[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by shilala

I think that first statement is absolutely true, to a point. It's a "first impression" phenomena. I know that personally, even packaging and/or a cigar band makes a big impression on me when I'm looking for something new. An esteemed BOTL's word is definitely going to put me in the right mind to try a new smoke, from a favorable, slightly swayed standpoint. If nothing else, I'll give a cigar a lot more time to develop before I chuck it, just out of respect for my brother's opinion.
Ultimately, a cigar has to stand on it's own two feet. That's why I left the
Gurkha comment in there. All the bling in the world isn't going to save Gurkha, but they have their niche. That niche might be fancy packaging on a lousy cigar sold to guys who haven't had the good fortune to be exposed to something they like better, but it works for Gurkha. Plus their cigars are damned near free on cbid. Plus Bobby likes them, so at least we know one guy smokes them.

Couldn't have said it better.