Cigar Bands

[CitizenZero]

I appreciate a well thought out response. And if nothing else... now I’m looking into Crowned Heads.

[Tombstone]

Well I can't recall ever specifically buying a cigar just because the band or box looked pretty - I don't save or do anything fancy with either of those after the cigars are burned. (Other than toss the bands into the nice shadow box that my Secret Santa @cheaphumidors sent me last Xmas) I have heard interviews and podcasts where they discuss what goes in to designing and making the bands and it's actually something they give quite a bit of thought to. Right down to color, which to include and which to avoid.

That said I have to agree with @SoCal gunner that the San Cristobal are among the most elegant looking cigar bands out there, and that @Tombstone is a band whore with @SoCal gunner a close second (all those Ezra Zion with the machetes and hand grenades on them, come on man) Oh and while I'm at it.... that while Ave Maria bands are very beautiful the cigars don't do it for me. Not Gurkha level bad, but just not for me. Tried them because AJ but nope. Sorry Ryan

But the name on the band means a great deal and I've listened to and done for myself the blind smokes and that band does make a great difference. Without the band there is no reluctance to say a stick is not that good. But when you can see the Opus band on it you tend to give it more of a chance because they are supposed to be good. If you've never done this I encourage you to give it a try. We tested it at the Orgy and it worked to perfection, slapped an Opus band on a Bahia and Colin wouldn't put it down even though it was bad !

It's that name on the band that means everything. Tatuaje bands are small, dull and boring yet their sticks fly off the shelves. The Padron bands are nothing exciting but the Padron name itself that carries the reputation. It's almost as if you see a pretty band what are they trying to hide with it. I'm sure there are guys that go into cigar shops and see a cool band and just buy it, but at our level we're asking about the brand, who makes it, what county of origin, etc... I'd be willing to bet that even @Tombstone doesn't just grab cigars based solely on the band alone, that he looks a little deeper and then says "I'll put anything in my mouth once" LOL.

The top spot in my stash goes to Crowned Heads - love pretty much everything they have put out. And they have earned my trust so much that I've automatically bought two boxes, usually robusto and corona, of all the new releases without having tried one first. I think everyone probably has a brand or maker that they trust and can say "never had a bad stick from them".

There are also guys (and even one Southern Belle) I tend to follow and trust that if they liked a particular cigar chances are that I will too. Every once in a while they can get off track, cough, gurkha, cough, but for the most part you'll find your tastes will align with someone else out there. And the same with the shop. Typically the workers smoke cigars too, so they are a wealth of knowledge to find out what is actually good and help find the hidden gems out there.

Trades and things like the MAW here on the Bum help out as well - you don't just have to judge based on the band alone

I will totally buy a cigar no questions asked if the band is cool enough but I have said after smoking several that the band was the best part. Its a risk I am willing to take.

[Drez]

There's only one cigar I can say I have bought solely for the "band" design, and that was Nomad's Throne of Games. That aside, I will sometimes use bands to determine picking a cigar in a B&M if I am not particularly looking for one brand and just grabbing a few random to try sticks.

I don't always look at the big bold designed bands, but I've noticed a similarity between the cigar quality and the quality of the band design. You can see some big, flashy and pretty if not examined up close bands that may catch the eye, but are just shiny printed flat bands. Versus more detailed designs with embossing, texturing and a high quality printing on more. Some may not be as flashy, some may be just as flashy.. But willingness to put that effort and money into brand packaging will most of the time translate to a better product. Might not always be true, but seems to be a good way to have a fairly accurate gauge when reaching for random sticks.

[chain_gang]

Edit: I hit submit and realized it's a damn novel. Apologies for the long-windedness

I like a nice long response with details and stories. Please post more! Too many "it was good" responses, but I know the Bums have lives and don't always want to click-clack the phone. It's one reason I put the reviews up and try to give details.

[chain_gang]

I love me some Ave Maria. Smoked two today. I will joke with you and welcome every ones opinions. The band drew me to the line but AJs skills keep bringing me back.

2 of em yesterday? Gurkha only knows what else you're hiding from me and the Bums.

Get your ass over to the "what'dya smoke today". I'll find ways "encourage" your participation ... which is mandatory when I'm around. With all due respect of course.

[WNYTONY]

I will totally buy a cigar no questions asked if the band is cool enough but I have said after smoking several that the band was the best part. Its a risk I am willing to take.

I was thinking that you also see the box on display so you have other information from the box, like country if origin. But I forgot you live near those huge barrels at CI and now I see it's not only possible but probable that you would come across a cigar in the bin with a shiny label and know nothing else. Safe to assume you'd assume the same risk with booze ? Lol - no need to answer that !

[Tombstone]

This thread feels naked without more bands.


My game table.



On this we have the mentioned La Sirena, Merlion (by La Sirena), and the Judge 2 by Jose Fuego @SoCal gunner



Cult, and Ron Mexico (not great but not as bad as people say)



Not mentioned but CAO has put out plenty of Holiday blends with eye catching cigar bands. I always pick some up.



Another CAO, The Fat Bottom Betty, Battlefield Cigar (Great band and never disappointed by any of their lines. Smoked maybe 8-10 blends). Opus Forbidden X talk about a band to sell a cigar that would have no legs without it.



Lots of eye candy here. Assylum straight jacket, great smoke but the band caught my eye an the box is wicked cool. Island Jim and his Leaf by Oscar, the band or leaf covering are the best part of the cigar. Black Ops , again purchased because of the band and have smoked through probably 15-20 bundles. Inexpensive but good. The Relic by AJ sweet band but a great blend that never took off.



La Auroma de Cuba similar in design to the San Christibol line. Then there is the Log. Who doesn't want to put a massive dark log in their mouth with a manly man on the band.



The best (Ave Maria) and the Worst CAO Headless Horseman. Who ever thought that a pumpkin spice cigar was a good idea and why did I buy more than one. I love me some Halloween but shit this cigar was one of the few regrets that even a cool band could not make better.




Another Ave, the Chillin Moose, and LFD ( they always have sharp, classical designed bands)



Archtype Dragon thing. I can never remember the line names @restomod I bet can ID the line with his eyes closed. Kevin is the man like that. Pantheon is another line I purchased every blend in jars mostly based on the band/jar design and AJ making them was just a bonus.




The Tatuaje that breaks the mold Uncle Tony @WNYTONY but you are right they are normally not flashy. Imagine if the monster line had their bands designed by Gurkha.



Another Ave, did I mention I smoked a "few" of these. But there is also The Spectre, that is a band even I had trouble getting on board with but they were an interesting smoke. A flashy Assylum. Some classic Tatuaje.



How about the 2020 La Bomba. Now that is a nice band and an awesome cigar. Smoke 10, you will thank me.



Some Pantheon Jars and the very nice Viva La Vida, nice band and worth a smoke.



My #1 fan. Its like the van with candy, only they lure you in with cigars.

[Tombstone]

2 of em yesterday? Gurkha only knows what else you're hiding from me and the Bums.

Get your ass over to the "what'dya smoke today". I'll find ways "encourage" your participation ... which is mandatory when I'm around. With all due respect of course.

I will have to make a point one week to post up my full lineup of smokes.

[CitizenZero]

This thread feels naked without more bands.


My game table.



On this we have the mentioned La Sirena, Merlion (by La Sirena), and the Judge 2 by Jose Fuego @SoCal gunner



Cult, and Ron Mexico (not great but not as bad as people say)



Not mentioned but CAO has put out plenty of Holiday blends with eye catching cigar bands. I always pick some up.



Another CAO, The Fat Bottom Betty, Battlefield Cigar (Great band and never disappointed by any of their lines. Smoked maybe 8-10 blends). Opus Forbidden X talk about a band to sell a cigar that would have no legs without it.



Lots of eye candy here. Assylum straight jacket, great smoke but the band caught my eye an the box is wicked cool. Island Jim and his Leaf by Oscar, the band or leaf covering are the best part of the cigar. Black Ops , again purchased because of the band and have smoked through probably 15-20 bundles. Inexpensive but good. The Relic by AJ sweet band but a great blend that never took off.



La Auroma de Cuba similar in design to the San Christibol line. Then there is the Log. Who doesn't want to put a massive dark log in their mouth with a manly man on the band.



The best (Ave Maria) and the Worst CAO Headless Horseman. Who ever thought that a pumpkin spice cigar was a good idea and why did I buy more than one. I love me some Halloween but shit this cigar was one of the few regrets that even a cool band could not make better.




Another Ave, the Chillin Moose, and LFD ( they always have sharp, classical designed bands)



Archtype Dragon thing. I can never remember the line names @restomod I bet can ID the line with his eyes closed. Kevin is the man like that. Pantheon is another line I purchased every blend in jars mostly based on the band/jar design and AJ making them was just a bonus.




The Tatuaje that breaks the mold Uncle Tony @WNYTONY but you are right they are normally not flashy. Imagine if the monster line had their bands designed by Gurkha.



Another Ave, did I mention I smoked a "few" of these. But there is also The Spectre, that is a band even I had trouble getting on board with but they were an interesting smoke. A flashy Assylum. Some classic Tatuaje.



How about the 2020 La Bomba. Now that is a nice band and an awesome cigar. Smoke 10, you will thank me.



Some Pantheon Jars and the very nice Viva La Vida, nice band and worth a smoke.



My #1 fan. Its like the van with candy, only they lure you in with cigars.

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[CitizenZero]

I lied. Ava Maria is the best. Best cigar ever. Please be my friend.


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