Getting started with..!?

[Havana-Esler]

Evening all,

been looking around the forum for general advice and tips for what to start with in terms of both cigars and the basics like a humidor.

What I want to know, is there any good combos that are worthwhile getting. Budget is about ?200 to start with. Also want to know whether to buy a lighter and if so, what is a good way to go?

thanks

[Zebedee]

Wouldn't advise getting an actual humidor because if you're into it you're probably going to outgrow it fairly quick. Get yourself a nice sized Tupperware box, a digital hygrometer and a boveda pack for every 25/30 cigars you're storing. When you get the Tupperware wash it out thoroughly with hot soapy water then dry it and pack it full of newspaper and leave it for a day or so. Come back to it and scrub it out again with hot water and a good splash of white wine vinegar then thoroughly dry and leave it closed for a day or so. Open it up, smell it- the plastic smell should be gone. Chuck some spanish cedar in there from an old cigar box or something (You can pick these up dirt cheap online and some orders may even come with them). I'm using a bolivar box without the lid in mine.

Other than that pick up stuff that you like man, I don't know how you like your smokes or if you're still experimenting with them and not sure what you like yet. May have missed that in your other threads but I'd recommend picking up some Alec Bradley Black Markets and a few Trinidad Reyes. They've been the sticks I've enjoyed the most so far. But then cigar smoking is a really personal thing, you won't enjoy everything I enjoy and no doubt there will be some you love that I can't stand.

[Maxsi]

What do you mean by 'nice size' ? Roughly. Obviously depends on your starting collection numbers but can the Tupperware be too big for a starting collection under 20
Thx

[Zebedee]

I think mines about a foot square with about six inch depth on it. That's a pretty nice size I reckon, at least for me for now, as I could comfortably fit any cigars I'm going to purchase within the next six months or so (obviously will smoke some) because I'm on a wage that doesn't allow me to splash out too much. Also humidity holds nice and steady which is good, I don't know exactly but my guess would be the larger your container the more a boveda pack is going to struggle to keep humidity nice and regular.

[Sean]

Hi mate my humi i ordered stores upto 60smokes depending that is my first one when it decides to arrive but for my use should be fine for now but christmas is coming up soon so might be some more tricks under tree if i out grow it

[Deano]

Look at Humidoro - I and a load of others on UKCF have ordered from here in the past (ships from Germany)

http://humidoro.de/index.php?language=en

Some real bargains to be had. Go for the biggest you can afford, you will quickly fill it!

[Simon G]

I started a year ago, this is just my opinion, but I think you could start off with a humidor
that holds around 25-30 cigars. My humidor I think cost around ?80 with a digital hygrometer.
I only ever bought single sticks at a time, to trial and test their flavours etc.

The size of the humidor throughout the past year has been more than sufficient to hold enough
cigars for me to trial every other week or so. Now I know what I like, there is enough space to
hold my favourite cigars, as I'm an occasional smoker. Some may say it's not big enough - but it
helps me to limit my spendings

Lighter wise, I bought a cheap double jet lighter, with built in punch cutter for around ?10 delivered from eBay.
Bought it quite a few months ago and it's still going strong.

Cigar wise, you could try a few 'samplers' from various reputable online retailers (JJFox, Cgars)

http://www.jjfox.co.uk/index.php?search=true&searchcat=0&searchterm=sampler&x=0&y=0

etc

Cigar wise, it's all a case of trial and error, and seeing what works for you.
There are mild and mellow smokes, mature and heartier smokes, spicey smokes,
then there's cigar smoking times that range from 30mins to 2-hours!
it's all a case of trying out and seeing what you pick up on, and what you like
and what fits the bill for you.

Best of luck!

[Havana-Esler]

Thanks guys.


will definitely have a go down the tupperdor route. Will be cheaper to start with which allows me to buy more cigars to find the ones I will love.


Any suggestions for a lighter. So on another post the colibri lighter was pretty cheap and good. Do people prefer matches or lighter. Might be one for another post.

[tippexx]

Might be one for another post.

No! Think of it this way. It's August, there's no wind and it isn't raining. Outside a match will be fine.

It's Winter, cold and a biting wind is whistling around the patio, oh, and just for good measure it's starting to snow. Matches, unless you're in-doors, now become a little problematical.

So it isn't a question of what should you use, it's more of what's best suited to the environment you find yourself in. On the other hand, some folk just love their jet torches anywhere, anytime .... an' no harm in that!

[Simon G]

Refillable lighter for me.
A twin jet flame one (to get the cigar lit with speed & ease)