[Shorty]

I've been thinking about taking up cigar smoking for some time now following my full-time "adoption" of straight shaving almost two years ago thanks to my accidental intervention with one of Lynns videos on Youtube.

So, to the cigar afficionados here I would like to ask for some advice to help me get off on the right foot.

I suppose I am looking for a humidor that can store up to around 50 cigars (more than I will need in any circumstances as far as I can see), a cutter and lighter (seems obvious in some ways but I'd like opinions!), and of course some cigars.

With a budget of around £200, what would you recommend to someone starting out?

From the limited experience I have had so far, I have had a few Romeo Y Juliet's & Coronas and enjoyed them very much. For what it's worth, I feel that my initial preference is leaning towards the mild-midrange strength cigars.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[foundlingofdollar]

I used to smoke Romeo and Juliet, I think we may like cigars in the same range. I have yet to smoke a bad AVO, and they're pretty reasonably priced. the no 9 is excellent, and (can't remember exactly which cigar) but one of the darker ones has not aftertaste at all, same flavor after exhale.

[vegard_dino]

Hello

Welcome to the world of cigars! You have a good deal of trying, tasting and happynes coming to you.

When I did start out with cigars I got some samplers, that way you can try different vitolas,, shapes, of the cigars, makers and so one. Try to get at 2-3 cigars from the same maker, that way you can find out more about them and find "your" cigar.

When it comes to gear and what to use, you can use all kinds of gear. Same as wih a razor, use what you feel is best. No need to start out with a $$$$$$$$$ cutter.

Also you need to find out how long your planning on smoking at the time. What I mean is, there is no point in lighting up a grand panetelas if you only have time for a petit corona.

There are some good forums you can get more, and better, advice from, like: http://www.smokersforums.org/, http://www.clubstogie.com/ and http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/

When it comes to humidors, try out: http://www.cigarmony.com/ and http://www.cheaphumidors.com/. The last one got some great deals. Try out the imperfects, that way you can safe some $$$ and stil get a superb humidor. For humidification, get a puk from day one! That way your cigars will be safe and so will you. I use one from credo.

Wish you happy smoking

[captp]

Originally Posted by Shorty

With a budget of around £200, what would you recommend to someone starting out?

.

From the monetary unit you're using, I'm guessing you're British. ARe you asking about Cuban R&J?

[jockeys]

there are many makers of fine humidors for not much money out there, I myself have had a bad experience with Cheap Humidors Cigar Humidor Cigar Accessories CheapHumidors.com customer service, but your luck may differ. I would up getting one from my local tobbacanist; more money, but he stood behind it.

for a cutter, i prefer a circular punch rather than the guillotine types, harder to screw up and doesn't remove as much of the wrapper. for a lighter i either use a butane torch or a wooden match, no need to spend mega bucks on a fancy colibri or something. (fyi, if your colibri breaks down, their customer service is about the most useless organization on the face of the planet... consider them very expensive disposables)

for milder cigars in your price range, I would try a sampler, some good mild-to-mediums that I've enjoyed have been CAO, Patel, Romeo y Julieta, and some of the lighter Ghurkas. for the most part I smoke maduros and other such full flavored smokes, so I can't recommend much more than that.

[Akady]

It is very important to not use a zippo lighter, it will ruin your cigar. As for cutters I like circle punches as well as wedges, but I mainly use a guillotine because I get them free from the cigar shop. You would most likely like the Acids or really nything from Drew estates and I would highly recommend Davidoff cigars, some of the best I have ever had. I personally am not a big fan of cubans though.

For my Humidor because of the dry climate I live in I put a small floral foam block in a small containter to keep the humidity up.

When you get a humidor it is really important to season it before putting cigars in. Basically for about a week or two take a damp paper towl and wipe down the inside very well. This will season the wood and help it seal up nicely.

[cybrok]

I got one frome CheapHumidor maybe a month ago.

I recommend you chose USPS for shipping, a little more expensive but the brokerage fees are way lower.

Check this one:
75 Cigar Black Humidor w/ Inlays + FREE ITEMS (HUM-W): Cheap Humidors Cigar Humidor Cigar Accessories CheapHumidors.com

I got the smaller version that is... a little small:


Big enough, and since it's a closeout, the guy gives you everything you need to get starter (to season your humidor).

There is also an "imperfect" section. They don't look perfect but they are as good.

As for the lighter, you can order one on the same website. I also got an extra double-guillotine and a cigar tube from the same website. 10$ for each, totally worth it.

If you get a lighter, get a butane lighter, fuel lighters like zippos can change the cigar taste.

[Akady]

I jsut found while tooling around one of the sexist cigar punches i have seen, and a price to match
Davidoff Cigar Cutters, Scissors, and Knives ~ Davidoff Cigar Cutters, Knives, and Scissors Are Available at Milan Tobacconists

[cybrok]

Oh, and a Cigar tube/flask combo is a GREAT invention

[Shorty]

vegard_dino - That is very useful and thanks for the welcome. I've taken a look at both of those sites and they've certainly got a lot on offer .. this is going to take some time and I am looking forward to it!

cybrok - Thanks for the picture of your setup, that looks just like what I am after really. I can't see that I am going to need anything larger at this point in time, so a 50-75 sized humidor looks like the ticket. I like the look of that lighter and tube by the way, very handy.

Akady - I've heard about seasoning the humidor and that answers it nicely. The climate here is midrange in the UK, not particularly dry or damp so it sounds as though I won't have to worry about additional humidity?

captp - Yes, I am based in England and I didn't know that there were alternative Romeo Y Juliet's available other than the one I have always known. I have linked to a picture of the one I mean here (3rd from left). I always smoke this on occasion as it is usually the

Jockeys - I watched a video on Youtube where someone was using a screw type "cutter" instead of a circular guillotine. It seems as though you are left with a smaller diameter hole in which to draw through .. is this an advantage or a matter of personal preference i.e. some people guillotine a larger area in order to draw more smoke through where as others prefer a smaller/ slower draw?

Thanks for the info!

[jockeys]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Jockeys - I watched a video on Youtube where someone was using a screw type "cutter" instead of a circular guillotine. It seems as though you are left with a smaller diameter hole in which to draw through .. is this an advantage or a matter of personal preference i.e. some people guillotine a larger area in order to draw more smoke through where as others prefer a smaller/ slower draw?

Thanks for the info!

yep! it's all down to what you like. i still use the choppers on torpedos and small cigars, but on my churchills and such i prefer a controlled hole rather than a giant gaping wound in the end of the cigar... basically i don't want my 52 ring gauge stogies with a 48 ring gauge hole in then. if cutters are more your thing, you can get them for under ten bucks at your local tobbacanist. also, a large hole will tend to draw noticeably hotter than a smaller one, and will "use up" the cigar quicker, so my choice is more of a throttling issue than anything else

[captp]

Originally Posted by Shorty

vegard_dino -
captp - Yes, I am based in England and I didn't know that there were alternative Romeo Y Juliet's available other than the one I have always known. I have linked to a picture of the one I mean here (3rd from left). I always smoke this on occasion as it is usually the


Thanks for the info!

I'm pretty sure those are the Dominicans, but have you ever noticed? Does it say Habano (or Habana) on the band? Those would be the Cubans. If they are the Dominicans (hope they're Dominican and not Honduran; I'd feel like an idiot if I go that wrong; I work part time in a cigar shop), they are among the best smokes you can get; one of our most popular sellers by far.

[cannonfodder]

A 50 count fills quick. I have a 100 sticks in this one and I still have boxes with humidity packs in them for storage. I need to get a 400 count humi and just keep everything together. Plus side, my office is a computer room, 68 degrees and 60% humidity 24/7.

I started with sampler packs, lots of them. From there I developed a definite preference for wrapper (if you can’t tell, almost everything is Maduro) and region. From there I explored other cigars of similar blend/wrapper/style. I keep an assortment around for whatever I feel like at the time.

[Nurumkin]

Good for you. I am a long time cigar smoker just taking up the straight edge shaving side of it. As mentioned Anything by Drew Estates is great (espically acid naturals). I am very partial to Rocky Patel vintage 1990's. The advice my brother (who keeps hundreds of high end cigars aging at all times) gave me when I started was. Smoke whatever tastes good to you regardless of price or "image" but also remember that if you are smoking a swisher sweet don't expect to be able to talk to other cigar smokers about its merits because it would be like going to a wine tasting with a $6 box of wine and wanting to be taken searously. With that in mind I usually try and stay above the $10 retail (even though I hate to use price to dictate what a good cigar is you have to get above a certin price point before you get a real cigar) because thats where you get actually quality rolled cigars that are infused with flavor vs flavor cristals added.

With all of this in mind buy sample packs online because if you buy from your local tobacco store: A: their humidors are not always great, I remember one time I was in one and I looked to the back of the humidor and it opened up into their stockroom and B: you will go broke.

As far as your own humidor cheaphumidors.com is a good fair place with nice stuff. Get yourself a cigar oasis automatic humidifier because it will save you loads of hassle trying to keep the humidity right(i live in arizone and have to fill it 2x a week)

Some good places to get cigars are cigarbid.com (I find great deals there from time to time) and cigar international always has solid prices.

PM me if you have any questions, I am off right now to go sit on my porch and enjoy a frosty mug of A&W and a Guirka Legend (cant remember how to spell Guirka )

[captp]

Originally Posted by Nurumkin

. try and stay above the $10 retail (even though I hate to use price to dictate what a good cigar is you have to get above a certin price point before you get a real cigar) because thats where you get actually quality rolled cigars that are infused with flavor vs flavor cristals added.


PM me if you have any questions, I am off right now to go sit on my porch and enjoy a frosty mug of A&W and a Guirka Legend (cant remember how to spell Guirka )

Don't know where you buy your cigars, but there are plenty of smokes well under your $10 minimum. Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, CAO, Partagas, Romeo & Julietta(sp?). That's to name just a few. Plenty of Punch MM at around 3-5 bucks. Hoyos at the same prices. R&J, one of the better bargains, especially the Tubos. Of course, I'm totally off base if you're all out of the US. Those are the prices I'm paying at my local smoke shop.

I usually misspell it too . it's Gurkha. (had to look it up). One of my favorites, if a little on the pricey side.

[T-Ram]

I would like to add that if you already like cigars and plan on smoking anywhere near regularly, you will eventually want to start buying by the box. This drops the cost per stick considerably on most brands. While the 40 - 100 stick humidors are great starting out, they quickly become obsolete when you find 2 or three favorites and want a box (or more) of each. Especially when one of your favorites is put ON SALE at your favorite website and you want to stock up!

+1 on the Cigar Oasis. Get the refillable cartridge ONLY and buy some distilled water. I've got one in my

150 Cigar Art Deco Glass Top Humidor: Cheap Humidors Cigar Humidor Cigar Accessories CheapHumidors.com

150 stick humidor at the office and it is next to no maintenance. Replace the refillable cartridge about every 18 months @ $15. At home I have a

ARISTOCRAT CABINET HUMIDOR OPTIONS

and it is truly SET AND FORGET. It will beep at you if you get outside the preset humidity / temperature range letting you know to add more water.

One more comment about Cheap Humidors Cigar Humidor Cigar Accessories CheapHumidors.com. The Make an Offer option really works. Bought several things there at right around 80% of retail price and have never had a problem. Jockeys, sorry to hear about your troubles there.

By the way, I carry an 8mm punch on my key ring. Use that almost exclusively.

Enjoy the smokes!
Tony

[Nurumkin]

Originally Posted by captp

Don't know where you buy your cigars, but there are plenty of smokes well under your $10 minimum. Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, CAO, Partagas, Romeo & Julietta(sp?). That's to name just a few. Plenty of Punch MM at around 3-5 bucks. Hoyos at the same prices. R&J, one of the better bargains, especially the Tubos. Of course, I'm totally off base if you're all out of the US. Those are the prices I'm paying at my local smoke shop.

I usually misspell it too . it's Gurkha. (had to look it up). One of my favorites, if a little on the pricey side.

You may very well be correct, I live in a military town so a lot of the guys have a ton of disposable income and just want to spend a lot of money to smoke a $25 cigar. For example they wanted $24 for a Patel vintage 1990 (which sucked because I REALLLLLY wanted it and was out, but not at that price). I was totally unaware that you could buy a punch for less then $5. Or any CAO for less then $10.

[cannonfodder]

Cigars International has them much cheaper. CAO are one of my favorites, I particularly like the anniversary maduro's, Brazil and MX2's, but taste is very personal so your opinion may vary. One of my preferred high end smokes are the La Aurora 1495, not cheap but worth the coin on a special occasion. I also like the Rocky 1990 vintage but they should be more like $7’ish each, not $24. Heck, Cubans are $30-40 a stick, I would never pay that much for a Rocky.

Try a sampler pack from Cigars International. They have some 'taster' packs with an assortment of sticks of different strengths. There is a medium, medium-full and full, you will be hard pressed to find a better deal.