Dear BOTL please help me on deciding what to smoke 1st v. CI sampler and some singles

[onibakushinka]

Cliffs in Bold, sorry that this is so long and that I am always asking for so much from everyone here.


Dear BOTL,

I have a dilemma and would like to hear everyones opinion on the matter. When I first started here a short time ago I went on a small rampage of buying up smokes that sounded good to me based on reviews, since I do not have any experience yet. So I believe that what I first bought have rested enough for me to start really getting into the groove of trying one after another in the coming weeks ... this will all depend on mood etc, but hope to have several a week, nothing hopefully to burn myself out but enough to start getting a good idea of what I like and dislike. I also have more stashed away "some may have seen me ask about several in, if I should buy type post" but they are in the realm of what is praised here and would like to save for later, especially being that they are suppose to be more of a medium to full bodied cigar.

I also understand that alot of this is going to be based on everyones own likes, dislikes, palette and personal experiences. Especially the fact that what someone likes will not exactly be something that will coincide with what I will like.


So what I am going to be asking for is if everyone who will kindly participate in helping me out, and will just post what they feel nothing more or less.

What I want to do is put up a list of sticks I have bought in samplers or singles and if everyone will be so kind to put them in an order from worst to best in their own opinion. The reason I want to start with the worst and go onto the best is I believe that will fit my personality type the best, I am the type to want to save that last piece of food or drink that I like to savor it and not rush into the best and have only what I do not care for left over. Also I am hoping that it will provide me an opportunity to understand what is "ok" to what is believed to be good or better.

Please understand that when I say worst I do not mean any disrespect to the brand or smoke, just that the opinion is, what ever ranked higher is enjoyed more by a particular person or persons.


I think that covers my thoughts :smile: and sorry for the long intro but I wanted to make sure that I mean no disrespect to everyone here and would only kindly ask for everyones help and opinions.




Cliffs : please help me arrange these into an order of ok to best based on what everyone has tried. Number 1 being the ok and the higest number being the best favored. Thank you




On with the list.



CI Sampler
a. 5 Vegas Gold Series Robusto
b. Bahia Blu E652 Torpedo
c. Graycliff 'G2' Pirate (torpedo)
d. Gurkha's Park Avenue Series 44 Churchill
e. Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Toro Maduro
f. Oliva Serie 'O' Robusto
g. Puros Indios Viejo Maduro Toro
h. Rocky Patel 'R4' Corojo Double Corona

Some singles
i. Olivia Series G Robusto
j. Olivia Series G Maduro
k. Don Tomas Special Edition Connecticut #600
l. Gurkha Symphony Robusto



Thank you again everyone for your time and patience with me.

hiko



p.s. any extra information ontop of what I have asked for about the smokes will also be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dave]

My suggestion is for you to stop thinking and start enjoying your cigars. I can have a tendency to overanalyze things at times. But....crap....you make me look incredibly impulsive. Smoke your cigars, brother.

 

[dpricenator]

OK man, I like you idea, but hate to rain on the parade. Most of those smokes fall in the same catergory, mediocre. the Olivas being what started me on the road.. Not that they aren't perfect to get started with, but Dave has a good idea for you. Don't analyze too much, just grab the one that catches you eye, and go for it. You may want to take notes on the cigar's components so you can start to realize what you like in a cigar. use the link in the first post of this thread http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=15010&highlight=cigar+dossier this will help YOU figure what is best for you in the future.

 

[PLUSH]

Dude,

Really? Like was said, just smoke up, take some notes and go from there. Your list, I have tried some of them, would not smoke any of them now-a-days.

 

[Cigar Cowboy]

I dont really care for too many of these. The Graycliff Pirate's are ok. The Olivia's are ok. I am not a fan of Gurkha at all. But it is what ever you like that is important.

If you want a suggestion I would make this your next sampler:

The Don Pepin Garcia ’Top 25’ Sampler:
3 - Don Pepin Garcia Blue Generoso (6" x 50)
3 - La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial No. 5 (5.5" x 52)
3 - Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1979 (5" x 50)
3 - Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles (5" x 50)
3 - San Cristobal Clasico (5" x 50)

MSRP: $117.41
Only: $49.99

Click here

 

[AlohaStyle]

Like others have said, just smoke up and see what you like. I wouldn't want to make any list to give you any preconceived ideas. People have different tastes, so who cares what I like? LOL

However, out of those, I would take the Olivas over any other. I think the Olivas are a very good value cigar.

 

[andy]

From best to worst...maybe?

Olivia Series G Maduro
Olivia Series G Robusto
Oliva Serie 'O' Robusto
Graycliff 'G2' Pirate (torpedo)
Puros Indios Viejo Maduro Toro
Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Toro Maduro
Rocky Patel 'R4' Corojo Double Corona
Bahia Blu E652 Torpedo
Gurkha Symphony Robusto
5 Vegas Gold Series Robusto
Gurkha's Park Avenue Series 44 Churchill
Don Tomas Special Edition Connecticut #600

 

[Thegreekone]

I dont really care for too many of these. The Graycliff Pirate's are ok. The Olivia's are ok. I am not a fan of Gurkha at all. But it is what ever you like that is important.

If you want a suggestion I would make this your next sampler:

The Don Pepin Garcia ’Top 25’ Sampler:
3 - Don Pepin Garcia Blue Generoso (6" x 50)
3 - La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial No. 5 (5.5" x 52)
3 - Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1979 (5" x 50)
3 - Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles (5" x 50)
3 - San Cristobal Clasico (5" x 50)

MSRP: $117.41
Only: $49.99



Click here

One of the best samplers out there in terms of quality and value.

+1

 

[ChazHollywood]

In addition to seconding Cowboy's recommendation on that sampler, I'd like to echo the "just smoke 'em" sentiment. Those all seem to be in roughly the same league. Burn through that lot as an exercise in figuring out what you like. From there you'll be in a better position to determine what makes a "better" cigar for you.

It'll help a lot if you keep notes. Doesn't have to be a whole essay on flavor nuances, either. Something as simple as "Too strong" or "Really good" will help a lot in determining what to try next, and what to stock up on.

Lastly, try not to make a final judgement on anything until you've smoked more than one.

Hope that helps.

-Charles

 

[38-50]

When trying to figure out what you like, it is a good idea to try some puros from the major cigar producing countries. Puros are comprised of only one country's tobacco and they can give you an idea of what the tobacco tastes like in general. That way you can decide if you prefer Nicaraguan, Honduran, Dominican, or Cuban tobacco and buy new cigars accordingly.

You should also go ahead and try some of the fuller bodied cigars. I prefer medium strength but end up smoking strong cigars more often than not because I like my cigars to be full flavored.

 

[Clint]

Hate to pop your balloon here, but dude! You are asking quite a bit!

Hate to s ound rude...But try what YOU want to try first...Not based on another's taste. After all, that person's taste may be a 180 degree difference of what you like.

Jot down your own notes, and go from there.

Your palate will develop...On your own, and in good time.

Have fun!!

 

[r3db4r0n]

I was in a similar perdiciment the first time I ever had a real varitey of cigars to choose from, but the only real way to figure out what you like is to just dive in. You think this is bad just wait until your humidor is filled

Happy smoking!

 

[awhitaker]

Did you mean Oliva series G or does Olivia make series G also? Olivas are good and that Indian Tabac is pretty good IMHO. I have a few in my humidor. I would try some better brands like Don Pepins, Tatuajes, Tatuaje Havanas, A. Fuentes (regular line, hemingways, opus, anejo), Padrons, Padron Anniversaries, CAO Brazilia, Ashtons, Viaje, Liga Privada and Padilla 32s and Miami. There's a bunch of everyday cigars as well as premiums in that bunch. For an every day smoke, the Padrons and Fuentes are good. As far as samplers, I would stick with the samplers of a certain maker like Pepin, Padron and Fuente. Usually those mixed bag samplers have a bunch of cigars CI or other companies are trying to get rid of because they can't sell the boxes. But from that sampler you got, you should be able to determine what leafs and flavors you like. I usually prefer the darker wrappers like maduro and the ligero blends. Just smoke what you got, take notes and soon you'll have an easier time determining what to buy next and what to never touch again. Light 'em up and enjoy. That's what it's all about.

 

[njstone]

I've gotta go with the majority here: just smoke 'em! "Best" and "worst" are really a matter of opinion anyway. I personally like Olivas, and even though they're cheap I'd rather smoke one of those than some cigars I've had that cost 3-times as much ... even though that expensive cigar was "better" to some.

Finding a cheap smoke that you like is a victory anyway

(And just to give you SOMETHING specific, my sleeper favorite in that group would be the 5 Vegas Gold. One of my favorite cigars when I first got into regularly burning sticks. Of course, I like Olivas too, and the ITC Super Fuerte--but eat something before that one.)

 

[GoingPostal]

Have to say just smoke em. its good to get opinions but the opinion that matters most is yours. In the long run it would be more benificial for you to try new smokes without any preconcieved notions. just be sure you have enough time to enjoy and taste the cigar.

 

[onibakushinka]

Thank you Thank you, everyone for your replies, I really really do appreciate the help and comments. I do not think anything that has been said is negative in anyway and do really appreciate it.

When I made the post, everything just got super over whelming lol ... I just been reading so much on here about flavors people pick up and experiences people have, and that made my brain blow a fuse.. and then some part of my brain kicked in that said "hey make a list see what everyone says" .

So with people favorites and opinions in mind, i will just dive into it and just try everything I can :stretchgr Taking notes sounds like an awesome idea and have a notebook standing by. Especially in the future I am sure it will be crazy to see how my experience differs.


So I would like to say Thank you again, I am going to go have something to eat and go smoke it up



Thank you everyone taking the time to respond so I wanted to say something back to everyone although brief
Dave Thank you for responding first and getting the ball rolling, I really do realize now how much I over-analyzed all this and that I should just enjoy like everyone says.
dpricenator thank you for the link, that does help alot , a set template will definitely help me keep organized in my record keeping.
PLUSH Thank you for the input on how you feel about this specific list, I hope that my tastes evolve in the future too, I also hope that I do find these enjoyable as well.
CigarCowboy, Thank you for the cigar sampler suggestion, it will go on my list.
AlohaStyle Thank you and I am happy to know that there is a majority in the list that is favored by someone.
Msirenoxed Thank you for your list
Thegreekone Thank you for the additional input
ChazHollywood I will keep in mind to try one twice or three times before my final decision Thank you for the suggestion.
38-50 I will look into Puros, I did not even know or consider that there would be sticks on made of a single country tobaccos to try , so thank you for the idea.
Clint you do not sound rude at all, I appreciate the input
r3db4r0n Thank you I am glad to hear that I did not go too insane and others have felt the same.
awhitaker all I know is it is the Olivia Serie G Robusto
njstone thank you for the suggestion of eating something will do, and I am happy to hear that a fav of your is in the mix. I hope I enjoy it as well.
GoingPostal will do I will set aside the appropriate time to enjoy it completely


Thank you again everyone for taking the time to read and participate in my thread.

Here I go .... :cbig:

 

[truckingtiger]

Want one that will be good always? Any Padron, any Don Pepin Garcia...you will never go wrong with those...oh, and stay away from tatujae. If you try one of those, you will go broke because it is all you will want to smoke...LOL

 

[The EVP]

I'd put the Oliva's at the top (Best) and the Rocky Patel at the bottom (even his reps cringe when asked about that smoke. Everything else.....somewhere in the middle.

 

[Thegreekone]

Want one that will be good always? Any Padron, any Don Pepin Garcia...you will never go wrong with those...oh, and stay away from tatujae. If you try one of those, you will go broke because it is all you will want to smoke...LOL

I approve this message!