Less Is More ( Is It? )

[Colt45]

I was leafing through a magazine earlier today and came across an ad for a cigar which was adorned, nearly head to foot, with a large embossed gold band, a foot band, and imprinted parchment paper in between.

I understand marketing, and trying to catch one's eye, but that cigars, which are for me something so "of the earth" have been made to be idolized, is something, I guess, which is lost on me. Personally, country of origin is irrelevant as they all do it.

Not a rant, not disgusted, just an observation......

The Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra I was smoking did not seem to suffer due to it's simple brown and white paper band.

[shlomo]

Of course it's a rant. No reason not to stand by it. You are not the first, nor the last to feel the same way. Some of the best cigars I have ever smoked have been unbanded. Older Punch, older SLR, some older Cazadores...customs of course....some of the worst have been nothing but flash and hype.

[Colt45]

Of course it's a rant.

I don't really consider it a rant - I'm not fuming over it, put out by it, or feel it's something being perpetrated against me. I was simply struck, at the moment in time, as to what cigars seem to have become.

At the end of the day, I don't really care, and that might be the worst. Perhaps it would be much better to be so passionate about what's happening that I was fuming over it, that I did consider it a personal affront. But I stand by it nonetheless.

Maybe some time we'll be able to discuss it over a simply good cigar.....

[shlomo]

No sweat Colt. I don't consider it a personal affront either. I simply don't like it.

I'll bring the Ghurkas, you bring the SS2s, deal?

:-)

[oliverdst]

As a general rule I thhink NC's band terribly ugly and CC's beautiful.

[Profmd]

As a general rule I thhink NC's band terribly ugly and CC's beautiful.

Disagree 100%, but to each its own.

[oliverdst]

Disagree 100%, but to each its own.

As a general rule you think CC's band terribly ugly and NC's beautiful?

[Scrubber]

I generally like CC bands more. They are simple and classic. There are also some NC bands which are beautiful but most are too big and flashy and take away from the beauty of the cigar (maybe that's what some of the NC companies want?)

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[Guest rob]

I'm a less is more kind of guy.

By less, I mean that I would be really happy with none.

[ayepatz]

As I only smoke Cuban cigars, I find it's important to be able to see the cigar in order to gauge the construction.

[Drguano]

A saying I heard from a Texas woman is "All hat, no cattle..." She was commenting on a dude in a bar but the same expression holds if the quality of the product doesn't support the extravagance of the band(s).

In wildlife, some species use extravagant plumage to compete with other members to be selected when mating season rolls around. There are so many NC brands, they have to do something to differentiate themselves. But, to paraphrase a very vulgar expression, "You don't smoke the band..."

[MIKA27]

Disagree 100%, but to each its own.

I find NC's present better with their bands, some seriously nice bands out there.

Weather CC's or NC's present better with BANDS doesn't matter, does anyone smoke the band? The answer is no. I'd be worried if someone did.

At the end of the day, we take them off the cigar so all we are left with is tobacco.

But NC's win hands down when it comes to presentation IMHO

[TypicalSituation]

I love a simple band, as all ccs are. But I do think there are some beautiful NC bands out there. Opus x, padilla, LA Aurora 1495, and a few others

[NCPANTHERZFAN]

I like the understated bands on some NC's. Liga #9 reminds me of Balvenie scotch labels

[Habana Mike]

Is this one less or more?

http://halfwheel.com/review-daniel-marshall-24kt-golden-torpedo

[phlee]

Punch Medalla d'Oro is almost as bad

[Habana Mike]

Punch Medalla d'Oro is almost as bad

Yep, Cuba can play the game. Getting better at it every day......

[LordAnubis]

Less is more. If you're in a state owned cigar monopoly where the brands are all governed under the one company.

However in an open market where there hundreds of different cigars and brands and origins, you have to do something to distinguish your product from the rest.

As much as we hate it or like it, someone out there is going to see a stick in a shop and buy it cos the band looks cool. We all do it in plenty of decisions we make on a daily basis.

Personally i don't pay much attention to bands and don't have a love or hate for any of them.

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[Tino]

In fairness to the Punch, at least you don't smoke their gold wrapper. Although someone probably has after a few beers too many...