Buying box after sampling singles

[Danashan]

I'm new to CC world and would like an experienced opinion.

So, I decided to explore the CC world by ordering 2-3 cigars of many different markas/vitolas to see what I like, what is box worthy etc. From what I read, I understand that in CC world cigars made different month, let alone year, can (mostly do?) taste completely different and have different chance of poor construction etc. I guess that is the price of buying from the socialists - consistent quality is not there, which doesn't surprised me at all as someone who grew up in USSR

Now, the actual questions:

1. how do you go about knowing what box code the singles came from. I buy from Czar

2. how do you go about obtaining batch of cigars that may taste similar to what you expect, after tasting a few

In NC world, consistency is very high so it is less of an issue, if any at all, realistically. You may get a slight flavour variation from box to box, but, up to now, I've never experienced such to any appreciable degree, unless the cigar was re-blended, but than you're told as much, so no surprise there.

As we all know this is very expensive obsession, so getting a different product from the advertised is high impact affair. I'll appreciate any experiences and solutions to the problem you guys have developed over the years.

[Colt45]

Now, the actual questions:

1. how do you go about knowing what box code the singles came from. I buy from Czar

2. how do you go about obtaining batch of cigars that may taste similar to what you expect, after tasting a few

1. You can request box codes for singles.

2. Again, use the Czar Crew to your advantage. Ask their opinions on boxes you are considering - be willing to accept an alternative

suggestion when your chosen cigar may not currently be up to snuff.

We've all been there - you acquire batches of singles, perhaps let them sit for some time, smoke and find out what you like, then

have to go through the process again. Don't allow it to become a chore - it should be an enjoyment.

[thechenman]

Danashan...Colt is correct on all counts. Czar will provide you with box codes on the singles you buy, and they are very knowledgeable and good with suggestions on what is smoking good at the mometn. Good answers Colt.

[SamuraiJack]

I have found that underlying characteristics (unless a cigar is really really green) are mostly consistent. The variance is more in how much of those characteristics come through vs. getting masked by poor construction, youth, the blend being off slightly, just a bad batch of tobacco. So lets say you had a "bad" Monte 4, I would say there is a good chance that based off that you would be able to know what a good one should be like.

So you get into the "good" vs "bad" of a given vitola, and that is where trust in your vendor comes in, and box codes, years, months. But mostly trust in your vendor.

[habone]

I would suggest buying from PSP. I don't think you can go wrong there.

[Bartolomeo]

Great question and we are in the same boat here. I have purchased 70+ singles since August to test and see what I like for box purchases down the road. When I first started, I used about 8 different places as no one would tell me who is the best place. I have since discovered Czar and Rob has almost all of my business to be frank.

-Ask Lisa for the boxcodes as previously mentioned, she will be happy to provide

-I ask Rob's opinion on boxes and he is brutally honest (good & bad), that is why I buy from him, he wont steer you wrong, plus his prices currently are very hard to beat

-There is no 100% guarantee that singles will match box profile but it will be very close most of the time I have discovered

-I have learned to not go chasing boxcodes

-I buy all of my singles from Czar which allows me to provide accurate feedback to Rob on my box selection

My problem is I like a lot of different types of cigars

Bart

[MontrealRon]

The guys have summed it up well.

With an honest, experienced, hands-on merchant to guide you,

who will get to know you and your tastes,

you can get quite quickly to a point that many of us took years to reach.

You are in good hands.

Just let the gang know which singles impressed you the most,

and they will steer you to some great boxes.

[PigFish]

Questions are all well and good but nothing is going to be a substitute for experience. Computers, sex, golf... you can read all you like but the proof is in the pudding! I am not suggesting that your questions are bad; you have gotten some very good answers so far, but I am saying jump in, the water is fine.

There are a lot of camps around this place. There are smaller ring smokers. Large ring smokers, EL smokers, aged and vintage cigar smokers, occasional smokers, habitual smokers... we are all here and there is room for more. Get into the fray. Get some cigars from Rob and the gang, give him a budget and ask him to provide the samples... Hell with the box codes! Having a knowledgeable tobacconist and enthusiast pick cigars for you is a really a great value. Today you should be hunting for good cigars, not box codes. Once you have an idea what YOU like... Well the word will be your box code! Good luck. - the Pig

[SamuraiJack]

-I have learned to not go chasing boxcodes

Yes, totally.

[stargazer14]

Gotta say I'm with Pig on this one - just go with what you like, dont worry about codes, Rob will send you a good box.

Look at the codes when you finish that entire box you bought and it was EXCELLENT to see if you can get another,

or when you start hoarding multiple boxes of the same smoke.

Just focus on the brands and what you get out of them.

[El Presidente]

When someone says to me they liked the Gafael Gonzalez Corona Extra single they tried I think more fo the flavour profile than the cigar itself. Would they also like Juan Lopez? Sancho? Quai D'Orsay? La Gloria, Diplomatico?

Singles are no mopre than an indicative marker of a Marque and vitola. At some times they may not even be that indicative. Let us know what you like in terms of flavour and size. Let us know what you are looking for, what rings your bell. Then let us look and make some recommendations.

[Ken Gargett]

agree with colt and others. rarely bother chasing box codes - you can still get variation. hell, you get variation in the same box.

one thing i would add is that i reckon, as a generalisation, the quality will be better from a box than a single. as well as you and those dealing with it before you, may look after a single, the treatment to/from a box will be better.

[Danashan]

Thanks, everybody. I guess I'll just explore to see what I like and ask for guidance from you lot, then

I am lucky to have such a wealth of experience to my side, that's for sure

Counting weeks until I'll start with my first batch I got from Czar a week ago.