PE, HQ, PSP Buying Habits

[ndak]

Just wanted to see what are some of the individual buying habits when making a purchase from The Czar in terms of PE, HQ and PSP. What classification do you normally purchase from? Does the type of cigar itself influence your decision?

I am new here and have only made one purchase which was PSP in classification and was well pleased with my experience.

Thanks,

Vince

[cgarner]

I have a couple PE, a few more HQ, and one box of PSP. My PSP box is Gold Medals. I bought the PSP box because I am laying them down for the long haul.

[mykeuva]

I generally go for HQ......

PSP if there's something I really want a good box of/or hold for long term storage

PE if I see something that I want to try and there's no other box out there, or I know that they're generally consistent and don't have to worry about....

[tsolomon]

I don't pay much attention to the grading system, if I see a box I like I buy it.

[bassman]

I have a lot of cigars, so don't buy much any longer. But if I want a box of Montecristos, I will ONLY buy HQ or PSP from Czar. Too much variable quality in that brand, but nothing like a really good #2 or #4 so Czar is the way to go.

[CigarmanTim]

I mainly buy HQ. I have bout a box (10) Party Lusi's that are PSP and are by far the best cigars I've ever had. During an "in the humidor" episode I asked Rob to pick me out a box that blows you away. I'm telling you these are a step higher than even PSP's.

[Guest Elektrobot]

In my opinion the PE, HQ and PSP are nice if you:

A- if you "Collect" cigars and want to have a really top notch box of a specific vitola to sit on for years to come

B- If you are somewhat new to CC's and want to try and get the best possible representation of what a specific cigar should be like

C- Occasionally you will see a PE, HQ or PSP box come up that is not always standard stock, and that might be your only shot at obtaining them for awhile.

D- You have a preference for specific wrapper shades and want to make sure a box is to your liking ( There was a box of Monte 2's a few weeks back that had some lighter wrappers, looked awesome)

[gsmoke]

.

D- You have a preference for specific wrapper shades and want to make sure a box is to your liking ( There was a box of Monte 2's a few weeks back that had some lighter wrappers, looked awesome)

I concur with this point. For example, I've purchased an HQ box of RASS that had dark-as-night wrappers. Bought another box of PE RASS that had lighter wrappers, and found I prefer the flavor of the lighter wrappers. To my mind, seeing the box and making your decision based off what you see is the biggest benefit of the PE/HQ/PSP distinctions.

[BradNC]

I still call myself new to the CC world. Due to all the variability I've heard about in the CC world I've been buying PSP stock from Czar. I think I have a few HQ boxes in there too. I love the rating system and how it takes the guesswork and much of the risk out of the buying experience for a newbie. I hope it never ends. I'm just glad they do it. Wonder how it came about........I'm guessing they were talking on the deck one day and BAM!....the idea was born perhaps? Personally, I'd be interested in the story Pres if you don't mind sharing that one day.

[Dbone]

I try and use the program as it's been explained to me by Rob. The program highlights cigars that show the best potential for aging a cigar to their prime. So, is this a box I intend to smoke right away, or something I'm going to let rest. If the latter, i always try to get PSP. Otherwise, HQ and PE are more than acceptable and way above par to dig into right away.

As of recent I've gone and bought 2 boxes, 2box rule, on Partagas 898, Monte 4, and Mag 46. The sampling box is PE or HQ, the resting boxes I make sure are PSP. The idea is when the sampling box hits its stride, the PSP will shine even more. I can't wait.

[tdlfoto]

I typically go with PE or HQ. I'm too green to appreciate PSP. Buying from the program gives me comfort in knowing I'm getting a solid representation of the particular vitola and marca I'm after.

[Ellery]

I don't pay much attention to the grading system, if I see a box I like I buy it.

Same. I buy what I like. If it happens to be PSP/HQ/PE so be it, but I won't necessarily wait for a PSP/HQ/PE box to come up.

[cigcars]

*I love and primarily buy only sampler packs of habanos. Nearly never buy a whole box of one brand and vitola only these days.

[mash]

Anyone every buy HQ, PE and PSP of the same vitola? Any verification that this system correlates with the quality of cigar you get?

[CanuckSARTech]

Anyone every buy HQ, PE and PSP of the same vitola? Any verification that this system correlates with the quality of cigar you get?

I've bought HQ and PSP boxes of Monte 4's, and was able to compare them with almost PE-similar boxes that I had from another distributor (a different box code from the HQ & PSP boxes though).

The HQ and PSP boxes that I got from Czar's were both the exact same box/date code, same batches. While the HQ box is definitely beautiful, and I wouldn't now dream of having Monte 4's that aren't at least HQ now, the PSP box is just THAT much better, IMO! Beautiful stuff.

[PLUSH]

I've bought HQ and PSP boxes of Monte 4's, and was able to compare them with almost PE-similar boxes that I had from another distributor (a different box code from the HQ & PSP boxes though).

The HQ and PSP boxes that I got from Czar's were both the exact same box/date code, same batches. While the HQ box is definitely beautiful, and I wouldn't now dream of having Monte 4's that aren't at least HQ now, the PSP box is just THAT much better, IMO! Beautiful stuff.

But do they taste better? I know they look better, thus the higher grade. I wonder if anyone has done blind reviews on each?

[Dbone]

But do they taste better? I know they look better, thus the higher grade. I wonder if anyone has done blind reviews on each?

Of course they taste better - that's why they cost more

Quick edit here guess I should expand on that. I can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed with samplers or boxes from other retailers. The PE, HQ, PSP program Rob provides us is top notch. I have yet to be let down by one of his hand picked cigars. Does PSP taste better than a PE? Hard to tell, not sure anyone can. Although along the lines of construction, wrapper, aroma, aesthetics, and overall presentation... it's the best Cuba has to offer no question about it. I believe that is the value proposition.

[CanuckSARTech]

But do they taste better? I know they look better, thus the higher grade. I wonder if anyone has done blind reviews on each?

Yes, that's what I meant - that they taste better, and give that much better of an experience.

I know that the HQ/PSP program assesses everything else (look, smell, tactile feel, etc., etc.), and there's no way to assess the taste for grading purposes. And, things could look and be 200% better for a PSP box, over an HQ box, but then the HQ box ends up actually tasting and smoking better.

But, that's not my experience with these to date. Will hope to have more empiracal evidence of all this as time goes on, and I get some more specific PSP boxes sourced out by Lise and Rob.

No, have not done a blind review on my stuff with these, but I did go into it fairly neutral, and I think I balanced it decently enough to start off with, so that I gave things a balanced assessment.