Where to start...

[marcwhild]

Hi folks!

A couple of months ago I smoked my first Cuban cigar whilst on my honeymoon in the Maldives. I treated myself to a Montecristo 4 as it claimed to be the worlds best selling cigar!

Initially I couldn't see what all fuss was about and it seemed to taste like any other hamlet cigar from Asda! I was also a bit gutted as it had cost me nearly $50!

However, once I got into the first 1/3 I was amazed to start tasting a bit of coffee, then later on down the cigar a bit of chocolate and even vanilla. Having no prior knowledge of quality cigars I couldn't believe it!

The smoke lasted a good 45 mins and by the end I was converted!

The only down side is I now feel like a smack head trying to recreate that first time!

Since then I've sampled what they have on offer at the local tobacconist -

H. Upmann Coronas Junior Tubo
Dominico petit corona?
Villiger premium tubo

I'm now wondering where to go next?

So far I'm thinking Montecristo Petit Edmundo or H Upmann Half Coronas as these seem to have universally good reviews!

Any help/ suggestions appreciated!!

Thanks!

[marcwhild]

PS here is a cheesy holiday picture of my first time!

[Simon G]

Congratulations with getting married.
I got hitched Summer last year, and also went to the Maldives for my honeymoon (Kanuhura).
They had cigars there, but I got bitten by the bug when I returned home...

Anyway, back on topic

I'd say I was in the same predicament as you, when I started out,
and I ended up sampling ALOT of different brands and spending ALOT of money...

10 months later and a good ?600-?700 lighter I've discovered what works for me:

? H.Upmann half corona (great value for what it is. Seriously)
? Behike 52 (expensive, but but hey, you pay for what you get in this instance)
? Montecristo No.4'
? Petit Edmundo (untubed)
? R&J Churchill
? R&J Wide Churchill

The main issue/problem I've encountered with cigars that I've bought and smoked, is the consistency.

However, I found temptation got the better of me, RE: sampling the vast range of cigars, so "Beware!"

[Simon G]

Just to note, not sure if it's just the photo, but you look like you're taking a long hard drag of that stogie
I'd highly recommend researching how to 'light properly' and 'how to smoke a cigar' (couple of puffs every 30-60 secs or a bit longer),
and also about 'retrohaling' (breathing smoke out through the nose). Research about how to smoke a cigar, and trust me it
will add to the overall experience... it's something I did and helped big time.

The first cigar I smoked, I was taking long drags from it - and it burned hot, ruining all of the flavours.

All the best!

[Deano]

Welcome! Another great opening post, loving the pic. I see the Petit Edmundo has cropped up a couple of times. take my advice and go for a Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto if you like that Vitola - top cigar.

[Pandyboy]

Welcome! Another great opening post, loving the pic. I see the Petit Edmundo has cropped up a couple of times. take my advice and go for a Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto if you like that Vitola - top cigar.

+1 they are good smokes!

[Simon G]

I tried one for the first time a couple of weeks ago.
The first third was pleasant enough,
but then the flavours did a big u-turn, there onward...

[TJCoro]

A Man's Man!

Welcome to the boards, muchacho! From the photo and you discription, it appears you are well on your way to the Wonderful World of Puros!

Regarding the fine foto you included, two things come to mind - either you are taking a long, leisurely pull on the puro in order to experience its full essence OR... it was gifted by one of our senor modulators (e.g., ) and naturally....it was as plugged as a gnats arse!

Just to note, not sure if it's just the photo, but you look like you're taking a long hard drag of that stogie
I'd highly recommend researching how to 'light properly' and 'how to smoke a cigar' (couple of puffs every 30-60 secs or a bit longer)

Let me add a bit to the expert advice offered by one of our senor members. Aficionados throughout the world will tell you that taking a long, deep pull on a puro is a good way to experience all the subtle flavors the finest puros have to offer. But no more that one deep draw per minute; two at the most. As senor simon sez, a couple of puffs (light or deep) per minute is more than sufficient to enjoy a fine puro to it's fullest AND keep it burning at the proper temperature

That''s what I think, anyway....BUT WHAT THE HELL DO I KNOW!

Names Boy, Bag Boy, and I'll be doing the postin' around these parts on behalf of don TJ and the Familia Coro

[butternutsquashpie]

Let me add a bit to the expert advice offered by one of our senor members. [IMG]

Hehehehe. the subtle puns that you THINK you can sneak past us.

But yupp. Marc, listen to the coros and you'll learn a surprising amount (if you can understand them sometimes : confused

Nevertheless, welcome!!

Sent from my BlackBerry 9100 using Tapatalk

[sheppsea]

Welcome aboard

To be honest I would just recommend trying anything you can get your hands on at first, I also tried my cigar while I was on my honeymoon in Cuba back in February/March and have almost not tried the same cigar twice since them so I feel I'm getting a really good idea of my preferences, part of the fun is finding out how varied they are

I would recommend a Monte No 2 if you get the chance!

[marcwhild]

Thanks for all the tips gents!

Your right I was sucking a golf ball through a hose for the first five minutes!

I'll try and sample as many of the suggestions as I can when I go on holiday in a couple of weeks!

[monkey66]

Hi and welcome.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Welcome aboard! All good suggestions so far - I'm a big fan of the H.Upmann HC and Monte PE. Also like the HdM PR (great cigar to help you on your discovery too), and the Monte No2 is indeed a classic. I'd throw in the El Rey del Mundo Petit Corona - simply for sentimentality reasons really, it's a nice, easy going cigar, and is the stick responsible for properly hooking me into the whole cigar thing.

[Simon Bolivar]

Welcome onboard. As a mtter of interest, how did you new bride take to your new hobby? My wife didn't find out I smoked until my Stag night when I had a cigar, I smoked occasion cigars before that but hadn't had one with her. As it was a very tame stag night, a cigar & a bottle of Warres '77 port was the least we could do.

22yrs later & she's still not keen & my study now holds the 'Cave' & several other humis.

[marcwhild]

she is a bit annoyed as she's an recovering ex smoker (I've never been a 'smoker') and now I'm blowing cigar smoke all over her!