Cigar newbie- I need suggestions!

[Clockwork John]

I'm new to cigars, but not new to tobacco. I could use some suggestions as far as what to try next. The two cigars I've liked well enough to remember are the Acid Kuba and the Garcia y Vegas Silver Corona.

I smoke a pipe, and I tend to enjoy navy blends and other strong, complex blends. I especially love blends that contain a bit of Latakia and or Perique. I find most of the English blends I've tried are too flat and one dimensional for my taste.

I would love to find a cigar that pairs well with a smoky, peaty scotch or good, bold coffee, like Sumatra, without breaking the bank.

Any suggestions?

 

[Leche]

Joya de Nicaragua, Strong, complex, and smooth.
Partagas Black; rich and complex.

Both have deep robust flavors that are straight forward, a mans cigar if you will. For something a bit cheaper but also very good; 5Vegas and Indian Tabac by Rocky Patel have good offerings.

 

[HopHead]

First let me apologize if I'm way off, I've never tried Acid or Garcia and Vegas but am going to base this off of your desire for strong complex blends. I recommend the Oliva Serie V lancero, la flor domicana (any, but the double ligero if strongest), and CAO brazilia or italia. All should be in the 5-7 buck price range and should provide a pleasurable smoke.

All of those should provide enough of a flavor punch to stand up to a heavy scotch or strong coffee. Although cubans are not as strong (in general), they provide a much more complex smoke (in general). If you want to explore a whole new world, I highly recommend trying some.

 

[Leche]

CAO brazilia

Can't believe I didn't throw that one out there.

 

[jumpo64]

I've been a long time lurker to B&B, but just now signed up so I could reply to this thread. I've been smoking cigars on and off for 5 or 6 years now. I had a humidor, sold it, and now I'm thinking of buying one again (go figure). At any rate, I've tried many different cigars over my years and there have been many that I like, and probably more that I've disliked. The only cigar that's ever stood out to me as a favorite above all the rest is a Romeo y Julieta (Brand) Numero Dos. Really just a great cigar. It's a Dominican, which are now said to be on par or better than the Cubans of old. I buy mine in Tubos, mainly because I think they're cool, but they do provide great protection if you plan on taking a cigar somewhere to smoke. Numero Dos' can be hard to find though, they're often sold out at the major internet cigar retailers. I always bought mine from a local cigar/pipe shop for about $7-8 a piece.

 

[HopHead]

Lets be real, any cigar that markets itself based upon a cuban brand can't be as great a one that stands on its own accord. Just my two cents...

 

[jumpo64]

Lets be real, any cigar that markets itself based upon a cuban brand can't be as great a one that stands on its own accord. Just my two cents...

Luckily he asked for suggestions on cigars, not which had the most "street cred". Because if that was the case, Acid's often get rejected by old school cigar snobs as well.

Anyway, I forgot to mention that if you enjoy the deeper and more complex flavors then you might also try something with a maduro wrapper.

 

[johnmrson]

I've been a long time lurker to B&B, but just now signed up so I could reply to this thread. I've been smoking cigars on and off for 5 or 6 years now. I had a humidor, sold it, and now I'm thinking of buying one again (go figure). At any rate, I've tried many different cigars over my years and there have been many that I like, and probably more that I've disliked. The only cigar that's ever stood out to me as a favorite above all the rest is a Romeo y Julieta (Brand) Numero Dos. Really just a great cigar. It's a Dominican, which are now said to be on par or better than the Cubans of old. I buy mine in Tubos, mainly because I think they're cool, but they do provide great protection if you plan on taking a cigar somewhere to smoke. Numero Dos' can be hard to find though, they're often sold out at the major internet cigar retailers. I always bought mine from a local cigar/pipe shop for about $7-8 a piece.

I'll second the vote for Romeo y Julieta cigars. We get plenty of Cuban cigars in Australia but I agree that the Dominican cigars are now superior. Romeo y Julieta used to be a Cuban brand but they moved to the Dominican Republic after the cigar manufacturers were nationalised. My favorite is the Churchill named after the great man himself.

 

[jibaro622]

Fellows you have to remember that smoking a pipe is way different from a cigars, in the sense that a pipe tobacco is going to be a lot milder than cigar. I smoke more cigars "3-5 a day" than I do my pipe, but when I do smoke my pipe I find that whatever pipe tobacco "Aromatic or English"I smoke is way mild for me. With taht said I recommend you start out with a mild cigar then work your way up.

 

[KDKingpin]

Lonsdale Rum. . .a Puerto Rico made cigar from the Don Collins Cigar Shop. You can find them online at www.don-collins.com. They offer monthly specials and during the month of December they offer a buy-one-get-one free on Lonsdale Rum bundles.

A great cigar. . .once you try it it will forever be included in your inventory. I couldn't say enough about how good they are!

 

[winkydink]

Strong, cheap, great smokes:

La Gloria Cubana - I'm partial to the Charlemagnes. The Minutos are excellent when you don't have time for a big smoke.

El Rico Habana - The Club is my favorite shape. These will knock you on your butt. Loaded with nicotine. Think Dunhill Nightcap.

Neither of these will break the bank. Famous Smoke Shop or JR Cigars are good places to buy online.

Need to make yourself an El Cheapo humidor? Do what I've been doing since 1996: http://www.igtc.com/~pmm/tupperdor.html

 

[iron maiden]

Rocky Patel has a nice 2009 Winter Blend...those are tasty

Also, the CAO MX2 and LX2 are pretty bold and complex.

Acids are....well, different. Just not for me. Waaaayyy too sweet.


As far as pipe tobaccos go, the GL Pease Westminster seems to be a highly favored latakia blend. Also, Cornell & Diehl makes a "Purple Cow" offering which has some cuban leaf in it....it reminds me of a decent cigar, at least in the smell.

If you like Navy flakes, the Robert McConnell Scottish Flake...it is a good, strong tobacco. There's always the Gawith, Hoggarth & Co's "Bob's Chocolate Flake"...it has just enough latakia to make it superb!!!

 

[ama015]

I could give you a lot of suggestions on the best cigars in the world, but they are illegal in your country. The best NC cigar I have smoked was a Padron 1964 Exclusivo, but it was nowhere near the most complex cigars in the world in my opinion.

Tatuaje, Padron and Fuente Fuente Opus X are considered among the best NC cigars. Try to smoke less but better. These cigars cost some money, but will give you a lot more pleasure than a chep cigar. Cigar smoking is about time and relaxing. Don`t inhale, but try to pick up the different nuances of the cigar and enjoy the taste.

Good luck.

 

[winkydink]

Joya de Nicaragua, Strong, complex, and smooth.
Partagas Black; rich and complex.

Both have deep robust flavors that are straight forward, a mans cigar if you will. For something a bit cheaper but also very good; 5Vegas and Indian Tabac by Rocky Patel have good offerings.

Is it just me or is the Partagas Black one of the saltiest cigars on the planet?

 

[Clockwork John]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I went to my local BevMo today and picked up a few sticks today. I had a Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Corona Maduro a couple of hours ago, and it was amazing. Almost exactly the flavor I was looking for. I'll definitely be picking up a few more of those, and I can't wait to try the others I picked up!

I'm gonna need a humidor soon.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Commander Quan]

If you like the Super Fuente Madies check out cigars international they throw them on sale practically every week.

 

[Dustinl]

I had a Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Corona Maduro a couple of hours ago, and it was amazing.

Good choice, Clockwork John! The IT Super Fuerte Maduro is an excellent cigar at an excellent value! I recommend trying a CAO MX2 since you now have the maduro flavor on your palate.


DL

 

[Clockwork John]

I'm definitely a fan of maduros. I've smoked several cigars over the holiday weekend, and most of them I liked were Maduros. I had an Olivia, which was one hell of a smoke and a definite flafor experience. Definitely not an everyday smoke, but something I wouldn't mind having now and again. I had a 5 Vegas churchill that was tasty, but not as complex as I would like. Last night I had a Black Pearl Rojo Robusto, which I enjoyed, but like the Olivia, is not for every day.

I keep going back to the Super Fuerte Maduro. I'll definitely keep an eye out for Maduros next time I'm filling up my tupperdor.

 

[draysniro]

I'm not an expert by any means but I really enjoy the Natural line from Drew Estate. They're the same company that makes the Acid line. The Acids are a bit too strong for me. My favorite would have to be the "Dirt" from the natural line.