Greetings all from CA,

I just wanted to formally introduce myself. My name is Rich and I'm from Irvine, CA. I got into cigars almost two years ago when I decided to go over to my roomies parent's house. My roomies dad is a huge cigar smoker and I ordered my first two boxes there, Montecristo Afrique and Bolivar Cofradia 554. Ever since then I've been hooked... I would have to say the most interesting thing about cigars that gets me is that they're a masterpiece of someones work. The skill and work it takes to turn some leaves into a cigar is incredible and I admire that about them.

I'd have to say my favorites are Tatuaje, Ashton VSGs, and Coronado's by La Flor. I definitely like fuller body cigars but only if they have some flavor behind them. I just got my first Opus X cigar from my roomie as a birthday gift and as much as I want to smoke it, i think I'll have to cherish it forever.

Aside from that, I love the plethora of information that this site and its members provide. I also love how it feels more like a close knit community than just another forum. Thanks CS