Novice questions

[jasontp]

Ok so I'm just going to get as many of my dumb questions out of the way at once.


What kind of spending am I getting myself into
Are there cigars that don't take an hour to smoke?
What is a reasonably priced (I'm a broke barista) cigar that I can begin to build my palate with?
Where's the best place to find a cigar shop near me? (google?)
What really is the difference between cigars? It's all tobacco right?
I don't inhale right?


Thanks in advance I can already tell just from speaking with WindowRX and the warm welcome that I got on the introductions board that you guys freakin' rock and I'm glad to have found this site!

[tobby4]

Well I will start out with a few answers...
1. honestly depends on you, and how much of an addictive personality you have... It really does not cost that much, if you know how to limit yourself

2. Yes there are, I know this sounds obvious but the smaller the cigar the quicker, but that doesnt mean that is all you should try.

3. I Will Leave Suggestions to Others
4. Talk to other brothers that live in your area, I know that there are a few here or on other boards that we can get into contact with for you.

5. Yes it is all tobacco, but different types will give off different flavors, depending on the soil... Cuban tobacco taste different than Dominican

6. a little bit yes, but not every puff, unless you really want to puke on your first cigar...

[Wasch_24]

What kind of spending am I getting myself into
This is completely up to you bro. How often you plan on smoking, if you plan on ageing cigars, and whether you have OCD tendancies or not will determine this.

Are there cigars that don't take an hour to smoke?
Yes. Tres Petit Coronas, or perlas, tend to take about 50 minutes for me to smoke. Also there are clubs or cigarillos out there that take 20 minutes or so. Besides, you should only smoke a cigar for as long as you are enjoying it...not neccesarily until it is gone.

What is a reasonably priced (I'm a broke barista) cigar that I can begin to build my palate with?
If you are talking locally available domestics then I would sey Romeo y Julietta, Macanudo, and Padron maduro 1000s series are all good cigars for establishing what you like and don't like...I think anyways. Some of the other guys will have to help more with this because it has been like a year since I really enjoyed a domestically available cigar.

Where's the best place to find a cigar shop near me? (google?)
http://www.rtda.org/links.html

What really is the difference between cigars? It's all tobacco right?
The difference is where the tobacco is grown. How it is treated (cared for) after harveting. Where the leaves come from on the plant and how those are combined or blended in the cigar.

I don't inhale right?
No! Never! Just hold the smoke in your mouth and then slowly blow it out.

[Jwrussell]

You've pretty much got your answers above. But here's some questions that might help us answer better: Do you have a humidor of some type yet, and how big is it? How often do you smoke now? And from 1-10 how would you characterize the obsessiveness/adictiveness of your personality? The higher the number, the more money you are going to be spending...ask Todd. :wink:

[Wasch_24]

I don't think I fall within that scale Jason! :hysterica

[tobby4]

yea his avatar... yea thats his Humi....


so if you are addictive like that you are screwed....

I got a cooler for my humi, works like a damn charm

[Wasch_24]

Yeah yeah, the only reason I have that humidor is because you fockers are crazier than me! :grinFU:

[indyrob]

No question is dumb bubba, so I hope I can help you out with some answers to your questions.


What kind of spending am I getting myself into?

It's up to you and pawn broker. Buying cigars is more addicting than crack. There's your warning.

Are there cigars that don't take an hour to smoke?

There are tins availiable that come 10/tin. These are good for about 20 mins or less. Good way to get in to the habit, without breaking the bank. They have names like puritos and ascots. They aren't that bad.

What is a reasonably priced (I'm a broke barista) cigar that I can begin to build my palate with?

My boss swears by Baccarat cigars. They are cheap but not "Cheap Cigars".
Stay away from the stuff you get at the drug store and anything that comes in a bag of 50.

Where's the best place to find a cigar shop near me? (google?)

That's a good place to start.

What really is the difference between cigars? It's all tobacco right?

It is all tobacco, but different hieghts of the plant will produce different flavors. Different growing regions produce different taste profiles. It's the samething that you yourself can relate to being a barista, Zimbabwae doesn't taste like a Peaberry, Kona doesn't taste like Sumatra.

I don't inhale right?

Unless you want to look like the hulk...all green!

[indyrob]

One more thing...as far as a humidor goes, tupperware works great. Just make sure you get a decent humidifiaction setup. There is Hearfelt (Viper) has some beads that you can order, even waterpillows from your tobacconist works great until you have the need to expand.

I'm all about cheap...

[tobby4]

hey I told you I had nothing to do with it Todd...


But a good place to start is with lighter cigars...

When i Started i enjoyed Padron 1000 - 3000
I found that i liked something a little stronger than the 1000 so i went with the 3000 but I was not yet ready for a maduro, saying that I guess i am just saying, try a bunch, remember what you smoke and remember what you like...

[cvm4]

These guys basically covered it all. Just make sure you have your basics all covered first. I would reccomend no smaller then a 100-200ct. humidor. You might think you only need the 25ct., but there are so many cigars and so little time :smokingco

[Hal]

Ok so I'm just going to get as many of my dumb questions out of the way at once.


What kind of spending am I getting myself into

Waaaaaaaaaay too much!


Are there cigars that don't take an hour to smoke?

No. Yes. Er, sure?


What is a reasonably priced (I'm a broke barista) cigar that I can begin to build my palate with?

Ok I'll get serious - Flor de Oliva is a great place to start. Full flavor, easy on the wallet.


Where's the best place to find a cigar shop near me? (google?)

Phonebook?


What really is the difference between cigars? It's all tobacco right?

Yeah, just like all wine is the same. :) No, there's a HUGE difference between brands. Sometimes even within a single brand.


I don't inhale right?

Never. Ever. Unless you've got iron lungs and a steel stomach.

[tobby4]

Ok, everybody disagrees with me on the inhaling question. I do occassionally, i think it helps me taste the true taste of the cigar better, and yes you do have to have iron lungs and a steel stomach, i have gotten sick ( uh a VSG at 11 a.m hung over without breakfast ) and for some reason I am not a fan of those anymore....

[jasontp]

Thanks for all your responses guys. I don't have a humidor yet, so I need to find a way to do what you were talking about with tupperwear or something. I've got a pretty addictive personality I guess. There's probably 20-30 bottles of wine around my house that are just the good bottles that I kept after I drank them. I have a really hard time saving stuff like that so I doubt I would get into ageing. As much as I smoke cigarettes and the few times I've smoked a cigar I must have iron lungs and an iron stomach because every 3rd or 4th puff I'd inhale just to taste it a little more. But back on topic, if I were to go out tomorrow and buy one of the lower priced cigars you guys suggested, approximately how much would it be? (sorry to sound so concerned with price, but not having any money makes that an important subject). And if I didn't have time to smoke it then, how would I store it seeing as I don't have a humidor?

[tripp]

You ask a lot of good questions. In fact the questions most all of us asked when we started into this thing.

My advice..(and it is worth excatly what it cost:headroll: ) is to start small.
A few different types of different cigars. And I would start with the smaller cigars. They will cost less money to buy and if you find them displeasing you wont mind throwing out a half smoked corona versus a quarter smoked churchill.


What kind of spending am I getting myself into?

As little or as much as the wallet can handle, but dont count on more expensive always being better or cheaper being worse. Read some old threads and you will pick up on the names of some budget smokes to try. You pallate will be ever changing so dont buy a lot of one until you are sure you like it and gonna stay liking it.

Are there cigars that don't take an hour to smoke?
Yep, tres pettit coronas and coronas

What is a reasonably priced (I'm a broke barista) cigar that I can begin to build my palate with?
Punch has a good line. that punch rothschild is what got me involved in this world.

Where's the best place to find a cigar shop near me? (google?)
Or the yellow pages

What really is the difference between cigars? It's all tobacco right?
toilet paper is not toilet paper right, some is harder on you ass. Some cigars will be harder on your taste buds.

I don't inhale right?
Nope

[Wasch_24]

You could get any of the cigars mentioned for around $3 or $4.

If you do go to the tobaconist ask if they have any extra cedar dividers you can have. They work good at buffering the himidity in the tupperware.

[joshua]

For some decent smokes that don't cost an arm and a leg, I would say check out La Perla Habana and Flor de Oliva. Both have cigars that are around $3 or so that are quite tasty.

I would say ask the people at the shop to help you out and bring back a sampling of different flavors/sizes so you can try em out and see what you like. It might be an idea to try all one size in different brands at a time, then move onto another size and eventually you will find what you like flavor and size wize.

[cvm4]

http://www.rtda.org/linkstx.html

Just scroll down to the city you're in. I can't really help you much on the non-cubans as it has been a while since I've smoked one. But I will say the Arturo Fuente and Padron lines were always great to me back then.

[The Searcher]

All the previous answers are spot on as always but you might want to try a Cusano 18 connecticut Mild but with a nice flavor $3.85 rated 92 CA. I smoked one last night real good IMHO for the money.

[jasontp]

Hey thanks guys I really appreciate all your help. . . from what I could decipher in the domestic review section these have intrigued me

Punch Gran Puro Libertad (Tubed)
5x52 Natural wrapper

Luna de Luna

Flor de Oliva Robusto

The Edge maduro

Belmore Cameroon Selection Torpedo

Domaine AVO 40 (Chris' Batchelor Party - Shiraz!)
*Chris and I went on a wine tour in Santa Ynez and he fell in love w/ Shiraz

Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sun Grown Captiva Tubos

Davidoff Grand Cru #2

Cusano 1997 Corojo Robusto

Bahia Trinidad Elegante

Bahia Maduro Red Label

Cusano 18 connecticut Mild

[jasontp]

Oh yeah. . . what is purging the cigar?

[Wasch_24]

I recently learned the most effective way of doing this. You ash the cigar and blow through the cigar while holding a flame to the foot. Remove the flame while continuing to blow and you should acheive a blow torch like effect. Continue blowing until the flame goes away or you run out of breath. Your cigar will taste almost brand new.

[jasontp]

wow. . . that's really strange, but whatever works!

[Wasch_24]

Yeah. Until recently I never applied the flame...it's crazy but it really improves the flavors of the remainder of the cigar.

[tripp]

I never did it with a flame. Thanks for the tip.

[caudio51]

I learned that purge technique a while ago, crazy how well it works.

[Wasch_24]

JW showed me how to do it with the flame...I forget where he learned it.

[Jwrussell]

Where else? Online! :rofl:

Great advice. Jason, I'd go with the tupper-dor. It's about the easiest thing in the world. Go out to your local Target or Wally-world and get a "Sterlite" or any other kind of "tupperware-like" container so long as it seals well. Go over to heartfeltindustries.com and get yourself some 65% beads. Put the beads in the tupper-dor, put the cigars in and you are good to go. Oh yeah, pick up a nice, inexpensive digital hygro as well just so you know what's what for now.

Cheapest way to get started and there are enough different size tupperware like containers to give you some flexibility in storage size.

[caudio51]

The best cigar is the cigar YOU like.

Absolutely true :thumbsup:

[jasontp]

After reading some reviews and talking to a couple people here in town I'm really getting that impression. Now I just need time to visit Tobacco Lane and get me a cigar!

[Jwrussell]

Oh yeah, and as for the cigar recommendation. Can't go wrong with a Torano. In fact, if you decide you like maduro cigars definately pick up a Torano Signature...

[indyrob]

I think that the Maduro wrapper might need to be explained too. Some are sweet, some are strong...just don't look at it like it's going to be an ass kicker because it's strong looking.

[Doofus]

Hey thanks guys I really appreciate all your help. . . from what I could decipher in the domestic review section these have intrigued me



The Edge maduro




The others were great suggestions, but I'd stay away from the Edge maduro at first. It's one of my current favorite NC's, but it's a high-octane smoke and will probably put you on your butt, at least until you get a little more used to cigars.

Sounds like you're getting off to a good start. I wish I'd had BOTL when I was starting out. Keep asking questions, bro.

PM sent, also.


Oh yeah...


Phonebook?





They still make phone books??

[jasontp]

I'm not worried about getting kicked on my butt I like to start strong when i started drinking wine my instant favorite was Cabernet. . . but I'm definately getting some stuff that's not quite so stout to start off with too!

[caudio51]

The Edge is definitely a strong cigar. A great smoke for the price too.

I love the Torano Sig's, a lot of spice to them.

[jcgoldner]

Another great $3 NC is the Punch Rare Corojo Rothschild.

[Hal]

A word or two about inhaling. You don't have to inhale into your lungs to taste the tobacco. Your taste buds and sense of smell are in your mouth and nose, not your lungs. If you inhale you stand a much bigger chance of getting cancer, especially if you smoke cigarettes according to the studies I've seen. Also, cigar smoke is much heavier than cigarette smoke so it'll make you sick anyway. You won't enjoy it so my advice is not to.

You can force the smoke into your nose or breathe some in through your nose to get the full flavor experience, but to inhale to the point of getting it into your lungs is like drinking vanilla coke - some people do it but it's just plain wrong... ;)

[jasontp]

Yeah I'm sure just by force of habit I'll inhale a couple times on my first few cigars, but it's not a practice I intend to make regular or anything

[jasontp]

So what exactly does "maduro" mean? In reading reviews I liked the characteristics that were mentioned, but I'm not sure exactly what it is.

[Wasch_24]

It is a treatment to the tobacco which turns it very dark and almost creates a chocolaty taste to the cigar. Maduro cigars are typically slightly stronger and more flavorful IMO.

[caudio51]

Maduro Wrappers 101

Dark and as rich tasting as the earth from which they grow, Maduro-wrapped cigars are a favorite among many. They are the darkest of all the various shades of brown, and provide a wide array of tastes, from a sweet, mellow flavor to a robust and hearty taste that only the most seasoned smoker could appreciate.

"Maduro" is the Spanish word for "ripe" and is use cigar-wise to refer to the extra time required and the dark colors achieved during the natural fermentation of maduro wrappers. Typically these wrappers are oily, plush with flavor, and earthy to the nose.

As with all wrapper colors, there is a wide array of variance between subtle shades of brown, but there are three primary Maduro color groups:


Colorado Maduro (dark brown) - This color is found on some of the fullest flavored cigars in the world. Typically, these are sun-ripened and are sometimes referred to as "EMS" or "dark EMS."

Maduro (very dark brown) - This color is also occasionally referred to as "Spanish Market Selection" (SMS) because of the Spanish nation's love of dark, full-bodied cigars.

Oscuro (basically black) - Also referred to as "Double Maduro or "Maduro Maduro." Very few of these are produced today with a few notable exceptions: the very full- flavored El Rey del Mundo Oscuro, Honduran Punch & Hoyo de Monterrey Double Maduro, and the JR Ultimate Oscuro lines. Also let me dismiss a common repeated fallacy regarding Double Maduro & Maduro Maduro cigars: These terms refer solely to their color and not that the cigar is wrapper in two maduro wrappers or a maduro wrapper and binder combo. Somehow this "two-wrapper" mistruth continues to be repeated by some tobacconist year after year. Please when you hear someone say this, politely educate him or her for everyone's benefit.

Now here is where things get a little confusing: The term "Maduro" can be used to describe solely the color of a wrapper, or it can be used to actually refer to the process of creating a Maduro wrapper leaf. In short, a cigar can be Maduro in color, but not actually a Maduro wrapper and vice versa, while a wrapper can be fermented using the methods that create natural Maduro wrappers, but the resulting color may be on the lighter end of the Maduro color spectrum.

Traditional hand-worked Maduro wrappers are the result of two separate processes. The first is utilizing leaves selected from the top 2/3 of the plant. The additional sun ripening provides the sweetness associated with Maduro wrappers. This is due to photosynthesis creating added sugar in the leaves. Also, the heavier oils for which Maduro wrappers are noted are the result of the plant's natural defenses; the leaf creates additional oils trying to protect itself from the sun's glare. Whether the leaf will become a mild- or a full-flavored Maduro wrapper is generally determined by where on the plant the leaf was selected. The leaves at the top of the plant produce full-flavored wrappers, whereas the middle leaves produce a milder wrapper.

In addition to extra sun ripening, Maduro wrapper leaves are fermented longer and at a higher temperature. Natural wrappers will be fermented to between 100 and120 degrees for most varieties, while Maduro wrappers are fermented at higher temperatures, sometimes as high as ~150 degrees before being cased and turned. This extended high temperature fermentation turns the leaves the dark brown Maduro color. The longer the fermentation period, the darker the color, and the milder the wrappers will become. Also, only certain tobacco varietals' leaves can be used to create naturally fermented Maduro wrappers, as the tobacco must have sufficient body to withstand the higher fermentation temperature and lengthened bulk durations. Connecticut Broadleaf, Habana 2000, and Mexican Sumatran are the two strains most commonly used in the creation of Maduro wrapper leaf.

In the past, some manufacturers have been known to add weight atop of the pilones, thereby pressing the leaf tighter, which increases the internal temperature of the fermentation process. This is referred to as "press fermentation." Some factories also break apart the bulks, and allow the leaves additional time exposed in the sun between fermentation cycles. There are a variety of other techniques utilized to refine this time-honored process, but many remain closely held secrets by the tobacco men who work this dark leaf. Here it seems appropriate to mention master expatriate Cuban-cigar-maker Estelo Padron. In addition to being the master blender and cigar maker for the Villazon (HATSA) factory in Honduras, he is also widely regarded by his peers and cigar smokers as the master of sweating Maduro wrapper leaf. Cigars featuring his dark, rich wrappers are the epitome of the Maduro- cigar smoking experience.

Now it is time to introduce two other methods implemented to create Maduro wrappers. The first is "cooking," which more accurately described is actually steaming. In this process, the leaves are placed within a steam chamber for a period of 60-120 minutes and steamed at 180+ degrees Fahrenheit. The result is a very dark wrapper that is very consistent in color. Some hold in contempt this method, but actually this is the method that is most commonly used to create the wrappers used on most of the milder Maduro cigars. Although this is a much simpler and shorter process, the maker has to be vigilant, as it is possible to overcook the leaf resulting in a dull, flat-tasting wrapper with a silvery, gray appearance. The other alternative method is dying the leaves the desired dark brown color. This is done in a variety of ways - from sluices, vats, to even a machine that is snidely referred to as the "Madu-O-Matic" by those in the trade. This machine can "create" Maduro wrappers at a blazing pace and, typically, makers will add sugar to the molasses-like dye to sweeten the flavor of the leaf. This process is considered "cheating" by many in the industry, and is held in low regard by many traditional tobacco men. As a consumer, it is easy to detect whether your Maduro cigar is a faux, because most dyed Maduro cigars will actually leave a slight brown stain right on lip of the smoker.

I second the Punch Roths, nice smoke.

[jasontp]

So another question just to see how long we can keep this thread going :wink: The guy at the cigar shop I went to last night gave me cedar stick and he told me to light my cigars with them. . . is this neccessary? does it really make that much of a difference?

[Doofus]

The guy at the cigar shop I went to last night gave me cedar stick and he told me to light my cigars with them. . . is this neccessary? does it really make that much of a difference?

No. Looks nice, but it's a pain in the ass and if you have a good torch lighter, completely unnecessary.

[jasontp]

Well I'm rather fond of my Zippo that has my name engraved on it, but I got the feeling like that might make the cigar taste like lighter fluid

[Black Dog]

Well I'm rather fond of my Zippo that has my name engraved on it, but I got the feeling like that might make the cigar taste like lighter fluid
Two words:
Zippo Insert

It's a butane insert that replaces the fluid reservior in your lighter. I have several lighters but use the Zippo more than anything.
Mine was given to me by a fine Brother so I'm afraid I don't know where they can be purchased. I do some looking and let you know.

[jasontp]

That would be freakin' awesome!!! I hate to abandon my prized zippo because I wanna smoke a cigar

[Black Dog]

Here it is, right on our own site..................... Well, I can't get the link button to work so check out Heartfelt Industries from the vendor section of the index.

[jasontp]

That is fuckin' awesome! As soon as I actually have a few bucks I'm ordering me one!