Questions from noob buying 1st box of cc's

[jcorona]

Summer is upon us and I will be travelling soon and seeking out an lcdh to buy my first box or 2. Some questions arise:

1. Can one inspect boxes at lcdh stores before buying? will I find open boxes? or would I be buying blind? what is the etiquette?
2. Are 10 count boxes better in terms of quality, than 25 box counts? if buying blind, should I go for 10 count boxes?
3. Any other advice, tips?

Thanks,

Jack

[Smallclub]

1. In a LCDH or any good tobacco shop specialized in cigars you will be presented several boxes (2 to 4 generally); if you don't like what you see you can ask to inspect more boxes, but let me give you an advice: if after opening 5 or 6 boxes/cabs of a certain reference you still haven't found YOUR box, you probably won't find it in this shop, then don't lose your time and start to look for an other reference.

2. No, and you won't buy blind in a B&M shop. Even a crowded spanish estanco full of people buying cigarettes will let you inspect 2 boxes of each reference.

3. Don't be TOO focused on the wrapper color, try to touch the cigars to avoid the overfilled/underfilled ones, and trust your nose, a notable whiff of aroma coming from a box is always a good sign – in my experience

[Knvb78]

Are you buying in Cuba or abroad? 

[Merovius]

I remember my first trip to a LCDH. I was like a kid in a candy store. I think you'll find plenty of stunning Habanos, my advice would be mix it up and load up on singles.

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[stogieluver]

Both of the LCDH's I went to and bought boxes from in Havana opened the boxes I was buying for inspection without my asking to do so.  I was a noobie to CC's at the time and didn't know if it would be proper to ask for an inspection, so I didn't.  I would think all LCDH's would follow this practice, but you may have to ask for an inspection. 

[oliverdst]

2 hours ago, Merovius said:

I remember my first trip to a LCDH. I was like a kid in a candy store. I think you'll find plenty of stunning Habanos, my advice would be mix it up and load up on singles.

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I am still that kid.

[Mattygukas]

Note on the boxes of 10, 25, 50. I have seen some cigars better in the boxes of 10 and others in the boxes of 25, so I think it tends to be what product is being put in away that day and what size box they are filling. Cabs of 50 are better for aging IMO. (Especially fuller cigars)

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