Newbie a bit overwhelmed... breakdown appreciated!

[amaxp81]

New here - so overwhelmed by the amount of information out there on Cubans!  I'm trying to determine how my palate transfers over from non-Cubans to Cubans so I can 1) get some good sticks to enjoy while summer is still here in Oregon (it only lasts till end of September) and 2) find some sticks that are worth buying a box of and saving for the future...

I know everyone finds different tastes from the same cigar, but what would be my best starting point for medium-bodied cigars that are creamy with a bit of a more sweet chocolate/coffee undertone?  An affordable, mid-range, and spendy option would be nice so I can prioritize the quantity I buy of each.

Secondly, with Cohiba being the gold standard it seems.... what cigar within the Cohiba line would fit that taste profile so I know what boxes of Cohibas to start keeping my eyes open for as a more special cigar as I begin collecting?

Lastly - any good suggestions on more "furniture-like" humidors that aren't going to be thousands and thousands (but more like one thousand dollars) that don't look out of place in a nicely furnished home office?

Can't wait to learn, experience, and buy!

[CaptainQuintero]

The best bet is probably a sampler sat; loads of different sizes and brands so you can see what you enjoy.

Re cohiba, it's just a brand like all the others. It's tobacco comes from the same fields as all the rest and is generally rolled people who roll every other brand too. It's quality is no difference to most others (up and down). The difference is the taste and price. It cost Cuba the same to make a cohiba or an Upmann, RyJ, partagas etc. The price is simply a reflection of what Cuba thinks people will pay, so you pay more because of the branding not because they are better cigars a higher quality. The taste is completely personal, you might like them or you might not!

That's normally why sample packs are great; you can see what you enjoy not what you've been told is the best etc. It's all just leaves from Cuba blended in different ways

[leftimatic]

Oh my, here we go. Let the opinions begin! 2 yrs into CC's myself and still asking the same questions. Cap'n Quint is right just get some samplers. And maybe try buying the boxes that Prez says no need to lay down. Right now I have been on a journey of aging and sampling and man oh man does aging make a difference with a lot of cigars. Most of mine are hitting the two year mark and still need time. There are guys who have been at this for a looong time and know way more than I do by infinity plus one, and they will mostly say taste is subjective and the only way to find out is to try everything out there and then some. Buy from a reputable source that you can trust, you'll know who when you see him.  And all I can honestly say is aging for me makes or breaks it and that is a patience game I am playing, I also know once you go full CC you can never really go back. 

Oh yah buy a bigger humidor than you expect you will need. Trust me on this one.

 

[Elvis]

Samplers. Best bang for your buck while you're trying to find your way.

 

[Ethernut]

Jumping into the foray! [WHOOMP] [...crash...]

"Your road to your best Cuban Cigar experience" - By ole Ether..

Here's the advice I never received when I started this journey over 10 years ago... Ready?  "There really is no cigar better than the other." There, I said it. Ok, Ok, let me bring some clarity now that the natives are restless and beating on my door with pitchforks and shovels. There are 2 things happening in Cigars and really only two things. Marketing and Tobacco. Truth is (IMHO) that it's nearly impossible to get the exact. same. leaf. year after year. To say Cohiba is the gold standard is a difficult statement frankly. I would say a truer statement might be that Cohiba attempts to be the gold standard (and in many cases perhaps has dibs on the better leaf but not always). My most memorable cigars (as a ratio) haven't been Cohiba. One of my least memorable cigars was a Cohiba Esplenditos. My most memorable cigars for the profile *I* prefer have been unabashedly Diplomaticos and Bolivar. Each brand (Marca) "attempts" to hit a certain profile, best they can with the leaf available to them. Frankly that's the best they can do. There are many factories getting different Volado, Ligero and Seco tobacco and it's up to the blenders to make the most of what they get that month or year. 

My best advice to you is this. Buy a couple samplers. Buy the cigars from Robs Rotation. Let them rest and be objective. Take _great_ notes while smoking. Once you develop your favorite profile then read how Rob describes the profiles on the 24:24's. Ignore the Marca's (Brands) completely (as that's marketing drawing you in) and to some extent the Vitola's (Size) and focus on the flavor profile. When you find the profiles you like, BUY THAT BOX.  This is more if a surgeons approach than a "pray and spray" (dollars) approach.

FOH has something unique. A pack a wild rabid frothing cigar experts with Rob as the pack alpha with wicked-good palates to help us navigate the ever changing waters of "who got the best leaf". It's that experience to draw on and ignore nearly everything else. Your journey will be less expensive, and less fraught with poor experiences. Remember, when you buy a cigar, it's literally money you're going to set on fire. Increase your probability of success buy riding the coat tails of identified consistency. Rob profiles the cigars for you for free then sells you his very best boxes a sale prices. What, wait,  Seriously? What kind of crazy value is that?!?! No wonder FOH has been so successful. Capitalistic altruism at its finest! [Ethernut bows down to Club Czar]

We are here to help you! ...and welcome to FOH @amaxp81!!

[SloppyJ]

The sampler is probably your best bet. However, share some of your current favorite NCs and what you find enjoyable and that might aid in helping figure out which CCs you might like. 

[Corylax18]

Lots of good advice so far. Samplers are a good place to start. I would avoid chasing Cohiba right now, the lack of quality wrapper leafe over the last couple years has led to a huge drop in availability and the related jump in price. Cohiba Tobacco does undergo an additional fermantation step in barrels, so you are getting "more" for that higher price. Its hard to argue that the price premium is worth that taste right now, but there a plenty who will disagree. 

Your money will go a lot further picking up singles of Por Larranga, Quia D' Orsay, Fonseca, or ERDM. (all "milder" marcas) You can buy roughly 2 sticks to one vs. cohiba (maybe more) and expand your horizons much quicker.

[planetary]

On the question of which specific sticks to try to get a sense of "typical Cohiba character", I would summon @JohnS for his more extensive experience.  But in the interests of seeding the discussion with at least some initial opinions, here's what I would seek out, roughly in the order in which I'd try them:

1. Linea Classica -- Lanceros would be the classic answer, but they're rare as hen's teeth.  I would look to the Robusto, which may be hard enough to come by as it is.
2. Linea 1492 --  Comes down to preference.  I'd suggest a Siglo II and Siglo IV.  Then try the others.
3. Behike -- Any of the three.  I might say the 52, but that could just be my preference.
4. Maduro series -- I think of this as a separate brand masquerading under the Cohiba marca.  Avoid for now.  Come back later.
5. Limited Editions -- Same general advice here as with the Maduros: avoid for now, try later.  They can have a different character than the primary marca, or hew close to the spirit.

Happy explorations!

[Merovius]

2 hours ago, amaxp81 said:

what would be my best starting point for medium-bodied cigars that are creamy with a bit of a more sweet chocolate/coffee undertone?  An affordable, mid-range, and spendy option would be nice so I can prioritize the quantity I buy of each.
 

SCDLH La Fuerza - have a box of '14 from Rob and co. Excellent smokes. 

[Pharmacovigilant]

Welcome to the wonderful world of CCs my friend.  I would suggest a bigger storage system, a secret credit card and a second job! ?

[JohnS]

6 hours ago, planetary said:

On the question of which specific sticks to try to get a sense of "typical Cohiba character", I would summon @JohnS for his more extensive experience.  But in the interests of seeding the discussion with at least some initial opinions, here's what I would seek out, roughly in the order in which I'd try them:

1. Linea Classica -- Lanceros would be the classic answer, but they're rare as hen's teeth.  I would look to the Robusto, which may be hard enough to come by as it is.
2. Linea 1492 --  Comes down to preference.  I'd suggest a Siglo II and Siglo IV.  Then try the others.
3. Behike -- Any of the three.  I might say the 52, but that could just be my preference.
4. Maduro series -- I think of this as a separate brand masquerading under the Cohiba marca.  Avoid for now.  Come back later.
5. Limited Editions -- Same general advice here as with the Maduros: avoid for now, try later.  They can have a different character than the primary marca, or hew close to the spirit.

Happy explorations!

Thanks @planetary! Honestly, your Cohiba summary looks pretty spot on to me, we know there's a shortage about at the moment, but for me, the Robusto is one of the best Cohiba cigars in the last 12-24 months.

[Fugu]

7 hours ago, Ethernut said:

Each brand (Marca) "attempts" to hit a certain profile, best they can with the leaf available to them. Frankly that's the best they can do. There are many factories getting different Volado, Ligero and Seco tobacco and it's up to the blenders to make the most of what they get that month or year.

A slight correction if you don't mind, Ethernut. Not sure if you meant it as I read it. But the fact that cigars are rolled in different factories doesn't mean they are made of random material.

The blend for each production run of a certain vitola is being determined by the mother factory. The tobacco for that very recipe is (should) also be given to any other factory producing that cigar, and cigars of the same marca and vitola should be made of the same basic "stuff". At least that's the theory. I have no reason to believe it's been done differently....

I am also rather not in line with

7 hours ago, Ethernut said:

Ignore the Marca's (Brands) completely (as that's marketing drawing you in) and to some extent the Vitola's (Size) and focus on the flavor profile.

But, well, that's a recurring matter of much debate and belief.

 

[Ethernut]

3 hours ago, Fugu said:

A slight correction if you don't mind, Ethernut. Not sure if you meant it as I read it. But the fact that cigars are rolled in different factories doesn't mean they are made of random material.

The blend for each production run of a certain vitola is being determined by the mother factory. The tobacco for that very recipe is (should) also be given to any other factory producing that cigar, and cigars of the same marca and vitola should be made of the same basic "stuff". At least that's the theory. I have no reason to believe it's been done differently....

I am also rather not in line with

But, well, that's a recurring matter of much debate and belief.

 

I of course never said the material was random. As you said, there is "theory" involved. ..I can say with "certainty" that the same $500 a box for Cohiba [insert favorite Vitola] year after year will result in a _very_ different experience. That's why I'm saying Marca and Vitola matter less, you have to know what has the great tobacco to ensure some consistency of experience. Thankfully our host has that covered.

Just sharing my experience.

[Colt45]

9 hours ago, amaxp81 said:

 I'm trying to determine how my palate transfers over from non-Cubans to Cubans .....

I guess what I might add to what's already been said is to let go of any preconceived notion and / or anxieties. I don't know if this is what you're asking, but if you're seeking Havanas that kind of match cigars from other countries, why not just enjoy those cigars for what they are, and eventually do the same with cigars from Cuba - enjoy what they bring to the table on their own merits.

It is unlikely to be instantly gratifying, but is likely to take some time and patience. it should be really be a source of enjoyment and not a chore. Have fun

[Jeremy Festa]

Maaaaate! @amaxp81 Don't listen to these muppets! They have no idea.  

If I were you, I would only buy discontinued vitolas under 48rg from the dying marcas.

Make sure that you get blotchy wrappers. 

For smoking in the mornings, before 10am.

 

For your evening cigars, do whatever you want.

 

[Ethernut]

10 minutes ago, Jeremy Festa said:

Maaaaate! @amaxp81 Don't listen to these muppets! They have no idea.  

If I were you, I would only buy discontinued vitolas under 48rg from the dying marcas.

Make sure that you get blotchy wrappers. 

For smoking in the mornings, before 10am.

 

For your evening cigars, do whatever you want.

 

LOL! Well played!

[backslide]

Check out QdO corona and plpc

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[amaxp81]

I LOVE the advice trying to catch up reading it all. Wife is convinced we need a furniture style cabinet humidor for our new home... score! She is also convinced that I need to fill said humidor as it would be odd to have a beautiful humidor empty....(score again) so yes to samplers and note taking- this is going to be a FUN hobby !!!!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[Ethernut]

1 minute ago, amaxp81 said:

I LOVE the advice trying to catch up reading it all. Wife is convinced we need a furniture style cabinet humidor for our new home... score! She is also convinced that I need to fill said humidor as it would be odd to have a beautiful humidor empty....(score again) so yes to samplers and note taking- this is going to be a FUN hobby !!!!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

Sounds like you married the perfect woman! (Don't screw it up) ??

[amaxp81]

Sounds like you married the perfect woman! (Don't screw it up)

well..... when she makes those types of statements it's followed with a comment like ..."since you are getting x y z .... I need a b c d e and f... that are 10x more expensive than your said x y and z"... I know the game !!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[jwr0201]

First thing is to go slow and read posts.  Have fun.  Try different sticks.  Good things to know when moving from NC's to CC's is that Cubans are not as strong as most NC sticks.  Cubans are smoother and are definitely different.  Unlike NC's, it is a good thing to age your CC's - sometime for years.  Get ready - start looking into more storage space now!  Again, have fun!

[Ethernut]

13 minutes ago, amaxp81 said:

 

 

 

well..... when she makes those types of statements it's followed with a comment like ..."since you are getting x y z .... I need a b c d e and f... that are 10x more expensive than your said x y and z"... I know the game !!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

 

 

 

Oh Yes! I know it well! ?

[SloppyJ]

20 minutes ago, jwr0201 said:

First thing is to go slow and read posts.  Have fun.  Try different sticks.  Good things to know when moving from NC's to CC's is that Cubans are not as strong as most NC sticks.  Cubans are smoother and are definitely different.  Unlike NC's, it is a good thing to age your CC's - sometime for years.  Get ready - start looking into more storage space now!  Again, have fun!

I will echo this completely. It took me all of a year to actually appreciate the CCs flavor. After only knowing very stong NCs and liking them, it took a while to cool off and figure out what I really enjoyed. If you are akin to the stronger NCs then I would have to recommend some bolivars PCs or the Juan Lopez 2's. Those were the first CCs that I had and really enjoyed. I'm still trying to work my way down to milder cigars but I just seem stuck on the more full bodied CCs and that's okay with me. I still have plenty to try. It's an ever-evolving hobby. 

[Philc2001]

Some great advice here.

Perhaps another approach is to start out with some of the smaller vitolas first (PCs or smaller) until you determine which marcas your taste buds prefer. You may also want to get to know some other FOH members and propose buying some cigars from them, or propose a trade so you can get exposure to more cigars. When I switched from NC to CC the first thing I did was split buy my first 3 boxes with 3 or 4 other people, effectively getting a fiver of three different marcas. 

Welcome to the dark side

 

[earthson]

Samplers! And buy a box or 2. When your post count gets high enough, head off to the trading room and see if you can switch out fivers of your stash for fivers/samplers from other folks.

And I would strongly recommend against pricier sticks like the RE and EL releases at first, until your palate has developed enough to know what blends you like.

May I recommend a box of Ramon Allones or Por Larranaga? Of the 10+ years I have been smoking cigars, those two blends have consistently remained my favorites from first puff. Happy hunting!