Over the summer a friend prevailed upon me to try smoking cigars, and i love it. I would very much like to learn to really enjoy good cigars, so my question is essentially what (if anything) is the best method to growing in my appreciation of them.
A local cigar store has a massive selection of different brands, so barring cubans, I should be able to try just about anything.
Does anyone reccomend certain brands or cigars to experience "benchmarks" of different flavor components?
Should I just try a different cigar every time at random and let the simple accruing of the experience build my taste?
Of what I have had, I've enjoyed normal montecristo and white labeled montecristo cigars the most, though i've by no means tried a wide swath.
Thanks much for any help you gentleman can give.
Posts: 4 | Location: Pearl River Delta GD PRC | Registered: August 20, 2004
Should I just try a different cigar every time at random and let the simple accruing of the experience build my taste?
That is what I have done and continue to do. I really started getting into smoking within the last year or so. I have only found one favorite so far that I went and bought a box worth. So everytime I go to my local store I pick up a few different kind of cigars that I have not tried yet. I also have a log book and write notes down for each cigar I smoked. That way I can reference later.
If you do get a bunch of singles and don't want to spend money on a full-size humidor you can get these "humi-bag" basically a zip-lock bag with a humi-pack in it that will keep them fresh for awhile.
I'm sure some of the more experienced smokers will chime in. Also do some searchs on the forums, this topic is cover quite often and should give you quite a selection to choose from.
Good Luck
Posts: 513 | Location: Waikele, Hawaii | Registered: November 16, 2003
You may be well past this. However, start out with the milder cigars. Then move up to the medium and finally the full strength cigars. Also try both naturals and maduros. Pretty soon you will notice a pattern of the type of cigar(s) that you like the most.
When I first started, it took me quite awhile to be able to both enjoy a cigar and to feel good the next day. I'm not sure if that is common or unusual, but up until about my 40th cigar, I would have the worst 1 to 2 day hangovers the day after. And then all of that went away.
Posts: 1608 | Location: San Francisco, CA, USA | Registered: August 20, 2003
There are plenty of people here that will give great advice but nothing will take the place of developing your own palate.......Search these forums and use what you find as a guideline and start from there. I would also recommend picking up various sampler packs...You can get these at online sites and at local shops. Save the bands from the cigars you smoke and write down what you liked and disliked about the cigar or at least make a mental note.
Remember this....there is more to the cigar than just the flavor. How well the cigar burns and draws is important too. No one likes a messy cigar! Proper cutting and lighting will also effect your enjoyment of the cigar. Also remember that it is not a cigarette. Smoke it slow so you can really enjoy the flavor. Drinks will also effect the taste of your smoke. Some will compliment your cigar and some will definately take away from the enjoyment. Do some experimenting and find out what you like.
Since your are new to the cigar world, I assume you will be inquiring about a humidor which is important if you really want to get serious with this. Do a search in this forum about humidors and how to properly store your cigars in them. A good humidor is a must.......
Try a bunch and enjoy. Watch the boards and see what others like and then try things reccomended by people who seem to consistently like the same things you do.
Posts: 44 | Location: Alabama, USA | Registered: May 26, 2004
quote:Originally posted by nkvdagent: Over the summer a friend prevailed upon me to try smoking cigars, and i love it. I would very much like to learn to really enjoy good cigars, so my question is essentially what (if anything) is the best method to growing in my appreciation of them.
A local cigar store has a massive selection of different brands, so barring cubans, I should be able to try just about anything.
Does anyone reccomend certain brands or cigars to experience "benchmarks" of different flavor components?
Should I just try a different cigar every time at random and let the simple accruing of the experience build my taste?
Of what I have had, I've enjoyed normal montecristo and white labeled montecristo cigars the most, though i've by no means tried a wide swath.
Thanks much for any help you gentleman can give.
A great first post! Welcome aboard! Attention all FNG's this is what a first post should look like; articulate, intelligent and with a purpose.
The general belief that you should start with mild cigars and work your way up has merits, but in the beginning until you develop a palate for cigars, you won't know what you are tasting other than the vague impression that one cigar is stronger than another.
I have always recommended medium strength cigars to beginners as they will possess more flavor and give them something to taste. Try brands like Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, El Rey del Mundo, Partagas and Montecristo regular label.
Also note the origin of the wrapper, filler and binder when you select a smoke. If you keep a notebook or at least a mental note of each cigar you will soon see patterns develop i.e., "I like Dominican cigars, but I like Dominican cigars with Ecudorian wrapper even better."
In the beginning with all of the terminology and manufacturer claims about their wares, notes help keep you focused. Hope that helps.
Thanks a million for the info, i went out and got an ashton cabinent, a punch grand cru, an h upmann vintage camaroon, and a partagas. Gentleman at the cigar store told me to write down what I think of each and tell him when I come back so he can make reccomendations.
On what I suppose is a sort of dumb note, the h upmann came with a wood-shaving sheath around it. Is this suitable for use as a 'spill' strip of cedar for lighting the cigar? Just curious.
Thanks and regards.
Posts: 4 | Location: Pearl River Delta GD PRC | Registered: August 20, 2004
You could, but get yourself a good torch lighter. I find lighting from a spill, match or standard flame lighter produces an eneven light. Plus with a good torch you can pinpoint any uneven areas to keep your cigar burning smooth.
As an aside, when I first read your post about the cedar, I thought you were going to ask if you should leave it on when smoking. Whew! Good to see you are just new to cigars and not brain dead!
quote:Originally posted by nkvdagent: Gentleman at the cigar store told me to write down what I think of each and tell him when I come back so he can make reccomendations.
I was going to suggest something like this. Keep a cigar journal. If your palate recognizes different tastes, note them down through each 3rd of the cigar.
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"I know in my heart and my brain that America ain't what's wrong with the world."
- Donald Rumsfeld
Posts: 1154 | Location: Whittier, CA, USA | Registered: June 14, 2003
Journals are a very good idea and after I get done smoking each cigar I write down what I thought about it. I even have a 5 Star system that i mark as well.
btw, you'll love the Ashton cabinet..wish they would carry more at the local store
Posts: 513 | Location: Waikele, Hawaii | Registered: November 16, 2003
Everyone who responded gives a good answer. Mine is pretty simple too. Try and try again. Like a lot of the responses say, check the boards to see what other people like. I've been smoking cigars for years and my tastes change, but the Dominicans have always been my favorite. I think my favorite is a Don Tomas Maduro Robusto. There are many more I like also, Gispert, Monte Cristo Platinums are good. La Unica 200, Ashton, AVO, depends on my mood. Just keep trying and see what you like.
Posts: 543 | Location: Lincoln Park, MI | Registered: March 21, 2004
Personally, I still am trying any and everything. I grew up with a cigar-loving father, so names like Fuente, Partagas, Bolivar, Cohiba, Padron, etc floated around my ears since I was 13. I had a bit of a head start in trying what was good, but I tried a lot.
Also, my biggest reason for posting. Search on eBay or Half.com for the Cigar Dossier. It's a hardcover journal with space to write where you purchased the cigar, the price, the name, the size, the wrapper origin, the date and time smoked, and your own personal rating--the last space, of course, for tasting notes (which isn't always big enough for some complex cigars that really catch you off guard).
I've found that, although kind of pretentious, it's helped me find patterns. But me, I'm a fan of accessorizing.
Posts: 22 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: August 05, 2004
I have only been smoking for about a year and here is my advice to you. As everyone else has suggested keep a journal that includes things like how the cigar was constructed, how it burned and how it tasted as well as the price. Have a rating system. It does not matter what it is as long as it works for you.
Invest in a good torch lighter and a good cutter (Xikar IMO). Get yourself a humidor larger than you think you will need and it does not have to cost an arm and a leg as long as it has a good seal.
Try many different cigars, then try them two more times because it is a handmade product and can vary with its construction as well as with how it is stored.
Do not be afraid to try strong cigars. Just make sure that you eat a good meal beforehand and don't puff too often on the cigar. This will make it burn hot and will usually give it an acrid, unpleasnt taste. Most new cigar smokers are notorious for this.
An expensive cigar is not neccesarily a good one. Judge for yourself how it tastes and don't let anyone tell YOU what YOU like, only YOU can do that.
Lastly, enjoy yourself. That is what its all about.
Posts: 226 | Location: Island South of Texas | Registered: March 29, 2004
Also, CA has cigar evaluation section in every issue. I like to use that as an initial screening...to see if any of the cigars sound like I would or might like them.
The downside is that I now have many smokes that I like. Too bad they don't have a box of various cigars available!!
Posts: 242 | Location: Fort Worth, Tx USA | Registered: February 28, 2004
I've been smoking for over 4 years now & I will stay with Cubans. There is no comparison to smoking a Cuban! Any Cuban! My fave has been Bolivars. I had a box of Bolivar Tubo #2s and then tried the Royal Corona and really enjoy the rich taste. I prefer a rich full bodied smoke. I also enjoy full flavors and rich foods so that might be why I enjoy full bodied cigars as well. I bought 3 boxes of Bolivar RCs when I went to Cuba last April. I also picked up a Box of Monte Cristo #4s. I like Dom Tomas for non-cubans. The Onyx is good too. I used to tons of buy singles from various countries and manufacturers and kept notes on the different cigars to figure out what I liked. Then I got spoiled when I finally took a trip to Cuba. Have fun sampling!
Kevin
Posts: 178 | Location: Surrey | Registered: March 18, 2004
