Thinking back to the early years......what advice?

[BrightonCorgi]

27 minutes ago, smbauerllc said:

I agree about Tubos. I always everything in Tubos that I can. Worth the extra dollar or two for the damage proofing and I also feel they have a different taste than non-tubos

I adore tubos as well, but they take up a lot of space in the cabinet.  I dig the extra cedary taste, they're round cigars, and their aroma.

Now that I am storing boxes in my cellar, I want to re-focus my buying towards tubos.

[Hammer Smokin']

Didn't I read that cuba puts the ugliest cigars in tubos (as they can't be seen)? Well, we know what the cigar "looks" like doesn't determine it's quality (well, sometimes it does)...

I know some long standing cigar smokers who will pass on tubos...and I know I've read that on here as well...

Which is just another example of different tastes for different folks. I like tubos and will purchase them when available as well. 

[stogieluver]

• Your best memory of those early years?  
  • Discovering this community and becoming part of the family. I was researching all things Cuba and Cuban cigars for my first trip to Cuba in 2012, and ended up here.  All the members here were so patient with my very basic questions about things we take for granted after years along the journey of cigar enlightenment. 
• Your biggest regret?
  • I really can’t think of one. I would have regretted not buying as much stock as I could to fill up my Aristocrat. It took me a while to pay off that credit card, but now most of my stock is aged 8-10 years.  Buy enough to put away to age and to smoke daily.  Think of it as an investment in your future happiness!
• Things you would have done differently-your best piece of advice for newcomers?
  • I wouldn’t stress so much over temp/humidity. I am one of Piggy’s best students and biggest fans, and gaining that basic knowledge of proper storage is important, but don’t stress over a degree or two in temp and humidity. I think he would tell you that.  Enjoy the journey, but don’t look for, or expect, perfection in each and every cigar.  It is Cuba, after all. 
     

Edited to add: And buy a much larger humidor than you think you’ll ever need. 

[djrey]

5-10 years for me. 

• Your best memory of those early years?

I was still in college when I started buying CC online. My best memory is sitting around after class smoking with come of my friends. Many of these people I no longer connect with due to distance so sadly it is nothing but memories now. 

• Your biggest regret?

Not buying more premium cigars when prices were low. Cohiba for example. I could have afforded them back then. I stick in the $100-$300 box range and have been completely priced out of a few brands. 

• Things you would you have done differently - your best piece of advice for newcomers?

Try as much as you can and don't get caught up on reviews. There are so many cigars I love that have some nasty reviews online for them. Had I not branched out and tried them anyway I would have missed some great cigars. 

[rascalmonkey]

On 3/4/2021 at 5:47 PM, El Presidente said:

• Your best memory of those early years?

my first full box purchase: 2003 Hoyo Pyramide EL's - realizing in an instant that I wanted that flavor in my mouth at least once per day for the rest of my life

• your best piece of advice for newcomers?

2019-2020 stock is the best ever by my reckoning - buy buy buy

 

 

[El Presidente]

On 3/7/2021 at 1:08 AM, Hammer Smokin' said:

Didn't I read that cuba puts the ugliest cigars in tubos (as they can't be seen)? Well, we know what the cigar "looks" like doesn't determine it's quality (well, sometimes it does)...

I know some long standing cigar smokers who will pass on tubos...and I know I've read that on here as well...

Which is just another example of different tastes for different folks. I like tubos and will purchase them when available as well. 

Not quite. 

It's all based on quota. 

if the factory is scheduled to do a run or 25000 D4  in Tubos then their will be no difference in quality to dress boxes.

However if they are doing a 25000 run of D4 and 18000 are for dress boxes and 7000 for Tubos then you can bet your bottom dollar that those "awkward cigars" will end up in tubos 

[mprach024]

I don’t dislike tubos because they are full of bad cigars.  I dislike tubos because I dislike paying the premium for a packaging I have no use for, nor want.  When I do get them, out of the tube they come for storage anyways.  So, what a waste of money, I’ll just buy a regular cab/dress box, and if those aren’t available I’ll be patient and wait.

[CigarsBourbon]

My best memory? Late 1990s...my first Montecristo #2.  Been chasing those notes ever since.  I think that's the point.  I'll never get that moment again, but I can keep trying.

Biggest regret? Not buying and holding on to some Cohiba Esplendidos (back when it was CRAZY that people were paying AS MUCH AS $15 - $20 a stick for them).

Advice for newcomers?  Order lots of singles, find out what you like, and then shift to boxes and age half of them. And don't listen to people who tell you Cubans aren't anything special...that's crap.  They ARE different.  Only a few non-cuban brands have been able to replicate those distinct Cuban characteristics, and almost always they begin to lose that after 5 years or so of production.  Smoke non-cubans for what they are...and smoke cubans for what they are.

 

[SmokinLightning]

Your best memory of those early years?
First cigar I really remember smoking... Vegas in my very early 20's. Up about $1200 on a blackjack table at the Flamingo Hilton, just drunk enough to be really enjoying  myself. Bullshitting with the pit boss, who calls the cigar/cigarette girl over and tells her to give me a cigar on the house. She gives me Macanudo Portofino. I thought I was the king of the world. Got me hooked.

Your biggest regret?
Not buying more Partagas Coronas and Dip 4s.

Things you would you have done differently - your best piece of advice for newcomers?
If you find something you love, buy A LOT of them. You never know when blends will change or get disco'd. Also, don't stress. Invest in a decent humidor/humidification system and enjoy your smokes. I remember agonizing over every minor change in RH or Temp. Really took the enjoyment out of it at first.

[Nino]

1 hour ago, SmokinLightning said:

Your best memory of those early years?
First cigar I really remember smoking... Vegas in my very early 20's. Up about $1200 on a blackjack table at the Flamingo Hilton, just drunk enough to be really enjoying  myself. Bullshitting with the pit boss, who calls the cigar/cigarette girl over and tells her to give me a cigar on the house. She gives me Macanudo Portofino. I thought I was the king of the world. Got me hooked.

Things you would you have done differently - your best piece of advice for newcomers?
If you find something you love, buy A LOT of them. You never know when blends will change or get disco'd.

Ha !  Seems quite familiar to me as I had the same experience at the  Nassau/Bahamas  Playboy Casino back mid-70's at the Nassau Beach Hotel, drinks on the house and me enjoying myself on black jack and free drinks. Never got a cigar on the house though .... 🙂

Yes, buy whatever you enjoy smoking. Lots of it.