Random thoughts from Kobe

[eiyosus]

Hey everybody, this is my second post (first one was asking for a bit of advice). If you read my previous post, you know I live in Japan and am 26 years old. I've been smoking here for about a year and a half just sampling all the good stuff stocked in the local cigar store (much bigger than my hometown's shop). After smoking a few things I would like to post my opinions (which don't count for much). I have no idea if I have good taste in Cigars or not.

The brand most stocked is Cohiba's. I've sampled about 75% of them and find them good, but a bit expensive. Their minis are good, but the club size is a bit sweet for my taste. Just purchased a non-Cuban one, but have yet to smoke it.

The brand who's taste I seem to like best is Partagas. Their club packs are about the best quick smokes I've ever had, but their larger sized cigars seem to give me trouble with keeping an even burn. Not a whole lot stocked either.

The only H. Upmann I've tried was a pack of five puritos which had a light, almost minty taste altogether not unpleasant. The draw could have been better, though.

One thing that puzzles me is the fact that I can't tell the difference between any Romeo y Julieta and Monte Cristo cigars. These seem to be staples, but none of them seemed to knock me out. Not bad, mind you, just nothing to write home about. Decent price, though.

The one brand that I can't figure out is Davidoff. These are by far the most expensive cigars stocked. I tried some club sized cigars of 10 for about $20 and found them way to sweet (and lacking the home-made feel of Cuban cigars of the same size). Then I bought something called Exquisitos which were mini-sized cigars in a pack of 10 for about $25. They had a great draw but tasted pretty bad. I also tried a $17 dollar cigar which tasted bland. My question is this: why are they so expensive? I would be a little kinder to them if I didn't pay the prices that I did. Can anybody recommend a good one that might change my opinion of them?

Thanks for reading.

[Kass]

Hey everybody, this is my second post (first one was asking for a bit of advice). If you read my previous post, you know I live in Japan and am 26 years old. I've been smoking here for about a year and a half just sampling all the good stuff stocked in the local cigar store (much bigger than my hometown's shop). After smoking a few things I would like to post my opinions (which don't count for much). I have no idea if I have good taste in Cigars or not.

The brand most stocked is Cohiba's. I've sampled about 75% of them and find them good, but a bit expensive. Their minis are good, but the club size is a bit sweet for my taste. Just purchased a non-Cuban one, but have yet to smoke it.

The brand who's taste I seem to like best is Partagas. Their club packs are about the best quick smokes I've ever had, but their larger sized cigars seem to give me trouble with keeping an even burn. Not a whole lot stocked either.

The only H. Upmann I've tried was a pack of five puritos which had a light, almost minty taste altogether not unpleasant. The draw could have been better, though.

One thing that puzzles me is the fact that I can't tell the difference between any Romeo y Julieta and Monte Cristo cigars. These seem to be staples, but none of them seemed to knock me out. Not bad, mind you, just nothing to write home about. Decent price, though.

The one brand that I can't figure out is Davidoff. These are by far the most expensive cigars stocked. I tried some club sized cigars of 10 for about $20 and found them way to sweet (and lacking the home-made feel of Cuban cigars of the same size). Then I bought something called Exquisitos which were mini-sized cigars in a pack of 10 for about $25. They had a great draw but tasted pretty bad. I also tried a $17 dollar cigar which tasted bland. My question is this: why are they so expensive? I would be a little kinder to them if I didn't pay the prices that I did. Can anybody recommend a good one that might change my opinion of them?

Thanks for reading.

Welcome to the board!
Looks like you are sampling a nice variety of cigars. Thats the best way to figure out which ones you like and dont like. I've been smoking since february last year and almost always smoke a different cigar each time I light up. There are so many different companies out there, so its ok if you dont like one. Its all personal taste. But the more you smoke, your taste will change as your palate matures.
As for Davidoff, I've only had the grand cru #5, I think, and it was a decent smoke, but they are quite expensive. Just browse through the forum (use the search function) and almost any cigar recommended by the memebrs here should be a decent smoke.
BTW, I am going to be moving to South Korea next monday. Do you happen to know how the cigar scene is there?

[Roham]

Welcome to the board!!! Where in Japan are you???

[ashauler]

Welcome to the board!! I was in Japan once.......don't really remember much about it, other than the shore patrol doesn't tolerate public nudity.

[cls515]

You speak good english for Japanese, unless of course you are American in Japan or have noting to do with Japan at all.

[ashauler]

You speak good english for Japanese, unless of course you are American in Japan or have noting to do with Japan at all.

? huh ? Know something we don't Chet?

I am confused though.....says its his second post, but in his profile it only shows one post..?...

[eiyosus]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I live in Sanda, Japan (halfway between Kobe and Osaka) and, yes, I'm American. My first post apparently is being approved to see if it's appropriate. I thought it would be up by now, but it isn't. It basically gave a little more back story and stated that I've been smoking for a while, but have never had a humidor (until now). I had a question, but I'll just ask it here instead: Can I store the boxes of my club and mini cigars in the humidor, or should I take them out first?

I have no idea about the South Korean scene. My advice is to ask people about shops until somebody can tell you where one is, that's what I did. Besides, S. Korea has a pretty strong military, and everybody know military guys love smoking cigars, so you should be able to find something.

[drew_goring]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I live in Sanda, Japan (halfway between Kobe and Osaka) and, yes, I'm American. My first post apparently is being approved to see if it's appropriate. I thought it would be up by now, but it isn't. It basically gave a little more back story and stated that I've been smoking for a while, but have never had a humidor (until now). I had a question, but I'll just ask it here instead: Can I store the boxes of my club and mini cigars in the humidor, or should I take them out first?

I have no idea about the South Korean scene. My advice is to ask people about shops until somebody can tell you where one is, that's what I did. Besides, S. Korea has a pretty strong military, and everybody know military guys love smoking cigars, so you should be able to find something.

I always throw my boxes of clubs into the humidor intact and haven't run into any problems. No sense pulling those little buggers out and making a mess.