Beginner's Mistakes: If you could start again

[BG318]

When they arrive, let them rest for 60 days. Don't do ROTT. The cigars are okay after 30 days, good after 60 days and best at 90+ days. I always notice the difference a little patience provides.

There is no one answer for when to dig into a box. I have smoked them too young as well as too old. If you're on this forum there are lots of people to ask, so ask.

[jhalischuk]

I didn't realize how much variance there can be with Cuban cigars. Every time I had a bad one I thought there was a problem with the humidity/temp in my humidor. I became kind of obsessive about it, to the point that it detracted from the hobby and it wasn't making the cigars smoke any better. 

Also aged stock isn't necessarily better, it's just different. Buying a newer box and seeing how it evolves can be part of the fun and gives you an idea how long you prefer to let them age. 

As others have mentioned, try lots of singles as first. I prefer to go deep on regular production i really like as opposed to limited editions/regionals. 

[El Presidente]

Through the forum (or elsewhere) fInd someone in your town who loves cigars. Catch up, CC or NC. 

PM them. Make the time. 

[Li Bai]

Everything has been said before, but I would just add one thing.

Don't be in a rush, take your time, I know prices are only gonna go up but in the end you'll save yourself a lot of money and time.

[DaBoot]

Aww, to have never taken a dive into Cuban Tobacco with that first BBF. Then I’d be happy smoking $5 Padron 3000’s forever…

[Ayub]

Thank you guys for the useful knowledge, it is very thoughtful that you pass your experiences to us.

I have some questions which I hope someone can help me with:

What cigars should I consider for long term aging, like 5+ years?

If a box is smoking great now, is there a chance that the sweet spot may pass and it will not be as good with age? *Assuming my storage is alright since I am using an electric humidor.

When less than half a box is remaining I feel I am not efficient with my humidor space, so if I combine different cigars in the same boxes will the taste and aging process be affected?

 

[CaptainQuintero]

3 hours ago, Ayub said:

Thank you guys for the useful knowledge, it is very thoughtful that you pass your experiences to us.

I have some questions which I hope someone can help me with:

What cigars should I consider for long term aging, like 5+ years?

If a box is smoking great now, is there a chance that the sweet spot may pass and it will not be as good with age? *Assuming my storage is alright since I am using an electric humidor.

When less than half a box is remaining I feel I am not efficient with my humidor space, so if I combine different cigars in the same boxes will the taste and aging process be affected?

 

I knocked up a rough guide a few years back:

https://www.fohcigars.com/forum/topic/148821-beginners-corner-a-rough-guide-to-ageing-and-aged-cuban-cigars/#comment-1082414

[pyrobob]

No mistakes really. Just wish I had the funds to buy more to age at the beginning.

[BrightonCorgi]

9 hours ago, Ayub said:

Thank you guys for the useful knowledge, it is very thoughtful that you pass your experiences to us.

I have some questions which I hope someone can help me with:

What cigars should I consider for long term aging, like 5+ years? - Anything in the Habanos portfolio will age 10+ years 

If a box is smoking great now, is there a chance that the sweet spot may pass and it will not be as good with age? *Assuming my storage is alright since I am using an electric humidor. - A better or different sweet spot may emerge.  Don't worry about missing the boat on a cigar evolution.

When less than half a box is remaining I feel I am not efficient with my humidor space, so if I combine different cigars in the same boxes will the taste and aging process be affected? - There won't be any difference in aging.  Try not to touch different cigars.  Wax paper works well to divide them in a box.

[HenryMartin]

15 hours ago, BG318 said:

When they arrive, let them rest for 60 days. Don't do ROTT. The cigars are okay after 30 days, good after 60 days and best at 90+ days. I always notice the difference a little patience provides.

So true. Especially Habanos. Partagas in particular but also my experience with Vegas Robaina.

Consequently this implies that a rolling stock of at least two boxes is ideal for the frequent enthusiast.

[SUP8333]

Instead of buying all the small glasstop humidors, buy the big electric one. I bought over 10 small ones including tupperdores before I bought my first full size electric. 

[Skrimp]

I fell into the belief that Cuban cigars are superior to all other varietals. This could not be further from the truth and in fact, I think in a lot of cases, it's the exact opposite. I still find myself having thoughts that align with that false mindset from time to time out of habit and its annoying. 

To add to that, I think there's a lot of end-all-be-all junk in this hobby that I fell victim to in the beginning. Stuff like you must wait x number of months before smoking a cigar that was shipped to you. Or you have to rest Cubans. Or you have to cut/light a cigar this way. Garbage like that kind of stuck in my mind. I'm also still working on trying to reshape my mindset on these topics. 

[Taco]

I would buy less variety. I would have stocked up on Coros, Connie A, and PD4s. I could probably just smoke these three sticks for the rest of my life.

[rcarlson]

17 hours ago, Skrimp said:

I fell into the belief that Cuban cigars are superior to all other varietals. This could not be further from the truth and in fact, I think in a lot of cases, it's the exact opposite. I still find myself having thoughts that align with that false mindset from time to time out of habit and its annoying. 

To add to that, I think there's a lot of end-all-be-all junk in this hobby that I fell victim to in the beginning. Stuff like you must wait x number of months before smoking a cigar that was shipped to you. Or you have to rest Cubans. Or you have to cut/light a cigar this way. Garbage like that kind of stuck in my mind. I'm also still working on trying to reshape my mindset on these topics. 

Disagree on the "waiting" and "resting" part. I believe it's essential. ROTT off the truck is a mistake IMO. Not that you can't and maybe find them very good. In my experience though, it's usually a waste of a good cigar not let them rest and acclimate before having at it.   

[HenryMartin]

Something that hasn't been said here is about keeping boxes. I know that its a precedent for clutter, its becomes an unnecessary hoarding mentality and that was the reason I didn't do it. But for the newcomers looking for useful tip, I think its worthwhile to consider keeping the special boxes. It just crossed my mind that I had wished I kept the RE boxes because they were numbered. I suppose a photo of those numbered boxes would have sufficed but those boxes did have a one-of-a-kind vibe about them. Number hundred something out of total, which if you do pick them up maybe worthwhile to keep or photograph for sake of collectible memory.

[SirVantes]

4 hours ago, HenryMartin said:

Something that hasn't been said here is about keeping boxes.

A little more pessimistically - boxes should be kept for when the plain packaging police eventually come your neighbourhood, and your purchases arrive in flimsy faecal brown cardboard boxes. Storing them in old SLBs deadens the pain a little. I learnt that the hard way.

[Li Bai]

4 hours ago, SirVantes said:

A little more pessimistically - boxes should be kept for when the plain packaging police eventually come your neighbourhood, and your purchases arrive in flimsy faecal brown cardboard boxes. Storing them in old SLBs deadens the pain a little. I learnt that the hard way.

Really good piece of advice ! Recently plain packaging just landed in the Netherlands and it's just a matter of time for the rest of the EU. 🥲 

[WestCoastSmokin]

On 2/1/2025 at 11:24 AM, Havanaaddict said:

When I stared backing the late 90's I followed the ratings in Cigars Aficionado and on my lunch break I would go to different local cigar shops and try to find the top ones listed!

I ran an auto body shop so I could walk around smoking a cigar it was fun the hunt and sampling to see If I could test the same thing that CA reviews said! I eventually settled on AF Hemingways, Opus x, Padron Anniversary, Ashton VSG. Then I met a few friends and one knew a guy that sold Cubans out of his trunk😎 and he also sold to local cigar shop. Back then they were $15 to $20+ I also bought a few a month from a guy the work at the Dunhill store on his lunch break! (side gig selling Cubans). I would smoke a Cuban once a month and regular cigars the rest of the time. Then we found a source and started buying a few boxes at a time and splitting them. I, like most, started with a large desktop, then an igloo cooler! I started getting more Cubans and I started smoking more Cubans and less and less others, till I was smoking 100% Cubans! I never thought I would be buying whole boxes, then I fell off the edge of the cliff and stared buying boxes! I built a cigar lounge in my house with a ventilation system and bought a 6 foot vinotemp humidor! I worked nights in a cigar lounge and had the pick of any cigar I wanted, but I brought my own and was smoking 4 a night! As for as the flavor, I equate smoking Cuban cigars to if you drank cabernet wine, and then found Napa cabs and you only drank Napas as they hit your palate perfectly! I have always said to smoke what you like, just don't tell me what I should like 😝

Sample all you can!

Split boxes with friends!

Start with an igloo 120qt will hold tons and are easy to maintain!

#1 HAVE FUN!!!    

Love the story and advice, how easy are are the coolers? I want to grab one but don’t have much space except for my garage but it gets so hot in there in the summer. 

[WestCoastSmokin]

On 2/1/2025 at 11:49 AM, wjs said:

Avoid the ‘Cuban farm roll’ thing. 

Can you go into more detail on this? I see them often but have never bought any. 

[TheDonTX]

Buying more high end sticks before the rise. I got lucky for sure but not getting a box of fundies and BHK’s haunts me because I had the chance at very good prices which I thought were too expensive at the time. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[nKostyan]

I bought too few cigars and did not have time to create a collection of all vitolas of all Cuban brands.

[tbelle7]

1. Invest in proper storage. Be realistic about the qty of boxes you want to inventory and size the storage appropriately.

1a. research your vendor and stay with the reliable ones. 

2. Try as many things as possible early and stock up on what you like.

3. understand that your tastes will change.

4. find someone to share the hobby with. it gets pretty lonely otherwise.