The realization of this reality occurred to me a few months ago. I got an email from CI telling me they had a one day only special on a few Rocky Patel cigars. I was just coming out of a late night C-130 sim and it was nearly midnight. The price was so good I jumped in and bought two boxes before the deal ended without doing the research I would typically do before buying a stick I'd never smoked before. Later I realized they were Cuban Sandwiches. I instantly felt taken. I knew they were lower end sticks but I didn't know they were "that cheap." I figured what the hell, they'd be good to give out of friends who don't really smoke but will if I plan to have one. I let them rest for a bit and tried my first one. I was instantly impressed. Then I tried the second one, it was damn good too. Frankly both of them, both about $1.50/per stick, are far better than a lot of $10 sticks I've had. They are a little rougher around the edges, the wrappers are are little veinier, they pack of tobacco is looser, they burn faster. But you know what, they burn evenly and they taste great. At the end of the day, what do I care if it has a huge vein down the side if the flavor is fantastic?!? I don't judge based on price anymore because I would buy those sticks again without thinking twice.
