THE NEWBIE WELCOMING THREAD

Outdoorsmoke:
Yes, I like different strengths for a different time of day or just my mood for the day. I like smooth and mild-medium cigars. In the evening when pairing with a spirit I like the medium-bold cigars. So it really just depends on my mood for the day. And yes, I always enjoy a Cuban no matter what time of day it is. The #2 for me is an exception when it comes to strength because it has an amazing balance for its boldness. It’s a bit spicy in the nose but has a beautiful finish. Fantastic paired with a sweet spiced rum. But for the most part you’re right, I don’t like a cigar to be too strong. I also am not the biggest fan of cigars that have a strong pepper note. A little bit is fine, but too spicy…my nose doesn’t want it.

@Ross_G89 said:
Hey Rdp77,
So I do go to a b&m for a few special cigars, other than that, I do get a lot of them online. However, I have noticed a lot of the cigars that come in bundles or 5 packs often look a bit disfigured and don’t smoke like the ones that come out of a box. I have had some trouble with buying cigars online with them being too dry like they sat for long period of time out of the humidor. I did try to put them in my humidor to bring them back to like but the elegance was gone. Call me picky, but there are a few things I look at when choosing a cigar. The aroma, the construction of the cigar, and the structure of the wrapper. For example, I got a 5 pack of Zino platinums and compared them the one I bought out of the box at a B&M and the difference was very noticeable. I am aware of the markups at a b&m but I felt that I at least know that the cigar is fresh out of the box, and after doing my research, I found out that the premium cigars online that are super cheap are actually old stock that has been sitting for a long time, or factory seconds that did not pass inspection to be sold in a box, so it’s a way for the company to still make money and people get to smoke that line of premium cigars for cheap. The problem for me is, I know the difference and it ruined it for me. I will still buy boxes online from time to time, just not the 5 packs or samplers. All the cigars I got in those special deals look nothing like the ones from a box. I don’t know, call me crazy 🤪

I’m just curious where you found the research that said that regarding cigars that are sold online? I’ve heard that sort of thing come from b&m owners, never from manufacturers. From what little research I’ve done one the subject, I’ve found that many 5pks are shipped from the factory that way. It’s not necessarily that it gives the consumer the chance to buy the brand cheaper…it’s that the manufacturer can sell the cigars cheaper without the added cost of color sorting and boxing. All the numbers I’ve seen show that 5pks and samplers move cigars faster than boxes. So them being “old” stock makes no sense to me. To each their own. Research is always good.

@ScotchnSmoke ?

My head is spinning with all the nonsensical bullshit being spewed. If you like a Gurkha Titan and in the same breath mention Opus…. You’re only looking at MSRP. I’ve had both Zino from 5 packs and Zino from Tubos…. There is a tremendous difference. One tastes like ass and the other tastes like turds. Both options are over priced. Structure of the wrapper and looks of a wrapper have never played into how I choose a cigar. Some wrapper types just look like shitt all the time but still taste amazing. Aroma! LOL. **** hell!

@ShawnOL

I’m still trying to come out of my shell.

We all smoke cigars for different reasons. Same could be said for cigarette smokers who choose the brand that uses scraps from the garbage compared to those who smoke the high end cigarettes. Both smokes but one smokes because of a budget and one for quality. But both do the same thing. You can cover a POS in gold, but you still have a POS. I don’t smoke cigars just because I can, but because cigars are truly an art that some people just can’t stand back far enough from to see. Some may call it “nonsensical bullshit” but that’s what makes us different. I will always choose quality over quantity. Thank you all for your opinions. And ideas of what cigars to try?

Welcome to the forum Ross

@Ross_G89 from what I’ve read so far it seems you know more than you let on. I think you will be just fine figuring out what you want, need, like in a cigar. Can’t wait to hear about your experiences on your quest.