As I have been enjoying the comfort of a good cigar for about three years now, I am still amazed by how many smokes are out there. Could all you stogie vets give me a few(5 or 6) brands to buy and try. I primarily stay with La Perla Habana-all types, and love A Fuente but they are $$. I would like to try a few different types, but am afraid of my willy nilly choice.

I am almost as old as Rick, who recommends Bad Frogs. Tonight I had an El Rey Del Mundo Robusto Larga maduro that has been in my humi about a year. I didn't like these very much when I first got them, but time has made them yummy, at least it did this one. Lots of good inexpensive sticks out there, especially when you get lucky with a C-Bid auction. I like all kinds of well-made cigars. I am not a Fuente ho like Slimboli, but they are well-made cigars. You just usually can't get a good buy on them, and the bidding is nuts. But you can get a box of 8-5-8's for about 75 clams if you look around. Most of the brands you never heard of, there is a good reason you haven't heard of them, but sometimes if it is a new brand you get a pleasant surprise at a good price. Go for the 5 packs until you find your faves and do some trading. Getting there is half the fun.

La Aroma de Cuba Robusto,any Padron in Maduro,La Luna Fuerte Maduro Relampago,just to name a few. X

Also what LLT said. X

arkmalone

eleltea is correct about the bad frogs, but i seem to smoke on the bohemian revolution predator and using the bad frogs as protection against crushing when i send anyone a cigar. i have offered people that don't smoke cigars often, a bohemian and they like the cigar. it is on the mild side. if you would like one, i'll be happy to send one to you, not a trade, a gift. of course i will include bad frogs as crush proofing
RICKAMAVEN HOTMAIL COM.

ADD THE @ AND THE. AS NEEDED

Mayorga has some laid back maddies that I like. Cupido line is a stand-by and like Mayorga not too pricey. Am working my way through the Camacho line at present - pretty tasty but little more expensive. Drop me a line - Fatshotbud at AOL (spot) com
Keep the cutters sharp - BUD

Next time you might phrase it: mature or experienced not old. I only answered because I AM OLD. Really got no clue when it comes to cigars.
BUD

Thanks for the second, X, but reading back over my post, what the hell DID I say?

I'm reluctant to make recommendations due to a steadfast refusal to think of myself as old ... of course, in order for me to remain steadfast in that attitude, I must also be steadfast in my refusal to look into a mirror ... LOL

http://www.cigarsinternational.com  ... at the bottom of the page, they've got some cigars listed that you might also want to try ... watch for those brands to pop up on the bidding and try a 5-pack of those ...

It's really the only way you're gonna know the real answer to your question ... and that's the very best advise this guy (whether old or not) has to offer ...

Fuente makes good cigarsPartagas in your price range.Look for La Unica,Rigoletto(I like Dominican Darks),Dominican Handmade Bundles,Tampa Sweethearts,Flor de Ybor City.And my all time favorite mixed fill,Curley-Head Extra Maduros.See Fuentes' site.

Ya can't go wrong with the classics.Padrons,Don Diegos,Partagas,some can be found as seconds.Macanudos seconds are everywhere,it seems.

BTW,I'm not old,just 50. Burnt out dinosaur.....

DEfine Old?
anyway, it is all subjective. what I like someone else might find un smokeable..even with a little age.(the cigar not the smoker!)Even if you do shoot craps and order a few five packs on cbid and they dogs age may help. anywhere from a few months to a year.(although i've some i am waiting on the new millenium for.

Thanks to all for the advice . You put the search into perspective. Trial and error. Buy the samplers and the 5 packs. Keep an eye on the forumns, share and trade.

Thanks again
Mark

Ark...sometimes you never stop experimenting and buying 5 packs. I haven't bought a box in forever. I never care to. Don't have the room to store them. I like trying different things.

I've been getting a better deal buying 4 or 5 packs of 5 of my favorite than buying a box of 20-25. Last time I bought 4 sampler packs for a total of $45. The box of 20 cigars went for $75.

Flor de Oliva Grand maduro is a good inexpensive choice. So is Mayorga. If you like cameroon wrappers, then try the grand Cameroons by Flor de Oliva. Cupido is a good inexpensivbe cigar as well.

Partagas Black Label is good, along with Padron Maddies, CAO anything, Ashton, Griffins Maduro, but they are a little more on the expensive side.

I just received my first Camacho for my birthday and will give that a go here in a week or so.