Cigar affieciandos?

[Hercules]

No Lewinski jokes please. Novice here. I'm liking CAO but still would still like milder. Suggestions? And also suggestions for lighting these things would be appreciated. I go through butane like Charlie Sheen goes through pornstars.

[biggdogg]

Not sure what your budget is, but Macanudo Gold Label are some fine mild sticks...Ashton is a little more pricy but very nice also. If you are wanting to spend some serious money ($30) it's hard to beat Opus X, but any Arturo Fuente would work for you, Double Cheateu are nice.

For lighting, get yourself a nice triple flame lighter ($20-50), I think you will find they light much better than a single flame.

Hope this helps.

[Hercules]

That's the second time I've heard Fuente. Hmmmm

I have a triple flame. But twice now it's run out of butane. And I only have one cigar a week. Wonder if it's just a small lighter or if it has a leak.

[biggdogg]

If it is a cheaper lighter, sometimes those things will go through butane fast!! My suggestion would be an Xicar double flame lighter, it costs about $50 but it may be the last lighter you will ever buy. Hard to go wrong with Fuente...great sticks!!!

[Hercules]

It was about a $30 lighter. But the main reason I liked it was it had a built-in punch. But I'm preferring cutters more so that's kinda of a moot point. :/

[biggdogg]

Cutters are better, IMHO...have several $20 lighters that are not working in my drawer...live and learn...lol...

[FunInDFW]

Fuente in the first post?

[bojulay]

Rocky Patel 1990 is one of my favorites. (The flavor of them never gets tiresome)
Rocky Patel Edge is good also.

Gurkha Centurian is also mild with great flavor.
Alec Bradley Prensado has mild flavor.
Just about any Macanudo is know for their mild flavor.
I don't think I ever had a Macanudo I didn't like.

I use a Scorch Torch triple flame lighter.
It is like a piece of bar stock stainless steel,
has held up for a long time but uses a lot of fuel.

For fuel I use 5.8 oz can of Gasone 5x Refined Butane.
Very pure and reliable.

Always be sure and purge your lighter before you refuel it.
For some reason it makes a difference.

Thompson Cigars has a 5pack fever deal that is pretty
good. You get 4 5packs for $69

A good way to sample some different cigars and they
have a good premium selection to choose from as well,
with a little graph that shows the strength rating of
each cigar.

I made an excellent low cost little humidor out of a 1 gallon
sealing container you can get at wall-mart, it is some kind of
plastic with a metal latch and rubber seal. About $15

You just have to get one of those crystal bead humidifying
jars and place in it and you're good to go.
Holds about 35 to 40 cigars.

Check out www.cigarobsession.com
The guy has a bunch of videos reviewing cigars.

[Pistol Man]

Ah, yes, a fine cigar, fine spirits, and a fine woman - it may get better but I doubt it!

For my taste, and all this is about individual taste, Arturo Fuente "Hemmingway" is about as good as it gets; Ashton makes some fine cigars; right now I am in the middle of a box of Oliva "Connecticut" Churchills - very nice.

Combine with a fine Jerez grand reserve brandy (any brand will do), or Flor de Cana 18 year old Nicarguan rum, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, or Banvenie Scotch (all served in a snifter with a single ice cube).

Add a woman who enjoys being with you while you indulge in these pleasures and can't wait to share herself with you ...

As for the cigar "how to". I prefer a sharp punch to a cutter, but that's just me. Get a torch lighter; With the cigar in one hand and the torch in the other take 5 seconds or so to light the business end of the cigar and then put it in your mouth and draw in the flavor. If you light it like you would a cigarette (cigar in mouth and flame at the business end) you draw the heat from the flame through the cigar and into your mouth and ruin the taste of the smoke.

By the way, ladies, I have the fine cigars and spirits - and it is my birthday. Want to share?

Pistol Man

[Hercules]

Originally Posted by bojulay

I made an excellent low cost little humidor out of a 1 gallon
sealing container you can get at wall-mart, it is some kind of
plastic with a metal latch and rubber seal. About $15

You just have to get one of those crystal bead humidifying
jars and place in it and you're good to go.
Holds about 35 to 40 cigars.

Good idea....Never thought of that. I been keeping them in a ziplock.

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.jrcigars.com/jr/index.cfm

When ever I'm in North Carolina I try to stop in and pick up a box or bundle. They also have mail order.

My favorite is actually from the JR Alternative collections. I can get a copy of most of the highly popular cigars at a much lower cost than the actual name brand.

I enjoy the Macanudo Prince of Wales. It's a great cigar and taste exactly and sized the same as the name brand.

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[blue3122]

Charlie Brown is spot on. JRs Cigars is a good, very reputable outfit that does wholesaling. Lot's of specials, the biggest selection. As CB pointed out, their "Alternatives" are often excellent at 40-75% off name brand prices.
As for "name" brands, don't get too caught up in the name, I have had some great cigars at bargain prices from names that most haven't heard of.

When I first started cigars, I had to find what type of cigar I liked. I tend to stick to Coronas, Churchills, or Lonsdales.
Upmann's, El Rey Del Mundo, Punch, Partagas, Montecristo are some of my favorites.
Upmann and Partagas tend to be milder to me.
Punch and El Rey a little stronger. What most would call Medium.
Montecristo. Well the #2 is my go to for those really good days when the bottle of Midleton replaces the Jameson and the world(my world anyway) is at peace.


If you use JR, they have singles and 5 packs also. Sometimes, the 5 pack price is cheaper per cigar than the 25 box price so make sure you compare.

Good luck. Hope you find your sweet spot.

[Charlie Brown]

Another thing about JR Tobacco:

I just go on what their management reports.

The seeds and tobacco for their premium copy cigars comes from the same growing area the brand name comes from. Some of the copy's are actually made at the same facility as the brand names - a' la - the brand name guy is a copacker as well as a brand name. The Cuban copies are usually produced in the Dominican Republic - again, Cuban seed and tobacco copy.

Their premium copy's are all tobacco, long fillers, and hand made. Can't ask for anything more except maybe a vintage cigar.

[Guest120614-1]

This is my favorite go to Mild Cigar!

[discerning_guy]

Long time Cigar aficionado here. Some good advice here and some not so. Personally I dont care for Macanudo (I believe they are the largest selling brand in the U.S) or any of the Rocky Patel's. But I know a lot of ppl who swear by them. Whatever.

Stay away from very exclusive cigars like Opus X. It requires a bit of experience before you can feel the difference (and if you want to feel that taste profile). Like a golf ball - Starting out, you wouldnt know the difference between a top flite or a b330 or if u would be better off with an e6. Needs some time.

For beginners, wrapper, strength and size.

I almost always recommend a Connecticut wrapper for ppl new to Cigars. There is a brand called Butera. Check it out, you will enjoy it. Second factor is the Size. My recommendation is always a Robusto or about a 5 X 50. Although am partial to smaller ring sizes, dont go below a 42 as it does behave differently. A cuban corono size if available would be the best starter size.

Lastly, (to me this is the most important) whenever possible, I go with a Puro. So obviously my Humidors are filled with Padron (I started out with smoking cubans while vacationing overseas...so I am partial to that flavor profile). You can never go wrong with Padrons. For some reason I have had very poor luck with their longer but thinner profile like ambassador. But 2000 or delicias should be perfect for you.

Some one recommended Ashton. Excellent choice. Runs around 10 - 12 bucks in the local shops. You will love the mild and fragrant profile. In Fuente, there is one which is connecticut wrapper (most everything else is cameroon). If u want to splurge, instead of opus go for Don Carlos.

As far as brand and quality correlation...kinda sorta. In the case of Padron, no question. It is totally worth the extra price. Some of the JR's are good, but u dont want to buy a bundle (however cheap it is) and realize..it sucks. I cant tell u the number of bundles i have thrown out over the years. One of the best mild cigars I have had was rolled in the pier of a Honduran port for a few bucks. But after all this time, I rarely go for cigars based on price. Instead buy good brands as a box and enjoy it over time. Try singles at various cigar shops around the metroplex.

Signs of a good Cigar - While enjoying a Cigar, you absolutely should not feel any dryness of throat. During smoking - Enjoyable Smell. PPl around u shouldn't run from you. After smoking, no after taste in the mouth. If it tastes bitter after smoking, poorly cured POS.

I use basic 3 flame lighter, 2 flame, single flame (got at walgreens). No issues. Dont try to use single flame on bigger ring sizes...Lighter will get hot and burn finger.

if u r prone to Sinus, just remember, Cigar will worsen it. I didnt smoke for about 9 months due to a serious Sinus situation a few years back. So be aware as it indirectly affects your hobbying. On the contrary, to fully appreciate a cigar, you need to learn to Snork.

The North Dallas area is blessed with a quite a few Cigar shops with excellent collection and expertise. The community is always welcoming of new members. Try the one at Park and Tollway (if i remember..they carry JR's). The one at Beltline and midway isnt bad either. You can light up at most of these places.

I almost forgot the cut. I prefer Punch for bigger rings or anything that can be punched. But anything less that robusto, better snip or you might crack it open. Best and most useful trick to learn is to make a cut with basic scissors.

Have fun !!!!!