Greetings from Basingstoke

[judders]

Evening all,

I'm new to the cigar scene and definitely on a steep learning curve. Had my first real taste after bringing a few back from a holiday to Cuba (wish I'd brought a stack more back now). Have been buying a cigar here and there but decided to pick up a cheap humidor recently and learn more about what's out there.

So far I've tried RyJ Churchills(liked), Cohiba Siglo I Tubo 3's(liked), La Rica Robusto Maduro (didn?t like), Cohiba Minis and RyJ minis (liked both of the minis).

Currently pondering my next purchase and have found a sampler pack which looks like it might be a half-decent place to start. It contains these:

Montecristo Puritos ? Pack of 5
H.Upmann Corona Junior
Punch Petit Coronations
Romeo Y Julieta Tubed No. 3
Bolivar Tubed No. 3
Montecristo Open Junior Tubed

Any suggestions on ?must try? cigars very welcome, I?ll start compiling a list!

Cheers,
Justin

[PeeJay]

Welcome to the madhouse my friend, rather than us all bombarding you with our favourites again have a trawl through some old threads and reviews. Its a slippery slope to obsession that you are now on!

[Budgie Smuggler]

Welcome aboard

[judders]

...rather than us all bombarding you with our favourites again have a trawl through some old threads and reviews.

Fair point, will do. Otherwise I could end up with a bloody big list! Probably will anyway of course.

[tommy]

Look under newby greets cos loads of these have happened judders. You're not far from me old fella. I'm a Caversham bloke at present.
Welcome to the community and try some non Cuban (NC) cigars cos they're often cheaper and offer a different take on the whole thing.

[judders]

Cheers tommy, the NC advice sounds like a plan. With this weather and my newfound interest in cigars, I'm finding myself wanting a cigar every night. Could get real expensive real quick, so a cheaper option for regular smokes would defo be welcome.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Welcome, here's my take on it. Trinidad Reyes, Oliva Serie G Belicoso also the Cameroon and ERdM Demi Tasse should get you started in the UK market for reasonable money.

[Budgie Smuggler]

Second the Reyes, unbelievable smoke for the price, outshone others that I paid ?5+ more for.

[ValeTudoGuy]

I'm pretty sure there's a brilliant review of the Reyes that was recently posted on the tube.

[Edamski]

Welcome aboard!

I'm sure I sound like a broken record but I'm sure many will agree,

Montecristo No. 4
Trinidad Reyes (as been mentioned by many)

Trusted favourites of the aficionados and the new comers like [emoji4]

[Edamski]

I'm pretty sure there's a brilliant review of the Reyes that was recently posted on the tube.

Oh, was there? I must have missed this....

[emoji39]

[butternutsquashpie]

Montecristo Puritos ? Pack of 5 - Good
H.Upmann Corona Junior - Meh. i'd rather get a fiver of the Majestics or Regalis. Some really enjoy these little tubes. I, on the other hand, absolutely detest them.
Punch Petit Coronations - Good. But Royal Coronations is worth the extra bit.
Romeo Y Julieta Tubed No. 3 - Not much different from the Tubed No. 2. Decent.
Bolivar Tubed No. 3 - very strong little git. hope you like it
Montecristo Open Junior Tubed - STAY AWAY!!! get yourself a Petit Tubos for that!! Any open series is absolutely horrendous! (with the slight exception of the Eagle. I've enjoyed that one before )


but above all else, Welcome to the Hotel California!
We'll be supplying your lists for a while. So you'll never be prisoners of your own device!

[tommy]

I'm pretty sure there's a brilliant review of the Reyes that was recently posted on the tube.

There is!

[EdBlackadder]

Welcome aboard!

A good selection to start you off, a range of different styles and flavours there. I'd disagree with Butters about the Monte Open, its pretty much custom designed as a begineers/casual smokers cigar and isn't bad at all, just a bit unexciting if you're expecting the full Montecristo profile.

There are a lot of us newbies here. Just watch out because I've increased my intake dramatically since these fine gentlemen started advising me!

[SmokeyDave]

Hi and welcome

Finding what you like and dislike is a big part of the fun of cigars, take your time, try everything to help you.

Get a notepad or diary and attempt to document what you feel about each cigar you smoke, it's amazing just how fast you can forget.

List the flavours you discover (don't worry about putting wild descriptions down!), strength of flavour, nicotine hit, how the burn goes etc.

This serves as a record and also starts to train you in how to approach a smoke.

Dave