How many cigars did you smoke before you found the first one you liked ?

[Romey88]

I'm 39 and just getting into cigar smoking ( 2 weeks in now) . I love reading all the info on this board and others and have a nice little collection of about 80 different cigars now and more on the way lol (so many good deals out there ). The more I read, the more I want to buy and try . I've tried about 6 different cigars so far and have not found the ONE I really like or just plain like yet. How many smokes did it take you guys before you found the ONE?

[SureShot81]

Still haven't found the perfect cigar, but I have a list of likes and dislikes. I started smoking cigars seriously about 4 months ago, but have been through quite a few in that period. The hardest part for me when I began is that the more you smoke the more your taste/palate changes. I think it also changes on the regularity of your smoking. But finally, after going from mild to extremely strong, full-bodied cigars, I settled in to enjoying something like a medium-full to full-bodied cigar. Once you settle in on the strength you enjoy, then finding suitable cigars is much easier.

It also wouldn't hurt to keep some notes about what you like about particular cigars, then go to your B&M to see if they can make any recommendations off the likes in your notes. My B&M pretty much knows my taste now, so when I come in they know what to recommend and show me the new cigars that suit the flavor I enjoy. So yeah, get to know your B&M and they'll take care of you when you figure out what you truly like about certain cigars.

[scottw]

1 and I was hooked. It's only gotten better from there.

[K Baz]

I think my journey was a little different from yours.

Most (I think people) buy the odd cigar here and there then they find one they love/like then they start the never ending journey to find the next best cigar.

For me it was a Monte 4 I bought a couple at the local B&M and it was heavenly. I thought man if a cigar can be this good I need more. Then I smoked a RASS at my first herf. It was even better then the Monte 4.

And about 3 years later and over buying 100 boxes I have found many cigars I like and some I love.

The other thing to remember just because you didn't love it today doesn't mean you won't love it in 6 months or a year.

You palate will change/develop - I rarely smoke monte 4s now there is just so much out there I enjoy more (still love them partially because they started me on the journey).

My only advise is smoke often smoke as many different cigars you can get and make notes focus on why they were good or bad and make notes.

Eventually you will find what your looking for but the real fun is in the journey.

[JohnnySmokestar]

I've only been at it for about 6 months myself. It started with acid infusions. After a trip to what has become my regular shop, I started expirmenting with regular cigars at the urging of the owner Vince. It started with Ashton Magnums which had great flavor and was light enough to help me develop a palate. I smoked the Rocky Conneticut's and others and was still a little stuck on Magnums. I started to enjoy the Ashton Cabinets and found that I really like Maduro with the Ashton Maduro's both in 40 and 50 sizes. It was a gift from my mom one summer evening that really got me going. She had gotten me two cigars, the one I forget, but the other I never will. It was a toro sized Rocky Patel Old World Reserve. I fell in love. After I smoked this cigar the rest his history. It was my first love in cigars.

-Smokestar

[JCK]

Like Scott, I liked the first one, otherwise I never would have bought the second.

[ignite223]

I started with the floavored cigars and then moved on into the good cigars. Keep trying them and you might find one you like, but I know 2 guys that tried for over a year and never found a cigar they liked. Good luck!!

[SirR]

I started out with some samplers, and loved most of them. I noticed though, as I went on, my taste changed and the cigars I once liked were no longer pleasing to me. I used to love the 5 vegas classic, but now, it tastes like an airball to me.

[Hermit]

Originally Posted by scottw

1 and I was hooked. It's only gotten better from there.

Me too...even if it was a "Goodie's - Keep Moving."

[Arge]

I have found many cigars I like, but that is not preventing me for trying new ones.

[nativetexan_1]

1. I liked the first one I smoked, although I had to get the hang of "how to". The first one was a drugstore variety, and it was pretty good. Once I stepped up to Consuegras, it got even better. Others since have just gotten better. Although, there have been exceptions.

[kellzey]

I was pretty lucky. I picked up some Arturo Fuente cigars and a Romeo y Julieta on my first go-round.

My second cigar as the AF 8-5-8 Maduro and is still one of my go-to cigars.

[jeepthing]

I have been smoking for a few months, I have a good list of likes and dislikes. Like was said taste changes over time. When I started I thought Acid Blondies were the bomb, now I don't care for them. I really have gotten hooked on Maduro wrapped smokes. Arturo Fuente being a favorite

[ericb13]

I agree that tastes change a lot over time. I used to really like Black & Mild and other drug store varieties. Then I had a Romeo y Julieta that kind of hooked me. I had another RyJ the other day after only a few months of smoking and I hated it. I've found several that I really like and will keep trying to find better ones.

I think it's a never ending quest because my palette will probably keep changing and getting more sophisticated.

[The Postman]

That is the neat thing about this passion, you will always be finding new experiances even with cigars you have smoked before. I have been smoking for about 3 years now, and when I find a cigar I really like I will buy 5 or 10, and then just let them rest, smoking one by one, untill they are gone. If I still like them, I will buy more, if not, then I move on to something else.

Keeping track of what you smoke is key, I just made up a simple spreadsheet that I keep on my computer, entering comments about each cigar when I smoke it. Since I started that, I have smoked over 350 cigars.