Noob intro, and some light questions

[ashauler]

Welcome to the board. Smoke what you like, and like what you smoke, no matter what anybody says about those gay flavoreds and over-hyped macadoodles.

Yes, you need a seperate storage device for your flavored sticks. You will not like the results if you mix them with your non-flavored sticks. Perhaps a small tupperdor or something along those lines would work for you....depends on the volume of flavoreds you want to store I guess.

To avoid overheating a smoke, uh, draw slowly and space your draws out to about 1 per minute. You should also try purging, blowing out through the cigar, when you notice that "ashy" taste you dislike.

Try the newbie sampler in the exchange forum. IMHO, it is the best way to try a range of sticks with different profiles that will come to you in ready to smoke condition.

[DeeDubya]

Welcome from Central Texas

Yep 44 is gettin on up there in years. But if you do it right you can still smoke a lot of cigars before the big one. Speaking from experience of course.

[ggiese]

If you're going to be our friend, you need to get off those dadgummed macanoodles... Friends don't let friends smoke macanoodles...

But seriously - if those are your current choices for cigars, you've got only one direction you can go at this point - straight up! I could make suggestions, but I would strongly suggest you find yourself a good tobacconist at a well stocked local shop to help you on your journey. As they get to know you, they will know what you like/dislike and will steer you in the right direction.

As far as this community - you're going to find that some suggestions will be brilliant, while others will be "what was he thinking?" The more you try, though - the more you'll lock in on what you like.

...and I'm glad you recognize ball busting for what it is. You've won half the battle already!!!

[Carlos]

You will not like the results if you mix them with your non-flavored sticks.

I think I know the answer, but...will keeping the flavored ones in cello prevent the problem? I'm guessing not.

What's the deal with Macanudo? I guess I haven't lurked enough to read about them here. I didn't buy them on hype, a friend sent me a three-some to try and I liked them. I don't know anything else about the brand, and don't think I've tried anything other than the 1968. As far as finding some local advice, that's a good tip and I did last week. He suggested that if I like the 1968 I might like the Olivas better, and I did. Plus I think they cost less.

I really like the way that the Tabak has a very light draw that's nice and smoky. So how do I describe that or look for it in other cigars? I don't like the ones I've tried with a tight draw that requires a couple puffs to get started. It seems related to the tightness of the wrap and how much give they have, am I correct? The tabak is easy to squeeze and soft.

Try the newbie sampler in the exchange forum.

I do want to get in on some trades, I look forward to that a lot. I also would like to find an experienced local who'd like to do some trades or visit a shop/lounge together.