New to the game!

[jlipski19]

I've just recently entered the game, but in the past 2 weeks ive had the liberty to smoke about a dozen cigars. My Uncle and myself have gotten very interested over the past month and would really like to expand our knowledge on this fascinating subject. We've done a fair amount of research through the books, internet, friends, family, cigar aficionado, etc. We purchased a humidor, and have been smoking like fiends. Ive tried these cigars in the past 2 weeks:

• A. Fuente Gran Reserva
• Romeo Y Julieta, Reserva Real (Tube)
• CAO Maduro
• CAO Gold
• Macanudo Cafe
• " Maduro
• " Court (Tube)
• Onyx Reserve Belicoso #2
• Partagas Black Label Piramide
• Acid Mini
  
• El Rey Del Mundo Coronas de Luxe - Given to me by an experienced cigar smoker...

Now after all of those, other than the El Rey, i LOVED the CAO MADURO, it was smooth, creamy, smoked great, it had other dark flavors i couldnt really put a name with, it was really nice. I also enjoyed the RyJ(i guess thats the abrv.) and that was really great too, but much lighter and tasted quite a bit different, It was alot more like the Macanudos. I didnt like the partagas, or the acid, everything else was enjoyable though.


Any further suggestions? My reserach tells me i need to smoke a Montecristo and a Davidoff before i go by a box of these CAO MADUROs. Anything you would want to add to this list or advice as to how to broaden my horizons on this wonderful passion i have finally started to appreciate?

Have i just barely touched the surface, or am i making good headway?

[Shelby07]

You've got a good start.

If you like the darker, richer cigars I'd suggest the Tatuaje brown line or the San Cristobal (NC.) For a good rich cigar with a lot of flavor try the Diamond Crown or LFD. These are all pretty hefty cigars and you may want to work your way into them.

Most folks here don't like the flavored (Acid) cigars or the Macanudos. The Macs are generally thought of as fairly one dimensional with not the best flavors.

If you want to get into richer cigars with a little less kick, try the Tatuaje Havana VI line (red band) or the Cabaiguans (both by Pete Johnson.)

Head over to the Newbie Sampler thread and hook up with one of the more experienced guys here who can talk with you a bit and hook you up with a good sampler that will match your taste.

Welcome.

[bigwhiteash]

Welcome from South Carolina!

Yes, you have just BARELY scratched the surface of what's available... and that's a GOOD thing! So many Cigars... So little time!

Consider some of the following:

Sancho Panza Double Maduro, an outstanding cigar at a very good price.
Arturo Fuente Sungrown, Don Carlos and Anejo lines.
Don Pepin Garcia Blue label, Serie JJ, Cuban Classic. All great cigars.
Camacho Corojo, a little stronger, but great profile.
Joya de Nicaragua, Antano and Celebracion lines are great cigars, the Antano are VERY powerfull, Eat a good meal before smoking.
Gran Habano #5 Corojo
Ashton VSG, One of my ALL TIME favorites

Take notes of new cigars, save bands or whatever, you will soon see a trend on what you prefer, but try to stray from that every so often, have a mild cigar every so often, you will be surprised how your pallet will develop.

Most of all, Enjoy the Journey

Dennis~

[The Korean]

Welcome, and as Shelby said, give the Newbie Sampler a whirl. It will be one of the best (you'll be able to try some sticks that you haven't thought about yet) and worst (You will realize you have to get your hands on as many sticks as possible) things you do. Good luck and enjoy the ride!

[ashauler]

Welcome, again. You have just begun your journey down the slippery slope and you'll only pick up speed from here. The smokes you have already tried span a wide range already, but there are many, many, many more that will all beg for your attention.

All the suggestions here are good ones, especially the newbie sampler III thread in the exchange section, its a can't miss hook-up on a wide range of smokes that have been well taken care of and are ready to smoke. Speak with the sponsor when you're setting up your deal and the sampler will be tailored to fit you.

Bigwhiteash also has a good sticky on building a coolidor, you might want to check that out as well.

[here'sjohnny]

Welcome from Ohio. all the guys above me gave great advice. this is a really cool place and you can learn alot here.

[Smoky Contemplation]

Welcome from Cali. Lots of great recommendations so far. I'd like to add Padron Maduros to the list....your description of the CAO MX2 reminded me of this. Good price, flavor, construction, etc. Enjoy.

[stjohnroe]

Welcome from the UK

[Mizicke5273]

Welcome from SW PA!

[DeeDubya]

Welcome from Central Texas

[logan37]

Welcome from NY!! You'll find a ton of great information here as I have the for the past month.

Cheers!

[debo08080]

welcome from NJ.

I warn you though, its an extremely slippery slope, not that that is a bad thing.

[jlipski19]

thank you gentlemen, i appreciate the help!

i have started saving my bands, i was thinking about a journal type log to write about each one but then i figured that i didnt have enough experience to write the correct description, basically know exactly the flavors i was tasting. but maybe i can keep like a page each cigar and updates and things like that.

yes im think that my interests thus far have leaned me toward sungrown wrappers with medium body kick, i shall go try this newbie sampler you have recommended!!!

thanks again it is a pleasure "to begin" to share this hobbie with you fellas

ps. lighter wise, i bought a 6 dollar butane and the thing worked for 15 seconds and died, filled it, still wouldnt work. I think im going to buy a Colibri, any other suggestions?

[bigwhiteash]

I won't recommend Colibri,
they are very picky on fuel! and really not worth the money, IMHO. I have one that works ok, but I never use it anymore.

Look at Blazer, Xikar and Nibbo lighters. I have a couple Nibbo lighters that work flawlessly with any brand of fuel, and you can find them on ebay for about 8 bucks shipped. I have the "Space 7" dual flame torch. and the "gear" triple flame torch. Believe me, they make short work of lighting a cigar!

[ashauler]

Unless its really windy......a Bic is what I use most often. I agree with Dennis, blazer and nibbo are the way to go for torches.