First foray in to smokes... advice please.

[josef.bowen]

Hi everybody,

Its the birthday of a good friend coming up soon and I'd like to get us each a nice cigar to celebrate with. We're both nonsmoker's, but he has expressed interest in cigars previously.

As this is a first toe-dip I'd like to try something quality, but easy going and am not sure where to start.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Best,
Joe.

[PeeJay]

Welcome to the forum Joe, I hope you'll be sticking around after your first one. A good smooth mild start would be a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure #2

[sheppsea]

I would recommend a petit corona or similar size, like a Montecristo No 4, they are a decent size but aren't to intimidating, they're also apparently the world's best selling cuban cigar. Another good shout may be a Romeo y Julieta No 2 - I'm not the biggest fan of the brand but they come in a tube, which may be a good keepsake

When it comes to cigars more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better as it all comes down to taste

You're best bet would probably be to wonder into a specialist tobacconist and speak to the staff there, they'll be able to take you through everything - whereabouts are you based? I'm sure someone will be able to recommend somewhere

[Roy_Drage]

Great idea, I hope you choose something nice and let us know how it went.

Good luck.

[josef.bowen]

Thanks chaps - hope to stick around too. Will take a look at the recommendations and see how they fair price-wise.

Where's generally a good place to buy from if only buying a couple? (Postage etc.) Anywhere in the EU that's cheaper if I'm not in a rush? :-)

[PeeJay]

Thanks chaps - hope to stick around too. Will take a look at the recommendations and see how they fair price-wise.

Where's generally a good place to buy from if only buying a couple? (Postage etc.) Anywhere in the EU that's cheaper if I'm not in a rush? :-)

Obvious choice in the UK would be the company at the top of the page. Germany and Spain are good if you're going abroad. Portugal only sell singles in tubes according to out friend The Monk

[gangstarrrrr]

Thanks chaps - hope to stick around too. Will take a look at the recommendations and see how they fair price-wise.

Where's generally a good place to buy from if only buying a couple? (Postage etc.) Anywhere in the EU that's cheaper if I'm not in a rush? :-)

Switzerland has keen pricing too. Obviously, non EU but could be an option. Gibraltar too I think.

[Simon G]

For a beginner I'd say the Hoyo brand would be a v good starting point.
Keep us posted with your progress buddy.

[Emaresee]

Down the years i have had cigars in tubes as gifts. When given/ received they always look smart n impressive. There is a bit more theatre to a cigar in its very own case!

Hoyo RyJ, Upman are all quite accesible... And the editions mentioned above are in my humblest opinion, absolutely spot on...

although i do have a large hand rolled dominican in a glass tube which is fast approaching 20 years old. It looks very smart indeed, but youthful indiscretion put a tale against it and so not sure i ever can bring myself to smoke it, despite never opening it!

[PeeJay]

Down the years i have had cigars in tubes as gifts. When given, they always look smart n impressive.

although i do have a large hand rolled dominican in a glass tube which is fast approaching 20 years old. It looks very smart indeed, but youthful indiscretion put a tale against it and so not sure i ever can bring myself to smoke it, despite never opening it!

Are you Bill Clinton?

[oskihen]

Welcome to the forum Joe, I hope you'll be sticking around after your first one. A good smooth mild start would be a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure #2

+1 on the hdm Epi 2 very mild cigar to start with

[Emaresee]

Are you Bill Clinton?

cough splutter cough... Ahem... On the right lines, but without his dry cleaning bill!!

[Emaresee]

+1 on the hdm Epi 2 very mild cigar to start with

+2

[josef.bowen]

Many thanks everyone! The Epi 2 certainly seems to fit the bill. Will get two as a gift. Is there anything a little cheaper worthy of consideration to try myself? If I'm ordering 2 I may as well get 3 or 4...(is this another one of those slippery slopes...?)

Thanks again.

[Emaresee]

have a chat in the cigar store would be my advice... see what takes your fancy