First Impressions

[Stick burner]

How often does a new stick impress you so much that a single turns into a box purchase by the end of the cigar? I am pretty cautious and not an impulse buyer, but I find myself lately making a purchase after just one sample.....thoughts 

[GavLew79]

I don't tend to buy singles any more apart from "One-Offs" that I want to try but don't want to spunk a ton of cash on. Like Monte 80. RA H&F 225. Certain LE's. 

Boxes have been bought on a mix of impulse, research and price, but sometimes on a whim and the good recommendation of our host. I've rarely been disappointed, apart from a real turd cab of PLPC and a 10 box of Monte 4 (not bought here, I must add). That's pretty good odds for about 5 years of smoking and probably about 800 cigars smoked. 

[SloppyJ]

I started out splitting boxes with friends or trying singles to get my feet wet with CCs. That helped me find what I like and what I didn't like. That process took about a year. Since then, it's been pretty much all full box purchases for me. I've become more of a hoarder to get some first hand experience on aging. I rarely want to split boxes any more because it will normally take me 4-5 samples of a cigar to figure out when they are smoking good and how that corresponds to my taste preferences. If I split a box, that means I only have 6-7 more to enjoy once I find that sweet spot. 

As I transition away from that, there are still smokes that I want to try. I find that coming on here getting in on some 5'er splits with fellow FOH members gives me a large enough sample size that I feel confident in judging a cigar to decide if I want to make a box purchase. However, sometimes I just see things on the sales and I pull the trigger on sticks I've never had before. 

Come to think of it, there's really no rhyme or reason to my ways I just like to act like there is. 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

When I'm traveling and have access to B&Ms, I usually only have time to try a single stick of something new before I decide on a box. If I'm ordering, I'll pick up three of whatever I'm interested in trying before I commit to a box. But sometimes, singles aren't available or I know that boxes will be gone by the time I decide. 

If I'm buying something new without sampling it first, I can generally get a fair idea of whether it'll suit my tastes by doing a little research (here, and a couple of other places). Then, having a trusted vendor really helps so I can be confident that I can get a quality box.

Last time I was so smitten with a new stick that I decided on a box before I was finished the first one was the Quai D'Orsay Belicoso Royal RE France. Halfway through, I knew I was all the way in.

[Stick burner]

13 minutes ago, SloppyJ said:

As I transition away from that, there are still smokes that I want to try. I find that coming on here getting in on some 5'er splits with fellow FOH members gives me a large enough sample size that I feel confident in judging a cigar to decide if I want to make a box purchase

SloppJ

Ive been wondering what the general consensus is for getting a true understanding of a cigars DNA    With my limited experience I would agree with 5 being a solid number

[rhcolbert]

No logic.  I just started buying boxes a while back and hoping for the best.  Almost exclusively off of 24:24 now, but sometimes if I miss a 24:24 I'll grab it from another vendor I trust (I will email first and ask about several items I'm considering and which seem to have the best construction in their stock).  

[BrightonCorgi]

I'll for sure go for box of something I try a single on and really like.  Especially something on a limited run like RE or EL where I am more likely to get the same quality of cigar as I sampled.

[Dave001]

it started out for me as singles as my uncle used to bring me back lots of Cubans to try and from there I got an idea what I would like and then boom 20 + years later I amassed my large collection (although my Cuban cigar collection didn't really take off till about 11 years ago)

[Dmpotocek]

I usually compile a list of stuff I'm interested in, and then track down singles when I'm traveling. If I like the single enough I'll be on the lookout for a box. The Mag 56 and Maduro 5 magicos however I knew I was buying a box of before the end of the stick and actively searched for boxes.


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[tsolomon]

I started buying boxes and just didn't smoke the ones that didn't wow me, but as my tastes changed I had some slightly aged cigars that I found out I did like.  I don't think there is a down side to buying boxes other then the money you have to spend.  The plus side for me is that the cigars in boxes stay in better shape than the ones in my singles drawer.

[CigarsRLife]

I think thats the plus side with CC, if you do buy a box that isn't sitting right with you out of the gate, you can always assume they will get better with age, especially if they are fresh. With NC on the other hand, I only purchase singles or five packs, if something really wows me I buy an entire box. Thats rare though anymore. 

[stunod]

The only singles I usually buy are the samplers. The robusto sampler is great. Most are not in my rotation so it's good for a change of pace.

[Jimmy_jack]

Just the other day with mystery cigar #1. PunchPunch. Looking for a box now.

[Jimmy_jack]

Plus trading with CC is a big thing. NC not so much.

[1LegLance]

If I am curious about a cigar I will do a split with buddies or here so I have at least 5-10 to try....mainly because a single is a terrible way to judge something. I will try one, wait a month try another and go from there.

If I love the stick or even mildly like it then I order a box right away....then again I am a big time impluse shopper who buys just to have something around for giggles.

The slippery slope for me is when something is great I want to stock up 2-3 boxes and then stay ahead by a couple boxes

[rhcolbert]

1 hour ago, Jimmy_jack said:

Just the other day with mystery cigar #1. PunchPunch. Looking for a box now.

Got a box in route from the last time they were on 24:24. Buying completely blind.  Everyone who's opinion of flavors seems in line with mine raves about these. 

24:24 had em under $200/box? I say yes to the risk!

[BonVivant]

liking a cigar for the first time is a slippery slope in itself - I wish it could stop at a box or two as a result Grateful for it to happen on rare occasions

[Jimmy_jack]

45 minutes ago, rhcolbert said:

Got a box in route from the last time they were on 24:24. Buying completely blind.  Everyone who's opinion of flavors seems in line with mine raves about these. 

24:24 had em under $200/box? I say yes to the risk!

I think you'll like them then. I thoroughly enjoyed it to a partial nub.