Some recommendations for a newb

[Ibowtobacon]

Hey everyone, I am new to the site and in Portland OR.
I have my first humidor seasoned and a couple reject cigars to start with (Don't wanna risk a good stick.) Everything is ready now.
I need some recomendations to stock my humi, I enjoy full flavored cigars, Maduro, robustos, and open to any brand or type really.
Exited to start my hobby with cigars and with this community.

 

[PamunkeyHub]

Welcome. There are so many brands on the market it's easy to get lost. Take a look at the Today's Smoke thread and you'll notice some common themes. When it comes to cigars, I feel that you generally get what you pay for and I personally enjoy Fuente God of Fire, Fuente OpusX, Crowned Heads (especially the yearly Angel's Anvil release), RomaCraft, Padron 50th Anniversary Maduro, Herrera Esteli, Liga Privada Unico Serie, and on the CC side Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Bolivar, H. Upmann, and Trinidad among many others (don't waste your money on the NC versions, though).

 

[ZippoGeek]

Welcome brother! Ligas are always a wonderful full-bodied smoke. Try yourself a tin of Papas Fritas. Kapow!

 

[StogieNinja]

Don't start stocking up now, just sample stuff. Get involved in the Newbie Sampler Trade here, for starters, and just try everything you can.

As far as recommendations, what cigars have you liked, and what particular aspects do you like? There are a bazillion maduro robustos that range from the mild side of medium to the fullest of the full; what have you tried that you really liked? That will help guide recommendations for you, otherwise its kinda just shooting in the dark.

Also, see if there's a reputable brick and mortar cigar shop near you (a real one that specializes in cigars, not one of those strip-mall cigars-n-glass-pipes places!), and ask the guy behind the counter to give you some good recommendations.

 

[Ibowtobacon]

Don't start stocking up now, just sample stuff. Get involved in the Newbie Sampler Trade here, for starters, and just try everything you can.

As far as recommendations, what cigars have you liked, and what particular aspects do you like? There are a bazillion maduro robustos that range from the mild side of medium to the fullest of the full; what have you tried that you really liked? That will help guide recommendations for you, otherwise its kinda just shooting in the dark.

Also, see if there's a reputable brick and mortar cigar shop near you (a real one that specializes in cigars, not one of those strip-mall cigars-n-glass-pipes places!), and ask the guy behind the counter to give you some good recommendations.

I have tried several brands and types,
Casa magna Colorado
Olivia V series
Padron 1964 anv.
AF hemmingway
Finishing up on a CAO Brazillia now,
I guess I have tried some of the more Common "big hitters."
Luckily I live next to several B&M's that are reliable. Looking for something to try in a 5 pack or just a couple sticks of something new

 

[navyvet]

Aging room f55 concerto,davidoff Nicaragua , Casa turrent, Ashton esg and vsg, la improsia, tat cconju, tat verocu, get through those

 

[ZippoGeek]

Aging room f55 concerto,davidoff Nicaragua , Casa turrent, Ashton esg and vsg, la improsia, tat cconju, tat verocu, get through those

Davidoff Nicaragua is a world-class stick!! Unfortunately, so is the price...

 

[navyvet]

Davidoff Nicaragua is a world-class stick!! Unfortunately, so is the price...

but it is so delicious

 

[braden]

Welcome dude! Some recommendations at each price point:

Cheap every day sticks:
Diesel Unholy Cocktail and Diesel Unlimited
Man o War Puro Authentico
The Judge
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990

Mid-range price:
Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label
Illusione HL Maduro
Oliva Serie V
Tatuaje brown label
Padron 1964 anniversary
Oliva Serie V Melanio

Super premiums:
Padron 1926 Anniversary
Liga Privada Feral Flying Pig
Opus X (any one)


Honestly though anything by Tatuaje, Illusione, Liga Privada and Padron is at least worth a try.

 

[knw247]

I recommend getting a some samplers by strength famous smokes sells fivers by strength. After you dial in where your palate is at what range start to look at samplers by brand. Tatujua, Pepin Garcia, crowned heads, warped, padron, Ashton and fuente would be good brands to start with. When you find sticks you really like get fivers of them. Your taste will change in the first two to three years so stay away from box purchases until you know you love a Stick. We can all tell you our favs but you need to discover your favs. Only you can take that journey

 

[Wasatch_B]

great recommendations in here

 

[jmcdaniel0]

I started smoking roughly 5 years ago. I am still buying samplers. I like the variety. My favorite brands right now are Gurkha, Romeo y Julieta, and Drew Estate. Honestly, I go online to my favorite cigar site, and find Samplers by brand, and I try out several of a single brand. Or, Ill get a sampler by style of cigar (Im a churchill guy) and try out a few brands. You really cant go wrong.

 

[squaresoft]

do yourself a favor and go onto Thompsons and do the 5pack frenzy to get 5ers of headly grange, jericho hill, la imperiosa, and l'aranga for 80 bucks. That deal is hard to beat, and they're all exceptional sticks

 

[Ga Gator]

Best sampler I've seen in a while add this to your humidor then shop your local B&M and add everyday smokes that others have suggested

http://www.newhavanacigars.com/Big_Game_2016_NHC_Sampler_of_8_p/nhc-big-game-2016-sampler-8.htm



Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[jmcdaniel0]

The most recent sampler I bought, is:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/samplers/65030/gurkhas-gargantuan-grab-bag-sampler/#p-91687

It is very nice, kinda hard to say what you will get because it does vary day by day. However, I am about halfway through this most recent batch, and I am loving every one so far. Even burn, nice draw, and excellent flavor.

 

[omahaorange]

If you have a reliable b&m look for the Romeo Anejo by RyJ. Haven't found them on line, but several shops around me sell, and I get a decent box price from my favorite cigar bar. This is one of my favorite smokes.

 

[rykwon]

Welcome aboard to a great cigar forum. Hope you found 82nd pipe and tobacco. Great selection and prices. 11th street liquor has a pretty good selection with great prices. Rich's cigar downtown has huge selection, but prices are a little more. Enjoy!

 

[sofc]

do yourself a favor and go onto Thompsons and do the 5pack frenzy to get 5ers of headly grange, jericho hill, la imperiosa, and l'aranga for 80 bucks. That deal is hard to beat, and they're all exceptional sticks

Agreed.

Also the Ezra Zion blending sessions for $4 each.

 

[rykwon]

Or if you want, send me your snail mail addy and I'll send you a few, you can sample

 

[Metallifan33]

I was thinking about this the other day and here is the conclusion I've reached (read: untested hypothesis):
In the beginning, in general, try to match the intensity of cigar with the intensity of food you like.
Basically, if you like really spicy, flavorful food (e.g. Thai or Indian food), I'd try peppery, full bodied cigars (Chef Steve's choice - My Father Le Bijou 1922 in torpedo or an Illusione Rothchilds)
If you like food with some taste but not too spicy or filling (e.g. Mexican, Italian, or American version Chinese food), try something medium bodied (Chef Steve's choice - El Gueguense CG or a Padron 1964 in Natural)
If you like "bland food" (IMO most American food ... pizza, burgers, etc), try medium to light stuff to start with (Chef Steve's choice - Flor De Las Antillas, maybe a Cohiba).
If you eat salads, try Virginia Slims or join a book club or something.
Definitely look up how to taste a cigar (how to retrohale, how often to take a draw etc.)... this made all the difference in the world to me.