Cigar box preferences?

Joined Nov 2012
1 Posts | 0+
US
Hi,

I'm in a packaging design class and my product is cigars. I am expected to back up my choices with research so I have a question: Do hardcore cigar smokers prefer traditional rectangular cigar boxes or would they be open to a different shape/style? Being a design class, interesting and unique ideas are encouraged but at this point it is all about the target audience and what they would prefer. For some reason I have this mindset that cigar smokers would be stubborn and prefer the traditional shape. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks
-spiralz
 
I could care less about design- tho I kinda like the Holy Grail box currently on Thompson's auction site- but it is a bit too expensive and the only Gurkha I didn't like was another Thompson exclusive. It does seem like odd shaped boxes are showing up a bit more lately---5 vegas gold for example or the fairly recent casks. I guess when it comes down to it a real cigar smoker could give a crap less about the box - its the cigar. Reminds me obversely of an old sign in a donut shop:

As you wander on through life my friend,
no matter what be your goal.
keep your eye upon the donut,
and not upon the hole


Nowadays they even sell the damn holes.
 
Like the poster above said, boxes don't usually make a difference to "hard core smokers" but it depends on if it's a special stick or not. Gurkha is known for having opulent and outlandish boxes / packaging but their cigars are average at best so I would never buy a box. (You can put frosting on a piece of shit and it's still a piece of shit.) I would say that if a company is putting out a special limited edition stick that it might be good to make a special box for it too. A way to differentiate it from all of their other vitolas.

I have also seen a few cases where manufacturers got too crazy with the boxes and it ended up being a pain in the ass to get the cigars out of the box. This was more memorable to the smokers than the idea itself.
 
I think that most of us really don't care about the box. You could have the best looking box in the world with the sleakest design and graphics on it, but if the cigar inside is a dog rocket, then you really haven't accomplished anything. Concentrate on making a great cigar and the rest will take care of itself. Try to fool people by making a mediocre cigar in a dressed up box, you'll be out of business PDQ. Remember: you can put a dress on a pig, but it's still a pig.


DL
 
I like any box that will fit on the shelf or in the humidor, the space saving box like any slide top , but since I buy a lot of loose tobacco & roll the cigars myself, I never worry about the box it self, , the Diamond crown maximus has a lot of waisted space in its footprint , as well as N sreies partagas, ,,, clean & simple is the way for me , , in the box shape, do any graphics , I could give a $hit, I am after the cigars not the box, for the shop I try to get refill bundles from some of the manufactures, like the casa magna , I can get 30 wrapped in paper for the same price as 25 in a box, I have the box 5 free cigars in every box adds to the bottom line ! Enjoy, Vince