how do you pick a good cigar?

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by Mule
Tabs you lost me there. I've been smoking cigars for over 30 years and generally have over 300 in my humidor. Tastes vary but I've never seen anyone knock a Cohiba Lancero which is the finest cigar I've ever smoked. Today allthough there are still some fine Cuban brands, you can get very fine cigars legally in the USA. IMHO Arturo Fuentes Hemingways are great cigars & priced from $5 to $11, when you can find them. Trinidad, Diamond Crown Maximus and Padron Anniversarios are some of my favorites on the upper end of the price range. CAO Brazillia, Carlos Torano 1916 are good but neet some time in the box (1-3 months) to get really good. A very fine everyday cigar that can be had for $4 - $5 bucks is Aroma de Cuba. I think they are made by Ashton & with a few weeks in the box are fine cigars that are medium bodied & would be a good choice for a beginner. If a beginner wants to spend more money, try a Zino Platinum Chubby or any Davidoff would be a great choice.

Beware of Cubans. There are many more fakes than real ones. If you don't know the source & trust his knowledge of cigars, leave them alone.

Good advice, especially the last paragraph. I have a long time buddy who is an airline pilot. Not being a cigar smoker, he has "gifted" me with genuine Cubans. Like any other cigar making country, some are fine, and some are a waste of striking a match. IMHO, there are Hondurans out there that are the equal of the best Cubanos, perhaps even better....
All that said? I just like to have a stogie or two while I'm mowing the lawn. Like anything else, it's just that some are better than others...all are okay.

[tabs]

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH I think I'm gona be sick or sumthin I actually agree with that Vile Old Man ...PWD72S...Honduran that are = or+ Cubanos...

Try a Cuban Partagas Presidente...for knockin you head back...I think the Black Label Partagas are as close as your gona get without it being Cuban..

I started smokin Arturos in 89... I thought they were a good cheap cigar...but grew tired of them ....long before they got popular...

I smoked cigars for over 25 years...and have gone through various fazes...from Upman 1000's to Macanudo reserves #1 to Romeo & Jullieta Reserve #5's...Partagas #10's to Avaos to Monte Cristos...now I just don't care that much anymore

[Mule]

Partagas #10 is a very good cigar. I've smoked a number of boxes of #1s also. I don't get your fascination with the black label though. I never did care much for Macs or Upmans. Some of the new Avos are pretty good. But dollar for dollar I don't think there is a better cigar on the planet than a Hemmingway. I can't envision getting tired of them.

[dd74]

What do you guys mean when you say "knock your head back," etc? Does that mean the cigar is strong, or flavorful?

[tabs]

It means when you stand up after smoking it you have a buzz on..the world kinda swirls around...

[tabs]

Ohhh And I like Punch Churchills .....I have a friend who like the El Rey Del Mundos...they are OK I guess.