6 months into Cigaramageddon: Your attitude and buying habits

[El Presidente]

It is coming on 6 months into  cigarmageddon. Patterns and buying habits have emerged. 

Have a crack at the poll and I will put forward a retailers perspective/breakdown on Sunday. It will be a good discussion point on the weekend FOH Zoom shindig. 

[Hammer Smokin']

I was "this" close to selecting stopped all habanos purchasing, but I did buy that 5 pack of Siglo III's from 2017 that were on 24:24 somewhat recently.

so I've bought five cigars since things got stupid. 

[MPhillips]

I’ve slowed way down on buying cigars. But that’s mostly due to lack of space for new boxes and significantly lower amounts of cigars being smoked due to time constraints. 

[Fugu]

None of the options offered above. I divert more money to C&Cs and Shortfillers. Still prefer them over most, even top-shelf NCs. Supplemented with solid regular production where opportunities are popping up. There’s still value smokes to be had out of Cuba.

That being said - @JohnS‘ recent praise of Oliva induced me to check out on a selection of those as well... 😄

[HarveyBoulevard]

Smoking the same number per day.

Only buying staple CC and nothing too pricey.

Supplementing with Nudies purchases and smoking them more often.

Not buying any NC at this point other than Nudies.

Will continue to buy CC to keep my stock levels up but not 'buying more than I smoke' anymore.  (Which is how I created the stockpile)

[SmokyFontaine]

I've stopped completely. Too inconsistent for the premium price. 

[JohnS]

It's certainly true that collectively our community has gone through a grief process that's outlined in the poll (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) in not having the same options for acquiring Habanos cigars in the second half of this year. For me, going by the history of many corporation blunders over the years by Habanos S.A, it's no surprise. I was just grateful when we got 'bumper' year/s stock, as in the last few post-2019.

When you come to accept it you realise that there's other options to ride this out long-term. Some of us have smoked less. Some of us have looked at Non-Cuban options, including Nudies. Personally, I've supplemented some of my Habanos smoking with Non-Cuban options and I've felt fine with it. (Unfortunately, the global Covid-19 pandemic has impacted other Non-Cuban cigar producing countries around Cuba such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras and Non-Cuban Cigar companies haven't necessarily been able to keep up with increased demand due to the lower Habanos cigar production in 2022.)

This has happened before. The 1980 Blue Mould crops, the turn of the century 1998/9 to 2001 disastrous change in production techniques. It will take time, but you'd have to believe things will have to improve as things are so sadly dire in Cuba right now (lack of resources including people, fuel, recent weather disasters).

[bergstrom]

First post here, long time lurker.

I mostly buy shorts these days and am fine with that, got a healthy and delicious stock of RASCC, HUHC, el principes, and party shorts so I’m quite happy

 

[Nevrknow]

Agree with @JohnS. I got in recently compared to others but glad I hit the 19 and up years. Went nuts at first buying which in hindsight was fortunate. I now have enough to smoke and age. 

While the new prices AND the traffic light have slowed me down, I will only be buying special occasion cigars in the immediate future. When I run low on what I have. Well, those and probably more nudies.

[rolaand]

I picked a terrible time to get into a new hobby

Unfortunately you can’t time the market

[Hoepssa]

What Habanos is going to face isn't the price, they knew there's somebody will buy it, includes the young who didn't know the 'exact price' they used to be.

Bad harvest and the decline of quality will kill them, vendors feel bad receiving Reyes/Vigia because it's hard to get rid of them, too expensive, and aficionados don't

get what they want for a 30+ USD stick, they will tur to some NC brands, young generations think cigars different than most of us here, a nice looking band with OK flavor/price

would push them away from Cuban cigars, but Cohiba won't have problems with that.

[RDB]

I’ve reduced my purchases but haven’t really reduced my smoking, so running stock down a bit.

No more Cohiba or Trinidad for me. More focus on staples. Less branching out.

[Chas.Alpha]

41 minutes ago, JohnS said:

. It will take time, but you'd have to believe things will have to improve as things are so sadly dire in Cuba right now (lack of resources including people, fuel, recent weather disasters).

I don't know, John. It seems like the brain drain in Cuba's cigar industry is bound to effect future quality, as well as the recent shortages of (everything.) Throw a Cat 3 going thru PdR and I can't imagine that anything will be worth a F*** for some time. That, and turning a RASS into a $17.00 USD stick and I believe the glory days are in the rearview mirror, never to return. Hope I'm wrong.

[dshot]

Buying CC staples (D. 4, HDM #2, HDM PR) and one unicorn EDM Choix Supreme Box) but I don't feel like I need much else. I'm feeling like hoarding me CC's lately. I've been pulling more of my aged NC collection out now plus diving head first into Nudies. My Cohibas and Trinidads just sit. One per year smoke I guess, I've had one in the past year.  Year past I was blowing through boxes monthly ha! Buying on the CC end has decreased and NC buying has increased for sure. I'm sure that is happening to a lot of us. The best message I can send to HSA is with my wallet so there you go. I say kudos to the FOH team for pivoting into nudies. Very excited for the future so far I like what I'm hearing, tasting, and seeing!

[Yardley]

Pretty much stopped buying. I think there’s still value in most CCs, but bought like mad in 20/21, so stocked up. 

Just waiting on those larger format Nudies to roll out. Like what I’ve had, looking forward to more options. 
 

[DaBoot]

I’m basically priced out at current prices. I’ve had most NC smokes, and don’t enjoy them. 
I am only buying a few boxes a year for aging and the special occasion.

 Luckily I’m stocked up 😁

[benfica_77]

I've accepted the new norm. 

I haven't purchased at all since the last set of major price increases took into affect. That being said I don't plan on going the NC....before smoking CC i smoked a ton of NC out of 50 plus brands/vitolas I found 1 or 2 good ones. Yes CC may be inconsistent but their "bones" are good...NC are just way to peppery for my palate. 

I agree with @Fugu much prefer to smoke CC short filler or more value CC brands than touch NCs. 

@JohnS makes a great point there have been previous disasters and the industry will find a new a way to better days. Sounds like it will take some time though like 3-5 years barring anything new worsening the situation. I thankfully have enough stock to ride it out and maybe smoking a bit less but hey with a kid on the way I won't have time either. 

[Bagman]

I am likely done forever with Cubans.  Moved to non-cubans and loving them.  Smoking a nudie right now. 

Smoking about 50/50 cubans/non.  At this pace, I have 30 years (vacuumed sealed away) of supply.  And people thought I was mad for going to Havana multiple times a year and bringing back 30+ boxes each time!  Cuba can kiss my butt for charging those prices while producing cigars with construction issues.

[Blakes]

Cut down on the amount of cigars I smoke - from 1 a day to 3 a week on average.

Started exploring NC's whereas in the past was never interested  - with some pleasant surprises.  

Smoking more C&C's and short fills, and enjoying them.

As above the current cost of Premium CC's doesn't work for me given the inconsistences in your average Habanos box, zero boxes bought this year. ($300 +/- for a box of Monte 4's - give me a break!)

[TBird55]

My purchasing is on hold for 6 months or so, to wait until the green light stays lit for a while. Then will only purchase to replace what I smoke. In the past I was building my collection to age and smoke. Fortunate to have been able put away as much as I have, at great prices.  Sad to see everything that has transpired with Cuban cigars. Have cut back to 2 cigars a day.

[Rhinoww]

I have slowed down considerably. Frankly probably done until after New Years and will take a hard look at the traffic light to see if things have changed there. I’m always open for a target of opportunity and will likely break my own “no buys until 2023” statement in a few weeks. 
it sucks now. Thing is, it’s not gonna get better for some time. I have 10-12 year supply in hand, but the reality is that the minutos, PC and Robustos will get consumed at a much faster rate than all Cohiba, Churchill and DC. I’ll be rebalancing my stash as I take a harder look at what I need to replenish to stay with the same horizon. 
will I be randomly be handing out DC or Churchill’s. Um NO. 

[Frinkiac7]

I have only bought C&Cs recently, and am okay with it.

[BurstReynolds]

I’m basically priced out save for c&c and maybe a deal on the smaller formats. Sifting through the endless NC skus looking for things that scratch the itch. Guess I’ve found a few. Holding onto the hope that sometime in the future interest in CCs ebbs and inflation somehow catches up to pricing without simultaneously eating me alive. So I guess I’m optimistic!

Since c&c have been brought up a couple times, can I ask those of you with the time and inclination to share more of your valuable experience on the c&c forum? I’m always checking in to see what others are enjoying. 

[Frinkiac7]

1 hour ago, cjmaas said:

I’m basically priced out save for c&c and maybe a deal on the smaller formats. Sifting through the endless NC skus looking for things that scratch the itch. Guess I’ve found a few. Holding onto the hope that sometime in the future interest in CCs ebbs and inflation somehow catches up to pricing without simultaneously eating me alive. So I guess I’m optimistic!

Since c&c have been brought up a couple times, can I ask those of you with the time and inclination to share more of your valuable experience on the c&c forum? I’m always checking in to see what others are enjoying. 

Good point on the C&C forum. Going to check it out. Often it is dead but it would be nice if it experienced a bit of a revival in these budget-trying times! 

[cigaraholic]

My attitude is shitty!

My buying habits have been reduced to small format cigars with the biggest thing I’ve bought in a while being a robusto.

I’m still smoking as much as ever, it’s just what I’m smoking that’s changed.