Novice smoker with some questions

**David_from_Malta** · 09-20-2005, 08:46 AM

I have some questions for anyone who can help me.

I recently started smoking a cigar everyday for these last 15 days and it makes me feel confident, relaxed and enjoyable.

1. When it is the best time to smoke a cigar - in the evening after a meal?

2. Is brandy a good liquor to take with a cigar smoke? Any suggestions?

3. I prefer White Owl New Yorker cigars.....Do I have to cut off the cap as well? I am smoking them with the cap still on.

4. After smoking a cigar, during the night I end up with a terrible soar throat? How can I minimize the soarness.

Thank you.

**stjohnroe** · 09-20-2005, 08:55 AM

Welcome.

1: Any time that you fancy it, but some cigars go better after food.

2: Yes, also good scotch and bourboun, port, rum.

3: Never tried white owls, if it has a closed cap then it will need to be cut.

4: Smoke better cigars and don't inhale.

Is that Malta in the med?

bigpoppapuff · 09-20-2005, 10:00 AM

first point...if you're smoking white owls...there's no reason to feel confident,etc,etc....

....try smoking some real premium cigars...then let us know how you feel....don't inhale...cut the closed end before lighting the other end.....we'll await your reply....

**SuperChuck** · 09-20-2005, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by stjohnroe

4: Smoke better cigars and don't inhale.

Yeah, what he said.

Bring the smoke into your mouth, taste it, and exhale.

I also suggest finding a cigar shop in your area and ask them for suggestions matching your requirements (taste, budget, etc.)

**mithril** · 09-20-2005, 10:44 AM

welcome to the board! i have to also advise you to stay away from gas station smokes. the are mostly made with dried out tabacco and will taste like crap compared to a premium smoke. so just go cold turkey with those things.

**BigMacFU** · 09-20-2005, 12:05 PM

Welcome to the boards and welcome to the hobby. The soarness is definitely caused by what you're smoking. There are lots of chemicals and unnatural additives to "gas station" smokes such as white owls. What you need to do is go buy "premium" cigars and make sure you don't inhale them. With premium cigars, they do not come with plastic tips and will typically run you from 2 dollars upward per cigar. When you start smoking these, you will have to cut or punch the "capped" or closed off end. Some brands you might want to start with:

Gran Habano
Punch "Champion"
Montecristo Platinum
Carlos Torano Exodus 1956
Ashton

Again, welcome to the boards.

**Jonsey5484** · 09-20-2005, 01:40 PM

Welcome to the board and throw away those gas station cigars.

If they can even be considered cigars.

**vinvango** · 09-25-2005, 04:39 PM

David, First visit websites like: Cigar International (they have an online catalog you can view), "JR Cigar", "CubanCrafters" and so on. They will have specials like: Hand full of good cigars, cutter and maybe even a lighter (oh, please dont use book-matches or liquid lighter fluid lighters, use only wood matches and butane lighters).

First: Get an assortment of cigars to try (the above websites will have variety packs to order)

Second: Make sure you get a cutter. Sometimes you can get a free one w/order or buy a gillatine cutter( self sharpening double blade is preferred) for around $10-20. And if you really dig cigar smoking buy a desk-top humidor.

Third: Ring Gauge (48-52) is common, length: 5" to 8" long, the longer the cigar, the longer you will spend smoking it. On avg. a robusto (5 X 50) will take about 45mins.

Fourth: Drink with your cigar?, you know, its up to you if you like scotch, cognac, beer or wine etc. First find a line of cigars you like and then ask us what goes good with that cigar!

Fith: the members are right, dont inhale and dont smoke cheap cigars.

Six: Cigar in hand, cut 1/8" from cap, heat the tip with the heat from flame, dont put the flame itself on the cigar, now roll your cigar with your fingers while using the heat from your lighter to get the cigar going. blow on the tip if it needs a little jump start, re-light area of tip thats not burning even. puff about every 30seconds to keep cigar relatively cool. I do believe your on your way.

And Seven: And on the seventh day God takes a break to smoke cigars!!!

**CoventryCat86** · 09-25-2005, 04:49 PM

There's nothing wrong with liquid filled (Zippo) lighters.....

**vinvango** · 09-25-2005, 05:07 PM

Why do you think they started selling "Zippo Inserts". Answer: when you light up a great cigar, you dont want it tasting like a BBQ gone wrong. David, use wood matches-untreated or a good torch single, double or triple flame. OH yeah, Bic lighters work with no damage to your cigar.