The Case of the Expanding Ring Gauge

[N2 GOLD]

I hope, its just passing us by. Because, I just don't have the time for 3 plus hour stick.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

I think there is a financial advantage to making cigars larger as well. The cost of the extra tobacco in a 60RG cigar is minimal over what it would take to make a 45rg but the cost of rolling, packaging, and shipping is exactly the same, and a box of large cigars takes up almost the same amount of space on a B&Ms shelf. Larger RG cigars sell for more than smaller sized ones, so if an extra $20 can be made on a box of large cigars it's in the manufacturers, and retailers advantage to produce and sell products that that maximize their resources.

Not to mention that the thin RG cigars are more difficult to roll, meaning you need better (maybe higher paid / more experienced) rollers working for you to roll them.

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Not to mention that the thin RG cigars are more difficult to roll, meaning you need better (maybe higher paid / more experienced) rollers working for you to roll them.

I was always under the impression that larger vitolas (churchills/double coronas) are more difficult to roll and require more experienced rollers.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ed

I was always under the impression that larger vitolas (churchills/double coronas) are more difficult to roll and require more experienced rollers.

When we have had some of the more reknowned rollers roll cigars for group buys (La China, Hamlet, Taboada), I was told that they said the thinner RG took more skill. That's all second hand though, I have never met any of them.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by icehog3

When we have had some of the more reknowned rollers roll cigars for group buys (La China, Hamlet, Taboada), I was told that they said the thinner RG took more skill. That's all second hand though, I have never met any of them.

This has been my observation/experience too while at the NC factories.
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[Silound]

Originally Posted by icehog3

When we have had some of the more reknowned rollers roll cigars for group buys (La China, Hamlet, Taboada), I was told that they said the thinner RG took more skill. That's all second hand though, I have never met any of them.

I was told by an Altadis rep that if you looked at cigar manufacturing as bunchers (the people who actually roll the tobacco, bind it, and put it into forms) and finishers (the people who apply the wrapper), the harder job was always bunching a larger smoke and finishing the smaller smokes.

This may not be the case for companies that manufacture cigars start to finish by one roller, I really don't know.



Personally, as a hobbyist and enthusiast, I find there's a certain blend-to-size feeling I get with some cigars. I like the original La Aroma de Cuba in a 60rg more than any other size, but I can't stand Pepin Black Labels in anything over a 52. Just some blends lean themselves towards a larger ring better than others. Perdomo Lot 23 is another smoke I don't like in anything other than the 4x60 size. Can't even begin to explain why on that one.

[mithrilG60]

Originally Posted by icehog3

When we have had some of the more reknowned rollers roll cigars for group buys (La China, Hamlet, Taboada), I was told that they said the thinner RG took more skill. That's all second hand though, I have never met any of them.

I've met Hamlet several times and he's told us that as a roller you start off rolling coronas and similar, then move up to larger sizes as you learn to control the blend, then move up to long skinny vitola's like lanceros, and finally if you're stupid you learn to roll shaped cigars. The later are the most difficult but also tend to pidegon hole you into shapes for the rest of your career which limits your earning potential as most factories roll different cigars throughout out the year and someone specialized on shaped cigars will either be without work or on low production for stretches whereas the rollers that do your standard corona-robusto-churchill lines have steady employment. Cuban rollers are also paid on a quote system, you receive a daily wage for x units produced. If you exceed production you get a daily bonus, the more difficult a cigar type is to roll the less likely you are to exceed quote and get your bonus.

[massphatness]

So much sadness in this thread for me ...

[jluck]

I started out smoking large RG cigars, It was the cool kid thing to do....dont 'ya know. After dropping (spitting) out a lit 54 RG torpedo in my lap and spitting a just lit MUWAT on a dirty shop floor I gave up, smoked up most of the bigger stuff or gave them away. Once I figured out how much more pleasure there is in a 36-46 RG cigar I don't see ever going back, Even in a cigar has some catchy marketing name (dirty hooker,toxic shock etc.) I will stick to the smaller ones thanks.

My A.D.D also likes the hour or less mark.

[FriendlyMan]

I would think it’s not made to be an everyday stick. And it is probably made for those that are or they are not to familiar with RG or don’t smoke at all and want to surprise someone.

I would name it the "show off" stick.
Or the occasion Cigar etc....

f*ck 54 + rg cigars

[jluck]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

f*ck 54 + rg cigars

Don't hold back how you really feel.

[oooo35980]

Sheesh so much hate for the big RG Cigars. I personally enjoy the bigger RG cigars quite a bit. 6x60 is a perfectly manageable size for me and I can smoke on it for hours, plus the draw is usually looser so it has less chance of triggering a migraine. I don't smoke them exclusively by any means but they have their place. I also enjoy Toros, Robustos, PCs, Lanceros, Churchills, and a variety of other sizes, an occasional pipe is nice too. Variety is the spice of life after all.

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by oooo35980

I also enjoy Toros, Robustos, PCs, Lanceros, Churchills, and a variety of other sizes, an occasional pipe is nice too. Variety is the spice of life after all.

And that's what really matters. It's just frustrating seeing new brands/blends coming out that only offer 52-60 ring gauge and even Habanos paring their catalogue and introducing bigger RG smokes. You can even tell the difference looking at the big established brands (from Altadis/General) that offer smokes in a variety of vitolas. I guess tradition can only go so far.

[357]

Originally Posted by oooo35980

Sheesh so much hate for the big RG Cigars. I personally enjoy the bigger RG cigars quite a bit. 6x60 is a perfectly manageable size for me and I can smoke on it for hours, plus the draw is usually looser so it has less chance of triggering a migraine. I don't smoke them exclusively by any means but they have their place. I also enjoy Toros, Robustos, PCs, Lanceros, Churchills, and a variety of other sizes, an occasional pipe is nice too. Variety is the spice of life after all.

I think many of us who don't love the big RG cigars are concerned because small RG cigars are being fazed out and discontinued. Many new cigars aren't offered in lancero, petite corona, or corona sizes at all.

Originally Posted by hammondc

Like a lot of folks here, I started out with the larger RG stuff. LGC Serie R were my favorite for a long time. Now I doubt there is a single cigar over 50rg that I would buy. Now, 9/10 of the cigars I smoke are Corona/PC.

This is the same for me. My first box purchase was LGC Serie R #7 maduro (7 x 58 monsters). Now my fav go to is the San Cristobal El Principe (4.25 x 42).

Originally Posted by pnoon

I could care less that people think I am a CC snob. They obviously don't know me. As far as I am concerned, those peckerheads can judge me all they want.

Nobody likes judgemental peckerheads. them.

Originally Posted by icehog3

I'm sorry. I only look down on those members that I am taller than.

Does that make me elitist because I'm taller than most?

[Brooks W]

Honestly, with a few exceptons, I do not smoke any RG above about 56 unless I am reviewing it.

Having said that, there are some cigars that are actually blended specifically for the larger RG that they come in...the Inch is one of those, and usually, if they are actually blended that way, then some of them can be quite good (I have not had the Inch yet, so don't know if that is the case with it, just using it as an example)...

[CRIMPS]

Thumbs up to pretty much everything being said here.

Of the movies listed in the cigars in cinema, what percentage of the cigars are lanceros, PCs, and coronas? The power of media and entertainment.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by CRIMPS

Thumbs up to pretty much everything being said here.

Of the movies listed in the cigars in cinema, what percentage of the cigars are lanceros, PCs, and coronas? The power of media and entertainment.

Lots oif the old westerns on there actually do have lancero and even cigarillo sized cigars.

The mob films....not so much.

[maninblack]

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. I prefer large ring gauge cigars, and have been smoking for many years now. I must be in the "minority" but obviously not if they keep making them. I have lots of time at work and home to enjoy them and I love the flavors in them. And the longer smoking time allows me to sit back, relax and just do lots of thinking.

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by maninblack

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. I prefer large ring gauge cigars, and have been smoking for many years now.

Of course! I'm just frustrated that more options aren't being offered