I'm new to cigar smoking, so please tell me...

[djinjekted]

Nice intro. Welcome from Utah.

Everyone starts somewhere. I started with flavoreds like Maker's Marks, Kahlua, and Cojimars. That was a short lived phase, but it was obviously necessary to get to the point where I am. We like to clown around and bust balls over flavored cigars and especially gas station cigars because we are passionate about this hobby. We know there is so much more out there to enjoy and to do so, one must at least leave their current smokes if even for a few cigars.

A nice transitional cigar from flavored to non would be the Java. From there, start mild-medium. Try the Padron x000 series, a Fuente Chateu or Hemingway, maybe a Baccarat or a Sancho Panza Cabalero. Casa Toranos are a fantastic milder smoke as are Ashton Classics. Stay clear of the Macanudos.

You are right though... ...when it is all said and done, smoke what you like and like what you smoke!

Thanks for the welcome! It's good to know it's more of a ball-busting than a true hatred for flavored-cigar smokers.

I'm definitely willing to stray from flavored cigars... I love trying new things. Thank you for the suggestions. I looked up the Java and it sounds good. I'll definitely be giving that a try. I'm keeping a list of suggested cigars, and I'm slowly making my way through them. I generally smoke 1 suggested cigar for every 3 flavored cigars. I'll slowly adjust the ratio to have more non-flavored than flavored.

One cigar I recently tried was a Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ. I thoroughly enjoyed it, for about 10 minutes. Then I got entirely sick. I don't know why. I wasn't inhaling.

Thanks again!

[Shelby07]

One cigar I recently tried was a Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ. I thoroughly enjoyed it, for about 10 minutes. Then I got entirely sick. I don't know why. I wasn't inhaling.

Thanks again!

Try eating first and smoking a little slower. Have something to drink nearby and experiment with different beverage/cigar combinations. The combination definately affects the flavors of a cigar (think about how orange juice tastes right after you brush your teeth.) Usually drawing once per minute or so works out well. The cigar will burn much better, too. Learn how to purge a cigar if it gets harsh or bitter. Pretty soon you'll be a pro!

[nhcigarfan]

smoke what you like.

Most people who smoked cigars for a while then tried acids are turned off by them.

But if you like them, more power to you. You might grow away from them as you try different cigars that aren't flavored, but you might not.

Either way,

Welcome to cigarsmokers.

[djinjekted]

smoke what you like.

Most people who smoked cigars for a while then tried acids are turned off by them.

But if you like them, more power to you. You might grow away from them as you try different cigars that aren't flavored, but you might not.

Either way,

Welcome to cigarsmokers.

Thanks... and actually, you made me think of a good point. "Most people who smoked cigars for a while then tried acids are turned off by them."

I suppose that's like trying the world's best cake, then eating a little debbie snack cake.

[The Korean]

Thanks... and actually, you made me think of a good point. "Most people who smoked cigars for a while then tried acids are turned off by them."

I suppose that's like trying the world's best cake, then eating a little debbie snack cake.

I just came in from smoking an Acid, have a few "big nasty" I think (I'm too lazy and comfortable to get up and make sure that it the correct name. It was a good change, it doesn't seem as good as I once thought, but good enough for me to hang on the ones I have and smoke them eventually. Which leads me to, I don't know if it is mentioned in this thread, or if you have read elsewhere, but DO NOT store flavored cigars with others, it'll just make the others start to taste like the flavored.

[stjohnroe]

Welcome from the UK.

Try samplers, maybe even the newbee thread. It can take time to find exactly what you like, but it is worth the effort.

When I was younger I smoked quite a a lot of King Edwards that were infused with brandy, grew out of it though.

[pub spears]

Welcome from SC. I have friends who smoke gas station cigars and have no problem at all with it. The problem is when someone goes on a cigar forum and starts talking about how great those cigars are. Well they are great.. to them. I have to admit, I have an occasional COA Vanilla. Mostly when I'm in a situation where torching a "real" cigar would draw alot of grief on myself. I keep a tin around and take one along when I think I might need something that isn't too bad to smoke and actually smells sorta nice to non cigar smokers. Oh yea, and alot of us laugh at Macanudo smokers too.

[HersheyWalker]

Welcome from the UK.

Try samplers, maybe even the newbee thread. It can take time to find exactly what you like, but it is worth the effort.

When I was younger I smoked quite a a lot of King Edwards that were infused with brandy, grew out of it though.

All the samplers I bought have taught me is what a great stick the Don's are. Beelee dat!