Hello! and a request for advice

[schmoker]

Hi all, new person to the forum but have been a cigar enthusiast for about 14+ years. Prefer to smoke cubans since that's how it all started and my favorites include Por Larranagas (petit coronas), Partagas (SD4, shorts cab), Bolivar (BF) and almost anything medium-> full flavored with that cuban taste. I have also been enjoying other brands outside of Cuba such as Fuente (Opus and Hemingway lines) and Padron (almost anything recently). My interest has been with aging smokes and so I've been trying to pack away what I can for atleast 5+ years. Oldest smoke I've had is a 1984 Cuban Davidoff, No. 2 Panatela which was OK but not worth what was paid for it. I recently smoked a 5+ year aged Padron corona (x000) and it was one of the creamiest and tastiest smokes ever, so I started aging more Padrons as a result.

Looking forward to being a part of this forum.

Now for my question: I work for a company and there was an email that recently came out about sending care packages to 100 troops overases in Afghanistan. The goal is to put together 15 care packages and one of the suggested items for donation are for cigars. Now, I would love to send them some of my smokes from my personal stash but can't really afford to. So I'm throwing this question out there for everyone's advice: what resonsonably priced cigars would you send these guys that would be affordable as well as enjoyable by all. I'm certain not all 100 troops are cigar smokers but I'd like for the newbies to try and enjoy but also for the seasoned smokers to appreciate the smokes. Affordability is a big factor as I know there are a lot of good smokes out there that cost good money but there are probably a lot of good smokes for less money as well. I've seen some of the deals on CI and other sites that claim to have great smokes at 1.63 a stick, etc. and thought about going this route but not sure. The deadline for the contributions is Thursday the 7th so any advice early enough to order and receive would be excellent.

Thanks in advance for the advice as well as reading my spiel.
-Schmoker

 

[GoingPostal]

Well anything will be appreciated but its the same old question Quality v Quantity. Padron line, Perdomo Lot 23 and brickhouse are few that come to mind. Just send what you feel comfortable with. For me i'd rather send a box of quality than 4 bundles of house brand sticks. thats my .02

 

[Jwrussell]

That's a tough one. Plenty of threads on here about the whole, what to keep around that is cheap thought. Do you have a budget in mind? That might help make offering suggestions easier.

Oh, and welcome aboard! Grew up just across the river from Philly in NJ. I miss my cheese steaks, damn it.

 

[cmhicksusmc]

When I was deployed we were super happy to receive just about anything. And when you haven't had a decent cigar outside of white owl or swisher then any smoke is delicious. I would recommend any of the bundles you speak of. The real seasoned will have deployed with their own stash. When I went on my second deployment I had a mine detector pelican case filled with about 300 of my choice smokes. Is say go the brick house/cuesta-ray route. That's my .02

Oh and:

 

[usmc-walker]

anything we ever get out here is very appreciated, for most of the guys we keep a decent amount of smokes that we prefer, (xikar 50ct for me) but really anything is a bonus when we get stuff. its one of those thought that counts things, plus its always nice to have sticks to try to get more guys into this great hobby of ours. thanks and have a good one.

 

[OB-Left]

Hey, :welcome:

 

[Alwayslit]

Welcome to the madness:grin:

 

[thatjohnguy]

Welcome from Canada

 

[JNT]

 

[mcroom]

Hello schmoker and :welcome:. We are glad to have you join us and I am sure you will enjoy the forums and camaraderie here.

 

[schmoker]

Appreciate the input and welcome messages. Looking forward to learning more about one of my favorite hobbies.

As for the smokes to send over, I'm contemplating the weekly special on CI's site. Looking to spend around 100-150 but since there are 100 troops I want to send over at least 80 smokes.

Today it's Bahia. Anyone care to comment on them? Probably will check out the forum and see if anyone has in the past.

Thanks!

 

[Jwrussell]

I had some Blue Label Bahias way, way back when I first started. Nothing memerable. Don't remember them being horrible though.

You might check the JR Alts or Cuban Alts bundles. I do remember folks on another board touting them a few years back as a good everyday smoke with some aging potential (don't get caught up in whether they are going to taste like what they are named after, they won't). Same kind of pricing as the Bahias you are talking about.

 

[GoingPostal]

I've had a Blu, average smoke never had the trinidad. Thing with those buck, buckfifty smokes is that almost always a love'em or hate'em type deal. I smoked Flor de Oliva when i first started and remeber them to be descent cigars you might also look at the La Aurora Cameroon Closeouts, a bit too mild for my taste but may be perfect for new smoker.

 

[Jughead]

Welcome, pull up a chair and have a smoke.

--JH

 

[cmhicksusmc]

Try looking for some freefall bundles. When I started smoking my first cigar was a Cao and I loved it. So I think the bahias will be good enough. The problem I think will be the humidification during shipping.

 

[rduke10]

:welcome:

 

[tazbigdog]

:welcome: from Austin!:cbig: