Suggestions for marking a special cuban cigar/celebratory experience for a newb

[dazzer]

Hi Guys,

I have been a smoker of tobacco for close to 30 years, mainly cigarettes (but on an ecig now lol), but had plenty of really cheap, really bad, short fill machine made cigars over the years, even dabbled in pipes at one stage and decided that now is the time to treat myself to a proper bona fide Cuban cigar experience. Who knows where it may lead? However, in part, I see it as one of those bucket list type deals, so if I only smoke a few cuban cigars in my life, I want them to be a fair representation of the genre.

Anyway, I am going through some life changes (improvements hopefully), looking to expand my horizons in other areas, and just realised I haven't even celebrated or marked in any way my gaining a degree a couple of years ago. With that in mind, I thought it would provide a good excuse to dip my toe into the "proper" cigar world and combine a few little things into one celebratory moment.

So, I was looking for some advice and suggestions as to what are the notable, high value (punch above their weight in terms of general quality for the given price), consistent smoke and build cubans out there, and even what are the good quality non cubans too with which to fill my currently being put together tupperdor?

As an aside, a big thank you to Sean for the tupperdor and salt test posts, they are proving invaluable, cat litter on the way and salt test currently being performed on a cheapo digital hygrometer I already had.

Now, bearing in mind the caveats around newbies and large and/or powerful cigars, and promptly throwing that out the window I spent all weekend trying to read around and check out sites and prices and other such things and made an order on cigar-club.com for the following:

Romeo Y Julietta Churchill tubos
Diplomaticos no 1
Partagas P2 tubos
Montecristo 520 LE

I forgot to ask at time of ordering for the box dates, but have sent an email, with an additional request for some cedar inserts if they have any going spare to line the tupperdor with, so hopefully they will provide that info/cedar but if not no biggie I suppose.

So while I am eagerly awaiting their arrival (I plan on smoking the diplomaticos relatively soon upon arrival, and storing the other 3 for a later date, but imagine all 4 will be smoked by the new year) I thought I would see what ideas and suggestions and cigar recommendations are out there.

I grabbed a xikar x8 cutter, and have been reading and watching as to the correct etiquette and approach to give me the best chance at enjoyment of the experience i.e. savour the cigar pre-lighting, smell, touch, squeeze, look, cut, then toast with a jet flame butane lighter, place in gob carry on lighting until nice and uniform paying heed not to burn the wrapper half way down the side lol and then proceed to slowly smoke the cigar down, not taking too many drags and overheating the thing in an attempt to get as much from it as I can. My goal is to try to appreciate the smoke on as many levels as possible, being a newby to cigar smoking and an ex cigarette smoker, it is probably going to be more of a challenge than it sounds to the seasoned pro's on here

Anyway, with the above ramblings in mind, I would also be interested in suggestions for meals before hand (light, heavy, lunches, big roast dinners etc?) and some nice alcoholic drinks (I am considering a hennessy xo purchase as part of the cigar/celebratory experience) that will go well with the cigars I have purchased?

p.s. As an aside, I am considering an alec bradley sample pack for my next purchase and to go some way towards stocking the tupperdor... decent idea or no?

Anyway, T.I.A guys.

[senor_robusto]

hey dazzer, welcome to the forum!! why not pop over to the newbie section and tell us more about yourself:
http://www.ukcigarforums.com/forumdi...-Newbie-Greets

there's nothing like treating yourself, be it a cuban cigar, expensive bottle of whisk(e)y, aftershave etc!! lol!!

anyway, for my tupperdors, i use boveda packs i buy from ebay!! no need for salt testing etc........ i chuck them in along and they do the job!! on occasion i test the humidity with my digital hygrometer and it's spot on!!

when it comes to cigars, it's all subjective, depends on the individual and what they are looking for taste and strength ways!! i have certain cigars i smoke:
after certain meals/ foods
with certain drinks
at certain times of day
at certain times of year

all you can really do is trial and error, lol!! that's a huge part of the fun, the discovering of new things!! do you like strong or light bodied cigars? btw, that's a good starting point you got.....

as for your thoughts on hennesey XO, as much as i love it....... i'd recommend 'hine rare champagne cognac' (granted it's not an XO, but it's around half the price and IMO nicer)!! it's my 'go to' cognac now when i want something special:
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-1736.aspx
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-11129.aspx

what about giving some janneau armagnac a go? it's lovely stuff with a cigar.......
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/asda-...nac_500ml.html

anyway, as a start, i hope this helps!! good luck with your new pursuit!! and remember, you gotta find good reasons to celebrate more often and treat yourself!! lol!!

all the best,

alex

[TJCoro]

Suggestions for marking a special cuban cigar/celebratory experience for a newb

Hello Chico

(I'll save my official Greeting for your post on the newbie forum.)

Two thoughts, well, three actually, in response to your post:

- Most vendors no longer provide box date information. To be sure of a box date, a brick-and-mortar is your best bet.

- Forget the Alex Bradley sampler. I've had a few in the past and was not impressed - but that's just me, I guess - although many people are talking up the Black Market stick.

- And I've forgotten the third point. So I'll have to edit it in after I go back and reread your post.

I hope this helps.

El Perro

[Maxsi]

Hello & welcome
My noobie palette really enjoyed the HB Black Market, if the next two are as enjoyable going to indulge in a box.

[dazzer]

hey dazzer, welcome to the forum!! why not pop over to the newbie section and tell us more about yourself:
http://www.ukcigarforums.com/forumdi...-Newbie-Greets

Ah ok, not much more to add really but will start in the correct way

there's nothing like treating yourself, be it a cuban cigar, expensive bottle of whisk(e)y, aftershave etc!! lol!!

anyway, for my tupperdors, i use boveda packs i buy from ebay!! no need for salt testing etc........ i chuck them in along and they do the job!! on occasion i test the humidity with my digital hygrometer and it's spot on!!

Oh I keep hearing these get suggested, are they throw away items or can you "refresh" them in any way? I will get on ebay and check those out.

when it comes to cigars, it's all subjective, depends on the individual and what they are looking for taste and strength ways!! i have certain cigars i smoke:
after certain meals/ foods
with certain drinks
at certain times of day
at certain times of year

all you can really do is trial and error, lol!! that's a huge part of the fun, the discovering of new things!! do you like strong or light bodied cigars? btw, that's a good starting point you got.....

Yes I thought that was the case re specific cigar/meal/drink combos, it reminds me of the whole connoisseur wine taster brigade, not that I even like wine, but the last week or so it has really opened my eyes to the level of sophistication to be found surrounding the whole cigar tasting experience and is something I am very keen to sample for myself.

Ah cool, re my selection, I wasn't really sure, the one i am most looking forward to is the mc520 given the general reviews it has received, if I like it, I may grab a box if they are still available when I am able to lay down the investment as the consensus seems to be those will be great when aged... we will see what happens, I might hate the things lmao.

as for your thoughts on hennesey XO, as much as i love it....... i'd recommend 'hine rare champagne cognac' (granted it's not an XO, but it's around half the price and IMO nicer)!! it's my 'go to' cognac now when i want something special:
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-1736.aspx
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-11129.aspx

what about giving some janneau armagnac a go? it's lovely stuff with a cigar.......
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/asda-...nac_500ml.html

This is awesome, i am not a huge drinker, and especially with the regards pairing with a fine cigar so your recommendations are extremely gratefully received. I am extremely impressed with the price of the Hine also, so will almost definitely purchase the champagne cognac and indeed the Janneau I will enjoy sampling those just as much as the cigar I suspect lol Brilliant recommendations there, thank you, I am quite excited by those.

anyway, as a start, i hope this helps!! good luck with your new pursuit!! and remember, you gotta find good reasons to celebrate more often and treat yourself!! lol!!

all the best,

alex

You have helped tremendously, thank you very much indeed

[dazzer]

Hello Chico

(I'll save my official Greeting for your post on the newbie forum.)

lol hello mate

Two thoughts, well, three actually, in response to your post:

- Most vendors no longer provide box date information. To be sure of a box date, a brick-and-mortar is your best bet.

- Forget the Alex Bradley sampler. I've had a few in the past and was not impressed - but that's just me, I guess - although many people are talking up the Black Market stick.

Ah yes, well I haven't received an email response so am not expecting to receive one now, but who knows and at any rate, for my first little sample selection I suppose it doesn't really matter much, just would have been a nice touch to keep a record from day 1.


Yes, re the Alex Bradley, I have read a lot of positives which is what put me onto the scent, I may just grab a single at some point and see how I find it...well, I imagine for the time being I will be sampling singles to see which I enjoy and find my way through the scene.

- And I've forgotten the third point. So I'll have to edit it in after I go back and reread your post.

I hope this helps.

El Perro

lol no problem mate, and yes every bit of info and experience that can be shared is always a great use. Thanks mate.

[dazzer]

Hello & welcome
My noobie palette really enjoyed the HB Black Market, if the next two are as enjoyable going to indulge in a box.

Ahhh, I see the subjective nature of cigar tasting is already rearing its head lol I think i will definitely try a single to see how it is, it would be rude not too

[TJCoro]

Your idea about getting samplers ? both Cuban and non-Cuban ? is a good way to discover what you like and what you don't like. Keeping notes is a good way to go, too.

Enjoy the journey!

El P

[Sligub]

Hi welcome, will disagree with toro any good UK merchant should be able to tell you his pick box date. The diplomatico will be at least 6-7 years old as it was discontinued in 2006, the 520 will be from 2012 as it was a limited edition.

As to drinks I like rum or whisky with my smokes but its a personal choice, if its a big/powerful smoke then have some full fat coke or other sugary drink as this will counteract the affects of the nicotine. When smoking try to limit your draws, as a guide I would take at least an hour and a half to smoke the churchill.

As to the AB sampler I would skip and just buy singles of any that you like the look of (the black market is a nice smoke as is the prensado)

[senor_robusto]

don't forget to check your local off license for cigars!! my 3 'local' offies have H&F counter top humidors that usually stock:
cohiba siglo I & VI (?11 & ?28)
bolivar tubos 2 & 3 (?11 & ?8)
montecristo petite tubos (tubed no.4) and joyitas (?12 & not sure)
h upmann corona jnr (?6)
romeo y julieta no.2, no.3 and short churchill (?11 & ?8 & ?15)
partagas serie D no.4 (?16)

all these are priced between ?6 and ?16, 'cept the cohiba siglo VI!! avoid at all costs the guantanemeras..... horrible things!!

also, check this site out for reviews:
http://www.cigars-review.org/

and these guys:
http://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsofHabanos

alex

[dazzer]

Your idea about getting samplers – both Cuban and non-Cuban – is a good way to discover what you like and what you don't like. Keeping notes is a good way to go, too.

Enjoy the journey!

El P

Hi Mate,

yes I plan on taking notes, keep it all organised, fully develop the experience and be useful for future purchase decisions too.

Thanks mate, I really can't wait for these to turn up.

[dazzer]

Hi welcome, will disagree with toro any good UK merchant should be able to tell you his pick box date. The diplomatico will be at least 6-7 years old as it was discontinued in 2006, the 520 will be from 2012 as it was a limited edition.

Ahhh the diplomatico is discontinued? Bloody hell 2006, it was 12 quid so am not expecting great things, but by the same token, 12 quid for a smoke is a decent chunk of change so I don't know really, anyway, in my noobish mind, the 12 quid is getting smoked first soon after arrival as it won't be the "special" one, but if it has some age then maybe it will be better than i am expecting? I have certainly given it a touch more respect than i was before I knew it was discontinued.

What are opinions on the Dip number 1, I have actually struggled to get much information on that one?

As to drinks I like rum or whisky with my smokes but its a personal choice, if its a big/powerful smoke then have some full fat coke or other sugary drink as this will counteract the affects of the nicotine. When smoking try to limit your draws, as a guide I would take at least an hour and a half to smoke the churchill.

As to the AB sampler I would skip and just buy singles of any that you like the look of (the black market is a nice smoke as is the prensado)

That's what I was looking to achieve, circa hr to hr and half for the bigger ones, don't smoke it as i would a cigarette as that would create too much heat and lose the flavours from what I have been seeing on youtube?

[dazzer]

don't forget to check your local off license for cigars!! my 3 'local' offies have H&F counter top humidors that usually stock:
cohiba siglo I & VI (?11 & ?28)
bolivar tubos 2 & 3 (?11 & ?8)
montecristo petite tubos (tubed no.4) and joyitas (?12 & not sure)
h upmann corona jnr (?6)
romeo y julieta no.2, no.3 and short churchill (?11 & ?8 & ?15)
partagas serie D no.4 (?16)

all these are priced between ?6 and ?16, 'cept the cohiba siglo VI!! avoid at all costs the guantanemeras..... horrible things!!

Bloody hell, I never even entertained the thought that I could procure some proper cubans from the high street, I will definitely investigate that line of enquiry, and they seem very nice prices too tbh from what I have seen the last few days

I almost did buy a guantanamo sampler pack... almost, I happened to read a post, possibly on here absolutely slating them so I removed them from the basket...thank god too because I really was very close to pulling the trigger on those.

also, check this site out for reviews:
http://www.cigars-review.org/

and these guys:
http://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsofHabanos

alex

I have found the youtube link, they pushed me to include the 520 (in addition to the 520 thread on this forum), and after i made the order I found their vid on the partagas which was very encouraging.

I am intrigued by the diplomaticos now, if I enjoy that i will definitely be buying up some of those especially if they are discontinued, but all this is conjecture and supposition at the moment, I will know more when I actually toke a cuban lol Hurry up postie.

[Maxsi]

Going to enjoy watching the YouTube link above. The first two I watched were great fun .....

[Sligub]

Another good website is www.cubancigarwebsite.com for info on cubans, e.g http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/bra...om|aticos_No.1