Two Cigar Mistakes you have made.

[El Presidente]

We have a lot of new members lately who I know read daily but are a little reluctant in posting (you shouldn't be ). They converse with me offline and instore and they are at various stages of their Habanos Life Cycle (a topic for another day).

If you could offer two pieces of advice only. What would it be for someone starting out in this hobby?

[dicko]

1) over-humidifying my cigars

2) smoking too quickly (frequency of puffs too high...normally too drunk or in a rush to finish because I have to be somewhere). smoke slower, so much better flavour.

[MIKA27]

I agree Prez, all newbies should not be reluctant in posting.

My tip:

1) Read through the forum as a great many of your questions can be answered by sifting through FOH. If you're after specific advice, scroll to the bottom left side of the forum and type in your search. Most often than not, a topic may have been posted that can answer your question.

2) The Chuck Tampa thread is an AMAZING read. I still use it often as Tampa was indeed an Oracle regarding CC's.

NOTE: I know this is meant to be ONLY two tips of advice but I can't help myself by saying:

3) Don't rinse your cigars.

[daboose]

• Be patient and take your time to read the forum and
  
• before purchasing boxes/cab's discover what suits YOUR palette by purchasing singles of as many sizes, shapes and brands practical
  

FoH/CCzar is one fantastic place to learn and enjoy the CC experience!

[CanuckSARTech]

If you could offer two pieces of advice only. What would it be for someone starting out in this hobby?

1. - Use the resources that are out there - ask questions, actually search for and read past threads rather than asking the same question over and over again, learn from the mistakes of others, don't be afraid to do so as it will save yourself hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars.

2. - Get a 2nd credit card, 'cause even though you're gonna save some money with the advice of those of us who have been there before, you're gonna end up spending more on stogies and then getting bitten by the bug, and so......you're gonna need a 2nd credit card to keep all of that hidden from the Mrs.

[but don't tell my wife I said that.... ]

[OZCUBAN]

I agree Prez, all newbies should not be reluctant in posting.

My tip:

1) Read through the forum as a great many of your questions can be answered by sifting through FOH. If you're after specific advice, scroll to the bottom right side of the forum and type in your search. Most often than not, a topic may have been posted that can answer your question.

2) The Chuck Tampa thread is an AMAZING read. I still use it often as Tampa was indeed an Oracle regarding CC's.

NOTE: I know this is meant to be ONLY two tips of advice but I can't help myself by saying:

3) Don't rinse your cigars.

I agree Prez, all newbies should not be reluctant in posting.

My tip:

1) Read through the forum as a great many of your questions can be answered by sifting through FOH. If you're after specific advice, scroll to the bottom right side of the forum and type in your search. Most often than not, a topic may have been posted that can answer your question.

2) The Chuck Tampa thread is an AMAZING read. I still use it often as Tampa was indeed an Oracle regarding CC's.

NOTE: I know this is meant to be ONLY two tips of advice but I can't help myself by saying:

3) Don't rinse your cigars.

I totally agree boys

Do not be scared to post, it can be very rewarding and funny ,and you will not form friend ships lurking in the darkness

My advice is more or less as above with the added advice try not to stress to much over your Cigars (still trying to master that )

This Forum is only as good as its active members want it to be ,so my final piece of advice is HAPPY POSTING

Cheers OZ

[OZCUBAN]

1. - Use the resources that are out there - ask questions, actually search for and read past threads rather than asking the same question over and over again, learn from the mistakes of others, don't be afraid to do so as it will save yourself hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars.

2. - Get a 2nd credit card, 'cause even though you're gonna save some money with the advice of those of us who have been there before, you're gonna end up spending more on stogies and then getting bitten by the bug, and so......you're gonna need a 2nd credit card to keep all of that hidden from the Mrs.

[but don't tell my wife I said that.... ]

HOW TRUE

[Habanakane21]

1. Don't cheap out on your first humidor. Go big... you will....grow into it.

2. Buy samplers and single cigars. See what you like, then buy a box.

[88keys]

We have a lot of new members lately who I know read daily but are a little reluctant in posting (you shouldn't be ).

Well I'm an old member who's a little reluctant in posting

By far the worst mistake I made was not to choose my dealers wisely. At first it's hard to understand all of the issues involved. Of course most of us are buying over the internet from a remote location, so that makes it even more significant. There is nothing worse than paying for (or smoking) wretched product. I never got an entire box of fakes but I certainly got fake singles. Besides that there were the ammoniated boxes, ones stored poorly thus expired, whole boxes that wouldn't draw -- the list goes on. Even if you live where Habanos are readily available, finding the right store makes a giant difference. Habanos vary enough in quality as it is. There used to be a thread on the forum with information and help about identifying a good source. Or unlike doing what I did, find a true expert and ask (although I did eventually ask Rob and Lisa questions once I found this board). Don't be seduced by slightly lower prices, intriguing box codes, whatever.

The other mistake I may have made was to gradually lose the pleasure and significance of our pastime. I almost left this planet a year ago (at a fairly young age), and now that I've been able to go back to cigars I've gone even further down the road to Habana. Besides the plain enjoyment, there's no better tool for relaxation and contemplation, both of which the doctors insisted I need. I haven't consulted them about my method though.

[Martindelmundo]

1. buy a good humidor.

2. Cohibas are never "cheap" you pay for what you get. Montecristo #2 in a 25 count box DO NOT cost $150. Moral of the story, Don't buy fakes!!! The forum will help you out if you have doubts.

[LeafLover]

1) Don't be afraid to post a review. Ok, if you don't post it, at least write it down. You'll grow as a cigar smoker. I know I did.

2) Don't impulse buy. Read reviews first. Read many reviews.

[cigcars]

Great advice from the members so far. For my 2 cents:

1. People talk about storing their smokes in the refrigerator (if there is no humidor available). If you do that, BE SURE you don't have them near any onions, pineapple upside down cake, or any other pungent - wonderful or otherwise - items. Tobacco is highly absorbant and even if you have them in plastic bags, they will pick up the aroma, therefore taste, of those items in your fridge.

2. When you're through with your cigar don't crush it out in your ash tray. Just let it go out on its own, which it will do. If you crush it out you will spread hot, smoky, unpleasant odor all over the place.

[rckymtn22]

Don't smoke it like a cigarette, let the ash fall off. I have seen some people flick the cigar against the side of ashtrays.

Will work on a second piece of advice

[tjhernandez34]

1. Beware of beetlles.

2. Don't spend money on Guantanameras!

[zuma]

1 - Unless you are lucky to have indoor smoking space, don't smoke in extreme weather conditions (too hot, too cold, too windy, too humid... and not under the rain ). You won't enjoy the experience and the cigar will perform poorly, and you'll want to finish it asap (getting it too hot in the process). - yeah, I have tried smoking a cigar in 40C and -5C weather

2 - Train your palate... try to savour spices is foods and desserts... and don't waste a cigar by smoking it when your palate and taste are compromised (cold, flu, under dental anaesthetic, etc), it will be insipid and lacking in character. - yeah, I have tried smoking a cigar with a cold, the flu, and with dental anaesthetic lingering in the system... no matter how many times I've tried, it'll always tastes cr*p

[ashen]

Buying a 90 count humidor instead of the 160 count model. I don't smoke them very often, but the 90 is just to small to age cigars!

Trying to quickly "revive" a dry cigar by leaving it in the shower room. Can we say "cracking?"

Buying sticks from places that end up sucking.

[Wil]

Smoke what you like, not what others tell you you should like.

Buy singles (at least a couple of each) and work out what you like.

[JoshMP]

1) don't be tight when it comes to the "tools". A few people have said this about humidors already but the same goes for cutters and lighters. If you buy cheap stuff to start with you'll just end up replacing it later, go straight for good quality as it will last you a lifetime!

2) take your time trying different singles, find those cigars that work for you. Everyone has a different preference so, whilst reviews are great, always remember you're the one smoking it.

[Kangaroo495]

Mistake #1 - I started smoking NCs.

Mistake #2 - I only smoke big, fat cigars

[Guest rob]

1/

To quote Gucci:

Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

2/

If you miss out on a 'too good to be true' price.... dont sweat it - there will be a new round of great deals next month.

[MIKA27]

2/

If you miss out on a 'too good to be true' price.... dont sweat it - there will be a new round of great deals next month.

Or in Czars case, you miss a good deal today, another will replace it tomorrow!

[godfathermint]

1) Invest in a cutter, biting the cap off or using a kitchen knife is not the answer (yes I did use the kitchen knife at one point =P)

2) The big fat long cigars are NOT necessarily the best cigars, a thinner gauge cigar can surprise you! =)

[joeypots]

For the new Havana enthusiast.

Don't spend all of your money on cigars,

Do not, under any circumstances, tell any one, ever, how much money you are spending on cigars.

Just don't do it. Keep your mouth shut.

[Colt45]

Not necessarily mistakes I've made, but realizations I've come to.....

Cigars are about enjoyment - don't allow having them to become a chore.

Certainly hold cigars until they reach their full flavor potential, but after that, don't save them for special occasions -

enjoy them as you see fit - any time.

[CanuckSARTech]

Don't be seduced by slightly lower prices, intriguing box codes, whatever.

I live in Canada - EVERYTHING is slightly lower prices compared to here!