CC First Timer

[geneticdrifter]

Hola Compadres, I've been toying with the idea of making this thread for a while now and finally decided to do it. I just received my first humidor (Savoy 100ct - seasoning with Boveda as we speak)and will be making my first order of CC next week; from the Czar of course. I'm looking to try a few things and was wondering if there were any must haves? I'll be ordering a Robusto sampler, a couple HDM des Dieux (reviews I've read are too tempting) and anything you guys think I should try, within reason. My goal is to try and see the diversity available in the CC market; try to find what I like and go from there with a second order.

So give me all your must-try CC. Not looking to buy any boxes or anything for obvious reasons but other than that I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks.

[Pilgrims]

definitely look at the coronas and petit coronas (especially Bolivar and Partagas) as it is a big mistake to over look these as they have everything I look for but in a more accessible size...enjoy

[maverickdrinker]

Buy samplers to get a sense of what different marcas taste like to find what connects with your palate.

I would recommend getting a bunch of coronas, minutos or petite coronas to start. Doesn't break the bank and good indications of what to expect from each marca.

Have fun

[NMJoe]

Hello, and welcome to FoH, Drifter.

I think your Robusto sampler is a great place to start. If you were to tack on Rob's Petit Corona Split and his Piramide Split, you'd have yourself a nice spread of Marcas to review, and frankly some very fine cigars. Then, cut up your credit card because it's a quick trip to financial ruin from there.

Cheers,

NMJ

[gersonmorelli]

I'd go with the usual suspects... PSD4, HdM Epi 2, Bolivar RC, maybe a good RASS. I wouldn't go with skinny ones, as if you smoke them too fast you'll hate your experience with CCs. As good as a HdM des Dieux may sound like (and they are), I found that they need some serious aging before reaching their full potential. But then again I don't smoke that many fresh cigars.

[cigcars]

Welcome GeneticDrifter! Eventually, everybody knows what sizes various cigars come in that will suit them best. It didn't take me long, for example, to realize that I'm not a fan of robusto size smokes (the short fat size). An awful lot of people, especially on this forum, really love lancero (slim, slender) size cigars...I loathe that size too! The suggestions about trying samplers are probably the best advice offered here and you can go for Pyramide/Torpedos, Petite Coronas, Robustos, Churchills, ad infinitum and see what suits you. If you want strong and powerful you'll want Bolivars, Ramon Allones, some Partagas. If you like mild and softer smokes Fonseca, El Rey Del Mundo, Por Larranaga (my personal favorite), and these samplers will feature numerous of these brands for your perusal. Hope this is some useful info and again welcome to the Forum.

[CaptainQuintero]

QDO corona

Monte #3

HDM Epi #2

RYJ SHort Churchill

Bolivar Petit Corona

Smoke them slow and prepare for the addiction

[winelover]

You can't really go wrong if you buy singles within the Bolivar, Montecristo, Partagas, and H Upmann line ups. Don't go near MC Opens though as they aren't proper CCs and very light on the flavour front.

[Ophidion]

My first cuban cigar was a Guantanacrapa, don't make the same mistake I made.

That being said my suggestions for a newcomer:

-RASS

-H Upmann 46

-Bolivar PC

-El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme

[Dbone]

I truly don't get a taste for a particular cigar by smoking singles, at least half a box and I start to zone in on something like a profile for a number of reasonings.

I usually just buy boxes, even blindly at times. The chances I'm going to hate the box so much it gets dumped is very rare. In about 80 or so boxed I've gone through, 2 were total dog rockets. I'd say, dive head first in and buy some boxes lol

One suggestion, the poster brand Cohiba, isn't always worth the coin. For the price of a box of CoRo, you could almost get a 50cab of JL2 or any other combination of two boxes of what I consider, just as good cigars. That being said, yeah I have a 4 boxes of Cohiba cigars LOL. But on start up it's a lot of coin which could be used to try many more smokes.

Good luck :-)

[danistalking]

Welcome and it seems like you're already on the right track. Try 'em all if you can and you will get to know what you like and don't like. Samplers/Singles will also be the recommendation.

[bacalao]

Czar Partagas Party Sampler for the price you can't beat it

[brazoseagle]

Czar Partagas Party Sampler for the price you can't beat it

X2

Plus Czar Petit Corona Sampler, Czar Robusto Sampler and Czar Piramide Sampler.

[PigFish]

These threads are of little help IMHO. You are who you are and if you don't know us and how similar our tastes are we can't point you to what you might like. There is the in crowd that smokes the more popular sticks, they outnumber the out crowd by 20 to one. The out crowd guys (like me) will suggest what are often considered strange cigars in "out of the mainstream" sizes.

Not wanting to discout anyones tastes, I would suggest that you call Bwana (our host) and tell him what you like in a cigar and have him pull out several of each. While I cannot dictate your budget, don't just buy one cigar of a type or size. The "by the box" buying is the way to go if you make the grade and change your preference in cigars but samples are a way to start. Don't get stuck with any one size. The only way you learn is to try cigars. That is my best advice.

The next 'best practice" is create a separate storage space today! Take the RH down to no more than 60RH. Most vendors store above my taste in RH and 5RH can make a radical difference in how a cigar tastes. Smoking the CC too wet will make you wish you never tried them, and you may very well say that CC are lousy as a result.

CC must have a nice crackle when you give them a tactile squeeze and roll. I would consider not touching one for at least 30 days and the correct psychrometrics of several months would be better.

Cuban cigar connoisseur smoking is a matter of taste, knowledge and best practices. If the bug bites you be prepared for a protracted journey.

Welcome, and cheers. -the Pig

[Ghabanos]

I truly don't get a taste for a particular cigar by smoking singles, at least half a box and I start to zone in on something like a profile for a number of reasonings.

I usually just buy boxes, even blindly at times. The chances I'm going to hate the box so much it gets dumped is very rare. In about 80 or so boxed I've gone through, 2 were total dog rockets. I'd say, dive head first in and buy some boxes lol

One suggestion, the poster brand Cohiba, isn't always worth the coin. For the price of a box of CoRo, you could almost get a 50cab of JL2 or any other combination of two boxes of what I consider, just as good cigars. That being said, yeah I have a 4 boxes of Cohiba cigars LOL. But on start up it's a lot of coin which could be used to try many more smokes.

Good luck :-)

If u got the cash... Start picking up boxes... Wish I had the cash...

Samplers are the othe way to start...

[geneticdrifter]

These threads are of little help IMHO. You are who you are and if you don't know us and how similar our tastes are we can't point you to what you might like. There is the in crowd that smokes the more popular sticks, they outnumber the out crowd by 20 to one. The out crowd guys (like me) will suggest what are often considered strange cigars in "out of the mainstream" sizes.

Not wanting to discout anyones tastes, I would suggest that you call Bwana (our host) and tell him what you like in a cigar and have him pull out several of each. While I cannot dictate your budget, don't just buy one cigar of a type or size. The "by the box" buying is the way to go if you make the grade and change your preference in cigars but samples are a way to start. Don't get stuck with any one size. The only way you learn is to try cigars. That is my best advice.

The next 'best practice" is create a separate storage space today! Take the RH down to no more than 60RH. Most vendors store above my taste in RH and 5RH can make a radical difference in how a cigar tastes. Smoking the CC too wet will make you wish you never tried them, and you may very well say that CC are lousy as a result.

CC must have a nice crackle when you give them a tactile squeeze and roll. I would consider not touching one for at least 30 days and the correct psychrometrics of several months would be better.

Cuban cigar connoisseur smoking is a matter of taste, knowledge and best practices. If the bug bites you be prepared for a protracted journey.

Welcome, and cheers. -the Pig

Buying boxes is out of the question for me. Its budget-able but just not smart. If I had a bigger community of smokers locally whom I was in cahoots with then I would think about it; at least then I could share some of the cost of buying a box I didn't prefer.

As for lowered humidity, I'm shooting for 65RH and plan on dry boxing. As for trying different cigars, and your penchant for non-conformity , that is why I made this thread. I wanted some out of the box suggestions. Most of the cigars listed so far are rather obvious as must try. The unique stuff is what I want to hear about. Knowing what I don't like is just as important as knowing what I do.

So bring on your strange recommendations, but include some info as to why you like them so much or why you think I would. Will they offer a great contrast to some of the go to cigars that might expand my palette for instance? Or possibly offer a unique flavor profile? Maybe pair really well with something?

@Everyone - Thanks for the suggestions. I'm most likely going to try the PC and robusto sampler. Plus a few singles, couple Upmann 46's, a few extra, HDM Epi 2's, and the HDM des Dieux.

[danistalking]

Good choice on the Epi 2s(one of my favs), I'd suggest also the HDM Coronations. You could also give the Cuaba line a try as well. Some of them are hit or miss with the draw and such but when they're good, they're good. .

You should also go through the FOH video reviews, they go through a variety of CCs, not just the big names. Plus they're hilarious.

[PigFish]

Buying boxes is out of the question for me. Its budget-able but just not smart. If I had a bigger community of smokers locally whom I was in cahoots with then I would think about it; at least then I could share some of the cost of buying a box I didn't prefer.

As for lowered humidity, I'm shooting for 65RH and plan on dry boxing. As for trying different cigars, and your penchant for non-conformity , that is why I made this thread. I wanted some out of the box suggestions. Most of the cigars listed so far are rather obvious as must try. The unique stuff is what I want to hear about. Knowing what I don't like is just as important as knowing what I do.

So bring on your strange recommendations, but include some info as to why you like them so much or why you think I would. Will they offer a great contrast to some of the go to cigars that might expand my palette for instance? Or possibly offer a unique flavor profile? Maybe pair really well with something?

@Everyone - Thanks for the suggestions. I'm most likely going to try the PC and robusto sampler. Plus a few singles, couple Upmann 46's, a few extra, HDM Epi 2's, and the HDM des Dieux.

That is a fair reply!

I can no longer keep up with what is or is no longer in the catalogue but depending on your sources here are some of my favored production cigar in no particular order. They are not favorites because they are unusual other than that they are consistently good cigars. Being out of the ordinary, I have no belief in flavor profiles. I am interested only in getting a great cigar as often as possible. That is why these are favored.

Monte 1 Especiales (#2 as well)

Cohinba Lanceros, Coronas Extra, Exqusitos

QdO Coraons (probable the best production cigar still made)

Any Coronas that you can find, exception any RyJ

Most Petit Coronas, Marevas exception RyJ. While the PLPC used to be a favorite, the production of them has hurt their quality.

Any Diplomatico except the #2!

Any Rafael Gonzalez (that you can find!)

Sub-Petit Coronas cigars: perlas, franciscanos, coronitas... etc. Example Monte 5, Diplo 5, RASCC and others.

The Juan Lopez #1

The list of cigars that I like and are no longer made is pointless. Some are already mentioned but you might find some anyway.

Good luck on your hunting and sampling. So are you gonna' add any of my suggestions???? -LOL

Cheers, Piggy

[geneticdrifter]

Good luck on your hunting and sampling. So are you gonna' add any of my suggestions???? -LOL

Cheers, Piggy

LOL

The QDO, particularly, but our Russian friend is out of singles so they will have to wait for a later order. Possibly from someone else...GASP!

Thanks for the recc's.

[Bernid]

Buying boxes is out of the question for me. Its budget-able but just not smart. If I had a bigger community of smokers locally whom I was in cahoots with then I would think about it; at least then I could share some of the cost of buying a box I didn't prefer.

As for lowered humidity, I'm shooting for 65RH and plan on dry boxing. As for trying different cigars, and your penchant for non-conformity , that is why I made this thread. I wanted some out of the box suggestions. Most of the cigars listed so far are rather obvious as must try. The unique stuff is what I want to hear about. Knowing what I don't like is just as important as knowing what I do.

So bring on your strange recommendations, but include some info as to why you like them so much or why you think I would. Will they offer a great contrast to some of the go to cigars that might expand my palette for instance? Or possibly offer a unique flavor profile? Maybe pair really well with something?

@Everyone - Thanks for the suggestions. I'm most likely going to try the PC and robusto sampler. Plus a few singles, couple Upmann 46's, a few extra, HDM Epi 2's, and the HDM des Dieux.

"bigger community of smokers".....Ha!!!...we're right here, under your nose G-drifter. come join your fellow Habano lovers at your local B&M.

see you soon

[geneticdrifter]

LOL. Thanks man. I'll stop in this weekend for sure. Maybe sooner.