Topic: Cigars?

[mephisto_kur]

In my old age, I have begun smoking cigars.  I have maybe one a month, and I am willing to try any decent brand.

So far, I am just learning to feel and taste the cigars, but some already stand out.  My collection includes anywhere from 90+ rated to unrated cheap cheroots.

I have found that I like a cigar somewhere in the middle of the spread of decent.  I like the high end cigars, but only have a few of them so I haven't settled on a favorite yet.  Anyone else do this?

I have found that at the higher end, I like the Gurkha that I smoked, and since I only have one more of those, I am saving it .  At the middle I have enjoyed the Don Lugo and the Socorro I have smoked - they seem like nice casual sticks.  At the low end, I have some Scoundrel cheroots - these are ugly, not tightly wrapped, and almost flavorless like a filtered cigarette.  They are extremely cheap so I have more than I want of them, but they cost money so I can't seem to just toss them :/ .

Post here if you have a favorite or a hated cigar brand\sub brand.

[mephisto_kur]

First up is the one I just finished because I believe it may be the worst one I've ever had.

I asked for a short, sweet stick for when I don't have time for a normal cigar, and the cigar shop handed me a Baccarat 1871 Dulce Far Niente.  TERRIBLE.

First third:  bitter, sharp smoke with so mild a flavor that I felt like I was smoking an unfiltered cigarette. The sweetened cap did not meld well with the severe bitter of the smoke.

Second third: bitterness mostly gone, but still over powering.  The pepper burn kicks in hard as the smoke is quite a bit warmer here - it is a short narrow stick (slightly larger than a cigarillo) so I expected that.  Flavor is still almost non-existent, but there are wood tones and something I can't quite identify that isn't unpleasant, but isn't strong enough to smooth out the bitter component.

Third third: abandoned at the halfway point.  This is the first cigar that has made me feel ill while smoking it.

Look and feel is actually excellent.  It feels tight and smooth with very little veining.  Seems like it would be high quality - the hand roller should find a job at a company that drops better tobacco in their fill.  Good burn, ash held on for the entire length I smoked.

[mephisto_kur]

Oh, also, I do NOT inhale, which is why I was surprised at the green feeling

[nanaki254]

aren't you supposed to inhale as with any other smoking product?

I heard them cubans are good 

[mephisto_kur]

No, you don't inhale cigars or pipes.  You draw into your mouth.  You always get a tiny bit of smoke inhaled just from being in the smoke cloud, but no one inhales cigars.

[anomaly]

I LOVE the way they smell and have tried many in the past from nice stores.  But i just cant stand smoking them.

Maybe cuz i smoked cigarettes for over 15yrs (i dont smoke anymore) i just expect somthing else.

[batt-76]

I Am a former smoker.  Got to stay miles away from them   

[aldog]

Former? 

I've had some decent cigars, but they're so overwhelming after a while.

[mephisto_kur]

That's why I'm limiting myself to 1 a month.

Also, welcome back, Allan.

[batt-76]

Former? 

I've had some decent cigars, but they're so overwhelming after a while.

Yes I have enjoyed all types of cigars and tabacco over the years.  I have found out that its just better that I stay away.

[Majorpain4U]

I also enjoy a good cigar, My personal Favorite is the Cohiba, I am not sure if they are available here in the states, I have a friend that travels to Jamaca and usually brings in a box or two. it is the torpedo gold band cohiba, a very fine smoke. Nice clown Allan  

[Majorpain4U]

Damn Brian you have played one more hour of CS than I have, I am going to have to make that up 

[GeNe]

I like to smoke cigars too, but nobody else I know does.  I have only smoked brands that I can buy at duty-free...so Davidoff, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta.  I can't remember the exact type of each.

[batt-76]

 Ha I am surprized one more hour huh  

[mephisto_kur]

So, we can also compare online site experiences - maybe we make sure we each stay clear of crap.

First up as it is my first online experience:  Thompson Cigars

Out of habit, I used the no-account style of ordering.  On the web, I have found out that this is a very good thing.  There are many complaints of unsolicited phone calls pushing upsells.  I have not had this issue, since I don't have an account with them.  Up until this point, I have been using a local cigar shop, and I was looking for some better pricing, so I bit on two of Thompson's deals.  One got me a 10 pack of 90+ cigars, the other got me low end house brand cigars but a very nice humidor.

The cigars:  not fresh.  While you want the cigars to be aged, I expected the 90+ cigars to not be brittle.  They are obviously not held in a good well humidified warehouse.  With some time in my humidifier, they came back and have been pleasant, but they sat there for a month.  The house brands that came with the humidifier were Socorro and Don Lugo.  The Socorros are very mild with a fast draw.  Slight uneven burn, but pleasant enough for such a cheap price.  The Don Lugos are a bit stronger.  They have a harder draw - very tight packing.  They feel well constructed, but DON'T TAKE THE RING OFF if you like to do that.  They WILL unravel.

Both house brand cigars are "everyday" sticks.  Cheap, lower quality, but not quite dogs.

For some reason, they threw in some un-asked for Scoundrel cheroots.  A BUNCH of them.  I smoked one, and now I have to decide if I want to chuck them.  So mild, they feel like smoking a filtered cigarette.  Badly made, fast burn.  I didn't have to cut it!  The thing had a hole in the mouth end that allowed easily enough draw.  Kind've weird.

In a few months, after I consume what's left of the Thompsons, I'll try Cigars International.  Many online say that Thompsons is very overpriced for premiums, but I have a Perdomo, a CAO, and a Ghurka that I need to consume before I get more .