Thread: give me some direction!

hey guys, im not much of a smoker outside of a good cigar, i read through the What did you smoke today thread and got a few ideas but still not really sure what is the good stuff out there

looking for a reasonably priced range of cigars and maybe a few higher ones for those special occasions

You know you smoke a good cigar when you don't have bitterness and a bad after taste in your mouth and throat. A good/great cigar, even when smoked 1 hour before going to bed won't leave that irritating feeling. Also, good/great cigars don't have that "grassy" taste/feel.

Keep in mind that a cigar does not have to be expensive to be good or great. I assume, since your location displays "Chicago" that you would prefer to narrow down your choices to non-Cubans and easily available cigars.

There are too many cigars to list but the quality ones that come to my mind (as of now) are:

In the reasonable price range (5$ - 10$):

- Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva
- Rocky Patel Decade 10th Anniversary in toro size
- Oliva Serie V torpedo
- (I would recommend the standard Padron serie but I found them grassy)
- ...

In the upper price range (10$ - no limit):

- Padron Family Reserve #45 maduro
- Arturo Fuente Forbidden Black Label
- Padron 1926 no.9 maduro
- Davidoff Royal Robusto (only available through Davidoff boutiques)
- ...

If you wish to go Cuban:

In the reasonable price range (10 - 15$):

- Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto
- Partagas Serie D No.4
- Partagas Serie P No.2
- ...

In the upper price range (15$ - no limit):

- Cohiba Gran Reserva Siglo VI
- Cohiba Behike BHK (in the 52 and 56)
- Cohiba Genios Maduro 5
- Cohiba Esplendidos
- Trinidad Fundadores
- ...

I'll be honest and say that non-Cubans (Nicaragua, Honduras, etc) impress me more, nowadays, than Cubans. The construction, burn and overall complexity of non-Cubans are almost always perfect while with Cubans, encountering plugged cigars that are not "ready" (due to aging) is frequent.

ps: There are plenty of other cigars, other members should chime in. The best way to find what you like is to try. Get a few, line them up and enjoy. With time, you'll know what you want.

Originally Posted by Robusto

You know you smoke a good cigar when you don't have bitterness and a bad after taste in your mouth and throat. A good/great cigar, even when smoked 1 hour before going to bed won't leave that irritating feeling. Also, good/great cigars don't have that "grassy" taste/feel.

Keep in mind that a cigar does not have to be expensive to be good or great. I assume, since your location displays "Chicago" that you would prefer to narrow down your choices to non-Cubans and easily available cigars.

There are too many cigars to list but the quality ones that come to my mind (as of now) are:

In the reasonable price range (5$ - 10$):

- Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva
- Rocky Patel Decade 10th Anniversary in toro size
- Oliva Serie V torpedo
- (I would recommend the standard Padron serie but I found them grassy)
- ...

In the upper price range (10$ - no limit):

- Padron Family Reserve #45 maduro
- Arturo Fuente Forbidden Black Label
- Padron 1926 no.9 maduro
- Davidoff Royal Robusto (only available through Davidoff boutiques)
- ...

If you wish to go Cuban:

In the reasonable price range (10 - 15$):

- Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto
- Partagas Serie D No.4
- Partagas Serie P No.2
- ...

In the upper price range (15$ - no limit):

- Cohiba Gran Reserva Siglo VI
- Cohiba Behike BHK (in the 52 and 56)
- Cohiba Genios Maduro 5
- Cohiba Esplendidos
- Trinidad Fundadores
- ...

I'll be honest and say that non-Cubans (Nicaragua, Honduras, etc) impress me more, nowadays, than Cubans. The construction, burn and overall complexity of non-Cubans are almost always perfect while with Cubans, encountering plugged cigars that are not "ready" (due to aging) is frequent.

ps: There are plenty of other cigars, other members should chime in. The best way to find what you like is to try. Get a few, line them up and enjoy. With time, you'll know what you want.

good list...good job robusto

thanks man! very helpful

Great advice above...I'll just throw in that after having tried atleast 50-100 different cigars, my main cigar is the RP 1999 conneticut robusto. As mentioned above, they are the type of cigar you can smoke right before bed and wake up with no ill effects.

I don't smoke a whole lot however...less than 10 a month.

It really is a matter of personal preference, so just like the best way to figure out your favorite beer or wine is tasting, the same goes for cigars.

^i agree with the RP 1999 Connecticut as an amazing daily smoker for about $8
Ashton Crystal Belicoso are about $10
Ashton ESG are about $17
Zino Platinum are around $30
Padron 44 are about $45
Cohiba BHK are about $50
- i smoke a cigar almost everyday but these are some of my favorites, Robusto did a pretty damn great job at giving you a better variety though so i would personally follow his direction

any recommended places for purchase?

thanks for all your help so far gents now i just need more buddies who would have one with me!

Originally Posted by Robusto

I'll be honest and say that non-Cubans (Nicaragua, Honduras, etc) impress me more, nowadays, than Cubans. The construction, burn and overall complexity of non-Cubans are almost always perfect while with Cubans, encountering plugged cigars that are not "ready" (due to aging) is frequent.

I thought I was the only one who thought this!

If you aren't an experienced cigar smoker, then I see no reason to jump into $15+ cigars. You won't enjoy a $30 smoke any more than a $10-15 stick.

Do you know what you like already?

Some others to consider that aren't too strong or spicy: Tatuaje VI, Don Pepin JJ, Fuente Short Story. If you want to splurge a little, I'd go with a Davidoff or a Padron 1964.

+1 on the Cubans. They aren't anything special anymore. There are some good ones that I like, but I like them for what they are and not because they are Cuban.

Places of purchase: Just go find any cigar shop and see if they have anything mentioned in this thread. Obviously, stay away from the gas station/liquor store humidors. Keep an eye on cigarmonster.com They have some good samplers are prices that are worth the risk of not liking them.

thanks a lot man, really appreciate the tips!