stirring the pot local B&M vs big internet

[rizzle]

What is going on around here the last few days?

[Genetic Defect]

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

[Raralith]

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

Read the description for "Double-blind trails."

Originally Posted by Raralith

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

Read the description for "Double-blind trails."

We're going to be like cigar aficianado!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Raralith

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

Read the description for "Double-blind trails."

Are those for visually challenged hikers?

[Genetic Defect]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Are those for visually challenged hikers?

blind leading the blind?

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.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by pmp

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.

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.

Originally Posted by pmp

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.

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

Originally Posted by Legend

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

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.

[CoventryCat86]

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.

[Totemic]

Originally Posted by CoventryCat86

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.

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.

[WildBlueSooner]

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!

[WildBlueSooner]

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

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by WildBlueSooner

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

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

[Texan in Mexico]

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

[Sr Mike]

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

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Sr Mike

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

Absloutely not.

Gurkha Warrior......$7

Partagas Short....$4

Need I say more?

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Absloutely not.

Gurkha Warrior......$7

Partagas Short....$4

Need I say more?

NC Cohiba....$10+

Padron Londres.....~$2

Need I say more as well?


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 ( I know this is against the rules but I like to live on the edge sometimes).

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by montecristo#2

NC Cohiba....$10+

Padron Londres.....~$2

Need I say more as well?

Padron Londres $2

'01 Rafael Gonzales Corona Extra $1.36

Say more, Aaron.