First cigar recommendations

[gmacz]

Bolivar corona junior is a small stick and would give you the bolivar kick without overpowering your senses.
Bolivar cigars are the top cuban cigar, H Upmann, Trini, Monty, Partagas, cohiba etc are all second class smokes.
Ye canny beat a Boli.
to the king of cigars.

[Nightwingvyse]

Partagas P2. Never a let down!!!
Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales

Any Bolivar!!!

Fonseca KDT Cadetes

Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill

Any La Gloria Cubana!!!

Trinidad Reyes.

[larrysson]

Wow! Many thanks for all the great info...I'm writing them down. I'm going to go with El Cat's suggestion and start off with the slim and fat collection. Although I'm a newb to cigars, I'm no neophyte to smoking strong tobacco. I like rich and flavourful latakia pipe blends, and have smoked strong blends that make many seasoned pipe smokers green in the face!

[Smallclub]

[…] I'm no neophyte to smoking strong tobacco. I like rich and flavourful latakia pipe blends, and have smoked strong blends that make many seasoned pipe smokers green in the face!

Then you must try some Bolivar! I've never heard of a latakia lover who doesn't like the earthy, dark flavors of Bolivar…

Btw, certain habanos (=appelation of cuban cigars) have enormous flavors, but you won't find one that has the strenght/nicotine of some Virginia or Va+burley blends. Even a fresh RyJ Cazadore or Bolivar corona extra can't compare. There is nothing like Black XX, Brown Twist, Dunhill Royal Yacht, etc. in the habanos world.
If you like dark fired Kentucky pipe tobacco, you must try the italian cigars named Toscani - they're made with matured kentucky leaves growned in Italy. I love them although I couldn't smoke them on a regular basis.

[larrysson]

I will be happy to eventually try Bolivar. I like light flavours too...today I've been enjoying McCraines Red Ribbon 83 crop.

[Wil.]

In my opinion, I think beginners shouldn't start with strong cigars such as Bolivar or Partagas.
Perhaps consider smaller gauge cigars, no larger than robust size... corona or petite coronas.
They don't take as long to smoke, so you don't find it a waste if case you don't like a particular brand's flavor.
They're also cheaper, thus allowing you to sample more.
H. Upmann, RyJ, Hoyo, SLR are all wonderful.

I'd disagree with this. IMHO most beginners find smaller gauge cigars harder to smoke. If smoked too quickly, they burn hot and flavours can be ruined. So I'd recommend anything 42 gauge and up. Robustos are a particularly good vitola for beginners.

I also think that full bodied cigars can be great for beginners. One of my first smokes was a Bolivar Belicosos Finos. Sure it was full bodied, but I loved it.

My advice? I'd go to your local B&M pick a whole heap of singles that catch your eye and see what you like most. It is usually a good idea to get at least two of each in case you get a dud.

[Smallclub]

In my opinion, I think beginners shouldn't start with strong cigars such as Bolivar or Partagas.

Your opinion, maybe, but experience in real life proves otherwise. And you just forgot that the original poster is a pipe maker, consequently an experienced pipe smoker, accustomed to long smokes and nicotine?

[Bigboned]

Bolivar cigars are the top cuban cigar, H Upmann, Trini, Monty, Partagas, cohiba etc are all second class smokes.

This is purely opinion and although meant well and obviously recent issues for gmacz leaves Trini in the position. BUT in my opinion Trini and HU are certainly not 2 nd class although I am a boli fan all these Marca have a time n place

[gmacz]

I was just joking. It depends on your tastes, If Boli is a favourite, the other cubans will not get near the Boli in the boli taste range. If you like sweet/smooth, then the Boli is not in that range. At the moment I think the H Upmann has the best cigars out of my recently purchased sticks. Not had a Parta Luci yet and they are best looking stick in the humi, if a cigar can be mean and moody, the oily parta luci is that cigar. Think it might be a bit too much for me at the moment, the smell is amazing.

[El Catador]

Great suggestion from El Cat.

Thank you so much.. I thought so too.

El cat has it nailed!

Cheers James.. I'm having that printed on a T-Shirt!

I'm going to go with El Cat's suggestion and start off with the slim and fat collection.

You are wise beyond your years Brother Larry.

(In your face everyone else!)

P.S. Mitch.. you owe me one!
(All 'Kick-backs' gratefully accepted.. cash or cigars most welcome.)

[Zigatoh]

"El Cat has it Nailed" T-shirts... Want!

Oh and go for the Lusi Gmac, you wo't be dissapointed (unless it's plugged (sorry, had to! )) been meaning to get some more as my '03s are running low, but do I go for 10, 25, or 50!!!

[Bigboned]

Haha rofl ' plugged!'

What if printer gets tshirts wrong and it comes out with 'I nailed el cat!'

[El Catador]

What if printer gets tshirts wrong and it comes out with 'I nailed el cat!'

Those sound good too!

Would your wife like one?

[Bigboned]

'she gave me the idea prrrrrrrr'