Cabinets vs. Dress Boxes

[larrysputnik]

I am not sure what the difference is with these.

I mean, I know that cabinets are bundled cigars and what dress boxes are, but which is better?

If they are the same price for 25 cigars, which do you buy and why?

I need to make an educated decision on this so your input is not only welcome; it is mandatory. Don't make me moderate your ass for not sharing.

[yiorgos]

Many, so called, "experts" claim that cigars in cabinets age better and that the more the cigars in a cabinet the better it is (50s vs 25s).
It seems quite a valid point, as the cabinets have some more room between the cigars for the air and aromas to circulate. Also bundling the cigars does not affect their original shape.
You will hear the old story that the best cigars are selected for the cabinets (therefore called "cabinet selection") rather than the dress boxes. To my knowledge that is not true...
Cigars in dress boxes are often box pressed, meaning that they are actually squared rather than round. This happens because they are so tightly packed in the box and squeezed at the bottom.
I personally cannot find any difference in the taste between cigars from cabinets and dress boxes. However, the theory of the air circulation in the cabinet sounds good enough for me to go for it, especially if the cigars are intended for aging.

[daverave999]

I've read speculation that the higher paper and ink (read:chemical) content in dress boxes affect the aging/storage negatively, so given the choice I'd always go for the cabinet. I also happen to think cabinets are stronger, more attractive and close properly.

[Ramon]

A cab every time if the option is there.

As has been said, the theory that cabinets have better cigars than dress boxes may have been true once, but not for many years.

There is also a view that certain cigars have a different blend in the two versions, one such cigar is the RyJ Exhibiccion No.4 From my own experience I do prefer the cab version of this.

From a personal viewpoint I do prefer a cab version for their round shape. Note that not all dress boxes, Semi Boite Nature or Boite Nature are box pressed. Like the H. Upmann Sir Winston, which is a lovely round shape.

The other main difference of course is that all cab versions used to come without bands on them, now they all have bands. I still have a few cabs where the cigars are lovely and naked.

A final point is that some cigars only come in SLB's, like Hoyo Epi 1/2's, Cohiba Siglo series, Upmann Connies, Punch RS 11 etc.

[whisky77]

Agreed.

Have to agree with Ramon on this one.Given the choice then I would opt for the cabinet every time.
Nothing wrong with a box, but I still prefer to go for the cabinet.

[Stevieboy]

To be honest, I don't really care apart from the slight difference in shape. I don't care about aging either as I prefer to smoke them and get on with it :-)
I prefer to look at a dress box than a plain wooden box although the espi box takes some beating !

[Kdot]

Go for the cabinet if they are the same price.

Usually I'd suggest you go for whatever ones cheaper. Unless you plan to age them, then i'd go for the cabinet because I believe the air flows better.

[larrysputnik]

Thanks for the responses gents.

I have opted for... well, I'm not sure since it wasn't in the product description this time. Shit.

I'll go for a cabinet when the opportunity presents itself again.

[daverave999]

What company? Some of them have it in the 'packing code'.