In my 10 years here, I really never have been on the Trades Board, so I don't really know how all this works. I've participated in group hits in the past, but not like I used to. This board took care of me royally well a little over 3 years ago when I was out of work due to a broken ankle & work screwed up my pay so bad, I completely ran out of food. I did a few pay-it-fwds from that, right now the wife has been out of work since October & we're kinda struggling. We're making it, but I have always since hated being looked at as a charity case.
I'll say this, the lesson learned from that experience was to keep my pantry full. After that, I bought cases of canned vegetables, cases of canned chicken breasts, pounds of rice & noodles, and etc, etc. They have come in handy these last 4 months.
At one point, I had over 900 cigars. I was so anal about it, that each brand had their own desktop humidor. I gave away 2/3rds of them, smoked the rest myself. Since then, and after paying off the massive credit card debt, I only occasionally smoke when I'm up at the cabin with the guys, and I'll smoke what they have, or head down to the B&M to get a favorite.
Now, it's been a good 7 years since I was bidding on this site, sampling different cigars, and I have *no* idea about the cigar market today. I only know what I like, and since its been so long since I was a regular buyer, I can't remember 1/2 of the faves I used to have.
The last cigar I smoke was on June 23td, my wedding night. Buckwheat had sent me a ISOM/CC bomb as a RAOK when I helped MACS get through ATL on his way back home to SAN from Iraq. I smoked all those cigars, except one. AndyTV had clued me in that one RyJ in particular was pre-1986, and I at that point vowed that *that* cigar was the one I was going to smoke on my wedding night. After 7 years or so of moving and not taking care of it as well as i thought I should have, o was concerned about its aged condition. It turned out my fears were unfounded, as it was *the best* cigar I have ever smoked.
Since its been so long that I was a daily smoker, I really cant smoke strong cigars anymore. I tried a strong Maduro at the cabin a few months ago & it made me puke. I gravitate towards good medium body cigars.
I think this is s thread about average cigars, but as previously stated, I'm fairly clueless about the cigar market now. I'll tell you what I like, and post some suggestions I've been given.
I've always like anything Fuente. Hemingway has always been my favorite. When I go to a B&M, I search out Short-Stories. I had boxes of Classics before, and those were favorites.
B&M selections now are also PAN 64.
I always used to keep several desktops full of the tiny Padron's. Can't remember the number, 2000 (?), but I loaded up on them because they were a good quick & cheap smoke.
Punch Rothschild's were also a triple full desktop fave that was a constant go-to smoke for me.
Peppery cigars have always been at the top of my list, but am shy about strong smokes these days.
Here is a suggestion by an encourager of the highest order if esteem BOTL's on this site.
DPG Cuban Classic
EPC New Wave Connecticut
Illusione HL nat or maduro
RASS
In closing I will say that I'm humbled by anything that comes from this & am still unsure about it, and the process.
If y'all need me, I'll be on the General Discussion Boards. LoL. Thx.
