Cigar Connoisseur

[Dan In MI]

I receive promotional emails from a couple of online tobacco shops. One had a link to the shop's suggestions on cigars for beginners:

https://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/8-bes ... ng-smoker/

Would be interested to hear what y'all think of these suggestions.

[OSCAR]

I receive promotional emails from a couple of online tobacco shops. One had a link to the shop's suggestions on cigars for beginners:

https://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/8-bes ... ng-smoker/

Would be interested to hear what y'all think of these suggestions.

Hey Dan:
While the article has a lot of information, and is overall correct, i disagree with the eight cigars that they recommend. I’d probably disagree with ANY cigars that they claim are beginner friendly. Fact is cigars, like anything else, are personal taste. Totally subjective.
All their recommendations are top brands but only two of them are cigars I like.
I’m not the biggest fan of infused cigars and the rare occasions I have one, I like the Mocha Java from Rocky Patel, or a whiskey infused. Acid (their choice) is a good quality smoke but the infusion is overpowering. So much that you can’t hardly taste the tobacco. It’s very confusing for new cigar smokers as there are thousands of choices. I tell people that the best way to find what they like is to sample different types.
The article is correct in that strong doesn’t mean harsh or bitter. I prefer a strong cigar but that doesn’t mean it’s the only good option. There are some mild cigars that are excellent. It’s all subjective. My top eight would be:
1) Arturo Fuente Opus X (I get one for my birthday as they are hard to find and very expensive).
2) Partagas maduro
3) El Rey del Mundo Maduro Robusto
4) Macanudo (any one of them) -a mild smooth smoke, but has great flavor
5) La Gloria Cubana. Another great cigar
6 &7) Brick House and Perla Del Mar both are made by the same company and both are great cigars
Lastly no. 8 is CAO Brasília

I can list more but that’s my main lineup. I tell new cigar smokers to buy singles and not boxes. Yes it’s much more expensive than by the box but the worst thing is they get one cigar they don’t like. They can sample a wide variety and then buy by the box when they find one that they really like. Many online sellers offer samplers. Usually at a great discount. A good way to find ones that you like.
Hope this helps…..

[Dan In MI]

Thanks, Oscar! I agree with buying singles instead of boxes. It's easy for me to say what I like in a pipe tobacco...cigars, not so much. And I'd like to think I have a pretty high tolerance for nicotine.

[OSCAR]

Thanks, Oscar! I agree with buying singles instead of boxes. It's easy for me to say what I like in a pipe tobacco...cigars, not so much. And I'd like to think I have a pretty high tolerance for nicotine.

Dan, I’ve smoked cigars for fifty years. It takes time to develop preferences to certain cigars, just as it did when you first took up pipe smoking. There are many pipe tobaccos to choose from as well as custom blends. While tobacco gets better with age, just like wines, it should be stored in a humidor at 70 degrees and 70% humidity (or close as you can get). It may take awhile to discover what cigars you like but it’s an enjoyable experience.
Here’s a link to excellent articles for beginners:
https://www.jrcigars.com/blending-room/ ... university+/

[Dan In MI]

Thanks for the link, Oscar! I'll peruse those articles as time permits. My taste in pipe tobaccos has changed over the years, but that's probably a topic best suited for its own thread.

[OSCAR]

A “My Father” cigar and a good bourbon to go with it. It doesn’t get any better than this

[OSCAR]

3:00 AM my dog woke me up to go out. Backyard is fenced so I let her out to do her business and took the opportunity to have a cigar. Having an “El Rey del Mundo”.
To quote the late Samuel Clemmons aka Mark Twain, “I make it a habit to never smoke when I sleep and to never refrain when I’m awake”.
I couldn’t agree more !

[C-WADE7]

Haven’t posted one in a while,had one last week but forgot to post it and I’m on the porch today with a new cigar and a new kitten the wife drug home.

[OSCAR]

Got these in the mail today. AJ Fernandez sampler. Two of each at a great price from JR Cigar. I bought 3 of them. (42 of them total) and 2 boxes of a JR brand that I like.

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I’m looking for more brands of a good everyday cigar that’s reasonably priced. I had 2 different cigars I liked at Thompson Cigar but I won’t buy anything from them anymore. Cigar.com and Cigarsinternational.com are also Thompson. (Same address on their mailed catalogs). Long story made short, Thompson is unethical and has poor customer service. So I’m back to JR Cigars. Looking for a good $3-4 smoke for everyday. The pricey ones I have only once a week. Today’s shipment will hold me for awhile but I’m always on the lookout for good deals.
C-Wade, the PDM and Prensado are both great choices !!!
Beautiful kitten Coley. Here’s my kitten about 3 years and 20 pounds later.

[1967redrider]

That's one cool kitten, Cooley.

[C-WADE7]

Thanks guys, we have 7 cats at the moment 3 outside 4 in and out. My wife would have 20 if I let her. I don’t have 1 per se but little Dotty stays close to me all the time.

[OSCAR]

Thanks guys, we have 7 cats at the moment 3 outside 4 in and out. My wife would have 20 if I let her. I don’t have 1 per se but little Dotty stays close to me all the time.

If I could afford it during this recession, I’d have many more cats and dogs. As it is, I have 2 inside cats and 1 dog. My dog is under the care of a veterinary dermatologist due to environmental allergies. I’ve spent about $3,000 in the past year on her. The 2 cats are healthy and fortunately I only just spend for food and litter on them. You can never have too many. They are truly gifts from God. I will take care of them before I spend anything on myself.

They are family ! I’d give up cigars and even food for myself before I’d let them not be cared for properly.
PS Dotty is also adorable.

[OSCAR]

Tonight’s cigar…. Good flavor. A bit on the strong side but I like full bodied cigars.

[OSCAR]

Drove 65 miles round trip today to get a very special cigar. Only had it 3-4 times before. It will live for a few months in my humidor until my birthday. An incredible cigar. Only one store in the state has it when they can get them. Fuente Opus X. Almost impossible to get and $35 each. This will probably be the last one I ever smoke. I’ll smoke it until the ashes fall behind my teeth.

[C-WADE7]

Worked with my brother today welding a hitch on a dump truck, took a cigar the neighbor gave me to smoke. Pretty good smoke.

[OSCAR]

Having a Punch Corojo. Nice mellow flavor.

[OSCAR]

Today, I have planned a Partegas cigar and glass of Angels Envy bourbon. They pair very nicely together.

[C-WADE7]

Sounds good Oscar, I planned to have one today, but got too busy. We put a door and frame in at my sons house and it turned into a hassle. Old house and nothing square, level or plumb so it was a fight to the end.

[C-WADE7]

Got a little time to enjoy the cooler temps this evening with a Mark Twain Riverboat.

[OSCAR]

Nice cigar Coley. We’ve had a few cooler days here but it’s a “false fall”. It got hot again. Can’t wait until the weather cools down. The summer has been brutal this year.

[C-WADE7]

This week here is supposed to be nicer. High in the upper 70’s Wednesday and even a chance of rain( haven’t had a drop in 2 months). Last Thursday and Friday were 105°+ so it’s a welcomed change in North Texas.

[OSCAR]

RALPH

Waits by the door for me to finish my cigar and come back inside.

[C-WADE7]

Of all the cats we’ve had the orange tabby’s have been the best, and the males are particularly good natured.

[OSCAR]

Almost all orange tabby’s are male. Female orange tabby’s are very rare. Ralph is pretty good most of the time but has moments of weird behavior. It’s all good. He’s a great cat overall.

[Dan In MI]

Ralph sure is a handsome little fellow!