I have been smoking cigars now for about 6 months-weened off of Macanudos (funny, after I smoked 4-5 of these the rest somehow lost their flavor!). I have been trying different brands to find some "keepers" to buy in quantity.

So, I am shopping cigars to try and would welcome any suggestions. After all, there is nothing worse than dropping $5-$10 on a cigar in a shop and tossing it in disgust.

To better frame the question I have among many others tried the following brands:

-CAO Corillo & La Anniv. (great tasting smokes),Brazillia Pirahna (a bit too strong for my current tastes), Really like CAO gars; only beef is some are rolled too tight.

- Punch Gran Puro(great all around smoke)

- AF Hemingway (also a great smoke; could do one of these every day)

- Diamond Crown Maximus (impeccable construction; very nice medium bodied smoke. Not worth the $16 I dropped on it)

- Padron (shopkeeper recco'd "flavorful" almost black version of this fine brand...it nearly wrecked me it was so strong)

- Lower Priced- Like 5 Vegas and Quorum in the lower price range.

Before I stop shoppping around and fill up my humi with this fine selection of smokes- can you suggest other "must try" cigars based on the above ?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Perdomo, for sale here. I like the Squared (2) in maduro and the Cabinet also in maduro. Resonable, consistent, good. And their fresh rolled wheels are good with some age.

CAO Golds are a little milder.I've never had a bad one.
Tilogy's, Adolphus, Gurkha, Torano, and Morro Castle. The last is very inexpensive, but I really enjoy it.

Two of my favorites are La Perla Habana and Leon Jimenes.

I smoke on a daily bias in the morning a Mayorga Toro Maduro. It is a nice inexpensive gar and has a wonderful flavor profile plus you can get them here at cbid.

Really what it all boils down to is what you like. Here is a suggestion. Go to the 5 pack section read the discriptions and if you like what you read then bid on 5 packs but keep the bids to a dollar a cigar i.e. 5 dollars for a 5 pack. This way you can sample a number of different cigars and not break your wallet. If you find you don't like some just trade the rest on the trade boards.

That is just my 2 cent worth.

Remington

KYCOLONEL,

Which CAO L'Anniversaire cigars did you try? I love the Maduro and Cameroon, but still have to try the Extreme. All of them are distinctively different and very good! If you think they are too tight, let them sit in your humidor for several weeks to months before smoking them. They might loosen up over time in a properly humidified humidor.

I have never smoked a cigar that I just received whether it is from a mail order or internet company, a trade with another member, or just bought from a tobacconist. I prefer to let them sit and get properly humidified for several weeks to months before trying them.

I highly suggest that you buy some 5-packs here from cigarbid. That is one way to try new cigars without breaking your bank. Also, always give a cigar two good tries before deciding whether you like that brand or not. If you do not like it, then post it on the trade board and you will almost always find someone to trade with you. Just ask for new sticks and you'll get to try new ones.

Do you like mild, medium, or full bodied cigars? Ask the same about flavor.

I would suggest the following cigars to try: Flor de Oliva Grand Cameroon and Maduro, H. Upman (any type), Romeo y Juliet Maduro, Gurkha (any type), Arturo Fuente (really any of their line but specifically the Cuban Belicoso), Bahiba (the poor man's Graycliff), Hoya de Monterrey maduros, HDM Excaliber Maduros, Punch Black Label (sun grown) to name a few.

Also, keep a cigar diary so you can record which ones you like and why. This will help when you are ready to purchase a box(s) of cigars.

Enjoy!
Matt

You're not alone, KYCOLONEL, most people here don't like Macanudo either.

lol, Robby mentioned Perdomos, which you can try, but in my experience, for every good Perdomo I have there are 5 bad ones.

Brands I would recommend for a beginning smoker would be
Romeo y Julieta (an absolute fav of mine)
Romeo y Julieta Vintage (very mild and sweet, you'd love them)
H. Upmann
Montecristo
Avo Classic (the other Avo lines are kidna strong, so you'll have to work your way up to them)
Anything from Torano (very reliable cigars, I especially love the Reserva Selecta, the Signature, and the Exodus Silver)
Partagas
Anything from Indian Tabac (very cheap, and always good. My favs are the Lmt. Reserve and the Cameroon Legends series)
Nat Sherman (its a good cigar that's mild but still has lots of flavor)
Anything from Punch (you said you liked the Gran Puro, so you'd probably like the regular line and the Grand Cru line from Punch. My only suggestion is: don't buy the Rare Corojo, it sucks)
La Gloria Cubana

And finally...the favorite cigar of almost every CBid forum member...they're hard to find, but if you do come upon them, BUY THEM...it's.......

BUCANERO!!! (these babies are awesome. Their maduros like the Clasico and the Full Sail are some of the best smokes out there. Seriously, if you find them, buy them)


OKay, that's all I can think of right now. By the way, where are you from, KYCOLONEL? I go to school at IU Bloomington right now, but my home's in New Albany, IN, right across the river from Louisville.

If the Brazilia was too bigly flavored, then you might not like this, but I really loved the one I had the other day... And of course I love the Brazilias too...

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

Loved it.

One Word "Bucanero's"!

Regards,


B

I was afraid (and kind of hoping) you guys would say that-"buy more 5 packs". You have convinced me.

Matt- Have also tried the CAO Cameroon and Maduro via a sampler pack and enjoyed them both; but have not tried eXtremes. CAO Corillo Bomba- sweet (as in darn good smoke)!

Ikonoklast7- Louisville is about 1.5 hours from my home in northern Kentucky- very near Cincy. Honestly,
when I first heard about Bucanero's I thought (being a marketer myself) what a bunch of BS hype this must be with all the pirate metaphors; almost like fad microbrews. But, I have read enough positive feedback from knowledgeable folks on this and other boards to now have them on the top of my "buy soon" list-keeping my eye on CB for an opportunity.

Thanks again.

KYCOLONEL,

Drop me an email. I'm from N.KY myself, but now living in Cincy. Maybe we can meet for a mini-herf sometime. Also, there is an event this Saturday in Cincy that you may be interested in attending. Avelino Lara, Castro's personal blender and roller for 32 years, is now working for Graycliff. He will be here for a rolling event from 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM this Saturday.

kyhuntsman
atyahoo
dot com.
Matt

KY,
This is what cigar smokin is all about!!! finding what you like and dont like. I smoke a lot of cigars 2-3 a day on average. I also smoke a lot of new stuff and I must say that I find some I like, and some that I hate. And every once in a blue moon you find that one that you love!!!!!!
Send me an e-mail and i`ll send ya a sampler at no charge! rck_1 at hotmail dot com

Happy herf`n
Rob

kycolonel,

Just like Matt, I'm from NKY and now living in Cincy.
Give me a shout for good local sources.'

e-mail
miluns
at
cinci.rr.com

P.S. Matt give me shout. both our e-mails changed so I haven't been able to contact you.


Mike

Hey, KYCOLONEL, if you feel like having ANOTHER mini-herf with some people close to you, I'll be home next weekend (weekend of the 18th) and if you want, me, you, and Chris (posts as godfather on here) can all meet at Kremer's or Blair's for a herf on Friday or Saturday!

Kremer's is probably the biggest cigar shop in KY and is in downtown Louisville (also known as Loouhvul, Lewisville, or Looieveele) and has a great selection.

Blair's is this place on Bardstown Road (basically a long strip of small businesses like CD stores, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.) that's a bit small, but has a good selection of premium smokes and NOW carries Bucanero (thanks to Chris' efforts).

Email me at

drhelton (at) indiana (dot) edu

If you're interested in herfing with some cigar youngbloods.

Give the Torano's a try

Ok, I'll be more specific... Torano Signatures or Torano Exodus!!!!