Thanks for the warm welcome! I had a killer Torano Signature with my friend the other night. My outgoing CO was smoking one of the maduro Double Ligero Chisels from La Flor Dominica...found out the full blast nic kicked his ass pretty hard after I was gone. It was a open for business for me, and there were three of us...no big loss, made a few contacts the next day, and we had a hell of a good time.
From what I saw, the quality of the Plethora of Cigars out there right now is outstanding. I have been suprised by the Punch Punch, an old fave of mine, and the Romeo Juliets. Someone tried to tell me they were made by a small firm offshore
When I see a guy that has more smokes than most cigar shops, I know I am in need of fierce education to catch up. Started off with White Owls back in '82(Grandpa used to smoke em), moved up to the occasional Punch while I was in Hawaii, and discovered the Drew Estate lines once I got out here. I really like the Drew Stuff, so much so, that my small business is focused on it exclusively until I get off the ground. Why Not says me, I like the products, and they have always been well received, whever I take them.
The area around Fort Drum is pretty dry for smoke shops...I am the only guy selling Cigars outside of the stores that offer the basic American Box stuff, and the Macanudos that sit on the shelves for month after month.
I'll be checking out that newbie sampler thread...sounds interesting