What cigar for a beginner?

[mgillett]

This is probably a lame question and probably exists somewhere else on this forum. I have been into cigars for about 2 years and have sampled only a pretty small cross-section of what is out there. I am about to put in an order with the Czar to re-stock but would like an opinion on what is good at the moment and would suit a newbie like myself. I am not a seasoned smoker so not looking for something that will make the head spin.

Any ideas/comments would be appreciated.

[harwellplant]

for a beginner? ryj cazadores.

lmao. actually, i think my first was a monte esp no.2, which is really odd and out of the way for a first cuban smoke. the best experience i had early on was a trip to an lcdh, where i got to pull a sampler of some great smokes. for an early entry into habanos, i would look at mag46, erdm choix supreme, psd4, monte2, hdm epi2, and a bbf. good dip into some of the more knowns, and a sampling across strengths. just my $.02, which isn't even worth that.

[habanohal]

I would half to say to start trying them all.

[Ben]

Montecristo IV

[Colt45]

I agree with the other guys on trying a variety. Buy two or three each of a variety of different cigars. Try one of each, and try to leave some alone to get a bit of age on them, then try them again. It's a bit of a process.

As for the head spins, I've found that if I take my time, and don't over-smoke, I can usually avoid this, regardless of the cigar.

[Bill Hayes]

Steer clear of green partagas and bolivar cigars. They could knock you about a bit. I've been flattened by Cohiba Robustos and Partagas D4's without a bit of age on them. Hoyo de Monterrey and Punch are generally milder. If you want to try a robusto you could go for the Hoyo Epicure no. 2. Or you could stick to petit coronas and half coronas until you become accustomed. But, then again, sometimes it's half the fun trying something that's a little out of your league. If you feel a bit crook, slow down, make sure you've got enough fresh air and you're not breathing in exhaled smoke. I would definately get a mixed bag and find out what you like. Have a read of Rob's descriptions on the clubczar site. I've found them to helpful, entertaining and usually spot on. But to be honest, I'd email Rob and get his advice.

Trinidad Reyes, Cohiba Siglo 2, Hoyo Epicure 2, Punch Punch, Montecristo 4, Partagas Shorts, R&J Petit Corona, Juan Lopez Seleccion 1, Bolivar Royal Corona and put a Cohiba Siglo 6 and Partagas D4 away to age. If want to try a Double Corona, the Hoyo is the mild one.

[mgillett]

Have been mostly getting into the monte 4's and ryj petit coronas. These have provided some entertainment. Also tried the fonseca cosacos and No1's which seemed to me a bit bland (but that could be me). Had my first monte 2 on the weekend and must say was pretty impressed...

[Bill Hayes]

» Have been mostly getting into the monte 4's and ryj petit coronas. These

» have provided some entertainment. Also tried the fonseca cosacos and

» No1's which seemed to me a bit bland (but that could be me). Had my first

» monte 2 on the weekend and must say was pretty impressed...

If you can handle a Monte 2 then you should be OK. I'd still get a mixed bag and find out what you like. I reckon you can't go wrong with a Cohiba Siglo 6.

[Maverick]

» This is probably a lame question and probably exists somewhere else on this

» forum. I have been into cigars for about 2 years and have sampled only a

» pretty small cross-section of what is out there. I am about to put in an

» order with the Czar to re-stock but would like an opinion on what is good

» at the moment and would suit a newbie like myself. I am not a seasoned

» smoker so not looking for something that will make the head spin.

»

» Any ideas/comments would be appreciated.

I started with Diplomatico's & Monticristo's. They were a nice way to start. Move your way up to the Cohiba Range I am quite fond of them at the moment.

Ross...

[ALB]

Mate try something a bit mild & go from there.

I enjoyed the mildness of the H. Upmann Coronas major, & also Montecristo # 4 fit the bill.

HDM epi # 2 are mild as well. Call & check with Lisa or Rob, they are very good & spot on with suggestions.

Hope that helps, & enjoy.

[El Presidente]

Love your sigtag

Juan Lopez Seleccion 1 and 2

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'or No 1 & 4

HDM Epicure 2

Cohiba Siglo III (not mild but smooooth)

Hoyo De Monterrey Le Hoyo De Maire/ Depute/Roi/Gourmet/Dieux

Fondeca KDT/Cosacos and No 1

[smk819]

I would add a PSP2 to the mix, currently one of my favorites.

[Tampa1257]

Being the Partagas ***** that I am, I would recommend the Partagas Short. If this cigar does not absolutely turn a newbies head on to Habanos with the flavors, then they are lost souls that will never understand or get this wonderful hobby we all share. If they like it, then they will have hope anyway. If they don't like it, then you only wasted a few dollars and not $10-$20 dollars on a really nice cigar and have it put out after only a few puffs.

There is no since in pussyfooting around, get to the meat of the matter and find out quick if the newbie has got the balls to smoke something of substance with flavor and complexity.

Just my 0.02 worth.

[mgillett]

The pressure is on with the Partagas Shorts then. Shall give them a go on your suggestion.

Picked up a couple of HDM Epi 2's today to try before I go crazy and get a box from El Prez.

[TR]

» The pressure is on with the Partagas Shorts then. Shall give them a go on

» your suggestion.

»

» Picked up a couple of HDM Epi 2's today to try before I go crazy and get a

» box from El Prez.

you can't go wrong with the short!

[Cal-Duck]

El Rey Del Mundo, Choix Supreme. Perfect cigar for a beginner.

I also second those who have mentioned the Hoyo Epi #2

Something off the beaten path the current selection on PLPC's are very accessible.

Cheers,

CD

[shrink]

Being the Partagas ***** that I am, I would recommend the Partagas Short. .

Being the Partagas aficionado that I am, I would recommend the Partagas Serie D No. 4.

It's the first Partagas I ever smoked, and I was hopelessly hooked.

[hazleem]

» Being the Partagas ***** that I am, I would recommend the Partagas

» Short. If this cigar does not absolutely turn a newbies head on to

» Habanos with the flavors, then they are lost souls that will never

» understand or get this wonderful hobby we all share. If they like it, then

» they will have hope anyway. If they don't like it, then you only wasted a

» few dollars and not $10-$20 dollars on a really nice cigar and have it put

» out after only a few puffs.

»

» There is no since in pussyfooting around, get to the meat of the matter

» and find out quick if the newbie has got the balls to smoke something of

» substance with flavor and complexity.

»

» Just my 0.02 worth.

I'd have to agree. Being a newbie myself, I'd have to say that the Partagas Shorts was really the cigar that got me hooked on Habanos!!

Need to get me a cab! :-P

Haz

[swl]

Sancho Panza Non-Plus

Montecristo #4

JL #2

[Van55]

Interesting suggestions all....

My own suggestion would be Quai D'Orsay grand corona. Delicious, smooth and approachable without being too "mild".

[DocRKS]

If you don't want to continue with this hobby/passion - get a box of the RyJ Cazadores and only smoke them in a closed car or other enclosed area ---- you will soon move on to another hobby.

If you want to really find something that will hook you and keep you coming back - pick up some 2 or 3 yr old Sancho Panza Belicoso - what a delicious cigar and awesome bang for the price.....

Hope you take option 2.........

[guilow]

I would start with an ERDM Choix Supreme or a Juan Lopez Sel.#2.

[mgillett]

Have actually had a Quay Dorsay GC. Was plugged to buggery. What I could get out of it wasn't bad but once bitten...

[Van55]

» Have actually had a Quay Dorsay GC. Was plugged to buggery. What I could

» get out of it wasn't bad but once bitten...

If I condemned every marca and vitola based on a tight/plugged sample of it, I'd have to swear off Cuban cigars entirely!

Sorry you had a bad experience with the Q D'O, mate. Try another when you can!

[Ken Gargett]

i would think a m/c 4 is a good start but if you are on the m/c 2's then you're well past. i was going to suggest trying some of the la gloria cubana range but i see rob already has mentioned them. perhaps a m/c edmundo as well.