5 things....

[shilala]

Doug already said it, but it bears repeating.
Hook a Brother up.
Someone much smarter than me once said "Where's the love in loving someone that already loves you? Anyone can do that."
Show a brother the Love. Especially one you don't know. That's the way to roll.

[JJG]

1. bigger isn't necessarily better
2. "mild" isn't a dirty word
3. when it comes to Cuban tobacco, believe the hype
4. you will probably outgrow anything larger than a cooler within the year
5. cigars do not smoke best when stored at 70% humidity

I can probably come up with another 5 but those are the ones I really wish I could go back and tell myself as a "newbie"

[GreekGodX]

This should be the golden rule.

Lower all your credit card limits once you start the hobby

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

This should be the golden rule.

Lower all your credit card limits once you start the hobby

This helps too!!!

[Starscream]

Quality above quantity.
Never...ever... cut a Lusi in half.

[poriggity]

My personal 5- In order of importance to me:
1. Share my thoughts on cigars in the form of reviews. I personally find it helpful when others review cigars I am looking at, so I do the same for other BOTL.
2. Don't fondle cigars in a B&M too much, and NEVER smell them.
3. If you have something a BOTL is looking for, don't be afraid to ship it to em, and let them enjoy it.
4. A good cutter and reliable lighter are a NECESSITY!
5. Anyone that tells you a bic lighter is bad for your cigars is a liar. In my experience, it works fine, in a pinch.
Scott

[Mr.Maduro]

Great thread.... I think all of the ones I would've mentioned were already said.

1. Humidor....go bigger than you think you need...much bigger.

2. Snorking....or nose exhale. You'll never know your cigar unless you do.

3. Herf often. Wherever, whenever, with whomever.

4. Think about how great it feels to take a break from your everyday life with a cigar. Now think about the troops. Send them some.

5. Share with your fellow BOTL, but sample the cigars you gift before you give them all away. Sometimes you'll miss out on fantastic smokes, sometimes you'll regret passing off crap.

[Mr.Maduro]

Originally Posted by poriggity

2. Don't fondle cigars in a B&M too much, and NEVER smell them.

Scott

Curious about this one..... Why? I think a lot can be said by the feel and smell of a cigar before you even clip it. Why buy something that may smell moldy or feel like a tent-peg?

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

Curious about this one..... Why? I think a lot can be said by the feel and smell of a cigar before you even clip it. Why buy something that may smell moldy or feel like a tent-peg?

If you plan on buying it, no problem. As you know Patrick, you can't really tell if the cigar is plugged just by feel and alot of people sqeeze too much and crack the wrapper. And everybody and their brother putting the cigar close under their nose is just unsanitary. I see it everyday and we have signs posted everywhere. The worst is when somebody who is obviously sick does it. Alot of them try to smell cigars with cello and I even saw one guy smell a tubo.

I good shop will do you right if the cigar ends up being plugged.

[Mr.Maduro]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

If you plan on buying it, no problem. As you know Patrick, you can't really tell if the cigar is plugged just by feel and alot of people sqeeze too much and crack the wrapper. And everybody and their brother putting the cigar close under their nose is just unsanitary. I see it everyday and we have signs posted everywhere. The worst is when somebody who is obviously sick does it. Alot of them try to smell cigars with cello and I even saw one guy smell a tubo.

I good shop will do you right if the cigar ends up being plugged.

Thanks for the explanation Greg. Its nice to hear it from the other side of the fence. Makes total sense now.

[Mr. Ed]

Echoing a few earlier posts here.

1. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
2. Smoke everything and anything, you never know what you might like.
3. Heartfelt Humidity beads
4. Don't be afraid to spend $30-$50 on a good cutter, it's worth it in the long run.
5. Heavy drinking and heavy cigar smoking never go together.

[Mr.Maduro]

This thread should be edited for stupid responses.....including mine.

A ton of good info compressed here!

1. Always keep an extra cutter/punch and lighter in your car (just in case)

2. Never put a partially smoked cigar back in your humi in hopes of smoking later. (you'll never get the smell out)

3. If someone thinks it's funny to send you infused/flavored cigars...Don't ever put them in your humi with your "good" sticks (They'll elope in no time and you'll never get the smell out).

4. Snorking/Retro-haling/nose exhale, whatever you want to call it, is an absolute must if want to really taste your stogie.

5. Always fill your lighters before going out, herfing, camping...you get the idea.

6. Purging sound's like an awful thing, but with cigars it's always a good thing

By the way, great thread idea.

[bigloo]

1) Your pooch makes for an excellent herf buddy.
2) Dont know what to drink with a cigar, grab a coke.
3) Some CC are great, and some NC are great too. Great cigars can come from anywhere.
4) Have patients when buying, deals will come up.
5) Resist the desire to buy the biggest thickest cigars, they are not better.

[bowhnter]

This is a good thread. One thing I am finding is that I have not yet had a $10+ cigar that has been any better that a few of the $3-5 cigars that I like.

More expensive is not necessarily better, which is probably holding me back from trying some good sticks that gets mentioned.

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by bowhnter

More expensive is not necessarily better, which is probably holding me back from trying some good sticks that gets mentioned.

There are a lot of good, cheap sticks out there. For the more expensive sticks, I usually watch for deals on samplers, 5ers, or singles.

[kelmac07]

Almost forgot...

When Scott Shilala makes beads...BUY SOME OR TRADE FOR SOME!!! They will keep your humi, cooler, or vino rocking steady!!

[pmwz]

1) you dont need a triple flame torch lighter. use matches single flame torch.
2) support you local b+m
3) cigars are a handmade product. Dont judge a cigar after you had just one. Give them a second shot.
4) It doesnt hurt to try a cigar thats new to you.
5) Take your time when you smoke. petit coronas can be 90 min smokes

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by pmwz

5) Take your time when you smoke. petit coronas can be 90 min smokes

Holy crap. I can't baby a churchill enough to last that long.