How Many Cigars Come in a Box? Why It’s More Than Just a Number

When shopping for cigars, it’s easy to be confused by the packaging options available. Many stogies are sold in boxes, bundles or cabinets. These terms are often bandied about, but it’s not always clear exactly what they mean.

For a start, how many cigars come in a box? This is a question without a straightforward answer. That’s because it depends on a few different factors.

These include the cigars’ sizes and shapes as well as what image the brand wants to convey. Here’s a more in-depth look at how many cigars come in a box…

How Many Cigars are in a Box?

Cigar box capacities are usually in intervals of five. Some of the smallest boxes can hold five cigars at the most. Most often, though, a cigar box will contain 20 or 25 sticks.

A cigar brand will weigh up various factors when deciding how many cigars come in a box. In many instances, a cigar box capacity will be chosen to serve a specific aim.

Think about those cigars advertised as ‘limited edition’. These are often sold in unique capacities, like 12. That’s because the unorthodox number on the box enhances the exclusive feel of the cigars.

Standard Cigar Box Sizes

As alluded to above, the number of cigars in a box isn’t always divisible by five. Nonetheless, this is the standard practice.

There’s a wide range of cigar boxes available, from packs of five to cabinets of 50. Here are examples of the standard sizes:

• 5-count boxes: Yes, some cigar boxes are genuinely this small. It’s wise to opt for one when you fancy trying a specific blend for the first time.
• 10-count boxes: These are worth considering if you’re new to smoking cigars or smoke them only occasionally.
• 20-count boxes: If you enjoy smoking but also making your cigars last, this box size strikes the right balance.
• 25-count boxes: These are suited to regular smokers. The boxes contain enough cigars but remain easy to store.
• 50-count cabinets: With its sliding lid, a cabinet box is so-called as it physically resembles a cabinet.

Boxes vs. Bundles vs. Cabinets

How many cigars are in a pack or tin? Usually, fewer than ten. If you’re buying more than ten in one go, there’s a good chance that they will come in a box, bundle or cabinet.

Below, we look closely at each of these cigar packaging options in turn. When you know exactly how they differ, you can more easily discern the right one for your needs.

Boxes

Centuries ago, cigars were customarily packaged in pig bladders. Even at the time, this didn’t exactly seem like the most elegant way to present cigars.

Hence the tradition of storing cigars in boxes instead, which began in the 19th century. Early on, the boxes were often made of cedar. This wood excelled at regulating the cigars’ moisture as well as keeping pesky beetles at bay.

Cedar is still used in cigar boxes, as is another type of wood, mahogany. Meanwhile, cardboard is the go-to choice of material for cigar packs. Cigars we offer in packs include the Montecristo No 5 and Cohiba Exquisitos.

Bundles

How many cigars are in a box as opposed to a bundle? Actually, there’s not much difference. That’s why cigar bundles are often dubbed ‘cigar boxes without the box’.

It also sheds light on why bundles are generally cheaper than boxes. The latter are often provided in artistic, elaborate designs. These are intended to depict boxed stogies as especially classy and luxurious. However, the extra expense of making these boxes can be reflected in the product’s retail price.

So, it’s tempting to opt for bundles in a bid to save money. Just remember that many cigars from boutique brands will only be available in boxes. So, a bundle is not always better value for money, as the cigars can actually be lower in quality.

Cabinets

You don’t have to just categorize cigar boxes by their capacity. There’s also the matter of how they’re designed. Consider the example of the ‘8-9-8’ box, so-called as the cigars inside are arranged in three layers. (That’s eight on top, nine in the middle and eight at the bottom.)

More common, however, is the ‘cabinet’ cigar box. Otherwise known as a ‘cabinet selection’ box, it features a sliding lid. In that sense, it can genuinely feel more like a cabinet than mere packaging. It’s no wonder, then, that such boxes can become real collector’s items.

You can expect a cabinet box to contain 25 to 50 cigars. Many of our Hoyo de Monterrey cigars come in cabinet boxes, as do some of our Partagas cigars.

Once you’ve consumed the cigars, you can keep and repurpose the box. One idea is to store other items, like jewelry and tools, in it. Alternatively, consider turning it into a DIY humidor.

What Option to Choose?

Many different factors come into play here. Here’s a rundown of those to keep in mind when deciding what capacity of cigar box to buy:

• How often you smoke: The more often you smoke, the sooner you can run out of cigars. So, it makes sense for avid smokers to buy larger boxes.
• Your budget: Perhaps this already defines your smoking frequency. So, the depth of your pockets can also help you to rule out particular cigar box options.
• Storage: It is possible to store cigars without a humidor, but this is not always ideal in the longer term. So, if you don’t have a humidor, stick to small cigar boxes. That way, you will be able to use up all the cigars soon after buying them.

Get Quality and Quantity with Swiss Cuban Cigars

When shopping in brick-and-mortar shops, your options can be a little limited. It’s a very different situation online. Here at Swiss Cuban Cigars, you can choose from a vast range of cigar box capabilities.

Better still, we can ship those boxes straight to your door. That’s why it’s ultimately up to you how many cigars come in a box. Buying from our online store doesn’t require you to simply settle for ‘whatever is available’.