as another new guy i will give you a couple recommendations that i have liked so far.

1. CAO Gold Robusto (well built, mild, lots of smoke, and a nice clean finish)
2. Arturo Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 (again well built and lots of smoke with a little more body then the CAO but not at all overpowering, even on an empty stomach)

and both are less then 5 bucks a stick at my local B&M