View Full Version : Newb advice for smoking cigars
black22rifle
07-30-15, 23:47
I have a co worker who enjoys smoking cigars and today I decided to smoke my first one. I went to the tobacco shop and bought an ACID 1400cc robusto just off of the guys advice. I got home and smoked it and while I did enjoy the taste of the wrapper on my lips I did not enjoy the smoke. I smoked it while drinking a light IPA and I noticed it somewhat enhanced my buzz.
What advice can you give me to enjoy my next cigar? What should I go with? My guess is something with a smaller ring, this one was a 50 and it seem a bit difficult to get smoke out of it.
I am not planning on making this a routine, just something to enjoy and relax a bit more on occasion.
Start small, it's cheaper until you find what you like. Go to a good tobacconist and have them put together a sampler. Don't worry if you don't find something, it isn't for everyone.
Quiet-Matt
07-31-15, 05:04
Smoke it slowly, don't overheat it.
SilverBullet432
07-31-15, 05:35
Dont inhale the smoke:sarcastic:
" it seem a bit difficult to get smoke out of it"
Did you cut or punch it? Maybe you just got a tight one. Do what Kyohte said.
ACID 1400cc robusto
YUCK. Acid's have to be one of the nastiest most over rated cigars in the world.
My advice would be get something like a Fuente Short Story to start out with. Its quite a small cigar, but its also one of the better cigars overall on the market.
Also the Padron #000 series is pretty good. They are numbered like 3000, 4000, etc....
I always suggest heading over to a forum called Puff.com and reading up on things.
Here is their big list of cigars for newbies to work through.
http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/general-cigar-discussion/29252-big-list-cigars-good-newb-starter.html
Eventually you will figure out what area you like. I like strong cigars, big flavors, big nicotine. Lots of people cant handle or dont want that type of cigar.
As far as not having a good draw, could have been the cut, could have been the cigar. I always cut(only about the thickness of the cutter) and take a dry hit(not lit) to see if it draws the way I want. If I need, I cut a slight bit more. There are tools you can use to basically shove through the cigar to create a channel for smoke to flow if you get a cigar that was rolled too tightly.
I agree, acids are not good.
A robust is probably too strong/robust for a newb also- try some medium and milds. Hell I still enjoy the mild to medium spectrum the most as the robustos have a tendency to overwhelm my palette and I can't enjoy the whole cigar.
Arturo Fuente and Romeo E Julieta have some very very good medium/mild offerings.
Do as khyote said and find a good tabacconist to set you up with a mix pack.
If you like good scotch, rum, cognac, bourbon, brandy, port or tequila have the cigar with that. Dip the mouth side of the Gar in the liquor it's fantastic.
I agree, acids are not good.
A robust is probably too strong/robust for a newb also- try some medium and milds. Hell I still enjoy the mild to medium spectrum the most as the robustos have a tendency to overwhelm my palette and I can't enjoy the whole cigar.
A robusto is a vitola or size/shape of the cigar. has absolutely nothing to do with the strength of the tobacco.
Whiskey_Bravo
07-31-15, 09:58
YUCK. Acid's have to be one of the nastiest most over rated cigars in the world.
My advice would be get something like a Fuente Short Story to start out with. Its quite a small cigar, but its also one of the better cigars overall on the market.
Also the Padron #000 series is pretty good. They are numbered like 3000, 4000, etc....
I always suggest heading over to a forum called Puff.com and reading up on things.
Here is their big list of cigars for newbies to work through.
http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/general-cigar-discussion/29252-big-list-cigars-good-newb-starter.html
Eventually you will figure out what area you like. I like strong cigars, big flavors, big nicotine. Lots of people cant handle or dont want that type of cigar.
As far as not having a good draw, could have been the cut, could have been the cigar. I always cut(only about the thickness of the cutter) and take a dry hit(not lit) to see if it draws the way I want. If I need, I cut a slight bit more. There are tools you can use to basically shove through the cigar to create a channel for smoke to flow if you get a cigar that was rolled too tightly.
This man speaketh the truth and makes a couple of excellent recommendations. I can't stand Acids either but I am sure there are plenty of people that do like them but they are not for me.
Check out puff.com or botl.org(brother of the leaf), you can learn a ton there. Remember, cigars are not cigarettes so smoke them slow and do not inhale.
A robusto is a vitola or size/shape of the cigar. has absolutely nothing to do with the strength of the tobacco.
Shows how much I know about cigars... Not all that much.
Always thought that was the flavor profile- robusto. Thanks for the correction.
I only know a little and its that I like mild-medium flavor profile cigars, Arturo Fuentes are my favorite. Honey moon was in Dominicana and I smoked more in that 2 weeks than I have the rest of my life I think!
Shows how much I know about cigars... Not all that much.
Always thought that was the flavor profile- robusto. Thanks for the correction.
I only know a little and its that I like mild-medium flavor profile cigars, Arturo Fuentes are my favorite. Honey moon was in Dominicana and I smoked more in that 2 weeks than I have the rest of my life I think!
everybody starts somewhere. There are, as evidence by the picture I posted, a ton of different shapes. I prefer figurado's AKA torpedo's, perfecto's and presidente vitola's. Not sure why. If there are 4 or 5 different vitola's(shapes) available in a given cigar, I will always go to the figurado shape. Im not so focused on size although a 46-52 gauge is about where I like to be. Ive got some 60's, they are big, but manageable. Ive got an 80, its ****ing huge and requires 5 punches of the cap. Havent smoked it yet, its kinda a novelty, although it gets really good reviews. Smaller than 44 or so to me feels real small. Ive got a box of Camacho SLR Corona that are 44's and they feel REAL small to me.
Strength is all in the tobacco's. Corojo and ligero tobacco's tend to be much more stout and full of nicotine. The LFD(la flor dominica) double and triple ligero's are considered some of the strongest cigars on the market as far as nicotine goes. Lighter strength tobaco's are the Connecticut stuff.
Lots of reading on the web about this stuff, but with cigars you just have to get out and try a bunch of things. Thats why that list(or couple of lists) from Puff.com is a good place to start because it kind of subjects you to different tobacco types, countries, vitola's, etc... so you can learn what you like and what you dont like.
Always when smoking cigars keep some sugary item around: candy, kool aid, root beer, etc... If you start to get the nicotine buzz to strong get some sugar in you. Also dont smoke cigars on an empty stomach(due to a side affect of an empty stomach being low blood sugar). Cherry kool aid and root beer funny enough go great with cigars.
Mr. rjacobs hit on excellent advise.
I'll add that different brands call their offerings similar names (Churchill, robusto, and etc.) but will have different ring size/length. It isn't as standard as one may think. More of a guide now it seems.
I'll also suggest you get a sampler package of quality brands (like from Thompson's for instance) and then you'll have an opportunity to see what you like. Much like booze, there are flavors galore out there and you simply have to try them to find what you like.
Also the tool (cigar poker/draw poker) used to basically ream a hole down the center of a cigar when it is rolled too tightly is a useful tool to obtain proper draw. Usually, you'll never have that issue with quality name brand cigars. Get different cutters as well, the cut can affect draw, heat and flavor of each cigar. Pay attention to how you cut the cigar and how it smokes for you.
black22rifle
07-31-15, 12:10
I used a double blade guillotine cutter that the guy gave me and I barely cut past the cap. The head was noticeably tighter than the rest of the cigar.
Here is one more thing to help out you folks that may be trying things out, liking them, and deciding "hey, I need a humidor".
Build a coolidor. Skip the cheap wood humidors, they dont work for shit.
Go to Walmart(or wherever coolers are sold). Get you a cooler of a size you think will work for you, buy larger than you think you need. Ive got a 150qt because I buy cigars by the box. It would also double as a cooler for dead bodies in a pinch! Bring your cooler home and stuff it full of newspapers for 2-3 days. This will absorb the plastic smell that the cooler has. Also while at Walmart get a gallon if distilled water and a spray bottle(might have to head to HomoDepot to get the spray bottle).
Head on over to Petsmart and over to the cat litter section. What you are looking for is exquisicat silica UNSCENTED cat litter such as this:
http://www.petsmart.com/featured-shops/exquisicat/exquisicat-crystal-low-dust-formula-fragrance-free-cat-litter-zid36-20098/cat-36-catid-800019?var_id=36-20098&_t=pfm%3Dcategory
Then head on over to the fish filter section and get you some filter bags for 89c.
http://www.petsmart.com/supplies/filter-media/top-fin-filter-media-bag-zid36-23515/cat-36-catid-300089?var_id=36-23515&_t=pfm%3Dsearch
What you have just created is the same thing as a "cigar specific" silica gel bead product that costs ~$30 a pound. You just made 8lbs for ~15 bucks.
I have 2 of the big fish filter bags(about 1 or 1.25lbs a piece) in my 150qt cooler and its plenty. 1 small bag(there are two sizes of the fish filters) will do about 1/2 lb. large bag is about 1lb. 1 large bag per 75qt is about right. So 1 small bag would work up to about 37.5qt or there abouts. Not a problem to have a little to much.
The silica gel cat litter will keep your coolidor at right around 65% RH. Mine has been setup for almost 5 years and it sits rock solid at 65%. Want to know WHY the cat litter holds 65%? Because engineers figured out that the smell of cat piss is held in if you can keep it around 65% RH. Kinda gross, but it works for our purposes.
The other thing you will want is a digital Hygrometer thats adjustable. Lots of these on the market around ~25 bucks. I have the Hygroset. Xikar makes one. Probably a few others. You will want to salt calibrate it before throwing it in your humidor. Take a clean dry milk jug lid, fill it with salt, put some of your distilled water on it(wet the salt, but dont drown it, just saturated) then take that lid plus your hygrometer and put it in a zip lock bag. After at least 24 hours if not 48 hours your hygrometer should read 70%. IF it doesnt, adjust it. Mine has a knob and each click is 1%. Mine has sat rock solid after its initial adjustment for almost 5 years, even through a battery change. I test it yearly.
I watch mine and typically in the summer spray distilled water on the bag/s once a month(air is more humid generally) and in the winter I have to spray water typically weekly.
Thats about a 2 year old picture of my setup.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/rjacobs1/IMG_20130912_102232.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rjacobs1/media/IMG_20130912_102232.jpg.html)
If you smoke enough fine, hand rolled cigars you will happen upon one the roller has rolled too tightly and generally you may as well throw it away. Very few cigars that were rolled too tight can be saved, even if you core them out. Throwing away a cigar is a painful exercise unless you are in the shop I used to go to. There, if you got a cigar with an impossibly difficult draw (while in the shop) the owner would advise you to go into the humidor and just get another without charge.
I favored the Padron Maduro 3000, a variety of different Rocky Patels, and I could go on...
Can't smoke anymore and I sometimes dream of smoking a great cigar. I sure miss it.
I think Mr. Abraham and I would get along quite well.
I, too, am a fan of the Padron 3000 Maduro (and 4000) and have a small supply on hand. I just got a box of the RP anniversary edition maduros.
If you smoke enough fine, hand rolled cigars you will happen upon one the roller has rolled too tightly and generally you may as well throw it away. Very few cigars that were rolled too tight can be saved, even if you core them out. Throwing away a cigar is a painful exercise unless you are in the shop I used to go to. There, if you got a cigar with an impossibly difficult draw (while in the shop) the owner would advise you to go into the humidor and just get another without charge.
I favored the Padron Maduro 3000, a variety of different Rocky Patels, and I could go on...
Can't smoke anymore and I sometimes dream of smoking a great cigar. I sure miss it.
I enjoy everything by the Fuente Family. However if you're turned off by the aftertaste, or the bite towards the end of the cigar I would recommend trying a pipe and some various flavors of pipe tobacco. I enjoy both cigars and a good pipe, but it depends on my mood at the time.
Moose-Knuckle
07-31-15, 14:46
OP, ring/gauge size is personal preference and IMHO I'd start off with something with a Connecticut wrapper.
Some suggestions C.A.O. Gold, Macanudo Café, etc.
For a cutter, you can't beat a punch. Give a nice smooth round hole in which to draw from. No jagged edges.
Pipes are something to try if you do not like cigars. If you like that you can try the MUWAT kentucky fire cured cigar. Tastes like a good english pipe tobacco.
Pipes are something to try if you do not like cigars. If you like that you can try the MUWAT kentucky fire cured cigar. Tastes like a good english pipe tobacco.
You are the second person I have had recommend one of these Kentucky Fire Cured cigars. Think I need to try one.
Spectre is another pipe tobacco cigar. Litakia. I have a box and have smoked 3 I think. Pretty good. My buddy had one with some bourbon and said it was awesome.
The head was noticeably tighter than the rest of the cigar.
Monica?,,, is that you?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
That's how they are made. Watch how he keeps stuffing more into one end. If they dry out or are rolled too tight that end can get really hard and won't draw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckqzMgWGzaY
Get a Macanudo, any size you like.
Get an Arturo Fuente of a size you like
If you don't like either of those I would just stick to drinking. If you do like them, the rest of journey will be like trying to find a beer that compares to say a Stella Artois and a Guinness. There will be a load of variety and then some but really only the Stella and Guinness are going to taste like themselves. It's not like buying Vodka to mix a drink with.
Then get a catalog from JR's http://www.jrselma.com/
Picked up a Oliva V figurado and one of those MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured today.
Will give one a shot after dinner.
Here is one more thing to help out you folks that may be trying things out, liking them, and deciding "hey, I need a humidor".
Where do you get the shelves and what is holding them in the back? also are your boxes sealed boxes or do you keep opened boxes in there as well. ... and their humidity stays correct too.
You are right about those small dresser top humidors... not worth a damn
The cooler I bought had slots in it. The slots are for dividers for 12oz cans. I think mine is a Coleman brand.
This is the cooler I have, but mine is all white.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Xtreme-150-qt-Cooler-Green/21947771
The shelves are just an 8 foot section of wire rack shelving I bought at homedepot for 10 bucks or something and cut to fit. nothing holds them in the back, the cooler has a slight inward angle, so the back of the shelves are slightly narrower than the front. I think I have around $110 to 120 into my entire cooler, shelves, humidification and hygrometer. There is a guy that makes spanish cedar drawers for these coolers, but they end up being like $300 for a whole cooler full of drawers, which IMO, defeats the purpose of the coolidor in the first place. If I build a Wineador in my new house, I will have the guy build me cedar drawers, but that will be something worthy of spending the money on.
All of my boxes are un-sealed except a box of Fuente Anejo's I just bought, but those have a humidipack sealed inside. Everything is porous, especially wood. The wood that cigar boxes is typically made of retains a bit of moisture and helps even out the humidity level. You would think that cigars sealed in their cellophane would dry out, but thats not the case either. But to answer your question, yes, unseal your boxes of cigars, unless you buy something like Fuente that contains a humidipack(I dont know any other brands that do this).
The online shops I recommend are cigars international and cigarbid.com aka the devil site. Never found great deals on places like JR's and the like.
Picked up a Oliva V figurado and one of those MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured today.
Will give one a shot after dinner.
The only Olivia I've had was the Conn. Reserve, which I thought was so mild it had no flavor at all. The MUWAT and I have a funny history. I've recommended them to several people. The last person I mentioned it to and had a brief conversation with at the tobacco shop left a $50 store credit for me, which was awesome and made my day. Next time I go I'll be paying it forward. I smoke so few cigars that it'll last my the whole year, as I mostly smoke a pipe (about as often, too). I figure I'll share them with some friends over some fine scotch.
This Oliva V was OK, not great, not bad, OK. It had a tight draw, I cut it a second time after I got it going, figured it was a figurado, it needed to burn a little to open up. It didnt, second cut didnt help much. Could feel the tight spot in the head(last 3rd) and I tried to work it out. Smoked about 2/3 and put it out. Nicotine was getting to me anyway giving me the sweats.
I dont have my humidor down here with me yet so had to go to a shop. One thing I ALWAYS forget is that most shops keep their humidors WET, like 70%+, which isnt really ideal smoking humidity, for me. 62-65 is about perfect for me. I like em a little dryer so they smoke better. Also cigars with tobacco with higher nicotine content tend to be more sponge like. That can attribute to the marginal cigar I just smoked. I bet if I had bought 2, smoked one tonight and one tomorrow or Sunday, the second one would have been about perfect.
Singlestack Wonder
08-01-15, 09:23
I would recommend to stop smoking cigars immediately to avoid mouth and throat cancer down the road....
I occasionally smoke cigars. You gotta try them all to see which you like. I'm a fan of Padron. Otherwise I'll buy a cigar every once in a while to try something new. I smoked one called "My big fat UZI" in May and thought it was pretty good. Obviously I bought it cause of the name. I smoke maybe 3 or 4 cigars a year so spending a few bucks on a good cigar doesn't bother me
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BuzzinSATX
08-01-15, 13:38
I've been a part time, on and off cigar smoker for years, and I appreciate all the excellent advice that I'm going to take with me from this thread. Thanks much.
To the OP, all I can add is I generally like milder cigars and some my favorites have already been mentioned, but I'd strongly suggest an Auturo Fuente 8-5-8 as a great cigar thats readily available. It's the one I buy when I'm traveling and decide to burn one after dinner. Generally easy to find and they are very consistent.
Best wishes,
I've tried a few Macanudos and liked most of them. A buddy gave me an Arturo Fuente that was awesome. I've tried some of the DSG Cigars and thought they were decent too, never heard anyone's opinion on them that actually knows anything about cigars though.
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black22rifle
08-01-15, 22:51
What exactly does mild, medium, and full mean?
SilverBullet432
08-01-15, 23:11
:big_boss:Romeo Y Julieta :big_boss:
LowSpeed_HighDrag
08-02-15, 01:26
For your first foray into leaf burning, try a Montecristo White. They are expensive, but offer great construction and a mild taste. Use a punch cutter, take your time smoking it, and light it with a butane lighter. Do not retrohale until you have been smoking for awhile. Enjoy!
LowSpeed_HighDrag
08-02-15, 01:27
:big_boss:Romeo Y Julieta :big_boss:
Yes, but only certain sticks. The 1875 are popular because they are cheap, but they taste awful. The RyJ Reserva Real are the poor man's MC White and taste/burn great.
SilverBullet432
08-02-15, 01:30
Haha poor man's ceegar. Ive had a few.
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