Cabs vs. SLBs vs. 5ers, etc....

[jdo2110]

I've noticed that there are those of you who, buying in larger quantities, will vary the type of packaging for the same cigar. I'm more of a box here, a box there purchaser. But, for the future, should I take packaging into consideration; say buying 5x5 Monte 2s instead of a box? Does quality ever play a factor into it, or is that just a personal preference sort of thing?

[olotti]

This should really be posted in the general discussion forum and not the cigar reviews forum. Can a mod move the thread????

[Ginseng]

Your wish is my command.

Wilkey

[dvickery]

one reason for choosing certain packaging...only my opinion of course...

singles...age faster than

5 packs...age faster than

dress boxes...age faster than

cabinets/slb's...age faster than

varnished boxes/cabs...age faster than

tubes

etc etc

so it depends on how much time you want to invest in cigar aging.

derrek

[CUBANO]

My personal preference to age cigars is SLB's and Tubos, other than that it dosen't matter to me.

[JimC]

+1 ^^^

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

[jdo2110]

You know, as soon as I posted this, I realized I chose the wrong forum. Sorry ladies and gents, but thank you for responses.

[Ginseng]

Aging is but one consideration that figures into choice of packaging, though a nuanced one at that. Allow me to sum up the state of knowledge regarding packaging and aging of cigars.

1. Exposed wood packaging (solid or plywood, finished or unfinished) is likely to be better for beneficial aging of cigars than dressed boxes (which consist of paper glued over plywood).
   
2. Most of us will never hold cigars long enough to realize the differences that may emerge. 10 years, 20 years? More? Yeah, that's about right.
   
3. Extremely low permeability packaging (jars, tubes) is almost certainly superior to all other forms of packaging for slowing down the aging process through limiting oxygen exposure. Thus, making them most suitable for long term storage. Notice I say "storage." Conditions of storage are the process inputs you control and manipulate to achieve specific results with respect to the process outputs of aging and development.
   
4. The environment directly outside of the cigar packaging can be as important as the packaging itself. Think in terms of layers of protection.
   

The bases for the above generalizations can be found sprinkled throughout this forum in rather lively discussions. You'll also see that this knowledge is based on three things in order of prevalence: personal experience and observation, conjecture, and theory.

I prefer and mostly stock SLB, SBN, and BN when possible just because I like the look and feel of wood. That said, I love dressed boxes as well for the beauty of the artwork and the tradition they embody. It is only paper packaging that I generally eschew. It feels flimsy, generally the cigars are a notch below in terms of cosmetics, and sometimes there's an off smell in the cardboard stock.

Practically speaking, if your cigars don't stick around for more than a few years, the type of packaging is likely to make exactly zero difference.

Wilkey

[nonameno]

very nicely summarized Wilkey!

thank you

[Tito]

I prefer and mostly stock SLB, SBN, and BN when possible just because I like the look and feel of wood.

Can anyone point me to a list of packaging type abbreviations?

[Ginseng]

Have you tried Trevor's http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.htm Cuban Cigar Website?

Wilkey

[mk05]

cello on, cello off

[Ophidion]

cello on, cello off

Ha

[Tito]

Have you tried Trevor's http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.htm Cuban Cigar Website?

Wilkey

Thanks for the link. Much of the nomenclature is new to me, so I appreciate the resource.

[jdo2110]

Thanks for all the GREAT info!!!