What cigar to start with - the Islay version if possible

[crisdean]

Hi everyone,

so I definitely want to try a smoke (nobody should tell me mum!) and was wondering if there is a cigar that can be described as the usual starter cigar. When you start with whisky you more likely start with the Lowland malts before entering the peaty stuff.

Well so how's the score with cigars? What was your first and did you like it? How do I smoke a cigar? Never had a cigarette all my life and see cigars as superior. My opinion so any feedback would be appreciated guys.

Many thanks.

Saludos

Crisdean

[Lee Nub]

I personally started with a Montecristo No 4. I had never smoked before and was a nice introduction to the world of cigars. Well technically I started on holiday in the states with a titan philly , a dollar cigar from walmart, never again lol

Ease yourself in with something like that then go from there

[Simon-JG-hr]

My first ever cigar was a Romeo y Julieta Romeo No1 (Tubo) - nice cigar, it certainly got me hooked.

I'd probably suggest, however, that an excellent first cigar would be the El Rey del Mundo Petit Corona (review) - a bit smaller than the RyJ No1 (so a bit cheaper), a little lighter and, more importantly, a really great cigar. In fact, ERdM is still pretty much my favourite brand.

Another couple of options at the lighter end of the spectrum (probably a good idea to start at that end if you've sensibly steered clear of cigarettes) would be from the H.Upmann range - either their Petit Corona (which I haven't tried) or their Corona Junior (which I have tried, and thought was a decent little smoke).

[Simon-JG-hr]

As for the last question in your post... How to smoke a cigar?

Slowly and with not a care in the world is the best way, in my opinion. A big, impressive release valve for all of life's stresses. An excuse to have half an hour or more to yourself.

[daverave999]

Blimey, what a question!

Just to be contrary, as appears to be my default position , I started with Ardbeg and fell in love with the peat as my whisky intro.

My first 'proper' cigar was a Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill. This was good, but not currently to my taste.

As you have never smoked, I would agree with simonjgriffithshr's suggestion of trying something from El Rey Del Mundo. These aren't too heavy on the nicotine or the flavour, but will likely be a pleasant introduction.

Regarding how to smoke, about one puff a minute and don't inhale! Click the Got Questions link in my signature to have a look round our wiki, and have a good search round the forum. You'll soon pick it up. Welcome btw! Pop over to Newbie Greets and say hello.

[crisdean]

May I ask one more question? How can you keep track with all these names? Sounds more complicated than a physics lession.

[Boss Hog]

Just a quick question, Are you old enough to smoke yet?

[Soulmanure]

I also started with a Montecristo 4, and it opened up the floodgates, as it were. Seems a good place to not get overwhelmed, but to get the point nonetheless.

[Simon-JG-hr]

You'll pick the names up as you go along. It's our American bretheren who have the trouble, they've got hundreds of brands to be worrying about, and half of them have numerous different lines... It hurts your head sometimes just looking at their webshops...

[Soulmanure]

You'll pick the names up as you go along. It's our American bretheren who have the trouble, they've got hundreds of brands to be worrying about, and half of them have numerous different lines... It hurts your head sometimes just looking at their webshops...

This is absolutely true--I get a catalog from a certain cigar company, and while looking through it is great fun, I've no clue who or what half of them are. Of course, according to the catalog, they're all unbeatable. I've yet to find a good site for sorting nc's out. Maybe folks could post one up?

[crisdean]

Yep someone is either pissed or thinks I'm 12... However I'd describe myself as a bit crazy and unique. Nevertheless I'll read the wiki and see that I can fly down to JJFox. Read a lot of good stuff about them on here.
I found a guy on YouTube called cigarobsession. His videos look pretty good to me. Just in case you haven't seen any of his reviews yet.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Whilst I quite like the cigarobsession videos, I think my favourite YouTube review channel is Friends of Habanos. FoH have an excellent archive of reviews and, being Australian rather than American, they are primarily of Cuban cigars (rather than NCs, however good, that are very difficult to get hold of easily in the UK).

One of these days I'll set up for a video review of my own.

[crisdean]

Wow thanks they really have good reviews and quite funny as well! Ta mate! Are there any Scots around here and now a good shop in Glasgow or Edinburgh?

[cj121]

Hey cris, we do have a resident Tartan Mafia, and I'm sure they'll be along to chib this thread soon enough

[daverave999]

Are there any Scots around here...

One or two.