Siglo II SLB vs Tubos

[JasonInChiTown]

Hi guys

I think my next purchase will be some Cohiba Siglo II's and was curious if anyone had a preference of the CAB vs the Tubo's or vice versa? How much does the quality differ, if at all? I've tried both, and thought the 1 Tubo I tried was much nicer compared to one from the box - same year [which is interesting, since they age slower in Tubos - from what I understand].

Also, I will be storing these boys in a 300ct desktop humidor.

Thanks for your opinions and insight.

Best :: Jason

[perfectform]

I think it's more of a personal preference. The cigars themselves are the same.

[Habanos2000]

I prefer boxes over tubes. I feel, right or wrong, that more care is put into boxes as all the sticks are visible and that's just one more criteria for HSA QA (if there is one) to pay attention to.

[Buch0]

To be honest there is no noticeable difference at all taste wise IMO, nothing that would make you chose one over the other anyway. I can only think that you may pay a bit more coin for the tubos as there is more packaging involved?

[Jimmy2]

No differance at all same cigar !!!

[thechenman]

I agree, no real noticeable difference between the two. I like cigars in the round, so sometimes I will get the tubos over a dress box, but with the Siglo in a SLB...there really is no difference. Save yourself some coin and go with the more inexpensive option.

[smokem]

I love the Siglo IIs (and IIIs). Maybe for aging the tubes are the way to go, but I've only purchased SLBs because of the price.

[Bartolomeo]

I read on other forums that some of the members are prefering the Siglo VI tubos vs dress box lately in recent production

I even asked the Editor of CA why they generally test Cuban tubos compared to the normal dress boxes

My question: I have noticed in the last couple of editions, the Cubans you sample come from tubes or at least a majority of them do.

Is there a reason that CA buys the Tubos version compared to a box of thata particular cigar? Just curious on why that is. I know some have stated that Tubos sometimes offer a different taste/profile compared to a cab or dress box.

Just curious

Thanks,

Bart

Greg Mottola: We test both in order to see if there is any difference in score. There seems to be. Case in point:

Earlier in 2009 we did a vertical of the Cohiba Siglo Series. The Siglo V turned in the lowest score. Later that year, when the entire line was available in tubos, the Siglo V was so remarkable and consistent that it made the No. 2 cigar of 2009.

Basically, we try to put everything through the test.

Bart

[Buch0]

Greg Mottola: We test both in order to see if there is any difference in score. There seems to be. Case in point:

Earlier in 2009 we did a vertical of the Cohiba Siglo Series. The Siglo V turned in the lowest score. Later that year, when the entire line was available in tubos, the Siglo V was so remarkable and consistent that it made the No. 2 cigar of 2009.

Basically, we try to put everything through the test.

I cant help but take that statement with a pince of salt to be honest. Firstly, their testing procedures IMO are inappropriate with only a portion of the cigar smoked, secondly who knows how many Siglo V's they 'tested' in the early part of 09 and from how many boxes they sampled from. Could of just been a dud box.

After all the cigars I have smoked to this day, I have not once tasted a difference in ANY cigar from a tubos compared to a box of the same year. After all, it is the same cigar. Perhaps after many years of aging (10+) that the cigar may differ due to the different storage methods, but not enough to chose one over the other at this point in time.

[Jimmy2]

Their is no difference ... tubes like SLB you get great blended ones and not so great blended ones from time to time they are a handmade product never perfect.

No one can make a decision based on that I can not agree on that reply from Greg.

Greg is a good guy but he really needs some really passionate cigars smokers working up there that have theory on why cigars are good and not good .. not just rating them on taste only.

I feel their are so many factors that go into rating a cigar not just tasting notes alone..

[perfectform]

Bucho said it, the only difference there may be is long term aging. The cigars going into the tubes, boxes and cabs are all the same.

[Colt45]

I read on other forums that some of the members are prefering the Siglo VI tubos vs dress box lately in recent production

If anyone is suggesting that the cigars are "created" differently for tubes versus boxes, I'd probably be skeptical. If they are suggesting that the cigar

being in a tube plays a part in how the cigar performs, that I might not be so quick to dismiss.

We have a few members here who felt the same way about the RyJ Short Churchill when they first came out - that the A/T was more flavorful than it's

normally packaged counterpart - at least early on.

[khomeinist]

From my years of experience (blah blah)...

Cigars are typically produced in large batches prior to packaging outcome. I think we can agree that a tube environment with it's unique proximity of cedar and aluminum is going to differ from either dress, cabinet, or varnished box. I keep tubes around for certain social situations and just worry about which marca and/or vitola is supposed to be high quality for a particular box date (thanks to fellow experts in my circle or on sites like this).

I can't advise you on this precise stick but if you have a desktop humidor as well as all the necessary travel accessories, go for the non-tube option and save a few coins to buy more sticks!

[Professor Twain]

As most have said, they are the same cigars, just different packaging.

For a lot of cigars you will pay a price a fair bit more to get them in Tubos. But to me, it is still worth getting some tubos when I can. They are great for when you are going out, just to put in your pocket. They also make really impressive gifts. A three pack of tubos is a very impressive gift.

I save my old tubos and use them for when I am going out, sometimes using the exact same cigar, but not always (a Siglo VI tubo case is a nice choice for this).

So... I would say, buy a couple of boxes, and a 3 or 15 pack of the tubos to supplement.