We're all someone's bitch 
What has cigar has made you rethink your preferences (this could be brand, blend or vendor)
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ChefBoyRG54
BoM Sept '14 & BoY 2014
And here I am having thought the lance was the best cyb lol
jonnylieberman
Ask Me About Outrage
In that spirit, Don Pepin Blue. Not super sexy, very well distributed, and not $$$. That's my go to stick. Love them.
BOTL changed the game for me. I used to have a savings account and smoke cheap cigars. My aha moment was smoking a Tat black. From there I have expanded my cigar search and have found I really like crowned heads.
Yup. Ditto in BOTL changing everything.
I would also add years ago, Drew Estate made a cigar with Kahlua. I'm not partial to flavor cigars, but this thing was amazing! People who didn't smoke cigars would come up and ask about that stick, cause the aroma was like Kahlua and coffee. I heard that Kahlua no longer wanted to be associated with tobacco products and that's the reason they were no longer made, not sure but it's a shame. This was a hand made cigar, with long fillers with a taste of Kahlua, wow. Every now and then I'll grab a DE Tabak Belicoso Dulce, but what I reallly want is another Kahlua cigar! I've got two that I refuse to smoke, but I guess I can't hold them forever.
For me a game changer were the Tatuaje Havana VI regular and Verocu sticks. I was almost exclusively a maduro guy until I met those 2 sticks.
And then I tried a Tatuaje Jekyll..........let's just say my wallet and humidor haven't been the same sense.
And then I tried a Tatuaje Jekyll..........let's just say my wallet and humidor haven't been the same sense.
The first big game changer for me was La Aurora Barrel Aged. It really hooked me and drug me into the world of well crafted premium sticks.
Then it was the H. Upmann Half Corona and Partagas Serie D. That was like somebody screaming, "Hey asshole here's a real cigar." I still have a lust for Cuban cigars. I just don't have the budget to get into buying pricey cigars to sit for a year.
The Tatuaje TAA 2014 was what turned me on to the Tat brand. Before that I just thought they were an over hyped brand. I have really enjoyed several other Tats. I just hate that price tag.
Hoyo De Monterey maduro and Montecristo Afrique made me realize that you can get some really good cigars for under $5.00 that will hold their own against $6 or $7 dollar cigars. (Some rest required.)
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature maduros turned me on to that deep dark Dominican taste. It isn't something I can really describe. It is something that has been uniquely Fuente in my experience. It is something that other cigars have a hint of, but nothing as deep and rich.
Then it was the H. Upmann Half Corona and Partagas Serie D. That was like somebody screaming, "Hey asshole here's a real cigar." I still have a lust for Cuban cigars. I just don't have the budget to get into buying pricey cigars to sit for a year.
The Tatuaje TAA 2014 was what turned me on to the Tat brand. Before that I just thought they were an over hyped brand. I have really enjoyed several other Tats. I just hate that price tag.
Hoyo De Monterey maduro and Montecristo Afrique made me realize that you can get some really good cigars for under $5.00 that will hold their own against $6 or $7 dollar cigars. (Some rest required.)
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature maduros turned me on to that deep dark Dominican taste. It isn't something I can really describe. It is something that has been uniquely Fuente in my experience. It is something that other cigars have a hint of, but nothing as deep and rich.
Game changers... hmm, that is tough... I can do MAJOR milestones:
1985 Unknown Bundle Stick - First Handmade while in USN
1986 Unknown Premium - Still in USN but shared with me by my OPS Officer
1986 - 1989 - My Single Only Phase
1989 First Whole Box - AF Hemingway Signatures
1989 First Box Addiction - La Gloria Cubana Churchill Maduro
1989 - 1994 - Went Cigar Crazy - if it was made, I smoked it... with some ISOMs sprinkled in. Start of my Cigar Collecting Phase.
1993 - Bolivar Belicoso Fino - this cigar started my Habano Only Phase (HOP) - about 90% of the cigars I smoked were Cubans only for 6+ years.
1998 - End of my Cigar Collecting Phase - absurd number of cigars still, but no more collector obsession.
1999 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 - Ended my HOP - I was blown away by oomph and body of this stick. It brought me back to smoking NC.
2000 - Brand Creation Phase - Went to work with JR Cigar - got into creating cigar brands. Still in this phase...
2006 - Blend Creation Phase - Liga Privada No. 9 - First blend that was crafted expressly for my own likes, it was like building the woman in Weird Science - it was perfect.
Today, 90% of what I smoke is blends I have been integral in creating or am currently working on... the other 10% or so is a mix other people's work, both CC and NC. I am still in the 2000 & 2006 phases and doubt that will change until I retire again.
This is a very short history as the conservative estimate of the # of handmade cigars I have smoked in the last 30 years is in excess of 55,000 puros.
BR,
STS
1985 Unknown Bundle Stick - First Handmade while in USN
1986 Unknown Premium - Still in USN but shared with me by my OPS Officer
1986 - 1989 - My Single Only Phase
1989 First Whole Box - AF Hemingway Signatures
1989 First Box Addiction - La Gloria Cubana Churchill Maduro
1989 - 1994 - Went Cigar Crazy - if it was made, I smoked it... with some ISOMs sprinkled in. Start of my Cigar Collecting Phase.
1993 - Bolivar Belicoso Fino - this cigar started my Habano Only Phase (HOP) - about 90% of the cigars I smoked were Cubans only for 6+ years.
1998 - End of my Cigar Collecting Phase - absurd number of cigars still, but no more collector obsession.
1999 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 - Ended my HOP - I was blown away by oomph and body of this stick. It brought me back to smoking NC.
2000 - Brand Creation Phase - Went to work with JR Cigar - got into creating cigar brands. Still in this phase...
2006 - Blend Creation Phase - Liga Privada No. 9 - First blend that was crafted expressly for my own likes, it was like building the woman in Weird Science - it was perfect.
Today, 90% of what I smoke is blends I have been integral in creating or am currently working on... the other 10% or so is a mix other people's work, both CC and NC. I am still in the 2000 & 2006 phases and doubt that will change until I retire again.
This is a very short history as the conservative estimate of the # of handmade cigars I have smoked in the last 30 years is in excess of 55,000 puros.
BR,
STS
Can you share which brands you created for JR? They are actually my closest shop.
Steve I don't care if I get labeled fan boy or whatever but I've enjoyed every interview you've had and I find that your career in tobaccos is fascinating and inspired me to begin learning more about seed/leaf variants and leaf primings etc. with that said, I can't wait to try the sobremesa (I hope I spelled that right) and I wish you nothing but the best with Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust. Thanks for dropping cool stories and info about this hobby/ industry we all love!
I am a HUGE Nicaraguan fan; 8 out of 10 times if not reaching for an ISOM, I am reaching for a Nicaraguan or Brazilian but recently, I was turned on to Leaf by Oscar and all things Crowned Heads. I have smoked nothing but these sticks for the past month or so and my eyes have been re-opened to DR and other fine tobaccos.
I am anxiously waiting for CH to come with their Nicaraguan puro too!
I am anxiously waiting for CH to come with their Nicaraguan puro too!
Mikenice81: No I can't, when I was at JR I worked for them as an "executive consultant" and it would be inappropriate for me to take credit for anything. Plus it would be dishonest, no product during my tenure there could ever be credited to any single person - lots of great people were involved in the making of their blends and brands. The only person during my tenure that could make a legit claim imo is the former owner and my friend, Lew Rothman.
Luckybastard: Thanks for the kind words, I do appreciate them. The "fanboy" issue is a sticky one... Look I am guilty of being one myself for certain makers and brands and I know I like to lend my personal support and express my admiration for them and their work also. And I know it is nice to hear from consumers that they appreciate what you contribute to the cigar world, it is always reaffirming to receive honest praise. The key word in that sentence is "honest" - I know there are some fanboys that just post praise that is unwarranted at times. Also there are some that are being 100% legit, but they praise you too often and well while that might boost the receiver's ego, it is actually counterproductive. I mean there is nothing more irritating to other readers than always reading "bromance" posts, it can actually turn people against you or your product for no other reason than they are tired of reading about how great you or it may be. So when I see someone's praise that reaches that level I typically reach out to person privately and let them know that I really do appreciate their support, but ask them to be a bit more judicious in how often and to what degree they post their positive comments. It is a very tough balancing act and one that is impossible to ever do perfectly.
Luckybastard: Thanks for the kind words, I do appreciate them. The "fanboy" issue is a sticky one... Look I am guilty of being one myself for certain makers and brands and I know I like to lend my personal support and express my admiration for them and their work also. And I know it is nice to hear from consumers that they appreciate what you contribute to the cigar world, it is always reaffirming to receive honest praise. The key word in that sentence is "honest" - I know there are some fanboys that just post praise that is unwarranted at times. Also there are some that are being 100% legit, but they praise you too often and well while that might boost the receiver's ego, it is actually counterproductive. I mean there is nothing more irritating to other readers than always reading "bromance" posts, it can actually turn people against you or your product for no other reason than they are tired of reading about how great you or it may be. So when I see someone's praise that reaches that level I typically reach out to person privately and let them know that I really do appreciate their support, but ask them to be a bit more judicious in how often and to what degree they post their positive comments. It is a very tough balancing act and one that is impossible to ever do perfectly.
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Sort of messy - but here is cut and paste of the quick spreadsheet numbers I used to come up with that number:
Year | Cigars p/Day | Days p/Year | Total p/Year
1985 0.3 365 109.5
1986 0.3 365 109.5
1987 0.5 365 182.5
1988 0.5 365 182.5
1989 1 365 365
1990 1 365 365
1991 2 365 730
1992 2 365 730
1993 3 365 1095
1994 5 365 1825
1995 5 365 1825
1996 5 365 1825
1997 5 365 1825
1998 5 365 1825
1999 5 365 1825
2000 7 365 2555
2001 7 365 2555
2002 7 365 2555
2003 7 365 2555
2004 7 365 2555
2005 7 365 2555
2006 7 365 2555
2007 7 365 2555
2008 7 365 2555
2009 7 365 2555
2010 7 365 2555
2011 7 365 2555
2012 7 365 2555
2013 7 365 2555
2014 7 365 2555
2015 7 365 2555
=======
55,699 cigars
I said conservative because I know the daily count is probably low in many of the years...
For example I am already on cigar #4 today... 1. Test Blend Sample DTT-S-4 Toro, 2. Sobremesa Lonsdale, 3. LP Dirty Rat, and now #4 is a Federal 90th Anniversary Churchill vitola... no doubt I will smoke at least four more today looking at the clock - benefit of #1 not paying retail, #2 it is my job to actually smoke cigars, and #3 being able to smoke in my office, truck, home, etc... pretty much everywhere.
When in Nica I easily smoke 10+ daily...
I do not encourage anyone to consume so many cigars, it really is quite absurd.
BR,
STS
Year | Cigars p/Day | Days p/Year | Total p/Year
1985 0.3 365 109.5
1986 0.3 365 109.5
1987 0.5 365 182.5
1988 0.5 365 182.5
1989 1 365 365
1990 1 365 365
1991 2 365 730
1992 2 365 730
1993 3 365 1095
1994 5 365 1825
1995 5 365 1825
1996 5 365 1825
1997 5 365 1825
1998 5 365 1825
1999 5 365 1825
2000 7 365 2555
2001 7 365 2555
2002 7 365 2555
2003 7 365 2555
2004 7 365 2555
2005 7 365 2555
2006 7 365 2555
2007 7 365 2555
2008 7 365 2555
2009 7 365 2555
2010 7 365 2555
2011 7 365 2555
2012 7 365 2555
2013 7 365 2555
2014 7 365 2555
2015 7 365 2555
=======
55,699 cigars
I said conservative because I know the daily count is probably low in many of the years...
For example I am already on cigar #4 today... 1. Test Blend Sample DTT-S-4 Toro, 2. Sobremesa Lonsdale, 3. LP Dirty Rat, and now #4 is a Federal 90th Anniversary Churchill vitola... no doubt I will smoke at least four more today looking at the clock - benefit of #1 not paying retail, #2 it is my job to actually smoke cigars, and #3 being able to smoke in my office, truck, home, etc... pretty much everywhere.
When in Nica I easily smoke 10+ daily...
I do not encourage anyone to consume so many cigars, it really is quite absurd.
BR,
STS
Heresy. I liked the lancero first, but already tried the lonsdale and corona... it made me take a second look at the entire CyB line.
The LP9 showed me that I didn't have to be a pepper-chaser. Prior to smoking that LP9, I only liked cigars with pepper and spice... or at least I thought I did.