New Cigar Smoker - Budget suggestions

[BarryH]

Hi,

New cigar smoker here, so looking for some suggestions of cheaper cigars to try to find what I like and build up a bit of knowledge, I feel the more expensive stuff would be wasted on me at the minute. Based in Wigan so have a few cigar shops around me in Preston/Warrington/Manchester & Liverpool. I'll just be buying 1 or 2 at a time at the moment as I dont have a humidor, so any budget humidor suggestions would also be appricated. I have a cheap cutter and lighter already.

thanks in advance

[Simon Bolivar]

I would suggest buying 3 or 5 as a minimum to justify the travel. Keep them in a tupperware box with a 65% Boveda pack (ask for one at the tobacconist) & smoke at your leisure. That way you don't have to smoke them up, worrying they are drying out but when the right occasion arises.

Please ad a post in the Newbie section to introduce yourself & I am sure others will come up with suggestions for good value smokes.

[Drewster]

Welcome, it kind of depends on what you are looking for Cuban or Non Cuban.

For Cuban cigars there arent many cheap ones really Jose L Piedra is about the cheapest Cuban i would go for they aren't too bad in all honesty I have quite a few in my humidor now Vegueros are nice also not super expensive. If its NC (Non Cuban) you are looking for there are literally thousands out there but some which come to mind would be Oliva serie G, Quorum Shadegrown, Drew Estate almost any of this brand will be 100% perfect but there is many others I haven't mentioned I'm sure others will be more helpful than me just my 2 pence good luck

Edit: For humidor i kept checking https://www.german.us/en/19-humidors-2nd-choice they have some 2nd choice humidors that have been used for display purposes and quite a bit cheaper only down side it can take a couple of weeks to get to you from Germany

[BarryH]

I've been on a away on a Stag do this weekend so bought few to try, 3x different J Cortes, I've smoked the Hondurous and the Dominican so far which was both ok. I also had a Brick House Double Connecticut Short Torpedo which was excellent and I really enjoyed.

I don't mind if they are Cuban or not, just trying to try a few different ones at the minute to find what I like

I used a tupperware box with a 72% Boveda pack, thanks for the Humidor link will keep my eye on it!

[Drewster]

I've been on a away on a Stag do this weekend so bought few to try, 3x different J Cortes, I've smoked the Hondurous and the Dominican so far which was both ok. I also had a Brick House Double Connecticut Short Torpedo which was excellent and I really enjoyed.

I don't mind if they are Cuban or not, just trying to try a few different ones at the minute to find what I like

I used a tupperware box with a 72% Boveda pack, thanks for the Humidor link will keep my eye on it!

I haven't tried any J Cortes yet but i assume they will be ok for a cheapish stick.

you will sure find some amazing NC smokes youll have a lot more to choose from but Cubans are amazing when they are constructed properly with no stems to hinder the smoking

If you are using a Air tight container I would echo Simon Bolivars comment about the 65% Boveda 72% would be for a wooden Humidor that isn't sealed great imo but if it works for you it's up to you

[Stevieboy]

MySmokingShop in Preston is probably the cheapest place in the UK...waaaay cheaper then the London shops

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[Stevieboy]

And welcome to the gang 🙂

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[simwells]

MySmokingShop in Preston is probably the cheapest place in the UK...waaaay cheaper then the London shops

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I’d plan a day down this way and let them chat around the stock they have and their suggestions personally. It’s such a broad spread of options that suggesting things at the early stages is difficult. Early on just smoke as many as you can. Don’t limit anything and you’ll find your tastes. Though I’d encourage starting at the cheaper end as your palate develops, many discover that they don’t need to get into silly money for this hobby that way


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[BarryH]

I’d plan a day down this way and let them chat around the stock they have and their suggestions personally. It’s such a broad spread of options that suggesting things at the early stages is difficult. Early on just smoke as many as you can. Don’t limit anything and you’ll find your tastes. Though I’d encourage starting at the cheaper end as your palate develops, many discover that they don’t need to get into silly money for this hobby that way


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I popped in to mysmokingshop on Friday and picked up the J.Cortes & Brickhouse, had a brief chat with someone in the humidor who suggested I do exactly what you have said about trying the cheaper ones first.

[ha_banos]

I always give folk a look here https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/advanced_...t=2a&sort_id=4 they have a decent selection so always useful for a browse and the filters work well.

But our sponsor is nowadays usually the most expensive store, so you might want to look around, although they do price match.

I'd say try some of the Cuban classics too if you dont mind spending bit more on a few one offs along the way - assuming you find any these days.....
Montecristo no 4 / 5
Partagas Serie D4
Hoyo Epicure no.2
Juan Lopez no2
Romeo y julieta short churchill
H Upmann half corona

I've kept to a smaller vitola here but not the smallest.

Welcome.

[Max A]

I was new to the cigar world not long ago. I've had good cigars and not-so-good cigars along the way. I recommend you try a bit of everything as even the cigars you don't enjoy are a step towards finding out what you do enjoy. Also, don't give up on a cigar in the first 5 or 10 mins of smoking, you'll sometimes be surprised how much one will improve as time passes. If the bad cigar doesn't improve, don't blame me haha. It's also worth noting you might find with some Cubans that the same cigar can taste completely different if it's fresh or whether it's got some age on it. I had a fresh Hoyo Petit Robusto that had gone down as one of the worst cigars I've ever had (I can only describe it tasting of vegetation or a strong grassy taste). On the other hand I had the same cigar with 3-4 years on it a week or so later and it was one of the best cigars I've ever had! So bear age in mind but do not stress about it too much.

As for my cigar recommendations:

• H. Upmann Half Corona - my favourite small cigar.
• Hoyo petit robusto
• San Cristobal El Principe
• Any of the Camacho Connecticut cigars (I found them light with a lot of flavour)
• Oliva Serie V
• Any of the Quai d'orsay (I've always enjoyed them)

My last recommendation echoes that of others above. Explore and try different cigars. Take some of our recommendations and then pick a couple of sticks that catch your eye. You'll have some favourites in no time

[BarryH]

Thanks for the suggestions, fathers day this weekend so going to pick up a couple over the weekend, will report back, but got my eye on the H.Upmann and maybe one of the cheaper Oliva

[ha_banos]

You'll have to keep some notes to remember. Like a real cigar nerd. There's some apps for that.

[BarryH]

I was going to order a notebook but a app seems like a much better idea, any recomendations??

[ha_banos]

Erm .... Google sheets? Anyone? Help me out here! Simon Bolivar you're a prolific note taker.