newbie with a question

[cyras21]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to cigar smoking and only smoked what friends provided. I'm trying to find a couple of good cigars to stock my humidor with. My questions is, can any of you recommend a good combo pack or know of a site that lets you mix match a box? I'd really hate ending up with a full box that I don't like. Thanks.

[bigpoppapuff]

baccarat
helix
fonseca
alec bradley special blends

[drew_goring]

A quick search came up with this:
http://www.cigarsmokers.com/t1991-si...-websites.html

[nhcigarfan]

add some sancho dbl maduros to the above list.

[jaewing]

I have found the best 2 ways to sample cigars that I have never had are:

1. Go to your local tobacco/cigar shop and buy something new every time you are there. However, do not always base an opinion on only trying a single cigar.

2. Get 5 packs from either http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/ or http://www.cigarauctioneer.com/cigars/cigarauctions.cfm

The best way to pay cheap prices (if you pay attention) and not get stuck with a box of smokes you do not like if that is the case. If you have some left and decide you do not like them . . . offer to trade or sell to a member here.

Good Luck.

[Shagaroo]

I have never done business with http://www.cigar-ettecity.com/ but others have and had good things to say about them. They have a nice 5 pack selection. The humidor manager is a member here as well if you have questions. cigar1993

Five Pack Page

And I would add Padron 2000 and 3000 to your list of need to try cigars.

[mauied1101]

Best way to get introduced to some great and varied smokes is to sign up on the "Newbie sampler" thread: http://www.cigarsmokers.com/t2924-ne...er-thread.html

[Bkcloud114]

Best way to get introduced to some great and varied smokes is to sign up on the "Newbie sampler" thread: http://www.cigarsmokers.com/t2924-ne...er-thread.html

LOL..... Paul is correct

[illilli]

Five Pack Page

Hey, I just checked out that site. They have great prices and a good selection. Thanks for the link!

As for the newbie sampler.....it was awesome! I learned a lot about what I like even though I thought I already knew.

When I first started getting into cigars, which was only a few short months ago, I went to a bunch of different sites and ordered their catalogs. The best one in my opinion is Cigar International's. I read through that magazine about 30 times looking at the strengths and prices of the cigars. I knew I liked medium and DID NOT like mild cigars, so I was able to identify several cigars that I thought I might like. Then I started reading the forums and seeing what people said about those cigars.

I wanted to buy a box, so I read the reviews from Cigar International staffers. Based on that I ordered a box of 5 Vegas Double Coronas, which I have come to truly love. I later learned, however that CI has a stake in reviewing things positively and their reviews don't always match what I've discovered on my own. Anyway, it is how I started learning about what I liked. Next, I bought the following sampler:

Top Tier Sampler #3

This includes:

4 – Gurkha Legend Aniversario (Good Medium)
4 – CAO Black (Good Medium)
4 – Rocky Patel Vintage (Very good Medium)
4 – Black Pearl Rojo by La Perla Habana (Good Medium)
4 – Fonseca Vintage (Fair Mild)

Comments in paranthesis are my opinions and may not be the same as other people's.

I'm not trying to sway you to buy this sampler by any means; I'm just letting you know what I did when I was in a similar position. You can get a good feel for different cigars by exploring Cigar International (due to their comprehensive catalog) and then you can get these samplers far cheaper by using CigarBid.com. (Same parenet company). There are other sites that have samplers as well.

Have fun!