What are the biggest challenges newcomers to Cuban Cigars are finding (or have found).

[Colt45]

I've been reading a couple of current discussions - the variety of answers to seemingly simple questions brings me back to this one. So this comes to mind: If feasible, I would think this of great benefit to new members who are new to Cuban cigars: That members who are actually part of the Cuban cigar industry give us all a rundown of the business.

Explain how it is structured, how it works, from top to bottom. This might help remove some of the "I've heard", and give people considering jumping in an outline which they can use to help guide decisions.

[Shrody234]

With only smoking CCs for a year I've found the biggest obstacle is smoking a variety of marcas. Its difficult and expensive to find singles and 3 pack options are limited. This gets even harder with ELs and REs.I find myself jumping into boxes when I would have preferred to smoke a few first. Thankfully, I have been lucky so far and have not purchased a box I don't like, but am fearful of when that day comes.

[SCgarman]

I agree! Providing cigar sizes on 24:24 and 24:72 would be awesome!!!!

I find i prefer medium or smaller ring gauges. I get better burn and flavor with them it seems. But that is just me and im a newbie to CCs.

Cuba without doubt excels in the smaller sized vitolas. The largest I smoke are Robustos. But petit coronas and minutos are wonderful sized cigars that pack a lot of flavor and are generally well constructed. While I have tried smoking larger sizes like the Upmann Magnum 50, I get bored with the amount of smoking time needed and I find the flavors underwhelming in larger sized cigars as such. I definitely would never even consider smoking a Churchill or Double Corona. Just not me.

[Anth87]

Jump in mate, the smoke is fine!

Don't be persuaded to dump your funds on the expensive and elusive... Forget the hype and BS surrounding aged and rarities! Gather up some singles from our host, I say try mostly smaller sticks, regular production. Extra bands mean extra bucks, not extra taste.

Cuban cigars are not non-Cuban cigars...! Forget this 'behemoth' theory and shy away from the bigger names and bigger price tags, bigger is better theory.

Let your cigars dry a while, I know it is hard to wait, but don't taint your palate with cigars that are too wet... You will ruin the experience and not taste the true cigar.

Best of luck on your journey, and welcome to the fight! -Piggy

I've been smoking for few years but constantly learning. Best advice to date was from Ray re drying cigars

I know this is a subjective issue but I've found putting my cigars in a desktop humi at around 60rh for a week before smoking has increased my cigar experience ten fold!

Try it and see what you think

Biggest challenge? Keeping up with the rising credit card balance ?

[Daerror12]

Only been trying CC for the last year. I read a lot of reviews took it for what it was (opinion) and started buying a little bit of everything I could afford.

All I can say is Its like a kid on Xmas when I get a new box. Part of the enjoyment for me is trying new brands.

[Orion21]

This is easy for me.

#1 - Fakes

FoH solved that issue.

#2 - Expectations

I think the expectations that new smokers of Cuban cigars have is that they expect every cigar to be in this life altering experience. Not every cigar you smoke is going to be five times as good as any other cigar you ever smoked, but the nice thing about Cuban cigars that they are different. A new smoker of cuban cigars needs to lower their expectations and enjoy them for being different.

#3 - History

In my experience to truly appreciate how amazing Cuban cigars are you have to research the history. The more you know about past history and how Cuban cigars of been rolled basically the same way for so many decades you come to appreciate the final product just that much more.

#4 - Why So Serious Bro?

Finally, whatever cigars you choose to buy as a new Cuban cigar smoker let them rest the month in proper storage after buying them and then afterwards just enjoy them for what they are. In my experience the guys that complain the most are just way too serious about something that supposed to be an enjoyable hobby that brings like-minded people together to enjoy each other for hours at a time.

[jazzbass]

With so many good points being made so far in this thread, I can't think of anything other than "Finding a place in public to light up" will be challenge enough.

[LGC]

Two basic rules will make things much easier:

____1) Experiment and trust your own palate

This goes for storage temp and humidity, aging, cutting techniques, lighting techniques, superior wrapper colors, etc., etc. I don't care if someone works in the industry, has smoked 20,000 cigars, owns 5,000 boxes... whatever they state is a theory or an opinion, but not a fact. Nothing out there has been tested using scientific methods under controlled conditions. It's okay to agree with someone, not agree with them, respect their opinion, or not respect their opinion. Only you can decide what works well, or tastes good... according to your palate. I won't rehash boring details since these topics have been covered hundreds of times, and numerous threads can be found with a quick search.

____2) You can never judge any cigar until it is smoked

It doesn't matter where the stick came from or how much you paid for it. It doesn't matter if it came from a special release, special humidor, well renown roller etc... you could be lighting up a great cigar or a complete **** at any time. Cuba has a very hard time implementing QC. Since the draw tester has been put into use, the number of plugged cigars there has gone down... sure. On the other hand, it seems to me that under filled cigars have become very common. According to my opinion and personal tastes, under filled cigars are just as bad as tight cigars. They burn hot, extinguish easily, require consistent touch ups, turn sour, etc. A 6 dollar cigar can smoke just as well as a 350 dollar cigar. Every time you purchase a stick... new to vintage... ultra rare to common... you are rolling the dice.

[PigFish]

Two basic rules will make things much easier:

____1) Experiment and trust your own palate

This goes for storage temp and humidity, aging, cutting techniques, lighting techniques, superior wrapper colors, etc., etc. I don't care if someone works in the industry, has smoked 20,000 cigars, owns 5,000 boxes... whatever they state is a theory or an opinion, but not a fact. Nothing out there has been tested using scientific methods under controlled conditions. It's okay to agree with someone, not agree with them, respect their opinion, or not respect their opinion. Only you can decide what works well, or tastes good... according to your palate. I won't rehash boring details since these topics have been covered hundreds of times, and numerous threads can be found with a quick search.

____2) You can never judge any cigar until it is smoked

It doesn't matter where the stick came from or how much you paid for it. It doesn't matter if it came from a special release, special humidor, well renown roller etc... you could be lighting up a great cigar or a complete **** at any time. Cuba has a very hard time implementing QC. Since the draw tester has been put into use, the number of plugged cigars there has gone down... sure. On the other hand, it seems to me that under filled cigars have become very common. According to my opinion and personal tastes, under filled cigars are just as bad as tight cigars. They burn hot, extinguish easily, require consistent touch ups, turn sour, etc. A 6 dollar cigar can smoke just as well as a 350 dollar cigar. Every time you purchase a stick... new to vintage... ultra rare to common... you are rolling the dice.

... nice post my friend! -R

[ethernomad]

Trust

- As has been mentioned, in many other online cigar communities there is an inner circle mentality that seems aimed at keeping newcomers out when it comes to sources. The few sources I was provided were either prohibitively expensive or sketchy gray marketeers. While I understand the hesitation of others to share their means of bypassing the embargo, it was a challenge nonetheless.

On the flip side, given the nature of the merchandise I was seeking, I had a hard time accepting the word of forum members and vendors regarding product authenticity. It took a lot for me to finally pull the trigger.

Quality/Consistency

- If a certain marca or vitola is supposed to have a certain color wrapper, why on earth are they not all the same? This simply is not a problem with NCs. I can accept the occasional plugged cigar; I have a pipe tamper tool for that, but when I buy a box of La Historia the last thing on my mind is worrying about it showing up with wrappers that look like a La Colmena.

Cost

- Cuban cigars are expensive in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I smoke many NCs in the $10-$12 range. Though as I mentioned above, when I drop my money on a single, 5-pack or box of NCs I know exactly what I'm getting each and every time.

Having a source you can Trust who is willing to sift through the Inconsistencies in Quality is a valuable asset.

Commitment

- The implied necessity of having to Commit to aging CCs to make them worthwhile is annoying to say the least.

Wife

- This is a challenge that most would agree is not confined to newcomers. She saw the credit card bill for this month. She was not amused...

[Smallclub]

Quality/Consistency

- If a certain marca or vitola is supposed to have a certain color wrapper, why on earth are they not all the same? This simply is not a problem with NCs.

I've never heard that a certain marca or vitola is supposed to have a certain color wrapper, with the exception of Quai d'Orsay whose claro wrapper was clearly defined in the specifications when the marca was created.

[jimsta10]

I'm a newbie have learnt things the hard way - trust, and what works for someone doesn't often work for another.

[ethernomad]

I've never heard that a certain marca or vitola is supposed to have a certain color wrapper, with the exception of Quai d'Orsay whose claro wrapper was clearly defined in the specifications when the marca was created.

That's a fair rebuttal I guess. On the broader topic of quality and consistency though, as a newcomer to Cuban Cigars it is still challenging to shrug off the NC mindset of wrapper shade/sheen being a given.

[free85]

As a sub 18 month member, and someone who was introduced to Cuban Cigars at about the same time I joined this forum, this is a bit in my wheelhouse, it would seem. I'd agree with much of what has been said. Thankfully the person who introduced me to Cuban Cigars took are of a few of the majors ones that keep popping up by helping me understand that these are not identically produced and performing things. They're not cars, every Partagas D4 that rolls off the lot isn't going to drive like the ones in other cabs, or even sitting right next to it. And they encouraged me to find my own likes, dislikes, and such, through personal experience and experimentation as opposed to even really making anything outside of suggestions after sharing some of his own stock with me ("If you liked the HU Connie A you might try some HDM cigars").

Outside of having a good "mentor", so to speak, it was all storage problems from there; And storage solutions can seem something of a monster to new members.

But, if you take it in stride, or at least have someone there to tell you "Hey... take it in stride" this hobby, like any others, can quickly be seen as something that you just have to wade through yourself. I took a very "stop and smell the roses, and remember that the experimentation period itself is likely the goal of the whole thing" approach. Mindset, here as in a lot of other endeavors, makes much of the experience.

[Habana Mike]

... understand that these are not identically produced and performing things. They're not cars, every Partagas D4 that rolls off the lot isn't going to drive like the ones in other cabs, or even sitting right next to it. And they encouraged me to find my own likes, dislikes, and such, through personal experience and experimentation ...

...having a good "mentor"

... take it in stride, ...this hobby, like any others, can quickly be seen as something that you just have to wade through yourself. I took a very "stop and smell the roses, and remember that the experimentation period itself is likely the goal of the whole thing" approach. Mindset, here as in a lot of other endeavors, makes much of the experience.

Some great points here!

I've been at it 20+ years and still in the learning and experimentation period

[free85]

Indeed. I think it's important to understand that there is not likely a point with CC where you can just put a big "check-mark" next to the hobby and "be done with it" in terms of learning and experimenting.

And I shouldn't say "had a great mentor" he's still around and still "ment-ing"!

[Notsocleaver]

Lack on consistency. When I buy a box of NCs around the same price point as your average CC, I know what the wrapper will look like and the draw will be like before I even open the box. There is no demand for services like what Rob does here on the NC side of the industry. The draw on cuban cigars is tighter, especially the older ones, and I get that some of you guys like that, but I don't understand why. I bought half a box of RASS off a guy because he thought they were wind tunnels. They have been absolutely delightful. I'll take the wind tunnels any day.

[Scrubber]

Lack on consistency. When I buy a box of NCs around the same price point as your average CC, I know what the wrapper will look like and the draw will be like before I even open the box. There is no demand for services like what Rob does here on the NC side of the industry. The draw on cuban cigars is tighter, especially the older ones, and I get that some of you guys like that, but I don't understand why. I bought half a box of RASS off a guy because he thought they were wind tunnels. They have been absolutely delightful. I'll take the wind tunnels any day.

I started off with mostly NC when I started smoking and my biggest hate about them was the draw. At the time i assumed that was normal and that all cigars were like that. Once I started smoking Cubans I discovered that they had a much tighter draw which I loved. I want to be able to feel like I'm smoking something and not just sucking air through a straw.

That's just my preference though...

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[LeafLover]

The expectations doesn't always live up to the experience. Let the cigar augment the experience of having the time to relax and reflect and kick your feet up or hangin out with friends or family.

When first starting out, I expected that every time I put a cuban cigar to my lips it would be a magical experience. If that is the expectation, I'd be surprised if your experience matches your expectation half of the time.

[soutso]

Still trying to figure out the retrohale....

Scott

Scott,

Take a draw from the cigar, (sometimes it pays to blow out about a third of the smoke so it's not too harsh) then exhale out of your nose in the same way that you would if you were underwater holding your breath.

Cheers,

Nik

[Scrubber]

Still trying to figure out the retrohale....

Scott

This is how I learnt because I found it hard.

http://youtu.be/X2N-uZR8wVI

I think a lot of people who have never smoked cigarettes find it hard. It adds so many more flavours when you do it. I only do it every 3 or 4 draws and that works for me well.

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[iahawk36]

Being new to this forum, the information and wealth of knowledge on this site are absolutely invaluable. This thread alone has taught me a lot. Thank you to all the friendly folks here that are always willing to share information.

[KFBR392]

Others mentioned it, but I would love some aged samplers. As someone only 6 months into CCs, I've found myself getting singles that have maybe a year or two at most. I can't wait 3 or 4 years to only then find out what I like... to then go buy a box and wait another 3 or 4 years. I've been smoking my singles young and just hoping what I like at this point I'll like down the road (which is probably true). The bad side to this is that I will probably be turned off to things that I would otherwise love down the road.

[ElPuro]

Others mentioned it, but I would love some aged samplers. As someone only 6 months into CCs, I've found myself getting singles that have maybe a year or two at most. I can't wait 3 or 4 years to only then find out what I like... to then go buy a box and wait another 3 or 4 years. I've been smoking my singles young and just hoping what I like at this point I'll like down the road (which is probably true). The bad side to this is that I will probably be turned off to things that I would otherwise love down the road.

Agreed on this point. Even then, though, one cigar may or may not be representative. Plus, blends change by the season somewhat (our so I'm told). This I just have tried to buy a diversity of boxes. I already know that I am a fan of Partagas, Bolivar and hdm. So I have been buying boxes of foreign vitolas in the hopes they will be good (and based on reviews across multiple places).

[moryc]

I found the biggest challenge for me has been the quality, particularly buying on the island as it is a hit or miss. I've bought approximately 400 sticks on the island and another 300 are a courtesy of our host. I have had quite a few boxes from the island that were amazing and I found myself very lucky because some of these boxes were the ones that you should never ever ever ever buy blind. Then again I had a few that were not that amazing. On the other hand, the ones that were selected by our host are just amazing. Another challenge is the aging. It is very difficult to put something down for 3 or more years if you don't have something to smoke right now. I initially started with NC cigars so I am still burning through that stock as my main priority, with some occasional CC in there. I am also burning through the CC boxes that are not so great and keeping the good boxes as long as possible.