Hi everyone, new to the forum but not to enjoying smoking cigars.
I posted in another part of the forum but just wanted to say hi and mention that I like the level knowledge here and the style of discourse.
I'm lucky enough to live in Switzerland, where good cigars are plentiful, and relatively cheap due to low taxes on tobacco, and where smoking them in public is still seen as acceptable, even normal. That, though, is changing quickly and my only problem with this passion of ours is not finding enough time or suitable place to enjoy a good Habanos.
I've a modest collection of about 8 boxes of Cuban cigars that I smoke occassionally while aging them, and otherwise grab one as often as time permits from the stock I sell in my bar. Occasionally I swap with fellow smokers, or get given one or two from guests. I'll also buy an example of any cuban cigar I've not tried before if I see one in a shop in my travels. I spent an amazing month in Cuba a few years ago and met a lot of people in the industry, at all levels, and learnt a lot from them and their unvarying passion for tobacco and cigars.
For the most part I prefer fairly strong cigars, and find larger ones the most satisfying, as long as I have the time to smoke them properly. My favorite vitola is the lonsdale, which I find very comfortable and elegant, and large enough to do justice to the liga. Dahlias, churchills and double coronas are great but I rarely have the time to smoke them.
My favorite brands are Partagas, Bolivar, Montecristo, and Vegas Robaina, and Juan Lopez when I want something milder, i.e. the daytime or if I haven't eaten in a while (rare!). Every brand of Habanos has at least one or two vitolas that I like very much, there are so many good ones out there nowadays, a huge improvement from when I started smoking them about 18 years ago.
I'm especially impressed by almost all of the Limited Editions on the market; truly exceptional cigars, and I love the darker wrappers.
I won't be posting often, as I already spend far too much time on my computer, but I will check in now and again and won't hesitate to plumb the collective knowledge of the forum if I want info or impressions.
I'm going outside now to enjoy the end of the day's sun, a Juan Lopez Corona and a glass or two of Havana Club Anejo.
