Question on Earning CC Expertise

[puromaniac]

Last week I took an evening stroll while joyfully puffing on a recently-purchased and chocolatey Vegas Robaina Famosos. It’s not a cigar I am super experienced with, but I’m delighted to report this particular box has proven to be a most-welcomed (perhaps lucky) impulse buy.

It got me thinking—and apologies if this has been covered, but I didn’t find it in a brief Forum search—how do members here gain, or earn, their Cuban (or non-CC) cigar expertise? Call it experience, if you like. But what’s been your path? Your route (and insights) to obtaining cigar knowledge?

Clearly, there is a vast range of expertise on this forum. And many experts, thankfully. What’s less obvious, to me at least, is what route or factors are key to obtaining cigar experience.

I suspect much/most ‘simply’ has to do with how long one has smoked Cuban cigars, and the number and variety of cigars so selflessly sampled. But what else? Learning from forums such as this? From other on-line/published sources (no, not looking for names)? From knowledgeable friends/insiders? Pilgrimages to the Cigar Mecca of Cuba? Trades? Trial and perhaps painful error (including but not limited to impulse/advised buys, forgettable dog rockets, and/or unwise flirtations with plastic-tipped cigars)? Asking questions? Smoking non-CCs? Other factors I’ve surely missed?

And might the ever-rising cost of CCs be impeding us from gaining experience/expertise?

Some of these factors have played a role in my personal journey in better understanding the world of CCs—but though I’ve been smoking CCs for more than 2 decades, I am by no means an expert, of that I am certain, as walking (and fishing) and smoking surely proves.

Just curious to find out how others have gained their understanding, their expertise.  I’m sure each path has been unique. Is ‘putting in the time’ the key? If so, what other factors or learning paths have been important to you in supplementing or accelerating the great ‘cigar knowledge’ quest?

Not a poll—I am too lazy, and too busy smoking for that. Just your thoughts.

[Nevrknow]

Photographic memory. I read @ATGroom's book. I know everything now.      AS IF.  🤣

Trial and error. Incredibly good reviews on here. After a sampling of different gars I found people that their tastes seem to align with mine so I read the reviews carefully. That and ask a bunch of questions. Best thing is, I have never had a question unanswered. Either on the forum or in private messages. Awesome place.

[RDB]

Off the top of my head, some thoughts on this:

Taste widely, lots of different marcas, vitolas, and ages in lots of different circumstances (with & without food and different drinks etc).

Concentrate and think about the experiences. Verbalise and write notes (and post them) to crystalise and remember your thoughts.

Read a bunch of stuff. The forum history and search function is a great resource.

Most importantly, enjoy. This is not a competition (and if you treat it like that, you are wasting your time). Don’t chase ‘the best’, let it come to you and appreciate everything for what it is.

[El Presidente]

Some excellent advice so far 

Be wary of absolutes. Don't lock yourself into positions. Keep an open mind and develop a network of similar open minded people who enjoy and smoke cigars for the right reasons. 

[HoyoDC]

  On 2/14/2024 at 1:11 AM, El Presidente said:

Some excellent advice so far 

Be wary of absolutes. Don't lock yourself into positions. Keep an open mind and develop a network of similar open minded people who enjoy and smoke cigars for the right reasons. 

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Exactly like in party line politics.😀😀🙏

[Greenhorn2]

Google is your friend (just kidding). Stick to this forum and you will learn more here than anywhere else, in my honest opinion. There are members here with vast amounts of knowledge and they aren't stingy with it either. Most knowledge comes from experience in everything you do, even cigars. Just enjoy the ride and keep smoking. There are tons of cigar reviews, articles and personal perspectives posted here. Don't worry, stay with the hobby and the knowledge will come.

[MrBirdman]

Just to add to the advice here - be sure to listen to (or read) what other have to say. These days listening isn’t very popular anywhere, especially online, but I’ve learned so much from members here. Cigar smoking is like many hobbies - it relies on a mix of personal experience and knowledge passed down over the years. 

[Ford2112]

Smoke cigars. Relax. That's the whole point isn't it? My suggestion is to try different brands and vitolas to see what you like. Also, what you like will change more than likely. So will year to year boxes. One thing I tried to do when I got back into the hobby was to try as much as I could,from minutos to double coronas and everything in between. I love cigars so it's not hard to find my favorites.  

Your tastes may be very different from others. I knew a guy who's tastes were completely opposite to mine. I like cigars with some hair on them! 

[puromaniac]

  On 2/14/2024 at 3:18 AM, Ford2112 said:

Smoke cigars. Relax. That's the whole point isn't it? My suggestion is to try different brands and vitolas to see what you like. Also, what you like will change more than likely. So will year to year boxes. One thing I tried to do when I got back into the hobby was to try as much as I could,from minutes to double coronas and everything in between. I love cigars so it's not hard to find my favorites.  

Your tastes may be very different from others. I knew a guy who's tastes were completely opposite to mine. I like cigars with some hair on them! 

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Hair on it! Great advice!

[Fuzz]

Broaden your knowledge base, for remember....

[Li Bai]

  On 2/13/2024 at 11:56 PM, Nevrknow said:

Trial and error. Incredibly good reviews on here. After a sampling of different gars I found people that their tastes seem to align with mine so I read the reviews carefully. That and ask a bunch of questions. Best thing is, I have never had a question unanswered. Either on the forum or in private messages. Awesome place.

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  On 2/14/2024 at 1:11 AM, El Presidente said:

Be wary of absolutes. Don't lock yourself into positions. Keep an open mind and develop a network of similar open minded people who enjoy and smoke cigars for the right reasons. 

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Exactly! There's no other way of telling if the water is cold or hot, other than sticking your finger in the bowl! 👍

[jazzboypro]

Unless you really don't smoke a lot, after 2 decades of smoking you probably have more expertise than you think or at least you probably know what works for you in terms of taste/storing/aging which I think is really what matters the most unless of course you work in the cigar business. The rest is knowledge but not necessarily expertise.

[Islandboy]

Great advice so far. For technical knowledge of all things Habanos, cubancigarwebsite.com is your friend. 

[BrightonCorgi]

MRN book is worth getting.  Gives the history on why many say "this marca is supposed to be like..."  Much of it is fact, plenty is opinion, but well informed opinion. 

[joeypots]

I'm not an expert but I have a fair amount of knowledge about what I like.

  On 2/13/2024 at 11:24 PM, puromaniac said:

And might the ever-rising cost of CCs be impeding us from gaining experience/expertise?

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Might? With the price increases of the last few years most people are priced out of the market. The old adage, buy more than you smoke, holds true if the prices don't scare you away. As a few boxes pile up you'll know what you don't like and can trade them if they are good cigars that you don't care for.

https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com provides lots of info but no tasting notes.

Also, storage is key. My CCs seem to smoke best at 60-62 %RH. Your results may vary but first hand  knowledge of aging, acclimation, and storage has been the true key to enjoying my cigars.

[puromaniac]

  On 2/14/2024 at 8:07 PM, jazzboypro said:

Unless you really don't smoke a lot, after 2 decades of smoking you probably have more expertise than you think or at least you probably know what works for you in terms of taste/storing/aging which I think is really what matters the most unless of course you work in the cigar business. The rest is knowledge but not necessarily expertise.

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Thanks, jazzboypro. I smoke a lot. Conducive climate in Coastal British Columbia to puffing all year round. And while I'm also reeling over price increases, I'm semi-retired, have time on my hands to smoke, and have prioritized my hobby. But expertise is a relative thing, hard to define, and less easily claimed. I mainly wanted to see what others have to offer and have appreciated the responses.

 

  On 2/14/2024 at 9:34 PM, joeypots said:

I'm not an expert but I have a fair amount of knowledge about what I like.

Might? With the price increases of the last few years most people are priced out of the market. The old adage, buy more than you smoke, holds true if the prices don't scare you away. As a few boxes pile up you'll know what you don't like and can trade them if they are good cigars that you don't care for.

https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com provides lots of info but no tasting notes.

Also, storage is key. My CCs seem to smoke best at 60-62 %RH. Your results may vary but first hand  knowledge of aging, acclimation, and storage has been the true key to enjoying my cigars.

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Thanks, joeypots. 'Might' was sort of tongue-in-cheek and meant to prompt feedback, which you graciously provided. I believe the price increases to be an impediment on many levels, sadly.