Beginner seeking advice!

[FourClubFlush]

Evening friends,

Although I've occasionally enjoyed cigars for over a year, I am actually rather ignorant about them. For instance, I started on the likes of Swisher sweets and Phillies and considered them to be wonderful. Further on down the road saw my selection restricted to various Acids as they seem to be the cigar of the youth (And being apart of that youth myself of course leads to association with them). Well, nowadays I'm free to choose and enjoy anything on the market but I am obviously not knowledgeable enough on what to begin with. This is where I hope to receive some assistance from those more experienced than I.
As I've my fair share of Acids, my taste is currently geared toward sweeter cigars. However, I would strongly like to try new cigars. I recently enjoyed a Cohiba that the local tobacco store owner gave me as a birthday gift. Although it wasn't the usual, I found it to be very smooth and enjoyable in it's own rite. I think this should cover where I'm currently at in terms of cigars, so here's my situation:
Tomorrow I will be going to a Tobacconist a lengthy distance from my home and I am looking towards buying a variety of new cigars to see what I like. I want to keep the budget to around $50, but I do not want to come empty handed either! Combining your experience with knowledge of my position, what should I look for?

Thanks!
- Matt
Footnote:
Here is what I currently have:
A. Fuente Cubanitos tin (10)
A. Fuente Gran Reserva (I don't know which, It's about 8 in. and is covered in a cedar wrap with a light green ribbon at the foot)
Acid Roam
Acid 1400cc
Acid C-Note x2 (Eh, I consider these a social thing A.K.A pass em out to those who have had nothing but Black and Milds)

[Mikey-OH]

First of all welcome to CS. I hope you enjoy your stay here.

Your story sounds a lot like mine. After being able to finally buy tobacco I went the same route of Phillies and gas station cigars and then to flavored stuff such as Acids. Everyone has to start somewhere of course. haha.

From experience I can tell you that I started going with many of the CAO line of cigars after moving from the ACIDs and such. CAO makes great stuff with lots of "flavor" in their non-flavored line of sticks (they have a line like ACID as well, I'm talking of varieties like Gold, Brazilia, Italia, etc).

Cigar smoking is a lot about trying new things and taking a while to find what you enjoy. Some people's tastes differ from week to week, year to year, or on occasion.

I would recommend you check out a few of these if you're looking for a sweet, smooth, Cohiba-like smoke:

CAO Mx2
Hoya de Monterrey Excalibur 1066
Don Tomas - Cameroon Collection
5 Vegas series A Apostle

Those are just a few I came across that were similar to what you were describing and you may enjoy. The Mx2 is probably the most enjoyable of all those mentioned.

Also check out the Newbie Sampler thread here on the boards. You can get hooked up with some more experienced members who can give you some great sticks to try out.

Happy smoking!

~Mike

[FourClubFlush]

First of all welcome to CS. I hope you enjoy your stay here.

Your story sounds a lot like mine. After being able to finally buy tobacco I went the same route of Phillies and gas station cigars and then to flavored stuff such as Acids. Everyone has to start somewhere of course. haha.

From experience I can tell you that I started going with many of the CAO line of cigars after moving from the ACIDs and such. CAO makes great stuff with lots of "flavor" in their non-flavored line of sticks (they have a line like ACID as well, I'm talking of varieties like Gold, Brazilia, Italia, etc).

Cigar smoking is a lot about trying new things and taking a while to find what you enjoy. Some people's tastes differ from week to week, year to year, or on occasion.

I would recommend you check out a few of these if you're looking for a sweet, smooth, Cohiba-like smoke:

CAO Mx2
Hoya de Monterrey Excalibur 1066
Don Tomas - Cameroon Collection
5 Vegas series A Apostle

Those are just a few I came across that were similar to what you were describing and you may enjoy. The Mx2 is probably the most enjoyable of all those mentioned.

Also check out the Newbie Sampler thread here on the boards. You can get hooked up with some more experienced members who can give you some great sticks to try out.

Happy smoking!

~Mike

Thanks Mike!

I will definitely keep my eye out for some CAOs as I've heard plenty of good things about them upon browsing through various sites and forums. If I spot the Mx2, I believe I'll opt for picking up one or two. I've also heard a lot about the 5 Vegas series. I'm glad Im getting some ideas now as I hear the selection at this place is great. Walking in there with no knowledge of what I want to try would be pretty daunting on my part.
Oh, I also forgot to mention that I also tried a Fuente a night ago. It was about the size of the Cubanitos in my tin (I haven't tried any of those yet.) and had a definite non-subtle smell to it. Although it was a non-flavored cigar, I still enjoyed it. I believe I rushed it though, something I will avoid in the future.

-Matt

[ashauler]

Welcome.

[stjohnroe]

Welcome from the UK. try the Sancho Panza double maduro line, affordable and very nice.

[debo08080]

welcome from Southern NJ. Since I'm new to cigars as well, i'll let others suggest cigars for you to try.

[ReV]

Your "A. Fuente Gran Reserva" sounds like an AF Double Chateau Fuente by the way. (Gotta look at the box on those because AF puts "gran reserva" on most of their sticks)

For med/mild sticks I'd recommend:

Oliva Serie G -good and cheap ~$4ish ea
Oliva Serie O ~$6
Flor De Olivas -good and super cheap ~$2.50 ea
Carlos Tonano Casa Torano ~$5ish
Carlos Torano 1959 Exodus Gold ~$6ish
A.Fuente Hemingway -- sizes run from $5ish to $10+, they're pricey but good
CAO Gold ~6 or 7ish?
Gran Habano Connecticut - they're pretty cheap ~$4ish
Gispert -real cheap ~$3ish
Rocky Patel Edge lite ~$5
Tatuaje Series P ~$4
Hoyo De Monterrey -they're all pretty mild and cheapish
Baccarat ~$3 or $4
Drew Estates Natural -Same folks that make your acids, but these are closer to real cigars.

Whatever you do, dont let them sell you on Macanudos; not worth the cash, but my local B&Ms love to steer inexperienced cigar smokers towards them because they're so mild.

Hope this helps; Welcome to CS, Stick around and you'll learn alot.

[Schwit]

Arturo Fuente 8-5-8
Rocky Patel Connecticut
Joya De Nicaragua Celebracion
Gurkha Turk
La Gloria Cubana Serie R

[FourClubFlush]

Your "A. Fuente Gran Reserva" sounds like an AF Double Chateau Fuente by the way. (Gotta look at the box on those because AF puts "gran reserva" on most of their sticks)

Thanks for the response!
I do understand that the Gran Reserva 'tag' is a general thing, but I know there are different lines out there so I was hoping it would help out in terms of identification. I also think you may be right as the cedar wrap is the exact same one that the photo of the Double Chateau Fuente has (Though the one in the photo is smaller). I'll go ahead and search these forums for what some others thought of this cigar.

-Matt