What do you think about "Expensive Cigars?"

[kelmac07]

I'm with a few others here...there are some sticks out there with a high price tag on them that aren't worth it and there are others that are very inexpensive that I'd pay more than what they go for to smoke again.

[Blak Smyth]

There are some sticks that are worth the money based on rarity or coffin packaging but most that they sell at a typical B&M that are regularly available I wouldn't waste the money on.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

There are some sticks that are worth the money based on rarity or coffin packaging but most that they sell at a typical B&M that are regularly available I wouldn't waste the money on.

There are some "rare" smokes and cigars that come in coffin packaging that suck, so I would hardly use that as my criteria for saying they are worth the money, Shane.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by icehog3

There are some "rare" smokes and cigars that come in coffin packaging that suck, so I would hardly use that as my criteria for saying they are worth the money, Shane.

I find expensive cigars to be quite like inexpensive cigars: some are great, some are terrible, many are mediocre.

[RevSmoke]

Ultimately, I cannot decide for anybody else, what is worth the $$ they spend on cigars. You've already heard lots of opinions about which cigars are $20 sticks and which are $5 sticks.

Personally, I don't know that there are many cigars out there worth $20. In fact, I'm not sure there are any I'd personally spend $20 on. It isn't that there aren't some great cigars in that range, but I personally don't have the expendable income to justify throwing $20 at a cigar. About as high as I'll go is the $10 range, and even that is done rarely and only for what I personally consider a stellar smoke.

But, what's a stellar smoke? I know that some of the cigars I love, others consider to only be OK. On the other hand, there are some sticks out there that people rave about and I scratch my head saying, "OK, but I just don't get it." Unfortunately, the only way to find out what you think is worth any amount of money is to buy the cigar and try it yourself.

Your financial wherewithal and your cigar tastes will help you decide what you can and cannot spend a lot of money on.

When each of my sons were born, I bought a special stick for me, something I wouldn't spend the coin on again. For my 25th Anniversary, I did it again. I am not sure if there is an event coming for which I will do so again or not.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

I am not sure if there is an event coming for which I will do so again or not.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Back2Back Lombardi's is as good an occasion as I can think of.

[SteelCityBoy]

My experience so far has been to get my hands on a many different sticks I can and formulate my own opinions regardless of price. I have found some high end price sticks that I like quite a bit and plenty high priced sticks I didn't like. On the flip side I have smoked plenty of lower price end sticks and fully enjoyed them baffled by the low price point. Soon enough you begin to find what you enjoy and keep coming back to.

In the 1+ year that I have been regularly smoking I have found it simply comes down to finding what you're into. No one else should sway you and you should simply as already stated a few times above, smoke what you like and like what you smoke!

[BlindedByScience]

Price alone doesn't indicate quality. As other guys have said, there are $5 smokes that are fantastic, $20 smokes that.....aren't really $20 smokes. IMHO the cigars you mention are in that latter category.

The only 'worth it' $20 smoke that comes to mind off the top of my head would be the Padron Family Reserve Series, specifically the 45th in Maduro. I have smoked that cigar on several occasions and it's just fantastic, each and every time. I have, and would, pay $20 for that one because, to me, it's well worth it.

The bulk of the cigars I smoke are in the $6-12.00 range, to be sure.

Also, certain special occasions deverve special smokes.

Interesting thoughts from all. Mostly what you all have said is what I myself believe in heart. I do agree with shopping around and looking for deals on sticks that are normally expensive; I picked up a 3 A. F. Anejo Sharks for just over 7$ each this past summer which is half their MSRP.

There are two smokes I am thinking off that I do like to purchase and IMO are worth the higher price tag b/c they really take me on a trip of the senses, and those are Zino Platinum Scepter Chubbies, and La Aurora Preferidos Sapphires.

I've come to a conclusion, and that is I need to have three or four of you lovely gents acting as little "ciguardian angels" who sit upon my shoulder and whisper in my ear when I reach for that stick that is simply not worth the money!

In all seriousness, thanks for the replies on my first thread, hope to talk to you guys more and learn all the knowledge you have to bestow! Long live long ashes!

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Boogie2dope

I've come to a conclusion, and that is I need to have three or four of you lovely gents acting as little "ciguardian angels" who sit upon my shoulder and whisper in my ear when I reach for that stick that is simply not worth the money!

And you'd have 3 different opinions about which one is not worth it and which one is. Everybody's tastes are different. What you like may not be what I like. What I scream about, you may roll your eyes back in your head and think, "The preacher's lost his mind."

For example, you said, " There are two smokes I am thinking off that I do like to purchase and IMO are worth the higher price tag b/c they really take me on a trip of the senses, and those are Zino Platinum Scepter Chubbies, and La Aurora Preferidos Sapphires."

Glad you like them. It is your money you are spending -- to satisfy your tastebuds. To you they are worth a higher price tag.

Now, here's where I make my point. I won't say they are not cigars worth that price tag. Both companies are credible companies, both make superior products, and these particular sticks are their upper end smokes. But personally, I wouldn't spend $5 on either one of them. Why? Because there are other cigars out there which I find more pleasurable smokes in the $5 range. So, would I spend more on them? No!

It isn't my palate or pocket book that needs to justify that smoke, it is yours. You already gave me your opinion above. If that is how you feel, then get them and enjoy them.

Other examples.
Kelmac would tell you that a 601 Blue maduro is worth $15.
Shilala would tell you that a Coronado maduro is worth $15.
And Icehog would tell you that your nutz to spend $8 on any NC cigar.

OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but hopefully it it making my point.

Only you can decide how much you will spend on a cigar. And then, only you can decide which cigar is worth it. Get out and try a few.

Here's a bit of advice, find out whose tastes are similar to yours. Who enjoys what you enjoy in a cigar? They can be a guage for you. If they like a particular stick, then you MAY (notice that word there, it still isn't positive), like the same stick.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

What I scream about, you may roll your eyes back in your head and think, "The preacher's lost his mind."

I do this ALL the time.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Kelmac would tell you that a 601 Blue maduro is worth $15.

Yes sir!!

[South Shield]

The one thing I have noticed about expensive sticks is that they usually cost more than cheap sticks.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by South Shield

The one thing I have noticed about expensive sticks is that they usually cost more than cheap sticks.

Only usually Travis?

[Remo]

I think they taste great, if you pick the right expensive cigar, not an overpriced cigar that someone thinks should be an expensive cigar

[Chemyst]

IMHO, most 'expensive' cigars aren't worth the msrp.
Having said that, there are some xlnt smokes that are
out of my usual price range. I stopped buying special
smokes for Xmas/New Year because it's too cold outside
to enjoy them. But for my vacation and b-day I try to
get a PAM or ESG or Fuente Anejo. All xlnt smokes.

My regular rotation is San Cristobal, La Riqueza, AF Hemi
maduro and Oliva MB3, which are 'expensive' for some people.
But I only smoke 2-3 per week, so it's easier to stay within
budget.

For me, the Oliva MB3 tastes very similar to a PAM, so that
gives me a PAM profile for a reasonable price.

You'll just have to try the 'expensive' sticks when you can,
and determine which are worth the coin to you. I got some
GOFs to try, recently. I can hardly wait, for warm weather,
to try them out!

Graycliffs are much more affordable on the Devil's Auction
site.

Chemyst

[ApexAZ]

I had an opus x torpedo that was about the size of a Robusto. Not sure what vitola it is. It was good, but not quite sure it was $13.50 good. Maybe next year I will buy a box and stuff it away for a while since the concensus seems to be that they really improve with age. I have a few anejos to try out as well. Those don't seem to be quite as spendy and I tend to enjoy maduros more anyways.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

I had an opus x torpedo that was about the size of a Robusto. Not sure what vitola it is. It was good, but not quite sure it was $13.50 good. Maybe next year I will buy a box and stuff it away for a while since the concensus seems to be that they really improve with age. I have a few anejos to try out as well. Those don't seem to be quite as spendy and I tend to enjoy maduros more anyways.

Probably a Belicosos. Not sure if they named it something different though.

I've personally never had a cigar over $20 that made me think it was worth a box purchase.

I find that for $15 and under there is so much selection I'd rather broaden my collection then drop major coin on a box or two.

Although in time when I have enough cigars, , I'll go for pricer special occasion smokes (boxes). That doesn't mean I don't try some $20+ singles occasionally though.

[gator_79]

I rarely spend more than $10 on a cigar, There are just so many great cigars for $10 and under. When I do it's almost always a CC, Anejo, Opus or Padron.