It started out as a fun blog post but that couldn't have been further from the truth.
When you're tasked with deciding which cigar bands are the sexiest cigar bands in your store, the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Do you know how mean people on the internet are? If I choose the wrong bands, I'll face the mean Tweets and angry Facebook reacts of a thousand armies and at first I didn't know if I was up for the task.
Nevertheless, it was important to me to scrupulously sift through hundreds of our cigar bands to find the sexiest of the sexy. I wanted this list to be right.
So with no further ado...
7. CAO MX2
The black beauty. I fell in love with this cigar the second it came through the door. The felt packaging, the double maduro wrapper, the smell...and then I smoked one and my love was furthered. Silver and black are a timeless, classy colour combo and it helps the MX2 pop on our shelves.
6. My Father Le Bijou 1922
One word comes to mind when I look at the Le Bijou wrapper: ornate. Like if I saw it painted onto the roof of the Sistine Chapel or framed on a wall somewhere in the Vatican, it wouldn't surprise me. This band is done as though it is a timeless piece of art.
5. Camacho Barrel Aged
Simple. Eye-catching. Strong. 'Merica.
4. Psyko Seven
The Psyko Seven HAD to be on this list. First of all, it's a massive band and bigger isn't always better in terms of bands but the ingenious way in which these Californians designed the band is what makes it a winner. The band, if you look closely, is a prescription. It's kind of their shtick: cigars a medicine. I tend to agree.
3. Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan
Aesthetic as hell. I mean, just look at it! In my opinion, the cigar's green and brown wrapper is just an extension of the band...or maybe it's the other way around. Either way, the band and the wrappers compliment one another seamlessly and for that reason, I am confident putting the Filthy Hooligan at #3.
2. Gurkha Rogue
This was tough. I didn't like the Rogue as a cigar. Not my cuppa tea. But is there any denying how good that band looks? One thing no one can fault Gurkha on is their presentation. I could have picked a handful of Gurkha cigars but not many of their cigars please my pallet. And I know what you're saying, "But Andrew, this is about cigar bands, NOT about how a cigar agrees with your palate!"
Yeah, I realise that. But you can't win a gold glove while hitting .220. It might not be fair but you have to look (somewhat) as the cigar as a whole.
1. Guantanamera
Are you aroused yet?
This is what perfection looks like. Seamless design. Triangles. Unparalleled quality. BROWN. If you don't agree with me, you know nothing of class or style, peasant.
Guys, I'm joking.
Here's the real #1.
1. Cohiba Robusto
This one was easy.
Fashion is temporary, style is forever. A Porsche 911 from 1970 or 2017 are objectively beautiful cars. The Cohiba bands -- no matter the edition -- are timeless. They are always chic. They always stand out on the shelf. Cohiba has monopolized the colour yellow on just about every cigar shelf in every store and rightfully so. It may be the prefect cigar band.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Montecristo Open Series
Perla del Mar Connecticut
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
Alec Bradley Prensado
Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro
Partagas Serie D No.4
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2
So what'd'ya think? Was I kind of on the ball here or way off base?