Box Codes

[CigarEnthusiast]

Sorry if this was brought up numerous times before, but I got a few questions about box codes since I'm new to the whole Cuban cigar scene.

Firstly, box codes today are always three letters on top of the date on the box?

Secondly, I read these codes are computer generated to help prevent disclosing which company the sticks were manufactured, so why chase codes down?

Thanks for reading and any other input or advice would be appreciated.

[Maplepie]

i've always found it to be an odds game. Take this example:

What i've hated about MC2s is their inconsistency. I have it pegged down to 10-20% of them are smokeable. I haven't had a good MC 2 in half a year.

So when i walk into a B&M (non-EMS) and get a Monte 2, i'd expect [grateful] 1 in 5 chance of it being to my liking.

I hear over the squawker box that a certain box code (let's call it ASS DIC) has been churning out really nice, oily boxes. Knowing this, there are inconsistencies box to box let alone single to single. So now my odds if i find an ASS DIC box code, would be 1 in 3 that i would like it.

I then hear over the squawk box that the box code BUM JAN is much better construction than most and everyone seems to be enjoying it more despite them looking good. The caps are more uniform and it seems that old, seasoned rollers are rolling these instead - they're baring on MC GR quality. Now my search for the BUM will essentially turn my odds around the other way.

That's what i've found on my search for the holy grail.

Addendum: there are... certain 'special' box codes

[Smallclub]

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.aspx#Date_Codes

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.aspx#Factory_Codes

[CigarEnthusiast]

i've always found it to be an odds game. Take this example:

What i've hated about MC2s is their inconsistency. I have it pegged down to 10-20% of them are smokeable. I haven't had a good MC 2 in half a year.

So when i walk into a B&M (non-EMS) and get a Monte 2, i'd expect [grateful] 1 in 5 chance of it being to my liking.

I hear over the squawker box that a certain box code (let's call it ASS DIC) has been churning out really nice, oily boxes. Knowing this, there are inconsistencies box to box let alone single to single. So now my odds if i find an ASS DIC box code, would be 1 in 3 that i would like it.

I then hear over the squawk box that the box code BUM JAN is much better construction than most and everyone seems to be enjoying it more despite them looking good. The caps are more uniform and it seems that old, seasoned rollers are rolling these instead - they're baring on MC GR quality. Now my search for the BUM will essentially turn my odds around the other way.

That's what i've found on my search for the holy grail.

Addendum: there are... certain 'special' box codes

That makes a lot sense. Thanks.

May I ask what are special box codes?

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.aspx#Date_Codes

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.aspx#Factory_Codes

Thanks for the links! I already read them.

[chrisgeo]

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.aspx#Date_Codes

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.aspx#Factory_Codes

Thanks! Those are useful.

[garbandz]

"Secondly, I read these codes are computer generated to help prevent disclosing which company the sticks were manufactured, so why chase codes down?"

If you find a good box,you want another one,and the same box code is a good place to start.

The codes may be computer generated or not,but they remain the same for a while.

MUR has been a good code for me,I have quite a few and the cigars have been consistently good.............

[El Presidente]

Consistently good from the past 6 months from what I have seen. Every code has it's share of duds. Just less in these codes.

UML

POU

ULA

UME

EML

BUM

BAM

LOA

LUB

LTB

TUP

GAT

MOB

ULE

[CigarEnthusiast]

Consistently good from the past 6 months from what I have seen. Every code has it's share of duds. Just less in these codes.

UML

POU

ULA

UME

EML

BUM

BAM

LOA

LUB

LTB

TUP

GAT

MOB

I saw that Mob you posted. That is definitely be a box code I'd be interested in!

In a few months I'd be interested in purchasing a few boxes. I'll send you a PM when I'm ready since you know your stuff! I'm not a highly roller though because I'm still in college, but hopefully one day I'll be a bigger customer.

Also if you aren't too busy can you answer my inquiries here as well?

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119351

Thanks again brother!

[Laynard]

I second the MUR and POU being tasty!

[CigarEnthusiast]

Good to know Laynard!

My girl got me a box of RASS MUR Jun 13. They were great!

[El Presidente]

Take a Standard Deviation bell Curve.

An Average Box Code would look like the below.

PE = 0-1

HQ= 1-2

PSP= 2-3

An Above Average Box Code would be skewed to the right (More HQ/PSP)

A Below Average Box Code would be skewed to the left (few or no HQ/PSP, plenty of average/poor cigars).

The problem is that even in a mastercase of the same box code it will change month to month or even Mastercase to Mastercase. ie. two mastercases of say POU D4 could be in the warehouse. One follows the average bell curve and one is skewed to the right. Both the same code.

It is only by going through a number of the mastercases of the same code over an extended period of time that you get a feel for that code.

The box codes I listed are simply ones that over time have been predominantly skewed tot he right. It doesn't mean that the occasional mastercase of that code is not straight median or even skewed to the left.

It is a guide at best.

[CigarEnthusiast]

Take a Standard Deviation bell Curve.

An Average Box Code would look like the below.

PE = 0-1

HQ= 1-2

PSP= 2-3

bellcurve.jpg

An Above Average Box Code would be skewed to the right (More HQ/PSP)

A Below Average Box Code would be skewed to the left (few or no HQ/PSP, plenty of average/poor cigars).

The problem is that even in a mastercase of the same box code it will change month to month or even Mastercase to Mastercase. ie. two mastercases of say POU D4 could be in the warehouse. One follows the average bell curve and one is skewed to the right. Both the same code.

It is only by going through a number of the mastercases of the same code over an extended period of time that you get a feel for that code.

The box codes I listed are simply ones that over time have been predominantly skewed tot he right. It doesn't mean that the occasional mastercase of that code is not straight median or even skewed to the left.

It is a guide at best.

Gotcha makes perfect sense. Basically it helps give you a better chance of a acquiring a higher quality box. Anyway nothing is guaranteed in life, except death and taxes.