Your latest CC Purchase?

[The Squiggler]

1 hour ago, Fugu said:

Their pics are mostly just for illustration. Don't derive too much specific info from it.

Yeah, they definitely reuse their photos for subsequent reviews, but I figured they'd update the picture whenever the band changed (since they did it for other Monte vitolas).  I mean... they even went through the trouble of photoshopping this esplendido to give it a nice rosado hue:

[prodigy]

PSP 24:24
 

 
was expecting this from the 24:24 that day
 
 

I know how you feel... these came today

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[fitzy]

1 hour ago, prodigy said:

I know how you feel... these came today

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 

 

 

wow I thought myself and my buddy were the only ones that were going through this. 

[Shrody234]

Was able to score a box of these Don Jose at a fair price. Giving them a try in hopes they can compare to the selectos finos. 

[Jbhunter223]

Can’t say no when these pop up.  From a great BOTL I know is on the forum here.  Thanks again!

[bbguardsp]

36 minutes ago, fitzy said:

 

 

wow I thought myself and my buddy were the only ones that were going through this. 

There is some leeway when you consider Wrapper, Construction, Aroma at Cold ALL play a part in the grading.  Wrappers aren't the only thing considered but if you feel there is an issue I've never had a problem querying through the proper channels.

[steelcity]

Remember these beauts from a few weeks ago? Just arrived BUM Sep 2014

[bbguardsp]

24:24 Cohiba Siglo IV (ARS AGO 19), Vegas Robaina Famosos (ARS SEP 19), Trinidad Reyes (RAG JUL 19), Quai D'Orsay 54 (MSU JUL 19)

[El Presidente]

43 minutes ago, Lrabold89 said:

im confused. so the red sticker means higher quality? if you purchase the higher grade you should receive the product described in the sale page? does this sometimes vary according to availability because it seems like they are different ?

No two boxes / cabs are the same.  

A PSP or HQ box can be both colorado or colorado maduro or Rosado or in between.  When I assess such a box, I take the essential elements into account: construction, aroma at cold, wrapper. 

 If for any reason one believes that they are not getting value from 2424, stop purchasing ?

All the PSP HQ program intends to do is to select the likely boxes you would pick yourself if you walked into a B&M.  Nothing more. Nothing less.

[Euripidespants]

I was lucky enough to snag a box of PSP sir Winston.....they were not overly impressive looking on first arrival. After 2 months rest at 66% they look gorgeous. I figured they might look like I feel after a long travel, and I was correct. Takes some patience. 

[TBird55]

4 hours ago, prodigy said:

I know how you feel... these came today

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 

If you don't think they are up to your standards, shoot me a message and I'll  buy them from you, never been disappointed with the quality I receive from FOH.

[El Presidente]

On 2/11/2020 at 10:29 AM, Euripidespants said:

I was lucky enough to snag a box of PSP sir Winston.....they were not overly impressive looking on first arrival. After 2 months rest at 66% they look gorgeous. I figured they might look like I feel after a long travel, and I was correct. Takes some patience. 

You hear the above time and time again.  Put them away 30 days and take another look. No I don't have any idea why it occurs but members who have purchased over a long period of time will attest. 

All photos are taken in the warehouse from the top box of the respective pile.  I use a Samsung 9+ no flash.  There are 12 fluros in the warehouse ( + 3 not working and one flickering ). 

Having said the above, I can and have got it wrong in the past. In such cases touch base. I will ask you to hold them 30 days and touch base again. 9 times out of 10 everything is sweet but in the end we have your back. 

 

[wineguy]

40 minutes ago, TBird55 said:

If you don't think they are up to your standards, shoot me a message and I'll  buy them from you, never been disappointed with the quality I receive from FOH.

I have a large number of boxes purchased here and never had an issue.  Had a small blip unrated to the quality of the cigars and it was resolved in less than 30 minutes.

[rcarlson]

1 hour ago, Euripidespants said:

I was lucky enough to snag a box of PSP sir Winston.....they were not overly impressive looking on first arrival. After 2 months rest at 66% they look gorgeous. I figured they might look like I feel after a long travel, and I was correct. Takes some patience. 

Same here (but not SWs).  Have also had disappointingly weak wrappers that moteled with some rest and smoked the house down.  Conversely, I've gotten some beautiful shiny wrappers that were "meh" when put to flame.  I've learned not to despair until they've had some time to marinate.  Construction over wrapper every time, in any event.      

[El Presidente]

2 minutes ago, VKUTT said:

Those don't really look like "nice oily wrappers". ?

 

Kyle will put them away for 20-30 and post up another photo which will hopefully show some lovely sheen. Either way he is well covered and we will find a good home for the cab. 

We try to get it right all of the time. We get it right most of the time. It is those times that we don't quite get there that are the most important. 

[barry12321]

Can't count how many times where I told myself "last box purchase in 3 months..." or try to sneak home before the wife does to intercept the mail...

My mind is weak,

My wallet is thin,

My wife is pissed,

But I am damn happy today.

 

[Euripidespants]

Jesus...I’ve been smoking and buying habanos for over 20 yrs and this is by far the best vendor I’ve ever used. Hell, they have an entire forum where they don’t mind ppl posting products from other vendors.

again...put the the damn box in the humidor for 90 days and see what it looks like. If you are ever unhappy, sell it and you’ll probably even make a profit. 

Notice the bitching posts haven’t been deleted? Can you think of a single vendor that would allow that and respond to you in an open forum? This is a handmade product from a communist country. He selects the best in his opinion and says so when he posts them for sale. Keep things in perspective and even if your mama never told you when to STFU, email the man directly.

[El Presidente]

Let's leave it there before feelings get hurt 

Being a public forum keeps us on our toes 

We would ship some 20,000 packages a year.  Even if we were exceptional and had a 99% satisfaction rate, that would leave 200 people underwhelmed......and I don't believe we are that exceptional!

If there is ever an issue take it up direct with the team (and that includes me). 

[Lotusguy]

Wait - so oils can disappear during transit and then come back after a resting period ? I am genuinely curious - I always thought once they are gone, they are gone for good.

And there is no need to attack or belittle someone when they post a genuine concern, IMO.

[Euripidespants]

Physics. Oil doesn’t evaporate at standard temperatures...water does. Opinion here...the sheen you see is a combination of humidity with the oils and wrapper quality. A Cuban cigar looks beautiful at 72% but will smoke like shit. At 66% may not be as pretty but quality smoking experience. That’s just my experience. 

[thefisch6]

Excited to give these a try in the near future, especially after so many great reviews here in the past week. 
 

PSP Fonseca #1 - LGR ABR 19

[Reuben]

This arrived a couple days ago!  Wow!  Is all I could say! Cheers Mates!

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, Lotusguy said:

Wait - so oils can disappear during transit and then come back after a resting period ? I am genuinely curious - I always thought once they are gone, they are gone for good.

And there is no need to attack or belittle someone when they post a genuine concern, IMO.

No, oils can't disappear in transit 

Do this for us (members on here have pointed it out and I am not going to argue). 

Take a picture of the next box that arrives from a long haul destination.  Put it away in your humidor. 

Take a picture of the same box 30 - 45 days later.  Same lighting conditions/ same camera - phone. 

Compare the pictures. 

Assuming there is a difference, why? 

I don't have the answer for the change but I don't have much reason to doubt that it occurs at least on occasion. 

Anyone can do this. Hell it is a good one for FOHrensics. 

[The Squiggler]

40 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

No oils can't disappear in transit 

Little known fact: oils are terrified of flying.  More often than not, a trans-national flight will cause the oils previously visible on the wrapper to recede deep into a cigar's core, only to reappear 30-45 days later.  The idea that decreased moisture content in the wrapper could cause the oils present to lose their sheen is so laughably logical that it simply cannot be true ?

*edit: my wrapper-moisture-content theory (presented above via flippant irony) is, in fact, baseless... seems somewhat reasonable though?

[El Presidente]

No idea 

I remember when I first heard of members running their cigars quickly under a tap before lighting them up.  I was sceptical to say the least. 

Then 

The FOHrensic Test

It blew us all away and many of you have started doing it on a regular basis. 

I think we have a new FOHrensic study forming up. 

• 20  members with boxes on their way. 
• Photograph boxes on arrival (specs will be given)
• Smoke one ROTT  : Review: Put them away. 
• 30 days: Photograph Smoke one :Review and Rate : Put them away
• 60 Days: Photograph Smoke one: Review and Rate: Put them away
• Write an overview of what you found. 

       We will collate the data. Steve will put together the study.

We will call for volunteers later in the month.  All those who successfully complete will receive a $50 voucher