Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

kellzey · 10-19-2009, 08:50 PM

Hello, from Orlando, FL.

I was former occasional pipe smoker (no, not that kind) in my college days and for a few years afterwards... My grandfather (German) always smoked a pipe and I've loved the smell... I gave it up about 10 years ago.

Cigars have never intrigued me, but I got the itch a few months ago, did a little research and dove right in.

So I have myself a nice 150 cigar Humi, with a digital hygro and a Paradigm humidifier. I let it cure for about 10 days. And after calibrating the hygro, the humi settled in nicely at 72%. I'm hitting 73 degrees, so I assume 72/73 should be fine.

Being a noob, and coming from a pipe tobacco background, I tend to like the milder, sweeter stuff. I also don't like too much spice on the palate... so I've been enjoying some medium-bodied smokes. For me, it's about the aroma of the smoke, and not so much about the lingering effect on my tongie.

I think my favorite so far is an Ashton Double Magnum and a Fuente 8-5-8 Maduro. I also received a sampler pack from Thompson that had a Rocky Patel Maduro of Costa Rica and it was splendid. Unfortunately it's no where to be found...

A little bit about myself...

39 yrs, old married, with one boy. My son is severely disabled from birth, so my wife and I live a different life then we had planned. He was supposed to survive only a few years, but he is 9 1/2 now and we value every precious day with him, knowing in the back of our minds he won't be with us forever.

I work for the family businesses in medical consulting and billing. I have a degree from Georgia Tech in Aerospace Engineering... never used it. Basically an $80K piece of paper on the wall.

I'm an avid fisherman, I collect military firearms, love mid-engined sports cars, and I'm trying to learn to play the banjo (but I suck and have no rhythm.

Why did I take up cigars... well home life and work life are pretty stressful. I'm fortunate enough to live on a lake with my own private dock, and lighting up a stick forces me to have some alone time, under the stars, where I can sit back, relax, and be to myself.

Here's my Humi setup

150-count from TC
Hygroset Hygrometer/Thermometer
Paradigm Digital

Current Inventory

Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 and 1992
Rocky Patel Connecticut
Rocky Patel Vintage Sungrown
Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Maduro and Natural
CAO Italia, Brazilia, and Maduro
Cusano 18 Connecticut and Maduro
Perdomo Lot 23
Ashton Classic Double Magnum
Ashton Classic Magnum

And Finally one Punch Churchill from an island nation near Florida gifted to me by a new friend

joncaputo · 10-19-2009, 08:52 PM

Welcome welcome! S. FLA here

Rookee · 10-19-2009, 09:52 PM

Welcome Karl, enjoy your journey. Seems like you're off to a good start nice humi and sticks.

rmrozek · 10-19-2009, 09:53 PM

Welcome Aboard!

MrMusicMan1 · 10-19-2009, 09:57 PM

Welcome Karl. Central Florida checking in... a little south of you. You have found the right place for information and some really wonderful people. Enjoy your stay.

kellzey · 10-19-2009, 09:57 PM

I'm also fortunate to have a nice B&M store a mile from my office... Old Time Cigar Outlet... nice place, nice leather couches and a flat screen... Basically a huge walk-in humidor stacked floor to ceiling with great smokes.

I'm also going to check out the "Light Up the Night" in Ybor City next month at the old Fuenta factory... should be fun.