Quote Originally Posted by djinjekted View Post
Ok ok... an intro. :)

My name is Kevin. I'm 26 years old, living in Orlando, FL. I started smoking cigars when I was in college, but it happened very rarely... maybe once a year. After college, a friend and I joined a billiard league, and would smoke cigars every week... but we were so poor, we smoked stuff like Swisher Sweets and Philly Blunts.... and honestly, I didn't mind them, but I didn't know any better. Also, we each ordered 2 pitchers of Bud Light. We were REALLY poor.

After a year, we quit playing pool, smoking cigars, and drinking (that much) beer. But recently, I decided to start smoking again. I'm less poor now... (still poor, but now LESS poor)... and stopped by a cigar store. I explained to the clerk that I was new to smoking and explained what I smoked in the past, and asked him to suggest some stuff. He led me over to the flavored cigar section where I picked out some ACID cigars that I absolutely loved.

The next time I went in, I talked to the same guy, told him I loved the ones I had last time and wanted to try something a step up. He gave me some cigar that he called the "cigarette smoker's cigar" because you could inhale and it would bother you, and blah blah blah. I don't even remember what it was because I hated it. No... I did not try inhaling, but I'm fairly certain there were hints of dirt and dog poop.

So I started thinking, this guy probably gave this to me because he knew I liked cheap flavored cigars.... you know, just to get me out of the store. Then I thought... I know! I'll go online and talk to other cigar smokers and see what THEY like. I did a search for ACID cigars and came across this site. And the first thread I saw was someone asking about Drew Estate Subculture, and everyone "frowning upon" any Drew Estate cigars.

Then looking at other boards and sites, I realized that it's a general rule... flavored cigars are frowned upon. I was just wondering why. I'm a "smoke what you like" kind of guy.

But also, what do you suggest as a non-flavored cigar for someone who generally likes flavored cigars?

Thanks, guys!
Nice intro. Welcome from Utah.

Everyone starts somewhere. I started with flavoreds like Maker's Marks, Kahlua, and Cojimars. That was a short lived phase, but it was obviously necessary to get to the point where I am. We like to clown around and bust balls over flavored cigars and especially gas station cigars because we are passionate about this hobby. We know there is so much more out there to enjoy and to do so, one must at least leave their current smokes if even for a few cigars.

A nice transitional cigar from flavored to non would be the Java. From there, start mild-medium. Try the Padron x000 series, a Fuente Chateu or Hemingway, maybe a Baccarat or a Sancho Panza Cabalero. Casa Toranos are a fantastic milder smoke as are Ashton Classics. Stay clear of the Macanudos.

You are right though... ...when it is all said and done, smoke what you like and like what you smoke!