Help Settle a Discussion : If You Had To Pick Two Vitolas

[El Presidente]

It is amazing the disparate opinions within the cigar industry.

Duscussions (always friendly and passionate) this week turned to what the market was really seeking in new releases.

My view is jaundiced as it is coloured by FOH which is not representative of the Cuban Cigar market as a whole. If that market were a pyramid then FOH members (and members of most other Cuban Cigar Forums) would represent the top third of the pyramid simply due to the fact that to be a member of a cigar forum you have to have a piqued interest in that hobby/passion.

So at the end of the discussion, we agreed to go back to our respective members (me FOH and they B&M's) with a few questions over the coming month. The questions relate to preferred vitola's, purchasing habits, price points etc.

We will compare notes at the end of the month and I will share them with you.

I have to say that we are starting at polar opposites in opinion. They are aghast that I could even raise the possibility of cajons of carlota/petit corona/Laguito no 1 would sell in commercial quantities

A few questions up this weekend. I will tackle issues of price points and packaging next week.

The first question relates to if you had to narrow your purchasing to Two rough vitolas, what would they be? Use the poll but you are more than welcome to expand on this thread.

Now you may say (as they do) that our existing sales data would show the preferences. However as I pointed out, when you have such limited offerings (and supply) in certain sizes, then the results are skewed and not representative of consumer wants/preferences. Of course I could be completely wrong

Much appreciated!

[cooper669]

My two favorite vitolas (Dalia and Long Panatela) are, coincidentally, the least represented vitolas among CC's.

[JohnS]

If I had to pick two vitolas they would be standard ring gauge, specifically 42/64ths of an inch, the perfect ring gauge, in my humble opinion. Coronas, coronas extras, dalias and petit coronas...alas, we don't see enough of them, sadly!

I think I speak for a few of us here in saying that I have purchased cigars in vitolas which I wouldn't have if I had a choice. For example, Diplomaticos No.2 have sold out the last few times when listed on 24:24. However, if the Diplomaticos No.4 and No.5 were around (both discontinued in 2010), at the very least, then I probably would have got these instead.

This doesn't mean these are the only two vitolas I purchase, rather, they are what I prefer.

[Smallclub]

They are aghast that I could even raise the possibility of cajons of carlota/petit corona/Laguito no 1 would sell in commercial quantities

I'd be an happy buyer of cajons of TPC (perlas, minutos, coronitas, etc.). I loved the Petit Punch in cab of 50.

The idea of a cajon of 100 Monte 5 or RG perlas makes me salivate…

[AlohaStyle]

My fave would be the Corona Extra/Gorda or Dalia, then had a tough time deciding on 2nd vitola. I smoke a lot of PC's but in the end voted on Belicoso/Pyramid because I only had to choose 2 for the rest of my life. I love variety and crave a larger cigar now and then and chose that over my needs of having a PC.

I just wish Habanos would bring back more regular production vitolas of LGC, PL, ERDM etc rather than upcharging them in the RE program with a crapshoot of blend/flavor.

[MIKA27]

I love the Robusto/Double Robusto and Pyramid/Belicoso's Vitolas - But then again, I enjoy any size but much prefer bigger RG

[luv2fly]

Corona and Petit Corona are my go to. If I had the funds I would go for a Cajon of both. My 2 cents.

[topdiesel]

Looks like I am in the vast majority of the early voters. Dalias, Coronas and petit coronas are my favorites

[potpest]

I'd take a Lancero, a DC and a Corona in every Marca and be a happy man forever. In fact I'd be over the moon if this was all that was available to me.

[Orator]

For me, Robusto & Petit Coronas. I would miss the variety, but I would be content if I was limited to those two vitolas, if need be.

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[billh1]

Every day smokes Corona /Corona Extra/ Dalia and Churchill Double Coronas for when I have more time.

[topdiesel]

I'd be an happy buyer of cajons of TPC (perlas, minutos, coronitas, etc.). I loved the Petit Punch in cab of 50.

The idea of a cajon of 100 Monte 5 or RG perlas makes me salivate…

That should be an additional factor of the poll. 50 or 100 packaging should be much more readily available.

[HavanaSunday]

Lancero or corona gorda.

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[SofaKing]

Petit corona and belicoso

[Blakes]

I've given up on hoping Habanos will introduce (or re-introduce) a 'varied' range of sizes across the board any time soon.

It would be a start if they just had a good mareva available in EVERY marca. (available in 50 cabs also )

[Boosted]

Lonsdales and Ninfas in 50 cabs for me.

[Gusmab980]

Salomones and ninfas.

[danny]

Although I gravitate towards corona gordas a lot, I usually find myself wanting more and wishing the cigar wouldn't end. So with that, I think I would have to choose a LANCERO (favorite vitola by far when rolled correctly) and a CHURCHILL (really enjoy the depth along w/ the RG and length, especially when I have time.)

Better yet, I'd probably throw in a 109 head/cap on the Churchill to make things a little interesting. Then I would cut the lanceros in half for coronas or lonsdale and the churchill for a Herm. No 4 / Robusto.

[joeboxer]

If I was limited to vitolas they would be dalias and corona gorda. Unfortunately, I didn't see a CG option so I picked robusto extra because sometimes I enjoy a larger cigar. I do love petit coronas, perlas, etc but if I'm limited to two vitolas I would be hesitant to go small because I usually want to spend well over an hour enjoying my smokes.

[joeruby]

Limiting to just two vitolas is difficult. My decision of what size to smoke is purely based on the time I have allocated.

So to pick two, I would go for the double coronas and the petite coronas and this is based on the time I have allocated to enjoy them. Don't get me wrong, anything is in between is great too, its just that for me, time allocated to enjoy the cigar is the important factor when determining general size.

Size allows flexibility, that's all.

[joeruby]

Limiting to just two vitolas is difficult. My decision of what size to smoke is purely based on the time I have allocated.

So to pick two, I would go for the double coronas and the petite coronas and this is based on the time I have allocated to enjoy them. Don't get me wrong, anything is in between is great too, its just that for me, time allocated to enjoy the cigar is the important factor when determining general size.

Size allows flexibility, that's all.

Sorry, I misread the question. I would go down the middle then, Corona/Corona extra/Dalia.

That would allow the most flexibility time wise.

[NSXCIGAR]

I have three favorite vitolas of all time:

Franciscos (44x143) Almuerzos (40x130) and Laguito #2

Franciscos = Boli CE. Enough said.

Almuerzos has only ever been the Hoyo du Prince and I don't smoke much of those, but it's my favorite petit corona size. Wish more brands had it.

Always loved the Laguito #2. Just feels the best in my hand and I love the long 38 RG. Have love for the Laguito #1 but I prefer the shorter format.

[stogieluver]

I smoked one of my PLP's tonight, and those things are always spot on and so favorable for such a small cigar. I think I could live off those forever. I have found that the smaller gauge CC's have more flavor, smoke better, and burn better than the larger rg's. If you aren't giving 38-42 rg cigars a chance, you're missing out on some really good cigars. Only downside is short smoking time. I guess I'll have to double up.

[jmg]

voted for "Corona /Corona Extra/ Dalia" and "Churchill and or Double Corona" but really something small and something big. Since it's two vitolas only, I would want to be able pick what I smoke according to time allotment. 30 min to 1.5 hrs maybe one or two of something small. 1.5-2.5 def something big (or maybe multiple smalls).

second choice would be PCs and/or panetelas with piramides/belicosos

[Jeremy Festa]

I love, panetelas, coronas, dalias and churchills. Quite fond of minutes and marvevas. Would shank someone in the neck for Britannicas though. And other perfectos. They are the coolest.