Age & Experience

[RevSmoke]

I am one that has smoked fo 28+ years. I have seen some cigars come and some go. I have sometimes enjoyed my pipe more often than cigars, and so my humidor kept me happy for a while during that time, without having to visit a cigar shop or the internet. Then, a few year ago, I found cigar forums online, and I have noticed since finding them, a couple things that intrigue me.

I remember the 90s boom years, there were a number of brands that popped up, and then died soon thereafter. Some stayed for awhile and have flourished - Padron (wasn’t in the US market til ‘97), Perdomo (La Tradicion came out in’95), and La Flor Dominicana (‘94) to name just a few of the more successful ones. There are some others that are still around, they’ve weathered the storm, but not quite as successfully. For example Cupido was a great smoke came out and was and incredible smoke, rich, sweet, on the full side of medium - they’re sill around, but what happened to them. Then there are some that make you scratch your head, like Cremosa - introduced in ‘94 and for some unknown reason, still being produced. And then, there are those that have gone the way of the dodo.

What interests me is the variety of cigars out there, and the new faces in the cigar world that seem to have cropped up and are making themselves popular. Names that were unfamiliar to me before I found CA (and before it, CS), and seem to be the best of the best, make me curious about their pedigree and staying power.

What is more, I am curious who is smoking them? Are they long-time smokers, seasoned smoker, or neophytes.

So, I’ve organized a poll to see how long people have been smoking. And I’m taking a straw poll in the thread - what are you 5 favorite brands. If you want to mention in the thread how long you’ve been smoking, that would be nice. Curious what the old-timers versus the relative newbies are smoking. Are we in the midst of a new boom, with some names that will fade like the wind? Or are some of the new names here to stay?

I ask, because I was seriously out of the cigar loop from mid-2000 until 2007, I smoked almost exclusively, my pipes. I had enough cigars that I hadn’t bought any from 1999 till 2007. (I think being a reviewer for SMOKE magazine for most of 1999 may have burned me out for a while.) And then moving to Embarrass, Wisconsin - with no B&M to hang out at, I had no place I wanted to smoke, and nobody to smoke with. I even traded cigars for some quality pipes. There were months I’d go without a cigar, and other times, I was smoking only about 2 cigar every month. A box can go a whole year at that rate. So, basically out of the cigar loop for those few years, I come back and there are some names that seem to dominate that I didn’t know.

Rocky Patel came on scene in the 90s, but with Indian Tabac - since then he’s done his own lines and is still going strong. Jose Garcia didn’t come on the scene domestically until 200?? Ernesto Padilla went into cigars with Perdomo, and didn’t get his own company going until 2003? Pete Johnson is also immensely popular on CA, but he also is a relative newbie to the cigar scene.

My 5 favorites:
Moore & Bode Flamboyan
Padron (PAM 64s & X000s)
Oliva V
Taboo HSGs
Punch (Rothschilds)

What is interesting with my list is that 2 of the 5 I discovered after the boom, 2 during the boom, and 1 I have smoked for 28 years. What is interesting is that I used to smoke almost exclusively; AF Chateaus ($15 a box) and AF ($18 a box) & Punch Rothschilds ($40 a box). When I had some extra $$, I’d pop for a box of AF Hemi Short Stories ($60 a box). Notice what cigars are not on my list anymore?

How long have you been smoking?
What are your 5 favorites?

[Mugen910]

My top 5:
Davidoff
Trinidad
Cohiba
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero series
Padron Anniversary Series

About 6 months ago the bottom two NCs would have been in #2 and #3 followed by L' Aroma De Cuba and Tats.

[RevSmoke]

Just thought of this. The boom was really fading fast by 1999, so if someone didn't smoke over 15 years - they almost wouldn't know and certainly wouldn't remember - AFs for the prices I mentioned.

[marge796]

I started with cigars in the spring of 2000, a good friend said, try one of these and here I am. I have evolved like many others. I smoked a number of different cigars until I developed a cigar savvy palate :D and acquired a little education from my local B&Ms and networking on sites like this one. Here's what I like to keep on hand in no particle order.

La Arome De Cuba
Perdomo
Rocky Patel
Gispert
Astral
AF
Diamond Crown Maximus
Gurkha
CCs when I can come across them

As you all know there are many variations to my above list and I have tried to smoke as many as I can. I also prefer the larger sized cigar like a Belicoso & Churchill. Well that’s my story and I’m sticking too it.

Chris


:ss

[icantbejon]

I would say I've only been smoking seriously for two years or so. Before that, I would smoke a cigar at a BBQ or whatever. Nothing major.

As far as favorites go,
1. CAO MX2 (this is old faithful so it remains #1 despite better cigars available)
2. Cohiba Siglo IV (I've only smoked 08's)
3. RP Fusion MM
4. Oliva V (recent addition)
5. AF Shark (only had a couple, but they have blown me away every time)

[icehog3]

Been smoking cigars over 20 years, more "seriously" for the last 8. "Discovered" Cubans about 6 years ago and primarily smoke those now.

Favorite Brands:

Partagas
Por Larranaga
Bolivar
H. Upmann
Ramon Allones

Favorite NC brands would be Fuente and Tatuaje.

As an aside, the absolute worst "Boom" cigar I smoked were Don Mateos....nasty chit. ;)

[kgoings]

I was smoking in the mid 90's but then stopped. I picked it up again a bit over a year ago.

If we are only talking NC's

PAM's
AF Hemi's
Oliva V
DPG

I cant think of a fifth NC that ranks right up there.

My fav CC's

H. Upmann
LGC
Partagas
Por Larranaga
Bolivar

[TheLostGringo]

Nice post thanks for sharing. I have been smoking about 20 years myself but truthfully over the past 6-7 years smoke almost exclusively Cuban Cigars.

Now and then I do enjoy a Tatuaje which obviously is a relatively new cigar.

[Emjaysmash]

Just thought of this. The boom was really fading fast by 1999, so if someone didn't smoke over 15 years - they almost wouldn't know and certainly wouldn't remember - AFs for the prices I mentioned.

Ha, I was going to say "Where can I get AFs for that price??!"

Top 5:
Padron (any and all)
Perdomo
Tatuaje
...I cant think of anymore...

I dont have a Top CC list becuase I 've only had a few, but I'm a fan of Partagas.

Been smoking for 1-2 years.

[newlifetaxidermy]

I started smoking cigars in 1995 or 96. I was a casual cigar smoker (12-15 sticks a year) at best until about a year ago. My tastes have changed over the years. I used to really enjoy a mild to medium conn shade wrapped smoke. Now, I prefer a medium to full bodies smoke. I have yet to meet a CC that I didn't like, so I am not going to include them in my favorites.

My favorite NCs are (in no particular order)
Punch
5 Vegas Classic
AF Anejo
Hoyo de Tradicion
Casa Magna (newly discovered this outstanding cigar)

Other NCs that I really like are:
Hoyo de Monterrey
FFOX
Trinidad
Olvidados by ERdM
Tatuaje Miami

[Lucky_Hippo]

I've been a cigar smoker for just over 14 years. I was pretty serious about it for the first 3 or 4 years, and after a few years of just smoking occasionally I really got back into it about 4 years ago or so. I worked close to my local B&M so I was still there 4 or 5 times a week, I just did a lot more hanging out than smoking.

The first go around I was really into:

A. Fuente (smoked a lot of 8-5-8's)
Macanudo portofinos (from Jamaica)
and
Ashton (when you could easily find VSG's by the box)

The second go around I've really been into:

DPG
Rocky Patel
Pete Johnson
and
Ashton

For some reason A. Fuente, who I almost smoked exclusively before, has fallen off my radar. Even the Hemmingway stuff just doesn't hold my attention like it used to.

**Remeber Lone Wolf cigars, a Belushi and Chuck Norris collaborative? With all the differnt flavors I tend to remember them as the Acid cigars of the 90s.

:pu Not my cup of tea at all, but what a unique pairing in the cigar world. :D

[tsolomon]

Smoking for 1 1/2 years.

Top 5 NCs
Tatuaje Browns
La Riqueza
Illusione
Padron 64 & x000 Maduros
Oliva V

[elderboy02]

In May, it will be 1 year I have been smoking cigars.

My favorites are:
Don Pepin Garcia
Illusione
Padron
Oliva
601

[Coz77]

Going on 6 years here.. The 3 P's have yet to disappoint!

Pepins
Padron
Perdomo

[G G]

Smokin for about 2 years.

Favorite Brands
Oliva V, O, G
Taboo mostly SFBC and BC
Punch
5 Vegas A
Camacho

[Beer Doctor]

I've been smoking premium cigars since I turned 18 in 1998 (and crappy machine mades before that:D). I really got into cigars when I met my wife in 2001. Her father got me my first humidor. I was in college then so I didn't have many cigars and eventually I let my humidor empty and put it away for awhile. I took a little hiatus from having my own and smoking regularly from 04-07. I started back again when I bought some Cohibas in Italy. I reseasoned my humidor and it's been full ever since.

Top 5
DPG (blue/black)
JdN Antano
Fuente
Padron
LFD

I'm sure Tatuaje and Illusione would be in there too but I've only had two Tats and 5 Illusione.

Lately I've been getting into CCs and have noticed my NCs aren't as appealing. Although I had a Davidoff millenium lancero that was frickin awesome.

marcus

[thebiglebowski]

great post. very thoughtful. i'm gonna bump your ring gau... er. nevermind. ;)

i fall in the 10-20 year category myself. sounds like you're kind've directing this thread towards NC cigars. i enjoy both, but mostly CCs. here are the NC brands i enjoy, off and on:

LFD (i like most of what Litto produces)
JdN
Tatuaje (i'm kind've new to this brand, but really like the brown labels)
and Gurkhas



































BWAH-HAHAHAHAHAHA!

joking on that last one.... :fu

[markem]

I've been smoking cigars since 1976 and pipes since maybe 1980. I used to be more of a pipe guy and cigars a few times a year, but now it is just the opposite.

I don't smoke many NCs anymore and am very picky about the ones that I do smoke. I'll smoke Tatuaje noella, petites and blacks, Pepin blue and black labels and Padron 64s and 26s. That was it until quite recently when I discovered MiraFlor (Andy's on CA) and Andy's new Goviado marca (I've had the chico). I'm way into whatever Andy is rolling as they are all great!

But I've become a CC whore and these are my faves:

Partagas - pretty much any size
RG
HdM - particularly the small ones like du family

I also like Punch, especially the Punch Punch and Black Prince

Oh yeah, the LGC MdO #3s are incredible ...

wait, let's just say I'm a CC whore and leave it at that.

[Raralith]

Mostly Cubans:
Bolivar
Cohiba
Trinidad
Montecristo
Punch

I normally don't smoke NC's but if I do it's:
AF Hemmingway or Opus
Padron Anni or X000
Tatuaje

[RevSmoke]

For some reason A. Fuente, who I almost smoked exclusively before, has fallen off my radar. Even the Hemmingway stuff just doesn't hold my attention like it used to.

**Remeber Lone Wolf cigars, a Belushi and Chuck Norris collaborative? With all the differnt flavors I tend to remember them as the Acid cigars of the 90s.

:pu Not my cup of tea at all, but what a unique pairing in the cigar world. :D


Actually, the Belushi & Norris cigars weren't flavored. That was Lars Teten - and they are still available, only very much limited.

I know what you mean about the AFs. They used to be exquisite. But, during the boom, something happened. Their best were the Hemis. I don't know if it was the addition of the DC and Opus line, but something happened to the flavor, body, strength of their other lines, including the Hemis. I enjoy an occasional SS, but they are not the same. And the Chateaus and the Rothschilds that were my staple, I visit only rarely - though I do have some Chateau SGs that are better. The few Opus I have had, have failed to really "WOW" me. Considering their price tag, I'd expect something spectacular. I must say that one I had was incredible - very, very nice. The other 2 though have left me sorely wanting. When they came out in the 90s, I had a few, but remember construction & burn issues - flavors were decent, but I had Hemi SSs in my humidor that made me happier.

I don't know if I am unusual in that regard, or if others have also noticed the diminished satisfaction that is received from Fuentes in general. It might be that my tastes have changed and I like fuller-bodied cigars. Who knows.

[BC-Axeman]

Back when I started in the early '80s I would smoke mostly singles of Davidoff, Macanudo, and Partagas. In the early '90s I discovered La Gloria Cubanas (NC) and started smoking those, mostly. LGC Wavell Maduro is still one of my must-haves.
I also like, in no particular order:
Cruzado
AF Hemi
A few RPs
Gurkha G3
La Aurora
(the list is long)
I like a lot of CCs, too, but I don't see much really different about them.

[Hardcz]

Going on my second year smoking.

In no particular order I like:

The Griffins
Arturo Fuente Between the Lines/Don Carlos
Cohiba's past the sick period that have mellowed slightly that are "ON"
Partagas 898 new and old / Shorts with 3+ years on them
Hoyo, love the des dieux, petit robustos, psd4's with a few years

[RevSmoke]

i fall in the 10-20 year category myself. sounds like you're kind've directing this thread towards NC cigars. i enjoy both, but mostly CCs. here are the NC brands i enjoy, off and on:

Not necessarily. But I would say that CCs might make this a whole different discussion. Of course, our B/SOTLs who live outside the US cannot really comment on many of the NC brands that have come and gone, for they were predominanly for the US market.

I must say that for most of my smoking life, non-counterfeit CCs were not much of an option of me to obtain. I smoked my share, gotten to me by my uncle, when I visited Canada, and from a fellow minister who did a yearly mission trip to Cuba and didn't smoke cigars - but brought as many as he could back for me. I also did enjoy trying some legally and non-counterfeit by reviewing for SMOKE.

I am not limiting, but the majority of the comments will gravitate that way.

[Tredegar]

I've been smoking cigars for only three years and have picked up some favorites. I used to smoke cigarettes, but that was a long time ago and I really don't count that.

Favorites:

Fonseca Habana Seleccion
Rocky Patel Renaissance
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Punch Rothschild (Maduro)

[colimo]

I have been smoking a pipe for over 35 years, (took it up my junior year abroad in college when i was in england, along with such other vices as Guinness and Single Malts)...took up cigars in about 01 when i went to a single malt and cigar tasting sponsored by my pipe tobacco shop....my initial favorites were the la gloria cubana series R # 5...although i have recently moved away from that to the SLR serie G at about $2 less per stick...while i enjoy more expensive cigars such as opus X and padron's, they are at a price point where it is a rare luxury. just within the last 2 weeks i have smoked 2 tatuaje's and was very impressed, as well as olivas

i have only recently(last 4 years) discovered the world of cubans. my first one was given to me by a client, and i wish i would have thought then to save the band....almost got high just sniffing it on the way home...

then i married my wife and took numerous trips to her hometown in Canada and found a shop that sold cubans so tried a few...found i liked Cuaba and only recently have smoked a couple cubans gifted from the FRherfs

so i guess my favs would be as follows (in no particular order)
NC:
SLR SERIES G
OLIVA V
AF ANEJO
CAO
LA GLORIA SERIE R

CC:
CUABA
PATAGAS SERIE D
VEGUEROS

I tend to prefer larger ring gauge 50+ i.e. toro, topedo, belicoso...

interesting thread to read

[e-man67]

age 36 been smoking cigars since 93...

It all started with a trip to Windsor, CA...Bought various Partegas, Punch, and a Jose Piedra...started hitting the local shops after:

Top 5 all time favorite NC:
1). El Sublimado (not made anymore)
2). Ashton VSG
3). Monte Cristo Platinums (love whites too)
4). Casa Magna (new and I love them)
5). tie Partegas Black label, Punch Rare Corojo

*I tend to stick with what I like and not venture much...I am exploring more...recently with pepin's stuff which so far I am enjoying. Fuente's with the exception of the Anejo, need more aging IMO...especially the Opus. I do love them when they are right.

Top 5 CC's:
1) Monte Cristo torpedos
2) Various Cohibas Siglos (non cubans are blah)
3) Hoyo's
4) Ramon Allones
5) Romeo J's

[larryinlc]

I've been smoking cigars for 30 years and my favorites seem to change like the weather. After all the time spent, I still like to try anything and everything and there always seem to be something new coming out.

Thinking about what I currently like and smoke more often than not, it would have to be only two. El Rey Del Mundo Robusto Larga and Diamond Crown No7 Maduro.

But what do I know...I used to like Big Butts.:D:r

Larry

[croatan]

13 strong years for me so far.

Top five marcas would probably be:
Partagas
Bolivar
SLR
Punch
Sanch Panza

I don't own or smoke many non-Cubans (probably 1% ish), but a few that I've smoked and enjoyed recently:
Oliva Serie V Lancero
Tatuaje Noella
Most Tabacalera Tropical stuff

I smoked a whole lot of Fuentes in the 90s. Now, I might have one a year.

[Footbag]

Been smoking for 12 years now. I would say four serious years of smoking.

Went through a lot of NC brands. Padron was my major goto. But more recently, I've been smoking some spicier cigars. Tat's and DPG's.

I've also discovered my likes from the island. Smoking a lot of Partagas and Bolivar recently.

[ActionAndy]

1-2 Years (It'll be two years this summer, I think. I'm bad with time though.) I really can't pick top 5 brands because Davidoff is the only brand that I consider a favorite. Other brands have sticks I like, but twice as many sticks I'll never buy again. That being said I like a lot of Camachos and all the CC Bolivars I've had so far have been great.

[mosesbotbol]

Been smoking cigars since early 90's and I do not have any favorite brands.

I wonder about some brands that were popular in the 10+ years ago that I do not see like:

Don Juan
Don Thomas
Tempe Hall
Santa Cruz

In terms of Habanos, they seem to me they have become milder over the years, but better made. Internet and forums have made them far more accessible then relying on Euro vacations and friends to do my bidding... Never thought I'd have as many cigars as I do now, even though I have liked them just as much a while back...

[Seanohue]

Started July 4 when I was 17, so it'll be 3 years this July. My favorites marcas are:

H. Uppman
Cohiba
Partagas
Por Larranaga
SCdLH

[Ashcan Bill]

Smoked my first cigar around 1969, maybe 1970. It was on the Huntington Beach, CA pier.

Since then I've bounced around between pipes, cigs and cigars. Actually it's probably been close to thirty years since I've smoked a pipe. For the last three years it's been strictly cigars and that's how I plan to keep it.

I smoke mainly Cubans now, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy NCs. Certainly that's where the bulk of my cigar smoking history is.

So, leaving CCs out of the equation, my favorite NC brands, in order, would be:

Don Pepin
Fuentes
LFD
Padron

No fifth place. If I'm going to have a NC, it'll be one of the above unless I'm trying something new.

[AllOGistics]

I've only been smoking cigars for about a year. I started after my friend's (the groom) father gave all of us a really nice cigar. I can't remember what it was, but I know that it was fantastic. I finally understood why people smoked cigars. That was the initial push. Although it was mainly through this forum (and CS) that my slide became a free fall. :tu

My current top 5 (in no order):
Padron Anniversary Series
AF Hemi's
Tatuaje
Illusione
Oliva V

[Texan in Mexico]

I have been smoking for about 15 years where I would smoke a couple a month and then I found Louie and the good folks that are now here!

Dom H. Upmann was my favroite and then I gradually went through the Rockies, Pepins and some of the other favourites.

Nowadays I guess I focus on Padron, Taboo, CC LGC, CC Parties and I got the CC Custom bug recently.

I would be interested to see if we could do a cross analysis based on years of experience you set up.

I bet I know the answer but would be cool to see if we could get 500 answers here and do a real analysis.

Shoot me a PM if you'd like some help organizing data and we could present it to the peanut gallery!

Travis

[icantbejon]

[QUOTE=e-man67;301508]age 36 been smoking cigars since 93...

It all started with a trip to Windsor, CA...Bought various Partegas, Punch, and a Jose Piedra...started hitting the local shops after:

Top 5 all time favorite NC:
1). El Sublimado (not made anymore)
2). Ashton VSG
3). Monte Cristo Platinums (love whites too)
4). Casa Magna (new and I love them)
5). tie Partegas Black label, Punch Rare Corojo

JK5 and I tried these not too long ago. It was a funny experience (as cigars can be it seems). I bought two from the same box, at the same time. I brought them home and placed them immediately in the humi. We smoked them about 5 days later. Mine burned perfectly and the flavor was solid. JK5's burned terribly and he didn't care for the flavor at all. Just a random occurence from two cigars from the same batch.

[shadow king]

What a great post. I love reading stuff like this and hearing everyone's life work of cigars :D

I've been smoking cigars for 6 years now. I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore smoker either. It's really weird for me because I will go a whole week where I have at least 1 cigar a day then I will hit a dry spell where I don't smoke one for 2 weeks. I suppose when and where have huge impacts on my passion.....


Even though I have 6 years under my belt, I'm not sure I have even scratched the cigar surface as far as variety. So far in 2009, I'd say I have broadened my horizons as much as ever.

My top 5 would probably be:

1. any CC brand -they have pretty much spoiled me as far as NC's go. But I will not give up NCs.
2. H.Upmann
3. Torano
4. Partigas
5. La Aurora -first thing you think of when you hear this name is $$$$. But I have stumbled into what may become my favorite cigar over time. The Principe!! They are dirt cheap and really hit the spot for a short smoke.

[JJG]

I got into cigars briefly in the late 90's (96-98) and most of the brands I remember are still around today although not as widely discussed here. Macanudo, Partagas, Montecristo (non-Cuban)

I would say most of the popular brands today are fairly new. (within the last 10-15 years) I know some of them have been around longer but probably as boutique brands, not widely distributed to the average late 90's B&M.

I think the reason for the shift away from some of the older brands has to do with the fact that the average smoker has a wealth of information available to them online and tend to be better informed than they might have been 15 years ago. In my opinion it has also led to an industry-wide increase in the quality of what's being produced because frankly, smokers have higher expectations.

That being said, I think the internet has done wonders for storefront retailers too. I notice them carrying more of the exciting cigars generally discussed on this board instead of the usual blah brands like Macanudo, red-dot Cohibas, etc...

[PeteSB75]

Been smoking pretty regularly for the last 4-5 years, and occasionally for about 12-15. My tastes have definitely changed over that time, but what is generally to be found in my humi, and what I reach for consistently:

PAM 64s
AF Anejo
AF Sungrown ( Chateau or other, 858s atm)
De La Concha house - Pepin rolled, still think they are one of his best, and I like them better than tatuajes.
Boli CCs - PC or GM usually, depending on how much time I have.

[Geppetto]

20+ for me (Oh Lord, almost 30). Started out with hand rolled (yes, I inhaled) then cigar wise went to machine made, Phillies from Grandfather, Garcia Vega from high school bud's, Wolf Bros Crooks in the mid 80's.
Graduated to bigger and better in the 90's with the friendship of my Navy bud "Monte" who introduced me to the "new" world.

Confirmed CAO & Perdomo ho still today.

Loves:
Partagas Black
Bauza
Romeo y Julieta
Don Tomas Corojo
La Gloria Cubana Serie R
Bolivar Cofradia

Enjoy the larger ring sizes.

Joing CA has opened my eyes even more today. :tu

[Hitagain]

Less than a year.

Favorite NC:

CAO Brizilla
Rocky Patel Connecticut
Rocky Patel Edge,
Pardon 3000
CAO CX2, MX2

Favorite CC:

I wish.............

[688sonarmen]

I started smoking 4 years ago when I would stand lookout on my first submarine. I figured if the officers can smoke them so can I. It turned out to be a good idea, some of my most memorable cigars were up in the bridge at night a blanket of stars above us with the ood and it made me see that those guys down at heart were just sailors too. Probally the best was when we surfaced thru the ice near the north pole the cigars tasted like ass because of the dry cold but it really did not matter. I soon found cs and cbid and bombs and banannas and well some of you know. I then found myself with 2 full coolidors traveling with me as my orders changed from Norfolk to Groton to Newport news and back to Groton. I
have met many freinds thru cigars and has made my dad and I much closed since he smoked for as longs as I can remeber.

1. Padron x000
2. Famous nic 3000
3. Jfr
4. Mx2
5. Robusto pearla habana

[14holestogie]

20+ years for me.

I've gravitated more towards CC's in the last few months, so they'd top my list:

Partagas Mille Fleurs
Punch RS #12
Monte #4

and still exploring others...haven't had a bad one yet.


NC's still on my radar:

Perdomo Champagne (if and when I can find them)
RP Vintage & Fusion
Taboo Twists (and others)

Funny how my more expensive tastes began at about the same time you got back into cigars a bit more heavily. Coinkidink? I think not. :D

[RevSmoke]

I would say most of the popular brands today are fairly new. (within the last 10-15 years) I know some of them have been around longer but probably as boutique brands, not widely distributed to the average late 90's B&M.

I think the reason for the shift away from some of the older brands has to do with the fact that the average smoker has a wealth of information available to them online and tend to be better informed than they might have been 15 years ago. In my opinion it has also led to an industry-wide increase in the quality of what's being produced because frankly, smokers have higher expectations.

That being said, I think the internet has done wonders for storefront retailers too. I notice them carrying more of the exciting cigars generally discussed on this board instead of the usual blah brands like Macanudo, red-dot Cohibas, etc...

Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back for being one of the nouveau cigar smokers that is so much more educated and has a much more refined palate than the old smokers. :fu (sorry, I just couln't resist the attempt at a bit of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm)

You suggest that the most popular brands are the new ones. Hmmm. Got the figures to back that up? I'd say Fuentes, Upmann, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagas, LGC, dare I say it Macanudos, and other long-time brands, outsell the newcomers by a very large margin.

I would agree that some of the newer brands/makers like Tatuajae, Pepin, and such are more "popular," if by that you mean they are discussed more. You hear them talked about more than the long-time brands, but I'd love to see what people have more of in their humidors.

Yes, there is more information available today, but that isn't always a good thing. I remembered the plethora of information out there about cigars during the boom - pooled ignorance I liked to call it. Guys talking on different internet groups about the latest, greatest new cigar to come down the pipe. And the more expensive it was, the more they liked it. It was like a badge of honor to proclaim how many boxes of it they had puchased. I remember a guy talking about the Nicole Miller Robustos he had purchased, paid $10.25 a stick for a box. JR Cigar had them a year later, and I got two boxes for $29.95.

Do smokers have a higher expectation today than they did? I don't know, but I am inclined to lean the other way. I think the "cigar boomers" had great education, the internet was available to them and cigar clubs were all over the place. I think that they had unrefined palates and didn't want to listen to old smokers, "what do you know, you've been smokin' "Brands X,Y,Z,P,D,&Q for 10 years, what would you know about the new blends?" They were shoving their high end sticks in people's facing, trying to impress everyone with their refined tastes. However, there are the smokers that have come through that age which were not, and are not wow-ed by slick packaging, a new name, a high price tag, and the tastebuds of others.

There are some cigars that are bandied about these boards as the beat all and end all of cigar smoking. We won't get into whether they are or are not. Some of them are great. (Like what you smoke, and smoke what you like.) But, again and again, and again I see those old standards being passed around, boxes purchased, and reviews made.

Oh, and red dot Cohibas are not a old time blend, didn't debute until 1997 (if memory serves me correctly). And, as far as I was and am concerned, it is one of the worst cigars on the planet.

This past weekend, my cigars were a very mixed bag: Cabaiguan Robusto Extra, Taboo HSG Toro Grande, Punch Rotschild, Oliva V Lancero, and a AF Chateau maddie.

I do like the fact that this question I have posed has raised such discussion and conjecture.

Love it!

Keep the ideas flowing.

[RevSmoke]

What is interesting with my list is that 2 of the 5 I discovered after the boom, 2 during the boom, and 1 I have smoked for 28 years. What is interesting is that I used to smoke almost exclusively; AF Chateaus ($15 a box) and AF ($18 a box) & Punch Rothschilds ($40 a box). When I had some extra $$, I’d pop for a box of AF Hemi Short Stories ($60 a box). Notice what cigars are not on my list anymore?


I remember those prices from Iwan Ries during my college years.

I just grabbed a 1995 JR catalog. Here are the cigars I had highlighted as possible to order:

AF Chateaus - $29.00
Rothschilds - $33.00
ERdM Robustos - $40.00
JdN Conuls - $31.00
Punch Rothschilds - $54.00
Punch Super Rothschilds - $38.00
H. Upmann Pequeno 100s - $36.00

Got and idea of what size/shap I liked in those days?

[RevSmoke]

Funny how my more expensive tastes began at about the same time you got back into cigars a bit more heavily. Coinkidink? I think not. :D

Is that directed at me? Are you trying to blame me for your weak constitution and your lack of will-power? Me???

[ucla695]

I've started smoking in the early to mid 90's. Over that time I've gradually starting smoking more CCs and less NCs.

CC Faves:

Montecristo
Bolivar
Cohiba
Partagas
Ramone Allones

If I were to reach for an NC these days, I'd want a Davidoff, Tatuaje, Padron or Fuente (Opus/DC/Hemi, etc..).

[md4958]

Are we taking CC or NCs here? Started smoking after highschool during the boom, and then lost interest... been smoking "seriously" for about a year.

for CCs, in no particular order:
Cohiba
Monte
Hoyo
Punch
RA

For NCs I really enjoy
Tats
La Riquezas
Esencia
Oliva

Other than that, I still find new cigars that I really enjoy. The other day I grabbed a LFD Factory Press out of the humi and I thought it was fantastic.

[taltos]

I started smoking cigars in college in 1969. Have pretty much stayed with them and a pipe since then. Favorites are all NC and most are centered on the Oliva and Rocky lines with Gran Habano and CAO Brazilias thrown in the mix.

[BORIStheBLADE]

I've been smoking for three years. I didn't hit it hard till about late last year.

My Fav CC so far..

Montecristo
Bolivar
Cohiba
Hoyo de Monterrey
Ramón Allones


My fav NC

Don Pepin
Olivia
Cruzado
Ashton

[Cenookie]

I started smoking about 3 yrs. ago. My favorites:
NC
Tat
Monte White
5 Vega "A"
AVO XO
In no particular order
CC
Punch RS 11
Hoyo Petite Robusto
Dip #4
Hoyo Du Prince
Monte #4

[14holestogie]

Is that directed at me? Are you trying to blame me for your weak constitution and your lack of will-power? Me???

Blame is not the word I would use. Cid, on the other hand....:r

[cle_smoker]

I smoked my first cigar in 93 or 94 and had one every now and then until around 2003 or so when I got my first humidor.

My favorites change all the time, but I dig the Oliva V line, Sancho Panza EF for a value smoke, Taboo, and LFD. In addition, the dark side has been speaking to me lately, but no favorites from them yet.

[IBQTEE1]

I have been smoking almost two years now. Where does the time go??

I am still trying different cigars and trying to find what I like. Some of my favs are H.Upmanns, Ramon Allones and Por Larranaga. :ss

[GhostRyder]

Since the summer before I went away to college. That makes it 3 years, almost 4.

I've only had 1 or 2 CCs unfortunately. However, my palate is starting to develop a little bit, I can now distinguish between "good" and "bad." See... only three years to make it that far?

Some of my favorite sticks:
Rocky Patels (Edge, Vintage '92, Olde World Reserve)
Tatuaje
Oliva
Padron X000
AF Hemingway/Short Story

Looking forward to continuing my delicious, albeit expensive odyssey into the cigar world.

[servo24601]

I have only been smoking for 2 years this summer. My grandpa used to smoke in the summer, but smoked those nasty Dutchmasters. He passed away a long time ago but started, kind of, due to his influence.

favorites are

Rocky Patel Sungrown
Padilla Obsidian
Olivia G
Don Pepin Black Label
Punch Champion

Cliff

[bookman]

Smoking since early 90s. Buffalo Traders in G.R. Mich. was my tobacconist, sold Punch and Hoyo and Don Thomas Roths for under a buck each. Then the boom years and the prices..."OY!"...Kids, you think S-CHIP is bad...You young people are spoiled and weak with your epods and Kanye West!!!! Anywho...

My favs are always changing but lately it's (all NC, which I assume to mean Non Cuban):

La Gloria Cubana Wavell M
La Aroma De Cuba
El Rey Rectangulare EMS
5 Vegas Miami Knuckle
Saint Louis Rey Series G

I know what you guys are saying about the Fuente's. I was a fiend for 'em way back but lately when I have one..."meh". Except for the Opus X robusto I had Friday! Wow! One of the few stogies that is worth the hype, I'd say.

[pepsiguy]

very short time, less than 4 mos.


NC,
Camacho
CAO Brizilla
Padron


but the only thing I keep at home is gerbils (cc)
right now i would say
Bolivar pc
H. Upmann MAGNUM 50

[tobii3]

some of us old bastids might remember the original El Rico Habanos.

Holy schitt that thing would melt your socks.

some other old favorites...

CAO Trois Diamante (if your humi was too high, you couldn't get them out of their box!)

CAO eXtreme

Mayorga Hi Octane (^%$%&^% pyramid box...)

Belinda Blue Bands....(gawd I'm getting old)

El Paradiso (best friends House Blend from their old store)

Oliva Cloth Bands (the toilet seat box!!)

La Vieja Habana - The Early Years Silencio (back when they were boxes of 40)

Okay, now that I feel ANCIENT in here......

[RevSmoke]

some of us old bastids might remember the original El Rico Habanos.

Holy schitt that thing would melt your socks.


They still make them, but couldn't tell you if they are as full-bodied or flavorful as they used to be.

I remember ordering El Credito cigars directly from Miami. I remember getting the El Credito line, which were seconds of the LGCs. When you got some, you wanted to see if they were rolled in Miami or DR.

[Savvy]

Been smoking for just about two years now. A couple more weeks I think. I've had a blast with the cigar culture, and meeting all the people I've met throughout this. Also managed to pick up a bunch of new hobbies with it...pipes, coffee, liquor (bourbon and rum are favorites). Between this place and my time at the other site, I've had a total blast for the past two years.


Some of my favorite cigars are:

NC:
Padrons
Oliva Vs
Tatuajes
Cabaiguan
Pepin

CC:
Partagas
Bolivar
SCdlH Principes
Montecristo
LGC MdO

[NCRadioMan]

They still make them, but couldn't tell you if they are as full-bodied or flavorful as they used to be.



They were re-blended about 4-5 years ago and they are nowhere near as strong as they were before. I miss those.

[RevSmoke]

They were re-blended about 4-5 years ago and they are nowhere near as strong as they were before. I miss those.

That is too bad. They were a very tasty smoke. Of course, strength isn't everything. If the change in the blend produced a bit smoother smoke, but still on the fuller side of medium-bodied, that wouldn't be a bad thing. I remember them as having a tendency to get a bit harsh.

[Chemyst]

At a charity golf tournament 3-4 yrs ago I spotted
a humi with Excalibur and RyJ on the Pro Shop counter.
It was a creamy smoke, and I wondered if all cigars
had that trait. Been looking to repeat that experience
ever since.

My favorites are:

AF Hemi maduro
Ashton San Cristobal
Gurkha Ancient Warrior
RP Olde World Reserve
PAM

Chemyst :cool:

[TomHagen]

Smoking about 3 years...

Padron (got me going in cigars)
Tatuaje (kept me going)
Cabaiguan
Illusione
DPG (Blue, Black & others)

CC's
Bolivar
Monte
Juan Lopez
Cohiba (when I can afford 'em)
Party

[Snake Hips]

Shoot, I haven't been in the game long enough to even say really. Been smoking for almost a year now, but since about December I kind of dropped my NC experimentation for Dark Side experimentation. So as for non-Cubans, I haven't done much but sample around a bit. But here's what I've been attracted to with so far on the NC side, in no particular order:

Tatuaje
Joya de Nicaragua
Oliva
Padron
Saint Luis Rey
Romeo y Julieta

[heavyd]

I've been smoking cigars for about a year. My favorites:

Tatuaje
Padron (64,26)
A.Fuente
Cohiba (cuba)
Oliva (any of 'em)

[RevSmoke]

At a charity golf tournament 3-4 yrs ago I spotted
a humi with Excalibur and RyJ on the Pro Shop counter.
It was a creamy smoke, and I wondered if all cigars
had that trait. Been looking to repeat that experience
ever since.

My favorites are:

AF Hemi maduro
Ashton San Cristobal
Gurkha Ancient Warrior
RP Olde World Reserve
PAM

Chemyst :cool:


Have you tried the Excalibur and the RyJ again - from a different vendor?

[Braveheart]

I was a cigarette smoker for 40+ years. Gave them up in July 2007. ( Yep, I'm an old guy)Started smoking cigars last May. I work with 2 younger guys who are very knowledgeable cigar smokers. They have led me on the right paths to enjoying good cigars. My favorites to this point:
601 Green Oscuro
Oliva V
La Aurora Gold Preferido
Oliva "O" Maduro
Padron 3000 or 4000

[bowhnter]

I smoked maybe half a dozen a year until I quit smoking cigarettes
6 yrs ago.
Thought I would smoke a few cigars again about 5 months ago.
Well with the help of Smokin Gator, BigAsh, and others, along
With this place and the devil site, I now smoke at least that a week.
Even bought my first 'box'

My favorite so far is the CAO LX2

[stitch]

Well, I'm one of those Geezers who's been doing it off and on for over 30 years, ...On for the last 20 at least ... Used to smoke a lot Munimakers, Toppers, King Edwards, A&C's ... That stuff. ... My how my tastes have changed! ... My Favorites?? ...Hmmmm...
La Aroma de Cuba
Padron Aniversary (Actually ANY Padron!)
Tat's
RYJ Habana Reserve
And my newest Fav. ... San Cristobal! (Thanks John!)
But other than that, Hell ...I'll smoke a tree branch if it tastes good! :cb

[csbrewfisher]

I've been smoking since the divorce in 2007. I smoke a lot of variety thanks to the passes, trades and cbid, but I have only a few real favorites...

Perdomos
Pepins
Padrons
JdNs
RP 1990
Casa Magna

My taste isn't all that, and I have a lot to learn and a lot to try yet. I have to say that I got a Diablo Picante in a pass, and I really liked it. Bought a box on clearance from Famous, and they are very much to my liking, more than any other dominican I've had. Probably indicative of my inexperience. But as you can see, I'm a solid Nicaraguan fan.