Cabs vs. Dress Boxes

[Schumi5]

Hi Everyone,

Had a search and couldn't find anything on this so my apologies if it has been discussed before. I have often heard it said that the same cigar is much better in a 50 cab format that a 25 count dress box. Would any of the vets be able to weigh in here as to why this might be. I can certainly see the advantage to the 50 cab for aging as it gives you a longer window to see how the same cigars change over time but why would the cigars themselves vary? Any info would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[Lotusguy]

I am with Shlomo as in I don't like box press.

[Len]

IMO Cabs taste/age better because they are bundled tightly together under the slip ribbon. I think people underestimate the value of all of that tobacco bundled and sitting for years. If you think about it in a dress box the process is completely different. I know some people who think the best of the best go into a cab versus a dress box but I think it's just the fact that cabs age better and if you're smart you will pull from the middle of the bundle as you sample your cabs to get the most out of them. Once again JMO.

[Rushman]

I will let others speak to the how and why, but I prefer cabs. They are more visually appealing, both from the outside of the box to the tissue paper to he ribbon to the bundle. Some of my best cigars have come from dress boxes, but i prefer cabs.

[stinkhead]

IMO Cabs taste/age better because they are bundled tightly together under the slip ribbon. I think people underestimate the value of all of that tobacco bundled and sitting for years. If you think about it in a dress box the process is completely different. I know some people who think the best of the best go into a cab versus a dress box but I think it's just the fact that cabs age better and if you're smart you will pull from the middle of the bundle as you sample your cabs to get the most out of them. Once again JMO.

That is interesting. I have never left the the cigars bundled for two reasons. First is that I want to check them all for beatles or mold, and second as soon as I take one out of a bundle I can never get them to fit back in the box that way lol

[SCgarman]

I think it is all personal preference. Some cigars only are available in wood cabinets and some cigars are only available in dress boxes. I personally like the feel of a box pressed cigar in my hand. All my Cubans are in dress boxes with the exception of a box of Juan Lopez#1s which come in cabs. As far as long term aging, I have no cigars with 10 years or more on them, so I cannot say which method of packaging is better if any.

[goalie204]

i have some 98 Partagas Tres petit coronas from a dress box that are amazing

I bought a cab of party shorts and dress box, they were both awesome, none were better than the other.

[nubchin]

Not my words but a local cigar guru states that the white paper applied in dress boxes are meant to make the cigars milder sucking up the oils during aging , therefor more cigar surface are in tact with the paper in dress boxes and in the old days particular blends were selected calculating the milder side of flavor after aging them.

In contrast the cabs and jars are meant to hold the strength body and aroma but develop the flavor within each other by long term aging like in wine bottles, therefor less cigar surface in tact with cedar or paper.

Sounds logic to me considering the best "juicy" cigar is in the center of the cabs, but not sure.

Watching and sniffing the cabs I personally cant hold my mouth water

[Colt45]

I agree that there should not be any difference in quality between the two types of packaging. I also think there is something to the cigars in

a SLB (25s or 50s) being in such close proximity to one another. Take a good whiff of a full SLB and do the same with a dress box and see if

you notice any difference. I'm another who prefers round versus pressed cigars.

[bassman]

The way Habanos is going, this question could soon be moot.

[cottierm]

Unfortunately true.

The way Habanos is going, this question could soon be moot.

[Ginseng]

Perhaps a useful question o ask is why the dressed box and can were originally created. That would be the design intent. All else is incidental, from this perspective.

Wilkey

[perfectform]

The cigars themselves are exactly the same. The only difference would be in the shape after being boxed.

[DinoCop05]

CABS ARE HERE! CABS ARE HERE! Sorry, I had to do that. Couldn't help myself...

[aavkk]

I can't answer your question as to whether the cigars themselves vary however being able to watch the same "batch" of cigars evolve over the years is one of my favorite aspects of this hobby. My favorite presentation is probably the 898 Varnished box followed closely by the SLB and Dress boxes a distant last. There is just something about a well aged 50 cab of cigars that really is the essence of cuba.

[Hohenthal]

According to insiders, the blend of both kinds is the same.

Some times you find better dress boxes or better cabs of the same production date / batch.

However, in my experience, there is some cigars that show a bigger difference in the way they showcase their profile and / or behave in the longer term, notably:

El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme and

Bolivar Coronas Extra,

RASS and, some say, Partagas Shorts