Can you taste a cigar for me?

[veteranvmb]

Hello to all:

Since I am new to all of this premium cigar smoking, as opposed to the crap I smoked for many years, I have a question.
I would like a few of you who know cigars to taste one from a local hand rolled operation I have been buying from.
I cant tell if the cigars are good or bad. I know this seems strange, but I would like to know some other opinions. They smell beautiful, not look so great. The family suppossedly has their own plantation in the D.R. and bring the tobacco into the states and roll them out of this very small establishment.
How would I be able to send out like three of them to some folks to get their opinion?
How would I store the cigar as to arrive in good condition??
Could I just stick one one of the many glass tubes or aluminum tubes I have from other cigars, and send them in an envelope?
Anyway, I would like to do this sometime next week, when I pay them another visit and will pick up a few extra.
Let me know if you can on what to do. I dont want to send ups or fedex, just drop them in the mailbox if possible.
Much regards Jerry

[scottw]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

Hello to all:

Since I am new to all of this premium cigar smoking, as opposed to the crap I smoked for many years, I have a question.
I would like a few of you who know cigars to taste one from a local hand rolled operation I have been buying from.
I cant tell if the cigars are good or bad. I know this seems strange, but I would like to know some other opinions. They smell beautiful, not look so great. The family suppossedly has their own plantation in the D.R. and bring the tobacco into the states and roll them out of this very small establishment.
How would I be able to send out like three of them to some folks to get their opinion?
How would I store the cigar as to arrive in good condition??
Could I just stick one one of the many glass tubes or aluminum tubes I have from other cigars, and send them in an envelope?
Anyway, I would like to do this sometime next week, when I pay them another visit and will pick up a few extra.
Let me know if you can on what to do. I dont want to send ups or fedex, just drop them in the mailbox if possible.
Much regards Jerry

1: Put your sticks in a ziploc bag.
2: Wrap bag in bubble wrap or several layers of newspaper.
3: Go to post office and get a small shipping box but remember not to mention cigars to the postmaster when shipping.

If you put cigars in an envelope, it'll wind up looking like a tin of snuff by the time it gets to where it's going

[Cigary]

Answers in red

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

hello to all:

Since i am new to all of this premium cigar smoking, as opposed to the crap i smoked for many years, i have a question.
I would like a few of you who know cigars to taste one from a local hand rolled operation i have been buying from. i'd be happy to try them out,,i love trying new cigars and have been smoking them for 40 years.
i cant tell if the cigars are good or bad. I know this seems strange, but i would like to know some other opinions. They smell beautiful, not look so great. The family suppossedly has their own plantation in the d.r. And bring the tobacco into the states and roll them out of this very small establishment.
How would i be able to send out like three of them to some folks to get their opinion? a good way is to put them in a ziploc baggie and squeeze the air out of it and pack it in a small box with either air pillows or wadded up paper to keep the cigars from being jiggled and possibly harming the outside wrapper.
how would i store the cigar as to arrive in good condition?? if you do the above it should be just fine.
could i just stick one one of the many glass tubes or aluminum tubes i have from other cigars, and send them in an envelope? no, send them in a box that you either have yourself or at the post office. If you send it yourself usps it should only cost you about $3 unless you want to put insurance on it. If you have aluminum tubes that would be great,,i would not send any cigar in a glass tube.
anyway, i would like to do this sometime next week, when i pay them another visit and will pick up a few extra.
Let me know if you can on what to do. I dont want to send ups or fedex, just drop them in the mailbox if possible. seriously, nobody sends cigars thru the mail in an envelope,,,for obvious reason. They probably would not arrive in very good condition and would probably be confiscated by someone.
much regards jerry

[Phantom57]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

Hello to all:

Since I am new to all of this premium cigar smoking, as opposed to the crap I smoked for many years, I have a question.
I would like a few of you who know cigars to taste one from a local hand rolled operation I have been buying from.
I cant tell if the cigars are good or bad. I know this seems strange, but I would like to know some other opinions. They smell beautiful, not look so great. The family suppossedly has their own plantation in the D.R. and bring the tobacco into the states and roll them out of this very small establishment.
How would I be able to send out like three of them to some folks to get their opinion?
How would I store the cigar as to arrive in good condition??
Could I just stick one one of the many glass tubes or aluminum tubes I have from other cigars, and send them in an envelope?
Anyway, I would like to do this sometime next week, when I pay them another visit and will pick up a few extra.
Let me know if you can on what to do. I dont want to send ups or fedex, just drop them in the mailbox if possible.
Much regards Jerry

Having others smoke them serves no purpose. What you think is what matters. If you think they are good, then they are good. Tastes are highly individual.

[Sigarz]

Originally Posted by Phantom57

Having others smoke them serves no purpose. What you think is what matters. If you think they are good, then they are good. Tastes are highly individual.

I agree 100%! while I would love to help you with this I think it would be more beneficial if you taste them for yourself.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by Sigarz

I agree 100%! while I would love to help you with this I think it would be more beneficial if you taste them for yourself.

I have smoked about five of them already. I know its what I personally like what counts, but they smell so good, and I still cant make a decision on if they are good. My pallette is not refined towards premium cigars and I was just curious about these cigars.
I will pick up some later this week, and mail out a few to volunteers for their opinions.
I will let the group know, when I pick them up and how many I will be sending out. I do appreciate any volunteers on these cigars.
Much regards Jerry

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

I have smoked about five of them already. I know its what I personally like what counts, but they smell so good, and I still cant make a decision on if they are good. My pallette is not refined towards premium cigars and I was just curious about these cigars.
I will pick up some later this week, and mail out a few to volunteers for their opinions.
I will let the group know, when I pick them up and how many I will be sending out. I do appreciate any volunteers on these cigars.
Much regards Jerry

Jerry,
While I agree with Phantom's assertion, if youre determined to garner others opinions on these, Id recommend sending two to each tester. One cigar is never a bulwark and I doubt you'll get the feedback youre seeking. Also, set your criteria for testing. Let the BOTLs know what youre looking for. Set a rating standard, like 1-5, or 1-10 for the different elements you want to know about; flavor, burn, ash, construction, strength and body. You'll want to know what beverage they drank while testing as well. Id recommend against mentioning how much they cost, as this invariably taints results.

Give the testers enough time to allow the sticks to settle into their prefered smoking state. Some like 65% and some like ____... This will take a couple weeks post arrival.

Take the advice above on how to ship them. Be sure theyre in a box and are well protected.

Select testers that you know have many years of experience with smoking different brands and blends. Ex: The crust on Gary's cigar veteran card is pretty darned thick!

If you need another tester, count me in.

[pitbulljimmy]

Jerry... All that matters is weather or not YOU like the cigar and are willing to spend $X.xx for a cigar that you enjoy... what's it matter what anyone else thinks about what you're smoking? That almost reminds me of the kids in high-school who start to smoke to be "cool"... It's all about enjoying yourself, and what YOU like, not what everyone else likes (although the 2 aren't mutually exclusive)! If you really must give away your cigars though, I'm always willing to help a brother out!!

[Volker]

Hey Jerry, I don't want to be a tester (newbie) but was wondering if you would care to share the name of the local source. Just in case I'm down that way, maybe I can stop by there.
Thanks !

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by pitbulljimmy

Jerry... All that matters is weather or not YOU like the cigar and are willing to spend $X.xx for a cigar that you enjoy... what's it matter what anyone else thinks about what you're smoking? That almost reminds me of the kids in high-school who start to smoke to be "cool"... It's all about enjoying yourself, and what YOU like, not what everyone else likes (although the 2 aren't mutually exclusive)! If you really must give away your cigars though, I'm always willing to help a brother out!!

Common sense right there,,,,

[dinoa2]

if you like the taste of the cigar, it is a good one. if you dont like the taste, then it is not a good one for you or one of your favorites. I think most would agree that not all of us like the same brands. some love a brand and others might not say anything bad about it but do not enjoy smoking it.

do some research about Mark Twain and his smokes and some quotes from Bill Cosby. and enjoy and have fun

[tru_rocknrolla]

Jerry, these are all great suggestions, but I must say that if you want to send out some smokes, I am more than willing to give them a shot and provide your feedback.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by tru_rocknrolla

Jerry, these are all great suggestions, but I must say that if you want to send out some smokes, I am more than willing to give them a shot and provide your feedback.

sorry rock. All cigars have been spoken for. Had a large number of people asking, and it was more random then anything else. Looked for people who have been on this forum for a while. Thanks for volunteering. If you havent pm,d me with your snail address, please do so at your convienance.
Cigars should go out probably on tuesday, via post office. Please remember, these are not especially expensive cigars, but around 5 bucks a pop. Just curious on what you kind people have to say. And be brutal if you have to be. I have nothing personal in this matter. I just find this to be entertaining and enlightening .

Much regards Jerry