The Case of the Expanding Ring Gauge

[Blak Smyth]

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. 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.

*Doesn't like CCs
*Likes large RGs
*Doesn't claim to be distinguished
*Doesn't claim to be refined
*Never got a pony for Xmas

JK MIB, you know I love you, even though you are a LRG NC snob! You and Taki both, Hahah.


I stay away from larger RGs, they just feel wrong.
I try to stay under a 54 if possible, I thought for a while I was going to be into only lanceros and panatela RGs but have really enjoyed some robustos and coronas recently that opened up my mind a bit.

[Mikepd]

Some have said I have the palate of a goat, but no one has ever said I had the jaw of a gorilla! Sorry no big ring gauges for me.

[Brutus2600]

Originally Posted by maninblack

Again it's not just "fly by night smokers" that like bigger cigars. I am in no way a newb or a fly by night smoker. It gets old getting thrown into that group just because I like them. So now we have RG snobs on top of CC snobs? Really?

And that's ok that you DO like larger cigars Kevin. There are good, larger RG cigars out there. The Cain F 660, MUWAT (7, 6, and 5 x 60), and even the 6 x 64 Casa Magna Gigantores (even though made me sick it was so strong) are all pretty good, big-ass cigars.

I know you smoke good cigars and I'm sure you don't just walk into a B&M and choose a cigar simply and singularly based on it's size. I think those are the cigar consumers we're talking about (well, at least I am).

Hell, I'm a self professed small RG and lancero lover, but I will still on occasion and depending on what activity I'm about to do, grab a long, large RG cigar. If you have a lot of time at home to smoke I can't fault you for grabbing something that fits the bill

However if you start smoking the Puros Indios Chief on the regular we might need to have a talk

[Col. Kurtz]

When I first started I saw the larger smokes as a greater value. It was just a $.50 or $1 more for a 7x54 than a robusto or smaller. And no way would I spend $10+ on a lancero?? I was hunting a bargain. Got my feet wet and smoked more small smokes after reading opinions at the old place and here. I can only guess the demand is from casual or beginning smokers. I also postulate that as members of a cigar forum we are in the minority of smokers. Those that buy the donkey phallus don't usually seem interested enough to join a forum and discuss them. We're outnumbered.

I'm still glad I had a chance to smoke them all; and I still curse the man who PIF'd me that first Party short. To paraphrase Brad: my ashtray is littered with the ashes of countless white whales trying to recapture that first experience..

[Mr.Weeee]

so what do you think about the Nub 4.0" x 60 great stick and big RG

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Mr.Weeee

so what do you think about the Nub 4.0" x 60 great stick and big RG

My opinion? Trash. But smoke what you like, like what you smoke.

[sevans105]

Just from my own experience, when I first started in cigar world, I was very status oriented as so I smoked Churchills, etc. not because I really liked them, but because they looked cool. Since that beginning, I've graduated to other sizes...I tend to like torpedoes and perfectos. My friends always grab the churchill's as well.

[area51]

I like cigars....Now that I've gotten that out of the way, who am I to say that 64 and bigger is ridiculous. Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Personally if it is a good stick I will smoke it. There is a market for everything hence why your seeing bigger smokes.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by area51

I like cigars....Now that I've gotten that out of the way, who am I to say that 64 and bigger is ridiculous. Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Personally if it is a good stick I will smoke it. There is a market for everything hence why your seeing bigger smokes.

I feel if a cigar is uncomfortable or awkward in the mouth, It's ridiculous. If the particular cigar is not available in a smaller vitola I can kinda see it. I will still pass thanks.

[area51]

Originally Posted by jluck

I feel if a cigar is uncomfortable or awkward in the mouth, It's ridiculous. If the particular cigar is not available in a smaller vitola I can kinda see it. I will still pass thanks.

I agree completely, but like others have stated there is a market for the fly by night smokers who think bigger is better. In their eyes it may be.

[oooo35980]

Originally Posted by jluck

I feel if a cigar is uncomfortable or awkward in the mouth, It's ridiculous. If the particular cigar is not available in a smaller vitola I can kinda see it. I will still pass thanks.

I think what you mean is uncomfortable or awkward in your mouth. Like I said I don't have any trouble smoking a 6x60 or larger, it isn't like you have to be a snake and unhinge your jaw to smoke the larger RG cigars.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by oooo35980

I think what you mean is uncomfortable or awkward in your mouth. Like I said I don't have any trouble smoking a 6x60 or larger, it isn't like you have to be a snake and unhinge your jaw to smoke the larger RG cigars.

Yep, That's exactly what my post points. When I spend money on cigars I get what I prefer.

And yes I do occasionally eat a banana and no I don't hold it between my lips for a hour or more. I think that would be awkward and uncomfortable.

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by area51

I like cigars....Now that I've gotten that out of the way, who am I to say that 64 and bigger is ridiculous. Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. Personally if it is a good stick I will smoke it. There is a market for everything hence why your seeing bigger smokes.

The only problem with this ring gauge issue is that it doesn't seem to be limited to one brand or a few brands, but is happening all across the board with new releases and even CCs.

[maninblack]

Again it's not just "fly by night smokers" that like bigger cigars. I am in no way a newb or a fly by night smoker. It gets old getting thrown into that group just because I like them. So now we have RG snobs on top of CC snobs? Really?

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by maninblack

Again it's not just "fly by night smokers" that like bigger cigars. I am in no way a newb or a fly by night smoker. It gets old getting thrown into that group just because I like them. So now we have RG snobs on top of CC snobs? Really?

Just as it gets old being thrown into the CC snob group because I smoke CCs.

If the shoe doesn't fit, don't sweat it. I didn't see anyone claiming YOU were part of the "fly by night smokers"
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.

[massphatness]

Originally Posted by area51

There is a market for everything hence why your seeing bigger smokes.

Cigars are a market-driven commodity. (For other statements of the obvious, please check out my blog: Don't_You_Know_Who_I_Think_I_Am.com ) Obviously, these larger RG sticks are in high demand. What depresses me is fewer and fewer new offerings of smaller RG smokes as well as the discontinuation of a lot short & skinnies. Moe was recently in NYC hob-nobbing with an owner from an LCDH in Germany, and the guy was saying something like 90%+ of his sales were robusto-sized sticks. NINETY PERCENT! That's not fly by night ...

Originally Posted by pnoon

those peckerheads can judge me all they want.

[CRIMPS]

Originally Posted by massphatness

Cigars are a market-driven commodity. (For other statements of the obvious, please check out my blog: Don't_You_Know_Who_I_Think_I_Am.com ) Obviously, these larger RG sticks are in high demand. What depresses me is fewer and fewer new offerings of smaller RG smokes as well as the discontinuation of a lot short & skinnies. Moe was recently in NYC hob-nobbing with an owner from an LCDH in Germany, and the guy was saying something like 90%+ of his sales were robusto-sized sticks. NINETY PERCENT! That's not fly by night ...

Yep. This is what bothers me. Smoke what you want. I don't care. But don't discontinue the stuff I prefer.

[ApexAZ]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Just as it gets old being thrown into the CC snob group because I smoke CCs.

If the shoe doesn't fit, don't sweat it. I didn't see anyone claiming YOU were part of the "fly by night smokers"
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.

I think you kick a lot of ass, Peter.

[Mr. Ed]

So, why does this also appear to be happening with CCs as well? Is this just a worldwide shift of preference to thicker cigars?

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ed

So, why does this also appear to be happening with CCs as well? Is this just a worldwide shift of preference to thicker cigars?

yup. owner of a Belgian LCDH told me 90%of his sales were robustos. Thin, small cigars dont sell