To you new guys...and a few gals popping in here everyday. It's awesome to see you all join the board, but one thing that is always nice to see and a great way for you to get started is to post an intro about yourself. Where you are from, how ya got into cigars, some of your favorites, etc. Nothing special, but way for everyone else to get to know ya a bit.

You might find someone in from the same place or with same cigar tastes, you never know. So anyways, just wanted to throw that out there.

Welcome to the boards!!! and have fun!

Hi, I'm John G. I am from Belleville, IL just outside of St. Louis, Mo. I am a noob to smoking cigars. I was a cigarette smoker for many years ages 17-24 (my current age). I have always been known to indulge in a cigar here and there. Anyways a few weeks ago I smoked a cigar I had picked up on a whim (a Gispert robusto, I believe), and really enjoyed it. Since then I have put down cigarettes in favor of a daily cigar as my choice to relax at the end of the day.

Like any noob, I have made some mistakes. When I was first taking cigars seriously a few weeks back, I ordered the travel case and 30 pack from Thompsons, but from reading the forum I am assuming this is a horrible decision and the package has not even arrived yet. I bought my first humidor yesterday at the local tinder box (I was itching to buy one). It is a beautiful solid box and is seasoning quite nicely.

I am not much of an internet shopper, except for the dreaded arrival of the Thompson's package. I mainly visit B&M shops near here. Funny thing is that two of them are in some sort of car service place: 1. Barney's Cigar shop in Belleville is in a Car Wash. 2. Alcorn (I think is the name) is in a Citgo in south st. louis county. I have also checked out the selection at the mall's Tinder Box and the selection at Lucas Liquor's.

I have tried many different cigars for the few short weeks I have been smoking. I have smoked samplers from Punch and Macanudo, a DaVinci Churchill, several short fat Arturo Fuente Gran Reservo, a short fat San Luis Rey, and some others. Gispert sticks out as a great value. I am curious about the Acid cigars and other recommendations, but right now I am primarily interested in 30-45 minute smokes with a medium to full flavor.

And finally, my experience with "Cuban" cigars. Last summer my sister travelled to France for a period of a few weeks and asked if i wanted anything back. I said sure, bring me some cuban cigars. So she did and they tasted delicious. Do i know if i got the genuine article? No, because it was my sister's gesture of going to a smoke shop, buying 3 cigars, having the wherewithall to package them appropriately for the trip back, and give them to me that counts; plus they tasted really good.

That's my entire cigar story right there folks.

Got the Thompson sticks today. Smoked one today on a short run to the gas station just to get a feel. Burned hot and did not have a good flavor. Not sure what to do. The Case is also a crock. Thinking about sending it back and having them apply the refund to an acid sampler or something else.

Welcome
Glad to hear you dropped the cigarettes for the nightly cigar. Much more enjoyable way to relax. As for the Thompsons, well your not the first nob to make that mistake. (not that I claim in any way to be an expert) I thought the belleville area had more then those two "cigar" shops but its been awhile since I was in that area frequently.

John, I'm just across the river, and there are numerous shops over here. All have one thing in common though, very expensive. A good 45 min smoke that is full bodied is Punch Rothschild, not prohibitively expensive if bought on the net. Your first experience with an etailer was unfortunate, there are several very good ones, with reasonable prices.

quote:

Originally posted by Smoker99:
John, I'm just across the river, and there are numerous shops over here. All have one thing in common though, very expensive. A good 45 min smoke that is full bodied is Punch Rothschild, not prohibitively expensive if bought on the net. Your first experience with an etailer was unfortunate, there are several very good ones, with reasonable prices.

Oh, you hit on one of my favorite occasionals - the Punch rothschild oscuro. Nice smoke, and at a little over two bucks, a fine value.

I'm Joe. Born in La Habana and grew up in the 305; moved to Seattle almost 12 years ago and never looked back - except to visit family and eat the Cuban food. And of course, to visit the gentlemen at Padron and the factories of La Gloria and Padilla and buy their beautiful cigars.

I started smoking cigars when I was 17, at a wedding where the father of the groom was handing out his favorite, La Aurora petit coronas. I loved the way the cigar made my scotch taste and vice-versa, and a life-long love affair was born. I'm in my fifties now and still puffing.

I took up cigarettes briefly once for a few years, but as I found myself smoking more cancer sticks and fewer cigars, I weighed what I got out of a cigar and cigarette respectively; and that was the last day that I smoked cigarettes.

What's everyone else's story?

quote:

Originally posted by John G.:
Got the Thompson sticks today. Smoked one today on a short run to the gas station just to get a feel. Burned hot and did not have a good flavor. Not sure what to do. The Case is also a crock. Thinking about sending it back and having them apply the refund to an acid sampler or something else.

Welcome John. We try to avoid the use of the word T******* here as they are overpriced with poor customer service and really lousy cigars (IMHO).

Other internet cigar places to try are:
www.jrcigars.com
www.holts.com
www.famous-smoke.com
and if you are game and not worried about becoming addicted.
www.cigarbid.com

Guess what, John? You'll be on the T*** list forever. You'll get catalogs as regularly as winter turns to spring and spring to summer. They will follow you everywhere, more effectively than even the IRS. Surely you did not give them your email address?

Not only new to forum here, but newbie to Cigars as well. I just started puffing about a month ago after months of study and deliberation. I quit cancer sticks back in 85, so you can understand my deliberation and research into the hobby. I consider this a rewarding hobby with a developed taste for certain type of cigar.

What tastesgreat for you may not be my cup of tea. With that said, there are certain Tabacaleras that are a standard to measure others by.

One of my Fav Sticks is the CAO Brazilla. Great Smoke, Medium, full of flavor. You can get a bad stick from any cigar maker though as I recently expericed a bad Brazilla recently, a plug in the middle and it blew out and unraveled, what a 7$ waste. The ratings in Cigar Aficionado and Cigr Mag are a reference only to me. A guide as taste is individual. Some less expensive sticks are equal or better than some top shelf sticks. CA just rated a 3 buck stick over a 90! One of my fav bottom shelfers.

I live in the Atlanta area in the burbs. Where I reside there is only one Tobacco shop and it is expensive, can drive 40 miles one way to a great shop with a humidor of over 1000 square feet, with some fair prices, and on customer aprecation day, 25% off every thing in store, with free catered food, free booze and reps from the major cigar makers handing out freebies all day and a grand drawing, with drawing every 5 min for prizes. It was my first Cigar Event and will not be my last! It was great to bond with like minded people who enjoy life and reward themselves with thier fav stick.

Get a lot of recomendations, and get to try out a lot of differnt smokes. Can't wait till next years event.

By the way, just FYI, the best internet cigar shops are Mikes and JRs. They have been in the busines for a long, long time, and both grow tobacco and manufacture their own brands as well, and they ship fast and cheap, 2.50 per order, and have a gurantee that you can return it if you do not like it for a full refund minus shipping charges. I have been pleased with both. Mikes a great premium sampler for $15.95 for 8 sticks of the good stuff, and I mean good stuff, no house brands. A Fuente, Macanudo, Montecristo, La Gloria to name a few.
It intorduced me to the world of good smokes.

Hey, enjoy the day with a great smoke, yours of course!

Hi, I'm a noob also. I'm currently in Las Vegas by way of Southern California. I purchased a cheapo box of Oscuros 2 years ago for a friend's wedding. Can't remember the brand though. As a goodwill gift I passed them out during the reception. After a night of those and some scotch, I was hooked. In my naivete I thought the cigars would last for a week or so, but they were dry even before that and utterly unsmokable. Toss. A friend gave me a 50 count humi as a housewarming gift, and I just upgraded to a 100+ capacity box (glass top, analog hygrometer for show, using the Radio Shack hygro at 68-71 degrees, 67% humidity). The Cigar Aficionado Big Smokes the last 2 years in Las Vegas have given me a good idea of what I like to smoke and what I'll pass on. My favorite cigar is the Bolivar. I like Padron, Fuente, R y J, Gispert, Patel, Torano, CAO, Avo, Zino also. My secret daily smoke is the Don Tomas classico. Now that I identified myself, don't take it out on me and drive up the closeouts on Cigar Bid or Cigar Auctioneer! LOL

Hey A great to find a deal on cigars is on yahoo auctions. Won a box of Rocky Patels for $55! I have seen some great deals on there. And on Ebay as well, can not sell tobacco on Ebay unless it is a "Collectors Item", right.
ON Yahoo, there is some rare top shelf cigars liek Padron 150s, Opus X to name a couple, and some real rare stuff, like Frank Sinatra Cigars.

I have a 160 humidor full of Montecruz Negra Cubana in various sizes, that I purchased for about on3 third retail cost. They are great and made by the makers of Dunhill, the Olivia Family. JR Cigar is the largest retailer of Cigars in the World, and waS Purchased by Altadis Cigar of Spain a few years ago. They have an auction on site with some good buys.

Any way fire one up, get a refreshment, a comfy chair and sit a spell.

Robert

Welcome all noobs. I'm still new to this site, also. I'll tell if you want 20 minutes of stomache hurting laughter look up Docbarry's post titled "dog rocket vs. shop vac". Funny name but wait till you read it - I was reading through tears by the end of it. Great posts Doc - keep the laughs coming.

My name is joseph and i live in Dallas. I started smoking cigars on my honeymoon in the bahamas a few months ago. had a few cohibas (dont know if they were real of not) anyway, i enjoyed them and havent stopped since. i smoke about 4 or 5 a week and have sampled many, including; punch, hoyo, macanudo, R y J, Don thomas, puente, padron and CAO. but my favorite smoke is a Rocky Patel, either the vintage or the Edge corojo. i appreciate everybody announcing the promotions because this habit can get quite expensive as you all may know.

Thanks!

Hey all,

My name's Steve G, I'm from Washington State (eastern part). I'm only 18 years old. On my 18th birthday last April, I scrambled to the convenience store to get a swisher sweet. After having it, I thought, "This can't be what a cigar is about!" So I started reading cigar aficionado and smoking cigars like Fuentes and Punch with my Dad. Recently I purchased a humidor, and I just got my box of excaliburs from famous smoke.

I really enjoy cigars, even in the cold weather, as it's a way for my friends and I to catch up and discuss and reflect.

Well here goes mine...My Name is Louis Z and Im from Rockwall, TX, next to Dallas, TX. I smoked cigars here and there and thought they were horrible, until I started reading about it and how its like a hobby to collect all the great ones and smoke them, not to inhale and to savor them. So I went to my local tabacco shop and asked alot of question bought a couple and guess what Im hooked.

There is nothing like relaxing and drinking your favorite drink and a great premium cigar.

Hello everyone, I'm Tony, a 22-year-old college student living at home.

I have disliked smoking b/c my dad has been smoking my entire life (cigarettes), but one day I tried a Black and Mild and liked it. I smoked a handful of those every now and then (1 or 2 a month). After having one at a lounge w/ some buddies, we said 'next time it's gonna be a cigar!' Well, on a weekend trip, my friend and I bought a Punch Grand Cru Natural Monarca and a Kahlua robusto. They were both great smokes and from then on, I was hooked.

The Sunday night I got back home, I placed an order on cigar.com for 5 of their house blends and a premium 5-cigar sampler. On Tuesday I visited a newly opened cigar shop. The owner was very helpful and I ended up buying my first humidor there. I ended up picking out a 100ct Savoy humidor, and to start me off, the owner and a buddy of his threw in a few cigars.

I have gotten a few other friends into cigar smoking and we all get together on the weekends to light 'em up.

I have been lurking this forum for about a month or two, just hadnt joined. I hope to read and post a lot more on here. See you guys around!!

Hi All,
I've jumped the gun and started posting after lurking for a while. So, my belated intro...

My name is Frank and I live in the Bay Area, Ca.
I tried my first cigar over 10 years ago in Tiajuana (supposed to be a Cuban).
I dabbled a bit during the 90's boom, buying $3-$10 sticks at local B&M's. Brands I could afford and an occasional box from JR's, but never really educating myself.

I've really learned a lot in the past few months reading the posts here. I've revived my humi and started stocking it with affordable sticks w/ decent ratings (Thanks CA) to start.

Bought a box of ERDM Maduro Robustos from CI and have been pleased with them. Recently received from Rocky's, a box of Cuba Aliados Piramide #3. Tried one out of the box and I think they need some time.
Just received a sampler from CI to further find what I like.

5 each of:

CAO L'Anniversaire Cameroon Robusto
Fonseca Habana Seleccion Robusto
Graycliff Vintage '99 PG Robusto
Gurkha 8 - Year Aged Legend Aniversario

They've been in the humi for just a few days now and I'll reeeaally try to be patient.

I can smoke in my home office so usually enjoy one every night after dinner.

I hope to eventually get a nice collection (w/upgrades) and maybe enough posts/cred to paticipate in a PIF or Box Pass. Sounds like a lot of fun and great groupd of guys (and gals).

Thanks for reading. - Frank

My name is Chuck and I hail from New England. I started smoking cigars at special events a couple of years ago when I would travel with a collegue. Well about a year ago I decided what the heck and my collegue and I would light up at the end of the day. Like many "noobs" I to started with the infamous "T"s". I learned it was better to spend a few dollars mopre for a better quality smoke. I check all the above web sites for prices b efore ordering and have found most very reasonable. My favorites are the Trinidad maduro or the Onyx Reserve. Glad to meet new people

I don't know that I formally introduced myself so here it goes.

Several years ago I started smoking cigars with a buddy of mine at the time when we went to Atlantic City....that was when you could freely smoke anywhere in NJ. My first cigar was after a relatives funeral to relax myself and enjoy time with friends who were trying to lift my spirits. My first official cigar order came from "T" also as many of you will remember....what a mistake that was...pure expensive dog rocket was what I was smoking at the time. Now thanks to all of you at CA I've learned of much better smokes and much cheaper places to get smokes then my local B&M where I bought them at the time. Since then I moved a little further North Central in Arkansas and found a decent B&M to buy singles from but I still buy boxes and samplers from online retailers.

Now I smoke about 2-3 cigars a week on average and have moved into smoking much better quality cigars these days. Most of the time I smoke cigars when traveling on business at local B&M's in the city or town I am visiting or at local bars that still allow smoking.

I am soon to be moving back East and will be looking for new places to smoke which is going to be hard to find since NJ now has much more restrictive smoking laws then when I lived there 3 years ago.

welcome to CA everyone!have fun!