Budget Box Pass

[craig]

Welcome to the Budget Box Pass! - CONTEST TIME!

Rec'd - Who, where - Sent
Jun 1 - Cajunblaze, Louisiana - Jun 2
Jun 3 - Mrtr33, Louisiana - Jun 4
Jun 8 - Ashauler, Kansas - Jun 11
Jun 13 - Prophetic_Joe, Iowa - Jun 19
Jun 22 - EGQ, Illinois - Jun 24
Jun 26 - Cigarsarge, Tennessee - Jun 29
Jul 1 - Factored Reality, Virginia - Jul 3 (herf)
Jul 4 - BadWhale, Pennsylvania - Jul 9 (handoff)
Jul 9 - Irish79, Pennsylania - Jul 10
Jul 13 - Diesel Grinch, New Jersey - Jul 16
Jul 21 - Craig, Ottawa

X. (Big Bill, North Carolina - withdrew)

Budget pass cigars
There is something for every budget in this pass. LIMITS: You can take a maximum of two cigars from any one tray. Put NC, take CC allowed, and vice versa.

Final Inventory before contest draft:
58 Arturo Fuente Don Carlos #3 P: FactoredReality
47 Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature P: EGQ
50 Arturo Fuente Short Story P: EGQ
43 Arturo Fuente Sun Grown King B P: mrtr33
79 Bolivar Belicoso Fino Apr 07 P: Craig
80 Bolivar Short Bolivar RE Asia/Pacific Oct 08 P: Craig
72 Cusano 18 Maduro Robusto P: Irish79
61 Davidoff Millennium Churchill P: FactoredReality
76 Diablo Gran Fuego P: Diesel Grinch
71 El Titan de Bronze Sun Grown Redemption Lancero P: Irish79
64 Famous Smoke Nicaraguan 3000 Torp P: Badwhale
77 Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfection X P: Diesel Grinch
33 God of Fire Carlito Piramide '05 P: Cajunblaze
54 Gurkha Legend Aniversario P: EGQ
65 Indian Tabac Maduro Boxer P: Badwhale
70 La Aurora Leoninos #4 P: Irish79
59 La Cuna Bin #85 P: FactoredReality
60 La Gloria Cubana Minuto P: FactoredReality
66 La Gloria Cubana Serie R #6 P: Badwhale
75 Oliveros El Padrino Lucky Lou P: Diesel Grinch
45 Padron 1926 #6 P: prophetic_joe
78 Padron 1926 #9 P: Diesel Grinch
4 Padron 1926 80th M
5 Perdomo ESV 91 M Torp
68 Playboy Toro P: Irish79
46 Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Torpedo P: prophetic_joe
69 Romeo Y Julieta Habana Reserve Robusto P: Irish79

Taken Cigars
41 Angel 100 1961 P: mrtr33 T: FactoredReality
44 Ashton VSG Tres Mystique P: prophetic_joe T: EGQ
56 Avalon Honeyboy Edwards original release P: Cigarsarge T: Badwhale
24 Bolivar Belicoso Fino Apr 07 T: Cajunblaze
57 Bolivar Gold Medal 07 P: Cigarsarge T: Diesel Grinch
22 Bolivar Short Bolivar RE Asia/Pacific Oct 08 T: Cajunblaze
26 Bolivar Simones RE Canada Nov 07 T: Prophetic_joe
29 Cabiguan Guapo RX P: Cajunblaze T: mrtr33
73 Camacho Triple Maduro Torpedo P: Badwhale T: Craig
51 Casa Fuente Double Robusto P: EGQ T: FactoredReality
16 Cohiba EL 2006 Pyramid Nov 06 T: Cajunblaze
36 Cohiba Maduro 5 Secreto 2008 P: Cajunblaze T: Prophetic_joe
31 Cuaba Divinos 2008 P: Cajunblaze T: Diesel Grinch
62 Cuesta-Rey Pyramid #9 P: FactoredReality T: Badwhale
42 DPG My Father #2 P: mrtr33 T: Cigarsarge
40 El Rico Habano Torpedo P: mrtr33 T: Cigarsarge
39 El Titan de Bronze Sun Grown Redemption Lancero P: mrtr33 T: EGQ
15 Gran Habano Corojo #5 Pyramid 2007 T: mrtr33
52 Graycliff 1666 Presidente P: EGQ T: Irish79
20 José L. Piedra Cazadore Jul 08 T: mrtr33
9 José L. Piedra Conserva Sep 07 T: EGQ
7 José L. Piedra Petit Cazadore Jul 08 T: Badwhale
8 José L. Piedra Petit Cetro Oct 07 T: FactoredReality
38 Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Robusto Grande P: mrtr33 T: Irish79
74 Joya de Nicaragua Gran Reserva Grand Counsel P: Diesel Grinch T: Craig
37 La Aurora 1495 Churchill P: mrtr33 T: EGQ
55 La Flor Dominicana Cheroot P: Cigarsarge T: FactoredReality
23 Montecristo #4 Jun 06 T: FactoredReality
49 Nestor Reserve Maduro Torpedo P: EGQ T: Irish79
6 Oliva O M Torp T: EGQ
63 Oliva Serie G Special G P: FactoredReality T: Badwhale
1 Padron 6000 M T: Cajunblaze
2 Padron Churchill M T: mrtr33
3 Padron Executive M T: Cajunblaze
17 Partagás Presidente Apr 08 T: Cajunblaze
18 Partagás Salomone Oct 08 T: EGQ
53 Partagás Serie P No. 2 P: EGQ T: Diesel Grinch
28 Partagás Short Cab Aug 06 T: FactoredReality
19 Por Larrañaga Montecarlo Feb 06 T: EGQ
13 Por Larrañaga Panatela Jan 08 T: Cajunblaze
25 Por Larrañaga Petit Corona Cab Sep 08 T: EGQ
32 Punch Petit Punch 2007 P: Cajunblaze T: mrtr33
10 Quintero Breva T: Cajunblaze
11 Quintero Londres Extra Jun 07 T: Irish79
12 Quintero Panatela Sep 06 T: Badwhale
14 Rafael González Panatela Extra Oct 07 T: Diesel Grinch
67 Ramón Allones Small Club Corona P: Badwhale T: Irish79
27 Ramón Allones Specially Selected Jun 07 T: mrtr33
30 Rocky Patel Fusion MM Churchill P: Cajunblaze T: Cigarsarge
21 Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Corojo Torp T: mrtr33
48 Romeo Y Julieta Belicoso P: EGQ T: Diesel Grinch
35 Romeo Y Julieta EL 2007 Escudo P: Cajunblaze T: Diesel Grinch
34 Vegas Robaina Unicos 2008 P: Cajunblaze T: Prophetic_joe

The tray names (edit: names have been removed) are just names, and do not apply to puts. The cigar that you put goes into the slot that the cigar that you take occupied (but with a new number). (The put cigar has to physically fit - a churchill won't fit in the shorter trays.)

Blatant opinion:
PL's can be smoked a few months after packaging (the box date). JLP's balance out with about 18 - 30 months from box date. The MC#4, Partagas Short, RGPE, and the Quintero's need two or three years to reach their (first) peak. The rest of the CC's should benefit from at least three years of rest from box date, and most should be even better with+ five years. In other words, some prefer smoking a brand earlier; most prefer aged.

What's a box pass?
1. You receive the box of cigars from the previous participant in the pass.
2. You "take" out some cigars that you'd like to try, and you "put" in some cigars that you'd want others to try.
3. You send the box to the next participant in the pass.

Are you new to box passes?
Then this pass is for you. This is a get-your-feet-wet pass. Besides fun, the objective is to learn. There will be math. Discussion is encouraged.

Regular and timely communications are key to a fun and successful box pass.

Participants must be active members with a trading history (e.g., box-split, newbie sampler). Experienced members also welcomed.

More about the pass
1. Canadians and Americans welcome. Virtual participants welcome (e.g., if you don't want to touch CC's). Participants commit to inspecting, packing, and shipping the pass promptly as per host instructions (to follow).
2. Each cigar put must at least equal the estimated value of the cigar taken. Do not put dupes. Do not post sources.
3. A cigar's value will be the lowest of: MSRP, what you paid, the previously-used value, or the average current US box pricing. Exclude outliers in calculating the average pricing.
4. Participating in pass contests is voluntary, but participants must enter contests to win.
5. Host has final say on everything, including pass order and all P/T's. Host approval is needed before the box can be shipped. No extra puts. No host bag. No asshattery.
6. "Leave the pass in better shape than you received it."

Questions welcomed!

Schedule:
May 17 - Pass posted
May 22 - Sign-ups close. Final pass line-up/order posted.
May 25 - Pass in on the road!
(ignore letters in map)

[craig]

Here's what to do, in somewhat chronological order, and from a pass participant’s perspective:
1. You first action is when the person before you has their put/takes approved. You PM your address to him.
2. Then, you post your preliminary puts/takes. Don’t wait for the pass to arrive. Discussion ensues. No e-p*ssing matches, please. You do not have to post all of your puts/takes at once, but carry them forward – so people don’t have to go through prior posts.
3. You receive the pass. Please open the pass carefully!
4. Inspect and maintain the pass (see Q1 and pics below). We are running this pass in hot weather so vigilance is necessary. Post immediately if anything is found. Do not remove labels or cello (yet).
5. Decide if you want to change your puts/takes. Finalize your choices. You can have one or two takes from each tray. You do not have to take from every tray.
6. Final puts/takes are approved by the host. PM next person to get their address.
7. Remove label and cello from approved takes and inspect. Write your name on the appropriate column for your takes in the log. Post immediately if any damage is found.
8. Put cello (extra supplied) on any naked puts, label (labels supplied) and number the puts (Sharpie supplied), enter puts on the log, confirm log id numbers with id numbers posted. Please place puts in the appropriate slots/trays. (The put cigar goes into the slot of the cigar taken.).
9. Pack up pass (see pics, from the bottom up).
10. Ship – USPS Priority w/DC or equivalent is preferred. Use 3 lb as the pass weight, click’n’ship for discount. You are responsible for the pass up until the next person (excluding the host) receives it. A DC is not confirmation of reception. A signature is. If you want it, Signature Confirmation is optional with USPS Priority mail, standard with couriers. If you want to use it, then PM the next person first to make and confirm arrangements. Passes do not like sitting in hot post offices or trucks.
11. Post that the pass is on its way, with an ETA! Pass cigars need rest, give them a few weeks/months/years before smoking.

Pics

The pass box


is double-boxed.


Forms and supples


Lots of bubblewrap


Two bags, separated by more bubblewrap

[craig]

Each package has two foam trays. There is a freezer ziplock outer bag.


and an EZ-Zip inner bag. The bead sheet humidity buffer wraps around to hold the top tray cigars in place (colour doesn't matter). There is also a water pillow.


- check the inner bag, trays, etc., for any brown dust. Brown dust anywhere = tobacco beetles.
- as long as the water pillow has some squish from the outside, it doesn't need recharging. We probably won't need the water pillows for most of the pass.
- when packing, squeeze excess air out of the EZ-Zip bag, but leave the air in the freezer ziplock bag.

Q’n’A’s:
Q1: What are the ideal conditions to store the pass? (no further changes)
A1: The pass was packed at 65/65. There is a 65% RH Heartfelt bead sheet and one water pillow for every two trays. If the ambient RH is above 70%RH, then fold over the water pillow over-bag to isolate the holes. Over 80% and the water pillow should come out, and placed inside the outer bag (freezer ziplock).

Temperature will need attention during this pass. Pass temps under 75 degrees are preferred. If there is no A/C, then the boxed and sealed pass can be placed in a refrigerator, if necessary, with the fridge’s thermostat adjusted to minimum cooling – a typical bar fridge can hit 50+ degrees F at the minimum setting. (As a runny aside, a bar fridge is usually not an auto-defrosting fridge, so cigars can be stored, provided they are isolated for RH, and insulated against short-term temperature swings as the compressor cycles, as they are when packed in the pass.)

Q2: There’s some cigars in the pass that I really want, but they have been taken by others before it was my turn.
A2: If there’s a certain cigar in the starting line-up that you really wanted, but didn’t have the opportunity to take in the pass, then please PM me.

Q3: How do I determine value?
A3: A cigar's value will be the lowest of:
a) MSRP or what you actually paid for the stick;
b) the previously-used value (if the cigar was a put in the pass); or
c) the average current US box pricing. Exclude outliers in calculating the average pricing.

Conveniently, cigarcyclopedia.com has a comparison shopper that lists current US box pricing for many cigars. The site also has a comparison shopper for Cuban cigars.

A few cigars won't be on the comparison shoppers. That means that you have to google the cigar. Try to list at least three prices before averaging. Post if you're unsure. Please do not post websites, just the prices and the resulting average.

Thanks to exchange rates, please assume that all of the cigars in the starting line-up were purchased for more than the average current US box pricing.

Q4: What is value-for-value?
A4: (post#18)There is a strict value for value restriction for each stick in the pass. Thus, for example:

Albert takes out a $10 and an $8 stick from a tray. He tries to put in:
- two $5 sticks. No good; value too low.
- a $15 stick and $5 stick. No good. Even though the combined value is okay, one stick is too low in value.
- one $20 stick. No good. Again, the value is okay, but the number of sticks isn't.
- twenty $1 sticks. No good again.
Albert has to put one stick with a value of at least $10, and another stick worth at least $8. As this is a "get-your-feet-wet" pass, I will be strict (anal) on this. Puts/takes will not be approved unless each stick put is greater then or equal to the value of the stick taken.

Also, as this is a "get-your-feet-wet" pass, I expect there to be discussion of folk's puts and takes. Please don't take it personally. This is a learning pass, and the major learning point is how to value cigars fairly in passes. Please follow the style of the example given in the third post when posting puts/takes.

There is no ISOM for ISOM restriction in the pass. Most passes do have this restriction, but this one does not. You can put a non-ISOM in for an ISOM (subject to the tray restriction) as long as the value is good. (ISOM for ISOM is okay, as is ISOM for non-ISOM. Basically, ignore country of origin for this pass. It doesn't matter to me if, at the end, there are no ISOM sticks left in the pass.

Contest Q’n’A
CQ1: What are the contest prizes?
CA1: Some cigars from the end distribution of the pass. How many, how they’ll be picked, etc., I’ll firm up as the pass progresses.

CQ2: Can I enter/win more than one contest?
CA2: Yes. Each contest is independent.

An example of a participant's puts/takes (unchanged):
Please use the layout as a template for proposing P/T's in this pass.

Bob is in the pass. He follows Albert, and is followed by Dick. Once Albert's picks are approved, Albert PM's Bob and the host to confirm Bob's address and shipping arrangements, and Bob posts his proposed P/T's, and justifications:

T #25: PLPC Cab ($4.41) P #38: Fuente Hemingway Short Story ($4.60)
T #14: RGPE Oct 07 ($2.46) P #39: 5 Vegas Robusto ($2.60)

The cigars in this example were valued using the cigarcyclopedia.com comparison shopper. This does not mean the shopper has to be used exclusively.

At the comparison shopper site, PLPC Cabs were listed as selling for: $ 192.50 $ 244.95 $ 209.88 $ 239.00 $ 279.00 $ 230.00 $ 201.15 $ 235.43 $ 193.70 and $ 237.18. $279 was an outlier and was ignored. The average values were thus 1983.79/9 = $220.42 per cab (50) => $4.41/cigar
Short Stories were listed at: 129.95 120.00 158.00 139.95 109.99 102.95 114.95 114.95. $158 was an outlier and was ignored. Thus, 832.74/7 = $118.96/box(25) => $4.76/cigar. The Short Story cost Bob $4.60, so the lower purchase cost was used.

RGPE box (25) prices: $ 90.00 $ 60.00 $ 58.08 $ 37.52. Thus 245.60/4 = 61.40/box => $2.46/cigar
5 Vegas Robusto box (25) prices: 65.00 65.00 => $2.60/cigar. Bob paid $2.80 for the 5 Vegas, so the lower average market value of $2.60 was used.

In all cases, P > T, so all Bob's P/T's would be approved.

Once the host's approval was posted, the next person, Dick, would post his proposed P/T's to start the next discussion off. Bob would swap out the takes, number, label, and pack the puts, check the humidification, check the other cigars, close up carefully, PM to confirm Dick's address with the host and Dick, and then click'n'ship with D/C (+ signature unless agreed to otherwise between Bob and Dick), and post after the package was shipped.

[craig]

New contest from Ashauler! Guess when the pass will end! http://www.cigarsmokers.com/t11917-w...e-fun-end.html

There will be a contest like the one in the Connecticut Lottery Pass.
The fifth and sixth digits of the Encore number for Lotto 6/49 at http://www.olg.ca/lotteries/viewWinningNumbers.do at the end of the pass (Ashauler rule) when Craig goes to the page will be used. The winner will be picked as follows:
Digits Winner
00 - move to second and third digits (then first and seventh)
01-09 - Diesel Grinch
10-18 - Irish79
19-27 - Badwhale
28-36 - Factored Reality
37-45 - Big Bill
46-54 - Cigarsarge
55-63 - EGQ
64-72 - Prophetic_Joe
73-81 - Ashauler
82-90 - Mrtr33
91-99 - Cajunblaze

Squares contest: pick any two squares on the paper in the pass box. Post the rows and columns of your picks. Winner will be based on a game score.

The digits 0-9 will be randomly assigned to rows/columns. Each row has two numbers assigned; as does each column.

I pick A4/C5. That leaves three empty squares. Using the logic from "00" above (move to second and third digits (then first and seventh)), the numbers in those boxes will be 7 (because we ignore 0's), 3, and 3. I then flip a coin for winner (heads) /loser (tails). So:
D1: add 7 to the winning team's score
D2: add 3 to the losing team's score
D5: add 3 to the winning team's score
Each row and column are assigned two digits based on sequences from random.org

Game has been chosen to be a CFL game, Hamilton vs Montreal, July 23, 2009. Last digit to be used. Final score was Montreal 21; Hamilton 8.

Prizes will be awarded via a draft of the cigars at the end of the pass. Pick order is as follows:
# Winner / Contest
1 mrtr33 (Video)
2 factoredreality (Squares)
3 badwhale (Ct. Lottery)
4 badwhale (Ct.)
5 factoredreality (sq)
6 mrtr33 (vid)
7 egq (Video style)
8 factoredreality (sq)
9 egq (Squares reverse)
10 egq (style)
11 badwhale (Ct.)
12 mrtr33 (vid)
13 egq (style)
14 mrtr33 (vid)
15 factoredreality (sq)
16 badwhale (Ct.)
17 factoredreality (sq)
18 badwhale (Ct.)
19 egq (sq rev)
20 mrtr33 (vid)
21 egq (sq rev)

For example, the winner of the Squares contest gets to pick second, fifth, eighth, fifteenth, and seventeenth.

Contest #1 (Video) winner: Mrtr33 Style award to EGQ!
Contest #2 (Ct. Lottery) winner: BadWhale
Contest #3 (Squares) winner: FactoredReality Reverse: EGQ!
Ashauler's contest: Post count: CajunBlaze Date: FactoredReality!

[craig]

Anyone putting a Gurkha at MSRP will be denied

Flavoured or infused cigars are not recommended for this pass (or any pass)

We have a lot of cigars that are crap, but we sell them anyway.
because people ask for them. This is what we do … I mean,
Y'know, when I was a kid, and worked at my father's luncheonette
a lot of people bought sandwiches I wouldn't eat
but, y'know, they want a sardine sandwich; here, here's a sardine sandwich.

[ashauler]

Thanks for hosting this pass craig. If you need to fill out the roster, I'll play, but I'd rather let it fill up with newbs first.

[ashauler]

Craig.....explain how value would be derived given the below price listing on cigarcyclopedia:

$ 178.00 $ 226.95 $ 186.40 $ 201.00 $ 209.00 $ 195.00 $ 186.36 $ 227.00 $ 175.50
$ 180.48

specifically to the "exclude outliers" instruction. Box is 25 ct.

[craig]

Craig.....explain how value would be derived given the below price listing on cigarcyclopedia:

$ 178.00 $ 226.95 $ 186.40 $ 201.00 $ 209.00 $ 195.00 $ 186.36 $ 227.00 $ 175.50
$ 180.48

specifically to the "exclude outliers" instruction. Box is 25 ct.

The general idea is to come up with a fair price. This is generally more of an issue with HTF and ISOM. For example, a site may list the cigar at a heavily-discounted price, but they don't actually ever have stock. OTOH, a site may always have stock, but charge heavily (e.g., Casa Fuente). Neither situation should be included in most cases.

In the example you show, I would probably keep the lowest value ($178) in, but toss the two high values ($227 and $226.95). However, this particular set doesn't make for a clear-cut decision, so if all prices were used, that would work as well.

[mrtr33]

Maduro Tray
Triple corta tray
Long stick tray
Long-filler tray

Next question:

Will it be necessary to stay in the "theme" of the tray? For example, would it be bad form to suggest a put that is a maduro and take a stick in the long stick tray? Will it be necessary to trade maduro for maduro, long-filler for long-filler, etc.?

Thanks again.

[craig]

Next question:

Will it be necessary to stay in the "theme" of the tray? For example, would it be bad form to suggest a put that is a maduro and take a stick in the long stick tray? Will it be necessary to trade maduro for maduro, long-filler for long-filler, etc.?

Thanks again.

Nope, the names are just names.

However, it would be good to stick <sic> with cigars that fit in the trays. The 8-stick trays won't handle Churchills, for example. You'll see this from the pics (coming).

[FactoredReality]

Will and Irish79,

When the pass comes to our end want to try and meet up for the hand-off?

[badwhale]

Will and Irish79,

When the pass comes to our end want to try and meet up for the hand-off?

Good idea, and could be possible... I'll have to conference with my social planner...

Will

[Irish79]

Will and Irish79,

When the pass comes to our end want to try and meet up for the hand-off?

I agree with Will. Good idea and I would definitely be interested in meeting up for the hand-off. Maybe we can get you to bring some of your home brew to try.

[craig]

Pass herf! COOL!

Please take pics .

The pass is (finally) on its way. It should land early next week.

More to follow.

[FactoredReality]

Maybe we can get you to bring some of your home brew to try.

I can definitely bring some home brew, and I also understand it has to work out schedule wise as we don't exactly know when it will be arriving at my door. Lets cross our fingers and I'll pack the cooler.

[craig]

Detailed instructions finished - for the moment (see first five posts). I went overboard with the pics, but there's lots of first-timers. Any questions, please post .

[CAJUNBLAZE]

Welcome to the Budget Box Pass! - Order set, pass starting!

What's a box pass?
1. You receive the box of cigars from the previous participant in the pass.
2. You "take" out some cigars that you'd like to try, and you "put" in some cigars that you'd want others to try.
3. You send the box to the next participant in the pass.

Are you new to box passes?
Then this pass is for you. This is a get-your-feet-wet pass. Besides fun, the objective is to learn. There will be math. Discussion is encouraged.

Regular and timely communications are key to a fun and successful box pass.

Participants must be active members with a trading history (e.g., box-split, newbie sampler). Experienced members also welcomed.

Budget pass cigars
LIMITS: You can take a maximum of two cigars from any one tray. Put NC, take CC allowed.

There is something for every budget in this pass. The provisional starting line-up (1st rev.) is:

Maduro Tray
1 Padron 6000 M
2 Padron Churchill M
3 Padron Executive M
4 Padron 1926 80th M
5 Perdomo ESV 91 M Torp
6 Oliva O M Torp

Triple corta tray
7 José L. Piedra Petit Cazadore Jul 08
8 José L. Piedra Petit Cetro Oct 07
9 José L. Piedra Conserva Sep 07
10 Quintero Breva
11 Quintero Londres Extra Jun 07
12 Quintero Quintero Panatela Sep 06
13 Por Larrañaga Panatela Jan 08
14 Rafael González Panatela Extra Oct 07

Long stick tray
15 Gran Habano Corojo #5 Pyramid 2007
16 Cohiba EL 2006 Pyramid Nov 06
17 Partagás Presidente Apr 08
18 Partagás Salomone Oct 08
19 Por Larrañaga Montecarlo Feb 06
20 José L. Piedra Cazadore Jul 08

Long-filler tray
21 Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Corojo Torp
22 Bolivar Short Bolivar RE Asia/Pacific Oct 08
23 Montecristo #4 Jun 06
24 Bolivar Belicoso Fino Apr 07
25 Por Larrañaga Petit Corona Cab Sep 08
26 Bolivar Simones RE Canada Nov 07
27 Ramón Allones Specially Selected Jun 07
28 Partagás Short Cab Aug 06

Tray names apply only to the original line-up, not puts.
Blatant opinion:
PL's can be smoked a few months after packaging (the box date). JLP's balance out with about 18 - 30 months from box date. The MC#4, Partagas Short, RGPE, and the Quintero's need two or three years to reach their (first) peak. The rest of the CC's should benefit from at least three years of rest from box date, and most should be even better with+ five years. In other words, some prefer smoking a brand earlier; most prefer aged.

More about the pass
1. Canadians and Americans welcome. Virtual participants welcome (e.g., if you don't want to touch CC's). Participants commit to inspecting, packing, and shipping the pass promptly as per host instructions (to follow).
2. Each cigar put must at least equal the estimated value of the cigar taken. Do not put dupes. Do not post sources.
3. A cigar's value will be the lowest of: MSRP, what you paid, the previously-used value, or the average current US box pricing. Exclude outliers in calculating the average pricing.
4. Participating in pass contests is voluntary, but participants must enter contests to win.
5. Host has final say on everything, including pass order and all P/T's. Host approval is needed before the box can be shipped. No extra puts. No host bag. No asshattery.
6. "Leave the pass in better shape than you received it."

Additional examples and step-by-step instructions to follow. Questions welcomed!

Pass Order
1. Cajunblaze, Louisiana
2. Mrtr33, Louisiana
3. Ashauler, Kansas
4. Prophetic_Joe, Iowa
5. EGQ, Illinois
6. Cigarsarge, Tennessee
7. Big Bill, North Carolina
8. Factored Reality, Virginia
9. BadWhale, Pennsylvania
10. Irish79, Pennsylvania
11. Diesel Grinch, New Jersey
12. Craig, Ottawa

(ignore letters in map)

Pass Schedule:
May 17 - Pass posted
May 22 - Sign-ups close. Final pass line-up/order posted.
May 25 - craig -> Cajunblaze

I guess this is were I got confused.

If I take 1 and 2 in the Maduro tray, my puts become 1 and 2 in the Maduro tray?

Rich

[craig]

I guess this is were I got confused.

If I take 1 and 2 in the Maduro tray, my puts become 1 and 2 in the Maduro tray?

Rich

My apologies, I did not word that sentence well.

Your puts go into the spaces in the "Maduro" tray that were vacated by your takes. The puts do not have to be Maduro's. Your puts would be labeled with the next two available numbers, e.g., 29 and 30.

I had to work all day today so I missed the shipping deadline for today. I'll drop the pass off on my way into work tomorrow. I'll take pics and post the detailed instructions later tonight.

[mrtr33]

Here are my proposed trades. Looking forward to the comments.

Your P/T's look good to me, considering craig's comments the last few posts. I agree; it looks like you got some great deals!

You guys should start a seperate pool as to how many posts this thread is going to end up being...4 contestants, 3 actual participants, 130+ posts. This thing could hit 1k with no problem

Will the pass see August? Maybe not, with a bit of luck.

Will the pass see September? I hope not, but it might be close.

I don't know - we have EGQ, sarge, big bill. Then there's the Pass Herf (are ya'll really going to do that? - I'd love to come, but I don't think I can make it) Then DG is up. Considering we went through 4 participants in (about) 2.5 weeks, I don't think we'll hit August. Then again, I'm an optimist.

Thanks so much for hosting this, craig. It has been enjoyable and very informative.

[badwhale]

snip
I don't know - we have EGQ, sarge, big bill. Then there's the Pass Herf (are ya'll really going to do that? - I'd love to come, but I don't think I can make it) Then DG is up. Considering we went through 4 participants in (about) 2.5 weeks, I don't think we'll hit August. Then again, I'm an optimist.

Thanks so much for hosting this, craig. It has been enjoyable and very informative.

We're having some scheduling difficulties, as we were anticipating the box arriving at Nates around the 27th or so, but if it pushes to the weekend after the 4th, it may shape up. Anyone / everyone is invited, really.

Might end up being a weeknight gig too. Not sure yet.

Will