New to CC

[JWBurns]

New to this section of the forum and seeking advice on my first CC purchase. In my research, I've learned that singles and 5 packs are rare, so before I commit to a box purchase I wanted to seek the advice of this fine group first.

I just took up cigars this year, and have amassed a shoebox sized (Tupperware) collection of which I'm quite proud of. I've poured over this forum (well before finally registering) and others, as well as you tube channels, review websites, magazine publications, all in an attempt to learn and digest all I can about this great hobby.
Special thanks to @StogieNinja for his guideance along the way.

My tastes have led me to love offerings from Padron, Drew Estate, and Tatuaje as my top favorite brands thus far. My first cigar ever was a Padron 2000, since then I've been hooked! I loved Padron before I knew it was cool lol.

In my research, Cohiba and MonteCristo come up as great options to foray into CC's.. But I'm lost on specifics and the flavors they offer. My ideal flavors (for the CC's) would be dessert style. Coco, caramel, cream, fruity, floral. I'd want to steer away from earthy, vegetal, spicy flavors. I'm indifferent on Vitola, but I prefer a common ring gauge and nothing too large. I'm also not a wealthy man, but I'm willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a nice box of cigars.

Hopefully I've provided enough parameters to garner some advice. If I've missed anything please say so! Thanks!!

 

[Cigary43]

You're in good company as far as taking Ninjas advice....others will probably give you some pointers in what is in your wheelhouse but for a newb just coming into the CC world....RASS won't disappoint and it's a cigar that won't break your wallet and also Cohiba Secretos...just a couple of personal fav's.

 

[ItsBarbarino]

Welcome,
There's a lot of threads like this on this forum (I guess because you can't "sample" Cuban cigars in the states), about recommendations of box purchase; and really, imo, it all comes down on personal taste. My advice would be to browse back through "What CC are you smoking?", and see what folks are smoking a lot of, cause law of averages says you'll like it too.

If it were me, I would steer clear of Monte and Cohiba (Montecristo is inconsistent, and I think Cohiba is overpriced). I would check out H. Upmann Conny 1, or PC's. Maybe some RyJ stuff, although some can be floral/vegetal; try the Ex. 4 maybe.
You may not like (but don't avoid!) Partagas or Bolivar.

Try as much as possible, if you don't like it, you can find another venue to trade or resell them; as long as they're not damaged or over MSRP, someone will buy it.

 

[Cigary43]

Welcome,
There's a lot of threads like this on this forum (I guess because you can't "sample" Cuban cigars in the states), about recommendations of box purchase; and really, imo, it all comes down on personal taste. My advice would be to browse back through "What CC are you smoking?", and see what folks are smoking a lot of, cause law of averages says you'll like it too.

If it were me, I would steer clear of Monte and Cohiba (Montecristo is inconsistent, and I think Cohiba is overpriced). I would check out H. Upmann Conny 1, or PC's. Maybe some RyJ stuff, although some can be floral/vegetal; try the Ex. 4 maybe.
You may not like (but don't avoid!) Partagas or Bolivar.

Try as much as possible, if you don't like it, you can find another venue to trade or resell them; as long as they're not damaged or over MSRP, someone will buy it.

The Cohiba Secretos can be had for around $180 for a box of 25....4.25 x 40 and while they are a bit smaller vitola you still get that great Cohiba flavor. I agree that the Espys and Siglos will turn your wallet inside out but that's a cigar further down the road for newbies. You are right on the mark with Partagas and Boli's...JLP's are a good cigar for newbs and I used to smoke them by the boxload at a great price.

 

[StogieNinja]

I would look at:

HdM Ep2 - sweet cream, some cocoa
ERDM Choix Supreme (a recent discovery for me!) - some floral, sweetness, cocoa
SLR A - some floral, cocoa
Juan Lopez No 1 - sweet cream, caramel
Quay D'Orsay corona - sweet cream

I think these are going to be more along the lines of a dessert cigar than Cohiba or Monte. The CoRo has some caramel, and the Montes are beautiful cocoa and cream combos when on, but based on your overall expressed profile, I think the above will fit the fill a little better for you.

 

[RacFocus]

Maybe look into a couple different 10ct boxes? That way you aren't committing to a 25 ct and you get a couple different brands. Monte has a couple options, R&J has a couple. Upmann has a couple 10cts.


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[D Quintero]

Add
any Hoyo le du series
&
R&J mille fleur and / or coronita en cedro

 

[AlohaStyle]

My ideal flavors (for the CC's) would be dessert style. Coco, caramel, cream, fruity, floral. I'd want to steer away from earthy, vegetal, spicy flavors. I'm indifferent on Vitola, but I prefer a common ring gauge and nothing too large. I'm also not a wealthy man, but I'm willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a nice box of cigars.

You say you like Tat, Padron and Drew Estate... those are pretty full tasting cigars. Are you trying to do the opposite with cubans? Also, are you wanting to stay away from earthy, spicy etc because you don't like those at all?

Based on what you say you are looking for, what pops into my mind is Por Larranaga, La Gloria Cubana, Qdo (has been great the last couple years IMO) and El Rey del Mundo. But if you are looking for a stronger full cigar, then those first three will not do it. And I most definitely would put Montecristo and Cohiba on your list. Monte #4's are a great pc and splurge on a Cohiba Robusto or Coronas Especiales when you can. I also really enjoy Upmann Conny #1 for a complex medium cigar.

Have fun!

 

[JWBurns]

You say you like Tat, Padron and Drew Estate... those are pretty full tasting cigars. Are you trying to do the opposite with cubans? Also, are you wanting to stay away from earthy, spicy etc because you don't like those at all?

Yes sir, just wanting the CC's as a special occasion box, so that's why I'm seeking these particular flavors - different that what I'm commonly smoking.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Okay, if you want something different I would definitely go with the first 3 I mentioned. Keep in mind age really can do wonders for cuban cigars so if you plan on having them be an occasional cigar, some of the caramel and other flavors will come out better as they age.

 

[StogieNinja]

I forgot about Por Larranaga. Several years down and those things just burst with caramel and mocha.

 

[Cigary43]

Holy Crap....hope you have enough money as all of our suggestions are going to set you back a few dollars. This is what happens when you ask us for help...we like to help you to the poorhouse.

 

[klittle250]

Your description sounds like Por Larranaga to me. PLPC would be ideal since they would have time to age and build that caramel flavor by the time you finished the cab (assuming they're special occasion smokes). PLP's would be a cheap way to find out if you like that profile

 

[Jfire]

New to this section of the forum and seeking advice on my first CC purchase. In my research, I've learned that singles and 5 packs are rare, so before I commit to a box purchase I wanted to seek the advice of this fine group first.
In my research, Cohiba and MonteCristo come up as great options to foray into CC's.. But I'm lost on specifics and the flavors they offer. My ideal flavors (for the CC's) would be dessert style. Coco, caramel, cream, fruity, floral. I'd want to steer away from earthy, vegetal, spicy flavors.

Caramel (sugar honey cinnamon) Cohiba
Floral Punch
Fruity RyJ (black cherry)
Cocoa cream Monte 4s
Don't like vegetal earthy spicey.
Vegetal RASS
Spicey (not many)
Earthy bolivar Monte (some)


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[samb]

I'd say la Gloria cubana, but I don't know how their constructions been lately.

 

[HollyVVOOD]

HUHC
HDM Epi No.2

 

[teamrandr]

I say try as many as you can. Your tastes may change/evolve. When I first started I thought RASS were great. Now a year later and dozens different CCs later I am not so fond anymore. You can always sell them if you end up not liking them.