Buying Boxes, Vs Buying Individuals/partials etc.

[jvd1291]

I personally prefer to buy full boxes, but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on this was?

To me, there is nothing more pleasing then looking into my humidor and seeing a full box of cigars aging away, or grabbing a stick from a full box!

[El Presidente]

If you are starting out, you can waste a lot of money buying full boxes. 

If you are starting out, you can come to a lot of incorrect conclusions buying a single.   You really need to smoke multiples of the same cigar and preferably at different resting periods (30/60/90 days) . Quarter boxes are a good way to go. 

Once you have an idea of what you love, go bananas on boxes. 

[Subcomandante]

I’m still new but prefer to buy boxes. The ocd in me prefers to have box code dates for tracking and storage. I figure if i don’t enjoy them I hope I’ll like them with age. If not those can be my give away to non smoker friends. I don’t purchase great numbers so it’s not as bad money wise. 

[Smokecigareveryday]

I have been smoking CCs for 3 years and I still buy mostly singles and quarter boxes.  I know I am going get hammered for this but I smoke the cigars on the first day when they arrive without resting them for 30/60/90 days. 

[jvd1291]

40 minutes ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

I have been smoking CCs for 3 years and I still buy mostly singles and quarter boxes.  I know I am going get hammered for this but I smoke the cigars on the first day when they arrive without resting them for 30/60/90 days. 

I feel you, I often have one ROTT myself! Its hard to wait! I just always take it with a grain of salt, knowing it may not be in its best place from the journey.

[Smokecigareveryday]

1 minute ago, jvd1291 said:

I feel you, I often have one ROTT myself! Its hard to wait! I just always take it with a grain of salt, knowing it may not be in its best place from the journey.

I don't wait at all. I start smoking ROTT.  So when I get singles or a box they will be gone in a month as I tend to smoke one cigar a day. 

[StogieSteve23]

12 hours ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

I don't wait at all. I start smoking ROTT.  So when I get singles or a box they will be gone in a month as I tend to smoke one cigar a day. 

With only a months worth of time between when you claim to receive and be out of those cigars, do you actually notice any difference in body, flavor profiles, taste, etc..?  I'm sure you must to an extent but with so many sticks needing at least 2-6 months, hell maybe a years worth of rest to be close to smokable now, why not buy more and smoke less of a single one to watch flavors develop?

Believe me I smoke cigars ROTT too sometimes if the cigar is something I've never had and what I got was a full box, but do you expect the cigars flavors, body and profile to change much within that short window of time?  I smoke 2-3 cigars most days and sometimes going up to 5-6 a day depending on what I am doing for work but I would never shred through a single box that quickly simply for the fact that I want to see development (or regression in some cases but that no one wants to see) between now and the last time you smoked something. I feel like it would be hard to see this when you're smoking the same cigar day after day.  Just my personal opinion though. 

[Smokecigareveryday]

26 minutes ago, StogieSteve23 said:

With only a months worth of time between when you claim to receive and be out of those cigars, do you actually notice any difference in body, flavor profiles, taste, etc..?  I'm sure you must to an extent but with so many sticks needing at least 2-6 months, hell maybe a years worth of rest to be close to smokable now, why not buy more and smoke less of a single one to watch flavors develop?

Believe me I smoke cigars ROTT too sometimes if the cigar is something I've never had and what I got was a full box, but do you expect the cigars flavors, body and profile to change much within that short window of time?  I smoke 2-3 cigars most days and sometimes going up to 5-6 a day depending on what I am doing for work but I would never shred through a single box that quickly simply for the fact that I want to see development (or regression in some cases but that no one wants to see) between now and the last time you smoked something. I feel like it would be hard to see this when you're smoking the same cigar day after day.  Just my personal opinion though. 

I believe that cigars are ready to smoke ROTT when they are released from the factories.  I am sure aging cigars will have better results but I keep my cigars around 30 sticks per month. In terms of taste and body I didn't notice much difference ( But in a way I wouldn't know the difference since I have never rested my cigars). I always pair my cigar with coffee. In my experience even duds can taste tolerable when pairing with good coffee. 

[Chibearsv]

I love the 1/4 boxes for sampling or just to add some variety to the stash.  Need boxes of the favorites; 1 - to stay stocked and 2 - because I love the ceremony of opening the box, smelling the contents, inspecting, and selecting the exact cigar for the moment.  So I guess I'd vote for both

[MasterYotti]

14 hours ago, El Presidente said:

If you are starting out, you can waste a lot of money buying full boxes. 

If you are starting out, you can come to a lot of incorrect conclusions buying a single.   You really need to smoke multiples of the same cigar and preferably at different resting periods (30/60/90 days) . Quarter boxes are a good way to go. 

Once you have an idea of what you love, go bananas on boxes. 

Great advice!

[rcarlson]

6 minutes ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

I believe that cigars are ready to smoke ROTT when they are released from the factories.  I am sure aging cigars will have better results but I keep my cigars around 30 sticks per month. In terms of taste and body I didn't notice much difference ( But in a way I wouldn't know the difference since I have never rested my cigars). I always pair my cigar with coffee. In my experience even duds can taste tolerable when pairing with good coffee. 

You're missing out big time.  

[StogieSteve23]

10 minutes ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

I believe that cigars are ready to smoke ROTT when they are released from the factories.  I am sure aging cigars will have better results but I keep my cigars around 30 sticks per month. In terms of taste and body I didn't notice much difference ( But in a way I wouldn't know the difference since I have never rested my cigars). I always pair my cigar with coffee. In my experience even duds can taste tolerable when pairing with good coffee. 

Maybe try a little experiment and buy slightly more than you normally would for the month or two months.  Do some comparisons at certain stages like ROTT/15/30/45/60 (or however you would like to do it). In my opinion, if it is financially doable, it might be worth trying so you can see if even a little rest will help the flavors develop for you.  I know you said you think they're ready ROTT (which they might be) but you're probably missing certain characteristics/flavors/profiles and body that might come out of a cigar given even just a little more rest.  

I'm with you on the coffee thing though.  Mornings with a cup of coffee is probably my favorite time of the day to have a smoke.  Get a little time to myself and enjoy the pairing as I think about the day ahead.

[Cubadust]

38 minutes ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

I believe that cigars are ready to smoke ROTT when they are released from the factories.  I am sure aging cigars will have better results but I keep my cigars around 30 sticks per month. In terms of taste and body I didn't notice much difference ( But in a way I wouldn't know the difference since I have never rested my cigars). I always pair my cigar with coffee. In my experience even duds can taste tolerable when pairing with good coffee. 

But letting the cigars rest after a purchase doesn't have anything to do with aging them. It's to let them rest after the travel and acclimatise to you humidor.

[La_Tigre]

I bought a ton of random boxes to get ‘em all ? ?  I agree with @El Presidente. Try them out before committing to full boxes. On the flip side, there are always interested parties in your unwanted partial boxes. This is a great way to socialize and trade. Of interest, I ended up with 3 boxes of Punch Punch from our host. We are having the first one today and loving it....a happy accident so far....???

[Smokecigareveryday]

1 hour ago, StogieSteve23 said:

Maybe try a little experiment and buy slightly more than you normally would for the month or two months.  Do some comparisons at certain stages like ROTT/15/30/45/60 (or however you would like to do it). In my opinion, if it is financially doable, it might be worth trying so you can see if even a little rest will help the flavors develop for you.  I know you said you think they're ready ROTT (which they might be) but you're probably missing certain characteristics/flavors/profiles and body that might come out of a cigar given even just a little more rest.  

I'm with you on the coffee thing though.  Mornings with a cup of coffee is probably my favorite time of the day to have a smoke.  Get a little time to myself and enjoy the pairing as I think about the day ahead.

I missed  Bolivar RC and Partagas D4 full boxes on 24/24.  Maybe next time.  I am a morning smoker with a cup of coffee while taking a long stroll in the forest every day.  I will try the experiment and I am beginning to think that I enjoy the flavors more during the last half of the  month since those cigars are rested for 2 weeks. 

[PigFish]

16 hours ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

I have been smoking CCs for 3 years and I still buy mostly singles and quarter boxes.  I know I am going get hammered for this but I smoke the cigars on the first day when they arrive without resting them for 30/60/90 days. 

Smoking experience certainly involves what you buy, how you buy, and when to smoke them.

Comparing yourself and ranking yourself to a seasoned smoker is the mistake. Assuming that another’s right way is your right way.... that’s the mistake.

There is no wrong way for you yet except blind faith and blind following. Keep doing what you are doing. You will figure out what you like. Experience comes with smoking.

cheers!