Hello All!
I've been a pipe smoker for a year, and recently became interested in the cigar hobby as well. It's a fascinating world indeed. As I live in a state where it is absolutely forbidden to purchase or trade any form of tobacco via Internet/Mail-Order (MI), I am lucky to have a very good tobacconist fairly close to me. I'm only 2 weeks into cigar smoking, and I am really enjoying it. I tend to jump in with both feet, and so after a couple of initial cigars (NUB Cameroon 460 and Oliva Serie G) recommended by my tobacconist, I decided to take the plunge. I've created a Pelican Case Humidor (Pelidor) containing cedar trays and a Boveda Cedar holder with 2 60gm 69%s and a Sensorpush (Calibrated) hygrometer. My cigars are still in zip-locks with Bovedas until the humidity in the Pelidor stabilizes. After throwing myself at the mercy of my tobacconist (as I initially did with pipe tobacco), here is what I came away with (2 each of the first two, one of each of the rest):
NUB Cameroon 460
Nub Connetticut
Padron 2000
Oliva Sirie G
AF Chateau Fuente Natural
Perdomo Habano Maduro
La Aroma de Cuba Monarch
Flor de Las Antillas Toro
AF Hemmingway Signature Natural
Perdomo Lot 23 Toro Natural
Crema Particulares Robusto
Ashton Magnum
Asylum 13 Oblongata
Undercrown Robusto Maduro
New World Navegante Robusto
Any other suggestions (assuming I can get them thru my tobacconist), or comments on the above selections? As with my pipe journey, I have been doing a LOT of reading on the Internet, and when I visited my B&M I mentioned that I did want a variety of different flavors and strengths; I THINK I'm experienced enough with pipe tobacco to know when to take a break.... :biggrin:
Anyway, have a great day all!
CW
Fantastic intro and welcome! Man I thought I had it bad in California, no online purchases?!
Nice variety of wrappers, countries, and strengths there. Enjoy the journey!
Welcome aboard. I can't even imagine not being able to buy online.
Quoteheadfirst - 6/7/2019 10:09 AM
Fantastic intro and welcome! Man I thought I had it bad in California, no online purchases?!
Nice variety of wrappers, countries, and strengths there. Enjoy the journey!
Sadly, no. Or driving out of state, and bringing back. Penalties include 500% tax due (32%), confiscation of product and vehicle used (if used), and/or 5 yrs prison and/or $5000 fine). Even if taxes are paid (and I would be totally willing to), still illegal.
Welcome to the group
Welcome. Looks like you have great variety to start with and find what fits your wheelhouse. Remember, your taste will likely change over time. Mine have really evolved over about 14 months of daily cigar smoking.
Thanks, all for the kind welcome! Looking forward to learning as I go. It's been great fun and very relaxing so far.
CW
Nice to have you! Definitely some nice selections in there even for experienced smokers! Just keep trying things and then you can stock a few of things you like, let others go. We are always open to offering suggestions based on sticks you like, so hang around, I'm sure you will enjoy.
Personally, the Padron, Fuente Signature, and La Aroma de Cuba are really nice smokes, and I enjoy several other on that list. Sounds like a good weekend....
Welcome to the group!
Welcome to the group CW! Looks like a great start to me. As Micheal stated, just keep trying different things. It's a fun journey.
Welcome - from North Carolina.
Welcome from Northern Colorado! And you know what I bet we can ship cigars to you that are gifts or even trades :lmao:
Welcome from beeuudaful Buda, Texas!! :biggrin: :bigthumbs:
I run a cigar shop here in Buda, and I am willing to ship direct to you. We can conduct payment over the phone, so no internet ordering! Loopholes!!
I would also be willing to do a blind trade to help you get going. If you are interested, shoot me a PM. :bigthumbs:
welcome from the Windy City
Welcome to the site from the GWN.Looks like your choices so far have been right on the money.
Quoteappollo - 6/8/2019 5:59 PM
Welcome to the site from the GWN.Looks like your choices so far have been right on the money.
Thanks. I have really enjoyed it. The Nub Cameroon was great, and so far my favorite stick has been the Asylum 13 Maduro Box Pressed. Sweet, with cocoa, caramel, cedar....the sweetness was very satisfying, and quite pronounced.
CW
Quotenirab - 6/8/2019 11:58 AM
Welcome from beeuudaful Buda, Texas!! :biggrin: :bigthumbs:
I run a cigar shop here in Buda, and I am willing to ship direct to you. We can conduct payment over the phone, so no internet ordering! Loopholes!!
I would also be willing to do a blind trade to help you get going. If you are interested, shoot me a PM. :bigthumbs:
Thanks :dancing:
Welcome to CG.
Welcome,
Michigan gets away with this not by outlawing internet sales but requiring anyone selling tobacco products into the state be state approved. What retailer, on-line or B&M wants to go thru that. Michigan's tobacco use is higher than the national average so I am sure the great leadership of the state says, "hey! lets stop people form smoking by limiting their choices" Not!
Not being able to mail order will greatly limit your selection and opportunities to try newer stuff so some B&M house brands.
But you have a good list to start with. Early in the game swing wide and try everything you can to find your preferred profile.
Welcome from Illinois enjoy the site. :biggrin:
QuoteCfickter - 6/10/2019 8:19 AM
Welcome,
Michigan gets away with this not by outlawing internet sales but requiring anyone selling tobacco products into the state be state approved. What retailer, on-line or B&M wants to go thru that. Michigan's tobacco use is higher than the national average so I am sure the great leadership of the state says, "hey! lets stop people form smoking by limiting their choices" Not!
Not being able to mail order will greatly limit your selection and opportunities to try newer stuff so some B&M house brands.
But you have a good list to start with. Early in the game swing wide and try everything you can to find your preferred profile.
I do have a local B&M that can order LOTS of things; the managers are very helpful and basically simply ask what I want them to order, and they do so through the appropriate state-approved folks and procedures. The owner of said establishment has been instrumental in maintaining a Cigar Bar/Tobacconist shop here, working to protect cigar and pipe smoking rights, as well as keeping the tax on premium cigars capped at $0.50.
QuoteCW Piperman - 6/10/2019 11:27 AM QuoteCfickter - 6/10/2019 8:19 AM Welcome, Michigan gets away with this not by outlawing internet sales but requiring anyone selling tobacco products into the state be state approved. What retailer, on-line or B&M wants to go thru that. Michigan's tobacco use is higher than the national average so I am sure the great leadership of the state says, "hey! lets stop people form smoking by limiting their choices" Not! Not being able to mail order will greatly limit your selection and opportunities to try newer stuff so some B&M house brands. But you have a good list to start with. Early in the game swing wide and try everything you can to find your preferred profile.
I do have a local B&M that can order LOTS of things; the managers are very helpful and basically simply ask what I want them to order, and they do so through the appropriate state-approved folks and procedures. The owner of said establishment has been instrumental in maintaining a Cigar Bar/Tobacconist shop here, working to protect cigar and pipe smoking rights, as well as keeping the tax on premium cigars capped at $0.50.
Good to hear you have local support, supporting the CRA will help also.
But I am just saying, if a certain someone, posted a certain address on their profile sometime magic happens!
QuoteCfickter - 6/12/2019 8:16 AM
QuoteCW Piperman - 6/10/2019 11:27 AM QuoteCfickter - 6/10/2019 8:19 AM Welcome, Michigan gets away with this not by outlawing internet sales but requiring anyone selling tobacco products into the state be state approved. What retailer, on-line or B&M wants to go thru that. Michigan's tobacco use is higher than the national average so I am sure the great leadership of the state says, "hey! lets stop people form smoking by limiting their choices" Not! Not being able to mail order will greatly limit your selection and opportunities to try newer stuff so some B&M house brands. But you have a good list to start with. Early in the game swing wide and try everything you can to find your preferred profile.
I do have a local B&M that can order LOTS of things; the managers are very helpful and basically simply ask what I want them to order, and they do so through the appropriate state-approved folks and procedures. The owner of said establishment has been instrumental in maintaining a Cigar Bar/Tobacconist shop here, working to protect cigar and pipe smoking rights, as well as keeping the tax on premium cigars capped at $0.50.
Good to hear you have local support, supporting the CRA will help also.
But I am just saying, if a certain someone, posted a certain address on their profile sometime magic happens!
I'll chat with that someone!
CW
Hey all,
Just got back from shopping and a stop at the Cigar Bar/Tobbaconist. I've been trying lots of things, from the mild to med to the med->Full bodied sticks, this time, as a lover of some very strong pipe blends, I asked my tobacco guide to take me on an adventure into the full-bodied sticks. Here's what I came away with:
3 Fuente Anejos Robusto
2 Fuente Anejo Churchill
2 Padron 1964 Anniversary Pyramide
2 Oliva Serie V Robusto Maduro
1 Undercrown Maduro
2 Perdomo Double Aged 12 yrs Robusto Maduro
2 Asylum 13 Oblongata 60x60 Box Pressed
2 Liga Privada Robusto
Picked up a Xicar Vx2 cutter to go with my Xicar XO, and I think I'm set to go. Going to get all of these into my virtual humidor...feel free to look into that to see what I have, and what you'd recommend. I've tried 1 of almost everything in the humidor so far, and the above I'm adding to try next. I love the Asylum 13 and the Anejos, so those aren't new, but the rest are.
Cheers,
CW
Welcome aboard!
The first advice I wish someone had shared with me when I picked up cigar smoking is: "learn how to retrohale!"
Once you learn that, you're sure to enjoy cigars to the fullest. All else, like storage and cutting is secondary but it sounds as though you've got a good hang of it already.
The 2nd best piece of advice that I learned was on the boards, "like what you smoke, and smoke what you like." it really is that simple!
Enjoy the hobby!
Quotesar127 - 6/17/2019 12:46 AM
Welcome aboard!
The first advice I wish someone had shared with me when I picked up cigar smoking is: "learn how to retrohale!"
Once you learn that, you're sure to enjoy cigars to the fullest. All else, like storage and cutting is secondary but it sounds as though you've got a good hang of it already.
The 2nd best piece of advice that I learned was on the boards, "like what you smoke, and smoke what you like." it really is that simple!
Enjoy the hobby!
Thanks!
Retrohaling is natural for me, didn't even need to be taught how to do so when I started Pipe smoking, and I've been finding it works even better with Cigars. Thanks for the tips!
CW