New to CC's

[Guest Moonbeam]

Being a noobie to cubans can anyone tell me what I may like. My favorite non-cubans are Padrons 64 and 26's, Bolivar, CAO Itilia and the Gold when I'm in the mood for something mild, Monte #1, Opus X, Fuente Don Carlos (probably my fav) Gurka Regent, and Graycliff Crystal off the top of my head. I like full bodied cigar smooth cigars the best but like mild and medium if they are flavorfull.

The only experience I have with Habonas is with 3 SigloVI's I had over the holidays. I enjoyed them even though they seemed a bit mild but the flavor was unlike anything I had ever had before. The sizes I enjoy are the corona rubusto and lonsdale.

Any ideas?

[Don Candido]

Check out:

Partagas Serie D No4

Cohiba Siglo VI

Monte #1

Bolivar Royal Coronas

Punch Churchill

Trinidad Fundadores

Maybe Romeo y Julieta Belicosos

Maybe Partagas Serie P No2

This list is neither conclusive, nor all guaranteed to please you. It is what I thought of after reading what you smoke. I have tried about half of what you listed. Most of my list is also thicker ring gauge stuff.

Enjoy,

[CoventryCat86]

I personally don't like any of the cigars that Don recommended. Here are my suggestions:

Thicker ring gauge:

Vegas Robaina Famosos

Saint Luis Rey Serie A

Ramon Allones Specially Selected (or Estupendos)

Rafael Gonzales Coronas Extra

San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza

Thinner ring gauge:

Vegas Robaina Clasico

Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales

Ramon Allones PC (If you can find any, these are discontinued)

Rafael Gonzales Lonsdales

San Cristobal de la Habana Oficios

[Guest robustog]

I would start with some that are smoking well now unless you have access to aged stock.

RASS

Bolivar Royal Corona

HDM Epicure #2

For smaller sizes:

Monte #4 or #5

Diplomaticos #4

Puch Petit Corona

But.... Try everything you can. There is something said for "Varity is the spice of life".

[Spartan]

If you enjoy Padron as much as I do, I highly recomend the Cohiba Maduro 5's

I'll second robustog's recomendation of RASS...You wont be disappointed!

[Colt45]

Any ideas?

Obviously subjective and with conditions, the first that come to mind are the three sizes of the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur line,

as well as the Partagas 898V. I'm a fan of almost all things Bolivar with the royal corona and belicoso fino being my least favorite.

I might also suggest having a sampler put together of what is currently considered to be smoking well.

[smokem]

I second the sampler suggestion. When I first transitioned from mostly NCs to CCs. I actually found that my preference changed from larger ring to smaller ring cigars. I "discovered" this by trying many different CCs cigars. It's a wonderful journey!

[Tampa1257]

Personal preferences will vary with each member here. Some will have a small sample to choose from, others will have a vast sampling and experience to determine their preference. Each is valid. For me, the most important aspect is flavor. I have found that Cuban cigars sizes differ from Non-Cuban cigar sizes; so what size your current Non-Cuban favorites are may not be the same with Cuban cigars. I recommend that you sample as many as possible to determine what you enjoy.

May I suggest that you try some of these choices:

Bolivar Gold Medal

Montecristo No. 1

Diplomaticos No. 5

Vegas Robaina Famosos

Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No. 3

Ramon Allones Belicoso Fino

Partagas 898V

RASS

Bolivar Royal Corona

Cohiba Siglo II

Many more choices, these are what comes to mind from your description of Flavor that you enjoy.

Good luck and Happy Smoking!

[Guest Moonbeam]

Thanks for the recommedations, sounds like I should try a few samplers and take it from there. I've spent a lot of time reading different reviews and had an idea of what I would want to try. Some of what was recommended matched and others didn't so it give me a place to start from. Again thanks

[shrink]

Are you sure you want to start smoking Cubans? You obviously enjoy the cigars you already know, and there are lots of very good non-Cubans being made these days. However, it you begin smoking Habanos, I can virtually guarantee that you will experience the following:

1. You will want to try lots of different Cuban marcas.

2. You will begin smoking more and more Habanos, and fewer and fewer non-Cubans.

3. You will spend more money than you ever thought possible.

4. You will end up selling most of your stock of non-Cubans.

5. You will become obsessed with finding new sources of Habanos to satisfy your growing curiosity, and obsession.

6. You will inevitably experience customs problems, including seizures of shipments, and warning letters.

7. You will begin to worry about being cited and fined for violating the Cuban embargo.

8. You will waste untold hours frequenting Habanos-oriented Bulletin Boards such as this.

9. Your wife and family will complain about the amount of money and time you invest in your new "hobby".

10. You will enjoy smoking cigars more than you ever imagined.

[Don Candido]

Wow Shrink! I am not sure I have heard the story told so well. I like the outline format.

[android]

6. You will inevitably experience customs problems, including seizures of shipments, and warning letters.

I recently had a box of RA SSGR Benelux opened by my US customs friends....thank God they had re-package (bands off) in a Ashton box....but weeks later the RA box came through with the bands....they opened that as well and cut the lid off the box....bastards. Anyone here receive a warning letter or better yet a visit?

[Don Candido]

Don't focus on Customs. Just know you will loose some of your packages to them. They are not going to go beyond seizure based on what I have seen thus far.