Looking back at 2013

[ENV]

I have learned that maturity still exists on internet forums
I have learned that the BOTL are a great group of guys and even though they may not agree all the time they are bonded by our hobby
I have learned that I also cannot stomach certain vitamin N bombs regardless of the full stomach. Learned this the hard way a few times.
I have learned that aged Anejos (to my palette) are like heaven on earth.
I have learned that I truly enjoy Honduran tobacco and I am Honduran (born in the USA) and didnt even know I was smoking Honduran tobacco in some of my fav smokes (Room 101 Daruma)
I have learned I really enjoy bombing more than recieving so this year I will try to do a lot more

Thanks for welcoming me in here guys. I know I am not the usual BOTL but you guys accept me nonetheless and I appreciate it.

 

[Fairway1]

I think the major thing I learned in my cigar journey of 2013 was that I don't have to nub every cigar, when I am done I am done, don't need to keep milking it to the end after I lost emotional attachment.

 

[CigarGavin]

I think the major thing I learned in my cigar journey of 2013 was that I don't have to nub every cigar, when I am done I am done, don't need to keep milking it to the end after I lost emotional attachment.

Awesome point brother one that is overlooked a lot; dinner burning insert a necessity. Some what you enjoy; sometime it's an inch sometimes it's up too your knuckles

 

[e-dawg]

I've learned that winter is a lot more cruel than I remember it being before I started smoking cigars.

I've also learned that we are human beings of all types yet are united in most cases by an obsession we mostly experience alone (or at least in my case). If not for BOTL, I would be truly talking gibberish by now.

I also second the N-Bomb sentiment. The first pig I smoked knocked me on my arse!

Happy New Year gents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[blessednxs65]

I have learned that there are far too many exquisite cigars out there to chase them all down. I have learned that even the worst of cigars when smoked with a good friend is a great cigar. Most of all, when it comes to cigars I have learned that my collection far outstrips my consumption and I need to turn it up a notch and that in 2014... It is going to be bombs away to some noobs to share the share!

 

[Zedman05]

I have learned that you can never underestimate the power of a true BOTL.
I have learned to go back and try something you had ONCE and give it another shot as it might have just been a dud.
I have learned too that you can't try to chase down EL's, LE's or any kind of limited production stick just because it's limited.
I have learned that finding a regular production stick that you love, and know will be there for years, is like finding gold in your back yard.
I have learned that I spend too much time worrying about getting more cigars, and not enough time worrying about helping others find something they would enjoy...even if it is from my own stash.
I have learned that I cannot keep up to the endless stream of new, great cigars coming out. I need to just start buying what I love instead of always trying the newest stuff.

I have also been reminded that BOTL.org is still one of my sactuary's and always appreciate it.

 

[CanIGetAHolla]

Over the past year I've learned to appreciate smaller gauge cigars. There was a time when I thought that big sticks were more manly and skinny sticks were for wussies. I always thought about how badass Tony Soprano looked with a big stick in his hand and being a larger man, myself, I imagined how silly I would look with a skinny one. Now, after learning how much of the flavor comes from the wrapper, I look for Coronas, Corona Gordas, and Lanceros first and hardly ever buy anything over a 50 gauge anymore.

 

[Kantucky]

I learned that I needed to smoke cigars again after a 2 year hiatus. Santa brought me a humi- just need to fill it now but that's the fun part.

 

[stukibuilt]

I learned that I have a greater preference for petit coronas and tres petit Corona sizes than anything else... Also moving more into the medium body range and out of the full. I can't handle too much nicotine anymore without sweating and getting a sick feeling either, so I guess the changes follow suit. I blame Cuba... Ha ha ha

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Man I've learned a ton from BOTL and some of the other cigar sites I belong to these past 6-months.

* Don't store your infused cigars and regular sticks in the same humi
* The hygro & foam humidifier that come with your humi's need to go in the trash immediately
* Thinking that all my cigars should be pillow soft for best results
* Having to relight your cigar over and over again does not produce the best flavors
* That you need to rest your cigars when they arrive in the mail before smoking
* Never use a single blade cutter
* The most expensive cigar is not always the best
* That a lancero offers more flavor than smoking the biggest, fattest cigar I could find
* Slow down when smoking to get cool flavorful smoke
* That mild Connecticut sticks were a great entry into the hobby, but that I really enjoy med-bodied smokes with lots of flavor more
* That BOTL is one of the best cigar forums, with some of the best people on the world wide interweb

 

[3/5King]

This first part is something I've known for all my life but reaffirm myself with every year; #1 even the greatest things in life are meaningless if you have no one to share the experience with; #2 the smallest things in life can become your greatest memories when shared with the right people. I found that I need to practice patience yet not use it as an excuse to put things off; patience combined with an eagerness to finish what I start. Every day I try to remind myself that the years fly by and if you don't watch out how you treat the ones you care about, relationships can deteriorate and a lot of chances to make amazing and lasting memories will be lost forever.

Alright, now I did learn some fun stuff in 2013 too! It's not all doom and gloom lol I found that a 2 hr and 45 minute run will give you one hell of an endorphin buzz. I've learned that I can go from an athlete to a fat tub of lethargic waste over the course of the holidays and winter season! It's hard to smoke a "quick" cigar. It's definitely not "Wait a minute, I'm gonna have a quick smoke" it's more like "Let me know how it was, I'll be in the garage smoking" Eating super hot peppers can make you feel like you're giving birth to twins....yet the experience won't make you stop doing it. Shaun T I and his Insanity is not just a gimmicky infomercial, he will make you his bitch.

Looking back, 2013 was a great stepping stone of bigger and better things to come!

 

[JLB]

I have learned that there are far too many exquisite cigars out there to chase them all down. I have learned that even the worst of cigars when smoked with a good friend is a great cigar. Most of all, when it comes to cigars I have learned that my collection far outstrips my consumption and I need to turn it up a notch and that in 2014... It is going to be bombs away to some noobs to share the share!

Oh, now that is well said there. And to try not to get caught up in all the madness. Try is the key word there, as it can be difficult. Also, the share the same sentiment that Fairway said. When I'm done, I'm done. No need to nub it, if you're not feeling it anymore. Because even with the best cigar in the world, it can ruin the entire experience if you force it. Great thread Mike.

 

[ENV]

I also learned that I can get knocked out by cigars labeled medium and not feel a thing from certain ones labeled strong.

UF13 put me on my ass (nausea for 45 min), as did Man O war ruinations but Anejo 49s dont do it

 

[Deathskin]

I also learned that I can get knocked out by cigars labeled medium and not feel a thing from certain ones labeled strong.

UF13 put me on my ass (nausea for 45 min), as did Man O war ruinations but Anejo 49s dont do it

aint it funny how that happens i got floored by a medium stick and i for the most part smoke strong gars

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I learned over the past year that i truly love cigars far more than i ever anticipated i would. I'm all in

 

[Phishman]

I've learned that I have too many special occasion smokes and not nearly enough special occasions!!!! Lol

 

[MDSPHOTO]

EVERYTHING! I'd smoked cigars on and off for 10-years, and this year realized I had no idea what I was doing when it came to storing, smoking, lighting and enjoying a cigar. Finding this site taught me everything I had been lacking in my enjoyment of cigars. I still have a ton to learn, but now I am smoking sticks with a renewed enthusiasm. I've also learned that I probably smoke slower than any human on the planet.

Thanks BOTL!

 

[Kingpin]

I think the biggest thing I learned this year was to just slow down and enjoy/savor your cigar.

 

[mofo]

I learned I'm not the only one who like to sniff his humidor...

 

[jeffturneraz]

I learned everything, as I started smoking in July of 2013.

I am still in the initial stage, to some degree, where I'm still smoking all types of different things.

I learned a ton about storage, I learned that I like a certain size....

I think one thing I did not learn that I look forward to learning in 2014, is more about the construction and what about that I like.

I see people say things like, "well, they do have a Nicaraguan filler with SA wrappers, but if they went back to CBL that would be awesome"

I know what those statements mean in the literal sense, but I don't know what I like.

I know what brands I like, but I don't really know why, I haven't really looked deeply into what filler, what wrapper was used and put 2 and 2 together on a common theme of construction with all the cigars I do like.

That I want to focus more on and learn more in 2014.

Then when I hear about a new cigar coming out, I can read what it is made up of, and get an idea ahead of time as opposed to just going in blind and lighting it up.