Labels vs. Performance

dennisking

Lately I have seen some talk about "I really didn't give this stick a try because of the label" or "the label looked cheap so I shyed away from the stick". I look at sticks like Tatuaje, Graycliff, and Illusione that have very basic labels and are great sticks and I look at some other sticks that have elaborate labels like Gurkha, and the overall experience is not great. Any thoughts on this? What's your favorite stick with an understated band.
I will start with my understated label pick - Fuente Anejo.

lcpleel

Montecristo just about all of them. Yumm

wwhwang

Padron

Hays

While I agree with Tats and Illusiones in your example, Graycliff often has very elaborate bands, and their cigars stand up to it, in my opinion. I love cigar bands, and thoroughly enjoy the artwork of them...as such, a fancy or artistic band might catch my eye more so than a plain band, but it doesn't affect my decision of smoking it..

Lasabar

What about NO BANDS??? Give me some Backwoods with some warm beer on a hot Christmas morning and I'm as happy as a pig in a court room

dennisking

no harm in liking backwoods. it's like smoking candy. better than an Acid IMO

Unthought_Known

The first time I tried Cubao - after hearing several people rave about how amazing it was - I was amazed at how cheap the label looked. It looked like a crappy house blend made in a small B&M. Sure enough, the cigar itself is pretty fantastic.

Duder2

Camacho Diploma. Super basic cheap band, amazing stick!

Jetmech_63

I like Nording. Simply says "Nording" with a small star. Great smoke that is awesome after a year.

Nick2021

I wouldn't say it's my favorite stick, but something I do enjoy is the Felipe Pelo De Oro..comes with a very mediocre band but is a great mild smoke...guess it all boils down to your personal preference. I try to give every cigar a fair shake, regardless of what the band looks like. Although as some have already stated, I do like looking at their designs!

kuzi16

Duder2:

Camacho Diploma. Super basic cheap band, amazing stick!

diploma maduro...


good call.

cabinetmaker

Partagas 150. Ugly simple band, fantastic stick.

docbp87

Seriously, my favorite style of cigar band is the brown and white band used by Edmundo Dantes, Montecristo, Sancho Panza, Padron, H Upmann (ISOM), etc. There is something classic and simple to it that really makes it about the cigar, not the art. Don't get me wrong, I have my favorite over the top snazzy bands like the Opus Forbidden X, or the My Father Le Bijou... but put a simple brown and white band on it, and I am still just as likely, if not more likely to pick it up and try it.

phobicsquirrel

Opus X, one of my favorite and I love the cigar. Ashton ESG's, love the band, the cigar is much in question VSG, now I love the band and love the cigar.

dennisking

on that note Pheebs, I really like the San Cristobal and it has a very elaborate band. Opus X has a great band, i also like the VSG and it's band is very ornate.

sightunseen

CAO La Traviata. Cheap looking brand AND cheap price, but it was a great smoke.

Conversely, Padilla Cazadores had a pretty elaborate band and I didn't like the smoke much (still cheap price, though).

Krieg

Alec Bradley Tempus, love the cigar and the band looks great

ironhorse

I really like the RP Signature and thats nothing fancy. Also, even though the cigar is unique and draws your eye, the nub band is pretty plain. I also like the Romeo y Julieta Viejo which is plain and I love me a davidoff too.

teebone673

El Baton. Simple band, great smoke.

dhall6

The band usually doesnt make or break my decision but I really do enjoy an attractive band. Love the Oliva Master Blends III band.

Theedge

I've been enjoying RP Olde World Reserves, which normally have a very nice band....but I bought seconds so these have no bands. I can't say that I miss the band, and have been really happy with the quality.

PuroFreak

The La Aroma de Cuba cigars have very nice bands and I love the sticks! An amazing cigar witha pretty simple band is the Anejo. Also the Ambos Mundos come to mind as a great cigar witha simple band. On another hand you have a cigar like the Cugine which has probably the ugliest cigar band ever, but is a fantastic smoke!

Fourtotheflush

I think alot have been covered, but an unbanded cigar really annoys me!

Krieg

Theedge:

I've been enjoying RP Olde World Reserves, which normally have a very nice band....but I bought seconds so these have no bands. I can't say that I miss the band, and have been really happy with the quality.

I have about 20 or so of the OWR 2nds maduros. Great smoke, and price!

pnaylon

I cant believe no one has mentioned the MOW bands, which are totally bada$$

Big T smokes

must disagree on the gurkahs being "not great". I've liked just about all of them. that said, anyone who judges a cigar based on it's label is someone who's opinion I would most likely take very lightly. Didnt your mother ever tell you to never judge a book by its cover??