Hello from Northern Virginia..

[sboyajian]

Hey y'all.. and greetings from the DC Metro area.

Been reading the forums for over a week now and the knowledge and interaction here, from what I've seen, is fantastic. I look forward to being a very active member to this community.

I smoked my first handmade premium back in 2000.. my friends and I had made a run to a store that had some hard to find imported beer and he had a small cigar selection.. being new to it, I picked up a couple Acid Blondies.. I was hooked.

I had been smoking two packs of a cigarettes a day, but upon meeting my wife, I quit (had wanted to for some time). Thinking she was against smoking altogether, I didn't even smoke cigars.

Until one day when having dinner with some friends, he invited me outside for a Cigar and she told me to have fun (worst mistake she ever made .. heh)..

That same friend gave me my first humidor (little 20-30 box)
http://flickr.com/photos/sboyajian/2622123602/

I filled it up relatively quick with a Thompson sampler.. a few months later, I got my new toy.. 2006 La Gloria Cubana Serie R Limitada (#221 of 500).
http://flickr.com/photos/sboyajian/2621298457/

Again, it wasn't long before I filled that one up.. knowing a walk in humidor was eventually on the way, but still needing more room, I was able to pick up this guy from CB for about $50..
http://flickr.com/photos/sboyajian/3050296152/

Sadly that one is already about half full, and with the promise that I not buy any more humidors until the walk in is complete.. I need to slow down on my buying (apparently 3 boxes and a CAO Champion sampler in 2 weeks is excessive?)

Well, anyway.. I have a soft spot for Maduro's (my favorite being the Padron 64 Superior -- well.. the torpedo, but for the price, I'll stick with the superior).. followed by the Mx2 Belicoso..

I prefer the belicoso and torpedo shapes, but am starting to use the punch more often on the other shaped caps...

I welcome any and all recommendations.. I've tried many cigars, but in the grand scheme of how many are actually out there, I haven't tried much at all.. I feel even after trying probably 50 - 70 types, I'm still a newbie.. So please feel free to recommend something to me, regardless of shape or leaf.

[Camacho Junior]

Welcome. My wife has no problem wit me smoking cigars either. She didn't know what she started either.

[happy1]

Welcome!!

[DBCcigar]

Welcome!

[Diana]

Welcome to CL. I am glad you decided to join, Steve. You are in good hands the members here know so much, you'll learn a lot. Thanks for joining.

[tx_tuff]

Welcome Steve, nice story brother. Have you tired any of Pepin's blends yet? You should try the 601 Blue Label (Maduro).

[sboyajian]

Thanks for the greets folks.

Frank, I have a Pepin Blue Generosos.. been sitting in my box for about 3 months.. may smoke it today for Thanksgiving, I'll let you know what I think.

I also have some of the CI Legends Pepins and I'm sending a few assorted Acid/Drew Estates to a friend in exchange for a couple Pepin Vegas Cubanas torpedos.. I'm looking forward to DPG's from everything I have heard.

[Ceedee]

Welcome Steve, North Cack-a-lack-ey

CD

[Sea Jay]

Welcome to Cigar live!

Great to have you here.

[Architeuthis]

Squid® offers up a hearty (if somewhat late) greeting from Texas! Pull up a stool and light up a cigar!