There is a school of thought that feels cigars are shipped somewhat overhumidified and should be acclimated for a bit before smoking. That said, I've smoked several on arrival and can't say I've had many issues

Well, sometimes I fondle them, but I don't smoke them for at least a month.

What did you buy so far?

Before you know it, you will be pre-ordering a box of limited edition viaje cigars wondering why you have five large coolers full of cigars...

To address quality is another issue. Like all consumables that draw enthusiasts, quality will be relative to one's individual standards. As one grows in the hobby, standards may become higher. Just about anyone posting here will advise to be careful about over buying. It's easy to acquire a big pile of smokes that are OK for now, but also will take a while to smoke. During that time one's preferences may change. When that happens, part of that pile of stuff never sees the light of day again. Oh yeah. It happens often.

Just a suggestion, but I would smoke what you buy once you have 50-75 smokes on hand until you start to better understand your own preferences. Then smoke 20-25 before the next buying round

Sincerely,

Unreformed member of cigar buyers anonymous

(Freakin' ordered some Crowned Heads yesterday! Yes I want them. No, I have nowhere to put them. Don't judge me!)

Ditto on letting cigars sit a few weeks to months before smoking. Bear in mind that the stuff you're buying is produced and sold in large quantities, and the manufacturers sometimes don't have high quality control standards, so you're inevitably going to run into some duds. It happens.

Check out the the Whatcha smokin' thread for ideas on things to try. And don't forget to post your smokes. We're counting and trying to reach 1,000,000 before the end of the year.

https://www.cigarbid.com/Forum/c/posts/669065/Whatcha-Smokin-Azzhats-1000000-Vol-II 

Most of the cigars you mentioned are chit. Ask yourself, “Just how could can a cigar that is sold for 2 cents on the dollar of its MSRP?” The answer should unsurprisingly be craptastic at best. You find them referred to around here as “yard gars” since people tend to some them when doing yard work while reserving their better smokes for times when they can relax and truly enjoy a smoke.

A few of them have made some top list at Cigar Aficionado by receiving a 90+ rating. Problem is many of those ratings are years old and the cigar has undergone blend changes so those ratings don’t matter. Not that they ever mattered anyway since a high rating generally correlates to the number of full page color ads the manufacturer buys in said magazine.

Stick around. Some pretty good people hang out and will gladly answer questions you might ask. If you’ve got really thick skin check out the politics thread. But, post at your own risk because there is little decorum found there.

Aloha and welcome to the Forum!

Couple more thoughts to the already good comments:

While you’re going through your nOOb phase, curb your enthusiasm. Bid / Buy / Chase after 5ers at the most. You don’t need to buy boxes of cigars that you smoked once, mebbe twice (…a very common nOOb mistake…) and you thought, at the time, that they were the BEST cigar(s) you ever smoked. Your palate WILL CHANGE through the months / years that you smoke cigars.

Read more. Whether it’s from here or articles / other forums on the Internet. While you’re here, look through the older posts, use the Search function. Iffin’ you read reviews of cigars, get to know the reviewer’s taste. He / She may or may not align with yours so their comments may or may not apply to your tastebuds.

Lastly, participate in the nOOb PIB / trades to help broaden your horizons. At this stage of your cigar journey, you won’t know what you like / dislike until you try them so take the shotgun approach and blast away!

Good luck!

BUY NOW!!! BUY ALL!!! TIME'S A'WASTING!!! HOP TO IT!!!

NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR REAL ADDRESS.

EVER.

Also, I want to add to the growing list of azz hats that recommend resting your cigars a few weeks or even months for the darker tobacco before you smoke them. That’s for any website I purchase from.

Are you a noob to cigars or just new to this particular forum? The frequently used acronym thread is quick and painless and it has been helpful for me. Also the thread just above it about being new to the forum is 100% worth looking at if you’re going to participate. You might want to join in the fun in the trades forum. You’ll probably want to lurk and start introducing yourself before you make any trades but you’ll see how it works once you check it out.

I’m really a terrific person, brilliant and never wrong about anything but all of the other guys are stupid jerks who just won’t listen. except for LeeBot, he’s a psychopath. Enjoy your stay with us!

Lee, Lee, Lee. Context is everything. So a little clarification. Never "too many cigars", my brother, too many cigars that won't get smoked (read, "kinda suck"). Definitely can't have/buy too many good cigars

As far as your character goes, so long as Jeebs isn't allowed to opine, it is beyond reproach.

About to go Will Smith on someone.

Cheno is a good guy but he's a bit cranky after he was recently bitten by a lobster.

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 ?

David Lee or Sammy ?

Warner Oland or Sidney Toler ?

Have you been in a Turkish prison ?

Do you like gladiator movies ?

Have you ever seen a grown man naked (other than mirrors or porn) ?

dogs or cats ?

Men or women ?

Wad or fold ?

Sit or squat ?

Mary Ann or Ginger ?

Do sad movies make you cry ?

Butter or margarine ?

Pancho or Cisco ?