First, let me say thanks to all of you who have written to me via email, and also, to this forum for the vast amount of info. I have only been a cigar smoker for all of 5 weeks now and can't seem to smoke enough. I think I have smoked at least a cigar a day (except for 3 days when I couldn't taste from being sick)since I got hooked by a friend.

My favorite cigar brand has been the Gurkha's, so far. My taster is new, but I would like to at least tell you my dissapointment tonight with my favorite brand---namely the Gurkha Expedition. This had to be the most boring "quality" cigar I have smoked yet. It doesn't suck as bad as those Don Rafael "everman's smoke" cigars, or even close to as nasty as any Te-Amo, but for the money it is would rate for me anyway, as a $2 smoke period. Nothing offensive, easy draw, just not the usual power of the gurkhas I have sampled so far.

I have also read on this board the disdain for the sherpa, made by the same people. I got some sherpa's in a sampler pack (5), and have smoked 2 so far. It is not the best in the world either, but for a bundle of 25 at $50, it is a good price for the quality. Also, bought a bundle of East India cigars (gurkha maker also) and they are solid "golf" cigars for me, but not something I would sit on my porch with an Orion beer and waste an hour with. The east india's definetly beat the Sherpas though for me.

Others I have liked so far are:

- 5 Vegas
- Hoyo de Monterrey (not excalibur)
- Signature Collection by Perdomo
- CAO Gold
- Gurkha Legend
- Gurkha REgent

I am trying to smoke at least 2-3 "new" to me cigars each week until I get a good feel/taste for what I really like.

I hope this will help some of you new guys like me. For you veterans, again, please accept my sincere gratitude for your help. If this post is stupid, too newbie, or whatever, ignoring it would be best.

Thanks

MF

While the Sherpa is not an absolutly horrible cigar, I canot see any redeeming qualities that it might have. I , of coarse, respect your opinion,
but couldn't agree less with this one about the Sherpa. There is so much more better out there
than the Sherpa.
I agree with you about some of the Gurkahs though.
I find them very good. I have been smoking Cigar Internationals' legends and really think the Red Lable is a very deep and complex cigar for 3.00. These are the ones made by Perdomo. Irv

Irv