How long do you wait before smoking a mail order cigar?

[legrandfromage]

I prefer cigars that are mild to medium in strength and in smaller ring sizes (say, 44 or less). The availability of cigars with these characteristics is limited; although a particular cigar may be made in the size that I want, they are hard to find, probably because of the popularity of the larger sizes. I have been reading comments/reviews and have been sampling some of those that sound appealing, figuring that I can order a box in the size that I want. The retail stores in my area have limited selections in smaller ring sizes, so I have also been ordering singles from various internet vendors. That said, is there any thinking as to how long one should let a just delivered cigar sit in the humidor, so as to try to get the best indication of how it tastes and smokes?

[joshua1970]

I usually age all my cigars before smoking them for an extended period (fortunate enough to have the luxury)

My best advice if you want to smoke them sooner is to give them a week or two (at most) to adjust to your humidor environment

and FYI I tend to keep my humidor/coolerdor humidity levels around 65% not the typical 70% that most people recommend - it helps to avoid the tough draws on any cigars rolled slightly tighter than they should be (very common in some brands).

hope that helps!!

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

My best advice if you want to smoke them sooner is to give them a week or two (at most) to adjust to your humidor environment...

Joshua:
...and great advice.

"A cigar is as good as [the] memories that you have when you smoked it". Raul Julia

[joshua1970]

Thanks Count! (brilliant name btw) :)

The Big Cheese: Curious what brands you've found you enjoy thus far.... dominicans tend to be milder IMO.

[legrandfromage]

Joshua: I've smoked a lot of different brands since I went back to cigars about two years ago, but didn't start keeping track until very recently. I smoke Davidoff Long Panatellas and Zino Relax Sumatra's on a pretty regular basis; have also had several Davidoffs that I liked, but are way too pricey to smoke very often. Have also had some Macanudos, Montecristos and Romeo y Julietas that were OK. Now that I'm keeping track of them, I have some Gisperts,Carrillios, Fonsecas, Patels and R y Js that I am waiting to try (as per the above question). One of the cigars that I really enjoyed was the Kristoff Criollo (corona and lonsdale), but it was a bit strong for me. I like a couple of the infused cigars that I've tried (Java Latte, Tabak Especial Dulce and Natural/Root), but only smoke them occasionally, as a change of pace.

I was given a box of Romeo #2 Tubos that were supposedly Cubans (doubtful, although the label looked OK) that weren't bad. As an aside, I am not able to discern the nuances of flavors that others describe, but never got that with wine tastings either. This is interesting since I can pick pretty subtle flavors/spices etc. out in food. The cigar universe is pretty intimidating, but fun for someone that tends towards ADD.

[joshua1970]

Joshua: I've smoked a lot of different brands since I went back to cigars about two years ago, but didn't start keeping track until very recently. I smoke Davidoff Long Panatellas and Zino Relax Sumatra's on a pretty regular basis; have also had several Davidoffs that I liked, but are way too pricey to smoke very often. Have also had some Macanudos, Montecristos and Romeo y Julietas that were OK. Now that I'm keeping track of them, I have some Gisperts,Carrillios, Fonsecas, Patels and R y Js that I am waiting to try (as per the above question). One of the cigars that I really enjoyed was the Kristoff Criollo (corona and lonsdale), but it was a bit strong for me. I like a couple of the infused cigars that I've tried (Java Latte, Tabak Especial Dulce and Natural/Root), but only smoke them occasionally, as a change of pace.

I was given a box of Romeo #2 Tubos that were supposedly Cubans (doubtful, although the label looked OK) that weren't bad. As an aside, I am not able to discern the nuances of flavors that others describe, but never got that with wine tastings either. This is interesting since I can pick pretty subtle flavors/spices etc. out in food. The cigar universe is pretty intimidating, but fun for someone that tends towards ADD.

damn you've got good taste!!! :) try ashton and Arturo fuentes too (if you can find them in your preferred ring size) I'm a bit out of the loop with the new brands that have come out in the last 5-10 years.... I'll inquire from a friend who owns El Humidor here in town. he's starting hsi own brand too La Republica I beleive it's going to be called.


don't sweat the ability to decipher flavors, smoke what you like :) my tastes change frequently - time of day, what I had to eat/drink, how frequently I've been smoking whethe I'm on pipe or cigar kick etc

and you can also check the cap to determine a real Habana vs a fake - true habanas have a 'triple cap' where most dominican, honduran & nicaraguan are doublecapped

also most Habanas are much stronger than your tastes, though the El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supremes are my favorite mild smoke, alas, its a larger ring gauge than you prefer.

just enjoy the process :)