How do pick the right Cigar?

[solo.ace13]

Hey brothers,
I'm new to cigars and just recently started trying new brands. I'm getting magazine and online deals. There are so many brands out there. How do you know when to pull the trigger on a good deal? Or when you are just buying cheap cigars?

 

[ga_stogies]

Research and exploration are your best friends. I would say to try and get an idea for what you like as far as flavors, strength, and body and then from there you will be able to determine what types of cigars and brands you will prefer.

as far as deals go your best bet is to explore all of the different websites out there as internet retailers are far cheaper then b&m's

Have you tried anything recently that really stuck with you?

 

[solo.ace13]

Thanks for responding 👍
La Riqueza, Buenaventura, La Dueña by My Father cigars.

 

[davewittwer]

Thanks for responding ��
La Riqueza, Buenaventura, La Dueña by My Father cigars.

That La Riqueza is a sleeper. Doesn't get the love it deserves!!! Enjoy

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

I have built a relationship with my local B&M, when I go in there, one of the guys usually points me to something I haven't tried before, based on what I've smoked previously. I've gotten a few misses that way, but, by and large, I get hits. One of my favorites was pointed to me in that manner.

Also, what I think is the "right cigar" may not be the "right cigar" for you. Yes, the B&M route may be pricier, but I usually purchase singles rather than by the box. Once I get to the box position, I will still do singles from the B&M.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Like dtgw said, buy singles and test things out before committing to a deal for quantity. It's not a deal if you don't like it and remember, deals will ALWAYS be there later

 

[jcazz]

Also I would add, don't make the mistake of buying a box right away if you find something you think you like. Get through a 5-pack (or a few 5-packs) before committing to a box. I've got some hiding away in my cooler that were "good deals" at the time, but no longer suite my pallet.

 

[Eric_kruger]

Also when you buy singles, keep track of what you like/dislike in a notebook. This is what I have been doing and I've come to find out I tend to favor something I thought I didn't. It also keeps you from forgetting what you have tried.

 

[ga_stogies]

Also, what I think is the "right cigar" may not be the "right cigar" for you. Yes, the B&M route may be pricier, but I usually purchase singles rather than by the box. Once I get to the box position, I will still do singles from the B&M.

Oh I agree whole heartedly that the B&M route is great when you are trying to figure out what you like. I was more referencing his comment on finding deals when I said internet retailers are cheaper.

 

[jonesry09]

The way I figured out what I liked is by smoking with other people. We would switch off and on who would bring the smokes and that way it was almost always something new. There was a decent group of us and everyone would delegate smokes to each guy. It was a great way to get some variety and to try things you never would otherwise. Plus, smoking with buddies is so much more fun than alone hahah

 

[mark_j]

You will waste far less money buying "more expensive" cigars at the B&M when you're getting started. You can get personalized recommendations and its easier to buy just 1 or 2 sticks. Your exposure to risk is much lower because you are not making stabs in the dark at 5-packs. Buying stuff online to try is a good way to end up with a humidor of sticks you really don't want to smoke.

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

Also, what I think is the "right cigar" may not be the "right cigar" for you. Yes, the B&M route may be pricier, but I usually purchase singles rather than by the box. Once I get to the box position, I will still do singles from the B&M.

Oh I agree whole heartedly that the B&M route is great when you are trying to figure out what you like. I was more referencing his comment on finding deals when I said internet retailers are cheaper.

Yeah, no, I wasn't calling you out in any way, shape or form... As a general rule, B&M's tend to be pricier... They have an overhead...

 

[BrewinHooligan]

All of the above is sound advice. You have to smoke a lot and keep track of what you like and dislike about what you are smoking. Do some research into the tobacco that is in the stick, especially the wrapper. Once you are familiar with the tobaccos that you enjoy, and also that tobaccos that you don't care for, it makes choosing sticks easier.

 

[Cigary43]

All of the above is sound advice. You have to smoke a lot and keep track of what you like and dislike about what you are smoking. Do some research into the tobacco that is in the stick, especially the wrapper. Once you are familiar with the tobaccos that you enjoy, and also that tobaccos that you don't care for, it makes choosing sticks easier.

This is the best way IMO....it's too hard to try and tell another person what they should smoke because it's all about individual tastes and the only thing we can do is tell you to jump right into this but do it with some common sense. Your tastes are going to change so understand that right off. New enthusiasts are usually overwhelmed by all of the different brands....don't let that dissuade you...start with some mild to medium cigars and get some experience with those so you can actually taste it....medium to full will most likely overwhelm your taste buds...think of it like drinking whiskey or Scotch in that some brands really pack a punch and if you're not used to the taste it will probably leave you with a very negative impression so the idea is that you are "training" your taste buds. Just enjoy the journey and it's fun to see what you like.

 

[ga_stogies]

[\QUOTE]Yeah, no, I wasn't calling you out in any way, shape or form... As a general rule, B&M's tend to be pricier... They have an overhead...[/QUOTE]

Ha I didn't think you were calling me out. I just wanted to clarify so that when some new brothers come across the thread they get some good info :thumbsup:

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

[\QUOTE]Yeah, no, I wasn't calling you out in any way, shape or form... As a general rule, B&M's tend to be pricier... They have an overhead...

Ha I didn't think you were calling me out. I just wanted to clarify so that when some new brothers come across the thread they get some good info :thumbsup:[/QUOTE]

Well then, we all good!!

 

[Jesse]

The way I figured out what I liked is by smoking with other people. We would switch off and on who would bring the smokes and that way it was almost always something new. There was a decent group of us and everyone would delegate smokes to each guy. It was a great way to get some variety and to try things you never would otherwise. Plus, smoking with buddies is so much more fun than alone hahah

For a second there I thought you said you switch off the cigars your smoking with each other. haha Sicko's

You will waste far less money buying "more expensive" cigars at the B&M when you're getting started. You can get personalized recommendations and its easier to buy just 1 or 2 sticks. Your exposure to risk is much lower because you are not making stabs in the dark at 5-packs. Buying stuff online to try is a good way to end up with a humidor of sticks you really don't want to smoke.

I started off like this, going to the local shops and seeing what they had. I would buy about 4 or 5 sticks at a time and see what I like, once I found something then I would buy a fiver on line. Getting in on the newbie trade thread helped cause I could tell the guy what I kind of like and he sent me a few that were similar that I wouldn't have looked at in the store.

 

[Passprotection]

Personally I try to go with what's recommended at multiple sites and l also look for similar flavor profiles to my likings.

 

[rdomfoto]

You've also made a great start by asking that question here.

There are several brothers who live in AZ and are probably near you, so try arranging a herf. As much as I have learned here (and I've learned A LOT), being able to talk to the guys in person has been invaluable. For example, a bunch of the local guys near me (dscl, FourKicksFan, JDog, Romulus Cogswell...) have forgotten more about cigars than I will ever know. Hanging with them has been great in that they will ask me if I am liking a particular cigar that I am smoking and then they will tell me that I should try such and such, based on my answer.

I was lucky in that I fell into my favorite cigar by chance, having had it suggested to me by the guy who was working the Davidoff kiosk in the Paris hotel in Vegas. But being able to meet up with the people I've come to respect and whose company I enjoy has really been the catalyst for my learning. Not just sticks I like but introducing me to new brands that are similar to cigars I enjoy as well as learning how to distinguish and identify flavors, etc.

 

[solo.ace13]

Thank you gentlemen for taking the time to respond. I will take your solid advice and run with it. I normally try something new every weekend. I keep the bands of the stuff I like. This past weekend I saw a thread on here I thinks its cigar deals. I noticed fellow members jumping at certain deals. I guess I didn't want to miss out.
But what I take from your advice is this.
Talk to other or more experienced members.
Participate in a herf.
There will always be deals online.
Buy single sticks before pulling the trigger on a box or even a 5 packs.

Thank you guys for all the solid advice. I really appreciate it. I'm going to write this stuff down.