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Last post 4 years ago by Pudding Mittens. 70 replies replies.
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New guy, looking for some guidance.
USNGunner Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
Hi All. Newbie here, just got back into cigars after kicking the cigarette habit for good. 10 years anyway. Figure I'm safe. :) I've been perusing the forums but I'm not hip to half the brands/cigars you guys are talking about. My streams only about a half inch deep and 6 inches wide. d'oh!

I'll be upfront, I'm a Drew Estate fan. I've got a box of the Larutan Dirt Torpedoes, Sweet Janes, a few different Tabaks and some assorted other cigars.

I've tried the Opus X and didn't really care for them at the time, but it's been awhile. I liked Cohiba's, Punch and I like the Romeo y Julieta's I've tried.

What's some nice middle of the road smokes to give a go? There is no decent smoke shops around here, so online is my go to. The one here in the Quad Cities area has a mold/bloom issue in their humidor depending on who you talk to. Anxious

I've got my humidor stable at 65/70@70ish, and I'm liking the way it's maintaining so I think I'm good to stock up on a few varieties to try. My neighbor and I like to hit the firepit and have a beer and a cigar, or some good bourbon. Sometimes the rum. Primarily good beer.

So, what say you guys. Thanks.
KingoftheCove Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,600
Don’t invest heavily in infused cigars (Sweet Jane) ........you will most likely quit smoking them.
Don’t store your infused cigars with your regular cigars.
Don’t go camping with Z.

Do try cigars from My Father, Crowned Heads, Arturo Fuente, Padron, Illusione, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Tatuaje, La Flor de Dominicana and Litto Gomez, and some of the Kristoffs and La Palinas........to name a few...
clintCigar Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
Welcome to the money pit! LOL I'm a n00b here too but I'm coming from where you are. I'm a big DE fan as well. I smoked the Acid, Java Maduro's and several Larutan's (formerly Natural) line for a few years before I started branching out. I like the Tabaks as well. A few of my favs since those are as follows:(in no particular order)

Rocky Patel Vintage 1979
Romeo y Julieta 1875
Romeo y Julieta House of Capulet
Esteban Carreras Mr. Brownstone Maduro (this one is REALLY good IMO)
HC Series White Shade Grown
Drew Estate Herrera Esteli (courtesy of CigarLady7)
Drew Estate Liga Privada No 9
Drew Estate Deadwood Sweet Jane
CAO Black
Rico Barato Connecticut
Sancho Panza Triple Anejo
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 (Nicaraguan)
Montecristo Media Noche
Montecristo (brown label from Dominican Republic)
Foundation Highclere Castle
Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur


I'll try to remember to post back here as I find more favs.
izonfire Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Don’t listen to King. He’s got a skewed perspective from his throne.
Z’s a great guy. Introduce yourself. Get to know him. Spend some quality time together.
You won’t regret it
Whistlebritches Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
If you're a DE fan try the Undercrown Maduro and my favorite the Sungrown.Try some Arturo Fuente Magnum R's,858's and Hemingway's...…...especially the sungrowns.La Flor Dominicana Ligero and Double Ligero's are especially good.


BTW damn glad to meet ya...….MA1,5 years on tin cans and another 5 in SBU 12 & 26
Sunoverbeach Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
Welcome. I recommend you try all of them. Otherwise you don't know what you're missing
USNGunner Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
KingoftheCove wrote:
Don’t invest heavily in infused cigars (Sweet Jane) ........you will most likely quit smoking them.
Don’t store your infused cigars with your regular cigars.
Don’t go camping with Z.

Do try cigars from My Father, Crowned Heads, Arturo Fuente, Padron, Illusione, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Tatuaje, La Flor de Dominicana and Litto Gomez, and some of the Kristoffs and La Palinas........to name a few...


Thanks, I appreciate the pointers.

USNGunner Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
Whistlebritches wrote:
If you're a DE fan try the Undercrown Maduro and my favorite the Sungrown.Try some Arturo Fuente Magnum R's,858's and Hemingway's...…...especially the sungrowns.La Flor Dominicana Ligero and Double Ligero's are especially good.


BTW damn glad to meet ya...….MA1,5 years on tin cans and another 5 in SBU 12 & 26


Thanks. Good to know another Rat. Gunners Mate Guns, Retired. Did some time at SBU XI back in the mid 80's. It was a shore duty billet for us. Way before the SWCC boys made it cool. Spent more time deployed on shore duty than some sea billets. ;) Loved every minute of it. Great times, great friends.

I'll check the out the recommendations. I got to work down some room in the humidor. :D
USNGunner Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
Appreciate all the feedback. I'm here for the long haul. Good to meet you guys. Looking forward to the journey.
Palama Online
#10 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Mahalo for your service. ThumpUp

In addition to trying a wide array of cigars, another thing you might wanna do is keep track of the:

1. Origins (...Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, etc...)
2. Wrappers (...Connecticut, Broadleaf, Habano, Sumatra, etc...)
3. Binders and Fillers

If you keep some decent notes, you may be able to figure out what your wheelhouse might be and avoid blends you don’t like.
izonfire Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Try samplers or score a fiver here and there based on write-ups ups describing what you think you may like.
USNGunner Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
Palama wrote:
Mahalo for your service. ThumpUp

In addition to trying a wide array of cigars, another thing you might wanna do is keep track of the:

1. Origins (...Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, etc...)
2. Wrappers (...Connecticut, Broadleaf, Habano, Sumatra, etc...)
3. Binders and Fillers

If you keep some decent notes, you may be able to figure out what your wheelhouse might be and avoid blends you don’t like.


You're welcome. I loved my job. Great folks, a mission I believed in.

Good advice on the cigar journey, it appeals to my technical side. Thank you. :D

USNGunner Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
izonfire wrote:
Try samplers or score a fiver here and there based on write-ups ups describing what you think you may like.


I've been trying that. I knew I loved the Natural Dirt Torpedos, so I bought those and those came with a 10 cigar sampler of DE. I loved the Toast. The Deadwood Crazy Alice pyramids intrigued me so I got those too. Thus the Tabak order. So I will be giving the samplers a go. :D
CelticBomber Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 05-03-2012
Posts: 6,786
USNGunner wrote:
I've been trying that. I knew I loved the Natural Dirt Torpedos, so I bought those and those came with a 10 cigar sampler of DE. I loved the Toast. The Deadwood Crazy Alice pyramids intrigued me so I got those too. Thus the Tabak order. So I will be giving the samplers a go. :D



You should also head on over the the trade forum and get involved in the noob pib. Trade a few fivers and people will generally trade you stuff you've never had but might love. Just mention if you prefer mild, medium or full bodied smoked and if you know what wrapper you favor mention that. The wrapper type is really important to the taste of your cigars. Stick around a bit and eventually some might just dip into their humidor and send you some stuff to try. Oh yeah read the two n00b threads in general to learn the acronyms, etc. They will help out a lot! Welcome to the start of hoarding cigars like a prepper Herfing

Welcome aboard.
RMAN4443 Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
Welcome to the madness...Beer
Don't forget to give the DE Undercrown Shades a try

and now for the important stuff....Ginger or Maryann??Think
CelticBomber Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 05-03-2012
Posts: 6,786
RMAN4443 wrote:
Welcome to the madness...Beer
Don't forget to give the DE Undercrown Shades a try

and now for the important stuff....Ginger or Maryann??Think



Better say Mary Annram27bat



jespear Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2004
Posts: 9,462
CelticBomber wrote:
Better say Mary Annram27bat





C'mon now, CB . . . We all KNOW you preferred Mrs Howell !


jespear Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2004
Posts: 9,462
USNGunner :
Please forgive my tardiness, but WELCOME ABOARD, and Thank You for your service !
I have no doubts you will like it here.
CelticBomber Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 05-03-2012
Posts: 6,786
jespear wrote:
C'mon now, CB . . . We all KNOW you preferred Mrs Howell !




Don't joke! She had the look of a real goer!
Speyside Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 03-16-2015
Posts: 13,106
You know that really isn't a question. There is only one answer, Mary Ann.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,586
^° this is true, but it's a good way to weed out the riff raff
RobertHively Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 01-14-2015
Posts: 1,761
#2 Good list King, but no Oliva?? Good quality cigars for the money.
RobertHively Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 01-14-2015
Posts: 1,761
Btw I'm marking this down too... I already knew the old and decrepit get a pass, but veterans too? Interesting.

Whenever I do my introduction I"m going to start out by saying I'm super old, gots the rheumatoid arthritis and fought on D-day. You guys will love it!

Have a good weekend!
steve02 Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 05-20-2004
Posts: 954
USNGunner wrote:
Hi All. Newbie here, just got back into cigars after kicking the cigarette habit for good. 10 years anyway. Figure I'm safe. :) I've been perusing the forums but I'm not hip to half the brands/cigars you guys are talking about. My streams only about a half inch deep and 6 inches wide. d'oh!

I'll be upfront, I'm a Drew Estate fan. I've got a box of the Larutan Dirt Torpedoes, Sweet Janes, a few different Tabaks and some assorted other cigars.

I've tried the Opus X and didn't really care for them at the time, but it's been awhile. I liked Cohiba's, Punch and I like the Romeo y Julieta's I've tried.

What's some nice middle of the road smokes to give a go? There is no decent smoke shops around here, so online is my go to. The one here in the Quad Cities area has a mold/bloom issue in their humidor depending on who you talk to. Anxious

I've got my humidor stable at 65/70@70ish, and I'm liking the way it's maintaining so I think I'm good to stock up on a few varieties to try. My neighbor and I like to hit the firepit and have a beer and a cigar, or some good bourbon. Sometimes the rum. Primarily good beer.

So, what say you guys. Thanks.


Ooooh, a newbie and a vet to boot. PM me your address and I'll send you a small sample to get you started 🤔
izonfire Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
RobertHively wrote:
Whenever I do my introduction


You just did it, Bobby Beekeeper

RobertHively wrote:
I already knew the old and decrepit get a pass, but veterans too?

Whenever I do my introduction I"m going to start out by saying I'm super old, gots the rheumatoid arthritis and fought on D-day.


That all depends. Which side were you on?

Are you a Nazi?
CelticBomber Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 05-03-2012
Posts: 6,786
steve02 wrote:
Ooooh, a newbie and a vet to boot. PM me your address and I'll send you a small sample to get you started 🤔


Hah beat ya to it. I took the initiative and PM'd HIM! He's a vet God damn it. Do you expect him to pack his own cigars too? SHAME! Shame I say!Frying pan
CelticBomber Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 05-03-2012
Posts: 6,786
izonfire wrote:
You just did it, Bobby Beekeeper



That all depends. Which side were you on?

Are you a Nazi?



I like the way you think. You should be in charge of vetting all vets! I ain't sending my cigars to no commie soldier!Shame on you
tonygraz Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,175
To determine who you are and decide upon your forum worthiness, please answer the following simple questions:

Pancakes or waffles ?
Do you like long walks on the beach ?
Daisy Mae or Ellie Mae ?
Do you like camping by the river ?
Cello on or cello off ?
Ginger or MaryAnn ?
David Lee or Sammy ?
Warner Oland or Sidney Toler ?
Have you been in a Turkish prison ?
Do you like gladiator movies ?
dogs or cats ?
Men or women ?
Wad or fold ?
Sit or squat ?
corey sellers Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Thanks Tony looks like you got it all covered
RobertHively Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 01-14-2015
Posts: 1,761
izonfire wrote:
You just did it, Bobby Beekeeper



That all depends. Which side were you on?

Are you a Nazi?


"I'm just a dude, playing a dude, disguised as another dude."
izonfire Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Does the dude you’re playing get jealous?
RobertHively Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 01-14-2015
Posts: 1,761
"You're a dude that dont know what dude he is"
clintCigar Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
RobertHively wrote:
"I'm just a dude, playing a dude, disguised as another dude."



love that movie lmao
izonfire Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
You sound confused.
A dude involved with two other dudes.

You should meet Z.
He helps confused young men.
That’s his specialty
izonfire Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
tonygraz wrote:
To determine who you are and decide upon your forum worthiness, please answer the following simple questions:

Pancakes or waffles ?
Do you like long walks on the beach ?
Daisy Mae or Ellie Mae ?
Do you like camping by the river ?
Cello on or cello off ?
Ginger or MaryAnn ?
David Lee or Sammy ?
Warner Oland or Sidney Toler ?
Have you been in a Turkish prison ?
Do you like gladiator movies ?
dogs or cats ?
Men or women ?
Wad or fold ?
Sit or squat ?


Ya gotta answer Tony's questions
izonfire Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
C’mon Bobby!
As a beekeeper, you had to have been stung more than once.

You can do this!
izonfire Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
OK Clint.
PM this guy and let him know how cool it is here.

Or am I letting him off too easy?
Guys?

I can’t make the decision for ya.
I’m still under double secret probation
clintCigar Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
izonfire wrote:
OK Clint.
PM this guy and let him know how cool it is here.


LOL!!
Pudding Mittens Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
izonfire wrote:
Are you a Nazi?

Prepare to laugh your butt off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ5hXwo4De0

(Too bad the guy who typed the video's desc doesn't know the difference between "your" and "you're", but oh well).
.
lance4824 Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2018
Posts: 664
CelticBomber wrote:
You should also head on over the the trade forum and get involved in the noob pib. Trade a few fivers and people will generally trade you stuff you've never had but might love. Just mention if you prefer mild, medium or full bodied smoked and if you know what wrapper you favor mention that. The wrapper type is really important to the taste of your cigars. Stick around a bit and eventually some might just dip into their humidor and send you some stuff to try. Oh yeah read the two n00b threads in general to learn the acronyms, etc. They will help out a lot! Welcome to the start of hoarding cigars like a prepper Herfing

Welcome aboard.



http://www.cigarbid.com/...565/n00b-PIB#post4410565
KingoftheCove Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,600
RobertHively wrote:
#2 Good list King, but no Oliva?? Good quality cigars for the money.

Can’t give a noob EVERYTHING!
He has to discover some things on his own...
izonfire Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Pudding Mittens wrote:
Prepare to laugh your butt off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ5hXwo4De0

(Too bad the guy who typed the video's desc doesn't know the difference between "your" and "you're", but oh well).
.



Yeah, I've seen that guy's stand-up.
F'n hilarious!!!

LOL
steve02 Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 05-20-2004
Posts: 954
I see how you are - well played 👍
CelticBomber Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 05-03-2012
Posts: 6,786
izonfire wrote:
Yeah, I've seen that guy's stand-up.
F'n hilarious!!!

LOL



Steven Lynch he does a song called Special Olympics that is hysterical! You've got AIDS is a hoot too! You will be doing yourself a favor by looking those videos up.
USNGunner Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
tonygraz wrote:
To determine who you are and decide upon your forum worthiness, please answer the following simple questions:


Pancakes or waffles ? Waffles.
Do you like long walks on the beach ? Only with a hottie looking for a quiet spot.
Daisy Mae or Ellie Mae ? Either would work.
Do you like camping by the river ? As it was a career at one point, I've had enough bugs thank you.
Cello on or cello off ? On now, pondering that on.
Ginger or MaryAnn ? What monster wouldn't say Maryann?
David Lee or Sammy ? David Lee
Warner Oland or Sidney Toler ? Sidney Toler (Had to look these up) ;)
Have you been in a Turkish prison ? Came close once. Long story.
Do you like gladiator movies ? Yes
dogs or cats ? Dogs
Men or women ? Women
Wad or fold ? Fold
Sit or squat ? Done both, situational dependent, I do prefer the throne. Drool

USNGunner Offline
#46 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
LMAO. Thanks for the welcome aboard, and cutting me some slack. I sense I dodged a bullet. d'oh!

Lot's of good info, and good humor. I'm down with that.

I'll check the n00b threads, I appreciate the help. Ya'll rock!
USNGunner Offline
#47 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
I am sitting here in quiet contemplation of simply "WOW". I got two pm's today, both folks offering to hook me up with some cigars to broaden my horizons.

I have never seen that kind of generosity on any forum. I've been reading the n00b threads, and frankly I'm stunned. You folks are simply amazing.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys, and vice versa. "Smoke if you got em!"

V
USNGunner Offline
#48 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
steve02 wrote:
Ooooh, a newbie and a vet to boot. PM me your address and I'll send you a small sample to get you started 🤔


Steve, Thank you very much, but I've already had two other folks offer to send some smokes. I truly do appreciate it though. I've frankly overwhelmed to be truthful. LOL, and I have a small humidor. I see that is now a problem. :D

USNGunner Offline
#49 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
jespear wrote:
USNGunner :
Please forgive my tardiness, but WELCOME ABOARD, and Thank You for your service !
I have no doubts you will like it here.


Thank you. I already do.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#50 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
USNGunner wrote:
Steve, Thank you very much, but I've already had two other folks offer to send some smokes. I truly do appreciate it though. I've frankly overwhelmed to be truthful. LOL, and I have a small humidor. I see that is now a problem. :D

Get a large (70-120 quart) transparent storage bin, either the airtight gasketed kind or the much more widely-available and cheaper ungasketed kind where the lid's latched on by two handles on either side... both work just great... and put inside it a quality digital hygrometer/thermometer combo (preferably calibrate it first), some pieces of Spanish cedar and cigars (both help greatly with humidity control and humidity swing buffering). The more full with cigars and Spanish cedar it is, the more stable the humidity will be. Also put in humidity control device(s) (see below).

Cost: $15 for the bin, $20 for the hygrometer (I recommend only the "Caliber IV" model which is highly accurate and can be calibrated manually), $FREE for the Spanish cedar pieces (usually you can ask a cigar guy or cigar shop nicely). For humidity control devices I use little Tupperware bowls full of super-absorbent polymer chunks/spheres that I occasionally recharge with 50/50 (50% distilled water, 50% propylene glycol) solution, plus some 69% Boveda packs (2-way automatic humidity control) for "trimming" and more accuracy. The 50/50 polymer jars recharge the Bovedas continuously so you usually never have to touch them, you just add more 50/50 to the jar(s) occasionally. Bovedas packs are like $3-4 each, the polymer jars are $10 at retail or you can buy the polymer in bulk and use your own plastic containers and save a lot of money.

Adding all that up, you can see how cheap it is. $15 + $20 + $FREE + ($3-10 or so x 2 or 3) + ($3-4 x 2 to 4) = as low as $45 to get a giant climate-controlled see-thru container (read the meter right through the walls without opening it!) that can store hundreds or thousands of cigars. Maintenance is almost zero.

Way, WAY better idea than expensive, tiny, leaky, high-maintenance traditional wood humidors.

SOURCE OF INFO: 21+ years of cigar collecting resulting in the need for many containers like this. Oh, get containers that are stackable (almost all are) where the bottom of them locks into the top of the next one. Trust me, you'll end up with more than one if you're serious... and more than a dozen if you're REALLY serious.

A cigar veteran told me this when I was first starting out. 10-20 times the storage capacity for a small fraction of the price and maintenance hassles. He was 100% right. So, I'm "paying it forward" and giving the info to a new newbie! Enjoy!
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