What cigar?

[linfield100]

Being a relative newcomer to smoking cigars at the age of 50...well...something, what cigars would you guys recommend i try?.
I have been smoking King Edward Imperials (Don't laugh, I don't were they rank in cigar supremacy).
I find these very satisfying but would like to try other similar tasting cigars and also not too expensive (I havn't won the lottery yet!!!)

Any suggestions would be welcome as I'll put them on my Christmas wish list and post them through my sons front doors

Merry Christmas

Tony

[Gary]

Tony, welcome to the board first off. I thought I'd be the first to answer your question, even though you are the arch enemy (being a blueman and all and me a glenman but we'll put that aside until boxing day just kidding).

To try to answer your question, I've never smoked a King Edward cigar so I'm a little unsure of what they taste like, I do know they are machine made cigars and machine made cigars are usually made with inferior tobacco compared to premium cigars, but if King Edwards is what you enjoy then that's fine, don't let anyone tell you what you should smoke, that's the thing about cigars, you like what you like, just because premium cuban or non cuban cigars are more expensive doesn't mean that's what you should smoke if you prefer King Edwards then smoke King Edwards.

However you said you would like to try some others, so I would suggest you start off with a mild flavoured cigar rather than a more fuller bodied in case that puts you right off. Something like H. Upmann, Diplomaticos or El Rey del Mundo to mention a few. I suggest you (or your son if he's paying ) go into Miss Moran in Belfast (cigar shop beside the multi-storey) and ask the guy inside for some advice or to recommend a couple of milder cigars to try. Then after trying them, you can decide if they're strong enough for you or if you want to move up to a medium or full bodied cigar.

Hope this helps, if you need anything else give me a shout, unless it's the day after boxing day and the blues have won

[linfield100]

Many thanks for your reply Gary. I do appreciate it.
I'm looking forward to exploring the world of cigars and trying a few different one's over the coming months. I'll give your suggestions a go and let you know what I think.
I'm a bit confused over ' bluesman and glensman ' . Forgive my ignorance, but what do they mean?

Tony

[Gary]

I just assumed from your user name that you were a Linfield supporter, are you not?

[linfield100]

I live near Wolverhampton, UK.
Linfield happens to be the street I live in.
I have heard of the football club though, I'm sure Wolves bought a player from them some time ago, can't remember who though.
I feel a bit of research coming on.

Tony

[Drewmidorn]

I have to be totally honest and say that my advice would be to smoke fewer but better cigars!

If you want something reasonably sized and pretty good to get you started you can do alot worse than the Monte no 4 and the R&J no 2 or even the Upman petit corona... not something I often buy, but I'd certainly be happy to smoke them.

Drew

[larrysputnik]

I recently had an H. Upmann Magnum 49 and I must say that if your introduction to handmade cigars is ideally a smooth tasty cigar than this would be the one for you. However, take this with a grain of salt since I mainly smoke non-Cuban cigars (of which I would most certainly recommend 1926 Padron, but that's for a different thread I think).

[Robusto]

Hi Gary

I'm sort of with Drew above. Smoke fewer cigars and make them better, and (obviously) make them fit your budget.

I'd suggest a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No2 as a wonderful 'conversion' cigar. It's subtle and not overpowering. Probably the mildest of my favourites. (After this, I go stronger).

This cigar will show you what there is beyond King Edwards or other machine-made cigars, in my opinion.

This is all subjective, of course. Just enjoy the voyages of discovery!

It's akin to sexual gratification at best!

Best wishes
Bryan

[linfield100]

Many thanks for all your recommendations guys. I'll give them ago over the next few months.

Tony

[Robusto]

Tony

There are stacks of cigar websites out there. I've not stopped long on some because of membership numbers sometimes in the thousands, and because of occasionally overbearing experts who won't let go of the talking stick on others.

It's not like that here, and I've tried quite a few new cigars since discovering this site in the Summer and reading what we guys have to say.

There's also a good Anglo-American vibe here. It's nice that it's not too British, nor too American.

I'm getting analytical.
Shit.

This site's a really good place to keep visiting if you want to learn more about cigars over time.

[mopey]

Hi Tony, welcome to the site. I dont post a lot but often visit to hear whats going on. Not been in to cigars all that long myself. I think the comment about smoke better cigars but less often is a fair point, but it depends on the individual. I smoke about 5 per week. There are those times, once you like cigars, when you just have to have one! I think for a budget smoke you have a few options - Monte is certainly one of them, he has lots to offer and as you previously smoked King Edwards, I think you may like some of the smaller sizes - from Corona down. I am gravitating towards the classic Corona as my favourite size. Cuban cigars are pricey, and I am no expert on them. Lots of good non-cubans out there though, and you can buy from the US without getting taxed if you are lucky. Cuban Crafters is a good site for that, can vouch for them. But its luck of the draw. I have ordered a couple of bundles recently and they are taking a long time to arrive, I fear they have been snagged by the Tax Man! Another option is just to get the cheapest flight you can get to Spain and stock up there! The Jose L Pedra's that you can get in bundles in Spanish airports are Cuban 'seconds' cigars, but I really like them. Finally you could try Cohiba Club. They are not hand rolled, and are small (about a 15 minute smoke if you take your time) but they are a step above the King Edwards, and about ?10 pounds for 10 small cigars. They are surprisingly full bodied for a little cigar. Hope you enjoy looking around, just keep your eye on your wallet!

[linfield100]

Thanks Mopey. I usually go to Spain or Majorca every year for a holiday and I wondered why the cigar shops where doing great business until I decided to buy some cigars back in the UK. They were up to four times more expensive.

Will be going back next year so I'll stock up then.

Tony