Is this box of Unicos worth a buy?

[Reevzy]

A guy at work has this box of Vegas Robaina Unicos, box code is BYL JUN 05.

It belongs to his wifes Grandfather who doesn't smoke big cigars, only cigarillos that he smokes from the shop, so this box of Unicos hasn't been kept in a humidor, but in a drawer in the spare room of his house up in Queensland.

I've had a look at them and they're certainly not dried out in any way, the feel quite spongy, no mouldy bits from what I can tell, no cracks anywhere.

The old bloke was gifted this box almost ten years ago and was told they were worth $500 US at the time. Now I don't know what he wants for them or what they're actually worth due to age and/or condition. I was thinking maybe offering $400 (AU) but I don't know, thought I'd throw it out to the brains trust here, worth a shot?

[JoeyGunz]

Looks like a go to me mate!

[Hunter1974]

Get that **** !!! Lol ok time for drink 4

[ElPuro]

I'd be leery of the storage conditions myself.

[Colt45]

My first thought would be to see if they'd be amenable to selling you one to try. I recall Unicos from that time frame being flavorful, but not "big", so my main concern would be to try and determine if they are on point or past it.

[TheGipper]

Stored in a drawer? Forget it. You will regret paying even $5 for such a box.

[Smallclub]

Stored in a drawer? Forget it.

Depends on the RH in the house actually.

[PigFish]

Every, and I mean every cigar purchase represents risk. How close on price are these to what you can normally buy for this money?

Are you buying (or thinking of buying them) because Unicos are your favorite cigar? Because there is an ink stamp on the back that says 05? Because they are a good price?

Me, I would only buy them if they were deeply discounted to what I know that I can obtain in the size I want in the current marketplace, where I know something about how they have been kept. But that is just me!

If I were guessing, I would think that it is the age that is attracting you. You do not know, in fact if they will be any better than what can be had off the shelf today. You only know that they were in a drawer and that they are 11 YO.

Is there a risk of these cigars being damaged by lack of care? Sure there is, although I don't know if that is the case, or if the risk is reality. However, I would consider that risk as a part of my discount stratagy. If I could not buy them cheap, I would not buy them! Let some damn fool who believes in the sanctity of aged cigars get taken for them... and buy a box of cigars that you know you will like, at a reasonable price and forget about taking risks for an age stamp.

If these were RA Coronas, the dynamic would be different. But these are a cigar available in today's market. My 2 cts. Good luck with your decision.

-Piggy

[Fugu]

Agree with Piggy. Aging might have done good to them - but may have not. Who really knows given the provenance. Given the quality of current production you might be better off or at least as well off with a current box. I'd say, as Colt proposes, buy one or two to try, if they'll let you, and then decide what it's worth you. Otherwise, a blind buy I would only do on the basis of a discount.

(even though I am one of those fools who believe in the sanctity of aged cigars... )

[PuffDaddie]

Pass on the cigars.

[El Presidente]

if from North Queensland (Townsville up).....maybe worth a crack as humidity even in winter is solid.

If from South East Queensland, pass. Winters here are bone dry and these have gone through a decade of them. Summers here are humid so the moistere content would have come back after 5 months of high humidity.

Piggy is spot on. Just passing on the local weather forecast

[Squarehead]

Depends on the RH in the house actually.

If you would have 65%rh in your house you would be in big trouble

[Smallclub]

If you would have 65%rh in your house you would be in big trouble

Are the people who live in Brasil or Louisiana or any monsoon region, without AC, in big trouble?

[shlomo]

If you would have 65%rh in your house you would be in big trouble

My house is around 60% at 18 degrees mostly year round. Whats the problem?

Edit: check that, its closer to 55 in summer, 45 in winter....my mistake

[Fugu]

Clear case of the proof of the pudding being in the eating.

[Reevzy]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. So I grabbed the box for $350, never had a Unicos before and the age thing doesn't really phase me but either way I'm willing to take a punt on them. The way the cost of tobacco is going up I'm happy with this.

[RickHendeson]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. So I grabbed the box for $350, never had a Unicos before and the age thing doesn't really phase me but either way I'm willing to take a punt on them. The way the cost of tobacco is going up I'm happy with this.

Need the review mate!