CI had a big 3-day sale this past weekend.  The whole bundle was just under $3/stick, which is obscene, so I had to pull the trigger.

In the pack were Camacho Corojos, La Perla Habana Black Pearls, Cohiba Red Dots, Ave Maria Immaculata, Rocky Patel Vintage 1990s, Macanudo Cafe Hyde Parks, Aging Room Quattro F55s, and Man 'o War Virtues.

I actually don't know a lot about the Aging Room brand or the Ave Maria brand.  I've seen Ave Maria show up in other bundles, but I've never gotten it.

I've had everything else, though.  It's all good stuff.

The Virtue is probably my favorite "brunch" cigar.  Also good when you want a second one in the evening, but you don't want to be breathing fire the next day.

For what it's worth, if you're interested in quick-stocking the humidor, CI has a standing "build your own bundle" deal.

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/build-your-own-motherlode-sampler/2024099/

HINT: As of right now, they have a coupon code for 20% off, too, so you'd be looking at 35 sticks for about $90ish.

posted by O-Trap

For what it's worth, if you're interested in quick-stocking the humidor, CI has a standing "build your own bundle" deal.

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/build-your-own-motherlode-sampler/2024099/

HINT: As of right now, they have a coupon code for 20% off, too, so you'd be looking at 35 sticks for about $90ish.

Hmmm...tempting, but I've already got 27 on the way. I'll need to wait to see how full my humidor is with that amount before adding too many more.

I did find a new site called Cigar Fox that has free shipping on all orders. Prices look decent. I think I'm going to add a few more A Fuente Chateau's from there this afternoon.

posted by justincredible

Hmmm...tempting, but I've already got 27 on the way. I'll need to wait to see how full my humidor is with that amount before adding too many more.

I did find a new site called Cigar Fox that has free shipping on all orders. Prices look decent. I think I'm going to add a few more A Fuente Chateau's from there this afternoon.

Nice!

Yeah, while Thompson and CI are staples, there really are a few smaller places that often have some good deals.  I've never heard of Cigar Fox, but I'll check them out.

Another one I ran across a few months ago that I forgot to mention on here was Cigar Bid: https://www.cigarbid.com/

Anyone had any Perdomo Fresco cigars? Chatting with the guy working the humidor at The Party Source last night, I was talking about cigars that I've found I like. One being an A. Fuente Chateau I smoked while working in the garage. He passed along advice his father gave him, smoke good cigars while you're doing absolutely nothing else, and smoke okay cigars while you're working. He sold me on the Perdomo Fresco because they were only $3.50 a pop when buying a single cigar. Looking up reviews when I got home, they seem to be well regarded for the price. They also have a pack of 25 for less than $75, so if I end up liking them I can stock up for fairly cheap.

I know I mentioned that stick elsewhere in this thread.

One of the best low-cost sticks you'll find.  And frankly, I think it smokes better than some higher-priced sticks.

Perdomo might be the most underrated cigar brand out there.  Sticks like their 10th Anniversary Champagne, the Lot 23, and the Fresco all smoke at a higher value than their price.

posted by O-Trap

I know I mentioned that stick elsewhere in this thread.

One of the best low-cost sticks you'll find.  And frankly, I think it smokes better than some higher-priced sticks.

Perdomo might be the most underrated cigar brand out there.  Sticks like their 10th Anniversary Champagne, the Lot 23, and the Fresco all smoke at a higher value than their price.

Yep, just went back and saw your recommendation. Feeling pretty good about those cigars now. 

Kind of annoyed with Thompson Cigar right now. I placed my order early on the 24th, and it says all orders should ship within 2 business days. Mine is still showing as processing. Seems like they should have been shipped on Wednesday.

posted by justincredible

Kind of annoyed with Thompson Cigar right now. I placed my order early on the 24th, and it says all orders should ship within 2 business days. Mine is still showing as processing. Seems like they should have been shipped on Wednesday.

Yeesh.  You'd have thought so.

I've only ordered from them once, but I didn't run into that issue.  Hopefully there's some explanation as to what happened.

I like Perdomo, but can't get them at the Jungle in Fairfield. I have to go to the Jungle in Eastgate or The Party Source. I did pick up a 4 pack of them last month when I was in Colorado.

A friend of mine works at The Party Source in the Cigar Department. He is the local rep for Cigar for Warriors. I just donated about 45 cigars to them a couple weeks ago.

I might be going the Wright Puff today in Mason to check out the place, after I visit my Mom in the Hospital.

Still no cigar shipment. Wish I would have read these reviews before buying from Thompson.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/thompsoncigar/reviews/?ref=page_internal

Holy shit.  It's been years, but I did order through them once, and things went fine.  Fine enough that I don't remember much about the transaction (other than the fact that I bought Gurkha Assassins).

Sounds like they are in trouble.

Yep.  They appear to be in trouble.

https://www.tampabay.com/business/new-owner-to-lay-off-112-and-close-tampas-thompson-cigar-outlet-store-and-distribution-center-20190326/?template=amp

Just spent 30 minutes on the phone. Most on hold. After 16 minutes someone answered and got my order number. I'll BRB, checking the status. Come back and ask if I used a coupon code, apparently the order was paused because there was apparently something wrong with the code used. The price I was charged was correct, and I clicked a link from an email they sent me. What kind of company completely delays an order, without warning or notification, because they accepted a wrong coupon code?

Well, after another round on hold when I told her I didn't enter a code, I just clicked a link, the call abruptly ended and I'm back at square one. Currently sitting at 11:18 on the current call with no answer yet.

posted by justincredible

Just spent 30 minutes on the phone. Most on hold. After 16 minutes someone answered and got my order number. I'll BRB, checking the status. Come back and ask if I used a coupon code, apparently the order was paused because there was apparently something wrong with the code used. The price I was charged was correct, and I clicked a link from an email they sent me. What kind of company completely delays an order, without warning or notification, because they accepted a wrong coupon code?

Well, after another round on hold when I told her I didn't enter a code, I just clicked a link, the call abruptly ended and I'm back at square one. Currently sitting at 11:18 on the current call with no answer yet.

Oh, I bet you're steaming.  After all, we know you're self-aware about your lack of patience.  ;)

I was annoyed, but decided it wasn't whoever's fault I was talking to.

Finally got through to a second rep. They said the order was delayed because one of the cigars I ordered ran out and was on backorder. It was one that I ordered five singles of, so they had four of them. They held up a $144 order, without notification or warning, because one $5 cigar was on backorder. He said he was going to cancel that one cigar and ship the rest of the order out immediately. I checked my order details on the website and it went from $144.04 with a listing of all cigars ordered and "processing" to a $11.09 order with nothing itemized and a "canceled" status. So we'll see what happens. The guy said I should receive my order on Friday.

So, long story short. Do not order from Thompson Cigar.

Yeah, good to know.  Yeesh.

Have you used the auction sites much? I just attempted to register at Cigar Auctioneer and it is throwing a server error when I submit the registration form. They have a 5-pack of Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua's currently at $15 that I wouldn't mind bidding on. That said, overall, the auction sites are all pretty overwhelming to me.

I've not used that one.  Just Cigar Monster, and that's not really an auction site.  It's more like Newegg for cigars.

Any issues with Cigar Monster? Do they ship in a reasonable amount of time? They had a few decent deals when I checked yesterday.

The shipping was consistent.  I believe it was about 10 business days when I last bought through them.

Dammit, Amazon has ruined me for slow shipping times.

Tonight is Tre J Cigars event at Jungle Jim's. Think I'm going to buy me a bundle (20) of the black label Vicarias.

Got myself another little treat that arrived today.  My humidor had been nearly empty, which is not good for the humidity, so I had to stock it.  35 cigars for $88 + tax & shipping.