Well, I'm not sure this is exactly the "few samples" that we discussed, but
@navyvet trashed my mailbox today.
Got all kinds of good stuff to try, including several that I'm told are out of production. The two you can't read in my lousy picture are Prince Andrew and War Horse.
This was incredibly generous, especially sending me a bunch of those he can't replace, and even more so since I don't know what I'm doing yet.
First on the list to try was War Horse. It's one Ryan talked about before he even mentioned he was bombing me. Tasted good, smelled very cool. Had a mint, black licorice thing going, but didn't come across as flavored or sweet. Not come across those notes in a cigar that way.
Here's my first try, using a pipe I strongly suspect was bombed to me by
@Pennywise827 .
Ryan and
@Glassman talked me through filling, tamping, lighting, praying, twerking, posing in downward dog, and all the other assorted rituals to get it going.
Of course I screwed it up, but they got me close enough to be able to enjoy my first bowl.
Thanks for everything gentlemen. More than I needed, but will help me slide down the slope.