History of 50 cabs?

[chasy]

The first I ever heard about Max Gutmann was that recent interview with Kirby. Max was awesome. He did talk about 50 cabs and how much he likes them. It got me thinking - is there any special history behind 50 cabs? How HSA picks which cigars are worthy of 50 cabs, why collectors like 50 cabs? Do members here have reasons they love 50 cabs?

[Chibearsv]

On 6/5/2025 at 11:52 PM, chasy said:

Do members here have reasons they love 50 cabs?

I like them because they usually offer a bit more value and have a better chance (for me) that some of the cigars will get some age or last a little longer. I also prefer the clean look and feel of a SLB to a paper covered dress box. I burn quickly through any boxes that are smoking well, but I slow down a lot on a 50 cab as I have to reach deeper. I've still got some SLR DCs remaining only because they are in a 50 cab. If I had purchased 2 dress boxes instead, they'd be long gone.  Every time I open that box and see how deep those cigars are I re-evaluate whether the conditions are just right to smoke one or not before I pull out another.  

[Puros Y Vino]

Not sure of the history of them, but I love 50 cabs and have several. I'm personally more interested in the 100 count "Cajons" referenced in some releases on CCW. Those are particularly rare. 50 cabs are sorted just like any other cigar by wrapper shade. They are as small and Partagas Shorts and as large as Partagas Lusitanias or Hoyo and Punch DCs. For many, old school tobacconists, the cabinet and especially larger ones like the 50's are the most ideal packaging for long term aging. There is also a level of prestige around 50 cabs. They're far more solid than dress boxes, hold a bit more "air" inside if that's important to you. Or if you think that aids the aging process. They just look cool.

[Li Bai]

I love 50 cabs, I have many (Shorts, PLPC, Epi 2, RASS, Lusis) and what a joy it is to take a cigar from the heart of the semi-rueda 😍😍

I've heard from much more knowledgeable people than myself that the cigars are more carefully selected (I've never had a dud from a 50 cab fwiw) and above all there's much more tobacco to tobacco contact in those, so I assume they benefit from a lesser amount of oil lost to paper and wood.

[BrightonCorgi]

Everyone loves 50 cabs. I've shied away from them due to space concerns last decade or so.

[Puros Y Vino]

35 minutes ago, Li Bai said:

I've heard from much more knowledgeable people than myself that the cigars are more carefully selected (I've never had a dud from a 50 cab fwiw) and above all there's much more tobacco to tobacco contact in those, so I assume they benefit from a lesser amount of oil lost to paper and wood.

Given that 50 cabs are more elegant than dress boxes, this wouldn't surprise me. The clear benefit I appreciate is that in a RASS 50 cab the cigars are round, not box pressed like in the dress boxes. FWIW, the RASS 50's smoke better than my RASS dress boxes. As they are 2011 vs 2013, I can't say the lack of box press is the deciding factor, but I do find them more enjoyable. 

[Li Bai]

19 minutes ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Given that 50 cabs are more elegant than dress boxes, this wouldn't surprise me. The clear benefit I appreciate is that in a RASS 50 cab the cigars are round, not box pressed like in the dress boxes. FWIW, the RASS 50's smoke better than my RASS dress boxes. As they are 2011 vs 2013, I can't say the lack of box press is the deciding factor, but I do find them more enjoyable. 

It makes sense and it is my experience too, I would favour a 50 cab over a dress box anytime I'm given the chance 👍

[chasy]

I wonder how HSA decides which cigars to offer in 50 cabs. If you go through currently offered 50 cabs, it's a little random across marca and vitola. Doesn't seem to be limited to high volume cigars, big cigars or small cigars. Anyone have any ideas on the logic behind the offering?

[yuppie]

I would love to see a list of all current regular production slide lid boxes. From 10 to 50 cabs.

[chasy]

You can find that data on Cuban Cigar Website. Don't think there's a list, but the info is there.

[Li Bai]

24 minutes ago, chasy said:

Anyone have any ideas on the logic behind the offering?

I seriously doubt there is any logic there but I could be wrong...

[Puros Y Vino]

If you want some real cigar packaging porn, look at the list of 100 count cajons that used to be offered. CCW Link

100 Davidoff No 1's. Yes please!  Hoyo DC's? Du Gourmets?  Punch DC's? YES!

Some Cajons I think were for special occassions or gifts, but the list I posted hints that they were part of regular offerings at one time. Probably well before the anti-smoking hysteria set in. I think there's a picture of a CoLa Cajon here somewhere too.

[joeypots]

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Everyone loves 50 cabs.  I've shied away from them due to space concerns last decade or so.

50s are great but when you have ten sticks left in one the 80% empty cabinet takes up a lot of room in the humidor. But knowing one has a nice 50 of something tasty intact sleeping away is a nice feeling. 

[Li Bai]

10 minutes ago, Puros Y Vino said:

If you want some real cigar packaging porn, look at the list of 100 count cajons that used to be offered.

Very much agreed 😍😍😍

[yuppie]

42 minutes ago, chasy said:

You can find that data on Cuban Cigar Website. Don't think there's a list, but the info is there.

I never used the search function before, but here is their complete list: Search Results: All slide lid boxes

[El Hoze]

Like most I love 50 cabs. I also smiled when I heard Max say he doesn’t like box pressed cigars. I am the same way. I have a very strong preference for a round cigar, another reason I love 50 cabs. Some with really aggressive shapes like Fuente sharks I just can’t get comfortable smoking at all. 

I remember hearing or reading one time that Max has some insane number of Partagas Lusitanias 50 cabs he smokes from on a regular basis. He is definitely a cool and classy guy.  

[Montezüma]

On 6/6/2025 at 3:23 AM, El Hoze said:

I remember hearing or reading one time that Max has some insane number of Partagas Lusitanias 50 cabs he smokes from on a regular basis. 

Loved hearing this. I mean who on earth even has the time for a three-hour Lusi theses days, let alone daily. That's what cigars are all about, everything else can wait.

[Fugu]

On 6/6/2025 at 1:59 AM, chasy said:

I wonder how HSA decides which cigars to offer in 50 cabs.

I think one better asks what makes them keep the 50-SLB that they currently keep. 50-counts are a mere relic. They are essentially dead if you just take a brief look back, while they once were prolific. What it is that makes HSA keep the remaining six only HSA alone knows.

[Li Bai]

16 minutes ago, Fugu said:

What it is that makes HSA keep the remaining six only HSA alone knows.

This is spot on unfortunately, we'll see how many will remain in 5 to 10 years...

[Lucas Buck]

Back when there were more than a few 50 cabs offered I always prioritized them and never bought a dress box if that cigar was offered in cab. Besides the slaughter of thin rings the disappearance of most 50 cabs is the biggest bummer for me. 

Along with double the cigars 50 cabs are superior in every way from the round vs pressed to, the SLB vs dress for aging etc. All Havana cigars should come in SLB in any quantity. I don’t like dress boxes. 

[El Hoze]

2 hours ago, Montezüma said:

Loved hearing this. I mean who on earth even has the time for a three-hour Lusi theses days, let alone daily. Thats what cigars are all about, everything else can wait.

I try to keep the spirit alive, I probably smoke 3-4 prominentes a week. And in fairness when I don’t I am generally breaking it up into 2-3 smaller cigars depending on my schedule. I am lucky though, my wife loves cigars and I can smoke inside as my house has great airflow and I live in Florida (summer is a different story). I am thinking of following Max’s lead on having a little glass of tequila with lunch every day (incredible tequila he is drinking btw), but most times I start drinking hard stuff before dinner I wake up alone in the guest bedroom with an angry wife so I stick to light beer mostly. 

[BlueWS]

I'm curious if global online sales dominate physical in store purchases? If so, bye bye 50 cabs. Everyone knows more frequent incrementally higher purchases = more revenue. It's the subscription model creeping into everything. That means more easily shipped 10 count boxes of everything.

[Islandboy]

On 6/6/2025 at 7:43 AM, BlueWS said:

I'm curious if global online sales dominate physical in store purchases? If so, bye bye 50 cabs. Everyone knows more frequent incrementally higher purchases = more revenue. It's the subscription model creeping into everything. That means more easily shipped 10 count boxes of everything.

Judging by the unnecessary heft of the over-the-top box presentations with many of the newer LCDH and special releases, I’m guessing ease of shipping isn’t on Habanos radar. But I do think price increases in the last decade have definitely moved them towards packaging in smaller counts just to keep things in the realm of affordability (I use that term loosely).

[BlueWS]

On 6/6/2025 at 7:58 AM, Islandboy said:

Judging by the unnecessary heft of the over-the-top box presentations with many of the newer LCDH and special releases, I’m guessing ease of shipping isn’t on Habanos radar. But I do think price increases in the last decade have definitely moved them towards packaging in smaller counts just to keep things in the realm of affordability (I use that term loosely). 

Economies of scale my friend. China knows that game VERY WELL.

[chasy]

Well, someone heard me. Epi 2 50 cab secured compliments of Pres!