Hi all. Newbie here,

[Proserpine]

So, this year (2023) has been a year of new experiences for me. One of which; cigars. Though it's been a struggle. I'm a late 30's guy, South London residing and i'm self employed. I'm pretty new to this game but i thought i'd join a forum to gain knowledge, meet new folk etc. So, hello!

At this point, i think i'm leaning strongly towards preferring New World sticks. Some of the Davidoff blends, are rather nice and mild. I tried a Padron recently... it was basically a stick of dynamite. I've not a complete virgin to Cubans though. I'm quite partial to Epicure No. 1's from Hoyo De Monterrey and i don't mind a Magnum 46 from H. Upmann either. I'm still looking for something that i don't need to think about too much to enjoy, something i can enjoy anytime and i have a few in mind.

I should also point out, i'm a VERY light smoker. I don't smoke cigars every day or anything, it's normally a case of i'll have two or three a week. My biggest stumbling block at the moment is humidity - i expect this is something everyone struggles with. Most of the Cubans i try are either plugged, very bitter, or just generally nasty. No one is THAT unlucky so it's got to be user error - but i'm sure i'll figure it out eventually.

Anyway, here's my grand entrance post, saying hello and all that.

[PeeJay]

Welcome to the forum, I avoid Davidoff because I find them bitter!

[RobustoClubHavana]

Welcome along. I am sure you will gain more knowledge here from all the experience here

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[handlebarpipe]

Welcome to this forum and to the wonderful world of cigars.
Marc

[Proserpine]

Welcome to the forum, I avoid Davidoff because I find them bitter!

Give the Aniversario Special 'R' a try. I get no bitter flavours at all from that one. Just bought eight of them today!


Thanks for the warm welcome too.

[Vitola]

Welcome to the forum 👍 you have a world of NC’s waiting for you. Spoilt for choice really

[ha_banos]

Welcome.

Where to start? You don't mention your storage protocol.

Cubans ~65%rh is my preference. NW people seem to be happier with them at 70%

Cuban tobacco is not aged (except for special releases) and benefits from rest on the whole. Which rightly annoys a lot of people.

Anyway. A starter for 10. Not sure where you are with all this stuff.

[smokey joe]

Hello & welcome. 2 or 3 a week is good going, well done!

You’ve named some top smokes already, I’m happy with a HdM Epicure 1 or H.Upmann Mag 46 to smoke for sure. Others to try could be the Epi 2 & the Mag 50.

If a cigar tastes bitter there could be some tar coming through which a 2nd cut can fix & smoking too fast can cause a bitter taste as well.

Happy New Year!

[Proserpine]

I'd better say this now,l before i forget... i'm terrible with forums. So if i forget to reply to someone or something like that, i'm sorry in advance!

Right, my storage er... 'protocol'. *Stands to attention* i'm currently seasoning a humidor, got about four days left of that. Using Boveda 84% packs. It's just something off Amazon, i'd love an Elie Bleu or something like that but i looked at the prices and my card just packed a suitcase and threatened to move out so... yeah. Anyway, i've got three basic bitch acrylic boxes, and a Boveda bag. These are just for now until my humidor is properly sorted though.

I've yet to try the Magnum 50's, but i have tried Epicure No. 2's. Not bad... i just prefer the No.1's personally. I bought a box of Hiram & Solomon Entered Apprentice Robusto's today. Tried one last night and found it to be pretty decent. Not to complex or anything - nice and easy so i pushed the button and got myself a box. I'm tempted by a box of Epicure No.1's too. Still trying to work out 'my brands' with regard to what i like and what's not for me.

I will say; i tried a Davidoff Year Of the Dragon (2024) and that evening i honestly wanted to take the damn thing to bed with me. It would easily become my favourite, but considering they're limited edition, the price of them etc... i can't afford to fall in love TOO much so, i only bought *cough* two boxes of those.

With regard to humidity - i'm using Boveda 62% at the moment... and i'm STILL finding some of my cigars are over humidified. Though, they're a lot better if i leave them naked to rest on my desk for a couple of hours before i light up. I'll figure it all out eventually though i'm sure.

[mcdee]

[Simon Bolivar]

A belated Welcome onboard. A tip mentioned above about tarry cigars, if you notice bitterness, check the cut for black spots, these are tar, re-cut & smoking slower will help. Hoyo's are classic Havana's but probably need more aging than most so buying them fresh in the UK, quite I understand if they are not to your taste. Try H.Upman or Monte's, they are decent from go.