cgraunke
BoM March '14
Hello all!
My name is Clint. I'm new to the world of cigars but have already spent enough time lurking around on this site that I figured I had better jump in and meet the locals! I'm prior service military, collector of award winning body art, love firearms, electronics, riding my motorcycle, and chilling in front of a good movie. Need more time (& money) for all of the above!
As long as I can remember I've had utter disgust for cigarette smoking, but always found myself intrigued with the scent of cigar & pipe tobacco. I've just never made the decision to explore that avenue myself.
I'm newly married, just got hitched to an amazing beautiful woman of my dreams earlier this summer.
At the bachelor party, my best man brought cigars out the range when we went shooting and handed me an ACID Deep Dish. By the end, my head was swimming and I was in love with the sweet, smokey nuances left in my mouth. But I left it at that, just a bachelor party cigar. Then, at our reception, one of my groomsmen (who is also and old roommate who appreciates a nice pipe as well as a fine cigar, not sure why I didn't get into this with him back then) gave me my own little cigar starter kit; a basic cutter and lighter, 30ct humidor, and a selection of CAO Blacks, Cohiba Red Dots and Montecristo Classics. All downhill from there!
I've since ordered numerouse sample packs trying to pinpoint exactly where my preferences might lie. (to no avail) I've been through most of the ACID line as well as some other infused/flavored brands and found there is definitely a difference between a good infused cigar and a cheap flavored one. But hey, different strokes, right?
But I've also seen the differences between the ACIDs and a non-infused cigar, and noticed how much of the true "cigar flavor" the sweetness tends to cover up. So far, I think I'm a Madura or Sumatra man, but I get this feeling this pastime will leave a lot to be learned no matter how long I play the game. I've also found myself becoming a bit of a Drew Estates fanboy, caught some deals and got into a few Opulence 3, Undercrown, and LP#9, and have been toying with a MUWAT purchase as of late.
I fancy myself a saavy shopper, a deal finder and a bit of a completist in nature. (some would say OCD) I've started to compile a growing spreadsheet of prices to reference between sites and different sales, something I can check at a glance to help me judge if/when to jump on a promotion. But, I've quickly learned I need to spend more time smoking and less time shopping. I've outgrown the 30ct humidor, as well as a 50ct I got as part of a sampler package, and now have 2 tupperdor full, one for infused and one not. Was considering a coolerdor, but I just snagged a couple 125ct units off the sprint sale at a steal and am anxious to transfer into those shortly.
Now I'm most excited to really focus on experiencing each cigar and expanding further into the styles and/or brands I find myself enjoying more than the rest.
We just moved to Maple Grove and I'm real close to Tobacco Grove. I haven't stopped in to check it out yet, but if any BOTL are nearby and would like to teach me a thing or two, give me a shout!
My name is Clint. I'm new to the world of cigars but have already spent enough time lurking around on this site that I figured I had better jump in and meet the locals! I'm prior service military, collector of award winning body art, love firearms, electronics, riding my motorcycle, and chilling in front of a good movie. Need more time (& money) for all of the above!
As long as I can remember I've had utter disgust for cigarette smoking, but always found myself intrigued with the scent of cigar & pipe tobacco. I've just never made the decision to explore that avenue myself.
I'm newly married, just got hitched to an amazing beautiful woman of my dreams earlier this summer.
At the bachelor party, my best man brought cigars out the range when we went shooting and handed me an ACID Deep Dish. By the end, my head was swimming and I was in love with the sweet, smokey nuances left in my mouth. But I left it at that, just a bachelor party cigar. Then, at our reception, one of my groomsmen (who is also and old roommate who appreciates a nice pipe as well as a fine cigar, not sure why I didn't get into this with him back then) gave me my own little cigar starter kit; a basic cutter and lighter, 30ct humidor, and a selection of CAO Blacks, Cohiba Red Dots and Montecristo Classics. All downhill from there!
I've since ordered numerouse sample packs trying to pinpoint exactly where my preferences might lie. (to no avail) I've been through most of the ACID line as well as some other infused/flavored brands and found there is definitely a difference between a good infused cigar and a cheap flavored one. But hey, different strokes, right?
But I've also seen the differences between the ACIDs and a non-infused cigar, and noticed how much of the true "cigar flavor" the sweetness tends to cover up. So far, I think I'm a Madura or Sumatra man, but I get this feeling this pastime will leave a lot to be learned no matter how long I play the game. I've also found myself becoming a bit of a Drew Estates fanboy, caught some deals and got into a few Opulence 3, Undercrown, and LP#9, and have been toying with a MUWAT purchase as of late.
I fancy myself a saavy shopper, a deal finder and a bit of a completist in nature. (some would say OCD) I've started to compile a growing spreadsheet of prices to reference between sites and different sales, something I can check at a glance to help me judge if/when to jump on a promotion. But, I've quickly learned I need to spend more time smoking and less time shopping. I've outgrown the 30ct humidor, as well as a 50ct I got as part of a sampler package, and now have 2 tupperdor full, one for infused and one not. Was considering a coolerdor, but I just snagged a couple 125ct units off the sprint sale at a steal and am anxious to transfer into those shortly.
Now I'm most excited to really focus on experiencing each cigar and expanding further into the styles and/or brands I find myself enjoying more than the rest.
We just moved to Maple Grove and I'm real close to Tobacco Grove. I haven't stopped in to check it out yet, but if any BOTL are nearby and would like to teach me a thing or two, give me a shout!
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