An absolute newbie

Joined Feb 2006
2 Posts | 0+
Hey, I'm just a young punk looking into the world of cigar smoking any suggestions for instance anything I need and a good inexpensive brand and of course tips, thanks.
 
doesmatter said:
Hey, I'm just a young punk looking into the world of cigar smoking any suggestions for instance anything I need and a good inexpensive brand and of course tips, thanks.

Well, first of all have you been smoking at all?
If not, or if you're a cigarette smoker, here's a few tips:
1.) Don't inhale cigars -- unless you want to see your breakfast from three days ago again.
2.) Don't buy cigars at drug stores, gas stations, or the ones the tobacco store has outside of their humidor on the counter. These are all what people in the know refer to as dog rockets. Yeah, it means what you think it means.
3.) Draw slow, the key is to relax and savor the flavor. Drawing too fast and too often will heat the stick up too fast and too much, making it bitter, and burning your mouth. Drawing fast and hard will turn the best smoke into the aforementioned dog rocket post haste.
4.) Don't buy a box of anything at first, try several type and brands first.
5.) Not all $10 cigars are great, and not all $2 cigars suck. There is a great variety out there, and individual taste determines what you buy. Although I'd avoid the more expensive cigars until you develop a palate -- there's plenty of good $5 and under cigars to choose from.

Some beginner cigar suggestions (HINT, you might not like any of these, but it's a place to start):

Before Capt jumps in, there's the Cigar.com Cameroon:
http://www.cigar.com/cigars/default.asp?sid=44209203734&cmd=list&brand=CRAL
(I'd advise you get the Cigar.com sampler, one of each of their "house labels" to try)

Punch cigars:
http://www.cigar.com/cigars/default.asp?sid=44209203734&cmd=list&brand=PUN
These tend towards the strong end of the scale.

Davidoff Private Stock (these are not the same as the private stock listed on cigar.com):
http://www.famous-smoke.com/cigars/search/stats.cfm/inum/15970
(These are a medium bodied cigar, and are my favorite "every day" smoke. Famous sells them by the box, but local stores might sell them and offer them as singles. EDIT: just looked, Famous has some of them available as singles right now.) At $2.23 each (box quantity) these are a great buy.

I also like the Arturo Fuente Hemingways
http://www.cigar.com/cigars/default.asp?sid=44209203734&cmd=list&brand=AFH
Although they are expensive for a beginner smoke.

Really, there's hundreds of makers and thousands of individual cigars to try, which makes this a great hobby.
 
Welcome!!!

You took a giant step in the right direction by joining this forum. I still consider myself a "rookie" and I've learned a great deal from the guys and lady that actively participate here.

I have asked several questions regarding humidors, cigars, cutters, online places to buy from, etc. and everyone has been extremely helpful & friendly. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have because there is no such thing as a dumb question on this forum.

In fact, I just learned a couple of things by reading SmokePole's response to you.
 
Welcome to the Forum!! You can also do a search for topics that you are intersted in, chances are, there is a thread started by someone else with the same question. That said, feel free to ask any question you have. Everyone here is more than willing to dole out advice even if the question has been asked before. (it is up to you to decide which advice is worth taking :p)
 
Welcome, and ask away, it gives us all the oppertunity to pass on and learn info
 
There's a ton of great cigars, and these guys won't steer you wrong. If I were a smoker just starting out I would try to sample a few different kinds to see what you like. Punch are great, as are Padron, Montecristo, and Cohiba. For something on the less expensive side go with Padron, Cusano, or some of the Fuente sticks. If you'd like something short but good, try the Hemingway Short Story.
 
Welcome Doesmatter, another nwbie, and don't forget to send anybody with over 100 posts a fine stick of your choice, just PM us for our addresses.

Just kidding buddy, but if you really wanted to you could.

I wanted to put my plug in for the CAO line, I really don't think they make a bad cigar!

Enjoy the ride, and again, welcome!
 
doesmatter said:
Hey, I'm just a young punk looking into the world of cigar smoking any suggestions for instance anything I need and a good inexpensive brand and of course tips, thanks.
Welcome, doesmatter. I like to keep a cigar journal. Log what you smoke, what your thoughts are on the smoke, how much was it, when did you get it and where and save the bands.
 
Welcome doesmatter. I can't help you any more than everybody allready has but I'll say this, you've found the online cigar mecca.[/code]
 
Fantastic suggestion Brenda! The cigar journal is the quickest way to finding what kinda of sticks you enjoy. Everyone is different, so what I like you may not like and vice versa, but by logging each smoke you have and how it tasted and smoked to you is what matters. Do not get hung up on some of us talking about the spicey start and woodsy finish or anything like that, you know what tastes good and what doesn't, just enjoy it!

Smokepoles words are the truth, and Opus X can cost in some rings 30+ I like them, others do not, is it a 30 dollar smoke? I wouldn't pay 30 for it 8) Ask around, buy singles and soon you will be just ike us!! So many sticks, I couldn't possibly smoke them if I smoked 3 a day for next year!!! :lol:

Enjoy and Welcome to the site.
 
My wife just commented on that, she said I couldn't smoke all of them in a hundred years, but ther aren't that many. Little does she know of my purchases this month, heh, heh, heh.

Keep track of what you like, revisit them every 3 months or so, you will find some that stay, and some that won't, and that is part of the fun, there are always new cigars to fine and try!

Have fun, and enjoy the ride - its a good one!
 
I tried some of the online cigar diarys, and they are ok, but I got a spiral notebook. I glue stick the band to the page and write my notes "my way" next to the band. This works really well for me.
 
That's cool Gary, I guess you old guys just have to "live" in the century you were born.

You keep plenty of lanterns around so you can write at night, right?
 
My journal is in MS Excel format, with all the usual info and ratings, and MY personal rating. I'm just curious as to how I'll rate the same cigar a few years later. Plus, helps me keep inventory of what I have, or what little I have left.