So, I'm a year into this hobby - or has it become a lifestyle? I smoked my first cigar in 1980 when my first daughter was born. I don't remember what it was - probably a White Owl or some such. It turned my stomach - I was a cigarette smoker at the time and I probably inhaled it.
A year ago - more than 30 years later - I discovered a Romeo y Julieta cigar left in a cigar box a friend gave me to use for odds and ends. I clipped it with my pocket knife and I puffed it and liked it. Then I bought some Macanudos and a few Rocky Patels. Over time I found I liked Connecticuts and smoked them mostly. I tried a few other types, but I tried to buy on the cheap. I tried maduros, but I bought Flor de Oliva bundles and Oliva Baptiste from Famous. They were less than desirable and I concluded that maduros were not for me.
One year later, my palate has developed. My "number one" smoke now is an E. P. Carrillo La Historia - that's right, a maduro. I also have a number of Habanos (sun grown) that I love. I smoke a Connecticut or Habano after lunch most every day and a maduro after dinner. It's wonderful how the palate develops and I'm looking forward to many more great smokes. This is great time to get into the cigar smoking scene - there are so many great cigars on offer. I'm always on the hunt for a good deal on great smokes.