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Last post 16 months ago by Palama. 36 replies replies.
Newbie needs help choosing cigars
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N808x Offline
#1 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 1:33 AM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
Aloha everyone
Ima newbie from hawaii and i habe to order all my cigars. Was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions?..Mahalo
SteveS Offline
#2 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:07 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
well ... I could list some cigars that I like ... but, you might find you don't agree ... just as our tastes might vary widely when it comes to food, the same applies to cigars ...

my suggestion is that you buy 5 packs and samplers ... try a wide variety of different cigars and keep track of which you like AND which you don't ... buy more of the former and none of the latter ... don't get carried away ... keep the experiments to a minimum so you don't find yourself with box quantities of cigars you don't like ... trail and error ... that's the only way you're gonna learn ...
N808x Offline
#3 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:11 AM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
Ok thank you. I live on a little island where theres no BnM lol so i have to order all mt cigars. I have a bunch of gurkah and Alec bradley sticks. Ill take a look on some sampler packs thanks.
Palama Offline
#4 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:41 AM EST
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,658
Brah, where are you? Guessing you're on Lanai or Molokai?
N808x Offline
#5 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:44 AM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
I live lanai. Was on maui couple days picked up couple sticks but letting it sit little while. Where you from?
Palama Offline
#6 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 5:17 AM EST
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,658
Oahu.

With the high cigar tax here in Hawaii, probably best to keep buying online. Really good deals are harder to find these days but keep trying different brands and blends and sooner or later you'll find your wheelhouse.

How long have you been smoking?

From the cigars you've already tried, what have you liked? Not liked?

There's a huge knowledge base here but need more intel before any recommendations make sense.
N808x Offline
#7 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 1:41 PM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
I started smoking about 2 months ago. So far my favorite is Alec bradley tempest maduro
SMOKEYOU Offline
#8 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 1:45 PM EST
Joined: 10-14-2015
Posts: 2,275
I like San Adreas wrappers as well. try Kristoff san andreas.
N808x Offline
#9 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:26 PM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
I bought some cigars the other day. Witch one should i try first

Oliva master blend 3
A Fuente gran reserva
A fuente 8-5-8
Joya black
Palama Offline
#10 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:37 PM EST
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,658
N808x wrote:
I bought some cigars the other day. Witch one should i try first

Oliva master blend 3
A Fuente gran reserva
A fuente 8-5-8
Joya black


I would start with one of the Fuentes first. Probably the mildest of the 4...unless you bought an 8-5-8 SG.
BuckyB93 Offline
#11 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 2:40 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,183
I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of those.

I've never had the Joya black, though. Had many other JdN and haven't been disappointed. I'm a big fan of Nicaraguan blends.
Palama Offline
#12 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 4:36 PM EST
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,658
Dunno how new you are to The Leaf but one of the things I did when I first got the bug was to read and learn as much as I could about cigars. Not just what brands were out there but the history, growing, curing, blending and rolling processes, understanding basic terminology, etc. (...it's still a learning process...). And then I read review after review. Initially about the cigars I was smoking (...to see how the reviewer's palate matched / differed from mine...) and then using the reviewers with similar tastes to broaden my horizons to other brands, wrappers, vitolas, etc. After that I started to follow the "What'cha Smok'in Azzhats 1,000,000!!!!" as well as "I smoked a great cigar today, thanks to......." threads to see what others were smoking. These days I don't constantly read reviews like I used to but enjoy this guy:

https://kohnhed.com

in addition to his straightforward reviews, he's also an older musician that has some great stories from his time as a rock star. I think his health issues have forced him to take a break from reviewing so there won't be up-to-the-minute smokes but you can always read his reviews on stuff you smoke now or are interested in getting.

At any rate, all or most of this may be mute if you've already been there, done that and are past the initial learning curve but iffin' you're still in the early stages, thought this might be of some help.
MACS Offline
#13 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 5:19 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,769
Geeze Conan... you sound like you took the same trip I did.

I found a new passion and went 'all in'. I had to know every-damn-thing. I tried a lot of smokes... hell, I remember when I tried vanilla cigars and thought they were good. Candelas? Yum. Then I did a newb trade with DMV and had a Master Blends, a VSG, and a number of other cigars that made me think what I had sucked.

Oh... and then I got back on a Havana kick. Bought the Illustrated Encyclopedia and dove in again. Never looked back.

This guy has one hell of a trip lined up... I recall discovering new, more flavorful smokes... and now I can't taste all the nuances any more.

I did have a CoRo this morning... and remembered why they cost so much. d'oh!
N808x Offline
#14 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 5:35 PM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
Ive been smoking cigars for 2 months now after 10 years smoking cigarettes. Ill def be reading more about it.. thanks for the help
SMOKEYOU Offline
#15 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 6:09 PM EST
Joined: 10-14-2015
Posts: 2,275
Between beer and cigars I still spend alot of time just reading.
I found visiting local cigar shops helpful. I found the ones i liked, felt most comfortable and could take my time(looking at the cigars). Now its much easier to decide what i will choose next.
BuckyB93 Offline
#16 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 6:13 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,183
My recommendation... don't sweat it. Try different stuff and find what you like. Read some stuff from the A holes here. Don't over complicate things. What I like may not be what you like... or any other of these pricks here like. Shoot, I like the 5 Vegas AAA line as a low budget cigar while others may curse them.

Different strokes for different folks. Some 'em if you got 'em.

Look into the Padron line.... Never had a Padron that I didn't like.
N808x Offline
#17 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 6:55 PM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
One if my family members is in the military an heading out. Hes going to send me his stash of cigars so hopefully theres some i like an can work with. Ill make a list when i get them. Other then that i been watching reviews on youtube an i taste nothing they say lol. So far i been liking maduro wrapper cigars in robusto.
MACS Offline
#18 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2017, 7:01 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,769
Try smaller ring gauge in maduro. Most of your flavor comes from the wrapper.

Smaller cigars have a greater wrapper to binder/filler ratio, and can be much more flavorful.
jacquesemo Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 9:43 AM EST
Joined: 01-29-2017
Posts: 55
It takes a while to develop your palate well enough to identify the flavors in a cigar. Lots of resources on how to taste cigars and flavor wheels to help describe the flavors you find. When tasting cigars the flavor is seldom a "slap you in the face" sort of thing. Most flavors in a cigar tend to "remind you of" something.

Take your time, cleanse your palate while smoking, spring water with a bit of lemon works for me and just enjoy the cigar. Welcome to the obsession
dstieger Offline
#20 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 10:24 AM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
N808x wrote:
Was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions?..


Just one. If you don't exhale the cigar smoke through your nose...start doing so
Ewok126 Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 10:49 AM EST
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
dstieger wrote:
Just one. If you don't exhale the cigar smoke through your nose...start doing so



Also known as the Retrohale. Honestly in doing this it is my most favorite part of enjoying a great smoke while trying to decide what flavors I am getting. For me in doing such it is like the micro adjustment on pegging the more subtle flavors. I now catch my self doing it like every 2 puffs when smoking a new cigar I have never tired. At this rate I think it might become habit with every puff on every cigar I enjoy but I am greedy like that lol.
Buckwheat Offline
#22 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 10:53 AM EST
Joined: 04-15-2004
Posts: 12,251
Palama wrote:
I would start with one of the Fuentes first.


+1 Never had one that I didn't enjoy. Also smoke any and everything you can get your hands on to find out what you do and don't like. That's the way I and a lot of other people started. fog
dstieger Offline
#23 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 11:01 AM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
And this thread is why asking for suggestions is more maddening than helpful. What car should I buy?

Just from the above...I can't stand San Andres wrapped cigars. I have never smoked a Padron that I loved...and maybe two that I thought were worth what I paid for them. I will smoke Fuentes...but only 858 Sun Grown and Opus....can't stand Hemingways, nor Anejos.....so, avoid the really cheap ****...skip the Gurkhas...IMO, if they are under the Altadis or General umbrellas, you may skip them, too. Beyond that, buy samplers, try different wrappers, different sizes and keep a log...or write impressions on the backs of the bands....or don't
delta1 Offline
#24 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 11:53 AM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,780
yes, definitely do retrohale. I detect very few flavors in the mouth, mostly through the nose. As a former cigarette smoker, this should be easy. Welcome to the madhouse and enjoy the ride.

Caution: this can get to be an expensive pursuit...
frankj1 Offline
#25 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 6:47 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
I hate retrohaling, primary flavors I pick up are sting and burn
shaun341 Offline
#26 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 7:09 PM EST
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
frankj1 wrote:
I hate retrohaling, primary flavors I pick up are sting and burn



Sounds like the guy who is like a genuis has virgin nostrilsd'oh!

Some great advice above though as I pretty much followed a similar path that you are on. I still love maduros but I stick with 50rg and under my favorite vitola would be corona gorda( although its really lancero not all blends make this size). If you are serious and you sound like you are about cigar I would gladly do a trade with you on this thread as your vet http://www.cigarbid.com/...30/NOOB-TRADE-THREAD-45 just sign up and I will let them know we have a prior arrangement.

Also, we contribute to Operation From the Heart here which if I am not mistaken would be willing to send stuff to your family members military while deployed and to his assigned spot if you let them know where to. Right now Beth is the most active OpfTH member but stick around and you will see we like to help our armed forces out in any way we can.
chazbo Offline
#27 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 8:02 PM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
N808x, welcome bro😎Get in on the noob trade and get in on trading with a few members.
Can't go wrong with
Tatuaje
Arturo Fuentes
Pardon
LaFlor
Oliva
N808x Offline
#28 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2017, 8:46 PM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
Mahalo everyone for the help. I appreciate it, i would like to do trades but wont be able to send anything for alittle while. Ill be busy an post office close 3pm everyday lol.
N808x Offline
#29 Posted: Tue, Aug 29 2017, 2:00 AM EST
Joined: 08-20-2017
Posts: 37
Anyone here i can message if i got any questions?
chazbo Offline
#30 Posted: Tue, Aug 29 2017, 6:33 AM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
N808x wrote:
Anyone here i can message if i got any questions?

Feel free to pm me with any questions except cello on or off😜
Chazbo
RMAN4443 Offline
#31 Posted: Tue, Aug 29 2017, 11:58 AM EST
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
N808x wrote:
Anyone here i can message if i got any questions?

Get in touch with Shaun341,and take him up on his very generous offer to be your vet.As your vet he can and will answer your questions,and to top it off,he's a pretty nice guy.
Remember,it's not the destination......it's the journey!Beer
If you need to, ask me your questions......I don't guarantee I'll know the answers,but I'll give it a shot.
MACS Offline
#32 Posted: Tue, Aug 29 2017, 12:54 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,769
frankj1 wrote:
I hate retrohaling, primary flavors I pick up are sting and burn


Yessir... I'll do it on occasion, but pretty much doesn't work for me, either.
NapalmMan67 Offline
#33 Posted: Tue, Aug 29 2017, 1:46 PM EST
Joined: 05-22-2015
Posts: 2,514
To add to what Shaun and others have said. A couple more threads for nOObs...

You'll thank me or hate me later.

http://www.cigarbid.com/.../n00b-PIB-Round-2-FIGHT


http://www.cigarbid.com/...hallenge-The-Thonginator
frankj1 Offline
#34 Posted: Tue, Aug 29 2017, 7:07 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
MACS wrote:
Yessir... I'll do it on occasion, but pretty much doesn't work for me, either.

it's cuz, you know, we are like a genius
Arrow_34 Offline
#35 Posted: Wed, Aug 30 2017, 8:33 AM EST
Joined: 12-19-2002
Posts: 186
As many have said here, try lots of 5 packs. I tried one of those box passes a long time ago and it was a blast, I have to get back into that! When I was starting out a... while ago. I tried everything, even acids.... that way I knew when I liked and didn't. I have even revisited a few brands, that I really didn't like in the beginning and found my tastes have changed. Much like with wine, liquor and beer, once you find your price point, you like it and stick with it. Just don't fall into the trap of only smoking one type of cigar. I think that different cigars fit different situations!
Palama Offline
#36 Posted: Sat, Jan 21 2023, 2:25 PM EST
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,658
MACS wrote:
Geeze Conan... you sound like you took the same trip I did.

I found a new passion and went 'all in'. I had to know every-damn-thing. I tried a lot of smokes... hell, I remember when I tried vanilla cigars and thought they were good. Candelas? Yum. Then I did a newb trade with DMV and had a Master Blends, a VSG, and a number of other cigars that made me think what I had sucked.

Oh... and then I got back on a Havana kick. Bought the Illustrated Encyclopedia and dove in again. Never looked back.

This guy has one hell of a trip lined up... I recall discovering new, more flavorful smokes... and now I can't taste all the nuances any more.

I did have a CoRo this morning... and remembered why they cost so much. d'oh!


Think it’s time for me to try another!
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