Cigar Social Network

The Band. Renowned

A few weeks ago, I published an informal questionnaire asking whether or not you remove your cigar band before lighting up. Yes, a majority of those who responded do not remove the band, but it was the reasoning that was most compelling. Unanimously the band remains on at the start because smokers are concerned with tearing or otherwise damaging the cigar wrapper. Some wait until a portion of the cigar has been smoked while others will consider removal at such time when paper and ash meet.

I’m old school. My band comes off moments after I toast the foot. I’ll never begin my smoke until the band is off. Needless to say, I’ve ruined many a cigar. I’ve devised tools to slide under the band to slice it. Tweezers have been used to lift the lip of the band so that it may be unraveled like toilet paper. Sliding the band off the cigar in one piece is an occasional alternative. Needless to say, the risk outweighs the reward and regardless of your penchant, we should not have to face this obstacle. Remove the band when you wish and without problems. Cigars are too expensive and the enjoyment, too valuable to be derailed by an overzealous, yet well meaning worker with a paintbrush and a coffee can full of vegetable-based glue.

Are bands really necessary? Bands are marketing tools. They identify and advertise the product. They help it stand out within the sea of cigars presented in any humidor or display case. I understand the aesthetic value; the double banded Le Bijou 1922 is among the most exquisite to adorn a wonderful cigar. But are cigars purchased because of the flavor or the artwork on the strap? If manufacturers feel the opulence of the band is a necessary function for product presentation and in turn sales, why anger the smokers by making band removal such a hit or miss proposition?

Some manufacturers use bands to help prevent forgery. The folks at Padron use a double band on their Anniversario lines; the top band displays the product name and fancy design touches with the underlying one holding a set of serial numbers. Some of the Cuban made Cohiba cigars are using holograms in an effort to minimize counterfeit products from entering the market place. Ever try to remove the band of a Pardon? Whether it is the double banded premium lines or the small, modest belt used on the Thousand Series, they practically remove themselves. I found the same to be true with most of the Fuente products. And what of the Le Bijou 1922? The Liga Privada Number 9 and T-25? They remain the single most difficult bands to remove without damage to the cigar, yet remain two of my favorite.

I’m told the glue should only touch paper, never tobacco. What about storage and temperature changes? Is there any adverse affect to the adhesives used on the band as the cigars travel from the farm to your humidor? Like a plugged or poorly wrapped cigar, mistakes will happen; I get it. But every manufacturer will tout the superiority of their quality control. Is this the first time they are hearing of this? Perhaps they do not care. But the manufacturers owe it to the consumer to rectify this problem by developing alternatives or tightening the QC function of their respective operations. If this is at all bothersome to you, place comments on their website or call their office. Perhaps you too do not care. In this case, I would ask you to recall how removal of a poorly applied band enhanced your smoking experience as you attempted to keep a cigar from unfurling. Joyous, was it not?

www.enjoyasmoke.blogspot.com

Tags: bands, cigar, labels

Promote

0 members promoted this