Buying without having smoked...

[ShortFatHokie]

Have you ever purchased a box of cigars without ever having smoked said cigar?

Would you buy a box of cigars that you've never smoked based solely on a review from El Presidente and his crew here at FOH?

[LordAnubis]

I wouldnt buy based on a review, by el pres or anyone. I would buy based on multiple reviews, and then buy a box of cigars when El Pres puts up a photo of the most amazing PSP cigars ive ever seen.

[shlomo]

I have bought many boxes like this. I don't read or care much for reviews. I know what I like in terms of Marca and vitola and I buy the ones that fit.

[...]

I love to experiment and enjoy buying cigars. I remember buying a box, then regretting my purchase after smoking a few, then putting them down for 6 months and eventually learning to enjoy them enough to consider buying a second box In the worst case it's really not that hard to find a buyer for what you don't like at cost, unless you have bought stuff that everybody has rated negatively.

My suggestion is buy (from reliable source) humidor staples first, meaning sticks that get general acclaim (within your general taste when described by reviewers) and you shouldn't need to worry.

Then, when experimenting with less popular or positively reviewed sticks, thread with a bit more caution...

[DWC]

I have bought many boxes like this. I don't read or care much for reviews. I know what I like in terms of Marca and vitola and I buy the ones that fit.

X2

The problem I have with boxes I've bought that I haven't been that crazy about is that the last cigar in the box always seems to be wonderful and lures me back into buying another.

[...]

I have bought many boxes like this. I don't read or care much for reviews. I know what I like in terms of Marca and vitola and I buy the ones that fit.

It obviously gets easier once you have a better idea of your tastes and what is out there. How would you approch the same issue if you had only been six months or a year into cigars?

[shlomo]

It obviously gets easier once you have a better idea of your tastes and what is out there. How would you approch the same issue if you had only been six months or a year into cigars?

When I was a noob, I would split boxes with friends. buy a fiver here, trade for a couple there, and figure things out for myself. Occasionally I would buy a blind box based on many reviews, never a single one, and mostly they were hits. For the misses, since there were so many positive reviews, I would never have a problem trading them away or selling them off at cost.

Reviews are only somewhat helpful to me in the negative. If many people consistently review a cigar negatively, I would probably avoid buying it, or at least not actively seek it out. If I can get a couple to try for myself, I still would, regardless of reviews. Thankfully, personal tastes are all over the place in the cigar world and very, very, very few cigars are unanimously panned. In fact, I can only think of a 2 or 3 that are generally very much disliked such as the RyJ Belicoso (I know some of you like it, but in general it is far from loved....)

[Jnaube]

I've bought numerous boxes of cigars I've never tried. Of course you have to do your research and read more than one review but I think you kind of don't have the choice to do this once in a while.

[El Guero]

This is how i got into cheap n cheerfuls. As an American noob in '08, i was introduced to psd4, coro,& esplendido. Bought d4 &coro boxes. Couldn't really afford espy's, so i bought some party pce's blind. Because of marca and price. That was before i found FOH. Reviews now play a part, but thanks to our host, i get samplers. (Those pce's werent much then, but now with 2 left they're great.)

[...]

Reviews are only somewhat helpful to me in the negative. If many people consistently review a cigar negatively, I would probably avoid buying it, or at least not actively seek it out. If I can get a couple to try for myself, I still would, regardless of reviews. Thankfully, personal tastes are all over the place in the cigar world and very, very, very few cigars are unanimously panned. In fact, I can only think of a 2 or 3 that are generally very much disliked such as the RyJ Belicoso (I know some of you like it, but in general it is far from loved....)

Yep, totally agree. Thanks for the detailed answer!

[Nedule]

Ya, I do it all the time, for the time & effort to just buy a couple samples, it's not worth it to me to have to re-order a whole box if I like them. I'd say I have a fairly excepting palate so there's not much I don't like. Although I'm normally buying PC & Half Corona size, so my financial commitment isn't too deep.

[potpest]

I buy something different every time; smoke some, put some away so I can build a varied collection. I often buy stuff i haven't tried, or if I have, it was so long ago I can't remember it. It's not an issue for me; i've never found any cuban cigar unenjoyable, i prefer some to others but imo they've all got a time and place, even if it's just for a change of pace.

[Smiley]

Some years ago, Rob n Ken did a review on the Hoyo Des Dieux from 2003. They convinced me and I had the chance to get two cabs of 50.

I'm glad to say that they were absolutely right. :-)

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[TiminBC]

I try to have high end premium cigars before buying a box. I put allot of stock in FOH reviews but also have a few sites I check where I know the reviewer has similar tastes based on experience.

Rob frequently gives advise in the videos which strictly speaking is not helping the sale of that cigars which he has in stock.

[Skyfall]

yes

[subport]

Yes many times.

In general I am not a sampler guy. I buy one box to decide myself. If good I'd buy again, or go deep, if not forget about it.

[StingMeadery]

Yes, I just bought a box of Montecristo Sublimes and a 25 cab of aged SLR Regios.

"Smoking dangerously"

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[santela]

I do this all the time. I Read a bunch of reviews and make my decision based on general opinion. When I end up purchasing a box I don't like I either sit them down and hope they change, or give/trade them away.

[cigaraholic]

Buying isn't a problem, I mean buying is the problem......

[bradbrennan]

Reviews are only somewhat helpful to me in the negative. If many people consistently review a cigar negatively, I would probably avoid buying it, or at least not actively seek it out.

I'm with this one, but I also like Rob's reviews as they don't hold back if they don't like them!

[Bostin]

I'm waiting for two boxes of Diplomatico No 2 from our host, I've never even seen one in irl hehe.

Just based on review from the deck

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[Lotusguy]

I used to do it all the time. Now I have tried almost all the regular production stuff and a fair amount of RE and LE and know what I like.

[Smallclub]

I much prefer "smoking without having bought"

[Duxnutz]

Sometimes you've gotta trust your gut! I've bought many boxes blind and yet to be majorly disappointed.

[ogus]

Some good Bros on this board goaded me into buying some Sancho Panza Molinos and I am enjoying one now. Thanks to the members.

I bought some PSP2's blind and that was not so good.

I intend to go for a box of Sir Winnie's based on rep.