Am I getting what I paid for?

**JHarri31** · 05-31-2006, 07:23 PM

Evening all,

I'm outside enjoying my evening cigar and baseball game, but this night my smokes are frustrating me a bit (no word on the yankees so far).

I started a Patel Vintage '92 and lost most of the wrapper removing the band. I cut the stick up high so I could give it a try, but I had a longer smoke in mind so I abonded the '92 after about an inch (mostly due to the fact that it was way too hot). I started an Upman Cameron, and had a similar problem with this cigar (I had to replace the band to hold the wrapper in place). My humidor is holding a good level, 62 - 65%, which has left me wondering about the quality of the cigars themselves.

I got both sticks at Cigarfest '06 and wanted a consensus as to whether or not giveaways at these sort of events are generally of a lower quality or if I just had lousy luck tonight.

Have a great night all.

**kevin7** · 05-31-2006, 07:36 PM

Should have been top quality to begin with dude. Can't say much good about CI's quality of storage or shipping and handling policies though

**CgarDan** · 05-31-2006, 07:40 PM

I agree with Kevin and have a follow up question.

Is there some website or some oither source that has info (dates, etc) on all the major HERFS / Cigar conventions / Cigar shows ... you get the idea

Thanks in advance

**kevin7** · 05-31-2006, 07:50 PM

Dan I belive JR cigars does some big ass party on a ship in dock every once in a while in NYC. Big times I heard .

Cigar Aficionado does the Big Smokes ,look on the CA site. Being in NYC you would think there is alawys some cigar stuff going on all the time

**JHarri31** · 05-31-2006, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by kevin7

Should have been top quality to begin with dude.

Agreed, which is why I was so suprised that I had issues with the wrappers. Both distributed directly from the manufacturer...so I really don't know if we can blame CI

**kevin7** · 05-31-2006, 08:00 PM

I quit buying from CIbecause every box was packed poorly and damaged sticks with no appearent signs of damage on the outside

**CgarDan** · 05-31-2006, 08:03 PM

Thanks Kevin

Will look into JR event

By the way Cigar magazine had an awesome HERF last fall in NJ I was there and enjoyed it a lot. By the looks of things they will have another one this year. Here is a link to it in case anyone is interested

http://www.cigar-magazine.com/events.html

**kevin7** · 05-31-2006, 08:04 PM

Dan that looked like a great time

**WOXOF** · 06-01-2006, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by JHarri31

Evening all,

I'm outside enjoying my evening cigar and baseball game, but this night my smokes are frustrating me a bit (no word on the yankees so far).

I started a Patel Vintage '92 and lost most of the wrapper removing the band. I cut the stick up high so I could give it a try, but I had a longer smoke in mind so I abonded the '92 after about an inch (mostly due to the fact that it was way too hot). I started an Upman Cameron, and had a similar problem with this cigar (I had to replace the band to hold the wrapper in place). My humidor is holding a good level, 62 - 65%, which has left me wondering about the quality of the cigars themselves.

I got both sticks at Cigarfest '06 and wanted a consensus as to whether or not giveaways at these sort of events are generally of a lower quality or if I just had lousy luck tonight.

Have a great night all.

Just how high up on the cigar are you making the cut? If you're cutting the cap off I could see why you would be having wrapper problems. Do you have some sort of fetish with removing bands? They are easier to remove once the glue warms up.

**stjohnroe** · 06-01-2006, 04:40 AM

I agree with WOXOf, smoke for a while before removing the band (I dont normally remove it until I have to) and make sure that your cut doesn't go past the cap of the cigar.

**JHarri31** · 06-01-2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by WOXOF

Just how high up on the cigar are you making the cut?

Both wrappers came off before I even made the cut. As far as the band is concerned I have simply gotten into the habit of removing it before I light the cigar, but to avoid losing anymore smokes I might have to take your advice and wait till the cigar warms up a bit. Thanks for the ideas.

**Kenyth** · 06-01-2006, 12:55 PM

I'm with the other guys. I don't remove the band until absolutely necessary to avoid it combusting. Damaging the wrapper is all too easy with a tight band. Many times the adhesive from the band gets on the cigar, gluing the band to it.