Im new, need some advice.

**hypersnyper694788** · 07-19-2010, 05:47 PM

Hello all, its a pleasure to be a new member here. I am fairly new to the whole cigar world but have been enjoying a good smoke from time to time for awhile. I was given a Davidoff Aniversario No.3 for winning a cigar selling competition at my bar. I have had some cigars before this one but nothing that was ever this good. I REALLY liked this cigar but dont want to spend $20 every time I want a smoke. So my question is what are some comparable cigars that are a little lighter on the wallet?

Thanks in advance.

**hypersnyper694788** · 07-21-2010, 12:56 AM

This was my first thread i tried to start as my first post but it wouldnt let me till a mod looked at it. So now it randomly popped up. I am still interested in what would compare to the davidoff anniversario series that is not quite so expensive if anyone can give a suggestion.

Thanks

**hypersnyper694788** · 07-21-2010, 02:47 PM

Well I have been doing some research of my own and stumbled on Oliva Connecticut Reserve. Has anyone tried these, there supposed to be quite good and similar to the Davidoff and Ashtons.

**hondo1312** · 07-21-2010, 02:57 PM

I think the Connecticut Reserve is great stick for the price. I smoke alot of Ashtons, Padrons, and Fuentes, but I always pick up an Oliva or two (or box) because they never seem to let me down for the price. I also like the Serie O maduros, and the Serie G special maduro (the little ones) for when I don't have a lot of time to devote to smoking.

**mrtr33** · 07-21-2010, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by hypersnyper694788

Well I have been doing some research of my own and stumbled on Oliva Connecticut Reserve. Has anyone tried these, there supposed to be quite good and similar to the Davidoff and Ashtons.

Buy it. Smoke it. Then make your own opinion. While I understand the desire to save a buck or two, I also wouldn't want to eat caviar for every meal every day. Maybe try a bunch of different cigars, looking for some particular flavor profile that you find agreeable. Also, keep in mind that your tastes will change over time.

My advice? Smoke more. Lots more. Keep the Davidoffs as treats for special occasions.

And welcome, from deep in Hell.

**Mangyrat** · 07-21-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by mrtr33

Buy it. Smoke it. Then make your own opinion. While I understand the desire to save a buck or two, I also wouldn't want to eat caviar for every meal every day. Maybe try a bunch of different cigars, looking for some particular flavor profile that you find agreeable. Also, keep in mind that your tastes will change over time.

My advice? Smoke more. Lots more. Keep the Davidoffs as treats for special occasions.

And welcome, from deep in Hell.

Excellent advice.

Give the Romeo y Julieta offerings a try.

**Eville** · 07-21-2010, 04:02 PM

I have never smoked any Davidoffs, but I hear they are mild bodied. A couple of mild smokes that I always like are Montecristo White's and Platinums.

**JiveTurkey** · 07-21-2010, 05:31 PM

There's so much out there, I can understand getting overwhelmed. If you come across a brand you'd like to try, Google for reviews--they'll tell you what others think of the quality but also flavors. Try different ones and discover what you like. This is where I'm at.

And welcome to the board.

**hypersnyper694788** · 07-21-2010, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I definitely will only smoke Davidoff's on special occasions. Montecristo Whites and Platinum?? Sound expensive.

Ill keep you updated on what i find and like

well off to do some hands on research

**hypersnyper694788** · 07-22-2010, 12:33 AM

Well just finished smoking a cigar.com house blend Purple Label robusto. In my newb status i thought this was a pretty decent cigar especially for the $2.50 price tag. It was smooth and medium to mild. It lit right up, the draw was nice and easy but still produced a good amount of smoke which i liked. It burned evenly with a nice white ash that held to about an inch or so. It prob took around an hour to finish. I had read somewhere on here that the cigar.com house blends were pretty good bang for the buck cigars so i bought 2 of each purple, blue, and cuban labels. I have only tried this one so far but i have to say im happy with the purchase. Also my buddy was smoking one of the corona house blends next to me and i liked this purple label much better, it was a bit more creamy and definitely had a better draw.

**mrtr33** · 07-22-2010, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by hypersnyper694788

Well just finished smoking a cigar.com house blend Purple Label robusto. In my newb status i thought this was a pretty decent cigar especially for the $2.50 price tag. It was smooth and medium to mild. It lit right up, the draw was nice and easy but still produced a good amount of smoke which i liked. It burned evenly with a nice white ash that held to about an inch or so. It prob took around an hour to finish. I had read somewhere on here that the cigar.com house blends were pretty good bang for the buck cigars so i bought 2 of each purple, blue, and cuban labels. I have only tried this one so far but i have to say im happy with the purchase. Also my buddy was smoking one of the corona house blends next to me and i liked this purple label much better, it was a bit more creamy and definitely had a better draw.

Take your time. This isn't a race. You'll smoke WAAAAY more crappy cigars than good cigars when starting out. You're still trying to discover what you like in your cigar - everything from taste to price range to size to length of smoking time. Again, just smoke more - your preferences will come. Use reviews as a guideline, but don't use them exclusively. Cigars are subjective, like anything else.

**kevin7** · 07-22-2010, 11:26 AM

Finding what you like is part of the journey . You have to smoke some shit to appreciate the good ones

**ggiese** · 07-22-2010, 11:33 AM

You have, unfortunately, been bit by the Davidoff bug. And you're not going to scratch that itch with a $2.50 cigar. Those cigars are impeccably made, with some of the best tobacco. That is my "go to" cigar, if I really want to have a very nice cigar to celebrate something special You'll not find much better than those...

That being said - the price you paid is what you will pay for a cigar comparable to a Davidoff. They're in a league of their own.

Eville - Davidoff cigars run the range from mild to full. The Anniversario series is somewhat in the middle of the road for Davidoff. I happen to gravitate to the 1's and 2's when I want a very nice, pleasant tasting cigar. The Millenium blends have a bit more "bite" to them. The Grand Cru's are a bit milder - I won't turn one down! And - if you've not had the Maduro yet - you don't know what you're missing!

Check out the Avo line of cigars. They're also made by Davidoff, having recently buying the brand from Avo Uvezian. Avo's are a bit cheaper, and (in my view) very comparable.

Also - try the Cuesta Rey line, as well as most of the Arturo Fuente line. Those two cigar brands are very well made, and are very pleasant smokes.

The best part of this quest is looking for the diamond in the rough - that cigar that just does it for you. Keep smoking cigars until you find what you like. And save the Davidoff's for those special times in life!

**Cyris** · 07-22-2010, 11:47 AM

Great advice here for sure. As my buddy geek says.. "how am I going to know what I like, unless I find out what I do not like". Smoking shitty cigars is just a part of the game. Personally, I think its interesting to pick up some of the cheapest, nastiest cigars (cigarbid is great for this) to see how bad they really are. I have been surprised with several sticks that I can get for under a buck. Not Davidoff by any stretch of the imagination, but great smokes for when you just want something to smoke (grilling in the back yard or drinking large quantities of beer). Of course... some are really as bad as you might imagine and worse =)

**ggiese** · 07-22-2010, 12:05 PM

I'm sorry I've picked this thread, Hyper - but I've been seeing a trend that's a bit disturbing. Nothing personal, but...

I guess when you're new to cigar smoking, it's hard to understand what you're truly saying when you ask, "I had a Davidoff, but I don't want to spend the money - what's comparable that's a whole heck of a lot cheaper..."

Comparable questions:

"I had Dom Perignon last night - anyone know where can I pick up something similar in the $10.99 range?"

"I drove a Bentley - you car guys - would the Dodge Charger be a good substitute?"

"I ate at Morton's last night - does anyone know of a Sizzler that has steaks like that?"

"My buddy has a Rolex and I really like it. I saw Invicta has something that looks pretty close. Should I bite the bullet and pick one up?"

To make matters worse... responses like these are equally stunning:

"I had Dom Perignon last night - anyone know where can I pick up something similar in the $10.99 range?"
- I'd go with the Bartles and James Peach Coloda. You can't go wrong!

"I drove a Bentley - you car guys - would the Dodge Charger be a good substitute?"
- Have you tried the newly redesigned Ford Taurus? Ford has hit it out of the park with that one!

"I ate at Morton's last night - does anyone know of a Sizzler that has steaks like that?"
- I find Ponderosa much better than Sizzler.

"My buddy has a Rolex and I really like it. I saw Invicta has something that looks pretty close. Should I bite the bullet and pick one up?"
- Why spend the money on the Invicta, when you can find Rolex's cheap on eBay every day!

Bottom line - it's sometimes best not to let your ignorance show... That's why you'll hear fairly regular that it's best to read more, and post less.

**EGQ** · 07-22-2010, 01:20 PM

Damn it -- now I'm wishing there was a Ponderosa nearby...

**hypersnyper694788** · 07-22-2010, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the awesome posts ggiese, i didnt know how prestigious the Davidoff's were but im finding out quickly. I have been doomed from the beginning to only like expensive cigars i guess. But i will continue smoking to try new different things to find out what i really enjoy, and yes Davidoff's on special occasions for sure. Thanks for the suggestions too i will definitely be trying those out.

**heftysmokes** · 07-22-2010, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by hypersnyper694788

Thanks for the awesome posts ggiese, i didnt know how prestigious the Davidoff's were but im finding out quickly. I have been doomed from the beginning to only like expensive cigars i guess. But i will continue smoking to try new different things to find out what i really enjoy, and yes Davidoff's on special occasions for sure. Thanks for the suggestions too i will definitely be trying those out.

Don't sell yourself--or inexpensive cigars--short. I love a nice steak. I also love a nice burger. There are times and occasions for each.

**mrtr33** · 07-22-2010, 04:32 PM

What's important isn't the price of the cigar you're smoking - it's whether or not you enjoy it. I like lots of sticks that are inexpensive, and I hate a lot of cigars that are expensive. It has nothing to do with the price, it all has to do with what I like in the cigars I enjoy.

Maybe look into the Newbie Sampler Thread for some kind of sampler. Or ask Mangyrat for some kind of trade.

Keep smoking.