The reviews in that publication are well researched and as far as I know, accurate. Read them and you'll discover their method of separating the wheat from the shaft (pun intended). I've hypothetically purchased products from several of their approved sites and have theoretically been satisfied with each transaction. Others here have reported supposed satisfaction with those same sites. Smoke enough product from Cuba, and you can more accurately discern authenticity.
If you become an active member here and read member's posts about specific purchases and experiences and pay attention to the codes/names of helpful vendors dropped, you'll be rewarded. But finding the crumbs and nuggets require work, which you so far seem disinclined to do. Your questions also hint at timidity. Those two characteristics do not predict well for adventurous gain, which to me, is one of the joys of cigar smoking. But I'm no judge...
Another joy is broadening horizons and taking steps to try new stuff which feel right, based on individual circumstances, rather than just letting others drop stuff into your hands. No doubt there will be disappointments along the way...not every cigar I thought worthy of trying were great...many did not live up to the hype and reviews...some were worse than dog poop smells. But over the years, I've been satisfied with enough different cigars that I still am curious about offerings I have yet to try. Many of the cigars that were my faves when I started no longer rank among the elite and I've found other great cigars which may or may not earn a permanent place in my personal list of faves.
Finally, it has been very rewarding to listen and learn and trade cigars with those who have travelled the path for longer than I....I've learned from less experienced folks. Stick around and read what long time members like... jump in on the trades section. That's a great way to get new cigars to try and to build relationships with great BOTLs.
delta1 wrote:
