Cigar newbie here. I have a bunch of friends who enjoy cigars, and along with knowing how to appreciate whiskey and cook a steak, I think learning the art of cigars is a must for me. I have the first two knocked out, so trying to learn the last bit.

I’ve watched a TON of YouTube videos, reviews, documentaries, etc. on cigars, and have begun building a small collection. I keep a journal (along with one for beer and whiskey tasting) on cigars, but my palette isn’t developed enough to pick out much nuance in my sticks. I have filled my hand-me-down humidor of 20 with a variety of sticks, and have purchased petite Coronas to try out things here and there.

My fear is going too high end on cigars that I won’t fully appreciate, but also trying to get decent cigars that don’t use floor shavings for filler.

What did the group start with? Connecticut shade and work into Nicaraguan, or go right for the dark stuff?

I will say I now get the allure of cigar smoking. I can sit outside after a long day, take my time to smell, touch, and taste my cigar of choice, go through the ritual of cutting and toasting and the anticipation of that first draw. Nothing more relaxing than a good glass of the brown stuff (I’m a bourbon man, and after the many types I’ve had over the years, Beam still hits home), and a nice cigar with no noise but the crickets and frogs.

So, what did you start with, how long did you smile before you had the aha moment of pulling out nuance, and what’s your go-to?

Cheers,
DevilDogDC

The first non-gas station cigars I smoked were Arturo Fuente. I don't recommend bidding on them here, because they almost always go quite a bit higher than retail. But Fuente is a good place to start. Depending on the taxes where you live, the old school Fuente lines can be bought for $5-$10 a stick. Same with the Padron thousand series.

Personally, I like a wide range of cigar blends, wrappers, 'strength', etc. I love a mild Connecticut wrap cigar in the morning. 5 Vegas Gold is a pretty solid, dependable and cheap option. Also in that category are Alec Bradley Medalist, Perla del Mar, and Undercrown Shade.

My only real piece of advice is that just because a brand is well-known or has 50 different cigars doesn't mean all of their cigars are good.

Bottom line, we can only recommend what WE like. You've started on a really cool journey. Just go where you feel like going.

^ BD mentions Fuente as a place to start...………..I did about 15 years ago.Did a lot of travelling but always came back.Most consistent stick on the market period.Every time you fire up a Fuente you know exactly what you're getting.My go to Fuente's are the Magnum R 44's,Cuban Beli SG's,858 SG's and Hemingway Signature SG's.I would put La Flor Dominicana in a close second here.LFD's are definitely in the stronger category but you might start with the Suave...….I'm not a Connecticut fan but these are damn good.My go to's are the DL 452,L250 and the 1994.I like me some Tat's also...…..especially the Miami Especiales.


Good luck and enjoy the journey

My current collection:

Java by DE
RP Vintage 99
Quorum Maduro
AJF The T
La Traviata
LP Nic. Connecticut
Hoyo De Tradición
Olivia V
Ashton
Ramon Allones
Hamlet Liberation
Gurkha Havana Legend
Camacho Nic. Barrel Aged
Hiram and Solomon: Master Mason, Grand Architect, Shriner, and Fellowcraft

I have so far smoked:
Macanudo Cafe, Nub Cafe Espresso, LP Connecticut, Brickhouse

1.What drew you to the Hiram and Soloman sticks?

2.Which Ashton?The VSG Illusion is probably my favorite stick all time...….or the VSG CG,depends on my mood.
BTW Ashton is part of the Fuente Family......the best part IMHO

To determine who you are and decide upon your forum worthiness, please answer the following simple questions:

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 ?
Ginger or MaryAnn ?
David Lee or Sammy ?
Warner Oland or Sidney Toler ?
Have you been in a Turkish prison ?
Do you like gladiator movies ?
dogs or cats ?
Men or women ?
Wad or fold ?
Sit or squat ?
Do sad movies make you cry ?
Butter or margarine ?

Do you mind if we call you "Drake's Cakes"

Pancakes
Yes
Ellie
Yup
Sorry got a Wayne’s World flashback
Ginger.
Sammy. DLR is a moron. Sammy makes tequila.
?
No. Ever been with the Foreign Legion? Probably worse,
Yes
Dogs. Have 2 cats.
Women
Fold
Squat
No
Kerrygold.

What else you got?

1. I’m a member of an old fraternity. The oldest.
2. Honestly no idea.

Welcome Brother...….nice to have another traveling man amongst our ranks

Kerrygold is a good answer. Welcome.

Camping by the river is the best......

Free cigars on guided trips FYI.

Just remember to not be afraid of experimenting on your journey, that’s how you find the most joy.

FYI go buy an Illusione original document C4 or F9, Tatuaje Conoju 2012 broadleaf and caps especial(Sumatra) and a Kristoff ligero maduro. Expand a bit.

^^ I don't know that those cigars are free. There's a cost

Welcome. I did the traditional mild to stronger progression. I currently like as heavy they can get though enjoy a variety. Except connies scare me now for fear of blandness. Can't help with nuance. My low-born palate don't know nuttin bout no nuance

Wish I could find some around here...……..Heaven on a slice of bread

Sam's Club has it. Also they have "Dubliner" cheese in 2-pound blocks, which is made by Kerrygold and is made from the milk of grass-fed cows on family farms in Ireland. It's fantastic. It has the same awesome, complex, "I have clearly been aged" type of flavor that stuff like Parmigiano-Reggiano has, but at half the per-pound price.
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Some good chit, man. I always keep a couple sticks in the fridge.

Aloha from Hawaii! 👍

My first real premium cigar was an Arturo Fuente Hemingway Natural Signature in 2011 at Casa Fuente in Las Vegas with a bunch of high school classmates. The setting and the company produced a great experience and memory. However, the cigar bug didn’t hit me till a couple years later, as we were planning a class reunion and going back to CF was on the short list of things to do.

With that being said, starting off with a brand like that only ended up spoiling me (...in a good way...). I joined CBid soon after the bug bit me but like you, read a lot so that pretty much helped me avoid buying over-hyped smokes. While I did start off buying less than stellar cigars, I think my stay in that realm was relatively short.

My “a-ha” moment came a few months into my first year when I smoked a gifted 2-year old Best Seller Maduro. Perfect balance of chocolate, nuts and earth. Paired very well with an Ayinger Celebrator.

Top go-to cigars (...in no particular order...):

AF Mag R44
AF 8-5-8 Maduro & SG
AF Casa Cuba Divine Inspiration
AF Anejo #46
Tat PCR
Padron Anniversary 64 Natural & Maduro Principe - I keep forgetting to pull some out but love ‘um ❤️

Keep having fun in your search to find your wheelhouse. 👍

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AF (and Ashton and most Davidoff) cigars taste like nothing or almost nothing to me, and a lot of other guys. Try them though, you might love them. If not, and your palate is more like mine, try AJ Fernandez stuff. Affordable, excellent, full of flavor. Fernandez works in tobacco like the masters worked in oil paints!
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Years ago I used to smoke what friends had (punch, curly head and others unknown). And I would buy from them.


About 2002, I walked in to my first B&M and was intimidated by the choices. I figured that I wanted something in the 4-5 dollar range - thinking anything cheaper would be crap and anything more I wouldn't appreciate. So now I had price range and then looked for a cigar that I might like to hold in my hand. I saw a silky box press robusto that looked good. I bought it not knowing anything and I liked it.

Padron - one of the 1000 series.

The adventure started after that.

I believe the first non infused cigar I smoked was a Perdomo Lot 23 maduro. I liked it and have been a cigar enthusiast ever since. Tons of knowledge on here from the members helped me through learning curves rather quickly. My progression went from Nicaraguan early on because of the power behind their tobacco to cc now because the power of other tobacco is rarely what I look for in a cigar now. I think everyone's journey will be slightly different but I have found that the origin of the wrapper means the most on what to expect with a new cigar.