Is it time for a complete rethink on packaging.

[El Presidente]

As I worked in the warehouse the last couple of days I came across some remarkable cigars. A significant number were simply stunning. Doing 9 hr stints alone grading boxes to PSP/HQ/PE/Reject gives one plenty of time to think.

I know that the majority of members could not afford some of the finer boxes in 25's or cabs of 50. The world has changed:

Taxation of tobacco sin taxes in Europe/Asia/Canada etc.

Less time and places to enjoy a cigar = less cigars able to be enjoyed.

Cost of living and general economic climate.

There was a box of Punch Double Corona I opened which had me thinking. Beautiful, perfect, stunning.

For some reason I am not a fan of boxes of 10. Purely aesthetic mind you...you smoke three and the box looks strangely empty.

A solution for increasing the sale of many of the cigars, particularly Churchills, DC's, lonsdales would be in rectangular cajons of say 12. Packaged similarly to R&J Cazadores (no need for timber boxes). The package of 12 banded cigars bundled in a ribbon and placed neatly and snugly in a rectangular box bearing the colourful insignia of the Marque.

The cost would halve. The reach to potential buyers would increase. The 25's and cabs of 50's would still be available to serious collectors and enjoyers of that particular cigar.

There are many that would love to try say LGC MO2 or Sancho Panza Molinos but do not want to stretch to 25. A beautiful box of 12 on the other hand meets the aesthetic requirement as well as the possible financial imperatives.

Thoughts?

[dochowl]

You hit the nail on the head regarding 10 count boxes. I smoked 2 out of my RyJ Dukes and hate to smoke anymore lest the box look completely empty.

[El Presidente]

You hit the nail on the head regarding 10 count boxes. I smoked 2 out of my RyJ Dukes and hate to smoke anymore lest the box look completely empty.

Bingo. there is something sensual about pulling a cigar out of a ribbon holding a bundle.

I also prefer Packaging of Siglo 1 over Trini Reyes as i like to see all the children at once as opposed to peeling through layers.

[lemmycaution]

I have only smoked 2 out of my 10ct box of Lusi's for the same reason. I guess I never really thought about it, but the box starts to look bare and the cigars start rolling around. As strange as it sounds, I feel the need to ration a 10ct, while I'll smoke half of a 25 box without even thinking about it. I think 12ct boxes are brilliant.

[BolivarSmoker]

I have only smoked 2 out of my 10ct box of Lusi's for the same reason. I guess I never really thought about it, but the box starts to look bare and the cigars start rolling around. As strange as it sounds, I feel the need to ration a 10ct, while I'll smoke half of a 25 box without even thinking about it. I think 12ct boxes are brilliant.

I was going to say the same thing. I will blow through the top row on a 25 ct box and not think twice, but on a 10 count it kills me to smoke just one.

[Wicky]

10cts bring me down.

[Colt45]

Ten or twelve, I'm not sure if it makes that much of a difference to me (I'll have to think about it). They could package wheels of ten as well as twelve.

For me, I imagine these would end up loose in a humidor after smoking one or two. I like the idea from the cost and variety points of view - the price

factor is especially relevant at this time. I also like the thoughi of having more cigars that are not box pressed, but that's purely aesthetic. In the end,

as always, I'll take quality over quantity.

[OZCUBAN]

Great Idea Rob,

I feel completely the same way, boxes of 10 whilst affordable to most ,and the only option for some,leave you feeling like you have missed out on something ,for me it would be cabs of 50 (in a perfect world )

whilst my personal favorite would have to be cabs of 25 ,your idea carries a lot of weight,on many fronts,commercial environmental,and more importantly Hip pocket .

There is something special about cigars surrounded by cigars i.e in a bundle

cheers OZ

[Lotus400]

For me it really comes down to the quality of the box, just as Colt indicated.

If a 10 count of Lusitanias are selected by the Czar crew then I know it will be a great box. OTOH, if it is a new cigar that I want to try then I would be much more inclined to pull the trigger on 10/12 count to see if I would put that cigar in my rotation.

[ndtoronto]

I am saying this as a novice cigar smoker even though I have been smoking for the last 5 years. I do not smoke alot of cigars. The weather here in Canada dictates when I can and cannot smoke.

I enjoy smoking a few cigars on the weekends in the summer when I am drinking or even just watching a sporting event. I do not need to smoke everyday but I do read the forums daily.

Saying that my Aristocrat mini humidor is completly full. Having had to play the wierdest game of jenga in my life, I managed to fit everything in.

It is full of 25 boxes of all the normal heavyweights--Partagas, Cohibas, Montecristos, RyJs

I was able to try all these on trips down to Cuba and purchased them there.

I was planning to order some 10 boxes on my next order from FoH as a sort of taste test. I do not want to spend money on a 25 box for a taste test, only to find out that they are too light or knock me on my ass. That happened with a Bolivar 4 years ago and I have not touched one since.

I would buy 10 boxes to smoke right away. I don't care that the box looks empty or not. The way I see it-- If it is empty or near empty I enjoyed them and it's time to look for a box of 25. A box of 10 allows me to sample a wide array of Habanos that I may not have tried because I would have gone with another box of the big boys.

Yes I could try singles of each but the way the FoH prices a single compared to a box of ten makes it easier to try a 10 box.

FYI The only 10 box I actually own right now is a box of Cuaba Solamones and a 12 box of the Trinidad Robusto Extra

Prez expect an order for a couple of 10 boxes soon enough from me

(Any chance the Wide Churchill being sold like that)

[Bartolomeo]

Great points Rob

Boxes of 10, 12 or 15 is ideal for me now on some of the lesser brands b/c I know I can always get the 25 or 50 count of my favorites

Smaller boxes might make more sales, who knows, but its a thought others should consider

Bart

[MPS]

The only reason I do not purchase the 10 ct boxes of regular production cigars is because of the higher price point on each cigar. That and by the time I smoke 5 the box is empty because I have given away the rest.

[Jesuscookies]

Slick marketing aside, I would pass.

[Fuzz]

For myself, I quite like the idea of 10 or 12 ctn boxes, eg the Mag 50 10ctn SLB.

[Azksig]

I love the 10/12 count boxes. Especially for new cigars that I want to try. Cigars I'm familiar with and love I will always by the 25/50 but I have to say that I love the way my R&J Dukes and short churchill's look in the 10 box. Having this option allows me to try different marques & vitolas and expand my knowledge much faster than if I had to save up for boxes of 25's. Although I like the 3 and 5 packs for sampling I don't think you can get a good handle on a cigar with less than 10 smoked.

Bring on more 10 packs . I also love the idea of getting the LE in 10 packs, especially the 2010's.

[bolivr]

I'm a fan of the 10s so I can afford Lusis and so on. Agree though about the rolling around half empty box which also makes me hesitate to smoke them.

One good example I think Rob is the Party 898s in 10s. Nice varnished coffin and the cigars are in ribbon as a 343 arrangement. Love 'em

[El Presidente]

I'm a fan of the 10s so I can afford Lusis and so on. Agree though about the rolling around half empty box which also makes me hesitate to smoke them.

One good example I think Rob is the Party 898s in 10s. Nice varnished coffin and the cigars are in ribbon as a 343 arrangement. Love 'em

if we could get that in DC's, Churchills and others I think it would be a major step forward. No need for the timber packaging, just very well designed rectangular dress box.

I am not talking here about slick marketing. simply broadening the audience to cigars which are not getting a lot of love. I don't think it even has much to do about quality, I am OK with the quality coming through.

[bolivr]

Yup, that's what we need, I would buy them

Edit: Waiting for the Cuban 'powers that be' to take this up might take a little time if they were indeed interested in the idea. I wonder what the cost would be for Czar to have simple boxes available for small orders. Recently I bought a handful of Monte 2s and would have been happy to pay a little extra to have them in a box even if the brand and vitola is just handwritten on it. Other members may know more about where boxes could be made and the cost, anyone?

Those of us into recycling could send the empty box back for a refill

[MIKA27]

A really great idea Rob.

I myself like many have a mortgage, family, general expenses, school fees etc and more often than not would love to buy cabs of 25 or 50 however this is where I feel guilty and generally not buy the larger cabs and wish that more often than not there were boxes of 10 or 12's in a particular CC.

I just recently purchased a new humidor and to be able to buy several boxes of 10's or 12's in varied cigars would be a great option for me and this way, I could splurge out on more of my favorites.

At the moment, I hate buying several singles here and there as I know in the end, its costs a whole lot more compared to buying a box.

Whilst I do on occasion buy a cab here or there, the smaller boxes would be better for myself.

I'm definitely pleased with your idea mate.

[Stalebread]

Since I don't smoke much, and I enjoy variety, and there are space constraints, ten-count boxes have always appealed to me. About half my boxes are either ten or 12-count boxes. That 12-count of Trinidad Robusto "T's that arrived a few days ago is a beautiful box of cigars. I say the more ten and 12-count boxes, the better.

[bunburyist]

Seems like a good idea. I find 10ct boxes ideal to take on trips, bbqs etc.

[anacostiakat]

With the exception of limited and regional releases I really only acquire ten count boxes if I am trying something out. Unless something only comes in a ten count box I tend to go for full boxes/cabs when I can.

I think it is a good idea to have more available in this format. Now go sell it.

[bob25]

I for once dont like the 10's boxes because as you guys said,after smoking a couple you feel bad to smoke another one because it seems empty already.

Usually the 10's cost more per cigar, if I would like to try new cigars I prefer to order singles rather than a full box even if it only 10'S.

[qman22]

I am a fan of the 10 & 12 ct boxes. My budget is limited and it makes it easier for me to have a more diverse collection and to try new cigars. When I find something new I like, I would obviously purchase the 25 or 50 ct on my next purchase.

So I think more 10s & 12s can lead to more full box purchases down the road, especially for the lesser known marcas

[cgarner]

I think it would be a good idea. However, I've only purchased 4 -10 ct boxes. There are numerous cigars that would be more affordable. If it makes cigars more available to a wider audience it seems like a no brainer.