levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

This is why i love this forum. Just today there are threads about Cigars, TV's, sleeping bags and over heating problems and every thread has great info.
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cueball1

iTrader: (13)

You drive a MIATA! Swisher Sweet is the obvious cigar of choice!

BenR

iTrader: (2)

I tend to smoke a cigar every couple of years, so I'm no great authority, but I've always liked the royal jamacian #2.

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

Thanks for the info dudes, keep it coming. So far, based on this advice, it looks like I'm going for a light-colored smoke in the $5 range.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I was going to suggest that, but he said "no black n milds" and this is basically the same crap lol

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Yes, typically the lighter the color of the wrapper, the lighter the smoke. Not true if you get something cheapo. They can still be chainsaw harsh.

I really agree with the gent who suggested that you have one a day or two before. Fantastic idea. You don't want to feel wierd and conspicuous in public any more than you have to. I'm a third generation cigar smoker. I have a nice little humidor, but don't smoke as often as I did.

Pointers:
1. Get a cheap cutter (sometimes free) at the tobacco shop unless you want to borrow one at the event.
2. Use a match to light it (Purists will frown on "regular cigarette lighters" because it ruins the flavor). Many purists will buy expensive lighters that don't ruin flavor, but a simple match is still very acceptable.
3. Twist it in your mouth a little before you light it to moisten the wrapper down the shaft a little ways down from your lips. This will give you a good taste of the wrapper and will secondarily slow its burn as you finish it.
4. Twist it as you are drawing on it to light it. You want a nice even light on the end.
5. Do not inhale. It is not a cigarette. Different rules apply. This is about flavor on the palette.
6. Do not hot-box it. You are trying to take your time and enjoy the flavor. This is about relaxation. A hot cigar will taste much harsher than a cooler one. It is even ok if it goes out, or nearly goes out if you are involved in conversation or intraspection. Relighting is not a shameful act. And you only have one cigar for the whole evening, so make it last
7. It is good to keep a good ash on the end of the cigar. It keeps it from burning so quickly, and it shows your relaxation level.
8. If the end that is in your mouth becomes uncomfortably soggy, you can cut the soggy part off into the trash (avoid the ashtray with that as it is unsightly).
9. If you become weary of smoking it, you can just hang on to it, and occaisionally put it in your mouth after it goes out. No harm, no foul, no imperative to relight it.
10. Only snobs keep the label on the cigar when they light it. It's like leaving the price tag on it. :Ghey: That's for insecure folks. Not for people who actually just want to enjoy their smoke.
11. Don't get one with an uncomfortably large ring guage (diameter) for your first time out. It will feel strange to you to hold something that big in your mouth for so long.

I happen to have a few favorites that are quite smooth and light. Try the La Unica with the Natural (light) shade wrapper (not the Maduro which is dark). Very nice and quite mild, with a $5 or less price.

Quote:"Cigar Aficionado has rated La Unica an “outstanding” cigar, by giving it an 90. Although unflavored, a La Unica cigar starts out with hints of sweetness, and fruit, and the complexity of this cigar unravels with every puff. La Unica cigars have a nutty, creamy flavor that is satisfying for an everyday smoke, and ideal for the mild bodied smoker."

They are made in the Dominican Republic (Hi, Rafa!) by the J.C. Newman company out of the Cigar City of Tampa, FL. Newman makes several top brands.

On the other hand, my wife likes Macanudos.

And there are many good, smooth, light sticks out there.

Good luck.

l_bader

If you're looking for a lighter (less tarry), smooth smoke, I would consider the Monte Cristo No. 2 tubed or a Cupido (more of a dessert cigar.)

As Wardsweb alludes to, you need to consider what you will be eating/drinking while enjoying your cigar. You don't want the smoke to overpower the eats/beverage and vice versa. (So if you are consuming something heavily flavored, you might want to consider a Robusto cigar...)

If you are not a routine smoker, don't get a large cigar. It will take too long for you to finish, will most likely get "too thick" and you will undoubtably get light headed.

If you are a routine smoker, don't consue the cigar in the same manner as a cigarette; meaning draw the smoke into the mouth, not into the lungs.

And by all means, use a cutter and matches or a quality lighter to start the cigar, otherwise you may as well resort to "Black and Milds"...

- L

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

My first cigar was a Fuente Fuente Opus X. The following year for my birthday my buddy shared a Fuente Fuente Forbidden X with me. But the last cigar I smoked was a Gurkha Grand Reserve. It's not something for the purists as its infused with cognac and it has a Connecticut wrapper. It's a mild incredibly tasty smoke and I love them. If you buy from the right place you can get them for around $6.
When I just want something to smoke its usually a light color macanudo, CAO, monte cristo, or whatever is new and on sale that I think I will enjoy.

Stay away from the Acids and other weird **** like that unless you're looking for that kind of thing. Watch out for some Discount Tabacco shops as well, some carry fake Cohibas and their humidors normally suck.

I love AG Cigars in the Stockbridge, GA area, it's a great place with an awesome selection. I only smoke a couple times a year though, don't maintain a collection, and its usually only with my one friend who is into high end scotch, cigars, and expensive watches I can't afford myself.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

You forget which forum you're on. He's used to it.

Rafa

iTrader: (22)

Sixshooter, pm me if you want some

I have some local contacts

wayne_curr

iTrader: (8)

It seems like several people also like CAOs. My advice is to go to a good cigar store and talk to them about it. I learned a lot by doing that. They are usually really cool people and love to share their knowledge and recommendations.

Also, I found a really awesome cigar bar when I was working in houston this summer. Really awesome place. It was a treat since smoking tobacco is punishable by quartering here in the northwest. The most important thing about smoking a cigar is being comfortable while you do it. I have nowhere to smoke indoors anymore so smoking during the rainy cold winter outside is out of the question.

papasmurf

iTrader: (1)

I have been passing these cigars out this week. I like the flavor, but it doesn't last very long. And if you stick the entire thing in your mouth it is a jaw work out. If you show up with these bad boys you are certain to get some compliments.



(the reason I handed them out is we celebrated new years with a 9 lb. boy. YAYUH! )

ScottFW

iTrader: (4)

Many "purists" would favor a lighter because the flame from butane produces no flavor. Don't use a Zippo because they usually take a naptha/petrol type fluid, but any butane lighter is fine, even the cheap disposable ones. It's like Hank Hill's pitch for propane... "Taste the meat, not the heat." Matches are fine but wait a couple seconds after you strike it before proceeding to light the cigar because you don't want to draw in any of the smoke from the match's initial flare-up. Also, wood matches are preferable to paper.

I don't wet-lip mine quite that much. In private I'd say "to each his own" but if the OP is going to be in public there's no need to demonstrate that you know how to work a shaft that well. We already drive Miatas.

I don't get hung up on that either way. I don't think a guy who leaves the badges on his Ferrari is being pompous or insecure, and nobody can seriously accuse you of the same if you leave the band on a $5 stick like most of us would smoke. With the lesser known brands, you have to be in a fairly cigar-savvy crowd for people to have any clue what you're smoking or what it cost, so it's usually not a concern. Mostly I leave it on because I'm lazy, and only bother to take it off if I'm going to put it in the journal with tasting notes.

Of course, if I happened to be bringing some back from a trip abroad, I'd definitely remove the bands beforehand. That way, if customs finds them, "They're Dominican."

+1 La Unica is a great value brand. I still have a couple of the #400 (natural) left from a box dad bought about 10 years ago. They have a wonderful complex flavor and aren't too strong for cigar noobs to enjoy.

Rafa, you got some sort of hookup?

SKMetalworks

iTrader: (7)

black and mild

rmcelwee

iTrader: (1)

If we are talking tips/etiquette:

I never remove the label. I ripped the wrapper (the outer layer of tobacco on a cigar) doing that one time.

The larger the hole you make in the cigar to milder the smoke. The longer the cigar the milder the smoke.

When I light I don't put the flame on the tobacco. I use the heat off the flame (I always use a butane lighter) to get the foot hot first. I am not holding it in my mouth yet, just holding it in front of me turning the cigar back and forth (imagine roasting marshmallows) getting it hot and then I start drawing on it at the end to get the flame going.

How far down do you smoke a cigar? As far as it tastes good. Sometimes I trash it after 50% sometimes I trash it at 70%. When it tastes bad, get rid of it (or walk around holding it the rest of the day).



Not work safe:
Purito Cigar - Video

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

****, thanks alot. I was about to go to bed in a fairly good mood and that picture ruined it! Id like to try a cigar, Ive never smoked anything in my life (ANYTHING). Virgin lungs, except for the second hand smoke from nearly everyone I know, who smoke 3 packs a day.

rmcelwee

iTrader: (1)

Did you not click on the link? I made up for the bad picture...

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

Good video.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Well that is better isnt it. Thanks lol ...Right back...

Rafa

iTrader: (22)

I sure do. The family of one of my closest friends has been involved in making cigars for generations.

I'll ask him which brand and get back to you.