Beer man with Champagne taste - cigars

[David67]

Years ago I had a boss who told me "you're a beer man with champagne taste". Now cigars are an extremely expensive hobby and as my wife and I are on one wage I'm not one of these guys that say "OK Rob put me down for 5 boxes of..." and I wonder are there others here like me? People whos love for the leaf is sometimes beyond their finances.

For me I buy some budget smokes (but not too budget) and then some top end stuff that I can have every so often.

So if you are a "beer man with champagne taste" how do you cope?

[LordAnubis]

Smoke less

What i actually do is buy multiple boxes, and then share with friends. I basically sell them to my mates at the price it costs me to buy them. That way i get a cheap price per stick because im buying a box and so do my mates. Also it's easier for me to buy multiple boxes from Rob all in one order and then store in my wineador.

I put myself on a buying freeze a month ago... ive got one month of buying freeze left and i'll place another through the czar. Im running short on smokes though, so we'll see how long my stock lasts.

[David67]

I like beer just fine thank you very much. Never cared much for champagne.

Sorry

[winelover]

Sm9ke infrequently and reserve them for a treat.

[mazolaman]

I like beer, and Champagne.

In fact, I find Champagne is an excellent partner to a cigar...or a Cava even.

Yep, me too, champagne taste on beer money....

But, I consloe myself with the thought that I am not paying anyway near full whack for cigars, and hell, a guy's gotta have some vice to blow money on!

Yep, You're not the only one who doesn't wear a suit in the city!

[Guest rob]

David, whilst all cigars (even the cheapest ones) can be quite expensive... I find my daily 'cheap' smokes are some of my most enjoyable and satisfying.

For instance, this arvo I'm on my deck smoking a Rafael Gonzalez petit corona, which I would call a "cheap and cheerful" - and it s bloody excellent!

I find that it's unusual to smoke an expensive, or uber expensive cigar that perform proportionately to its price point. I love Siglo 6's but they never satisfy 4x as much as what I'm smoking right now.

Paying nosebleed prices for cigars is something we have all done... However dollar for dollar, I still prefer a VB to a Peroni.

[David67]

David, whilst all cigars (even the cheapest ones) can be quite expensive... I find my daily 'cheap' smokes are some of my most enjoyable and satisfying.

For instance, this arvo I'm on my deck smoking a Rafael Gonzalez petit corona, which I would call a "cheap and cheerful" - and it s bloody excellent!

I find that it's unusual to smoke an expensive, or uber expensive cigar that perform proportionately to its price point. I love Siglo 6's but they never satisfy 4x as much as what I'm smoking right now.

Paying nosebleed prices for cigars is something we have all done... However dollar for dollar, I still prefer a VB to a Peroni.

Thanks, I feel better. Very good advice.

[mazolaman]

David, whilst all cigars (even the cheapest ones) can be quite expensive... I find my daily 'cheap' smokes are some of my most enjoyable and satisfying.

For instance, this arvo I'm on my deck smoking a Rafael Gonzalez petit corona, which I would call a "cheap and cheerful" - and it s bloody excellent!

I find that it's unusual to smoke an expensive, or uber expensive cigar that perform proportionately to its price point. I love Siglo 6's but they never satisfy 4x as much as what I'm smoking right now.

Paying nosebleed prices for cigars is something we have all done... However dollar for dollar, I still prefer a VB to a Peroni.

Yep.

[Ophidion]

Smoking less is how I deal with it. That and limiting my vices to one or two (coffee and smokes).

[Smallclub]

You can compensate for the lack of finances with knowledge, experience and discernment.

Your money must buy tobacco and savoir-faire, not marketing and packaging.

[Colt45]

Quality over quantity

[Mr.T]

I love both beer and champagne. I'm with Colt on this - quality over quantity. I work in the non-profit sector and don't smoke that often so I do my research and purchase boxes that I feel confident will match the quality (and taste preferences) I'm looking for and will also go the distance given I don't smoke that often. Sometimes this means forking out more, but again given I don't smoke often it's ok.

[Strada]

I love both at different times of the day. They are both great pairing partners to cigars

[Smallclub]

Do people really think this thread is about beer and champagne, as drinks?

What about reading the original post before answering a question that is not even asked?

[Ophidion]

Wait I thought this was about smoking beer?

[Orion21]

Looking at your location says a lot brother. If I lived in Australia, and had to pay your prices, I would probably have a heart attack. I wouldn't feel bad because with your taxation of tobacco very very few people can afford to buy whatever they like when they like. I think what you may be seeing, and making you feel down, are the Canadian and American BOTL's that are getting their cigars for duty free pricing, unlike you. I would imagine most of the guys saying "put me down for 5 boxes . . " are not paying what you are paying.

Having said that - sample the cheaper lines of cigars and find what you like the most. You may find a gem or two that makes smoking when you want more of a reality. Cheers and I hope you find some good ones

[AndrewNR]

Howdy David,

I over induldged a bit here when I got my first box the buying bug hit me.. Now I'm just as careful as I can be.. Especially due to my current circumstances.. Just look at what you have in stock and consider how many you smoke.. Consider cutting back or getting more bang for your buck on cheaper enjoyable sticks.

I try to also look out for the sales for something I really want but really. I just looked at how much I had and how little I smoke them and I just keep that in mind when I'm looking at whats around nowdays.. It's nice to just look sometimes Y'know? Heck see something you like the look of.. offer someone a trade for something you have so you can try it to satisfy that itch...

[Ophidion]

Basically:

Having a budget to buy beer when you would much rather drink a bottle of Dom P.

e: to clarify further, wanting/liking more pricey cigars when one's budget doesn't allow for it.

[mazolaman]

ha! answer to my question before 'what is beer with champagne taste?' - gracias Frank!

Or you could buy this; http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jul/20/kent-beer-chapel-down-award

It is excellent.

[mazolaman]

I can understand that!

The curious thing about the lager linked to above, is tht they use the yeast from their sparkling wine...it gives it a fine, crisp taste.

As for the Czech beer, my favourite was Moritz from Olomouc...bloody brilliant.

Followed by the one brewed in Loket, and there was also a small brewer in Pilzen..of course. Great Lagers there mate.

Sorry, as usual, for wandering off topic!

[dangolf18]

If you only like the best stuff, then smoke 1-2 CC's a week that cost $20-$30 a piece instead of smoking cheap cigars everyday (assuming that you can't stand stuff like Quineros, RGs, and JLPs).

[David67]

Looking at your location says a lot brother. If I lived in Australia, and had to pay your prices, I would probably have a heart attack. I wouldn't feel bad because with your taxation of tobacco very very few people can afford to buy whatever they like when they like. I think what you may be seeing, and making you feel down, are the Canadian and American BOTL's that are getting their cigars for duty free pricing, unlike you. I would imagine most of the guys saying "put me down for 5 boxes . . " are not paying what you are paying.

Having said that - sample the cheaper lines of cigars and find what you like the most. You may find a gem or two that makes smoking when you want more of a reality. Cheers and I hope you find some good ones

Very good points! Living in Australia makes it very hard indeed when it comes to tobacco. Also it is set to get even worse, with state and federal governments planning to dramatically increase taxes each year until most people just cannot afford to buy them.

Some will get them illegally or just give up enjoying cigars - Australia today

[Reevzy]

Smoking cigars for me is just so terribly expensive, MUCH more expensive than my previous cigarette habit.

I'm almost at the stage of throwing this hobby away, and that's a shame cause I really enjoy smoking cigars.

I've stopped buying at the moment and I'm left with a box of Monte 2's without a winner in the lot

[mazolaman]

Very good points! Living in Australia makes it very hard indeed when it comes to tobacco. Also it is set to get even worse, with state and federal governments planning to dramatically increase taxes each year until most people just cannot afford to buy them.

Some will get them illegally or just give up enjoying cigars - Australia today

Sad.

Do we assume that your border controllers are pretty efficient then?

[El Presidente]

I like to think of it this way.

I have no problem going through a bottle of wine a day. I choose wine as a daily quaffer at $18 ish. If I splash out for a great bottle then $40-$50 but I do this very rarely.

Six pack of decent beer in this country is $18 or so. Buy the carton of 24 and you are looking at say $50. I don't drink beer generally preferring wine but each to his own.

Bottle of wine I would consume in 1-1/1/2 hrs = $18

Rass/D4/BRC/ERDM Cx/SLR Regio/BPC/PLPC/ in much the same time = $19 average (taxes paid) through our Aussie store.

I get more enjoyment from the cigar than the wine....and I don't have to share it

If I needed to scale back on my cigar expenditure I would be happy with Petit Corona's averaging around $14.50 here.

The new Quintero Favoritos would serve me well at $10-$12. Mix them in with some PC's and you have a nice range of cigars. Throw in some Robusto, a couple of corona and Corona Extra. All in all you have a great experience for the price of an Average/ decent bottle of Aussie wine.

Each to his own. I had an e-mail yesterday from a mate who was enjoying a $1000 bottle of vintage port with a friend (who purchased the port). Now, I would never begrudge an individual spending whatever they wanted. If they have worked hard, taken the chances, made a squillion and wine/cigars/watches/ etal is their passions....God bless them.

I am certainly not in that position. Even if I was, my immigrant mum and dad built their comfortable wealth from nothing and I feel sick in the guts purchasing ultra expensive consumables (wine/cigars/dining at high end restaurants). Their frugality has in many ways rubbed off on me.

I don't own a Habanos "Book". I don't own a LE Humidor. I don't own a great wine collection. I drink good value plonk. I eat well and cook 90% of the time for myself and friends.

I am now going to head back to my Bolivar Petit Corona. It has a cracked foot so I couldn't sell it. Glorious

I think there is enough in the Habanos range to satisfy all "needs"...just perhaps not all "wants". Simply a matter of cutting one's cloth to suit the circumstances.