Anyone wanna learn me on cigars?
 

I stopped smoking cancer sticks about 1991. This summer I tried a cigar. Was always afraid they'd make me start smoking again but it didn't, Yippee! I've tried a few Dutch Masters etc.

So what makes a good cigar why humidors etc. Thanks guys, (and any gals that may smoke them ;) ).

Some advice: Easily 75% of the Cuban cigars you buy/smoke/are offered in the US are probably fakes. Even in Cuba, you can only trust the cigars you buy in the official shops or at a factory. Real Cubans have a wonderful thick taste that nothing seems to equal . . . imho.

A humidor keeps the cigar at an ideal humidity. If they dry out, some essential cigar oils leave forever - even though you can re-hydrate the cigar. Too moist & they won't burn evenly.

Ian

PS I know next to nothing about cigars . . .

Get yourself a pipe instead, so many more options for tobbaco and you can fiddle with it endlessly, look scholarly, and smell better in the process.

monica lewinsky could probably be the best advice here. a noted scholar on the subject hands down-or hands up!


you knew it was a coming!

Slippery slope, even if you don't go back to the little white sticks...

I a a little biased as I own a smoke shop. My advice is to find a shop in your area that you feel comfortable and talk to the guys there. Try different blends and find what you like. You don't have to spend alot to get a good cigar.

Bernie P

Quit that stuff while you can.

I did!

And I wasn't a cigarette smoker ever. I started to enjoy the cigars all too much. It still will eff you up, even one every now and then. A couple of friends dying of cancer and you'll wonder what you can do to help your chances ...

G

Your best bet is to find a local cigar shop and pull up a seat. Best way to learn is to find a good knowledgeable source and immerse yourself in the cigar world. They will be able to school you and show you many different type or cigars to suit what you like. Most I used to go to that were a little higher end would have cigar tasting night much like wine sellers. Can be a very slippery slope once you get into it .. much like any other vice ... single malts, wine, and golf!

Just my 2 cents ... Good luck.

My fav cigar avalable at most places is the fuente short story.

Try one.

dont start. they become really cool fast..you catch yourself thinking of the next one.

i now just reserve them for the occasional puff at deer camp. campfire, puffy down jacket..cigar..ahhhhh..life is good.

Partagas d no. 4

none better.

Ahem blog.cigarshhi.com
And tom, the exchange of US currency for those is a federal offense...

The entire Hemingway line from Fuente is great. Fuente did a limited release for a single retailer, Smokeinn.com, called the Solaris......6 years aged and absolutely superb!

The E Doble line from Espinosa is a great bargain stick. $3/stick for 6x60

Don't! (advice from a guy addicted to stogies)

Cohiba!

Try mild first. If you decide to get a humidor, don't use the crappy hygrometer and humidifier that typically come with them. Buy the Xikar humidification can and a digital hygrometer and be done with it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353472213.jpg

Cohiba.

A nice line of "beginner" cigars that won't bankrupt you and are of great qaultiy would be the Oliva Series G line.

And while many people say "Cohiba", their quality had slipped quite a bit in the last decade or so. It wasn't until the recent release of the Behike line that Cohiba started hitting them out of the park again.

I try to go to Cuba yearly, especially during the Cigar Festival. Previously, you could tour the factories as much as you want, but they really cut down on it due to quality suffering. During the Cigar Festival is the time to do this, as they often hand out freebies, too. As mentioned earlier, the Partagas D is a fantastic cigar. My favorite Cuban is the Montecristo #2. Last time I was there, I came back with a box of MonteCristo #2 and a box of the uber-rare Cohiba Genios Maduro 5..(was the only maduro Cuban cigar).


At any rate, if you want to know anything specific, please don't hesitate to PM me.


Here's some of my cigar gear and pics:

A purple heart wood ashtray I made:
http://imageshack.us/a/img368/1428/cig5zq3.jpg

A "Nub" stand:
http://imageshack.us/a/img505/3870/nub009.jpg

My Burner table lighter:
http://imageshack.us/a/img113/7268/herf009.jpg

My humidor:
http://imageshack.us/a/img505/5914/humi006.jpg

Ashton VSG, Nibo Lighter, Xikar cutter and portable cigar stand:
http://imageshack.us/a/img805/4087/ashtonvsg1.jpg

The wife smokes cigars to. Here's her puffing on a "Playboy" she received from a Playboy centerfold at a cigar event we attended:
http://imageshack.us/a/img256/3227/24826501.jpg

Rare Cohiba Genios Maduro 5
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5199/cigar3.jpg

I like the Ashton line.
I also have a half-box of Cohiba Siglo 6.

Note that the Cohiba label with a red dot in the O is a US market product, not made by Habanos SA.

That makes 2 of us.
Great family as well. They are truly some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Wow, I do have a lot to learn. But that's part of the fun doing anything you enjoy. Also great pics from you guys. I'll find a smoke shop local and do the newbie thing.
And OJU... I knew you'd be the one to bring up Ms. Lewinsky ;)

Some good primers on the common terms:

http://www.cigarchoiceguide.com/home.htm
Cigar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cigar Glossary

A good relationship with a local shop is a great way to start.
A nice start to a morning:
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...1353162857.jpg
My travel case
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...117_115744.jpg
La Flor Dominicana Oro Maduro, a superb cigar, but a bit strong for a neophyte
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...120_191432.jpg
Some of my tools of the trade: zino platinum cutter and black label el presidente flat flame torch lighter
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...115_162438.jpg
A limited release from tatuaje that will be available for pre order tomorrow at midnight, I got a sample to review
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...115_161244.jpg

Oh yeah and my reviews blog.cigarshhi.com

Not to hijack but a quick Q for the cigar experts...

I have had terrible luck with expensive cigar lighters and taken to lighting on our natural gas stove... sacrilege?

You Sir have excellent taste..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353538815.jpg

A little awkward, but like butane, it should burn clean.......don't see any real issue. Check out the vertigo line from lotus.....$15-20 and pretty solid little lighters........way more reliable than my dunhill or my Porsche lighters

BTW, that ashtray is awesome and those Fuente between the lines rock!

Amen brother ! A damn fine cigar !

Of course Scott, xikar makes great stuff and really stands behind their warranty......

Thanks for the kind words.


My daily ashtray (and my fav) is a Stinky.

http://www.cigarbunch.com/wp-content...9/100_7875.jpg

My father taught me, if you are going to do something, do it right..http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353565325.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353565687.jpg

You know them? Tell them slakjaw says hi and thanks for the awesome smoke.

Much of the cigar industry is that way.......

Hey, if you're a tatuaje fan, there's a limited release micro blend going on sale at smokeinn.com tonight at midnight
Here's my review:
Are you ready for the end of the world? My Tatuaje Apocalypse Review | | Cigars Hilton Head

The Apocalypse is almost here.........tatuaje Apocalypse that ishttp://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...115_161244.jpg

I picked up an cutter & lighter, (found out why you folks use butane ;)

I found a shop in Groton, Cigars and More, (pipes & tobacco). Got a good education. Joe didn't mind answering all my newbie questions and they have a lounge there also.
There is a cigar store at the casino which was nice.
Thanks fellas. Looks like I'm falling in love :D

Awesome, glad you found a good place and got your basic tools!

Thats what I smoke when I have my 2-3 cigars a year.

Unfortunately not available here in the states... yet!

What do you guys use for air purification in your homes? I want to try smoking in my home office. I was looking at ozone generators or is a whole fresh air/exhaust system needed? I have a very small office.