Cuban Cigar Noob

[Miller1985]

Hey y'all!! My names Dennis and I'm pretty new to Cubans. I'm a smoker and aspiring collector of fine cigars. My current collection is about 400 cigars and is heavy with Opus X and some Davidoff. If some of you seasoned veterans would have some suggestions for Cubans to buy and why... Flavor profile, etc... I'd really appreciate it. I've been a member of FOH for several weeks and I really appreciate the honest, above board way this site is attended and run. I like the quality I see in the 24:24 sales. I'd love some advice so I don't make stupid buys as I start the Cuban side of my collection.

Cheers

Dennis

[NSXCIGAR]

Welcome!

You can find lots of information about the characteristics of specific cigars by searching the forums here. Pretty much every vitola in every marca has been discussed thoroughly at one time or another.

I'd definitely recommend the excellent sampler packs put together by our host. They're a great deal and it's the one of the best ways to start to figure out what you like and don't like.

Most everything put up in the 24:24 is vetted by Rob and screened pretty well so you really can't go wrong. And you'll find the prices are as competitive as any vendor worldwide.

[stogieluver]

Everyone's tastes are different. I'd suggest you buy one of the Samplers posted at the top of the Watering Hole forum. They have a wide array of CC's for you to try to determine what you like/don't like. Samplers are also on the shopping cart site.

Glad to have your company.

[Miller1985]

Thank you, Sir!! I've been smoking a year and a half, and starts as everyone did by smoking as much as possible in a day. I've since started to smoke less, but much higher quality. Thank you for the warm welcome.

[free85]

Here's yet another vote for a sampler pack. That's what started me off. I worked with a mentor to pick out what I wanted and the Czar family made some suggestions and was more than happy to put something together. After that it's all about trying things out and figuring out what you enjoy. No need to rush, of course... and enjoy the journey.

[KRunch61]

Hey Dennis-

Don't COLLECT 'em....SMOKE 'em!!

[JamesNYC]

As others have suggested, buy a sampler pack.

And read the reviews, or look at the video reviews or both.

I would probably look first at the strength of the cigar and then the flavor profiles.

If you like mild cigars, then you probably wouldn't want to smoke a medium or stronger cigar, even if it has flavors that interest you.

Again, try the samplers.

[Miller1985]

KRunch... I buy twice as many as I have time to smoke. So I can do both

[Miller1985]

Thank you James. I enjoy all strength profiles... I'm thinking a sampler is in order

[KRunch61]

KRunch... I buy twice as many as I have time to smoke. So I can do both

You're hooked!

[RolandHeadlessGunner]

Dennis,

I've smoked Cuban cigars pretty much exclusively since 1998 or so. IMO Cuban cigars are not typically "powerhouse" cigars. They are usually medium strength (look at Partagas and Bolivar for more strength), have more complexity & finesse than non-Cubans and have a "twang" to their flavor that is unique. As others have mentioned, the samplers are a great place to start. After that, anything on 24:24 is a good choice and the 2013-15 vintages have been the best since the '90s, again IMO. Enjoy!

[PapaDisco]

Samplers are great of course, but if you enjoy building a collection, aging them and sharing them, then there are several boxes you can buy right now that are staples of anyone's collection:

1. Romeo & Julieta Churchill: current production is outstanding and with El Pres hand picking them you're guaranteed a box of excellent stogies. One of the most recognized cigars ever and whether you like it or not, your guests (be they connoisseurs or noobs) will appreciate the treat and likely know what it is

2. Partagas D4 robusto: again, a well constructed, well known marca and a staple vitola in most humidors.

3. Montecristo #4: the Monte 4 is perhaps the most widely sold cuban IIRC and a good little petite corona. Here's where my theory starts to break down though . . . personally I buy a fair number of these for business gifts but I'd rather have the H Upmann petite corona. You could buy a box of those instead, and then you have the story about JFK and Pierre Salinger buying up cigars to tell when you share out the cigars. Plus you have a smaller stick for guests that would be overwhelmed by a Churchill, or when you don't have an hour and a half either.

There's other sticks that would qualify as staples in just about any guy's humidor: Cohiba robusto, Siglo VI, Lusitania, HdM Epi 2, Punch of course and more depending on your personal taste, but the boxes above can do double duty as sticks you'll like (and maybe love) and great Cubans for friends and guests.

[Miller1985]

Headless, thank you for your response... I've found that with the few that I've tried. It's good to know that I was thinking on the right track.

[Miller1985]

Papa... This is the reply I was looking for!! Like I said I'm a noob, but I have tried some through box splits, divers from friends, etc.

I thoroughly enjoy the PSD4, the HdM Epi 2 I have somewhere around 15 in my humi now. I LOVE the BBF, and the Sancho Panza belis. All of this

Information is so helpful... Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. I appreciate it.

[Bill Hayes]

From some of your selections it sounds like you may also enjoy the Upmann Magnum 50 and maybe the Magnum 46. They may require a little age on them though to be at their best. Enjoy the journey. Cheers.

[planetary]

Great advice has already been given. Welcome aboard!

[Miller1985]

Thank you gentlemen.

Bill, my goal is to get my collection to a 4-7 year aged rotation. It's a long term goal, but collecting is as much the fun as smoking them for me... Hence the reason I buy twice as much as I smoke. )

Thank you all for the warm welcome.