Recommendations

[Ellery]

I have been smoking non-Habanos for the last 3 yrs or so. Looking to try some Habanos and wondering what everyone recommends. My usual smokes include: Rocky Patel, Camacho SLR/Triple Maduro, Ashton VSG, Trinidad-all of them, Punch Rare Corojo. I like something full flavored/full bodied. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Colt45]

As I'm sure you realize, taste can be very subjective - what I might think excellent, you might find horrid and vice versa. My first suggestion

would be to browse through the review forum and see if there is anything that sounds interesting to you.

There are also a large number of reviews scattered throughout the general discussion forum as well. If you type the word construction in the

search engine top right, a large number of these reviews will show up in the result.

My next suggestion would be to acquire some samplers of what our hosts feel to be very good at the moment - try not to have preconceived

notions with regards to marque, sizes, etc. I'm sure members here will also have a number of suggestions for you as well.

Have fun!

[Kangaroo495]

I have been smoking non-Habanos for the last 3 yrs or so. Looking to try some Habanos and wondering what everyone recommends. My usual smokes include: Rocky Patel, Camacho SLR/Triple Maduro, Ashton VSG, Trinidad-all of them, Punch Rare Corojo. I like something full flavored/full bodied. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

As Colt45 said, I'm sure the hosts of the site will recommend you the right stuff.

When I started smoking cigars, I also smoked only non-Cuban, just because they looked better. There wasn't a huge selection in Russia, but my favourites were Perdomo (almost anything, especially the big Habano), Gurkha Shaggy, Mombacho, Oliva V, Cuba Aliados. Then I began trying the Cubans, and got "converted". The Cubans I consider the tastiest are Bolivar (particularly Belicosos Finos), Montecristo (particularly No.2, Edmundos, Especiales No.2), Partagas (particularly Lusitanias), Juan Lopez No.2. They're usually all very full bodied. Despite this, I still don't mind the occasional Perdomo or Oliva V.

Some people really like Upmann, Saint Luis Rey, Punch etc. But for some reason, I never seem to get the same level of satisfaction from them as I get from the other ones I mentioned. Therefore, it's important you try a wide range to start with.

Be sure to order the stuff from this site. I've never seen such good quality produce as I get from the Club Czar website. Even better than in Cuba.

[laficion]

Hi Ellery,

That's very sound advise from our friend Colt,. start off with some samplers

in the Medium rang, build yourself some taste references and work yourself up

in richness and body. above all , don't look to smoke a "BRAND " adjust your tastes

to the different complexities and aromas to get a better knowlege of your palate.

From there on , the search will become fun and I'm sure you'll discover things about yourself

and your tastes that may suprise you. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[sounddust]

And don't just stick to the usual Partagas/Bolivar marques, even if you prefer full-bodied cigars. Hupmann, Juan Lopez and 2, SCLDH all boast easy-going cigars with plenty of flavor and consistent construction.

[aavkk]

Well sir, you have found the right place to ask such a question. Colt said it best, spend a few days to a week just using the search function and focus on reviews and such to gather as much info on certain cigars and flavor profiles you think you may be intersted in. Also, with the current 08 stock smoking so well you have jumped in the deep end of the pool at just the right time. 06, 07, and now 08 stock are all smoking very well. Enjoy and be careful, the slope is slippery. Also while generally I also prefer full-bodied smokes there is a clear distinction between full-bodied and full-flavored, dont confuse the two. You can have a light or medium bodied smoke that is extremely full-flavored.

[PigFish]

As I'm sure you realize, taste can be very subjective - what I might think excellent, you might find horrid and vice versa. My first suggestion

would be to browse through the review forum and see if there is anything that sounds interesting to you.

There are also a large number of reviews scattered throughout the general discussion forum as well. If you type the word construction in the

search engine top right, a large number of these reviews will show up in the result.

My next suggestion would be to acquire some samplers of what our hosts feel to be very good at the moment - try not to have preconceived

notions with regards to marque, sizes, etc. I'm sure members here will also have a number of suggestions for you as well.

Have fun!

Ditto!

I know you are excited about ordering/sampling. The excitement has not worn thin to this day with me and that is the magic of Habanos. Bigger is not better in this breed (a widely debated topic here). Smaller samples will allow you to try more for your "monetary unit," and experience more. Don't try go over the top thinking that most expensive cigar is the best cigar. If you are planning on purchasing from Rob (CZAR) just name him the beneficiary of your estate and let him go!!! (Vendor humor)

I say start with regular production cigars in smaller sizes PC to perhaps Coronas Gordas (42 to 46 ring) and ask your vendor for guidance. Ignore the marque (brand) as they are all rolled in the same factories by the same rollers. The key is variety over marketing driven pressure. Best of luck! -Piggy

[Ellery]

Thanks for all the input. Going to pick up a sampler and see which ones I like...already salivating.

[smk819]

Make sure you let them rest in your humidor for about a month, yes I know it will be hard to wait, but you will be much more satisfied with the cigars. The tastes go from disapointing to downright nasty from riding around in the belly of an airplane.

[patman24]

I have a friend Ellery from Long Beach, only Ellery I know.

Anyways bud, I would suggest trying to get a sampler of all the robusto/hermoso cigars. This can narrow down the flavor profile of the brand that you may end up staying with in the long run. Good luck!

[Ellery]

Make sure you let them rest in your humidor for about a month, yes I know it will be hard to wait, but you will be much more satisfied with the cigars. The tastes go from disapointing to downright nasty from riding around in the belly of an airplane.

Ill try my hardest, but if I were to say I wouldn't have 1, I would be lying.