I'm looking in to picking up some new cigars, and I want to try either the Padrons or the Flor de Oliva's. I've actually been looking forward to the Oliva's for awhile, but I'm not sure if I want to jump in and get 25 on my first try.
I'm thinking of ordering from smoke-all b/c of their prices. I think the references I've read are fine too.
The price is 25 Oliva's for $24.50, a 4 pack of Padron 3k's for $13.75, and $11.25 for 4 4k's. The real question is: 25 Olivas or 8 of the Padrons. It's really about the same price, and I do get a lot more Olivas, but are the Padrons a better smoke? Are they too strong maybe? I'm a novice smoker so I don't want anything too strong. I like mild.
Thanks guys

Brandon

The olivas are a good everyday smoke. The ones ive had(gold) have been very sweet. My next purchase will be a bundle of those, the nice thing about them is if you have to put it out prematurely to go do something you dont really feel all that bad, it was only like 2 bux a stick.

I havent had a padron 3k-4k, the 2k I had was a very very good smoke. About a medium to mild, good flavors(even though im still learning to discern them) and is a rather reasonable price.

Now it all really depends on how often you smoke, if you think those 8 will last you till your next purchase then id say go for it because you get to try 2 different, nice smokes instead of being stuck with a bundle. Id say buy the padrons and go grab yourself a single or 2 at your smoke shop of the olivas.

My personal opinion would be to get a box of Padron 2K's for like $60. The Oliva's are good and have received a lot of hype on these boards lately, but personaly, I don't think they even approach Padron's. If you are looking for a budget cigar that's not bad, get the Oliva's. If you are looking for a very nice cigar at a nice price, get the Padron's. Just my 2 cents, nothing more, nothing less.

Pony up and get the Padrons or Torano exodus (silver or gold). If you have a limited cash flow go with Flor de Oliva, But dont get the regular sumatra wrapped ones. Get either the Maduro or Corojo! If you like mile brandon try a bundle of Occidental reserve or Occidental reserve double maduro.

I second the Torano Silver. A great smoke

I also say go for the Padron (the maduro 3K is my favorite.) But I do have a question, what cigars do you consider "mild" and what do you consider stronger. And I don't mean what have you read about. I'm talking from personal experience, what do you consider to be a mild smoke and what do you consider to be stronger?

Thanks for the input thus far guys.

What I consider mild/what I've tried:
Ashton Classic (Corona). I felt these were extremely mild. I have only tried one of the 4 I got, but I didn't taste much in them.
Gispert (3 different rolls). Once again kind of mild to medium, some spice though.
Don Diego Player's Club. Spicy, mild again.
Bering Legend
and Paseana. I don't know much about these, they were a bargin cigar and I like them actually. Smoke very well and not as mild as the others I've tried.

I'm not very good at reviewing cigars as I'm still warming up to the different tastes. I can barely notice a difference in some of the different rolls.

Thanks

You should step up to something more medium bodied if those were too mild for you. I like my cigars pretty strong but occasionally I love an ashton or ashton cabinet with coffee in the morning.

Try punch gran puro, torano silver or 1916, JDN celebracion, arturo fuente hemminway, CAO brazilia or italia, or padron. Those are more medium to full bodied but still have some good flavor. The FDO's are good but nothing compared to padron IMO. Enjoy.

If you want a very mild cigar with tons of flavor, try the JdN Antano's. They're so mild you almost need to inhale a bit. Very tasty though, you ought to try em if you haven't. And remember, inhale just a bit.......

I think you have smoked one too many Antanos there ID ......that's just wrong to give a noob advice like that. The olny thing you left out was to smoke one on an empty stomach

James

You know, I thought about giving that little tidbit of advice as well, but figured he's a noob and the slight inhalation would be enough.

Padron all the way, but I totally agree with The_stogemiester if you do go with the Olivia's go with the maduro of corojo wrapper. Personally I like the corojo better.

Brandon,

I like both the Olivas and the Padrons. Since you're not familiar with either, why don't you just buy a few in a cigar shop and try them, rather than ordering in bulk.

Unlike most of the other posters, my "humidor" holds only 8 cigars and usually isn't full -- I like to go to cigar stores and enjoy the aroma of their humidors, besides not buying lots of something I may not want after all.

JamesEIII, thanks for saving this guy. It was my thought as well.

Thanks for the "helpful" ideas James and Idesign...

Does anyone know of a place that sells the Oliva's in bundles less than 25? I think that I am going to get the Padrons this time and check out the local shop back home and see if he carries the Olivas, or can order in just a few for me or something.

-Brandon

Why buy a box for your first purchase? Why don't you just get some 5 packs or assorted singles and try to determine what you like first? With Flor De Olivas you may have to buy a whole bundle because they don't sell 5 packs of bundled cigars usually. I would recommend seriouscigars.com for singles. They have decent prices and great service.

Actually, I was the second to respond with a serious answer, get the Padrons. So, you're welcome for the "helpful" ideas.

Hey Brandon......I was speaking to Idesign in your defense. Smoking an Antano for some people gives them more of a buzz then downing a six pack of beer(or a twelve pack for you alcoholics out there ). choice #1 Padron...#2 is Flor de Oliva for a slightly more budgeted cigar......enjoy

James

Idesign: I wasn't trying to be rude (if I came off that way), I was just making fun of the suggestion b/c even though I am new, I know better than to smoke a strong cigar on an empty stomach or try and enhaling if the cigar is too mild. I try to read as much as possible on here and learn as much as possible, but it takes time and cigars.

I just ordered a 4 pack of Padron 3k Naturals and a 4 pack of Padron 2k Maduro's. I chose one of each roll so that I can learn the difference. As I've said before, I'd love to go to my local shop and pick up just a few singles, but my local shop doesn't seem to have either of these. I'll check with my shop from back home (I'm at college right now) next month and hopefully they have some of the ones I wanted to try.

pmp: Thanks for the site suggestion, I bookmarked it for my next order. (However I didn't see the Flor De Oliva Bundles I wanted, but I'm sure the site will prove valueable).

Thanks for all the help
Brandon

No problem, I was just pointing out that I did have a real response before f'ing with ya. I don't want to look like a noob basher or a Binder.

who are you kidding??