Only truly satisfying samplers that I've received the past couple of years:
-RoMa Craft Tobac - avail at a couple other places
-Purchases/bombs from other other BOTL here and on other forums

But, if you're like I was and are willing to smoke through a lot of cigars that you won't ultimately really enjoy, than, by all means buy up some from here. I did it for a couple years, but I don't recommend it. At the time, smoking a lot of cigars was important to me.

I took a quick look at samplers here that are closing today and the only ones that come to mind that I might recommend:
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1553413/Kristoff-Robusto-Sampler-Box-of-8/ 
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1553360/The-All-in-the-Family-Super-Sampler-15-Cigars/ 
And, I'd recommend not setting expectations all too high for the second one.

dstieger wrote:

Buy a fiver of PAM 26/64, Fuente Anejo, tat black, any tat reserva, and Fuente hemi maduro.

You just saved thousands on trying, and learning the hard way. You'll end up here, might as well start out here. Pick your favorite size in all the cigars above, except tat black, and enjoy the next couple weeks of smoking.

sd72 wrote:

Buy a fiver of PAM 26/64, Fuente Anejo, tat black, any tat reserva, and Fuente hemi maduro.

You just saved thousands on trying, and learning the hard way. You'll end up here, might as well start out here. Pick your favorite size in all the cigars above, except tat black, and enjoy the next couple weeks of smoking.

sd72 wrote:

Before proceeding further - suggest you make a list of things you know you already like or close.

Then, take that list to the mothership site CI, and look up the _strength_ they consider the cigar to be.

CI does seem to have a pretty good visual representation of strengths - I dunno about the overall accuracy, but it's got to be better than having no idea of the strength you are interested in at this point.

Then, select samplers in similar strength range.

I think many of us started out smoking milder sticks, and generally go stronger over time. At least I did, anyhow. Can't recall anyone saying they went the other way.

Strength first - then compare various stick of similar strength.

triodes wrote:

Buy a fiver of PAM 26/64, Fuente Anejo, tat black, any tat reserva, and Fuente hemi maduro.

You just saved thousands on trying, and learning the hard way. You'll end up here, might as well start out here. Pick your favorite size in all the cigars above, except tat black, and enjoy the next couple weeks of smoking.

sd72 wrote:

LFD and Kristoff both make great samplers that you can pick up here or the mothership.

If you want a nice CC sampler that won't hurt the wallet, go over to OLH and get one of Johnny O's samplers.

Pro

crgcpro wrote:

@14-

No, it won't spoil you for cheapies. What I would do is get a quality box worth of cigars, but five packs of different ones.
Have one a week, your Friday nite, I'm gonna sit and take my time smoke. First of the day, have water with it.
Every other smoke that week can come from auctions, pibs, trades, a shpo, ect ect ect. Then you can compare your good deals, and cheap finds to a standard that you've smoked.

Just a thought

sd72 wrote: