really enjoyed the chase. Right now, I am enjoying the same thing with beer.

After a few years I just found cigars I liked and stuck with those/common blends. Mix that with stuff that my fellow BOTL's were gifting me and there was plenty to occupy my smoking time.

For now, my time is spent chasing "unicorn" beers haha Maybe that will change over times too.

 

[sean]

I've never chased anything. What I have is great. Sometimes I go back to them if they are exceptional. I want nothing from beer or cigars, except another day to drink and smoke with my friends.

 

[Hoshneer]

I used to chase but now I don't give a shit and have found out its all marketing hype. If I get lucky and am in the right place/time I'll buy but that's it.

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[Bearclaw]

So the consensus is the chase = hype, more often than not?

Where do CC's fit in this mix? I know a lot of the cc guys specifically seek out regional releases, aged smokes, etc. seems HTF or 'exclusive' is the name of the game. Thoughts?

 

[Bearclaw]

I think I used to chase a lot more when I was relatively new to this. After smoking for a while, I realize most chases are due more to marketing than to the quality of the cigar. Sure, some of the cigars are great, but just as many are good/average. There are plenty of great cigars that are not hard to find/scarce. I think the industry as a whole has taken the limited release idea a bit too far, but it's what sells, so good for them.

That's not say I won't quasi-chase. I picked up some ratzillas when I got an email from a vendor that they were in stock. I bought some older CCs recently that I stumbled on. I still fall for the hype from time to time, but I don't make it a point and I TRY not to overpay for them. I think once I found Tatuaje, Crowned Heads, Warped, etc and realized I had ready access to great stick, chasing became a lot less important.

My $0.02.

I feel like the brothers here could represent a strong sample of the industry. If "we" aren't buying the limited releases, who is?

Speaking in broad terms, and genuinely curious.

Or, maybe the only respondents are those who don't chase.

@warpedcigars @JonHuber interested to see what your sales figures say?

 

[Jfire]

I smoke mostly reg production CCs and NCs that are already in my humidors. If I'm buying it's a CC that's standard production under 10 dollars that I know is going to age a decade or longer.


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[ChefBoyRG54]

Liars

 

[stin187]

I tend to chase thing I really like but are rare or old. Case in point Tat Black Churchills, either the Mummy or AFC. I love the blend in that size and run out every so often so I need to chase and restock them. It's at the point now where I'm pretty much always on the lookout for them. As for new releases if they are something that falls in my wheelhouse with either size or blend (I trust a lot of the guys here who have similar pallets and likes to mine) then I will make an effort to get them. It can be really overwhelming to try to grab all the new releases and limited from just one company never mind all of them. I do have a core line of go to smokes that are regular production and easy to find on sale that make up a lot of my daily smokes. As for whiskey I have a few regular production go to bottles I like. I'll never turn down a nice bottles a gift but I've never really chased any. ...though that Orphan Barrel is a damn fine distillery and I'll buy some if I happen across any.

 

[StogieNinja]

I'll chase things from reputable guys who make stuff I really enjoy, if the blend sounds like it'll satisfy my palate and I have the time, but I no longer pay a premium for it.

If the price is decent and I happen across something I want, I'll gladly grab it; I might even sit and hit F5 waiting for something to show up... but I won't pay extra.

Too many great sticks at $7-8 to spend $17 on something marginally (or possibly not at all) better just because it's exclusive or rare.

I'm in it for the taste, not the exclusivity.

 

[atbat82]

I'll chase things from reputable guys who make stuff I really enjoy, if the blend sounds like it'll satisfy my palate and I have the time, but I no longer pay a premium for it.

If the price is decent and I happen across something I want, I'll gladly grab it; I might even sit and hit F5 waiting for something to show up... but I won't pay extra.

Too many great sticks at $7-8 to spend $17 on something marginally (or possibly not at all) better just because it's exclusive or rare.

I'm in it for the taste, not the exclusivity.

This is probably a better summary of my approach as well. It's not that I won't look for things that are hard to find occasionally, but more that I'm no longer willing to pay crazy premiums for them (though, since I'm relatively new to CCs, I've been bitten a few times in the last few months).

 

[D Quintero]

upmostly support the future shapes and style of likeminded brand cigars and beers to come .
aint nobody got the time to babysit so, the market trend towards larger nc / cc re / toroland cigs are unchaseworthy / plenty helpful in keeping with limited resources.
all budgets are finite and time is a motherfucker. in short , reg. production cuba still holds my dearest preference to this thin rg hearts indulgences .
& in keeping, high gravity beers of a particular style also ring true .

 

[havana1]

I don't really chase anything anymore. I do understand why some do chase but not for me any longer. There are too many really good cigars on the market now for me to feel the need.
My thing these days is finding older "vintage" cigars that aren't in production any longer. Nothing like finding a box of Perdomo ESV 91's on the shelf.....