Hi,

I'm pretty new to cigars & am trying to get together a few smokes while awaiting my first humidor. I would like to know what you think should be on the 'must try' list for a novice like myself. So far I have tried -

Thompson generic (black band)
Fuente Churchill
Padron 1964 Anniversary
Hoyo de Monterrey Maduro Executive

I am not planning on smoking more than about two or three times a month, so I would like to put together a selection of different smokes rather than purchase boxes/bundles. I have ordered a couple of the H. Upmann cigar lover's diary samplers from JR, & have been looking over their 5 pack selection. If you know of any other sources for good samplers I would appreciate any info.

I fail to see a strong common thread among the cigars you like, so it's tough to make a recommendation. A lot of people are going to throw random suggestions at you so my best advice would be to find a good local tobacconist, go to his store and talk to him. Tell him what you like, and he can recommend the next "step up."

For, example, from the regular Fuente line, you can move up to the Don Carlos, Anejo, and eventually, the Opus X lines.

There's no moving up from the Padron 1964 unless you want to spend $25 for a 1926 Anniversary. Instead, why not take a step down and try the regular Padron line? They represent excellent value for the money and consistent quality.

I'm going to pretend you didn't mention the word Thompson and move onto the Hoyo Executive. Not a bad cigar at all...but there's nothing within the Hoyo line that's a real step up in terms of both quality and flavor. The Excalibur and Excalibur Sterling lines tend to be somewhat more refined but milder. You might try some other cigars that are blended and made at the Villazon factory, such as Bolivar Cofradia, JR Ultimate and Punch (particulraly the Gran Puro). If you like a big, flavorful, dark-wrapped cigar you might try the Padron Maduro Executive as well as perhaps the Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 line, the Alec Bradley Maxx and perhaps the Trinidad Maduros.

H. Upmnann is a decent but generally unexceptional line of cigars. The best of the line is the Vintage Cameroon series.

Good luck...

Here is the list that was put together on an older post...

The Official “Must-Try List”

ACID
Any cigar that is 20 years old
Anything by Carlos Torano
Arturo Fuente Añejo
Arturo Fuente Between the Lines
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Arturo Fuente Hemingway (Any size)
Arturo Fuente Opus X
Arturo Fuente Sungrown
Ashton Aged Maduro
Ashton Heritage
Ashton VSG
Astral Talanga Valley Selection
AVO 77
AVO Classic
AVO Domaine
AVO Signature
AVO XO
Camacho Corojo (07/05, 11/18)
Camacho Diploma
Camacho Liberty
Camacho SLR
CAO Brazilia
CAO Cameroon
CAO Crillo (Any size)
CAO Extreme
CAO MX2
Casa Blanca Jeroboam
Cuba Aliados Maduro
Cuban Crafters
Cuesta Rey Centro Fino Sungrown
Davidoff Millennium and Double “R”
Diamond Crown Maximus
Diamond Crown Maximus
Drew Estates Natural Robusto
El Original (Natural and Maduro)
El Rey del Mundo Oscuro
El Rico Habano
Flor de A. Allones
Fuente Don Carlos
Gispert Churchill and Belicoso
Graycliff
Griffin Fuerte
Gurkha Class Regent
JR Ultimates (Especially the Cabinet Series)
Montecristo Kilimajaro Afrique
Gurkha Louis XIII Crystal
H. Upmann Classic Cameroon
H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon
Helix Maduro
Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Knight
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur
Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Torpedo
J.L.Salazar
La Aurora Preferidos (Platinum, Maduro and Cameroon)
La Flor Dominicana Chisel
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
La Flor Dominicana Ligero
La Flor Dominicana Limitado
La Gloria Cubana Maduro
La Gloria Cubana Serie R Maduro
La Gloria Cubana Trunk Show Selections (Any year)
La Perla Habana Blonde
Macanudo Vintage 1997
Mayorga Maduro
Montecristo White Label
Montesino Sungrown
Nat Sherman Host (Any size)
Nat Sherman Metropolitan (Any size, Natural and Maduro)
Oliva "O" Bold (Natural and Maduro)
Oliva “O” Maduro
Oliva Master Blends
Cao Brazilia
Cubita Spanish Market Selection
Padillas of any wrapper type (Hybrid, Cameroon, etc)
Padron Anniversary Maduro 1926
Padron Anniversary Maduro 1964
Padron Anniversary Natural 1964
Padron Maduro "K" Series (Maduro)
Partagas Black Label
Partagas Spanish Rosado
Perdomo “The Cigar”
Perdomo Edicion de Silvio
Perdomo La Tradicion Reserve X
Perdomo Reserve Cabinet Figurado
Perdomo2
Punch Champion
Punch Gran Puro
Punch Rare Curojo
Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro
Sancho Panza Double Maduro
Savinelli Robustos
Vegas de Tabacalera Esteli

... And finally, Whatever Doc smokes! Especially on Saturday nights!

I agree with Extension. Also, take a look at the "tonights smoke" thread to see what everybody around here smokes.

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I do have a local cigar store/lounge & they have been very helpful in the past. I'll make a point of talking to the guys in there.

My appologies for using the 'T' word... I didn't know it was such a faux pas around here

Thanks for the list as well.

Im going to paste that into word and then go through and bold each of them as i try them.

quote:

Originally posted by Brent88:
Thanks for the list as well.

Im going to paste that into word and then go through and bold each of them as i try them.

then first on your list will be acid,skip it.

Haha yes frank, i did plan on skipping the acid.

From my understandings, they are mostly flavored cigars? I havent tried a flavored cigar, and do not plan on trying one.

And to be honest, I just don't like the name acid.

you are correct sir, they are all flavored cigars. though drew estate(makers of acid) also make non flavored cigars. But I dont know whether to recommend those or not. i have no experience besides one la vieja habana. i would say skip that one unless you are on a tight budget.