Posted on 04/25/2010 2:29:29 PM PDT by El Sordo
The long and short of it being that I've recently discovered that I rather enjoy the occasional cigar.
As if I didn't already have enough bad habits...
Sadly, it seems that I've made the mistake of trying out a selection of some more expensive cigars, and now I realize that I must begin to evaluate the market for more cost effective options.
So far I have found that I really enjoy the Padron 3000 and Rocky Patel Decades. But at those prices, they will certainly be a sometimes thing.
And so I call upon the denizens of Free Republic!
Cigars!
What do you like?
Why do you like them?
Where do you get yours?
Do any two people agree on how to light one?
Get yourself a small humidor so that you can keep your smaller purchase stored properly.
Then go buy several pairs of interesting looking cigars and take some notes on them as you enjoy them.
...additional. To your questions. I light ‘em with a simple butane ligher on “Flame-Thrower” setting. Just huff ‘n puff till they’re going good. Nothing fancy or ceremonial about it. (I’m a simple guy.)
Try not to over-puff ‘em. Makes ‘em burn too hot. It’s a minor talent to get ‘em to just the right combustion rate to stay well and evenly lit, and this keeps ‘em from getting all nasty and too juicy near the end. I smoke ‘em down to about an inch and a half — which they say makes me an unrefined Barbarian. Fine.
I’ve been known to BRIEFLY — like a half-second — dip the mouth end 2 inches or so into my glass of red wine before lighting. Longer makes a bad thing, but that half-second adds a nice complex dimension.
The American Indians say tobacco smoke “carries your thoughts up to God.” I quite agree.
My last “tour of duty” was at Misawa, Japan. We used to walk downtown to “Old Miyagi’s for dinner. On the way back, we’d stop off at a small humidor and pick up a couple of Cubans (Romeo y Julieta) and smoke them on the walk back.
I’d be interested in anybody who was stationed there, especially between the years 98 to 02.
Remember, The “Point at The Tip of the Spear”.
“The American Indians say tobacco smoke “carries your thoughts up to God.” I quite agree.”
I like that.
I think half the joy is just sitting my butt down for a spell and just watching the smoke curl away.
It seems to put my mind at rest.
The more you do that, with that thought clearly in mind, the more you’ll come to believe it’s really true.
Nice.
I’ll have to give them a try.
Thank you.
The brand I have been the most consistantly impressd with was Avo. I also enjoy perdomo and Rocky Patel.
I have tried a few brands and price levels, including some cubans (quite different and impressive). I prefer mild to medium.
If you do not already have a good humidor get one. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but don’t skimp either. Get a digital meter for it.
Then start shopping. Stop into various shops and ask for recommendations. Snag two or three at a time and store them until it is time to enjoy. Keep a log of the flavors, what you had w/ it, what you thought, etc. Glue the band on the page if that floats yer boat.
I have had a $2 Cusano M1 that was more satisfying than a $20 Partagas. But to be fair, the next M1 had a metalic background taste.
Near as I can tell, price doesn’t necessarily provide “elevated” flavors, but it does seem to provide consistancy at that nice level. But then again, I’ve had few cigars at the $25 range.
I don’t have unlimited means. And it seems to me that a $50 bottle of Craggenmore and a $5 cigar is a better investment that two $25 cigars and a $5 6-pack of Bud.
There are soooo many cigars out there. Go try them and enjoy them. Best of luck to you.
Punch Robustos are still relatively cheap ($3.50-$5.00) and deliver a satisfying & relaxing smoke.
Arturo Fuentes are great starter smokes. Easy draw, medium mild, and still affordable.
The only other thing to remember is the only inappropriate time to smoke a cigar is when you're asleep.
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So many to try....
>”“The American Indians say tobacco smoke “carries your thoughts up to God.” I quite agree.””
I cant think of another reason to enjoy a good cigar, other than that one.
Only the Almighty could come up with something so simple, yet so complete.
I shall definitely investigate Avo.
Thank you.
Opening - I much prefer a punch. V-cuts are alright if it is too small a ring gage for the punch. I all but abandoned my cutter.
Lighting - Avoid the stainless fluid type cigarette lighter. The burning fluid imparts a crappy fuel oil like taste to your cigar - Hell boy was advised correctly. Invest in a good butane torch and a refill bottle. Mine cost me a whopping $5 + $5 and I love the thing. In a pinch a Bic will work - so will wooden matches. But it is very hard to beat a good torch. I toast the end a bit before starting to draw. That torch also works very well if the cigar starts to run on you.
LOL - I tend to get nasty looks in the movie theater...
I once picked up a couple of Cubans at the humidor.
Antonia and Julieta.
But that’s another story for another time.
Yeah, that story probably deserves its own thread.
One more tip for y’all - I don’t like my car to smell of tobacco smoke. I limit my automotive cigar smoking to when I’m driving the interstate. I open the driver’s side window about 2” and my car stays aroma free. This is another good reason to invest in a butane torch - it is a lot easier to light and maintain a cigar while driving.
Gurkhas are tasty too!
Sancho Panza, maroon label - not the brown one - is a very tasty smoke. My all time favorite, though, is the Arturo Fuentes Hemingway Classic (or Bestseller). All of these cigars are classified as "moderate" and some would say "fairly strong". I think they're pretty good.
For a milder smoke, there's always the Macanudo Hampton Court (in the white aluminum case).
Arturo Fuentes 858s are in my humidor. I get them from http://www.bestcigarprices.com/ . They also have lots of specials. I’ve dealt with them for a couple of years now.
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