New to cigars....need advice on a good first.

**MMAB** · 03-23-2005, 08:26 PM

Many of the cigar brands have a national duality.

RyJ was originally a Cuban brand as are many of the cigar brands out there. But since the dawn of Fidel Castro and the Cuban embargo in the early sixties, many cigar manufacturers fled Cuba to begin anew in the Domincan Republic and parts of South America where they continue to use the original Cuban names, logos and artwork even though the names are still used in Cuba today. The new versions can be as good or sometimes even better than the Cuban originals.

The RyJ you have is unlikely Cuban. It would say Romeo y Julieta "Habana" on the label. Even if it does, there's a good chance it's a counterfeit as the USA is plagued with counterfeit Cuban cigars. The RyJ you have is probably Domincan and an excellent cigar. But as I said, if it's dry, it's not worth smoking.

Don't waste your time pursuing Cuban cigars now. Don't walk into a cigar shop and ask for Cuban cigars either. You'll sound like a fool. Cuban cigars are illegal in the USA and have been since 1963 because of the Cuban embargo. No reputable dealer will sell them. If you did find someone selling them they are most likely fakes and you'll be seriously ripped off. But you must remember, they are only illegal in the USA. Other countries including Canada import them. So you will see a lot of print about Cuban cigars on the internet and in magazines. They can be some of the best available but not worth the hassle and money it would cost to get them.

Another piece of advice........read......read all you can about cigars and their storage and cigar etiquette.

A great web site is this one >>>>>> www.cigarnexus.com

If you do go to this site, scroll down just a bit and cllick on the heading that says "The Ultimate Cigar Storage Manifesto".

It's a good read on basic cigar storage.

Search the web. There's LOTS of stuff out there!

**labmonkey** · 03-24-2005, 09:39 AM

MMAB has given some great advice and info here...bravo.

I just want to agree that finding a good cigar shop with a knowledgable staff is the best way to start your journey. The owner of the shop i frequent here has basically walked me through my introduction to cigars and made it a wonderful experience. He truly enjoys talking about the differences between all the tobaccos and asks questions about my tastes as we go along...then makes suggestions. You can tell that he enjoys his job. I was a little apprehensive when I first started smoking, but I think he and his staff really enjoy getting ahold of a new smoker and making sure they really enjoy it as much as possible.

Welcome to the boards.

**Cutter** · 03-24-2005, 10:15 PM

I have an alternative suggestion for you. By the way, I'm just started smoking about a month and a half ago; I'm 19.

I recommend you try a Baccarat and anything from the Drew Estate Natural line. Both are my preferred smokes. I've tried other things and they just don't stand up to my tastes. Additionally, there are many excellent types of cigars out there (even sub $1 a stick) that just need to sit in a humidor for a good year or two.

Bottom line, get 5 - 10 different cigars and smoke them all over a month. Some you will like, others you might hate. Even better, find someone with a humidor and get them to give you some free "samples."

**QuietC** · 03-24-2005, 10:37 PM

i would recommend carlos torano 1916 cameroon, or montesino, or a te-amo. I'm fairly new to smoking, and i think the best part is sampling all the different kinds to find which i like and which i dont.

**QuietC** · 03-24-2005, 10:39 PM

also, i would recommend keeping a lil notebook and put the label and name of the cigar and such in it with a few comments on it and ratings, so later on you'll be able to remember which cigars you liked and why, or which you hated and why

**tx_tuff** · 03-25-2005, 12:14 AM

I'm pretty new to smoking cigars also, but right away I seem to like at least a medium to full taste cigar. To me the Montecristo White Lable was not very good at all. First its not cheap and to me it lacked any flavor at all. You can try a CAO just not the Extreme! I also like the RyJ and Trinidad. Anyway good luck and don't inhale.

**Vigcs** · 03-25-2005, 01:35 PM

What about a Coheba as my first?

**phoenix642** · 03-27-2005, 02:44 AM

Hi and welcome. I'm new here myself but not new to cigar smoking. Been smoking them for about 5 years and for me nothing does it better than a nice Montecristo No 2. Smooth flavor (mild) amd a nice draw. Not your everyday cigar. Generally for an everyday cigar I very but right now I have "Consuegra" in my humidor. These cigars are hand made Genuine Factory Seconds from the manufacturers of Hoyo de Monterrey, Punch, Belinda and El Rey Del Mundo. Seconds contain the same tobacco & wrapper as firsts, however, because of their slight imperfections, they vary with darkness and lightness as well as size. As a side note my birthday is also April 23. Enjoy the smokes.