Am I missing the boat?

[TBird55]

I have never bought a cigar in  an aluminum tube. When you look at the cost of cigars in cabs or dress boxes, they are much cheaper,  than the ones in tubes. Have I missed out on something? I figured when buying cigars in aluminum tubes, that you  were just paying extra for the packaging.  Is there a difference in the cigars that are sold in  the tubes?

[Luca]

Nope. No difference. I have heard that aging cigars in tubes as opposed to boxes can produce different results. I like tubes as they are good to have if I need to quickly grab a cigar when I'm on the run and don't wanna carry my cigar case.

[TBird55]

10 minutes ago, Luca said:

Nope. No difference. I have heard that aging cigars in tubes as opposed to boxes can produce different results. I like tubes as they are good to have if I need to quickly grab a cigar when I'm on the run and don't wanna carry my cigar case.

I wouldn't mind paying the extra premium, if I  were getting a better cigar. Thanks, you confirmed what I thought. 

[LandCruiser]

Scientifically? Who knows. 

But- subjectively, I think there is a difference. However, only in aged stock. 

I can truthfully say that the 3 best regular production cigars I have ever smoked were tubos, all three aged for significant periods. One 5 years, one 7 years, the other about 15. 

All out of this world good, and smooth as hell. There seems to be something to the fact they are sealed in the tubes. Whether that is the fact they are not exposed to outside air, the moisture stays more consistent, etc. No idea. I just know that I am a tubos fan, and have stock put away for aging. 

[NSXCIGAR]

There should be no difference in blend between a tubed and non-tubed version of the same cigar. One is simply paying a premium for the tubes. That being said, aging results may differ in tubes--generally, they may yield better long-term results but take longer to reach their peak.

A caveat is that some cigars that have the same vitola are not necessarily the same cigar. The best example of this is the Boli Tubos No. 2. This is a Mareva, the same as the BPC. However, my opinion is that these are not the same cigar. The blend of the BT2 is much earthier and is a bit stronger, and I think it's superior to the BPC, and worth the premium for the tubes. 

[Philc2001]

Yes, I believe some selections, for example the Bolivar Tubos No 1, are unique blends. I haven't sampled all current Bolivar vitolas, but to my taste buds the Tubos seem to have a unique and more intense flavor profile that other similarly sized Bolivars. I'm sure that not all tubos have different tobacco blends from their non tubed versions, but the tubes seem to affect (or perhaps preserve) the flavor over long periods. For example; Punch Monarcas I've smoked have been remarkably flavorful, full bodied and amazingly complex despite 17 years of aging. They are notably much more intense than Punch Churchills or DCs. My experience with tubos has convinced me that vacuum sealing or tubes are ideal for aging and preserve cigars for the long-term. Perhaps the sealed environment in the tubes creates a different atmosphere that enhances (or maybe it just slows) the aging.

[LandCruiser]

38 minutes ago, Philc2001 said:

Yes, I believe some selections, for example the Bolivar Tubos No 1, are unique blends. I haven't sampled all current Bolivar vitolas, but to my taste buds the Tubos seem to have a unique and more intense flavor profile that other similarly sized Bolivars. I'm sure that not all tubos have different tobacco blends from their non tubed versions, but the tubes seem to affect (or perhaps preserve) the flavor over long periods. For example; Punch Monarcas I've smoked have been remarkably flavorful, full bodied and amazingly complex despite 17 years of aging. They are notably much more intense than Punch Churchills or DCs. My experience with tubos has convinced me that vacuum sealing or tubes are ideal for aging and preserve cigars for the long-term. Perhaps the sealed environment in the tubes creates a different atmosphere that enhances (or maybe it just slows) the aging.

Completely agree, and this has been my experience as well. 

[Bartolomeo]

A lot of times I have seen cigars in cardboard and tube packaging that are "uglier" than the same cigar in SLB packaging...also seen some great looking cigars in tubes but more often than not they are ugly

That being said, I bought a bunch of boxes tonight with the AMO CoRo to see how they are

As far as storage, I leave them in the tube in the humidor sealed until ready to smoke...maybe that's why the 98 Punch Monarchs are so good  

Bart

[PapaDisco]

The very best, 5 year old, cigars I've had have all been tubos.  However I've had 15-16 year old tubos that were pretty damn flat and flavorless.  Tubos seem to add about $1 to the price of each cigar.

I suppose if I could chose my packaging, I'd buy all of my stock for LT aging in 50 count cabs, and everything smaller (5-25 count) I'd go for tubos. 

[canadianbeaver]

Having cigars in tubes is cool. You can take them places in your pocket or bag/briefcase and give them to a friend at dinner.

Toss it in your golf bag.

I think that is the advantage and worth the added price.

CB

[Shaunster]

Take the monte no 4 and the petit tubo, no idea if its the same blend but for me the tubo is stronger, richer with a deep cedar smell. Its a better smoke in every way I think.

[beparrish]

The only cigars that I buy in tubos are those that are not offered without tubos, such as the Boliver #1. It does make the cigars easier to transport, but my preference would be to buy them without the tubos and save on the cost.

[Smallclub]

9 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

 One is simply paying a premium for the tubes.

Not everywhere. In France until recently the price of a cigar was independant of the packaging. For instance in the mid 2000's one could find the SLR churchill in DB, in cab 50 and in tubos, all at the same price.

This is one of the reason that make me believe the Monte Petit Tubo is NOT a Monte No.4, as its price has always been much higher…

The fact that I've never had a good one is an other reason, but I might have been unlucky…

[rhcolbert]

9 hours ago, Bartolomeo said:

A lot of times I have seen cigars in cardboard and tube packaging that are "uglier" than the same cigar in SLB packaging...also seen some great looking cigars in tubes but more often than not they are ugly

That being said, I bought a bunch of boxes tonight with the AMO CoRo to see how they are

As far as storage, I leave them in the tube in the humidor sealed until ready to smoke...maybe that's why the 98 Punch Monarchs are so good  

Bart

Limited experience here, but agree.  Every RyJ Churchill in tubes I've had been a hideous looking cigar. 

[davenoh]

Sidenote:  Occasionally, I've experienced mold start to grow on cigars in tubes than ones that are not....I've never had mold on any non-tubo cigar.  I guess you should check on them periodically.  Some people will store them with the lid off as a preventative measure.

[joeypots]

I'm a fan of Tubos but I like to give them time and I think most need to be checked for mold when I get them .Some cigars come only in tubes, I think. Monte Cristo Tubos are a long corona and the Bolivar Tubos #1,a just discontinued corona, are only available in tubos. I have a few Tubos and have saved quite a few that I got in trade or as gifts. I broke out some Monte Petit Tubos I was given in '06 two years ago at a gathering and people raved about them. Very rich flavor in silky smoke. I think time in a tube seals in the power of a cigar while letting the harsh edges smooth out gracefully. When ever I get one I put it away for as long as I can, Some Edmundos were great. I'm a year or two before I sample some Cohibas I put in to tubes for my own edification. I'll report on them when I burn them. 

[Corylax18]

There are some cigars only available in tubes (Monte Tubos, Upmann Corona Major, Hoyo Coronations), some cigars just have tubes as a packaging option, and some tubed cigars are by all appearances different than their same sized brethern. (Monte 4 vs. petite tubo).

So you certainly shouldn't disregard all as copies of untubed versions. I happen to love all three of the cigars I mentioned above that only come in tubes. I am more than happy to pay a slight "premium" for them. (actually the complete opposite case with the hoyo coronations vs. the smaller du prince) I also enjoy the convenience of Tubes for short term storage/transportation. 

The whole "tubos get more mold" thing is a bit of a misconception. Tubes will often arrive from long/overseas shipments with a spattering of mold, but if stored properly the tubes don't cause mold growth. The mold generated during shipping is caused by the huge temperature swings that the cigars see during this time. These swings cause moisture to condense. In a dress box or SLB there is ambient air and a poor seal that allow this moisture to be absorbed more quickly. The tubes trap this condensed water against the surface of the cigar, which provides a ripe environment for the spores to grow. If your in home storage is even marginally stable, recurring mold in tubed cigars should not be an issue. 

[El Hoze]

I am generally willing to pay a premium for more aged cigars in tubes, I have been lucky for the most part doing so. 

New cigars, I rarely buy tubes. However I did buy a 15'er of those El Laguito CoRos from our hosts yesterday. No brainer to have more of those laying around. 

[NSXCIGAR]

6 hours ago, Smallclub said:

Not everywhere. In France until recently the price of a cigar was independant of the packaging. For instance in the mid 2000's one could find the SLR churchill in DB, in cab 50 and in tubos, all at the same price.

This is one of the reason that make me believe the Monte Petit Tubo is NOT a Monte No.4, as its price has always been much higher…

The fact that I've never had a good one is an other reason, but I might have been unlucky…

Interesting. Are the French distributors getting different pricing from HSA? I doubt it's the non-French retailers gouging as I have always seen tubos priced higher than non-tubed for the same cigar at every world retailer I've come across unless on some crazy limited-time sale or something.  

And FWIW I've had much better results with the Monte Tubos than the Petit Tubos as well. Petit Tubos I can care less about, but I'd probably opt for a Tubos over a No. 1 if the price is right. I've found them much more consistent.

[stunod]

Ok, here's the scoop. It defiantly cost more to buy in the tubes, but because of that there is older stock in tubes. For example , our host was selling Cohiba robusto tubes yesterday. Some 15 stock. Now you say not worth the extra $, I say yes. I'll pay the vig for the 2 years thank you. Just my observation .

[shlomo]

I prefer my cigars touching other cigars. Not wrapped in Cedar to produce a false flavour and  placed in a cheap aluminum tube.

Give me a Cajon or 50 cab of naked cigars, no band even, over a tube any day.

[GWG]

I like my smokes in tubes they seem to age a little better ,my guess from the consistent micro climate the tube creates. I don't mind a little plume either. Of the ones I have smoked with and without, the tubes seemed a bit more consistent end to end.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

On 5/10/2017 at 6:12 PM, GWG said:

I like my smokes in tubes they seem to age a little better ,my guess from the consistent micro climate the tube creates. I don't mind a little plume either. Of the ones I have smoked with and without, the tubes seemed a bit more consistent end to end.

I would go along with this.  The best cigar I ever had was a single tubed Romeo y Julieta Churchill bought from a small city tobacconist.  Since then I've smoked other RyJ Churchills from tubes and the "naked" variety as well. The tubos were consistently more appealing in flavour, for whatever reason.