Trying to get started

[mooseyjoe]

Having recently committed myself to this new passion, I need to equip myself appropriately.

So I'm assuming I need a humidor. What should I look for? How much money is this going to set me back?

And then I need to put some cigars in my new Humi, so where should I start? Of the cigars I've smoked, I've enjoyed the ones with stronger more bold flavors. With that in mind what cigars should I be looking at?

As far as budget goes, I am an art student, so my budget is somewhere between starving artist and starving college kid, so price is a BIG factor.

thanks in advance for the advice.

[PaulV-cr]

Let me give you my perspective as a fellow newbie. I just started on this hobby a few months ago myself.

For cigars to try, look for reviews on here or other sites to find some that sound appealing to you. I would suggest sticking to samplers or five-packs until you find some cigars you like.

As far as humidors are concerned, keep in mind that they hold nowhere near as many cigars as they are rated for, unless you just buy petite coronas or something like that. I was fortunate to have a 300 count humidor loaned to me when I first started, but it probably only holds about 150, and it's amazing how quickly you can accumulate that many cigars.

For the best price on humidors or cigars, I would suggest cigarbid.com (but be careful, it's addictive). You can go to c-h-i-m-p.com to see what items have gone for in the past, and make bids on the low end of that range. If you're patient, you can get some very good deals. I just won a humidor on ebay, and there are good deals to be had there as well.

If budget is an issue (my oldest daughter graduated from art school last year, so I get that), you might consider going with a coolerdor to store your cigars rather than a humidor. You can get more storage space for less money that way. There are threads on here that tell you how to do that.

Welcome aboard, but watch your footing, the slope is steep and quite slippery. I originally thought about getting a humi rated for 30 or 50 sticks. The one I just bought on ebay is rated for 345, and I'll probably need a coolerdor by spring.

[slowburning]

Originally Posted by PaulV

Let me give you my perspective as a fellow newbie. I just started on this hobby a few months ago myself.

For cigars to try, look for reviews on here or other sites to find some that sound appealing to you. I would suggest sticking to samplers or five-packs until you find some cigars you like.

As far as humidors are concerned, keep in mind that they hold nowhere near as many cigars as they are rated for, unless you just buy petite coronas or something like that. I was fortunate to have a 300 count humidor loaned to me when I first started, but it probably only holds about 150, and it's amazing how quickly you can accumulate that many cigars.

For the best price on humidors or cigars, I would suggest cigarbid.com (but be careful, it's addictive). You can go to c-h-i-m-p.com to see what items have gone for in the past, and make bids on the low end of that range. If you're patient, you can get some very good deals. I just won a humidor on ebay, and there are good deals to be had there as well.

If budget is an issue (my oldest daughter graduated from art school last year, so I get that), you might consider going with a coolerdor to store your cigars rather than a humidor. You can get more storage space for less money that way. There are threads on here that tell you how to do that.

Welcome aboard, but watch your footing, the slope is steep and quite slippery. I originally thought about getting a humi rated for 30 or 50 sticks. The one I just bought on ebay is rated for 345, and I'll probably need a coolerdor by spring.

What he said.

[PaulV-cr]

I'm not the best source for recommendations on stronger cigars, but one you might like that is also quite economical is the 5 Vegas Series A. You can get those on Cbid for about $2/stick.

[CRider]

Agree with the Series A and will toss in the Miami from 5Vegas as an idea as well (I'm smoking a Miami as I type this actually).

As for humidors, you really don't HAVE to get one right now. A nice tupperware container with a good seal will work just fine with a good humidification device inside. It's not pretty like a nice humidor can be, but it's not a bad way to start at all.

[JAX]

Agree with all the above...well said sir's.

Regarding cigars. Samplers are the best way to go. Look for key words like: "Full" or "Medium-Full". The flavors tend to be on the bold side. Cigars from Nicaragua (IMO) produce the stronger blends.

Specific blends to consider:
Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion
Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970
Oliveros XL Double Maduro
Carlos Torano Virtuoso
Indian Tabac Super Fuerte (These are cheap as hell. You either love 'em or you hate 'em)
Romeo Julieta Reserve Maduro

[mooseyjoe]

Here's another question I have.

How does where a cigar is grown/manufactured affect its taste? Are there good cigars made from US tobacco? What are different countries known for?

Thanks for the tips on the specific cigars. There is a cigar shop next to the dealer for my first addiction (video games) so I'll have to take the list and pay him a visit.

[JAX]

Originally Posted by mooseyjoe

Here's another question I have.

How does where a cigar is grown/manufactured affect its taste?

I'll let someone else provide the science behind this....but in a nutshell the profile of a cigar is determined by the region it's grown in and this is attributed to the climate of a region, the quality of soil, rainfall, etc. In that regard cigars are alot like wine.

[Stevemal]

Originally Posted by CRider

Agree with the Series A and will toss in the Miami from 5Vegas as an idea as well (I'm smoking a Miami as I type this actually).

As for humidors, you really don't HAVE to get one right now. A nice tupperware container with a good seal will work just fine with a good humidification device inside. It's not pretty like a nice humidor can be, but it's not a bad way to start at all.

I agree with Crider on the tupperware, cheap but it works, & you have to start somewhere. I left a list of cigars to try in the welcome page.

[Tater]

I have had good luck with the Joya de Nicquragua line. Smoking a celebracion right now and its great.

I have a Camacho Triple Maddy resting until Thurs or Friday and all of Camacho cigars are great from what I've read and experienced, but pricey.

CAO makes some good ones. The America (**** yea!) and Brazilia are good. The Mx2 is a damn good choice too. Also heard the criollo is a very much slept on cigar and very good price.

I had a Don Lino Africa that knocked me on my ass. Give that a whirl.

Also, for a great bargain, the Flor de Oliva Maddy is a great cigar. Like $2-$3 per stick.

As far as humidors, I started with a 12 count and outgrew it in 3 days or so. Always go bigger than you expect. I ended up getting a cooler from Wally World and its doing great.

Welcome abord and glad you joined a great group of guys!

[robwhite422-cr]

Sol Cubano series B is a good starter smoke in IMO they are cheap as hell and I reely like them, I picked up 20 for like $19 on cbid wile back. Another good starter line is CAO they sell tins of 5 small cigars for like $9 and they have them in alot of thier lines. when i first starting smoking I bought a couple little tins to see what i like in thier line then bought them in a biger size. my fav in cao line are MX2, Gold muduro, and the Brizilla.

[Gulfstream]

Definitely agree about the humidor. I am about to out grow my 50ct and 20ct once my C-bid order comes in. Makes me so glad I built that coolodor.

As far as cigars I'm more on the mild to medium side, so I don't really have any great suggestions for you.

[olsaltybastard]

Price being a factor, you may want to check out cbid dot com for smokes and supplies. I have several humidors that are really nice and I paid a bit over $100 for them. If you can't front that, a nice locking piece of tupperware will do just fine (as stated above.) Just remember to keep it out of direct light.

One thing you may wish to consider is that smoking cigars equates to having money to burn.

[mooseyjoe]

OK, so I've done some humidor shopping online, and I have more questions.

It seems like I can get a 20-50 count online for somewhere around 30 bucks after a discount, but before shipping. Specifically, I like the look of some of the ones here http://www.humidorvault.com/Desktop-Cig ... rs-s/2.htm . Is a humidor in this price range really worth it, or will I just be buying a nice wooden box that doesn't actually protect my cigars? Do all humidors come with stuff to control the humidity and the appropriate measuring devices, or is that something you buy separate and put in them? If its only going to cost 30 or 40 bucks for something nice to put my cigars in, then I will definitely spring for that over the coolerdor.

So far this is the one of liked the most for the money.

http://www.humidorvault.com/The-Capri-G ... asstop.htm


Next is the question of glass lids. Do they lower the protective value of the humi? I like the idea of being able to look at my lovely collection, but not if the light or lowered insulation will harm them.


Thanks for all the cigar suggestions. I'm compiling a list of things to try.



Edit: another question. I went over to 5 vegas' website and peeked at their cigars. They come in a variety of shapes an sizes within each series. How does the size and/or shape affect the cigar? What should I try first as far as construction goes, or is this another case of "try them all and then pick"

[Acesfull]

Originally Posted by mooseyjoe

Here's another question I have.

How does where a cigar is grown/manufactured affect its taste? Are there good cigars made from US tobacco? What are different countries known for?

Thanks for the tips on the specific cigars. There is a cigar shop next to the dealer for my first addiction (video games) so I'll have to take the list and pay him a visit.

Where it is manufactured does not effect the taste or strength of a cigar. Where its grown definately does. Its like wine or coffee, the different climates and soil gives the tobacco different characteristics.
My fav two countries of origin besides that Island South of Miami are
Nicaragua #1 and Honduras #2
Seems like many of the cigars I like come from these two countries.
Camachos and RP's are mostly Honduran, while Padron's are Nicaraguan as well as some of the other RP's I really like. But thats about all that I smoke.

As far as humidors go check out www.cheaphumidors.com and sign up for their newsletter and you'll get a coupon code for 10% or 15% off. 30-50 count will not be big enough... trust me on this. If you do not have enough money for a 150-300ct then build a coolerdor, but either route you go make sure you get a digital hygrometer. Its a MUST