Newbie to cigars, recommendations

[Sam Bell]

Hello,
I've started smoking cigars, I would like to know what people recommend. I'm looking for:

• Something that's smooth
• Isn't to harsh
• Hand rolled
• Cheap (as in less than ?12 )

I've tried a Jose L. Piedra, I thought it was great, I liked the after taste and the flavour. I would like something that is a bit easier to breathe through, and something a bit smoother in taste.

I've smoked a cigar from Honduras which was brilliant, can't remember the name though.

I would like to move up the price range, I 100% agree, quality costs, but I would like to build up a taste for cigars before I go to the deep end.

So..

Thank you for the advice in advance,
Sam Bell

[Bwgan]

Well sam, if ?12 is cheap, then take me back to uni!!!! I work 45hrs a week and my personal limit at the minute is a tenner....about the same as I would pay for a decent bottle of vino!
Monte's and Hoyos would be my recommendation for a beginner like me

[Gary]

Hey Sam, welcome to the forums chum, good to have you here!

In terms of what cigars to try, the best advice I can give is to just try as much of a variety in terms of size, shape and brand, as you can, that way you get to experience all the best brands and can decide what YOU yourself like and dislike.

For starters if your looking for something smooth, and not too strong, maybe try an H. Upmann, or a R&J Short Churchill.

Also do a good search on the forums for information from previous threads about similar cigar types.

[Sam Bell]

Well sam, if ?12 is cheap, then take me back to uni!!!! I work 45hrs a week and my personal limit at the minute is a tenner....about the same as I would pay for a decent bottle of vino!
Monte's and Hoyos would be my recommendation for a beginner like me

Hello,
I don't drink (alcohol) i would rather get 1 Cigar, then 6 bears, let's face it, most students spend an arm and a leg on alcohol, trying to get legless each day.

To me, i would rather smoke 1 epically good cigar a month, then 4 or 5 meh-ok cigars. XD


Thanks for your advice.
Sam Bell

[jibjob79]

Hi Sam, pop along to the newbie greets and introduce yourself.

Bristol has the bear shop i think that is a great cigar shop, very helpful people inside. For something not to harsh or strong i'd recommend anything in the Romeo Y Julieta line or Partagas. Personal favs at the moment are RyJ short churchill and Partagas D4.

[eggopp]

Hello Sam.... Pleased to have you on board, there are plenty of cigars out there within your price range both Cuban Cigars (CC's) and Non Cuban Cigars (NC's) just a couple of acronyms you will see about!

For a beginner NC/CC wise, maybe go for a small selection pack from our sponsors of each variety to gather your taste buds..

Maybe for NC's try http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/love-crick...er-p-7075.html a snip at ?27.99

Or for CC's go for http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/petit-coro...er-p-5372.html at ?42.99 I often buy these but cgars do a selection of 5 of each and you do actually save money.

Anyway, just my 2p worth..

Steve

[Sam Bell]

Hello,

Thanks for the replies, I've got a few cigars on the list now. I will keep you posted on what I think of them.

I welcome more advice.

Thanks again,
Sam Bell

[moidoid]

Make sure you check out http://www.cigars-review.org/ for hours of browsing.

My favourite Cuban when I started out was a Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2.

It ticks all your boxes I reckon.

[richgirling]

Hello and welcome Sam.
You will be able to get some very fine cigars for ?12 and less. I really enjoyed a Trinidad Reyes at the weekend and it was (only!!!) ?8.60.
I'm fairly new on the forum too and these guys will see you right with some good advice. Enjoy.

[daverave999]

Make sure you check out http://www.cigars-review.org/ for hours of browsing.

Rather than recommend a particular cigar, I'm going to agree with Tim and suggest you go and spend some time at Cigars Review. There are only Cuban cigars on that website but for decent quality these are the most easily available in this country. I won't get into the Cuban vs Non-Cuban argument here.

I think you'll get more out of reading the reviews and deciding what you like the sound of, than us suggesting cigars that we like. We don't know your tastes after all. Probably best to focus on one or two sizes e.g. Petit Corona, or Robusto/Hermoso No.4

Going on that angle, you may enjoy reading the superb 12 Robustos of Christmas by Yiorgos who is a member here.

[tippexx]

Hi Sam, I don't know which JLP you smoked, but the production gauges are 38 to 42 ring which you seem comfortable with. So Davedave is right I think in suggesting Petit Coronas and maybe the mild to medium Robustos as being a good kicking-off point!

But however you go .... Enjoy!

[Corto Maltese]

Make sure you check out http://www.cigars-review.org/ for hours of browsing.

My favourite Cuban when I started out was a Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2.

It ticks all your boxes I reckon.

Sam, I'm fairly new to all this as well so you really gotta check out all the previous reviews and see what takes your fancy but last week I had a Hoyo Epicure No 2 and it was a great smoke.
I am currently putting a wish list together based on all the previous reviews and am trying to work through it by buying singles of each.
It' a tough job but someones gotta do it !.
Good luck on your voyage of discovery.

[Soulmanure]

I second the idea that you check out the cigar review site.

However, I would venture the suggestion that you try some of the following sticks as a fairly good intro to Cubans:

Montecristo 2, 4, and edmundo
Partagas Shorts and SD4
H. Upmann Mag 46
Cohiba Siglo II
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Trinidad Reyes
Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure 2

Happy Smoke Rings.

[St. Ultimate]

I second the idea that you check out the cigar review site.

However, I would venture the suggestion that you try some of the following sticks as a fairly good intro to Cubans:

Montecristo 2, 4, and edmundo
Partagas Shorts and SD4
H. Upmann Mag 46
Cohiba Siglo II
Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Trinidad Reyes
Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure 2

Happy Smoke Rings.

Hello,
I'm fairly new to this but I started on Montecristo Edmundo's...they are the cigar which spawned my love for this hobby of ours!