Once Bitten...twice Shy

[El Presidente]

Once Bitten...twice shy.

What box of cigars will you not purchase again?

I know many of us have at one time or another purchased a box of Habanos only to be completely and utterly disappointed. I am not talking about construction issues here but rather poor flavour or lack thereof. We all know of the inconsistency of many Habanos, and to give up on a cigar on the basis of one box premature....but has there been one box so bad that has sworn you off ever purchasing another of that vitola/marque?

Share your experience

[Wicky]

After many boxes and singles. No question...Cohiba. Have yet to find one I like.

[partifan]

A friend went to Cuba, and I gave him $50 to bring me back some goods. Not a lot, but I didn't want him to feel like he was smuggling through customs enough to feel threatened. I told him avoid the Cohiba since their prices are high and I'd rather a decent mix of smokes. He came back with a box of Guantanamera Cristales and a few Belinda Belvederes. Both were so gross they got pitched after having one.

The machine made, while using Cuban Tobacco, are no good. I'll smoke a flavorless HDM or a Monte Open over another Guantamera or Belinda.

[aes8]

I have a rule that I never purchase a box without sampling singles. This has served me well as I have avoided Partagas Salmones, RAG, Vegueros, LFdC, etc.

My biggest regret, hands down, is purchases of aged cigars in dress boxes. Partagas de Partagas No.1, ERDM GdE, Punch Coronas,etc. It seems whenever I puchase cabinets I am seldom disappointed. I know the above cigars are not offered in cabs but I this is more than just a conquincidence.

[rfenst]

I have an 07 cab of ERDMCS that are so damn strong it will be at least 10 more years until i can determine if they might even have any finesses to them...

[sblevit]

Many REs in this category including: Bolivar Legendarios, Punch Emiratos, RA Gorditos de Allones, RACF. Although, for the most part, the Boli and RA REs have been among the best of the REs (along with PLs).

Quite a few LEs too including: HDM Regalos, R&J Escudos, R&J Hermosos No.2.

Nevertheless, I continue to march on in my RE and LE purchases. But I will not purchase any HDM, R&J or Punch REs or LEs unless there is a general consensus that they are great. For example, the Punch Super Robustos were quite good. I guess in the end, the RE and LE programs are a crapshoot. If it's possible, I buy a fiver before committing to a box these days.

[Guest rob]

No question in my mind - Sancho Panzas.

I bought a box of Sanchos and was so very disappointed. Thinking about it now still frustrates me. So much so that if they were the only Cubans available I would not smoke them.

[Tyemv]

Monte Open Eagle

My first and my last Monte Open. It was after I may my purchase that I discover FOH video. Live and learn. Now I research before I move forward. Thanks FOH.

[laficion]

For me it will have to be Guantanamera Cristales but also the machine made

Belinda & Cabanas. It's truly a pity for the last 2,Belinda & Cabanas.

Here are two brands with not only a fantastic history behind them but also some of the

first brands in Cuban history. How degrading & insulting to see those names on

such mediocre cigars.

[kmagurk]

Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 2, they were awful from the 1st one right after i purchased them to the last one 6 years later

[habanohal]

Cohiba Siglo 4 and 6

HDM Epic #1

BBF

any Fonseca

Trinidad RE

and thge list goes on but I just woke up and cant type that muchnow....lol

[semery74]

My biggest regret, hands down, is purchases of aged cigars in dress boxes. Partagas de Partagas No.1, ERDM GdE, Punch Coronas,etc.

Were these Sale Cigars?

Personally I have no regrets and enjoy them all. Not every box has been a winner. The most disappointing have been Vegueros, but I make adjustments when I choose to have them. They are so light in flavor that I have them before brunch and choose to accompany them only with water; usually follow them with a cigar later in the day to actually satisfy the cigar craving.

[JohnnyC]

Romero y Julieta. Never found any type of cigar from this product line that I enjoyed.

[goalie204]

Any RYJ other than Dukes

Any Monte OPEN

Any PSD4

Never again.

[bassman]

Cohiba Siglo VI. I bought two boxes of 10 of the original release. Very bland. I kept sampling the first box, but they never improved. Traded the second. Also RyJ EX#4. Same problem.

[Colt45]

An '05 box of Ramon Allones Specially Selected has put me off these for good.

[CaptainQuintero]

I'm not in a position to buy boxes without trying singles first so I can't really hold true to the discussion. But based on numerous attemps over the years because something in my mind says that they will be good...Fonseca. I must try half a dozen a year from different vitola, boxes, years, vendors and every single one either draws like a pencil or tastes like it failed the entrance exam for Henri Winterman.

Yet still I have a nagging thought in my mind that I will like them, on paper I should like them...it's just a pity that they generally seem to be made from paper also.

Maybe Guy will come out with a glowing review this year that will keep me on my quest, I bet he can't wait for France's Fonseca Robusto RE!

[riazp]

Personally HdM no 2...the least enjoyable cubans I've had. Tbh I'd rather have a partagas mf!

[tdlfoto]

RyJ Belicosos

In a botched mule episode my friend got duped into buying a box of these absolute turds at the Caracol store instead if the five different options I had given her. Smoked a few, tossed the rest. Haven't purchased a RyJ since

[Habanos2000]

I just can't find the love anymore for ANY RyJ's, Cuaba or Hoyo. Someone needs to go back to the drawing board on those as far as I'm concerned.

[laficion]

Maybe Guy will come out with a glowing review this year that will keep me on my quest, I bet he can't wait for France's Fonseca Robusto RE!

I'm not so sure that I'll be able to guide you on your quest CaptainQ but

all I can say is that I've smoked the Fonseca, Hermosos No.4, Regional 2010 Benelux

and I'll admitt that it was the best Fonseca that I've tasted in a long time.

Great little smoke. If you can get some, don't hesitate.

With that Benelux Fonseca No. 4 still fresh in my mind, I'm sure to try the

Fonseca ,Amateur Gordito RE France when and if it is released.

There is however something unique in the Benelux, It's the fact that you can buy,

as a sampler, all the RE's that have come out since 2007 in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.

Got one last time in Belgium, smoked the Fonseca & JL, really a great Idea.

[Orion21]

Brand: Hoyo

All of the Hoyo's I have smoked have been average at best. Not complex and far too light for my taste.

Specific Cigar: Cohiba Robusto

Call me crazy, but I think the CoRo is bi-polar. . .

The examples I have smoked were all so different I couldn't get a feel for what the CoRo was supposed to be. I either get nothing out of it or it blows my head off with it's harshness. I have yet to smoke a balanced CoRo and don't plan to roll the dice with a box purchase anytime soon.

[Rushman]

I am blessed or cursed with optimism in very few areas of my life except cigars. Each stick I pull out of the box or humidor presents an opportunity to be blown away or pissed off. I prefer to hope for the best and won't rule out anything but machine made bb

[CigarmanTim]

I'm going to take a hit on these two... but I will never ever by a box of BBF's and Mag 46's. Overrated.

[jedipastor]

I have yet to regret a box purchase, but that's probably because I make sure I like the vitola before I buy a box, and make sure my source is good. I'm sure it will happen eventually in the crap-shoot that is HSA, but as of now I've had plenty of bad sticks but no boxes that were just "bad."