Hi guys:

OK, as newbies just about every cigar experience is brand new to us. So what have you learned that you can share with other newbies?

Here's a few of mine:

1) Samplers are good. Since I don't know what I like, a collection of several cigars is a good bang for buck solution.

2) It's OK not to like a cigar. Even if someone with more cigar smoking experience likes a cigar it's OK if you don't. It' your taste that counts.

3) Your taste will change. If you didn't like a cigar and you've got some more (either via a sampler pack or maybe you bought a 5 pack) then just let it sit in the humidor. 2 things will happen: Your taste will change and the cigar will age and IT will change.

4) www.top25cigar.com is a good site for unbiased reviews. The internet cigar sales sites will ALWAYS say that a cigar is great. They have to sell cigars. But top25cigar will tell you what the people who smoked them think.

5) Cigar bid is addictive. Be aware! You can spend WAY too much money WAY to quickly if you're not careful. That's why they call it "The Devil Site"

6) Single blade cutters suck dead bunnies through a straw. They tend to crush one side of the cigar. That might be why you can buy 10 packs of single blade cutters for $5

7) This is an extension of #3. When you start you'll appreciate mild cigars. But be careful not to say "OK, I like that one, I'll but a whole box". Because half a dozen cigars from now you may find that you like more complex flavors and that mild cigar you liked last week just doesn't have what it takes.

8) Yes, you really will need more humidor space that you think. Especially if you don't heed lesson #5.

9) Beads rock! Get them.

10) Another CBid rule. Cigarbid is run by Cigar International. Check the prices on CI to make sure you're not overbidding for something that you could just buy directly from them.

11) Yet Another CBid Rule: Set you shipping to weekly. You'll save a lot of money on shipping cost. Better yet, delete the cigarbid.com link from your book marks and walk away from your computer. You'll save even more money that way.


OK guys, LEt's hear it. What have you learned in the Newbie Phase of your cigar life?