Anyone else get stuck into brand "loyalty"?

[Brimy]

I used to do the opposite... I had brand prejudice and found myself not trying cigars by a certain brand because the first one I smoked from them didn't appeal to me. I just this year started making a concentrated effort to break out of this pattern.

But I do have a problem saying no to any AJ Fernandez stick. I LOVE him so I end up smoking things (like a Connecticut wrapper) that I normally wouldn't simply because it has his name on it.

Glad you figured it out!
But it's also easy to understand one's hesitation to explore when you know you're going to get something good from a particular brand. And it's very easy to avoid a brand after a bad experience (Ghurka).

[FidelCastro]

I used to do the opposite... I had brand prejudice and found myself not trying cigars by a certain brand because the first one I smoked from them didn't appeal to me. I just this year started making a concentrated effort to break out of this pattern.

But I do have a problem saying no to any AJ Fernandez stick. I LOVE him so I end up smoking things (like a Connecticut wrapper) that I normally wouldn't simply because it has his name on it.

Remember the AJ Fernandez Signature Series Cigars? I loved those and bought 2 boxes and about a year later they went extinct...never to be made again and I'm still grieving today. The person who got me smoking them was a good friend....The Katman...here's his review and he was spot on with it.
https://kohnhed.com/2014/03/17/a-fer...-cigar-review/

[FidelCastro]

I use to lean on the big brand names because they are more often than not appealed to my sense of taste. I tend to think of Padron, AF, AJ Fernandez as my legal wives and the rest of the cigars I really like are my concubines.

[jhedrick83]

I try to branch out as much as I can but there are times when I just want a known quantity. For example, if it's been a long day and I'm just exhausted, I don't want to necessarily smoke something new to me as I like to try and give new cigars as fair a shake as I can. I also want to pick something out that I know I will like and what to expect construction wise.

[Usafvet509]

I have to go with Kayla on that, there are brands I've avoided after a lackluster stick or 2. Then there are the brands where I havent had a SINGLE stick I've liked at all.
As for loyalty, absolutely, there are brands that I would be happy to smoke exclusively, LGC, EP Carrillo and CAO are perfect examples. My status as a General whore is pretty well known here
All things said, I love getting to smoke a variety of cigars still. I am delighted to find new brands by exploration. I have in recent months surrendered the notion that I preferred Honduran leaf above all, LFD and AJF are to thank for that. That's an awesome thread, by the way. RG to you

[Bruck]

No. I mean yes. Whatever

Not brand loyalty so much as, dang, do I really want to learn yet another brand? But for expeditionary purposes, I usually try to find something I haven't tried before in every order.

I do have a soft spot for CLE as I have a friend who works for them, and Graycliff as I've toured their "factory" and took a rollng lesson there.

[Haebar]

I've had an affair with CAO cigars lately, although my humidors are now filled to the brim and I have to stop. Had one of the Brazilias about a year ago that really impressed me and a few days later an Italia and like it too. Both of those were aged about 3-4 years. When I tried a new one lately, it was kind of edgy; guess I'll let those rest for another year or so.

[Nature]

Not so much brand loyal, but tend to stick with lines where I have had good experiences and know I will probably enjoy again. Anything DPG / My Father come to mind here. Crowned Heads and LFD fall into this category for me as well. Some brands I tend to pass over becauuse I may have had a few I didn't enjoy as much; Rocky Patel might fall into this category, even though I have had a few that were fine. Then there is just plain reputation, like Gurkha. I am sure there are some great cigars with this name; but too many to pan through that disappoint in order to find that fleck of gold.

[allusred]

I'm thinking you're going to go with My Father/ Pepin if you're down to one brand....

Just spotted this post.
My first instinct was to congratulate you your accurate guess...
but, realize yo would only have to've asked Smokin Monkey to get that correct.
Even that shy, but ever so cute Girlfriend of his, whom I'm quite certain you've
found to be a very warm and affectionate companion to spend some (night) time with
would've said My Father/Pepin cigars.
Heck, even I was able to arrive at that same conclusion...
give me a bit more time and I maybe able to remember what that was.

[droy1958]

Just spotted this post.
My first instinct was to congratulate you your accurate guess...
but, realize yo would only have to've asked Smokin Monkey to get that correct.
Even that shy, but ever so cute Girlfriend of his, whom I'm quite certain you've
found to be a very warm and affectionate companion to spend some (night) time with
would've said My Father/Pepin cigars.
Heck, even I was able to arrive at that same conclusion...
give me a bit more time and I maybe able to remember what that was.

Errrr.... I forgot what the question was.....😁