I shouldn't delay the inevitable.

Well, it's happened. I'm thinking about giving cigars another go. I've smoked cigarettes for about three years, but stopped almost 11 years ago. I started smoking a pipe in March and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Cigars, on the other hand, I've never been into. Truthfully, I'm thinking about getting some cigarillos that I can have on my way to or from work. I think that I know how to appreciate tobacco far better than I use to, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to appreciate cigars in a more sophisticated manner. Is there anything out there that I could get that is comparable to a nice aged Virginia pipe tobacco? I know very little about cigars, but I'm interested in getting my feet wet.

I got into pipes as a means to enjoy good tobacco while saving the expense that cigars were costing me. (No sarcastic comments necessary - this was just my thinking at the start.)

While I smoke pipes almost exclusively now, I do find there are some occasions that just call for a cigar. The golf course, in particular, although I still have a nice little stash of really good cigars that I bring out on special occasions too.

The variety available in cigars - while it pales in comparison to pipe tobacco - is enough that it'll take some experimentation to determine what you like. Being a pipe smoker already, you can probably do away with the standard "start mild" advice. Cigars are pretty easy to figure out, as far as smoking goes. Storing them is a different story, however.

BTW...you're in trouble, Erik.

Pm me your address, Ill send you a care package! Im a newbe to pipes, but cigars, I got!

Price said:

I got into pipes as a means to enjoy good tobacco while saving the expense that cigars were costing me. (No sarcastic comments necessary - this was just my thinking at the start.)

Click to expand...

We all need to visit Dr. Gumby, Brain Specialist

Price said:

BTW...you're in trouble, Erik.

Click to expand...

Yes I am.

I picked up some cigarillos at Campbell's on Wednesday. The owner, Josh, recommended that I give Nats' Point Fives Honduras a go. I wanted another option, so he recommended Romeo y Jolietta Reserva Real Minutos Petites. I tried the Reserva Real on Thursday, but it reminded me of a cigar (as in, that's why I'm not crazy about cigars). Last night, I was hanging out with some guys from my old band and decided to give the Point Fives a try. I absolutely loved it! It was slightly sweet, creamy, smooth, and just tasted good and burnt well. I gave a Reserva Real another go earlier today. Again, I wasn't impressed. After about 3 or four puffs, the draw started to get really tight, and there was a harder lump about halfway down the cigar. I tired loosening it up, but it just seemed like there was a chunk of wadded tobacco blocking the airflow. I cut my losses, rubbed the ember out, and tossed the butt. I kid you not, within about a minute of tossing the butt I started to get a sweet flavor in my mouth like a Va that has some sweetness, but still has a bit of grassy qualities to it as well. I wanted to spark up another right then and there, but I had some stuff around the house that I had to get done and figured that I'd take my time in exploring cigars. I'm sure that you could imagine, but I now have 175 cigarillos heading my way! I did a good amount of research over the weekend, and I'm pretty confident that most of the selections that I chose should be good, cigar-quality cigarillos.

Got my Tupperdor up & running.

Nice work! Looks great.

Looking good

Thanks, Gents! I have around 260-270 sticks (98% cigarillos) stocked up in there (got to love cyber-Monday). I've only tried three out of the fifteen varieties that I have. So, it'll be fun trying and retrying these little guys when I want a quick smoke or don't feel like taking a pipe somewhere.

How long does a cigar stay up to snuff after it's been removed from a humidor? I understand that it would have to do with the climate, but is there a general rule of thumb?

Claudel Xerxes said:

Thanks, Gents! I have around 260-270 sticks (98% cigarillos) stocked up in there (got to love cyber-Monday). I've only tried three out of the fifteen varieties that I have. So, it'll be fun trying and retrying these little guys when I want a quick smoke or don't feel like taking a pipe somewhere.

How long does a cigar stay up to snuff after it's been removed from a humidor? I understand that it would have to do with the climate, but is there a general rule of thumb?

Click to expand...

That depends on the current climate and atmospheric conditions you are in at that time. I would think a larger ringed cigar's longevity would beat out a smaller cigarillo, but there are plenty of pocket sized cigar holders that can be had in order to stuff you a few cigarillo's in and take with you and keep them nice and fresh for when you are ready to smoke them.

OkieStubble said:

That depends on the current climate and atmospheric conditions you are in at that time. I would think a larger ringed cigar's longevity would beat out a smaller cigarillo, but there are plenty of pocket sized cigar holders that can be had in order to stuff you a few cigarillo's in and take with you and keep them nice and fresh for when you are ready to smoke them.

Click to expand...

Thanks, Rob! I'll have to look into a smaller sized cigar holder. I suppose that some of the tins with Boveda packets in them will be suitable for the time being.

Claudel Xerxes said:

... I suppose that some of the tins with Boveda packets in them will be suitable for the time being.

Click to expand...

They will work like a charm. What I love about small cigars is their portability.

Great to hear! I'll probably throw together a three or four pack of cigarillos and pack a pipe with a backup packing for the snowstorm that's about to hit here. I do snow removal, so it'll be a nice time to sit back by myself and appreciate the smokes.

Claudel Xerxes said:

Great to hear! I'll probably throw together a three or four pack of cigarillos and pack a pipe with a backup packing for the snowstorm that's about to hit here. I do snow removal, so it'll be a nice time to sit back by myself and appreciate the smokes.

Click to expand...

Pipes and cigars have turned what would normally be a horrendous M-F daily commute into some of the most enjoyable alone time that I have.