Hello Everyone

**DeeDubya** · 05-07-2008, 01:32 PM

Welcome from Central Texas

20 years eh? I too started smoking cigars about 20 years ago. I've got the first question for you. Then, before cigars became popular, what would you consider to be the number of available cigars compared to present? I would guess there are at least twice as many today.
Your thoughts?

**gopyerk** · 05-07-2008, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

Welcome from Central Texas

20 years eh? I too started smoking cigars about 20 years ago. I've got the first question for you. Then, before cigars became popular, what would you consider to be the number of available cigars compared to present? I would guess there are at least twice as many today.
Your thoughts?

Interesting one. I would say that you are correct. Back then it seemed like the selection just was not as broad and there certainly were not as many great cigars around as there are now. The evolution of the Boutique cigar probably has something to do with this. The Perdomo's, Don Pepin's and Miami Cigars of the world were not around then. Seems back then every tobaconist carried the standard Macanudo, Punch, Hoyo and RYJ selections with maybe the ocassional Monte at some of the ones in Chicago where I cut my smoking teeth. The boom was when the most cigars were out there, of course most of them were terrible.

**DeeDubya** · 05-07-2008, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by gopyerk

Interesting one. I would say that you are correct. Back then it seemed like the selection just was not as broad and there certainly were not as many great cigars around as there are now. The evolution of the Boutique cigar probably has something to do with this. The Perdomo's, Don Pepin's and Miami Cigars of the world were not around then. Seems back then every tobaconist carried the standard Macanudo, Punch, Hoyo and RYJ selections with maybe the ocassional Monte at some of the ones in Chicago where I cut my smoking teeth. The boom was when the most cigars were out there, of course most of them were terrible.

I agree 100%. At least half of today's selection did not exist. Hell, I smoked Henry Clays because I thought they were the best maduro available. H. Upmann was my luxuary stick.

**597** · 05-07-2008, 04:01 PM

Welcome from Maryland

**stjohnroe** · 05-07-2008, 05:03 PM

Welcome from the UK

**chefchris** · 05-07-2008, 05:08 PM

Welcome from MS. This is as much fun as you think it's going to be.

**basil** · 05-07-2008, 08:10 PM

Welcome from west Texas

**gopyerk** · 05-07-2008, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

I agree 100%. At least half of today's selection did not exist. Hell, I smoked Henry Clays because I thought they were the best maduro available. H. Upmann was my luxuary stick.

The Henry Clay, I would have killed for one of those back then I could never find one anywhere in the Chicago area.

H Upmann was one that I only smoked on rare ocassion because I thought it was such a treat.