Tubos & their non-tubo counterparts?

[BrightonCorgi]

Are the blends for tubo cigars in certain instances different than their non-tubo counterparts?

[Chibearsv]

So, are you asking (for example) if a P2 is blended differently than a tubo P2? Not that I've ever heard of, but I can't say I have any knowledge other than hearsay. However, I think you may get a different smoking experience due to the added cedar and storage difference if you leave them in the tubos.

[MrBirdman]

9 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Are the blends for tubo cigars in certain instances different than their non-tubo counterparts?

No. Tubos have a reputation for having uglier wrappers but in my experience they’re like all Cuban cigars - hit or miss. The differences in flavor are down to the factors @Chibearsv mentions. Some cigars are for me tubo-only - they benefit that much. Others are merely “meh.”

[DeeBeezy]

7 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

No. Tubos have a reputation for having uglier wrappers but in my experience they’re like all Cuban cigars - hit or miss. The differences in flavor are down to the factors @Chibearsv mentions. Some cigars are for me tubo-only - they benefit that much. Others are merely “meh.”

Give us examples please. I have refrained from tubos in recent years.

[zacca]

My immediate answer is “no,” the blends are supposed to be the same. But it’s actually an interesting question if you think about it from a blender’s perspective.

If tubos tend to impart more cedar character, you could imagine scenarios where that’s desirable for a given profile and others where it isn’t. So I’d say there’s a non-zero chance some adjustments could happen in theory. That said, it would require a lot of forward planning and consistency from blenders and factory managers, so in practice I suspect most are intended to be the same blend, even if they may age or present slightly differently because of the packaging.

[Puros Y Vino]

From what I've been told touring El Laguito and the La Corona factory, the cigars that end up in tubos are the odds 'n' ends that didn't have enough matching wrapper shades to be in full boxes. Doesn't make them less, just this one cosmetic requirement to have each box look uniform, which makes sense.  

[MrBirdman]

11 hours ago, DeeBeezy said:

Give us examples please. I have refrained from tubos in recent years.

San Juan’s for sure, as well as Vigia and Medio Siglo. Cohiba in general likes tubes. Naturally YMMV.

[BrightonCorgi]

21 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

So, are you asking (for example) if a P2 is blended differently than a tubo P2? Not that I've ever heard of, but I can't say I have any knowledge other than hearsay. However, I think you may get a different smoking experience due to the added cedar and storage difference if you leave them in the tubos.

More on the line if a Montecristo Petit Tubo is the same as Montecristo No. 4. RyJ No. 2 the same as Cedros De Luxe No 3, Petit Corona, Mille Fleurs. etc...

[MrBirdman]

17 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

More on the line if a Montecristo Petit Tubo is the same as Montecristo No. 4.  

That’s a good question - to me the two are practically indistinguishable aside from the slight cedar influence, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the blends were the same. 

[BrightonCorgi]

5 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

That’s a good question - to me the two are practically indistinguishable aside from the slight cedar influence, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the blends were the same. 

And what about the R&J's, Bolivar, HdM, etc.?

[MrBirdman]

8 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

and what about the R&J's, Bolivar, HdM, etc.?

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bolivar were the same as well, though it’s been a minute since I smoked one from a tube. The PC was never offered in tubes to my knowledge which lends credence to that theory. 

Can’t speak to the other two marcas as I don’t care for most HdM and don’t smoke the smaller format RyJs.

[Sudzdaddy]

5 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bolivar were the same as well, though it’s been a minute since I smoked one from a tube. The PC was never offered in tubes to my knowledge which lends credence to that theory. 

Bolivar Tubos #2 is a PC.

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, MrBirdman said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bolivar were the same as well, though it’s been a minute since I smoked one from a tube. The PC was never offered in tubes to my knowledge which lends credence to that theory. 

Can’t speak to the other two marcas as I don’t care for most HdM and don’t smoke the smaller format RyJs.

As @Sudzdaddy mentioned; Bolivar No. 2 & Petit Corona are the same size.

[Chibearsv]

5 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

More on the line if a Montecristo Petit Tubo is the same as Montecristo No. 4.  R&J No. 2 the same as Cedros De Luxe No 3, Petit Corona, Mille Fluers. etc...

I've got a BPC and a No. 2 in the drybox right now. I will report back on my thoughts after I smoke them tonight or tomorrow.

[BrightonCorgi]

3 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

I've got a BPC and a No. 2 in the drybox right now. I will report back on my thoughts after I smoke them tonight or tomorrow.

At the same time? 

[Chibearsv]

3 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

At the same time? 

Back to back is more likely than side by side.