Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Like most everyone else, I'm still a sucker for a really good description on a cigar. Even after enjoying cigars for the past 6-7 years, The sizzle sells me every time. With the humidors half full of ok/ kind of good cigars and the other half being my regular favorites, I've come to the conclusion that is just isn't worth buying so-so cigars. It's disappointing to start a yard cigar after having a killer stick earlier that day or even the day before. Probably the best way to try is to get one at the cigar shop and have a sit & chill out and see what develops. If it sucks, at least you're only out one lousy stick. Better than buying a five pack and getting stuck with mediocre sticks.
RR

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

It depends... while I love all the AMAZING cigars out there, OK sticks have their place also IMHO, for instance... If I am going to be working on the truck and want a smoke an OK stick is perfect for this... Or if I am going to be on a boat where water or spray might kill the stick.... or if I am working hard out in the yard working up a sweat...

OK- cigars are good for time fillers, when something else might pop up and you have to put the stick out prematurely...

I think that great cigars are good for times that I am sitting down to smoke and can pay attention to the cigar and its quality... if I am going to passively smoke a cigar, not reason it should be an expensive one... IMHO...

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Life is too short to smoke a crappy cigar. :2

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Smoke less. Smoke better.
:2

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I think you can find good cigars at all price points so there is no reason to settle for a just ok or bad cigar.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I couldnt agree more Peter. Ive been adopting the less quantity and more quality lately.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I smoke cigars for enjoyment, a cigar that I feel is "just OK" is not enjoyable to me and therefore not worth my time.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Could not have said it better!

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I also think it depends on how much and how often you smoke.

I only smoke 2 sometimes 3 days a week. So for me, OK cigars aren't worth it. If you are one of those who smokes multiple sticks daily, then the "ok" cigars have their place. (They can't all be extraordinary)

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I have started many "OK" cigars. Can't remember finishing them though.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I keep a lot of ok cigars around. When I am grilling or driving in my car I want a simple cigar that burns well and in the car I want it mild because you get a lot of second hand smoke and a Tempus almost made me dizzy and have to pull over. After that I drive with good burning mild to medium cigars. For business travel I don't want top shelf because Most hotels have wierd smoking areas and I just want to chill and can't enjoy a great cigar enough. Also I gift lower end milder low cost cigars to newbie friends of mine.

My two cents. This way I can pick up samplers and find a use for the cigars I don't enjoy so much.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Ok... Sweet_leaf_PDX has a good point, often times (as the noob I still am) I get confused, when people say GREAT cigar, I often assume an EXPENSIVE cigar... When I smoke O.K. cigars, I am more so referring to their price, I have only really had 4 cigars that were so bad I didn't feel like finishing them...

I smoke at least a cigar a day now, if not 2 or 3, (thanks CA :lr) So all my sticks can't be Primo or I'd be living in a cardboard box... I find 2nd's to be reasonably good/decent/O.K. cigars that allow me to smoke multiple times a day without breaking the bank... If you find a 2nd you particularly like (ie Nic Ligero Laced 2nd's) I am more apt to enjoy them while doing other things around the house, Sometimes you can stop everything and enjoy your smoke, other times that thing called life gets in the way...

And there is the real beauty of OK/decent/ cigars, if they are good, smoke em down, if they are mediocre, atleast you didn't break the bank buying them only to find out they aren't your cup of tea... and you can always put them out without thinking, damn that cost me 10 dollars... :2

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

+ a million.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Exactly!

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

:tpd:

By the way, better does not = more expensive.

I have found myself doing some of my chores while smoking a pipe instead of a cigar, it is even less expensive per smoke.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Don't ask Mac about a Budget Stick that's a quality smoke... before you know it you will find yourself buying bundles of Nic 3000... thanks again MAC!:bh:bh

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I think this is more about price than anything. I've had expensive cigars that should only have cost $1 for their flavor/burn. But I also have $2 sticks that taste amazing and burn even better.

Depends on the research you do.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Preach it!

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Someone may think that a dog rocket to you is a good cigar to them. To each their own. Smoke what you like.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

/thread.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I went from getting anything I could get my hands on...to becoming extremely selective. It's nice to open up your humi and know that ANY stick you grab is going to be top notch. If you have a small humi or only smoke a couple a month...treat yourself!

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I'm with Tom on this one. Life is too short to smoke crappy sticks.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I've blind reviewed many cigars that I never tried, raved about them and was quite embarrassed to find out that sticks I poo-pooed because of price won out over more expensive sticks. The 5 Vegas A Alpha belicosos have become quite an enjoyable stick to me, especially if they've sit for about 6 months and I rarely pay more than $50 a box for them. Cheap cigars are not always bad.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Bueso Genesis the Project is on sale...$60 for a box of robustos. EPIC budget stick.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I'm a college student and therefore can't afford a Liga Privada or Oliva V or any other excellent cigar for everyday smoking. However, I can afford SLRs or Alec Bradley Easy Fives on a consistant basis. They may not be top notch, but they are definitely economical and enjoyable. There is nothing wrong with smoking "OK" cigars because those are what get me through the day. If you enjoy them, smoke them.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I think the point that "OK" is one's personal judgement of a cigar and not what someone else thinks or what a review says about it might be getting lost here.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I have never had an issue with a Padron Londres and they are around $3 if I remember correctly. Great inexpensive cigar.

---

I am in the same boat as Tom and Peter. If I light up a cigar and it is not doing it for me in the first inch or it is plugged, I have no issue putting it out and grabbing another one. I have actually put out a cigar after one puff as I just knew it was not for me and I did not want to ruin my palate for the next one. Sometimes you just know.

If I happen to be smoking something "expensive" (obviously a relative term so let's say $15+) and it is not doing it for me I might try to smoke it a little longer to see if it changes or improves, but after 1/3 to 1/2 I will move on.

With that said, I have also had cigars that started out ok and turned great by the time I got to the end, so you just never know.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I've never had that one. I will have to give it a try. Thanks man.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Me, I'm not only a poor working stiff, but also have medical bills I'll be paying off for the next few lifetimes. I would love to enjoy "quality" cigars on occasion, yet can only afford what others would consider "OK" . . . if even that. I "splurge" on good little cigars, and grab boxes of JR Ultimate Habanitos ($40/24 sticks) and Consuegra 9s maduro ($35/25) for my everydays. For treats, I'm limited to those times Lew offers me a free 5-pack for ordering those above.

Would I like a stash of VSGs, Oliva Vs, Padrons, whatever? Sure. I'd also like to strap some young hottie around my waist for a few hours, but that ain't a-gonna happen either.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

The regular line of Padron's are pretty good and the 2000s are not too pricey either if I remember correctly.

There are plenty of expensive cigars, DR Cohiba's, DR Montecristo's, Ashton ESGs... that do nothing for me. These cigars are less than OK to me, but to others, these are top shelf cigars.

Smoke what you like and smoke what you can afford.

There are always going to be people who can afford more expensive cigars or have a bigger collection. There is no need to compete. It took me a little while to figure that out. It can be tough when you log onto a forum ten times a day and see what everyone is posting. We are surrounded by people who love cigars, otherwise we would not be here.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Sage advice. :tu

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

I'm struggling for an answer here. I don't really smoke so-so cigars, I smoke cigars that I like. And I completely ignore hype. If I want an opinion, there are many on this forum whose opinions matter to me. But most of my favorite cigars aren't that expensive and fall into the $5-$10 range. Most just aren't available at local B&M's. And I'm pretty much immune to advertising and buzz. If you feel you're being sucked in by marketing, maybe it's time to tune the marketing out.

If you've been smoking cigars 6-7 years, I'd assume you've discovered some favorites by now that are well above so-so, no? I would stick with those, and possibly look at the reviews posted here when it comes to selecting new ones to try.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

It's a balance of pocketbook to quality. There are plenty of decent cigars that don't burst the wallet.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

SHORT ANSWER:

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. It's really that simple. If a cigar provides you enjoyment then it's an OK cigar for you.


LONG ANSWER:

It all depends on what YOUR definition of an “OK cigar” is. Is it based solely on quality and taste? Price? A combination thereof?

As others have pointed out in this thread there are many great smokes out there that won’t break the bank.

I’m on a budget for my cigars but like to smoke two a day. My target price range for smokes is $2.50 - $4.00 per stick on average throughout the year. Can I get “OK” cigars for that? Some would say “absolutely not!” and LOL’ed at me when they read that. But you be the judge – I have a little less than 200 cigars in my stash, the preponderance of which are the following:

601 Blue
Punch Bareknuckle
La Herencia Cubana CORE
Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro
Genesis the Project
My Father Le Bijou 1922
Padron 4000 Maduro
RyJ 1875
Oliva G Maduro
5 Vegas Serie ‘A’
Tabacas Baez SF (My yard ‘gar)
Gran Habano Corojo #5 and Triple
MOW Puro Authentico Maduro

I got every single one of those cigars except for the Padrons and the MOWs for less than $4 a stick. Some such as the Punch, Genesis, and Gran Habanos I got for less than $3 per. Are they “OK” sticks? I certainly think so, but some would say “Meh, nothing special”. Others would say “:dr NICE! And kudos for scoring them at such a great price point!” What’s important is that I enjoy smoking every one of those cigars.

I also have some Padron 1964 Anny Maduros (my special occasion cigar, worth every penny), Oliva V Maduros, Casa Magna Colorados, Cain Daytonas, MUWAT Baitfish, and Papas Fritas on hand. The Papas Fritas is a short filler cigar that goes for $6 a stick. Is it more than twice as tasty as a Genesis the Project due to it costing over twice as much? IMNSHO, hell no, I prefer a Genesis. But others would just as adamantly say “Hell yes it is!” Tastes vary, and it’s great for those of us that enjoy this hobby that they do; how boring cigars would be if we all liked the exact same thing. Find what you like to smoke and smoke it; if you like it then it's an OK cigar for you and that's all that matters.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

+1 plus those are some damn tasty cigars. I would throw in some Ruinations and Alec Bradley Tempus sticks plus some random Joe Cigar treats like Prensado or DPG Black/Blues and toss anything from Drew Estates away and say we have similar tastes. My specials are Illusione, Casa Fernandez, and Viaje sticks.

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Good List, Porch Dweller is wise.... :tu

The ones I bolded I have all personally had and would consider them all to be good cigars at affordable price points...

I'll have to check out the un-bolded ones for myself... :tu

Thanks PD!!!

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

psst... cigar.com has MOW Puro Authentico Habano and Maduro varieties for 39.99/box this week. :banger

Re: Are just OK cigars worth it?
 

Thanks!