What makes you buy a certain cigar?

[Ciro]

Great topic and like many of the other Bums have already noted:
-Cigar Profile
-Label
-Reviews
-Recommendations

[kuntry08]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's always interesting to see how we all choose a cigar. Personally whenever I go to a B&M I only buy cigars that I haven't smoked as I keep all my favorites on hand at home. Typically I spend quite a bit of time in the humidor, picking up and inspecting sticks. I have become pretty sensitive to the additives that some manufacturers use in their cigars (that's a whole other topic). So when i'm in a humidor i look for cigars that aren't super oily looking, are consistently colored but not identical as to avoid dyes and typically try to stay away from marketing gimmicks (double & super ligeros and such). It greatly reduces the amount of cigars that I can smoke and enjoy, but I rarely pick up one that I don't like.

[TCBSmokes]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's always interesting to see how we all choose a cigar. Personally whenever I go to a B&M I only buy cigars that I haven't smoked as I keep all my favorites on hand at home. Typically I spend quite a bit of time in the humidor, picking up and inspecting sticks. I have become pretty sensitive to the additives that some manufacturers use in their cigars (that's a whole other topic). So when i'm in a humidor i look for cigars that aren't super oily looking, are consistently colored but not identical as to avoid dyes and typically try to stay away from marketing gimmicks (double & super ligeros and such). It greatly reduces the amount of cigars that I can smoke and enjoy, but I rarely pick up one that I don't like.

Wow. That's a lot of additional stuff to have to consider!

[SoCal gunner]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's always interesting to see how we all choose a cigar. Personally whenever I go to a B&M I only buy cigars that I haven't smoked as I keep all my favorites on hand at home. Typically I spend quite a bit of time in the humidor, picking up and inspecting sticks. I have become pretty sensitive to the additives that some manufacturers use in their cigars (that's a whole other topic). So when i'm in a humidor i look for cigars that aren't super oily looking, are consistently colored but not identical as to avoid dyes and typically try to stay away from marketing gimmicks (double & super ligeros and such). It greatly reduces the amount of cigars that I can smoke and enjoy, but I rarely pick up one that I don't like.

Well, you brought it up, so - what are the additives you mentioned? How do you detect them? What affects do they have?

[kuntry08]

Well, you brought it up, so - what are the additives you mentioned? How do you detect them? What affects do they have?

Oh gosh...Well, some manufacturers add extra nicotine to their cigars under the guise of double super ridiculous ligero. Others dye their cigars to make them look more appealing. If you ever see one of those dye buckets and sponges it will turn your stomach. Others (including one VERY popular private label brand) use baby oil....yes literal baby oil to rub down the exterior of their cigars. When you see them, they are super oily and shiny, and smoke pours off of them in huge volumes. A lot of manufacturers use the baby oil trick but one in particular takes it to another level. There are other things that some manufacturers use.... I stress some, not all.

The easiest way to tell is the color of the smoke...both coming off the cigar and from the exhale\retrohale. The color of the ash can give it off too. Also, to me there is a certain chemical harshness that I get off some cigars that doesn't jive with what tobacco tastes like.

All of those additives and such are used to enhance the visual aspect of the product. Its to make you think you have a nice, well aged, silky smooth cigar in your hands.

[TCBSmokes]

"The easiest way to tell is the color of the smoke...both coming off the cigar and from the exhale\retrohale. The color of the ash can give it off too. Also, to me there is a certain chemical harshness that I get off some cigars that doesn't jive with what tobacco tastes like." So too white or too gray or something else? Thanks.

[Brimy]

@kuntry08
Thanks for that info!
Aside from the dye, particularly maduro, I didn't know about the extra additives. Kinda of disappointing. I was under the impression that most cigars, aside from infused, we're 100% natural.
Now I have something to look into.

[SoCal gunner]

Oh gosh...Well, some manufacturers add extra nicotine to their cigars under the guise of double super ridiculous ligero. Others dye their cigars to make them look more appealing. If you ever see one of those dye buckets and sponges it will turn your stomach. Others (including one VERY popular private label brand) use baby oil....yes literal baby oil to rub down the exterior of their cigars. When you see them, they are super oily and shiny, and smoke pours off of them in huge volumes. A lot of manufacturers use the baby oil trick but one in particular takes it to another level. There are other things that some manufacturers use.... I stress some, not all.

The easiest way to tell is the color of the smoke...both coming off the cigar and from the exhale\retrohale. The color of the ash can give it off too. Also, to me there is a certain chemical harshness that I get off some cigars that doesn't jive with what tobacco tastes like.

All of those additives and such are used to enhance the visual aspect of the product. Its to make you think you have a nice, well aged, silky smooth cigar in your hands.

As a Maduro lover, I was familiar with some of the aging/darkening techniques, even dyeing, but not all of that!
What sucks is I know I've had a cigar that I enjoyed but commented on how blue the smoke was and how it just kept burning on its own - I'm guessing baby oil? D'oh!

[omahaorange]

Lot of it is eye appeal, along with vendor descriptions. If a fellow smoker recommends a stick, i'll give it a shot. I also have the opportunity to attend monthly cigar tastings, hosted by a sales rep. The owner of the establishment is also very knowledgeable, and offers good suggestions. And the box discounts at these events brings prices in line with the on-line vendors.

As an added bonus, he also has a liquor rep bring samples. Learned a lot about whiskey from this guy.

[droy1958]

Ok, here goes...

Maker reputation combined with MY experience of said maker. e.g. I havent found a Saka cigar I didn't like.

My fellow Bums' recommendations- I'd take a shot on you guys & gals before a magazine article any day.

Sexy/Bad-Ass label- yep, sometimes the shiny can pull me in.

General appearance? Dark, Oily, Maduro with hints of cocoa and espresso. And I say that even though I love almost all types.

Ding ding ding.....pretty much where I'm at. My world has gotten pretty small as far as trying "new to me" cigars. I pretty much spend my cash on what I know I like anymore as according to my wifey, we plan to retire someday so I have to be wise in my purchases.....