Noob review leads to sickness :P

[stonedpirate]

Hello

I wasnt going to make this post due to embarrassment but thought it might lead to handy hints

Some of my cigars arrived in the post today and was totally impressed by the look and smell of them. It is the first time I have seen a premium cigar in the flesh after drooling over them online

My original plan was to put them in my newly seasoned humidor to get them over travel stress. They were so well packed along with a boveda pack that I figured they probably wouldnt need it. Rather than spark up the Behike 54 or my Monte 2 I figured I would start off with a non cuban as they seem less special to me, even though it cost me cuban prices.

Started my venture into the elite cigar world with 2013's 3rd place cigar of the year, the Davidoff Nicaragua. In hindsight, this was probably a bad choice. Lets just say, it knocked me on my ass.

I was a pack a day smoker for around 10 years so figured I had a high nicotine tolerance, however, after 6 months cigarette free, I must have become a born again nicotine virgin.

Now for a quick review. The look, smell and finish of this cigar was world class. Very good looking. Pre draw, felt like I sucked on a jar of cayenne pepper. The first 10 minutes was just strong spice. Not a huge fan of spice so wasnt really liking it. It was very smooth but the pepper was killing me. After the first third however, my mouth either adapted to the pepper or it became less spicy, either way, it became much more smokable. By the beginning of the last third, i had to take my jacket off. It was freezing outside but i was getting hot. Had to put it down feeling like an idiot wasting a $40 cigar lol. Half hour of nausea and dizziness later, I am fully recovered from my overdose lol.

My question is, I hear people say they only smoke once a month or 6 cigars per year etc etc. For those that dont smoke cigarettes or daily pipes or cigars, how do they build up a nicotine tolerance? My plan is to smoke one premium cigar every saturday with a few drinks. It feels like after a whole week with no nicotine, I will go back to the start so dont see how any non regular smokers can smoke a big cigar without getting sick. I can see why robustos are the favourite choice these days. Will once per week hinder my abilty to smoke a toro or lancero? Or do i have to stick with coronas and robustos?

Anyone else deal with this issue? Was the Davidoff just a strong cigar? I'm hoping I dont have to throw my Behike out half way through. Its enough to make me want to start smoking ciggies again so i can enjoy big cigars lol.

Thanks for any advice

[Skyfall]

Sorry you got sick mate! You may have taken the plunge into premium cigars head first, and might have enjoyed a milder cigar better. To your point on price, outside of the Cuban EL's and RE's, most Cuban Cigars worth smoking are priced better than most NC's worth smoking. Just because it's Cuban, doesn't mean it's more expensive, (depending on your vendor that you trust of course)

Now on to nicotine:

I smoke 3-5 cigars per week, on average, sometimes more. On special events or vacations, I may throw down 8-10 a day in one sitting. I've honestly never experienced the effects of nicotine from any cigar, CC or NC. I retrohale too, almost every puff, I retrohale. It just doesn't do anything to me. I love the R&J Cazzie, which most people think is a strong cigar, but I don't get any Nic buzz from them. I don't smoke cigars for nicotine, I smoke for taste and flavor. My tolerance is what it is due to years and years of dipping snuff and dip and chewing tobacco. I smoked Camels a little in college, but never really developed a dependence on them or made it habitual, but the Chew and Dip, it will build your tolerance like a pro. Fair warning, if you got "sick" from the cigar, get a trash can ready if you plan on trowing in a fat dip of Copenhagen Snuff or Red Man Golden Blend.

Everybody is different in regard to nicotine, just like everyone is different and subjective when it comes to taste and flavor profiles. Explore, find a good vendor , get some samplers, find what you like, and enjoy the hobby. For some milder CC's that still carry the taste, get you some ERDM's or some QDO's or even HDM Epi'2's.

Keep smoking! Don't let it deter you!

[CaptainQuintero]

Some tips that helped me:

-Have a meal before smoking

-Avoid caffeine with a cigar to start with

-Leave NC until you're accustomed to CC

-Make an effort to not inhale; use your tongue at the back of your throat to draw a little of the smoke into your mouth

-Try to only draw once every 30sec, longer if possible.

-Notice when the cigar starts to get too hot and the flavours become harsh: let the cigar rest for a good minute

-A cigar usually builds in strength, slow your smoking down as you get past the half way point, this will also help avoid the problem named above

-When you've finished have a chocolate bar or sugary drink, sugar helps get rid of nicotine

Hope this helps!

[Havanaaddict]

I smoke 3 to 4 cigars a day and have had nicotine overlaod a few times in the past 10 years or so.

This is what to look for:

A warm feeling coming back up your neck!!!

A clammy sweaty feeling!!!

Queasy!!!

At the first of any of these signs you need to grab a pack of SUGAR and down it!!! Within 10 min you will be golden and even ready to have another cigar. Don't think a coke or candy will help you need a PACK OF SUGAR!!!

[CaptainQuintero]

I smoke 3 to 4 cigars a day and have had nicotine overlaod a few times in the past 10 years or so.

This is what to look for:

A warm feeling coming back up your neck!!!

A clammy sweaty feeling!!!

Queasy!!!

At the first of any of these signs you need to grab a pack of SUGAR and down it!!! Within 10 min you will be golden and even ready to have another cigar. Don't think a coke or candy will help you need a PACK OF SUGAR!!!

A spoonful / sachets size yeah? I'm hoping not a whole 2lb bag

[polarbear]

A spoonful / sachets size yeah? I'm hoping not a whole 2lb bag

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

[bradbrennan]

I've learned that I do much better with a latte vs. alcohol, and I like the pairing with cc's

[stonedpirate]

haha

Thanks a lot guys.

Knew this thread was worth making, a lot of good tips there.

In no way did it deter me though, woke up this morning and finished the last third just to find out why people recommend not relighting an old cigar lol. Wont be doing that again...

Cheers

[bradbrennan]

$40 for that stick would make me far more sick!

[Skyfall]

$40 for that stick would make me far more sick!

[stonedpirate]

lol

Thats good for australia

The local shop sells them for $65

[bradbrennan]

lol

Thats good for australia

The local shop sells them for $65

If you like them I'll trade you almost any cc for the handful I have left

[bradbrennan]

Sorry you got sick mate! You may have taken the plunge into premium cigars head first, and might have enjoyed a milder cigar better. To your point on price, outside of the Cuban EL's and RE's, most Cuban Cigars worth smoking are priced better than most NC's worth smoking. Just because it's Cuban, doesn't mean it's more expensive, (depending on your vendor that you trust of course)

Now on to nicotine:

I smoke 3-5 cigars per week, on average, sometimes more. On special events or vacations, I may throw down 8-10 a day in one sitting. I've honestly never experienced the effects of nicotine from any cigar, CC or NC. I retrohale too, almost every puff, I retrohale. It just doesn't do anything to me. I love the R&J Cazzie, which most people think is a strong cigar, but I don't get any Nic buzz from them. I don't smoke cigars for nicotine, I smoke for taste and flavor. My tolerance is what it is due to years and years of dipping snuff and dip and chewing tobacco. I smoked Camels a little in college, but never really developed a dependence on them or made it habitual, but the Chew and Dip, it will build your tolerance like a pro. Fair warning, if you got "sick" from the cigar, get a trash can ready if you plan on trowing in a fat dip of Copenhagen Snuff or Red Man Golden Blend.

Everybody is different in regard to nicotine, just like everyone is different and subjective when it comes to taste and flavor profiles. Explore, find a good vendor , get some samplers, find what you like, and enjoy the hobby. For some milder CC's that still carry the taste, get you some ERDM's or some QDO's or even HDM Epi'2's.

Keep smoking! Don't let it deter you!

Not to change the subject here, but curious Skyfall, as you're so into cooking it appears, do you ever make your own chew or did you

[Skyfall]

Not to change the subject here, but curious Skyfall, as you're so into cooking it appears, do you ever make your own chew or did you

I have indeed made my own chew, yes.....among other homemade vices ! (Several brothers here can attest to some homemade treasures in a liquid form)

[Maplepie]

If you like them I'll trade you almost any cc for the handful I have left

Hmmmmm... would you consider some JlPs?

I hear they make good chew

... seriously.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

[bradbrennan]

I have indeed made my own chew, yes.....among other homemade vices ! (Several brothers here can attest to some homemade treasures in a liquid form)

Maybe you could share a recipe, for chew that is, including the tobacco you've used?! I've made some with a nice wrapper leaf that turned out pretty good, much better after taste than some factory stuff I've had in the past. But I'm not a big chew person, so very little experience, but I'm finding it's a nice fill in when smoking isn't convenient

[bradbrennan]

Hmmmmm... would you consider some JlPs?

I hear they make good chew

... seriously.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

I'm waiting for Skyfall on the chew question, but I'm guessing if you want a good tasting chew you have to start with a good tasting tobacco...someone may have beat you to the Davidoffs but I'm serious about "most any CC" also have 13 Aging Room F55 CA #2 that I'd be happy to trade!

[StingMeadery]

As I understand it, nicotine poisoning occurs when the liver has insufficient glucose to process the toxins.

Medium/full bodied cigars can kick your arse if you smoke without eating.

As a beekeeper I find a large spoonful of honey before smoking works for me.

"Nothing like being curled up in the frontal position on the floor of the shower with nicotine poisioning"

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[Pedro2486]

As I understand it, nicotine poisoning occurs when the liver has insufficient glucose to process the toxins.

Medium/full bodied cigars can kick your arse if you smoke without eating.

As a beekeeper I find a large spoonful of honey before smoking works for me.

"Nothing like being curled up in the frontal position on the floor of the shower with nicotine poisioning"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I find the high glucose jelly beans sold at chemists here in oz are fantastic for the occasional nicotine OD. Plus they're tasty.

Sting, I tried the manuka honey cream on bot my dogs cut paw and on my own injuries a couple weeks ago. Magic stuff mate, really worked well

[StingMeadery]

Sting, I tried the manuka honey cream on bot my dogs cut paw and on my own injuries a couple weeks ago. Magic stuff mate, really worked well

Glad to hear your enjoying the benefits. Our friends and customers reckon our Manuka honey mead is the best strep throat gargle ever invented...soothes and promotes the anethethising benefits of self medicating as it's swallowed

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[StingMeadery]

(Several brothers here can attest to some homemade treasures in a liquid form)

Hmmm.... Loves Pistols, Cubans and is a home brewer too ?

...you weren't adopted at birth were you Skyfall

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[groundhog]

I'm glad I'm no the only one that's had this.

Was going to have a smoke yesterday after no food, but decided to eat.

Very glad I did!

Was having a Trinidad Reyes, so nothing particularly heavy - but I've never smoked and this was only my third cigar.

I got very light headed - hit me like a freight train. Two lattes with much sugar later and I was fine....

It seems the sugar advice is excellent!

Didn't particularly enjoy the Trinidad, so when it went out I didn't bother relighting.

Slightly scared over what to go for next out of my tiny stash..

[bluebottle]

I had the exact thing happen to me with an RyJ Cedros No. 3. I had eaten, but it went for me. I found it almost chemically in taste and it died in the ashtray a good couple of inches left.

It's a shame because I'd had one at a dinner a week or so before and it seemed really nice (maybe alcohol was playing tricks with my memory?).

Have some Hoyo and an El Rey Choix Supreme which I saw favourably reviewed by the Prez to try soon...

[groundhog]

I had the exact thing happen to me with an RyJ Cedros No. 3. I had eaten, but it went for me. I found it almost chemically in taste and it died in the ashtray a good couple of inches left.

It's a shame because I'd had one at a dinner a week or so before and it seemed really nice (maybe alcohol was playing tricks with my memory?).

Have some Hoyo and an El Rey Choix Supreme which I saw favourably reviewed by the Prez to try soon...

Have you had one since with the same effects? (I've got one coming in an order)..

I'm still sticking to the milder side at the moment - it's nicotine fear!

The other day I had a Gonzales PC, which wasn't too bad - but when it went out I didn't bother relighting it... It burned quite hot towards the end.

Last night I had an H.Upmann half corona - I can see a box of these in my near future.

It was excellent - far better than what I have smoked so far. Smoked it pretty much to the nub.

Now I must search for ones that are similar!

[scottdurand]

Smoke an Epi No 2, that should fix the sickness and turn it into addiction.