Suggestions on what to try next

[PJD]

Hi all,

It's been a fun two months since I started along the path of learning to enjoy cigars and coming to terms with the accessories and lore associated with the hobby. I've tried about 15 or so different sticks so far. Some I loved, a couple I didn't have a good experience with and some were just meh.

Lemme list what I've tried and enjoyed so far as well as the ones that didn't do it for me, and what I'd love to get are a few suggestions along the lines of "if you liked a, you'll love x and will probably enjoy y."

1. So far, my cigar of choice is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight (and DKII). Wonderful pre-light aroma, thick, luxurious and fragrant smoke and great taste but the construction leaves something to be desired.
2. RyJ Vintage series (III and IV). Pleasant tasting, voluminous smoke, nice standby. Good construction, nice aromas pre-light and of the smoke itself.
3. El Rey del Mundo Reserva Salado. Nice alternative to the Dark Knight
4. Cohiba red-dot (5-1/2 x 47).

What I didn't particularly enjoy:

1. White-label Montecristo (Toro). Acrid to my palate and a little hot. Will try another to confirm, though.
2. Ashton VSG. Surprised at this one given it's reputation, but I think it's either a combination of it being too strong for my untrained palate or it needs to age for a while. I have another one that will sit undisturbed until next year then I'll try again.
3. Fuente Hemmingway. A little too harsh for my tastes.
4. Ditto CAO Brasilia. That one was just unpleasant, but it was also too moist so perhaps not a fair evaluation.

Finally, my all-time favourite, hands-down, was a real Monte #4 that I enjoyed when I went back home to Montreal. Best I've had so far, but obviously not something I can get again, living where I am.

During the same trip I also had what I'm mostly-sure was a legitimate Cohiba Siglo III, but it was stored pre-purchase in terrible conditions, had a torn wrapper, started to unravel and had burn issues. I found it hot and acrid, and at $33 a stick, not worth it.

So, after all that, can any kind soul(s) make a recommendation or two on what I should try next? Or on the flip side, anything I should probably not get for a while until my palate is more experienced?

Thanks in advance to one and all!

[Jack Straw]

Originally Posted by PJD

What I didn't particularly enjoy:

1. White-label Montecristo (Toro). Acrid to my palate and a little hot. Will try another to confirm, though.
2. Ashton VSG. Surprised at this one given it's reputation, but I think it's either a combination of it being too strong for my untrained palate or it needs to age for a while. I have another one that will sit undisturbed until next year then I'll try again.
3. Fuente Hemmingway. A little too harsh for my tastes.
4. Ditto CAO Brasilia. That one was just unpleasant, but it was also too moist so perhaps not a fair evaluation.

Judging from those descriptions, it sounds like you might be smoking them a little too wet - are you havin gthme straight out of the B&M, or after resting for a while? What humidification do you use?

[tru_rocknrolla]

Do yourself favor and go get some Padilla 68-Golden Bears. A huge 60 gauge size of the popular line. They smell magnificant and taste phenominal....at least I think so. This is the only size I have had of this line, but I'm sure the other sizes taste great too!

[tru_rocknrolla]

Oh yeah, I'm an Oliva groupie as well. Oliva O' Torpedo Maduro and Oliva V' Perfectos. These are outa sight!

[PJD]

Originally Posted by Jack Straw

Judging from those descriptions, it sounds like you might be smoking them a little too wet - are you havin gthme straight out of the B&M, or after resting for a while? What humidification do you use?

These were all a little more "moist" than I'd have liked. I'd gotten a new humi and really overdid the seasoning process. I've subsequently switched to beads and I'm holding nicely at 70% on the dot--and will switch to 65 soon, I think.

By the way, what's a B&M? Luckily, I'm about 15 minutes from JR in Whippany and get everything from them. For whatever reason, though, I'm surprised that I didn't see any Rocky Patels. I've been told I should look for these.

[PJD]

Originally Posted by tru_rocknrolla

Oh yeah, I'm an Oliva groupie as well. Oliva O' Torpedo Maduro and Oliva V' Perfectos. These are outa sight!

Thanks! I'll try a couple of Olivas on my next trip to JR. I'd heard these were full-bodied/strong, though, and I wonder if they may be a bit too much for someone who's only been testing the waters for 2 months.

[Jack Straw]

A B&M is a "Brick and Mortar" store rather than mail order - in this case your local tobacconist.

As for RP cigars, I bet the Decade and Sungrown would be to your liking. The edge might be a little too...edgy.

[PJD]

Originally Posted by Jack Straw

A B&M is a "Brick and Mortar" store rather than mail order - in this case your local tobacconist.

As for RP cigars, I bet the Decade and Sungrown would be to your liking. The edge might be a little too...edgy.

I'll see if I can find these two somewhere.

JR had a box of Opus-X's for under $15 about a month ago. I bought one, but I'm saving that for next summer; from everything I heard, that requires experience and a big of age.