Cigar Size and Effects - New Smoker Recommendations

[Hawnted]

I was reading an e-book, tailored to beginners, about cigars. It stated something to the effect of when smoking longer cigars, it is cooler, and this tends to be more enjoyable for beginners *USUALLY*. Obviously not always.

So my question is, I found the big sticky list of "must trys" should I work my way down the list trying all different sizes? Should I focus on a size, see what I like, then experiment with other sizes?

Also, I was at my local B&M today, did not buy anything, but was going to talk to someone about what to try, being new and all. The guy at the register said the man to speak to stepped out, I did not have time to wait so I left. I plan to go back later. But, I liked the Perdomo lot 23. Do you have any recommendations? As I said, I saw the big list that I plan on working through at some point. I would like to buy around 10-12 smokes today, mild to medium in flavor, anything between 5 and 12 bucks a stick. I am not a smoker, and never have been, so the less ashtray mouth I get the better. I have heard some tend to leave a bad aftertaste. I did not experience this with the Perdomo.

Thanks

[bdw1984]

in my experience it's easier to find a size you prefer and try multiple brands within that size... i prefer smaller cigars (petite corona, corona, robusto, lancero) and will usually try a brand in these sizes if available and then evaluate what i did or did not like... as for a few suggestions:

CAO gold
Alec Bradley Family Blend
Cabaiguan
oliva series g
ashton classic

To me these are excellent mild/medium smokes

hope this helped a bit

ben

[96Brigadier]

When you say smaller there's length but also ring gauge to consider. I started out smoking Corona's and Petit Corona's, mostly because I thought the bigger ring gauge (in particular) would equal a stronger smoke. Boy was I wrong! Quite to the contrary, I've found that I much prefer a larger ring gauge in the Corona Gorda to Robusto range (46-52'ish). Even though the Robusto might be shorter than the Corona, I enjoy the Robusto more and find it to be a cooler, smoother smoke. I also like the fact that they feel more subtantial both in the hand and in the mouth. My last purchase was a sampler of Corona Gorda's/Robusto's, I'm definitely sold on that size.

That's my two cents.

[madurolover]

Most of the cigar men will try their blends out in the Corona size. This gives them the best wrapper to filler ration. They will tweak the blend until it is right and then will further tweak it for the other sizes.

[Hawnted]

So the consensus is to find a size then a specific cigar?

[bdw1984]

yes

[96Brigadier]

Originally Posted by Hawnted

So the consensus is to find a size then a specific cigar?

In my more limited experience, yes. That's what I am in the process of doing.

[PinkFloydFan]

I would agree.. and a corona or robusto is a good place to start. ( IMO)

[Hawnted]

Originally Posted by PinkFloydFan

I would agree.. and a corona or robusto is a good place to start. ( IMO)

I went back to the store and bought 2 cigars in a corona and robusto.

Specifically a Romeo y Julieta Vintage Corona. And an Arturo Fuente Robusto. Now I just need to sit down and smoke em!

[RobustBrad]

First welcome to the cigar world! It's very addicting

Being a non-smoker and not wanting that ash taste, I started off with a Maduro wrapped cigar and looked for things that were a bit more oily than others. I also tend to stay with the bigger ring gauges.

Cheers,
Brad

[trendo]

I dont think you should worry too much about size versus blend. Size will be determined by many factors including time, mouth feel, burn charachteristics, heat, flavor, etc. Think about how long you want to smoke. If you only have 45 minutes buy a corona, if you want to burn an hour or so try a robusto. Also, dont just think about the cigars legnth, Larger ring gauges also burn cooler and longer. A 4 inch 60 ring gauge cigar will probably burn cooler and longer than a 6X42. Larger gauges also have (in my experience) more burn problems.

In time, I think that you will like a variety of sizes for different occasions. So instead of finding a size to smoke all the time, try to find what sizes work for what occasions.

[Jumes]

I lean towards Troy's thoughts, but to some extent I didn't always have a choice. I looked at what got good reviews in various price ranges and then went searching at area B&M's. If choice was available I would generally look for a robusto, corona minor, or similar. It seemed alot of the cigars I wanted were only available in larger ring sizes and/or lengths. I usually bought them anyway. What I found while trying as many different cigars as I could, in varying sizes, is that my priority is to find the cigars I like and then decide on what size seems best in that individual smoke. I can already see that I will prefer a few cigars in larger ring sizes, and vice versa. My only other recommendation is be sure to try those cigars you are on the fence on, in other sizes. You may find that you enjoyed it much more in a different size.

[SkinsFanLarry]

Originally Posted by bdw1984

in my experience it's easier to find a size you prefer and try multiple brands within that size... i prefer smaller cigars (petite corona, corona, robusto, lancero) and will usually try a brand in these sizes if available and then evaluate what i did or did not like... as for a few suggestions:

CAO gold
Alec Bradley Family Blend
Cabaiguan
oliva series g
ashton classic

To me these are excellent mild/medium smokes

hope this helped a bit

ben

I agree with Ben, those are my favorite sizes too.

Longer cigars will smoke "cooler" because of the additional tobacco, to me you can also get different flavor/strength according to the size. Longer cigars (churchill) can burn hotter because some try to smoke them like they were a robusto, just my opinion.