Advice on Sticks

[Phiberglass]

I joined the boards a few weeks ago and have been doing a ton of reading. Lots and lots of information here, which I have been reading up on as often as I can. It's tough not having the knowledge as I do in my other hobbies (Cars, photography, and many others). I've been smoking cigars for quite a few years but never on a consistent basis, just special events, etc. Over the past few months I've been smoking at least 2-3 sticks per week and trying out many different ones.

What do you guys recommend for my future purchases? I've mostly been buying assorted samplers and singles at my Local B&M to see what I enjoy. I'm looking for a mild to medium bodied cigar, but willing to try something on the heavier side. I've been a big fan of Punch and Partagas so far, so I've been buying 5 packs of those sticks but looking to expand to many different blends.

Let me know if you have any suggestions. :ss

- Austin

[G G]

Personally for me at least I have found that I like to try lots of different sticks. I have only bought maybe three or four boxes since I started. I have a few sticks that I enjoy more than some of the others but no clear cut "favorite". There are just too many different brands, sizes, etc. for me to try to settle on.

[tobii3]

so I've been buying 5 packs of those sticks

Just keep rolling with that - so if you do find a dogrocket, you only end up with 4 duds instead of an entire box!!

As for me, I have lava for tastebuds, so my advice is......EXPERIMENT!!!!

:banger

[kelmac07]

While I do have a few favorites...I gotta agree with Greg on this one. Enter the CA Newbie Sampler Trade II and trade with some BOTLS and try as many different sticks as you can until you develop a flavor profile to your liking. Way too many great sticks out there to limit yourself.

[Gary]

I was going to suggest a Punch but as I read further, you've already tried one. One of my favorites so far is a Punch Rothschild Maduro (http://www.famous-smoke.com/punch+rothschild+cigars/item+9769?Nav=&Ne=). It's a full strength stick, but to me it smokes like a mild cigar, the finish is very short and clean. Hard to go wrong with this one. Very nice in my opinion. :tu

[Volt]

Well, there is always the DEVIL SITE (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/www.cigarbid.com) A great place to save money, bid on all types of samplers and boxes. It can be detrimental to your credit card though :r

Eric at The Party Source (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/www.thepartysource.com) has great prices and "maybe" better if you call him.

Never tried Joes Cigar deals but many here have commented on the delas. Not sure where to find it though.

I find Tampa Sweethearts (http://www.tampasweetheart.com/)to have good prices and a variety of differnt sticks. The Casa Cuba Habinito (http://tampasweetheart.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=96&category_id=4b7fe5ba83ae9affb192d89075c0ef1c&PHPSESSID=ff200f4c84b44f9e6b677b497f2f749a)is a decent cigarillo that is a quick smoke and can be tossed if need be if you need to move on. Good for when I need a gas break on the motorcycle.

[Phiberglass]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll be sure to keep on buying singles and check out that Punch Rothschild, I've heard good things about that stick.

Volt: I had a buying spree on CBid, but I've been holding off since I don't want to get too carried away on there. They have some great deals there and have gotten most of my 5 packs from that site. I'll check out the others as well, thanks!

[issues]

IMO, you really can't go wrong with anything from Don Pepin Garcia.

You can find a list of cigars he's done here:

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=274238&postcount=75

A lot of them are medium to full flavored.

I would also recommend the La Traviata by CAO and Brickhouse by JC Newman as cheaper, medium bodied cigars.

Oliva makes a good mild cigar with the Reserve Connecticut line and if you are willing to spend a bit more the Diamond Crown #5 is also a hell of a stick!

Again tastes may vary so what I may find excellent you may find revolting.

If you're looking to try some more samplers, take a look here:

http://www.famous-smoke.com/cigars/search.cfm?N=1000111+4294967081&Ne=1000038

You can filter by things like price, strength, brands, ratings, etc.

Hope this helps! :tu

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Like most have said, try as many cigars as you can. It sounds like a daunting task, but you will find tastes/flavors/profiles that you like fairly fast.

[jerseystepup]

im with the majority... just buy anything and everything you can get your hands on

[JJG]

I know I'm in the minority, but variety has become less and less important to me over the years. Find something you like and stick with it.

The other thing I've come to realize is that although there are lots overpriced smokes available, there's no such thing as an underpriced cigar. If you only smoke 2 or 3 a week, it's worth it to pay the extra couple bucks for premiums.

:2

[icehog3]

The other thing I've come to realize is that although there are lots overpriced smokes available, there's no such thing as an underpriced cigar. If you only smoke 2 or 3 a week, it's worth it to pay the extra couple bucks for premiums.

:2

I agree with you 100%, Jeff. :tu

[Zanaspus]

Padron. Lots of Padron!

[maninblack]

Buy em all! To hell with your credit cards!

[okieRob]

Buy em all! To hell with your credit cards!

at least until the wife finds out :r

[maninblack]

at least until the wife finds out :r


Thats why I do the finances.A lot easier that way.

[madwilliamflint]

I'm a big fan of Famous samplers as well. They have a series of samplers they refer to as "flights" that covers a full grid of strengths and price points (usually with several in each category.)

I worked my way through an awful lot of their stuff that way until preferences started to emerge.

They call it their "Flight Club. (http://www.famous-smoke.com/cigars/flightclub.cfm)"

[captain53]

You are on the right track try them all but one little tip is keep a diary of what you like and what you don't like. After a while they all start running together in your mind as often you like 1 or 2 of a producer but not all of the line.

Now that said you will quickly fry the budget shopping at the B&M for several stix a week, that is fine when it is several a month but adds up quick for a weekly buy.:2

The devil is good as is the devils brother Joe: (Especially on Jam Days which are usually Wednesday and/or Friday)

http://www.joecigar.com/index.asp

The Devils Cousin Cigar.com also has some good sampler specials and 5 pak specials (have to buy 2 5-paks for free shipping).

http://www.cigar.com/DailyDeal/ccCigarDeals.asp

Famous and its Devil Cigar Monster have not been offering a lot of good values on samplers recently.

[The Postman]

I have been smoking for about 3 years now and have yet to buy a box. I really like the variety of smokes that you can smoke, and like to buy 5's and 10's of cigars that I like because that way you get to repeat the cigars that you find you like.

[tsolomon]

Just keep trying different sticks and don't buy a lot of anything until you find some you really like. What you like will change over time, so fivers are a good way to go. I picked up my best cigars by reading the reviews here on CA, don't buy into anybody's advertising hype. :2

[JJG]

I have been smoking for about 3 years now and have yet to buy a box. I really like the variety of smokes that you can smoke, and like to buy 5's and 10's of cigars that I like because that way you get to repeat the cigars that you find you like.

:tpd:

Even if you find something you really like, your tastes are bound to change, so what tastes great one day, may not tastes so good the next. You can get by without ever buying a box.

[bleedingshrimp]

You can't go wrong with the "P"'s my friend.....Pepin, Padron, Padilla and sometimes Patel!

[spizz]

You can have so much more variety with sticks :)

[Phiberglass]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Ordered a few 5 packs and a Don Pepin sampler. I'll be hitting the local B&M this weekend as well!

[ScottishSmoker]

I am going too put the hobby in a short and sadly abrupt statement, stemming from ten years of smoking...

Cigars are a lot like both wine and whisky in an enjoyment way, in fact one I live in a very happy way...."everyday there is always something new too try."

Getting out of bed everyday, I know that I will undoubtedly learn something new. Everyday, I wake up knowing that, there is something new in the world of premium cigars too try and never will there exist a shortage of favorites.

Too me, the single greatest piece I have been given in the world of cigars, smoking never should cause stress or a lack in new experiences, even if you are smoking the same thing as the previous day.

If you look at the hobby in that manner, it will be the most rewarding experience in your life, mostly because of the people you meet. Had it not been for Cigarasylum, I would be in just that. The people here have been my greatest foray into "sanity."

P.S.: what kind of cars?

[shilala]

I had loads of fun digging in magazines.
I'd see a cigar that looked and sounded really good, then set out hunting for it. Most often the chase was a lot more fun than the cigar, but the chase turned the whole experience into a good time.
There was an excellent point here about notes.
After some time, and after LOTS of cigars, I started learning a bit. That's the point where I started wishing I'd taken notes early on because I could have went back and leaned on them. At that point I started making note at the forums, that way I could go back and see what I did and why.
It sounds like a roundabout way of taking notes, but it's easier for me like that. :)

[Phiberglass]

Thanks guys for all the help! Picked up a bunch of new sticks and I have more coming on the way.

I'm mainly into European cars, but anything that feeds on gasoline and melts rubber I enjoy.

[Volt]

Just keep trying different sticks and don't buy a lot of anything until you find some you really like. What you like will change over time, so fivers are a good way to go. I picked up my best cigars by reading the reviews here on CA, don't buy into anybody's advertising hype. :2


Not real sure why this is true, but it is. :tu

[Kreth]

Picked up a bunch of new sticks and I have more coming on the way.
So... details? :r
Posted via Mobile Device

[Phiberglass]

So... details? :r
Posted via Mobile Device

Don Pepin sampler - 15 sticks
Punch Rothschild Maduro 5er
Punch Rare Corojo 5er

A friend gifted me the below:
Tatuaje Havana VI
Tatuaje Cabaiguan
Tatuaje Verocu Red Tubo
El Triunfador Lancero
Camacho Room 101

[Kreth]

Don Pepin sampler - 15 sticks
Punch Rothschild Maduro 5er
Punch Rare Corojo 5er

A friend gifted me the below:
Tatuaje Havana VI
Tatuaje Cabaiguan
Tatuaje Verocu Red Tubo
El Triunfador Lancero
Camacho Room 101
Wow, starting off with a bang! I think you'll be very happy with those sticks. :ss
Posted via Mobile Device

[Razorhog]

Wow, starting off with a bang! I think you'll be very happy with those sticks. :ss
Posted via Mobile Device

:tpd:

[St. Lou Stu]

Good Mild - Rocky Patel American Market Selection (available at Famous Smoke)
Good Medium - Arturo Fuente 858 (Natural are mild-medium, Maduro are Medium)
Good Full-Medium - Partagas Black
Good Full - Joyo de Nicaragua Antano 1970

All priced middle of the road

YMMV

[The Postman]

Now is the time to start keeping track of what you smoke, with simple comments as to what you thought of them as you go. I made up a simple spreadsheet, and now it goes back almost 3 years. Looking over it you can start to see patterns in what you like and dislike, that will guide you in future purchases. Good luck brother, strap in and enjoy the ride!!!!

[Phiberglass]

Thanks for the tips! I've been writing down notes and cigars I've tried, definitely helps out. The Pepin sampler came in today so it's doing to be a good week. I also have a 28 bottle wine cooler coming, to protect the sticks in the summer. Now to just fill it! So many sticks, so little time.

[issues]

I'm sure you will enjoy the DPG sampler; Pepin makes a great stick! :tu

A cooler already eh?

You are sliding down that slope with a quickness!!!

:ss

[Phiberglass]

I'm sure you will enjoy the DPG sampler; Pepin makes a great stick! :tu

A cooler already eh?

You are sliding down that slope with a quickness!!!

:ss

Picked up an Edgestar 28 Bottle Thermoeletric cooler for $100 (open box units). So I figured what the hell, even if I don't end up using it for cigars I can always store wine and overflow of my nicer beers before I throw them in the fridge.

[Razorhog]

Now is the time to start keeping track of what you smoke, with simple comments as to what you thought of them as you go. I made up a simple spreadsheet, and now it goes back almost 3 years. Looking over it you can start to see patterns in what you like and dislike, that will guide you in future purchases. Good luck brother, strap in and enjoy the ride!!!!

I did the same with a google docs spreadsheet so I can edit it anywhere.

[Phiberglass]

I did the same with a google docs spreadsheet so I can edit it anywhere.

I have it setup the same way as well.

Tried the 601 Serie Green Oscuro, from the Don Pepin sampler and wasn't a big fan. Going to try a few more this weekend. My cooler arrived this morning, so I'm going to start the seasoning process tonight and I have beads on the way, then to fill this bad boy up.

http://austingrade.com/wineador/IMG_3492.jpg

[neoflex]

Picked up an Edgestar 28 Bottle Thermoeletric cooler for $100 (open box units). So I figured what the hell, even if I don't end up using it for cigars I can always store wine and overflow of my nicer beers before I throw them in the fridge.

Ahh don't worry, sounds like you are well on your way so I am going to bet in no time at all you would be lucky to fit a bottle of wine or beer in that fridge. The only thing larger storage space means is you thrive to buy more to fill it. I give it a couple months until your trying to squeeze another box of smokes in there let alone using it for wine or beer overflow. Welcome to the slope my friend!:r It's a fun ride!;)