I like quality cigars as much as the next guy, but I'm also into a bargain. I was checking my email and Famous Smoke Shop sends out an E-Newsletter (you guys are probably familiar with it already) that had a section on bundled cigars. I thought it was interesting and wanted to post it up. I've 'altered' it so that it is a little easier to read. I have not changed any content nor do I take credit for the information. The copyright is held by Famous Smoke Shop. Here it is:
** BUYING BUNDLE CIGARS **
Now that the weather is warming up in most of the country, chances are many of you will be smoking more cigars. That also means many of you will be buying more cigars including bundle cigars to supplement your regular cigars and help keep your cigar budget under control.
PART 1 - BUNDLES DEFINED
For the uninitiated of you curious about these un-banded cello-wrapped packages, you probably have your own ideas about what these cigars really are, where they come from, who smokes them and how they're made, among others. Actually, if it weren't for bundles, there may not be much of a cigar business at all. Having first appeared in the 1960s, today bundles have become a very practical and economical way for customers to find good alternatives to their regular cigars.
First, let's clear up the difference between "seconds" and "bundles." "Seconds" are "ungraded" or "unselected" cigars that didn't meet the manufacturer's standards as "firsts" due to minor flaws in the wrapper, the wrapper's color or the overall construction of the cigar itself. That doesn't mean the cigars are bad, they're just not "up to snuff" (you'll pardon the expression). Because these cigars are still high enough in quality to sell, they're packaged in bundles and sold to retailers at reduced cost.
"Bundles" are cigars made specifically to sell as "no-name" cigars, but as mentioned above, they can also be "seconds." Another way cigars get to be bundled is if a manufacturer has an overrun on a particular size. Bundles are sometimes identified by the country of origin, like "Nicaraguan
Bundles" or "Honduran Bundles." Sometimes these bundles are "one-time only" closeout deals or in many cases, they are regularly produced to be marketed as bundle labels complete with their own bands. Good examples of these brands are Flor De Oliva, National Brand, Andros, Baitoa and La Floridita. Some retailers, like Famous Smoke Shop contract with manufacturers to create their own exclusive house brand bundles, such as our Famous "Value Line" cigars, Oliva Segundos and Dominique. In fact, some of the best cigar makers in the business like U.S. Cigar, General Cigar, Villazon, Toraño and Plasencia, make bundle cigars so, in actuality, both "firsts" and "seconds" are sold as bundles. Private Stock cigars (made in the Davidoff factory) are an
exception in that they are "ungraded" but sold in bôite nature boxes.
Since many bundles are "unmarked," when buying bundles or seconds it's important that you read the catalog or online descriptions of the cigars so you know what you're getting. And don't be afraid to ask questions.
PART 2 - CHOOSING A GOOD BUNDLE
Some things to consider when buying bundles, even if you know they came from a highly respected cigar maker:
1) The cigar wrappers often do not match in color.
2) The taste may be inconsistent.
3) Some bundles are machine made and some are made with short or mixed
filler tobaccos.
When it comes to inspecting a bundle cigar, you start with a disadvantage. Because of the way bundles are packaged, you can't just pick one up and check it out like you would a boxed cigar, although some retail stores do break up bundles to be sold as singles. Probably the only thing you can do is inspect the package to see if the cigars have been bruised, ripped or squished. So what else CAN you do? Several things:
1. Always try to buy bundles that contain long leaf filler. (Most premium bundles do.)
2. Check the blends. Chances are if the blend and body is similar to what you already smoke, you may also like that bundle.
3. Shop by Country: If you like Honduran blends, you may want to go for an un-banded bundle labeled "Honduran Bundles." The same would go for other no-name bundles, such as "Nicaraguan Closeouts," "Dominican Seconds," etc. Chances are these cigars are over-runs made in some of the best factories and are usually available in natural and maduro wrappers.
4. Try a "private" blend such as those made specifically for the retailer or labels the merchant has purchased as an exclusive. We've got some good ones right here: Dominique, La Floridita, Tabamex, and our Famous Value Line series, to name a few.
5. Read & Learn: Carefully read the descriptions and the customer comments about each bundle. Sometimes the copy will indicate the factory or company who produced the cigars and can often be the deciding factor in choosing a bundle. Some good examples of the latter are National Brand (Baccarat), El Credito (La Gloria Cubana), Primo Del Cristo (Plasencia), Matacan (Te Amo) and my personal favorite, Flor De Oliva (Oliva).
Not unlike finding any good premium cigar, finding a good bundle takes some experimentation. Don't let price fool you, either. Price can be determined by any number of reasons, from what the retailer paid for the cigars to just wanting to move merchandise quickly. Though some bundles may be closer in price to boxed cigars, there are some really excellent buys at $19.95 and $24.95 a bundle.
-Exerpted from March 2, 2004 Famous Smoke Shop E-Newsletter
Thought it made for interesting reading
M. Gipson
** BUYING BUNDLE CIGARS **
Now that the weather is warming up in most of the country, chances are many of you will be smoking more cigars. That also means many of you will be buying more cigars including bundle cigars to supplement your regular cigars and help keep your cigar budget under control.
PART 1 - BUNDLES DEFINED
For the uninitiated of you curious about these un-banded cello-wrapped packages, you probably have your own ideas about what these cigars really are, where they come from, who smokes them and how they're made, among others. Actually, if it weren't for bundles, there may not be much of a cigar business at all. Having first appeared in the 1960s, today bundles have become a very practical and economical way for customers to find good alternatives to their regular cigars.
First, let's clear up the difference between "seconds" and "bundles." "Seconds" are "ungraded" or "unselected" cigars that didn't meet the manufacturer's standards as "firsts" due to minor flaws in the wrapper, the wrapper's color or the overall construction of the cigar itself. That doesn't mean the cigars are bad, they're just not "up to snuff" (you'll pardon the expression). Because these cigars are still high enough in quality to sell, they're packaged in bundles and sold to retailers at reduced cost.
"Bundles" are cigars made specifically to sell as "no-name" cigars, but as mentioned above, they can also be "seconds." Another way cigars get to be bundled is if a manufacturer has an overrun on a particular size. Bundles are sometimes identified by the country of origin, like "Nicaraguan
Bundles" or "Honduran Bundles." Sometimes these bundles are "one-time only" closeout deals or in many cases, they are regularly produced to be marketed as bundle labels complete with their own bands. Good examples of these brands are Flor De Oliva, National Brand, Andros, Baitoa and La Floridita. Some retailers, like Famous Smoke Shop contract with manufacturers to create their own exclusive house brand bundles, such as our Famous "Value Line" cigars, Oliva Segundos and Dominique. In fact, some of the best cigar makers in the business like U.S. Cigar, General Cigar, Villazon, Toraño and Plasencia, make bundle cigars so, in actuality, both "firsts" and "seconds" are sold as bundles. Private Stock cigars (made in the Davidoff factory) are an
exception in that they are "ungraded" but sold in bôite nature boxes.
Since many bundles are "unmarked," when buying bundles or seconds it's important that you read the catalog or online descriptions of the cigars so you know what you're getting. And don't be afraid to ask questions.
PART 2 - CHOOSING A GOOD BUNDLE
Some things to consider when buying bundles, even if you know they came from a highly respected cigar maker:
1) The cigar wrappers often do not match in color.
2) The taste may be inconsistent.
3) Some bundles are machine made and some are made with short or mixed
filler tobaccos.
When it comes to inspecting a bundle cigar, you start with a disadvantage. Because of the way bundles are packaged, you can't just pick one up and check it out like you would a boxed cigar, although some retail stores do break up bundles to be sold as singles. Probably the only thing you can do is inspect the package to see if the cigars have been bruised, ripped or squished. So what else CAN you do? Several things:
1. Always try to buy bundles that contain long leaf filler. (Most premium bundles do.)
2. Check the blends. Chances are if the blend and body is similar to what you already smoke, you may also like that bundle.
3. Shop by Country: If you like Honduran blends, you may want to go for an un-banded bundle labeled "Honduran Bundles." The same would go for other no-name bundles, such as "Nicaraguan Closeouts," "Dominican Seconds," etc. Chances are these cigars are over-runs made in some of the best factories and are usually available in natural and maduro wrappers.
4. Try a "private" blend such as those made specifically for the retailer or labels the merchant has purchased as an exclusive. We've got some good ones right here: Dominique, La Floridita, Tabamex, and our Famous Value Line series, to name a few.
5. Read & Learn: Carefully read the descriptions and the customer comments about each bundle. Sometimes the copy will indicate the factory or company who produced the cigars and can often be the deciding factor in choosing a bundle. Some good examples of the latter are National Brand (Baccarat), El Credito (La Gloria Cubana), Primo Del Cristo (Plasencia), Matacan (Te Amo) and my personal favorite, Flor De Oliva (Oliva).
Not unlike finding any good premium cigar, finding a good bundle takes some experimentation. Don't let price fool you, either. Price can be determined by any number of reasons, from what the retailer paid for the cigars to just wanting to move merchandise quickly. Though some bundles may be closer in price to boxed cigars, there are some really excellent buys at $19.95 and $24.95 a bundle.
-Exerpted from March 2, 2004 Famous Smoke Shop E-Newsletter
Thought it made for interesting reading
M. Gipson
