Multiple Bands on Cigars

[Trevor2118]

Concern was recently raised due to a second band being added to a HDM cigar. I thought a quick poll would be interesting. The results of this poll would be great feedback to Habanos SA.

Two questions......one for standard production cigars and one for special releases.

[strayvector]

I find the double bands a pain in the ass. I'm a lazy smoker and would rather just have one band to tear off. On special releases, the second band is a nice way to differentiate them though.

[Ginseng]

I voted 1 and 2, respectively. But I tell you, the shorter and fatter the regionals and LEs get, the more ridiculous they look. Case in point the Short Bolivar. Check out the shots of those cigars and note how low down the barrel the yellow ribbon sits. Just looks goofy to me.

Wilkey

[jms2788]

I voted for signle on regular production and double on special releases. Nice to differentiate like strayvector said.

[yossie]

I am a part of majority! Multiple bands are obstruction when smoking..

[Trevor2118]

I voted for single on regular production and double on special releases. Nice to differentiate like strayvector said.

I went for a single band with the cigar name on it....like the old bands (a standard band with the cigar name inserted).

[Guest RobertU]

I like a single, tasteful band. LEs maybe deserve a second band. I don't know if there are any Cuban cigars that have this, but many NC cigars have a footband, which is the silliest thing IMO. Nothing like having a band to pull off before you even light the cigar. And if the glue sticks to the wrapper, you've got a torn wrapper before you've even taken a cold draw.

[shortsqueeze]

I hate the double bands on regular production. I also very much dislike the change to the RyJ Churchill as the original single band was classic and elegant. Same can be said about Trinidad. I also strongly dislike the fact cabinet cigars are now banded. I wish that decision was reversed as well.

[rckymtn22]

I went for a single band with the cigar name on it....like the old bands (a standard band with the cigar name inserted).

I like this one too. Nice and simple!

[Trevor2118]

I hate the double bands on regular production. I also very much dislike the change to the RyJ Churchill as the original single band was classic and elegant. Same can be said about Trinidad. I also strongly dislike the fact cabinet cigars are now banded. I wish that decision was reversed as well.

Got me thinking further, what are the bands for?

Probably for one thing..........identification.

Identify the brand, with the second band identifying the cigar, and in the case of the latest thing in multiple bands (the 10th Festival replica box) the release. All this can be achieved with a single band.

What next, bar-codes on the bands.

[jwm8592]

Trev, I too like the single band w/the name included. Cleaner, and one less band to mess with. Now if all the cigars are double corona's then maybe.......

[Colt45]

I think I've all but given up trying to make sense of the hows, whys, and what fors relating to the business of the Havana cigar.

I do try to be ever mindful of the true faces behind their production, but I simply buy what I can, and smoke when I can.

[Padrino]

These new dual bands on regular production cigars just look cheap. Personally the Mag 50 looks like sh1t with that crappy red band.

Dual bands belong on EL's/RE's/Reservas.

[Jimmy2]

As long as it tastes great i dont care how many bands are on the cigar.

[Ginseng]

Personally the Mag 50 looks like sh1t with that crappy red band.

I totally agree. It looks "cheap hooker red" with a font and design that clashes with the classic Upmann band. In other words, it just looks bad.

Wilkey

[Warren]

I totally agree. It looks "cheap hooker red" with a font and design that clashes with the classic Upmann band. In other words, it just looks bad.

Wilkey

Please have some respect. I think we should call them Economy hookers.

[Don Candido]

I totally agree. It looks "cheap hooker red" with a font and design that clashes with the classic Upmann band. In other words, it just looks bad.

Hi Everyone,

I voted 3 / 3. I like a single band and the name on it would be great. I did have a good idea, you think HSA would add the box code to the single band as well? (I know, keep dreaming.)

The special release could look similar to a double band, but simply be a single band. Two bands look interesting, but they are just a hinderance once I start smoking. It would take less time for the factories to band the smokes too.

Cheers,

DC

[Ginseng]

Please have some respect. I think we should call them Economy hookers.

LOL! I could use a "recession buster" right about now.

Hi Everyone,

I voted 3 / 3. I like a single band and the name on it would be great. I did have a good idea, you think HSA would add the box code to the single band as well? (I know, keep dreaming.)

The special release could look similar to a double band, but simply be a single band. Two bands look interesting, but they are just a hinderance once I start smoking. It would take less time for the factories to band the smokes too.

Cheers,

DC

I hadn't even thought to consider the impact of double bands on production. Excellent point, DC. I do like the idea of putting the vitola name on the main band but can you imagine the stocking issues (a dozen individual labels instead of just one) and potential SNAFU's? "Hey, I got a box of Party Shorts with 'Lusitanias' on the band. Is it fake?" And of course the other reason I don't like two bands is it just means another band I have to try to wrangle off without tearing the wrapper.

Wilkey

[Habanos2000]

What next, bar-codes on the bands.

Don't give them any ideas!

I voted for one and three, respectively. I too find the 2nd band kind of a pain...

[shrink]

Since we're voicing opinions, one option was left out. I still have quite a few cabs with no bands whatsoever. And they look as beautiful as a tanned woman without the bikini. I can remember what a letdown it was when I opened my first cab of Mag 46's with bands. My last cab of JL No. 2's had bands for the first time, and I felt the same sort of disappointment. Kind of like when Coca-Cola wasn't produced in glass bottles.

I have a suspicion that we may eventually see some special releases "En Desnudo".

[FlyFishingDude]

I voted 1 & 2 respectively. Single band for production and double bands for special releases. It just makes it easier to quickly identify the special releases with the double bands.

[matthew261]

I get the 1--2 votes, but I went 1--1. I'd rather see a special release single band incorporating the distinction on that one band. Some cigar bands (SD4s lately) are prone to tearing the wrapper. Especially on those SD4s, I want all I can get out of them.

[qman22]

I went 1 & 2 as well. I don't mind the second band on a special release, but there is no good reason for it on a regular production. They just get in the way and it defeats the purpose of having a second band on a special release

[TheFife]

Personally, I'm not overly concerned with the number of bands. If done well I think multiple bands can look nice, and unlike some others, I rarely have difficulty removing bands. However, the thing I do want to see is the identification of the cigar on the band. For those that just smoke the same cigar, straight from the box day after day, the bands are pointless. The people who need the bands are the ones smoking a wide variety, trading singles, or travelling with a selection. In my opinion, those people need real identification of the cigar and not just the brand name.

Brad

[sinnyc]

I voted 1 and 2, respectively. But I tell you, the shorter and fatter the regionals and LEs get, the more ridiculous they look. Case in point the Short Bolivar. Check out the shots of those cigars and note how low down the barrel the yellow ribbon sits. Just looks goofy to me.

Wilkey

^^ What he said!

- Tim