Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

shovel.... down... whatever the hell that means...

Sounds like a reason to start a new thread friend...

So I guess this has been talked out... there's no proof to support these claims and yea.... move along folks, nothing to see here.

http://www.tooncrib.com/southpark/wa...dy1024x768.jpg

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

The put down the shovel is advice to quit this line of discussion before you dig yourself into a deeper hole.:ss

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

With that in mind, sometimes it is o.k. to just not post at all. This does nothing but stir $hit up.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I never thought of that, Peter.


;) :r

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Yeah. And I got to figure out how to use emotes while posting with my blackberry.

I wasn't actually denying anything. Just making a sideways stab at the cbid forum. Saying it didn't exist (wink wink chuckle etc. )

Not sure why some here and there want this topic shut down as toxic. I think its interesting and if true very helpful to keep the local B&Ms going strong.

So do we have a third party volunteer to organize the blind test?

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I'm bored and have nothing to live for.... what do you need to do this? I'll see what can be done on my end.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

What is going on around here the last few days?

http://www.showcaseyouth.com/Oh%20the%20Drama%203.jpg

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

SPSS Analysis? lol.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Nah, go old school....... miniTab.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I prefer maxiTab. ;)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/Tab.jpg

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

wow! Tab was a coke product. didn't know that. :)

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_experiment

Read the description for "Double-blind trails."

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

We're going to be like cigar aficianado!

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Are those for visually challenged hikers? ;)

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Your differentiation between smoke shop and b&m is sort of muddled. By your logic most shops out there would fall under both categories depending on what brand you are referring to. Padron, Ashton, Fuente, etc...all require a certain intial box purchase followed up with a certain number of facings to become an authorized dealer. This binds you to their recommended MSRP and allows you to obtain alloted cigars In fact most cigar companies do. Unless you have a warehouse you can't really hope to become authorize for all non cuban cigars out there.

Just my .02, its not as black and white as you are making it out to be. I will say that I have noticed... and this is totally anecdotal. I have run across a few reps, Torano's come to mind, that carry cello wrapped sample packs for giving out at shops. To me these ALWAYS smoke better than the boxed counterparts....

not sure if its in my head. Maybe I'm just stoked to be smoking a free cigar. Maybe there is something to that.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I'm not organizing this trial, but let's just say that CI, JR, and Holts are the internet retailers (even if they do have B&Ms). All of the mom and pop B&Ms, and even places like the Tinderbox we will consider B&Ms (for this test purpose only, if it even is a test). I know that leaves out a lot of other places, but those are the two extremes.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

blind leading the blind? :r

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Interesting observation. Maybe a Good B&M Owner knows how to get more of these Sticks!! Who knows?!

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

From what I have heard, and I'm sure this differs from company to company but I don't think the reps are supposed to leave those with the shop. That said I have yet to leave a smoker where the rep didn't give a good portion of the remaining samples to the shop.

I'm sure we have some reps that frequent here. Maybe they could chime in.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I'll ask again.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I don't think there is any such difference between what you call "internet cigars" and "local B&M." There's just simply no way they can be segregated from one another during the distribution process.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

SPSS is for girls....

SAS is the bomb


Don't you need those 5 1/4 inch floppy disks in order to run miniTab?!?

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Everyday I pray that this thread will not have any new posts that I have to read and everyday there are more. Damn it people! :)

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Pretty sure I used 3.5' floppy's for it in uni, that was also 12 or 13 years ago but I'm sure that 5.25" floppy's were dead antiques even then ;) Thankfully I haven't had to do any statistical analysis since I finished that course......

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Indeed.
Considering there are so many other factors that can influence the flavor of a given cigar, it seems like an unlikely stretch to imply there's a conspiracy on the part of the manufacturer to supply B&Ms with "good cigars" vs. internet distributors with "bad cigars".

Following Occam's razor, it's probably as simple as: B&M cigars are either aged longer and/or stored in a more consistent environment than some internet cigar distributors (I suspect it's just a bit more aged since my B&M rarely move large amounts of cigars--I think the Oliva V's they got in about 6+ months ago are still sitting on their shelves).

I personally, have not noticed any difference in the flavor. And since these days I tend to gravitate to the same half dozen or so blends, I've been mixing various cigars from both my B&M and those I purchased online. For instance, my stash of Oliva V torps consist of about 2 boxes worth of cigars. I have one full box that I got from an online distributor and the rest are a mix of Vs from online and those I bought from my B&M when almost none of the online vendors had them in stock.

Ditto with my Oliva Gs, DPGs, Padrons, and Ashtons. I don't even think about where the cigars came from, just how long it's been in my humidor--I ususally try to grab the oldest first.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Damn youngsters..
I'm old enough to know what a 8" floppy disk looks like. I'm also old enough to know that if you have a hole puncher, you just turned all those single sided floppy disks into double sided floppies with twice the storage!

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

not in '93

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

My first job programming job I had to use keypunch machines/cards, floppies appeared years later with first PCs. Or maybe with PDP 10/11?

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Members of my lounge here? Not that I know of. Savor the stick went to the lounge a few times but has since relocated to orange county and never took part in any tests. Probably my fault. I haven't really shared the asylum with the botl there. However, this notion actually came from the guys there who had gone on trips to Honduras and the Dominican. I'll be on the next trip to Nicaragua in may. We will be guests of don pepin Garcia. I'll ask him directly and tell you what he says.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Its ok, I'll ask Don Pepin when hes at Habana Premium in Albany, NY on May 4th, and report back :tu

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

The last time I used SAS was on a terminal. I use Statistica 4.5 .. mainly because I paid ~700 for the software on seven 3.5" floppies in the early 90s. Copied the floppy files to a USB and it installs and runs just fine on Xp32. I runs everything that I understand LOL.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

You name dropper Moe! So instead of visiting him he's coming to visit you? :mh

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Don Pepin is a guest of theirs :wo

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Who is Don Pepin and why are we talking about him? :)

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Don José "Pepin" Garcia is currently the C.E.O. of El Rey de los Habanos, Inc, a cigar company in Miami, also known as Don Pepín Cigars. He is a noted cigar maker living in Miami, Florida. Born in Cuba, he is a master cigar roller and blender, and the creator and maker of numerous popular cigar brands.

Pepin Garcia brands
Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ
El Rey de los Habanos
Vegas Cubanas

Client brands
Black Cat Cigar Company, Philadelphia, PA NOTE: As of ca. April 2008, these will no longer be made by Pepin.
Rey Miguel
Sam's GS Stash
The Cigar Merchant, Alpharetta, GA
Trahan Reserva Serie T
Cigar King, Scottsdale, AZ
Cuban Diplomat
Habana Leon
Havana Soul
Hirsh y Garcia
Nacionales “W”
Sancti Spiritus
Holt's Cigar Co., Philadelphia, PA
Little Havana Overruns
Tatuaje Cigars Inc
Tatuaje
Cabaiguán
Padilla Cigar Company, Hialeah, FL NOTE: As of early 2008, Pepin is no longer making these.
Padilla Miami 8 & 11
Padilla Signature 1932[11]
Padilla 1948

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Nicely done Admiral, I am a bit slow Googling on my Crackberry at this time of night!

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Agreed also.
Most know and understand that internet sticks require longer before smoking. On first arrival most go to **** about 1/2 way. 4 months later I dont believe theres a difference. I said before and I will say again. I have done splits on internet cigars with PEOPLE WHO WORK AT B&M. They dont believe there to be a difference after the sticks have rested long enough.

That said when I walk into the B&M I go to and yes its a full blown shop, I generally always buy a stick even if I am smoking something from home such as an CC or less common stick. So long as I am not flat broke. I think most shops gripes are that regulars come in with internet sticks all the time rarely buy there sticks but use there facilities.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

The more I spend on a cigar, the better it should taste. Right?

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Absloutely not.

Gurkha Warrior......$7

Partagas Short....$4

Need I say more?

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

:r :r

NC Cohiba....$10+ :pu

Padron Londres.....~$2

Need I say more as well? :D


This is an interesting discussion and I can honestly say I have not read through the entire thread.

The question I would want to know is turnover. I know B&Ms get a lot of foot traffic and probably sell more singles that internet stores, but what are those people buying? Are the people who frequent B&Ms looking for the same cigars as people who buy over the internet? I know when I go into local B&Ms (even ones with great selections) they often have the name brand cigars (montecristo, cohiba. . .) front and center or they have a large selection of Fuentes. I know when I go into a B&M I am looking for something specific to try as a single, when it comes to larger purchases I definitely go online.

Cigars are a handmade product, so it would not surprise me if there are slight differences between different batches in terms of blend and construction. Add that to the fact that cigars change with rest/age, storage conditions (RH) and it just doesn't seem possible. But you never know.

Also, I would assume you get a slightly different experience depending on how the cigar draws, how fast you smoke and how you cut the cigar. I know I personally do not like a punch as it concentrates the smoke too much for me. This is also the reason I typically make torpedos into robustos (:r I know this is against the rules but I like to live on the edge sometimes).

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Padron Londres $2

'01 Rafael Gonzales Corona Extra $1.36

Say more, Aaron. :r

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I'll take the Padron.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Hey, it doesn't count when they are on sale for ridiculous prices! :r

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Good, then we won't be wrestling.

Why? ;)

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I bet you the Padrons draw better! :D :r :r :r

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Maybe I should expand my post.

Arturo Fuente Curly Head

B&M: $2
Internet: $0.63

Should I enjoy it more because of the cost? I doubt that they would really put the time into separating tobacco for B&M and internet retailers, it would be waste of time and cost. They make the same amount of money per box out of the factory. What difference would it make to them? None.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

You smoke the Padron Londres, I will smoke the RG CE, and we can compare notes. ;)

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

I have bought from both online and local shops. I prefer to buy most of my cigars from my local shop. It is located within a couple of miles from my house, always has a nice selection, friendly atmosphere, and usually good fellowship. If on the rare occasion that I get a bad stick, Howard is always quick to replace it with no fuss. Even factoring in gas and time, I can usually at worst come out even over paying for shipping. BUT, as I said, I am fortunate to have a local shop that is well stocked. I have spent some time in smaller towns that were not so fortunate.

As a matter of fact, I spent a couple of quality hours there this afternoon enjoying a couple of cigars, raiding the fridge in back for beer, and comparing hospital horror stories with the rest of the refugees from honeydo's that were hanging out there.


I will definately second (third, fourth, etc. this)!

BTW, When are you and Andrea looking to hit the Turtle again? Maybe I can make the trek up there to join ya.

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

Something tells me I will not be smoking a $2 cigar if we get a chance to smoke together in a couple of weeks!

Re: stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet
 

We can still wrastle ya big stud