Cigar smokers: need suggestions

[Cygnus X1]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have a few of my Dad's old Zippo's. Maybe I'll try one out this weekend.

Humidor: Thompson's Cigars has a nice 40-stick cherrywood they offer free with some deals. But stay away from the Thompson "house" brands! Get
one of those 16-cigar samplers that include CAO, Toranos, Filipe Gregario, and such. I have two of these. Buy a digital hygrometer, and follow the directions. Never trust an analog hygrometer. Get friendly with a good retailer, also, even if you buy online. Don't get the "travel humidor", either. You need something with spanish cedar in it.

I have several Zippo's, but do not use them on premium cigars. Get a Calibri. And use good fuel.

Cigars:For beginning smokers, I'd recommend these fine sticks:
Romeo y Julieta Anniversario (Red Label)
CAO Gold
CAO CX2
Monte Christo White
Fuente Curly heads (great bargain, BTW)
Don Diego Anniversario
H Upmann Camaroon
La Gloria Cubana Serie R
Hoyo De Monterey Excalibur

The cigar experience is primarily about quality. I've had some problems with Punch, and Macanudo...not burning evenly or plugged.

All of these are generally Conneticut wrapper, dominican long filler,
except the curly head, which is a medium filler cigar from the clippings of the Hemingway and other fine Fuente smokes. Camaroons are pricey, but very mild and smooth cigars.

There are other great deals, for the experienced smoker I recommend the
following. Don't be decieved by price. Some lesser priced cigars are outsanding. These would be a little stronger, a turn-off for the beginning smoker:
Trinidad (full)
Onyx Reserve (full)
Padron (one of my favorites) (spicy, medium)
Sancho Panza (medium/full)
Quorum (another Fuente medium fill, I buy these by the bundle of twenty)
La Fluor Dominicana or Nicaraugua (full, spicy,peppery)
CAO Soprano, MX2 (medium)
Romeo y Julieta Anniversario Maduro (Black Label)
Rocky Patel Vintage 92 or 94 (medium)

Generally, not always, Maduros, Nicarauguan, Peruvian, Mexican tobaccos are a little stronger tasting. Darker wrappers are sometimes an indicator.

Do not inhale, if you are a cigarette smoker quit for at least a year, no less.
Use only butane lighters or cedar sticks. If a match is used, let the sulfur burn off completely first. Jet flame lighters give the best, cleanest burn.
Bic's will do in a pinch. Zippo's are great, but flavor the cigar in a bitter way, so no to those.

My opinion, stay away from flavored cigars, or very small samplers that are cigarette size. Too much temptation to inhale. Flavoreds, such as Drew Estate, and Helix, are ok sometimes, but allow your taste to develop first.

[sl2lover]

Had a Gurkha the other day and was awesome!! Worth every penny!!

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

ever tried a Lewinsky cigar?

[Jason1212]

Yeah it was kinda fishy.

[Szostak]

@ all of our resident weed smokers,

has anyone ever tried filling a cigarillo with it? does the flavor stick?

[Cygnus X1]

Had a Gurkha the other day and was awesome!! Worth every penny!!

I have a couple of them, have smoked two so far. I thought it would be a more on the medium to full side, it was indeed very mild, and smooth. Excellent build, good smoke. Another good one for the beginner.

I don't have a huge quantity, but many different kinds. Different ones go with different drinks, and meals. The Garcia Vega miniatures are great for seasoning, as they aren't flavored. Put them in the humidor for a few weeks and they taste pretty good for a budget, short smoke.

[Alvin_Wilson]

Excellent information guys, much appreciated!

[Rsmacker]

Aside from smoking cigars I have always liked the way a Zippo smelled when lit. It reminds me of my dads brother.

Ah yes, The Mad Texas Arsonist, good old Uncle Bern (Burn, geddit??!!) :ROTF:


Not so long ago I was seriously going to open a Gentlemens' Cigar Bar. Basically a lounge full of big leather armchairs with nice subdued lighting, just the merest hint of background piano music. Staffed by some big titted budgies in tight evening gowns, you would have been able to go in, choose from the vast array of cigars, then retire to the lounge to read the Times and smoke, whilst sipping a nice cognac brought to you by a smiling trollop.
You'd be able to sit and chat with other refined gentlemen about the good old days before women were given the vote, and when the sun never set on the British Empire, and relax nicely, whilst Sabrina/Cherry/Chantelle/Waynetta simpered at you, agreed with everything you said whilst keeping their fucking mouths shut, and made you feel special.
No cigarettes, lager, unaccompanied birds (unless they were dutifully fetching cigars for their menfolk) or filthy language mind.

Then back to reality, onto the street and home, where your wife would ask where the fuck you have been, why you haven't cut the grass blah blah etc.

I reckon it'd have been a winner.

Then, of course, the Govt implemented European Law and banned smoking in any public area indoors. I'd have been fucked. Phew, a lucky escape.
Incidentally, it wasn't my idea by a long chalk, I stole it from a place in Prague which was just excellent. They, like Cygnus, obviously knew their shit about cigars. I don't even smoke but loved it. And I know absolutely fuck all about cigars!

BTW, I read not so long back that flash bastards in The City buy cigars as investments, in the same way they might buy wine. Apparently there is a shortage of certain cigars, the really good ones, and these whizzkids make a nice little packet buying and selling them, and keep them in climate controlled rooms etc. Bastards!

Oh, and no, it wasn't a knocking shop either, nor would my place have been. It would have been my hit at being respectable. Oh well.

[Rsmacker]

Hey! I do know something about cigars!!

If your slave likes having Mistress stub her smokes out on them, cigars are ideal. There is obviously the visual aspect of glistening red lips pulling on a fat one, far more striking than cigarettes (which make her look like a nasty hooker).

But don't knock the ash off before stubbing out, they burn waaaaay hotter than cigarettes, will really fucking hurt and leave a serious scar on your poor slaves skin (the kind of injury which stops play immediately, I'm reliably told.). The ash forms an insulating layer kind of like the crust on flowing magma, making them safer to use than cigarettes for this sort of deviance.

Have fun!

[Jason1212]

I had a swisher stubbed out on my chest one chemical fueled night long ago. That shit hurt.

[Argos]

Ah yes, The Mad Texas Arsonist, good old Uncle Bern (Burn, geddit??!!) :ROTF:


Not so long ago I was seriously going to open a Gentlemens' Cigar Bar. Basically a lounge full of big leather armchairs with nice subdued lighting, just the merest hint of background piano music. Staffed by some big titted budgies in tight evening gowns, you would have been able to go in, choose from the vast array of cigars, then retire to the lounge to read the Times and smoke, whilst sipping a nice cognac brought to you by a smiling trollop.
You'd be able to sit and chat with other refined gentlemen about the good old days before women were given the vote, and when the sun never set on the British Empire, and relax nicely, whilst Sabrina/Cherry/Chantelle/Waynetta simpered at you, agreed with everything you said whilst keeping their fucking mouths shut, and made you feel special.
No cigarettes, lager, unaccompanied birds (unless they were dutifully fetching cigars for their menfolk) or filthy language mind.

Then back to reality, onto the street and home, where your wife would ask where the fuck you have been, why you haven't cut the grass blah blah etc.

I reckon it'd have been a winner.

Then, of course, the Govt implemented European Law and banned smoking in any public area indoors. I'd have been fucked. Phew, a lucky escape.
Incidentally, it wasn't my idea by a long chalk, I stole it from a place in Prague which was just excellent. They, like Cygnus, obviously knew their shit about cigars. I don't even smoke but loved it. And I know absolutely fuck all about cigars!

BTW, I read not so long back that flash bastards in The City buy cigars as investments, in the same way they might buy wine. Apparently there is a shortage of certain cigars, the really good ones, and these whizzkids make a nice little packet buying and selling them, and keep them in climate controlled rooms etc. Bastards!

Oh, and no, it wasn't a knocking shop either, nor would my place have been. It would have been my hit at being respectable. Oh well.

When they enacted a public smoking ordinance here in Denver, only the cigar bar in the Brown Palace Hotel was allowed an exemption.

So I bought a locker there and moved three blocks away.

[Cygnus X1]

When they enacted a public smoking ordinance here in Denver, only the cigar bar in the Brown Palace Hotel was allowed an exemption.

So I bought a locker there and moved three blocks away.

Well, another score for the socialist ninnies! And they make the cigar aficianados suffer for it. I was in Toronto last summer. It truly sucked.

[Cygnus X1]

Another tip...See if you can catch the Cigar Dave Show on the radio.
Atlanta has him on AM 640, I believe it's Sunday 6 to 8 PM. Or check his website for archives.
The broadcast is live Saturday noon ESDT. If you call him with a comment or question, he'll send you a small sampler, (usually 3) cigars.
He has a similar blowhard style as Rush, but I listen to get info about brands and industry news. He also stretches into the political BS about smoking bans.
Enjoy!

[delt]

My suggestion: stop smoking

[Cygnus X1]

My suggestion: stop smoking

That's too simple. And what am I supposed to do with the estimated 500 dollars worth of fine cigars I'm aging?

I did stop smoking. Cigarettes. Long ago.
Cigars, that's a whole other world.

Thanks for the help, though.