Tough Question...

**Mako72** · 12-11-2010, 09:25 PM

I need some help guys.

I have been a cigarette smoker for about 20 years. I used to enjoy cigars maybe a couple dozen times a year. I gave up smoking cigarettes last Xmas day for me and the wife. Following Cigar Daves advice I haven't had any cigars either. Since I am coming up upon my one year anniversary and after oking it with the wife I thought I should look at picking up a couple cigars, even if I don't smoke them right away. In the past I smoked Macanudos & CAO Ascots as well as a variety of other different brands. I prefer a smaller ring short cigar, short pantellas or a Corona petite at the largest.

My question is if you were going to buy several to maybe a dozen smaller sticks after not smoking a year what would it be?

I am hoping you all can help me out so any suggestions are appreciated!!

TIA!!

Jay

**jwhite** · 12-11-2010, 11:21 PM

A lot of us have made a successful transition from cigarettes to pipes and/or cigars and I wish you the best of luck. I personally don't smoke anything smaller than a robusto and there is a reason for it. I had trouble when I went too small, they were too much like cigarettes and I suffered from a temptation to smoke them like cigarettes, which in turn led to me smoking cigarettes. I don't have a problem with larger cigars or my pipe but I'd start wanting a cigarette with anything smaller than a corona. Smoke what you enjoy but keep a grip on yourself and if you notice that small cigars start reminding you of cigs get rid of 'em, give yourself a break, and try something else.

**Mako72** · 12-11-2010, 11:41 PM

You have a good point and one I had not considered. To date I have had 2 "smokes"(Cigs) and both were when I had had a finger to many at a relatives(both over 10 mths ago).

So if I where to follow your lead with a larger ring stick what would you suggest...

Come on guys you don't have to worry about hurting my feelings....

Jay

**doesnotcompute** · 12-12-2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mako72

I should look at picking up a couple cigars, even if I don't smoke them right away.

If you're not going to smoke them 'right away', you should consider how you're going to store them. No point picking up some fantastic aged Cubans if you're not going to smoke them soon or are unable to keep them in a humidor.

**jwhite** · 12-12-2010, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mako72

You have a good point and one I had not considered. To date I have had 2 "smokes"(Cigs) and both were when I had had a finger to many at a relatives(both over 10 mths ago).

So if I where to follow your lead with a larger ring stick what would you suggest...

Come on guys you don't have to worry about hurting my feelings....

Jay

Perhaps you could give us bit more regarding what you look for in a cigar, think in terms of strength and body, flavor notes, length of burn that sort of thing and we will be more able to point you in the direction of somting you would enjoy. I personally like robusto maduros for a medium short smoke and for affordable quality I usually go Rocky Patel or Gurkha.

**Mako72** · 12-12-2010, 11:01 PM

DNC, I have a buddy sending me a small humidor that he no longer uses so no worries there.

JWhite, In the past my experience has been that I preferred smaller ring short sticks(ie Courts). I primarily smoked the tinned sizes and a little larger while golfing. I admit I usually smoked Macanudos and I believe they are generally mellower but I am open.

I really would probably like a couple mellow smokes to start and then maybe something a little spicier for down the road. I am just looking for a starting point and I thought maybe sticking with Macs was a little boring. I have a local tobacconist and I am sure I can get him to help I just thought folks here might be able to jump out with a couple must have type suggestions. Since I used to smoke cigs I probably didn't appreciate the cigars as much so hoping to change that.

I guess maybe give me a top five or ten you would recommend to a newbie.

Jay

**jwhite** · 12-12-2010, 11:31 PM

I would recommend trying some larger ring gauge short smokes. I've smoked most of the larger versions of the cigars represented in this sampler and they were all enjoyable. the sampler should give you a pretty decent representation of different types of cigar blends, without anything really too extreme in terms of flavor profile. Also give one of Indian Tobac's Boxer cigars a try. Its a Rocky Patel brand and one of the best affordable smokes I've had. They're really inexpensive by the box and I always have a box in my humidor. A favorite yardwork/ just fishin' kind of cigar if you catch my meaning. Hope this helps.

**doesnotcompute** · 12-13-2010, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mako72

DNC, I have a buddy sending me a small humidor that he no longer uses so no worries there.

Excellent.

Given that and the other comments in the thread, I would put forth: Partagas Mille Fleurs.

A great cigar with really good value for money price ticket

**dpm802** · 12-13-2010, 12:28 AM

My favorite cigars are robusto sizes, but I don't often have time for that. When I want a quick, 20~30 minute cigar, these are good choices.

Arturo Fuente ~ Hemingway Short Story
Fonseca 2-2 (tastes great after a heavy meal)
Macanudo Caviar or Court or Petit Corona or Ascot (anytime, anywhere)
H. Upmann Demi-Tasse (with a cup of coffee ... Mmmmm! )
Paul Garmerian Bombones (a 10-minute smoke that will kick your butt ... very strong!)
Drew Estates - various models
Acid Cigars - various models

**Arrow** · 12-13-2010, 06:02 AM

My humble advice is that if you've been a year (mostly) without smoking, it's a bad idea to tempt yourself with a cigar or two. If you've been that long without, your body no longer "needs" the nicotine. You've got a great jump on quitting and a healthier lifestyle, but if you allow yourself a luxury smoke or two, it could start up that old nicotine craving. As a ex-smoker (I know they're the worst) who watched his father slowly strangle to death with COPD, I say stay away.

**jwhite** · 12-13-2010, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Arrow

My humble advice is that if you've been a year (mostly) without smoking, it's a bad idea to tempt yourself with a cigar or two. If you've been that long without, your body no longer "needs" the nicotine. You've got a great jump on quitting and a healthier lifestyle, but if you allow yourself a luxury smoke or two, it could start up that old nicotine craving. As a ex-smoker (I know they're the worst) who watched his father slowly strangle to death with COPD, I say stay away.

I am truly sorry for your loss.

Enjoying a pipe or cigar should not be about needing a nicotine fix, they do that job poorly and distract from the nuance of a relaxing and luxurious smoke. Also Jay has been advised that if he wishes to stay clear of cigarettes* than he needs to monitor his cigar use to see that it doesn't take him someplace he does not wish to go. That being said this forum is devoted to the enjoyment of tobacco by adults, with the emphasis on a quality and enjoyable experience. To advocate for a smoke free lifestyle is certainly your choice, and you were not rude or disrespectful. However to come to The Brown Leaf and advocate your predilection, is similar to going into the cafe and posting in a thread about switching from coffee to tea denouncing the use of caffeine. One of the reasons this sub-forum exists, I believe, is to remove the tobacco threads from forums where where they garner unwanted attention from those who are offended by tobacco use.

*cigarette smokers are welcome too by the way The Brown Leaf does not discriminate

. The RYO/MYO community is part of the natural tobacco community.

**Arrow** · 12-13-2010, 10:28 AM

However to come to The Brown Leaf and advocate your predilection, is similar to going into the cafe and posting in a thread about switching from coffee to tea denouncing the use of caffeine. One of the reasons this sub-forum exists, I believe, is to remove the tobacco threads from forums where where they garner unwanted attention from those who are offended by tobacco use.

My apologies, sir. I didn't even realize which forum I was in, as I had clicked on the "new posts" button and was just reading random posts.I should have been paying more attention.

**jwhite** · 12-13-2010, 10:43 AM

No problem at all.

**Mako72** · 12-13-2010, 03:39 PM

Thanks Guys! I will start looking after I get the humidor. And Arrow, no worries. I understand what your saying. The only reason I even considered smoking the occasional cigar is because I used to do it few and far between even when I smoked, probably less than a dozen a year. I would probably smoke them even less now.

Jay

**RandalltheRed** · 12-13-2010, 04:14 PM

I have been an ex-smoker for 29 years. Ok maybe I had a cigar or too on the golf course or with a brandy after a game. I used to smoke pretty much anything you could legally light and inhale but my favorites were pipes and cigars.

I love reading this forum because it allows me to live vicariously through your posts.