For a begineer not knowing what to buy

[veteranvmb]

I see a lot of begineers as I once was not knowing what to buy. Heres a possible solution.

In the latest cigar.com catalogue toward the last third of it, there is a section of samplers.

There are eight in a sample, and they are divided between mild, medium, and strong.

For each groupd of eight they give the cigar rating, a pretty good review, a photo, the size and the cost of a single of box.

The entire sampler is around 35, 38 dollars.

So for around 4 to 5 dollars a stick, you get a well rounded rated selection of samplers in the strenght you want. I think its a good place to begin, as they tell you about each cigar all in one place, making it not so confusing to a new bee to cigars.

Pick up a 20 buck humidor to start, or just get a drymistat and a ziplock, and enjoy the cigars and see whats its all about.

And yes I do know who cigar.com is, but that doesnt affect me in the betterment of everyone else.

I wish I saw something like this, when I was first starting out, instead of buying too many sticks, I wasnt particularly fond of.

You can start with the mild, and if thats not interesting go for the medium. It just makes it easy to get a sampler with no fuss in a small variety of nice sized cigars.

I would personally go for the medium, and adjust up or down if I had to. This is from my experience.

Much regards Jerry

[Amlique]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

I see a lot of begineers as I once was not knowing what to buy. Heres a possible solution.

In the latest cigar.com catalogue toward the last third of it, there is a section of samplers.

There are eight in a sample, and they are divided between mild, medium, and strong.

For each groupd of eight they give the cigar rating, a pretty good review, a photo, the size and the cost of a single of box.

The entire sampler is around 35, 38 dollars.

So for around 4 to 5 dollars a stick, you get a well rounded rated selection of samplers in the strenght you want. I think its a good place to begin, as they tell you about each cigar all in one place, making it not so confusing to a new bee to cigars.

Pick up a 20 buck humidor to start, or just get a drymistat and a ziplock, and enjoy the cigars and see whats its all about.

And yes I do know who cigar.com is, but that doesnt affect me in the betterment of everyone else.

I wish I saw something like this, when I was first starting out, instead of buying too many sticks, I wasnt particularly fond of.

You can start with the mild, and if thats not interesting go for the medium. It just makes it easy to get a sampler with no fuss in a small variety of nice sized cigars.

I would personally go for the medium, and adjust up or down if I had to. This is from my experience.

Much regards Jerry

Very nice suggestion!

[RobustBrad]

Yeah good suggestion. Start with the medium and work left or right.

Cheers,
Brad

[mikevember]

Great suggestion, I have been going to the B&M and asked about good full and medium blends, they made some recommendations. Each time I go back I bring the list of cigars that I enjoyed and asked for recommendations based on those. It may be their personal preferences but it is helping me find my tastes.

[gjcab09]

Nice tip, Jerry.

[Qball]

I agree. I've started off with some sampler packs... 90+ pack, Rocky Patel Sampler Pack, Mild Pack, etc. and the savings is great.

I'd also recommend going to your local cigar store (referred to as a B&M or Brick and Mortar) and talking with the folks running the shop.

Tell them what you are looking for. What kind of tastes you like... do you want peppery and spicy? Do you want something that doesn't linger on your palate, but has great aroma and smoke... Do you want something earthy... or do you want to enjoy a cigar with a certain drink... i.e. Scotch, Brandy, etc.

There is a lot to learn about cigar size (both length and diameter) and shape... all of which can impact your enjoyment of the smoke.

Pick up 2 or 3 smokes based on what they suggest you try and then give them some feedback the next time you go back... (i.e., it was too spicy, it reminded you of espresso, but you want more wood and cedar tones), etc.

Also, pay attention to the classifieds here. Some folks here are clearing out their humidors to make space and you can get even BETTER deals here then on some of the online places.

Places I've found (not endorsing or recommending any place).

Cigar.com - Cigars
Cigars International - discount cigars, humidors, cigar accessories
Cigarbid.com Auctions
Cigars - Shop Quality Cigars at Thompson Cigar
Cigars - Best Cigar Deals | Famous Smoke Shop
Cigar Monster - New Monster Cigar Deals Every Day!
Please wait. Redirecting to Mikes Cigars...

[GunHand]

I agree...start medium, and adjust as needed. Personally, my learning curve was a little rough....I would read reviews about how great a cigar was, then jump on C-Bid and (glup) buy a box!!! Well, that worked great when I liked them, but I also have lots of smokes that I really just don't care for. (I have been giving them out to friends...) Anyway, stick to 5ers, samplers, or singles from a B&M, start on the medium side, and adjust from there. If you get 'stuck' with a few that you don't like, trade or gift them...just because you don't like them, doesn't mean someone else won't LOVE them: case in point, my girlfriends father...he is thankfull for ANYTHING!!! The truth be told, it's a little frustrating, because I would like to know what he REALLY enjoys, but thats another story!!!

[jeepthing]

I started with a Revell Jar and a Mile and Mellow Sampler from Cigar International. It was a gift from a friend that is a Cigar smoker. Best way to go is a sampler or a few singles from a good B&M
CI Mild and Mellow Sampler - Cigars International

[GTCharged]

Great suggestion veteranvmb, will definitely help the people new to cigars find their tastes. Bravo!

[danmcmartin]

Samplers are the way to go. Tastes are so different that you can't rely solely on reviews and recommendations. The only way to find out what you like is to try a bunch and keep track of what you like and what you don't. Don't stop trying new things though. I feel like my next great cigar is sitting in a cigar shop somewhere or on it way to my house in a trade.

[triad47]

What I did is after I smoked my first, I went into the local B&M and stood around like a lost puppy for a while. One of the guys came up and asked if he could help, told him I have no idea what I like as I am just starting and he recommended about 10-12 different sticks.

Ended up inviting me to a cigar tasting and a local herf group too. I know prices at B&M's cant usually touch online prices, but I think its good to get to know your local tobaccoist as they are a great source of information and you will never know what kind of people you will meet at them. I have worked up a rapport with my local shops owner, and he gives me free empty boxes and trinkets once in a while.

[eyesack]

Good stuff guys! Yeah, I'm a little broke, so the only reasons I go to B&M's are: events, to get out of the cold garage, or what I do most of the time: I go try a stick I've been wanting to try, see if I like it, and if I do, find a good deal on more from an online retailer. I might be getting one stick at the b&m for 10 bucks rather than 5 sticks for 15 bucks, but at least I won't have 4 left that suck (if that happens, which it has... more often than I'd like to admit).

Some more great success stories also come from Newbie Trades. I've found some of my favorite sticks through other people. =D