So, How Did You Get Here?

[OZCUBAN]

I guess I started smoking cigars, on and off, about twenty five years ago, give or take. I don't really recall how or why I was drawn to them, what made me want to try them. Early on, specifics were unimportant - producer, country of origin, where the tobacco came from, etc. Having a few drinks with friends, get the urge, run up to the drug store for some Candela Garcia y Vegas..... (knowing, even then, that they weren't tops).

Cuban cigars were never really on my radar. As I became more interested in cigars, I'd do some research, try some things, find what I liked, what I cared less for, become more aware of differences, as well as similarities - understand hype versus reality, at least subjectively for me personally.

So you start to hear and read about Cuban cigars - how much different can they really be? More reading, more research. I'm still not overly interested, but begin to consider it, and regardless, enjoy the process of finding out about something new.

I begin to research Cuban cigars in earnest, still feeling that there cannot really be that much of a difference, and not taking as gospel what I read. But if so many extoll their virtues, there must be something to it.....

So I spend countless hours reading, researching, on my own - what to believe, who to trust. I find a few sites online..... One of them is Cigar Czar. This was before our forum as we all know it today - before Rob had a forum.

I'd read with a smile about cigar dinners, slow race horses, beetle infestations, etc. That site changed and became Club Czar - cigars, watches, pens..... At this point, I've already spent, literally, a few years filling shopping carts, from a couple of sites, but never pulling the trigger - afraid for a few reasons.

A friend gives me a few Montecristo No. 5. They stay in the humidor for months - they can't be that great, can they? (reverse snobbery, as my mom called it). When I finally spark one up, I can sense there is something....

Rob's site suggests joining so as to be able to acquire cigars - light is green for now - I hem and haw. The forum comes online in February 2005 - I hem and haw - I'm not a forum type of guy. I finally make the decision and join in May 2005......

I've seen, and learned much - friendship, laughter, loyalty, fraternity....

So, here we all are....... With apologies for the lengthy post, what brought you here?

Firstly Ross

May I say very well said ( written) great thread ,your story echoes many individuals on this forum

Your recollection almost brings a tear to the eye (nostalgia) especially to ones that have been here for the long haul.( me not quite included,though if I had pulled the trigger earlier I would have been here a lot longer )

And for not a forum guy you have made a damn fine moderator .

And as far as I am concerned, I to stumbled on to this forum quiet by accident ,searching for more info on Cuban Cigars .

And what a discovery,a greater place you will not find, nice decent people one and all (united by a single love )

I have made some really special friends whilst participating here.

And one of best parts for me now is ,even against great adversity here (Moronic Tobacco Legislation and the Erosion of ones rights ) this forum on the OZ side of things has just made us grow stronger and more close ,and that's a good thing.

And on an ending note the Czar crew are exceptional .

And Rob is one of the finest Gentlemen you would ever wish to meet .

Cheers

OZ (Steve)

P.S Long live F.O.H

[cottierm]

The videos, the videos, the videos!!! That is what attracted my to this particular forum (the only one in which I am an active member) in the first place.

Best,

Michel

[Puros Y Vino]

I think I saw a reference to FOH or Czar in a CA thread. Saw some videos, read some posts and got hooked immediately. I was sick of that other place. Lots of jerks, "know it alls" and general wastes of human biomatter. FOH has a great mix of veteran smokers and new ones and a near lack of attitude. What's not to like?

[maverickdrinker]

got back into cigars in 2008 and starting looking at different sites to 'join' and found this place.

Made some great friends here and it is one of the rare forums where everything continues to be a place where things are civil and it is about the friendships and the cigars....

[riazp]

got back into cigars in 2008 and starting looking at different sites to 'join' and found this place.

Made some great friends here and it is one of the rare forums where everything continues to be a place where things are civil and it is about the friendships and the cigars....

Amen to that brother

[IcedCanuck]

I bought a few cigars while vacationing in Mexico back in 2008. Started smoking one here and there but stayed away from the pricey CCs. In 2009 I went to Jamaica and picked up a box of Monte 4's at the duty free shop. When I got back home I knew that I needed a humidor to store them in properly so I went out and bought one. I then started researching cigars online for the do's and the do nots. I stumbled upon the FoH cigar review videos on youtube. After smoking CCs for a while I could not go back to the barn floor scrappings I had been smoking.

After watching many of the reviews I followed the trail back to the FoH forum where I discovered a wealth of information. I trolled on this site and other cigar forums for a little while. I found a lot of the other forums were filled with know it all tossers who always seemed to have a stick up their arse about something (just my opinion) where as the FoH members seemed much more relaxed and chilled out.

While on this site I have met and gotten together with many fellow BOTLF (and even a SOTLF or two) to share cigars, drinks, good conversation, and camaraderie. This online community is unlike any other I have ever been a part of and I feel privileged to be a part of it and look forward to many more years within it!

[Orion21]

I had seriously been into cigars for a year or so when I got a referral from another member to look at buying my cigars at this website. I thought it was some super secret society of Cuban cigar smokers and thought for sure I had no chance to get it. I signed up and e-mailed Rob and was greeted by one of the nicest guys you would ever meet. He gave me his opinion on what I would like based on my taste at the time and then I found the Shoutbox . . . . all downhill from there

I have to say that the quality of people I have met thru FoH is astounding. Like I have said before, and even say in business, the qualities of the person at the top will attract like minded individuals. Energy, honesty, personality - Rob and crew are the reason this place is so amazing. Cheers!

[Vortigan]

As with others,I was searching cigar reviews on YouTube and was completely taken with fresh,honest and sense of humour filled style that I found here.Still remember the very first one....

[COSmokes]

I was a member on a US based forum and was buying my CC's through a few online vendors and always had issues. Another member of the other forum suggested I join FOH and try out czar for my purchases and I haven't looked back since! I don't post as much as I'd like to and I haven't gotten to know to many folks on here yet but I plan on getting more into it.

[Habanos2000]

When I started at my current job a few of the other guys would smoke cigars at the office, this was back in the mid 80's. Nothing fancy about what they smoked, definitely not Cubans, but there sure was some allure to it. Then came the cigar boom of the late 80's - early 90's and my first cigar was a Davidoff Grand Cru #2. I liked it! I kept trying others looking for the holy grail and was always intrigued by Cubans. A lot of that allure was to the credit of Cigar Aficionado and of course not being able to get Cubans easily, because of where I live, made them even more tempting.

I came across Rob's original web site probably in the late 90's. I'm sure at that time it was just him doing everything himself. In fact, I received my first order even before he took my CC info. I didn't think he'd last! But I'm a firm believer that service is what people want, especially in this segment of business, and to this day I've always been satisfied. I joined FOH on the first or second day of its launch and while not a frequent poster, I visit on a daily basis and always enjoy whatever banter is being thrown around.

[Squarehead]

Through Aaron(Orion) whom I met at the LCdH in Toronto last year(Aug.8th/11) I met Frank,Tom and Conor.Tom asked me if I would be attending the Herf in late August here in Toronto.I had no idea what the were talking about and so they filled me in about the FOH forum and that Rob will be coming to the Herf.After a couple of days of thinking about it I joined the FoH forum and made my reservation to attent the Herf and I had a blast.So here I am,learned a lot and we also meet every few weeks in Toronto.

[ckearns]

My parole officer made the recommendation. Said I'd fit in well here.

Like many others, it was youtube that brought me here. Around the same time I had started to get into scotch and in the evenings I'd watch various scotch related youtube videos to learn more about it. Before long, the geniuses at youtube started recommending that I watch Rob's cigar reviews and I eventually navigated my way here. What ultimately made me sign-up was the large local membership on FoH because my immediate friends aren't into cigars and meeting up with the local crew sure beats smoking alone.

FoH has allowed me to learn more about cigars than I'd ever imagined and it has been a great platform to meet wonderful people.

[iamphilzone]

My first CC purchase left me feeling suspect, so I went looking for honest CC info and found the FOH Videos! I have never been a forum kind of guy, have to say the last couple of months have been thoroughly entertaining. Love the reviews and have found a CC home.

[Taksan]

Been smoking cigars for around 15 years now. Started with crappy cigars and then moved to better Dutch cigars. Discovered the Cubans 4 years ago and since then I am loving them. Found a post of FOH on youtube and since then ( i think about 2 years now) i've been a member. Gotta say that here in The Netherlands we just love u guys.

So, the only thing now that remains is just enhancing my budget.

[CanuckSARTech]

Awesome post, Ross.

My cigar background is in my profile. I came here for the comraderie of this community - bar none the best around.

Cheers.

[KB24]

Chuck brought me here. RIP

[MrDowse]

I came for the cigars of course! I stick around here as like others, I love the inclusive feel, the lack of drama (most of the time) and the conversation. I like the fact that its international as you get a bunch of different perspectives here and there is always something worth talking about happening in the wider world. Did I mention the cigars?

[mazolaman]

Those funny videos of the duo getting pissed and having fun.

[anacostiakat]

The Mothership. . .

[khomeinist]

Da Kool Aid is potent and mixed fresh daily!!!

[PigFish]

Da Kool Aid is potent and mixed fresh daily!!!

... you should know mate! You are one of the largest consumers!!! -LOL

Cheers! -the Pig

[gostgost]

My father was a Merchant Seamen and before the embargo he would have boxes of CC's and I remember loving the aroma of his cigars and once the embargo was put into place and he had run out of his cc's. I had forgotten until my wife and I went to Jamica and I was hit with the aroma again.

It was then a question of finding someone who was not going to rip me off with fakes. Youtube helped me answer that question with FOH.

That's my story.

[perfectform]

Came over as a refugee from CA (where I'm banned ) about 4 years ago. Was into cigars for about a year before that. Best cigar forum on the interwebz IMO.

[NJP]

Aussies getting drunk doing reviews and posting them on YouTube. It made me proud. Seemed appropriate that I join the club responsible.

[Fuzz]

I fell off the jungle gym, and when I woke up, I was in here....