Cigar Thread

[MTUCache]

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The real question that I have for all you people that know much more than me, what cigars should I start out with? And after I know some more and appreciate cigars where should I go from there?

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Honestly, I think the best way to get started with cigars is kind of the same way most of the guys around here started learning more about poker... find an online forum resource that you can trust, and lurk around for a while. My personal favorite is clubstogie.com... also, there's a handful of really good cigar podcasts out there that you can download.

One trap that you see cigar-newbs fall into constantly is the hype or reputation. As with most things, "value" has very little to do with "price", and everyone enjoys different things. I've smoked FANTASTIC cigars that were $2/stick, and I've smoked some complete dogrockets that cost me upwards of $15.

If you're JUST starting out, I'd suggest trying out a handful of the larger manufacturers, so you know you're at least getting a decent-quality product, and just buy single sticks. All different wrappers, all different sizes. You'll learn really quickly that you prefer a Connecticut or a Maduro wrapper, or if you like a Robusto or a Churchill. Once you learn the lingo and what you like, it's pretty easy to branch out from there to some other types of cigars that you're not familiar with.

Don't be intimidated by a B&M tobacconist... they should be there to educate you and to steer you in the right direction. You should be able to tell your tobacconist what you've liked or disliked in the past, and he should be able to point you towards some other pruduct that you might like. Preferably without just pointing you right at the $20/stick garbage.

Also, don't always associate a dark wrapper on a cigar with a very powerful cigar. Don't be afraid to grab that CAO MX2 just because it looks like a deathstick. It's surprisingly gentle. Likewise, don't always assume that a lighter wrapper means it's not going to knock your socks off. Some of the mildest looking cigars will have you swimming before you're done.

Keep trying, experimenting, learning. You'll find some favorites pretty quickly, but don't ever just limit yourself to one brand, one wrapper, one size, etc.

If you're anything like me, you'll jump right into it quickly. You'll start out thinking that you should only smoke mild cigars. Then you'll love a couple of really bold cigars. Then you'll start to appreciate the complexity of some expensive cigars. Then you'll realize that your wallet is empty and you need to find some good budget cigars. By that point your tastes and pallet will have developed to the point where you'll want certain cigar profiles for different times.

[bd8802]

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If you're JUST starting out, I'd suggest trying out a handful of the larger manufacturers, so you know you're at least getting a decent-quality product, and just buy single sticks. All different wrappers, all different sizes. You'll learn really quickly that you prefer a Connecticut or a Maduro wrapper, or if you like a Robusto or a Churchill.

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Thanks for the great response!

I have always been curious what the difference is between the different sizes. Obviously, the longer cigars will smoke longer, but is there a taste difference or anything else?

[cjmewett]

It's generally understood that the larger sizes have more complex flavors, though this isn't always true. Often you'll find that the draw and burn are significantly different from one size to the next, as well.

[cjmewett]

Question for those others of you who live in cold places with smoking bans: where do you smoke in the winter?

I haven't had a cigar since well before Christmas, as DC passed a smoking ban on January 2. (It was already hard enough to find a place that didn't mind you smoking a cigar.) It's 43 right now -- warmest it's been in three weeks, probably -- and I'm considering just sucking it up and sitting on the porch. I rent and can't smoke indoors.

Suggestions?

[MTUCache]

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Suggestions?

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Smoke. Definitely.

Living here in Colorado, smoking outside through the winter has turned into a pretty nice routine.

Start coffee pot.
Pour small glass of scotch.
Light cigar.
Go freeze outside.
Smoke/drink.
After 1"-1.5" of cigar, set cigar down, finish scotch and go back inside.
Warm up while pouring large cup of coffee.
Go smoke second third of cigar with coffee.
Warm up/pour another cup.
Finish cigar/coffee.
Go warmup.

It sucks, but it's way better than not having any cigar. I've survived out on the porch in temperatures below 0, depending on the windchill of course.

[MTUCache]

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I have always been curious what the difference is between the different sizes. Obviously, the longer cigars will smoke longer, but is there a taste difference or anything else?

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There are taste differences, but honestly I don't think my pallet is complex or experienced enough to be able to tell the difference in a blind taste-test.

First, like you said, would be the length of time it takes to smoke. That, to me, is the most important part about why I choose one size over another. If I've got the time to enjoy a nice Churchill, I'm going to consider it. But, if it's freaking freezing outside and I'm not going to survive longer than a half hour, maybe I'll just get through two-thirds of a Robusto. I'm definitely not going to be lighting up anything longer than a corona if I'm just going to end up bored halfway through or frozen to death.

Second, would be the ring-guage. I prefer a ring-guage in the 50s. It just feels better in the fingers, and has a draw that I prefer. People will tell you that a fatter cigar will have a much different flavor than a thinner one because of the different ratio of wrapper to filler, but I haven't really noticed all that much of a difference.

Third would be the length. This obviously has a lot to do with the time it takes to smoke, but can also make a big difference in the complexity of the cigar. The longer a cigar is, the more different unique leaves are going to be in the filler (assuming it's a long-filler premium cigar). So, the more combinations of burning leaves it's going to have throughout the cigar. A really complex, well-blended cigar is going to change flavor every half-inch or so because of this. If that's something you really enjoy, maybe a longer cigar will be better for you. For me, I don't mind a consistant flavor in my cigar. I enjoy complex ones, but only when I've really got the time and energy to sit down and focus ONLY on the cigar. If I'm drinking, playing cards, playing golf, etc... I don't care too much if it's going to be changing flavors every five minutes.

So... that's my take on it.
First priority is time on-hand. (Length)
Second is feel in-hand. (Ring-guage)
Third is levels of complexity. (a combination).

In my experience, a robusto is the right size for me in just about every situation. It's long/wide enough to get some complex flavors going. It's got a nice wide easy draw on it. It's a short enough smoke that I'm not going to spend all evening on one cigar. If I've got extra time I'll have two or three robustos instead of having one huge cigar.

[Bicycles_Biatch]

this weekend I smoked a "La Flora" Ligaro... it was Awesome...

super dark-oily wrapper. Great flavor. Nutty taste. WOW

The thing was WAY strong though... basically put me on my ass.

[bd8802]

Another great reply MTU. I thank you so much for your information. I have been looking over clubstogie.com this afternoon and between the posts here and there I have a fighting chance the next time I go to the B&M smoke shop. I got a nice short list of things to look for. The spring can not get here soon enough.

Short list to look for (please critique and advise):
Cusano 18 - I am pretty sure I have smoked a couple of these before and I enjoyed them.
Onyx Reserve
Punch Elite
Montecristo Afrique
Macaduno Maduro - I think I actualy have one of thse in the humidor right now. Supposed to be nice in a couple days. Looking forward to burning it.
A. Fuente Curly Head

[MTUCache]

Seems like a pretty solid list. At least a nice cross-section of what's out there in the industry.

I can tell you right now that there's cigars there that I loved, cigars I didn't, and two that I haven't had (but should).

You'll spend around $30 on that stash, and within two weeks you'll be back in there re-stocking up on all sorts of new ones.

One thing that I wish I would have done when I started smoking cigars (which really wasn't that long ago, just a few months really), was to keep a journal of what I liked and didn't like. Since I just get singles mostly, and go through a handful per week, I honestly don't remember what I thought about a lot of sticks I had a couple months ago... so now I see them in the B&M and I'm not sure if it's worth giving them another shot.

Oh... and do yourself a favor and google "Dog Watch Social Club". Best podcast on the net. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]