Seeking advice on what to try

[ApeSmokes]

Hi,

Was going to do the new-guy thing and just ask for advice on what to try, but since I see there's several other new members lately, thought instead I would share some of my recent experiences ( I looked back 3 weekends) and then put out a plea for advice from the pros on what to try next based on what I've already had. Maybe this will help some other newcomers as well. I'll keep the “reviews” short, as I don't feel qualified at this point to be trying to discuss complexities and subtleties.

Disclaimer: None of these had a proper rest. Most were smoked within a day or so of purchase at the local B&M, since I don't have much choice yet. For that reason I'm not going to mention anything about the burn, construction, etc. I don't think it would be fair, since the rh was likely all over the map. So here goes:
PDR 1878 Capo Natural Toro: Liked it. Very mild, but had some nice flavors. Would buy again.

My Father Flor de las Antillas Toro: Not sure if I liked it. Paired with Scotch (Monkey Shoulder), and the cigar seemed to be overpowered. Didn't get much flavor from the cigar until my glass was empty, and by then the cigar was nearly gone.

My Father le Bijou 1922: Didn't care for this one. Never tasted anything except tobacco. I understand undeveloped palette and all that, but even with milder cigars I've gotten some nutty/creamy/peppery tastes. This seemed to be a medium, yet I got nothing but tobacco.

La Arome de Cuba EE: Liked it. A medium strength (to me). Got some decent flavor, already bought another one to let it sit awhile.

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real, Connecticut Magnum: OK, this one was totally lost in what I was drinking. Had it on Cinco de Mayo with some Don Julio, and I might as well have smoked nothing; Couldn't even taste much tobacco. If I didn't have a small nicotine buzz at the end I wouldn't have known I smoked a cigar.

Perdomo Habano Bourbon barrel aged Connecticut: Paired this with a glass of 4 Roses, because that seemed a good idea at the time. In hind site it was probably foolish, as whatever bourbon taste that the cigar had couldn't compete with what I was drinking. The other aspects of the cigar I liked. Again I got the nutty, creamy taste/sense. No pepper or spice, just nice mellow smoke. Overall I liked it, but should have had it with water or coke, not bourbon.

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva Hemingway Perfecto: Had this yesterday and really liked it. Walked away thinking that I need to get more of these, but today the taste is still with me.... so now I'm not sure. It was good, but not good enough to taste for 24 hours straight. Brushed teeth, ate, drank, brushed some more. Good ole Arturo is still with me, and seems interested in a long-term relationship. Wondering if I need to have another smoke to make him leave.

So, with that to go on, any suggestions on what to try next? Based on things I've read here, I've already got a Padron 2000 and a 3000 that I'm letting sit for awhile. While getting those at the B&M, I caved and bought an Ashton Cabinet that I'm also letting sit, and I picked up an Oliva series V Melanio, and an Oliva Connecticut reserve while I was there. Also have some Oliva Saison, Man O' War Virtue, Ramon Bueso Genesis, and some Ave Maria Immaculate Conception on order after hearing good things about them (mostly on here). I'm keeping everything singles and/or 5 packs for now.

Am open to any suggestions that aren't going to require the sale of a kidney or a second mortgage. Definitely leery of anything with a real high nicotine content, as my tolerance isn't up for that yet; if anything you suggest is strong, please let me know and I'll look for a smaller size/make sure to have on a full stomach, etc. Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions.

Cheers

 

[welder572]

I didn't care for the LA Bijou either.
Try a Crowned Heads Luminosa if you like milder cigars. Crowned Heads La Careme is really good, too. I really like the E.P. Carillo Dusk, but they seem to be out of stock almost everywhere.

 

[Genuine]

Laranja Corona Gorda @VeLoRoK

 

[multi-useless]

Seems like for the most part, you're enjoying the lighter wrappers more than the darker ones, as did I when I first started. I'm guessing based on what you've said so far, that you're really gonna like the Oliva CT and MOW Virtue.

Seems also that the hard liquors are overpowering them, so maybe try iced tea or soda as a pairing if you're looking for flavors - or even a cheap light beer (my go-to) or a rum and coke. You won't score any fancy-pants points for drinking Natty Light, but it sure won't get in the way of your smoke.

Once you identify a common theme among the smokes you really like, that should give you some guidance on what to look for in new sticks. Keep us posted!

 

[Genuine]

What Said too

 

[Hopduro]

Hmmmm... Light smokes from the start of my cigar journey: Psyko Seven natural, Alec Bradley sungrown (American sungrown is better and Maduro), the crowned heads las mareas is an awesome medium smoke, tatuaje series P (although i like the brown label way more), @BrewinHooligan's mischievous marshmallow (yummmmm),

hmmmmm... try some good brands and keep providing feedback on what you like and dislike

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[ApeSmokes]

Thanks for the great feedback everyone. Will definitely look for those mentioned; Pretty close to tapped out on cigar money for this month, with what I've already ordered, but will put them at the top of the list for next month. Have a few bucks left for one more purchase and the local cigar chop is doing a My Father event this coming Saturday. Thought I'd stop by to see if there's anything I can't live without. If nothing jumps out at me, will put the money towards some of those mentioned here.
Agree 100% with the comment about the harder drinks. Wasn't trying to impress anyone with my beverages, so hope it wasn't taken that way... it's just those specific cigars got washed-out by my drink, so I was trying to be specific about what I was drinking. Most of the time it's beer or water, although I've seen on here that sweet drinks might be helpful.
Tonight, thought I'd give the Aroma de Cuba EE another shot to close the weekend, since I liked it last time. Hopefully with a couple of weeks of rest, I'll like it even better than straight from the shelf.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[navyvet]

Try everything. Probly should try charter oak conny

 

[sean]

Solid recommendations from everyone so far. Can't add much but what I can say is this:

The best advice regarding pairing I got when I first started smoking was this:

Just drink water. If not water, then black coffee. If not black coffee, anything that's dry and not going to leave a whole lot on your palate in between sips.

Another palate-cleanser I found was sucking on a lemon or lime wedge and rinsing with water. This works if you are starting to feel like you're not getting anything.... sometimes your tongue gets muted by all the big flavors.

Just keep smoking, and trying stuff. Your tastes will change, too... so that's always fun. Good luck.

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[multi-useless]

Agree 100% with the comment about the harder drinks. Wasn't trying to impress anyone with my beverages, so hope it wasn't taken that way...

No worries bro, it's all good.

 

[csk415]

Some good info so far. Can't do hard liquor with smokes. It takes away from the flavor. Plus I'm not into the hard stuff. Usually it's Miller lite or a soda. Half the fun is trying as many sticks as possible until you find what you like.

 

[ApeSmokes]

Another palate-cleanser I found was sucking on a lemon or lime wedge and rinsing with water. This works if you are starting to feel like you're not getting anything.... sometimes your tongue gets muted by all the big flavors.

Thanks for this. Been doing quite a bit of reading through threads, but hadn't come across this. Will certainly try.

Can't do hard liquor with smokes. It takes away from the flavor.

When I smoked only on special occasions, I almost always had a bourbon (or similar)... but back then I wasn't focusing on the cigar, so I guess it never occurred to me that I was missing something. Now that I'm actually trying to get the flavor of the cigar, it does seem to be in the way for sure. It seems odd, though. In my mind whisky and cigars are sort of a natural combination. Need to un-learn some stuff, I guess.

 

[VeLoRoK]

Dr Pepper or root beer make great non-alcoholic cigar pairings. Especially Virgil's root beer. Anywho, since you like lighter cigars, I'd recommend getting ahold of some CCs. H Upmann, Hoyo, Monte are good starting places for that slippery slope.

 

[arjennrudd]

Undercrown Shade is a lighter one that I've been liking lately. A lot of great suggestions so far so seems like you'll be doing a lot of experimenting.

If I'm smoking something lighter, I usually drink it with a water or coffee.

 

[Boudie]

When trying to learn a cigar I may drink Scotch "watered down". It tends to help clean the palate without overpowering or numbing my taste buds. Normally though it's just spring water or hot tea. BUT there are few things more enjoyable then a good cigar, good Scotch served neat and good conversation with friends.

Good luck finding mild or mild/medium cigars you enjoy. I'm sure you got some great recommendations.

 

[Genuine]

Dr Pepper or root beer make great non-alcoholic cigar pairings. Especially Virgil's root beer. Anywho, since you like lighter cigars, I'd recommend getting ahold of some CCs. H Upmann, Hoyo, Monte are good starting places for that slippery slope.

You're a good friend start the guy off with C.cs lol

 

[NOGILLS2]

I would suggest the Caldwell line, Eastern Standard, and others by Caldwell. I find them very well made, very few burn issues, very pleasant flavors. I prefer coffee with my smokes, seems to pair well with most cigars. One cigar that will seem out of line to try is the Tabernacle. It is very high on my likes list, it may be stronger than the Connecticut's, but the flavor is there and mild also.
Another suggestion is the Luminosa by Crowned Heads, who also make some great cigars. Jericho Hill, La Imperosa and others.

 

[irratebass]

If the price doesn't scare you away try the Cornelius by Cornelius & Anthony, and amazing milder smoke.

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[Nacho Daddy]

my advice is this, don't judge a brand based on one cigar.
leave the bourbon alone .
keep a journal.
don't buy boxes yet.
many B&Ms keep stock too moist.
smoke slowly, use a blade cutter not a punch.

 

[mjones9630]

Just starting out, and partial to the milder side? I'd try a Fuente 898 sungrown or maduro. tasty, and affordable on anyone's budget (~$25/5pk)
A lot of great suggestions so far, but might I suggest picking up one or two at a time. Don't stock up on anything just yet, as your tastes will be changing, and you might be left with unwanted sticks. I've still got a lot of sticks left that didn't work out from my "try everything" beginner phase...
I'm also one for coffee, tea, or maybe root beer pairing... Haven't found many that go well with the ipa's I enjoy, and I'm not real big on the hard drinks.. I tend to pair my wiskey and scotch to the stronger, or at least stronger flavored sticks like a lot of the Nicaraguan blends.. generally, Dom Rep is a smoother, milder, smoke. Honduran- earthy, Nica- bold/spicy... GENERALLY..