Joe has helped me out on a number of occasions, and I consider him a friend. Shoot me your address or even better, a PayPal, and I will make a donation to the cause.
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I need a cigar education!
- Thread starter bm11
- Start date
If anybody wants to throw in any cash you can paypal me at [email protected]
Im not talking about buying a ton of expensive stuff. I am seeing bundles of 20 on Cigarbid for between 30 and 50 that are pretty decent. Thinking 100 sticks should be good to tide some guys over if they have a way to keep them humid.
Ill start it with $50 and ill take care of the shipping.
If anybody wants to send any of their personal stash let me know and I will PM you my address and will include it with the rest.
Im not talking about buying a ton of expensive stuff. I am seeing bundles of 20 on Cigarbid for between 30 and 50 that are pretty decent. Thinking 100 sticks should be good to tide some guys over if they have a way to keep them humid.
Ill start it with $50 and ill take care of the shipping.
If anybody wants to send any of their personal stash let me know and I will PM you my address and will include it with the rest.
Dog Rocket is, well, next time you see an AmStaff or Pitt sitting there, look down between his legs at that pink dog rocket. It is cigar slang for crap cigars that just plain suck. Chances are, if it comes from Thompson, it's a dog rocket
if you see a dual digit number, it is called RING Gauge, and is measured in 1/64" increments, so a 47 ring cigar is 47/64" in diameter and for that ring is usually a 4.5 - 6 inch long cigar, a corona or lonsdale(lonsdale being the longer of the two)
Of most of the ones mentioned after the short list RJW gave, I give a nod to the La Gloria Serie R. It does have a nice vanilla/cafe aroma when walked up to, much like a good Monte Cristo, although the scent of a Monte Cristo is much smoother and nicer with a hint of nutmeg and cream. You burn a Essencia or an Antano 70 Maduro, the scent is pure gold. Nice notes of cinnamon spice, a little toast and cocoa, good stuff.
As to Black and Milds, the smell of those things makes me want to puke, and I can only associate them with gangbangin thuggish monkeys in Crown Vics on 24" wheels lifted up like Conestoga wagons. Flush that crap with it's paper wrapper and smoke a pipe or a good cigar for crissakes, and stop being a punani
I actually smoked a La Gloria Serie R yesterday, and it was a fantastic smoke. The price is pretty reasonable as well.
Check out the Tatuaje Bone Crushers. Very full, very flavorful smoke.
Have to admit I like the serie R, the padron annivasario, the siglo and others.
I have had good and bad Cubans. I ave doe that have been in my humidor for years.
I am starting to smoke them and they are incredible.
I have had good and bad Cubans. I ave doe that have been in my humidor for years.
I am starting to smoke them and they are incredible.
I had a Camacho 10th Ann. Corojo Limited Edition @ EH's place the other night, both of us were extremely impressed with the cigar. In fact we just bought some more yesterday to get into our respective humidors.
I'm also quite partial to Oliva's Series O, G, V and I was introduced to them by another friend that thinks quite highly of them. They are a regular in my rotation. The Cuban's are highly sought after but I suspect that much of the mythos around a "Cuban" comes because they've been contraband for 50+ years. I've had a number of Cubans and managed to get a few back after a trip to the islands, the smoke was good but not such that I'd spend $15+/stick on them. Most of the true talent in cigars has left Cuba and moved to other regions of the Caribbean over the past 50 years of nationalized farming. I'm quite fond of mild/medium Nicaraguans. My wife quite detests the smoke, but in SEPA's recent weeks of nice weather it's tough to ignore the call of a warm evening in a reclining deck chair watching the deer in the back yard.
I'm also quite partial to Oliva's Series O, G, V and I was introduced to them by another friend that thinks quite highly of them. They are a regular in my rotation. The Cuban's are highly sought after but I suspect that much of the mythos around a "Cuban" comes because they've been contraband for 50+ years. I've had a number of Cubans and managed to get a few back after a trip to the islands, the smoke was good but not such that I'd spend $15+/stick on them. Most of the true talent in cigars has left Cuba and moved to other regions of the Caribbean over the past 50 years of nationalized farming. I'm quite fond of mild/medium Nicaraguans. My wife quite detests the smoke, but in SEPA's recent weeks of nice weather it's tough to ignore the call of a warm evening in a reclining deck chair watching the deer in the back yard.
A CAO Brazilia with some Makers Mark is quite tasty.
My personal favorite is an Arturo Fuente Hemingway.
My personal favorite is an Arturo Fuente Hemingway.
Ditto on the Fuente's, I have a sampler box of DR Fuente's that came as part of a housewarming gift, they're mellowing in my tupperdore still inside the cedar box they were delivered in. Probably in a few months I'll give one a try.
I'm a pretty big fan of most of the Camacho line. I haven't had a bad cigar from them, though I have liked some lines better than others. The only bummer is that they're more popular now and thus the price has gone up.
In the Oliva line, the V series figuradoes was my favorite. Tasty enough that I bought a box, which I rarely do. We smoked a lot of Olivas in Afghanistan and they always seemed to deliver a very solid cigar. It was never the most interesting smoke in the humidor, but I can't remember getting a dog rocket.
I'm getting the same vibe actually. I started out smoking Olivas due to the generosity of a friend, I branched out and kept coming back to the O's because of the consistently top notch behavior. I was very surprised at the Camacho 10th and while I'm up for trying more cigars, the Olivas are a staple of my collection and I suspect that they always will be.
Oliva V are pretty amazing.
Ive got a box of the Camacho Corojo Diploma's. A little short, but for a power house cigar that is ok since you have to take your time with it anyway. Got the box for like 80 bucks on Cigar Bid.
If you like full bodied smokes the LFD Double Ligero Chisel's are pretty good. Liga Privada #9's are also rated very full bodied. Diesel Unholy Cocktails are also pretty damn good. You can buy boxes of 30 all day long for $80.
Ive got a box of the Camacho Corojo Diploma's. A little short, but for a power house cigar that is ok since you have to take your time with it anyway. Got the box for like 80 bucks on Cigar Bid.
If you like full bodied smokes the LFD Double Ligero Chisel's are pretty good. Liga Privada #9's are also rated very full bodied. Diesel Unholy Cocktails are also pretty damn good. You can buy boxes of 30 all day long for $80.
I just matched you with a $50 donation, that should get things started!
Updates: I smoked a Romeo Y Julietta Churchill Tubo last night. The smoke was mild... but that I think is all I can say. I wasn't really able to distinguish any flavors more than that. Plenty of smoke, just mild in flavor. I paired with a Balvenie 15 year Single Barrel (scotch) which is excellent.
Tonight I smoked a Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Robusto Toro Tubo. I like it a lot. Very good flavor (in my VERY new-to-this opinion.) Lots of coco and coffee, with very little pepper. I smoked it all the way to the nub, paired with a Buffalo Trace with a bit of water, and a Bookers, neat. I called a place about an hour from here with a much better selection of cigars, but they were out of Padron cigars, and that is really what I was going to make the trip for, so I settled for something local. I'm not going to make an order until my humidor is set up, which should be sooner rather than later as Switchblade set me up with a guy, and it is just a matter of connecting to make an order (I left a message with him.)
Having fun with this, and appreciate the way this thread is going,
-Bob
Bob,
I have just read this thread and have not been able to stop laughing my ass off. DAMN man you are OCD... I love it! It reminds me of some of our first conversations of the AW vs. AE 330CI vs. M3, knives and sharpening ect. You really put the effort in. I kinda wish I had more lung capacity and I just may join ya for some whiskey and a puff. By the way thank you to the intro to the Bookers, damn good stuff.
I have just read this thread and have not been able to stop laughing my ass off. DAMN man you are OCD... I love it! It reminds me of some of our first conversations of the AW vs. AE 330CI vs. M3, knives and sharpening ect. You really put the effort in. I kinda wish I had more lung capacity and I just may join ya for some whiskey and a puff. By the way thank you to the intro to the Bookers, damn good stuff.
Ha! I have OCD just as bad as you, it manifests itself different.
Good news for you- you don't inhale cigars, therefore, your missing half lung won't impare your ability to enjoy a cigar. And from what I have found, a cigar is best enjoyed with whiskey, bourbon OR scotch.
Got it. Thanks.
Im going to give it till probably like end of June to see if anybody else wants to toss in some cash or some sticks from their stash and then I will place an order and send em on their way.
yeah BM you have just as addictive a personality as i do. I hate half doin anything. If i'm skydiving, offroading, motorcycles, guns, knives, cigars, I like stuff WAY outside my budget... doesn't work very well usually. I hate half doing anything. I need to work on that.
had a fuente anejo shark last night. damn it was good. if nobody has had a fuente anejo I highly recommend them. they are, as I understand it, opus x tobacco that was rejected for the opus x cigars. they are about half to a third the price of an opus x with, to me, the same great build and flavor.
Last night I enjoyed a Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut. A little different than what I've been having lately, but it was actually perfect for the situation. We had gone out with friends to dinner, a couple of drinks turned into a couple more when when wait got long, and it turned into a couple more on the house as an apology when it was all said and done. So relatively drunk is probably not the best way to sample a new cigar, but I made a fire and it is tough to NOT have one when sitting next to the fire.
My review- I found the cigar to be very mild, yet had a LOT of complex flavors. I have a hard time explaining them being new to this, but I have had mild flavored cigars in the past with little to no flavor, this cigar on the other hand had lots of coco and coffee and at some times a sweet flavor I couldn't out my finger on, without being a full bodied smoke. I liked it well enough that I'm definitely going to get a few more to try when I am a bit more sober!
My review- I found the cigar to be very mild, yet had a LOT of complex flavors. I have a hard time explaining them being new to this, but I have had mild flavored cigars in the past with little to no flavor, this cigar on the other hand had lots of coco and coffee and at some times a sweet flavor I couldn't out my finger on, without being a full bodied smoke. I liked it well enough that I'm definitely going to get a few more to try when I am a bit more sober!
I have only smoked cigars for a couple years and not on a regular basis but one of my favorites has been the Carlos Torano reserva decadencia. It may be that it was my first good cigar and fit the bill good as a pretty mild cigar. I had a few of them the week I was at the beach and they all burned even and smooth. Flavor is more of a sweetness than anything else. Also, have liked the Ghurkas I have tried but can't remember which they were. Think I am going to have to start keeping all the bands from the ones I like so I can remember better.
As for a drink with a cigar I was told by a guy, that doesn't drink alcohol, that Dr. Pepper brings out the flavor. I was 19 when I started smoking cigars so the alcohol wasn't real easily available so I tried the Dr. Pepper and it does seem to bring out the flavor from the little I know.
As for a drink with a cigar I was told by a guy, that doesn't drink alcohol, that Dr. Pepper brings out the flavor. I was 19 when I started smoking cigars so the alcohol wasn't real easily available so I tried the Dr. Pepper and it does seem to bring out the flavor from the little I know.
^^^What he said. Also agree with purchasing from Cigars International. Buy their samplers in the palette you prefer and you'll find your favorites quickly. Be careful though, you'll need a much bigger humidor than you already have, or two. Good sticks at ridiculous prices. I really like theirs and famous smokes user review system (Famous smokes is MUCH more intuitive.)
I'll add my favorites, not listed above:
Hoya de Monterey Dark Sumatra. - I buy them by the box every few months or so.
Alec bradley Prensado. - Worth the hyped premium IMO
My Father le bijou petit 1922 - Good short daily smoke
All available to us disadvantaged US smokers living under the oppression of an anti-Cuban regime (NOT A POLITICAL RANT, just a poke at the good ole cuban embargo)
I've not smoked torpedos before but I've got some Padron 1926 #2 coming and while I intend to age them I can see myself sneaking one of them out of the humidor...
I usually just look at the wrapping and cut just before the thin circular bands of leafs that hold the wrap. Typically this in on the 'ogive' of the cigar and coincides with the advice of experts to cut on the shoulder or just before.
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Padron Anni, I have cigar glue for those humongous 6x56 monsters I never have time to enjoy unless I am smoking meat with a walkaround. Since they come from bid sites in large amounts, they are a worthwhile deal. Cigar glue is used at the midpoint, a razor blade(heh heh heh 1960 production Gillette blue), and simply cut into two robusto/rothschild sized smokes. Now to do that to a Padron Anniversary would be a crime! That particular cigar should be enjoyed in it's depth and length with at least a double pour.
Tasting cigars takes time. When many are purchased, they are still young and need more age on them. Trying one right now gives certain flavors and notes, but may offer harshness or other issues. Trying one later on in three months lets it do it's thing as it sits for a bit. It will taste different, a little smoother, nicer flavored. BEWARE though, a mediocre piece of excrement will still taste like crap after it ages, so if it is that bad on the first one, hand them off to a less experienced smoker who will truly enjoy them
Tasting cigars takes time. When many are purchased, they are still young and need more age on them. Trying one right now gives certain flavors and notes, but may offer harshness or other issues. Trying one later on in three months lets it do it's thing as it sits for a bit. It will taste different, a little smoother, nicer flavored. BEWARE though, a mediocre piece of excrement will still taste like crap after it ages, so if it is that bad on the first one, hand them off to a less experienced smoker who will truly enjoy them
Check out Tampa Sweetheart for seconds. These are rolled in the same factories as the Fuente's by their apprentice rollers. I've been buying them for 15 years and have been very happy. They make a great everyday cigar if you're on a budget. I prefer the No. 4 in maduro.
Thanks to Switch who pointed me in the right direction, I have a humidor on the way that should be here Friday. Tomorrow I'm making the drive to a cigar shop with a better selection. They have some Padron 64's and 26's, I'll bring along a list and see what I can snag. I'll keep them in a zip lock with a humipack until my humidor is up and running.
What an awesome cigar! A LOT of flavor, very leathery and earthy throughy, at times nutty and at others coco and coffee showing through. Stronger than I'm used to, this cigar definitely packed a punch, I loved every draw.
That brings a good point- WHERE is the right place to cut a torpedo? You can take a look at my pics from yesterday, did I take too much off or just right?
IMO, thats to much. With any cigar I will cut the min amount and take a draw un lit to see if I need to trim a little more. With figurado's I will only take about 1/4" off of the cap and then take a draw. Might need to trim a few times to get it just right. Need a really sharp cutter like a Xikar.
Last night for my birthday I had a Fuente Opus X. It was a damn tasty cigar, although not as good as I remember the last one I had. But I have been spoiling myself lately with expensive cigars.
If anybody else wants to toss some cash into the pot to buy cigars for the deployed guys I am going to wait till the end of the month and then make an order. Bigjoe I will need a shipping address by the end of the month/early July more realistically to get the sticks shipped over to you.
Good to know, and thank you! I need to get a new cutter. The $2.99 special just doesnt seem to be "cutting it" any more, if you excuse the bad pun.
Good score on the Opus X, those are almost as rare as real Cuban cigars in the US!
Good score on the Opus X, those are almost as rare as real Cuban cigars in the US!
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An update for anyone following this thread:
I seemed to have ruined myself with the Padron 1964 Anniversary Torpedo. Since smoking it, everything I have tried has left me wishing I was smoking a Padron. A quick summary of what I've smoked:
A Punch Grand Puro, believe it was a robusto. Burn was razor sharp but the flavor profile wasn't my thing. Tasted like sour cream to me.
A Romeo, by Romeo Y Julieta (Toro.) Not a bad smoke but no real memorable flavors.
A Oliva V Belicoso: nothing jumped out at me and said "buy this again," though the guy I was smoking with (who has a bit more experience) commented on how he felt it was a really good cigar. I was admittedly a bit drunk when we started smoking, so I will give these another chance.
Last night was a Padron 3000 (natural.) It started out very peppery, turning into leather/earth/macadamia nuts after an inch or so. A little into it I was thinking "this could be my every day smoke!" But the flavor stayed constant and I ended up getting sick up the flavor by the time it burned out a half inch or so in front of the band. The nicotine aas starting to kick my was anyhow, so I didn't relight.
My game plan from here: I'm going to buy a full box of Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro Torpedo. I loved the feel, the shape, the flavor and complexity,I loved the whole smoking experience! They are a bit too expensive for a daily smoke, but then again, I don't smoke every day. Buying by the box will get the price just low enough that I don't feel THAT guilty if I have a few a week.
I'm also going to grab another Oliva V or two and explore then again. I'm going to also keep an eye out for other items off my recommended list. I have a couple of 1926's as well, I just haven't dared to try them yet due to the strength. The 1964 was at the extreme edge of how much nicotine I couod handle.
Thanks for following this thread,
-Bob
I seemed to have ruined myself with the Padron 1964 Anniversary Torpedo. Since smoking it, everything I have tried has left me wishing I was smoking a Padron. A quick summary of what I've smoked:
A Punch Grand Puro, believe it was a robusto. Burn was razor sharp but the flavor profile wasn't my thing. Tasted like sour cream to me.
A Romeo, by Romeo Y Julieta (Toro.) Not a bad smoke but no real memorable flavors.
A Oliva V Belicoso: nothing jumped out at me and said "buy this again," though the guy I was smoking with (who has a bit more experience) commented on how he felt it was a really good cigar. I was admittedly a bit drunk when we started smoking, so I will give these another chance.
Last night was a Padron 3000 (natural.) It started out very peppery, turning into leather/earth/macadamia nuts after an inch or so. A little into it I was thinking "this could be my every day smoke!" But the flavor stayed constant and I ended up getting sick up the flavor by the time it burned out a half inch or so in front of the band. The nicotine aas starting to kick my was anyhow, so I didn't relight.
My game plan from here: I'm going to buy a full box of Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro Torpedo. I loved the feel, the shape, the flavor and complexity,I loved the whole smoking experience! They are a bit too expensive for a daily smoke, but then again, I don't smoke every day. Buying by the box will get the price just low enough that I don't feel THAT guilty if I have a few a week.
I'm also going to grab another Oliva V or two and explore then again. I'm going to also keep an eye out for other items off my recommended list. I have a couple of 1926's as well, I just haven't dared to try them yet due to the strength. The 1964 was at the extreme edge of how much nicotine I couod handle.
Thanks for following this thread,
-Bob
I hope you have back up for some of those bottles, Sean, they are looking kinda low.
I haven't ventured into the cigars yet, as I only started on Pipes a couple years ago. But, I do enjoy a nice glass of Scotch with a good pipe on the back deck....
Any ideas for a good beginner cigar?
For me, the first cigar I REALLY enjoyed off the bat is a Rocky Patel Vintage 1990. Relatively mild but great flavors, reasonable at around $10 per.
Just picked up 10 more cigars today and a humidor. Felt weird keeping nice cigars in a paper bag with a moist paper towel to keep the humidity up. Now just have to buy some more cigars to make the humidor look full.
Anyone looking for a cigar education and If you are in Los Angeles next Thursday June 27th, come join us at the penthouse of 1642 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024 for a <a href="http://www.customtobacco.com">custom cigar</a> night. Price is $20 Includes a 3 cigar sampler, wine,scotch,whiskey, and other refreshments. Hope to see you all there! Please email me (James Cameron) at [email protected]
UPDATE: I spoke with a gentleman at Padron and he asked me the humidity level of my humidor - 70 %. That he said was too high for Padrons which do better at 65%. I've ordered a Boveda 65% to change the humidity and we'll see. He said a wetter Padron will have a harsher taste and that I'll notice a change in the nicotine taste as well.
Original: Well, just finished my first '26 #2 natural. Between it and the Maduro there is a subtle difference. Heavy initial spice with a strong flavor of tobacco and heat. Hard to retrohale. The Maduro was much softer and welcoming and was smoother throughout. After the first inch natural however settled down for very creamy coffee flavour and cocoa tones. The draw was identical to the Maduro. An exceptionally well made cigar. The Maduro is silky smooth whereas the natural has the occasional spice kicking in to keep you paying attention. The overall effect is not a dreamy escape but more an active engagement. It's an wonderful smoke and one probably better suited to having interesting conversations or concentrated thought. It lasted me a good 75mins so similar burn time to the Maduro - again consistent construction. The smoke from both types is very rich, creamy and voluminous. It fills the air even when outdoors. The last third begins to bring on the nicotine and the taste quickly becomes pronounced. For me that's the 'last orders' bell for the cigar. It leaves me happy, relaxed but not drowsy.
The accompanying drink was a glass of pascualo toso Malbec 2009. Very nice to go with the spice and not drown out the soft tones of coffee, cocoa and cream.
If I had to choose however I'd say the '26 #9 with Nadurra has to be the best mellowing experience. I'll try my next #2 with that and see how things change.
Original: Well, just finished my first '26 #2 natural. Between it and the Maduro there is a subtle difference. Heavy initial spice with a strong flavor of tobacco and heat. Hard to retrohale. The Maduro was much softer and welcoming and was smoother throughout. After the first inch natural however settled down for very creamy coffee flavour and cocoa tones. The draw was identical to the Maduro. An exceptionally well made cigar. The Maduro is silky smooth whereas the natural has the occasional spice kicking in to keep you paying attention. The overall effect is not a dreamy escape but more an active engagement. It's an wonderful smoke and one probably better suited to having interesting conversations or concentrated thought. It lasted me a good 75mins so similar burn time to the Maduro - again consistent construction. The smoke from both types is very rich, creamy and voluminous. It fills the air even when outdoors. The last third begins to bring on the nicotine and the taste quickly becomes pronounced. For me that's the 'last orders' bell for the cigar. It leaves me happy, relaxed but not drowsy.
The accompanying drink was a glass of pascualo toso Malbec 2009. Very nice to go with the spice and not drown out the soft tones of coffee, cocoa and cream.
If I had to choose however I'd say the '26 #9 with Nadurra has to be the best mellowing experience. I'll try my next #2 with that and see how things change.
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I just found some Fuent Fuent Opus X in stock locally. I know they are relative unicorns, so I bought the 7 Robusto's they had for $20 each, and a Fuente Fuente for $18. I am going to let them age, but I had to smoke one. It was a powerhouse! Good flavor. IMO, it's no Padron but I did enjoy it.
The ash held on FOREVER!
The ash held on FOREVER!
Don't hold your cigar between your legs when you take a picture... just sayin'....
I guess it doesn't look so big, in that light.
