Newbie from Berkshire

[Co Pilot]

Hi

Been lurking for a while so thought it's time to come out so to speak !

Stopped smoking cigarettes about 15 years ago but a friend of mine, an avid cigar smoker and is suggesting going to Cuba in 2011 for the Cigar Festival. I am tempted to try a couple of smokes before going as I am sure I will not be able to resist in Cuba and am gleaming a lot (maybe too much !) info from you all.

Any advice on 1st cigar I should try would be great.

Thanks

[Gary]

Firstly Co Pilot, welcome to the forums! With regards to cigars to try, everybody has different tastes, some of my favourites include the Montecristo No4, R&J Short Churchill, Ramon Allones Specially Selected robusto to name just a couple. Maybe try a different one each week to start?

[TJCoro]

Jesus is my co-pilot!



Suggest starting the the Cohiba Behike or NuB!


Names Boy, Bag Boy, and I do the posting for the late, great don TJ and the Coros

[Soulmanure]

Welcome aboard Co Pilot. Ignore Bag-O-S man. I'd say go with something mild in the beginning, like the Montecristo 4 or the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicurre 1.

But, more importantly, try a bunch of cigars and see what you like! Exciting times for you, but adios to your bank account.

[Bwgan]

Welcome Mr Pilot......just go and drop a load of money with a reputable shop leave with a varied selection...big ones, little ones, fat ones, thin ones, expensive ones, cheap ones, cuban ones, non-cuban ones.....the worlds your oyster! My favourite so far from the selection I bought is the Le Hoyo Du Depute.
Good luck and enjoy

[Big J]

Welcome!

Start out with a milder cigar and then go from there. I would go with something in the Romeo y Julieta range.

[davidruddell]

Monte No.4 is a great place to start, but it depends on how much cash you want to part with to get started?

Have you got a Cigar store near you? Worth making a trip and asking their advice (If you mention your local store on here, I'm sure someone will give you an honest opinion of their merits)

Or you could get a starter/sampler from Cgars, and arm yourself with a home made tuppador (plenty of tips on how to make one, within these hallowed halls)

http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cuban-cigars-mixed-special-c-317_44_217.html

I'm sure there are far more qualified than I to discuss which Cubans you should start on, but don't forget there are some absolutely gorgeous non cubans out there too.

Mmmmm Nubs

Oh yes, welcome to the UKCF, now surrender your wallet to the Puros.

[El Catador]

Welcome Mr Pilot......just go and drop a load of money with a reputable shop leave with a varied selection...big ones, little ones, fat ones, thin ones, expensive ones, cheap ones, cuban ones, non-cuban ones.....the worlds your oyster! My favourite so far from the selection I bought is the Le Hoyo Du Depute.
Good luck and enjoy

The Yorkshireman (Bwgan) is wise beyond his years .

"With the above advice I also agree".

Oh yes, hello and welcome.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Welcome aboard No2.

I'd recommend something like an ERdM Petit Corona. Nice size to get started with (not too small, but not a particularly big boy either). Nice and light in strength with some great, mild flavours. It was what got me hooked on this fine past-time. I'll occasionally try one again and then question why I'd left it so long in between visits.

The only other piece of advice I would give, though, is don't be conned by some merchant trying to unload Montectisto 'Open' cigars upon you - they have been quite foul on the couple of occasions I have tried them, and would certainly not get you hooked (big cock up on the Cuban front, as they were supposed to be for new smokers - probably lost thousands of pounds worth of sales after people tried them and thought, "meh, (or more likely yuck), this isn't for me".

[eggopp]

Oh yes Romeos are always a good cigars to start with, maybe start with the No2 its not to powerful but has just a nice beginners touch, saying that i still thoroughly enjoy the romeo no2 and its often on my shopping list for good value

Oh and welcome

[cigarsmoke]

Hello Co Pilot and Try everything cigar wise, you will soon discover what you like and don,t like. It,s the start of an exciting journey of discovery and spend,spend,spend. What the hell, its only money

[Kdot]

yo

[skyhigh]

welcome to the forum. As stated previously start mild and work up , you don't want to be put off by a full on full bodied smoke. Also don't by cigars off the streets in Cuba, they'll be fakes.

[Soft Top]

Hello and welcome. Lots of good advice so far.

A selection is definitely a good way to go but as mentioned the Monte 4 is also a good place to start.

[snooky]

Welcome to the forum , recently back from Cuba you will love it , where are you staying?Just to repeat what Sky said dont buy from anywhere but the Habanos outlets . Enjoy.