I found a great local shop that I dropped around a $100 in yesterday getting a mini humidifier as well as a Xikar lighter and 3 cigars.
The lighter I got was the least expensive Xikar they had, the "Executive" and I like the layout but I was disappointed with it's performance. I am not sure if it just burns the butane fast or if it is shit but they are supposed to be a great product.
I am dying to smoke again tonight, I love it.
1cheat I will look for the Ashton VSG tomorrow at the shop, thanks for the suggestion.
GoGo I will probably go ahead and sign up for Aficionados membership. A lot of what I have learned so far have been from there 101 section.
The lighter I got was the least expensive Xikar they had, the "Executive" and I like the layout but I was disappointed with it's performance. I am not sure if it just burns the butane fast or if it is shit but they are supposed to be a great product.
I am dying to smoke again tonight, I love it.
1cheat I will look for the Ashton VSG tomorrow at the shop, thanks for the suggestion.
GoGo I will probably go ahead and sign up for Aficionados membership. A lot of what I have learned so far have been from there 101 section.
Of course it is all a matter of personal taste, but my favorites are Montecristo Robustos (5 x 50)..
Cuban grown are overrated...Most of the best cuban growers fled to the Dominican, Honduras & Nicaragua decades ago...Last year I smoked a Cuban Montecristo I bought on vacation in Cancun at the local Havana Club... In comparison, the ones I have shipped from the Dominican are better and much cheaper...
Cuban grown are overrated...Most of the best cuban growers fled to the Dominican, Honduras & Nicaragua decades ago...Last year I smoked a Cuban Montecristo I bought on vacation in Cancun at the local Havana Club... In comparison, the ones I have shipped from the Dominican are better and much cheaper...
Ashton is one of my favorite cigars, the ABOVE pictured one is good,,, the "regular" ashtons that go for 7-9 are just as good. They use a connecticut wrapper
this is key, the Connecticut wrapper is one of the smoothest out there, and for a beginner?? I Promise, you will enjoy this cigar a Hund times more than if you were to go smoke a Partigus, or anything that is super heavy,,
I guess the best thing to know is that cigar smoking is just like RED Wine drinking,,,
acquired taste
tater
this is key, the Connecticut wrapper is one of the smoothest out there, and for a beginner?? I Promise, you will enjoy this cigar a Hund times more than if you were to go smoke a Partigus, or anything that is super heavy,,
I guess the best thing to know is that cigar smoking is just like RED Wine drinking,,,
acquired taste
tater
Good points Tater. The Connecticut wrappers are probably better suited for those that like a little milder cigar. Another point of importance is storage. Get yourself at least a 100 count desktop humidor if you plan on smoking fairly regularly. First it allows you to stock up on cigars and sometimes get better deals than always buying when you want to smoke. Second and most important it allows for proper storage of the cigar. Rarely does GoGo smoke a cigar that was just purchased as sometimes your cigar shop may not be storing them good or if you order off the internet the several days in transit can mess with the cigars humidity which can affect draw, burn, taste, etc. If possible allow your cigars to rest for a few weeks in your properly season humidor (65-68 degree humidity is ideal). Cubans and powerhouse tobacco like Opus X should age much longer. Some people will comment how a known good cigar tasted terrible or didn't burn right, etc...Alot of times it comes down to whether that cigar has been stored properly and has had time to rest.
Gogo, Understand what you mean about value. My point was that alot of people will spend upwords of $20 for a cigar and come away disatisfied..
Here's a real value..Love these also.. rated a 94 by Aficionado
5 x 52
Box of 20 $54.95
Wrapper: Blackened Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan
and Peruvian long fillers. This is a rich, fuller bodied, box-pressed maduro with a lovely aroma and beautifully packaged in a semi-boite nature box.
Strength: Medium-Full Bodied
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Maduro
Shape: Belicoso
Here's a real value..Love these also.. rated a 94 by Aficionado
5 x 52
Box of 20 $54.95
Wrapper: Blackened Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan
and Peruvian long fillers. This is a rich, fuller bodied, box-pressed maduro with a lovely aroma and beautifully packaged in a semi-boite nature box.
Strength: Medium-Full Bodied
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Maduro
Shape: Belicoso
if you like cigars and don't care that others see what you're smoking so they'll be impressed, start buying seconds . i get macunudo seconds (7x49) for about $2 a stick. seconds have the same filler and binder, the wrapper may have a water spot or something, but if you like cigars, smoking $10 + sticks is like burning money. a new line is national, a decent smoke for 2-3 a stick. even when i am given an expensive cigar to try, i remove the band. before cigars were a fad 10 years ago, i had smoked good stuff from my teenage years since i had a job early. learned a lot about the industry and "form" in the late 70's and 80's. $10 and up cigars are for guys that smoke sporadically and leave the band on so everyone can see what they have... or for guys who simply can afford to spend $4000 + a year on cigars. not all lines release their seconds to wholesalers as known seconds , but many do. start doing business with places that sell these. local boutiques aren't a likely source. i live 20 miles from cigar express, a mostly internet wholesaler/retailer. they permit local trade by appointment, so i just go in and see and ask about what they have. go to their web site and call or write, the "old fashion bundles" are mac, partagas, and punch seconds. i used to be able to buy las unicas as a bundle cigar for $1 25 years ago, but now they're something of a "brand". i occasionally splurge on one for old times sake, but not much. they are very good if you preference is dominican. experiment with dominicans, hondurans, nicaraguans, etc, as well as various wrappers---claro, candela, natural, maduro, conneticut, etc. if cigars aren't a status thing for you, smoke what you like and can afford.....AND TAKE THE BAND OFF
and don't buy "cubans" from anybody other than a RETAILER in a place where they are legal. a friend just came back from the bahamas with some alleged cubans he got on the sly from "a guy"......coarse wrapper, awful filler, etc. after a while, you can spot a cuban by look and feel. lovely things but insanely expensive.
Update...
favorite cigar so far was the Nat Sherman Omerta... that is followed closely by the Ghurka Vintage Shaggy.
Looked at the Ashton VSG today but it is a $12 stick at my shop, that is nuts considering I have 5 cigars on my wishlist before it that are all $8 and cheaper.
Tonight's smoke is gonna be the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto. '08 C.A.'s Cigar of the Year and a $5.55 stick.
Doubt I will toast two but if I do my other smoke will probably be another Shaggy, big fan of that one.
favorite cigar so far was the Nat Sherman Omerta... that is followed closely by the Ghurka Vintage Shaggy.
Looked at the Ashton VSG today but it is a $12 stick at my shop, that is nuts considering I have 5 cigars on my wishlist before it that are all $8 and cheaper.
Tonight's smoke is gonna be the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto. '08 C.A.'s Cigar of the Year and a $5.55 stick.
Doubt I will toast two but if I do my other smoke will probably be another Shaggy, big fan of that one.
I'm always looking for good value online... Over the years, one site out of Pennsylvania consistently offers the best prices that I can tell... Sometimes, provide free UPS shipping also... Shipments are always prompt and packaged nicely in bubble wrap...
Company is called famous-smoke dot com
Company is called famous-smoke dot com
What part of Florida you live? I'm in Fort Laud... If you're ever in Miami, head over to Mike's Cigars in Bal Harbour... Awesome selection and sometimes you might find a good deal.... Not to mention all the eye candy with all those latinas strutting their stuff around the shopping district...LOL..
BTW, Nice Avatar... Not much of a soccer fan, but really got into the World Cup during Italia's great run... ANDIAMO ITALIA !!!!
