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VERY New to Cigars, what do I need?

C

Cameron

New Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2005
Messages
15
Location
Alba, Texas
I'm 20 years old, and have been smoking the ultra cheap cigars to study for tests and to keep me up at night. (Swisher Sweet and different flavored Phillies) Recently I was buying some (20 or so a week) and a man at the store said he felt bad for me for smoking crappy cigars, he said that he had the perfect cigars to start me off on and had to go to his house if I could wait a few minutes. I waited around and the lady behind the counter said he was some sort of "Cigar Guru" and he had over 1,000. I was really suprised anyone would have so many :)

Anyhow about 10 minutes later he brought me 5 really nice looking cigars, he said I would appriciate the quaility and it is a fun hobby. I have since thrown away the wrappers (Peru and Dominican Republic I think) I smoked them and actually felt relaxed and enjoyed them! Did not leave an unpleasurable taste in my mouth and didn't make me want to die afterward. I really have been craving that nice smell and taste ever since!

Here are my questions:

I am not quite sure how to hold them with my hand or in my mouth, or even how to ash them. I'm just worried I will look like a dork smoking them in public.

I am getting confused with all the different brands and types, some are "torpedo" and some look like the ones in the Godfather.

I'm curious to what kinds of tools/equipment I need to get started with cigars, I would really like to get my hands on another nice cigar as these strawberry phillies are making me sick :)

I know I have a lot of reading to do, and I am, I just thought someone could point me in the right direction.

I am a college student with a small budget, and some of this stuff seems way out of reach for me.

Cameron
 
If I were you, I'd start with a some very inexpensive 100 count humi you can find on eBay or from bargain humidors OR find a used one here from someone who has outgrown theirs. This should run you between $20.00 & $40.00.

I personally would NOT waste money on any fancy assed butane lighter. Pick yourself up an inexpensive guillotine cigar cutter or one of those 44 Magnum punch cutters for about $15.00.

Next, sign up here for a "Newbie Sampler Trade" in the "Buy, Sell, Group Purchases" section of CigarPass.

I also would recommend that you look into buying cigars on-line from:
Cigars International
Famous Smoke
JR Cigars
Atlantic Cigar
Smoke All

DO NOT under any circumstances buy ANY cigars from Thompsons.

There, that'll keep ya busy for a while :laugh:
 
Yes I definetly feel the burn as a college student paying for cigars so I smoke a lot of decent bundled stuff and supplement it with premiums, definetly hop on a newbie trade and see if the guy you trade with can throw in some stuff that is good and you can afford. For instance, two staples in my humi are La vieja habanas and sancho panza's. Oh, and stay away from the macunudo's!
 
Wow some of those boxes of cigars cost more than I make in a month. I really think I am going to persue this, seems very interesting! From the links you gave me this doesn't have to be an expensive hobby! (Golf /shiver)

What about the label, I have seen on the movies that they leave it on, and some take it off? I just don't want to appear to be as stupid as I am so you guys are going to have to really start me off slow.

On the subject of humidors- I'm guessing it is to keep moisture out? The prices for a small wooden cabinet are sure expensive! I'm missing something I know.
I'm guessing the wood would effect the taste like it does with various hard liquor brands?

Okay I have class tomarrow so I am going to bed now I will check back in the morning.

EDIT: I wanted to add a thank you for those that have helped me so far, the internet takes the mystery out of it.
 
Humidor is to keep your cigars moist otherwise they dry out.

The few cigars that I smoke that have labels on them, I remove immediately.

This is a lot cheaper than golf and far less frustrating :laugh:
 
Welcome to the board! Bill's got you off to a great start, but I'd also throw in another cheapie alternative to a humidor, if you're on a super tight budget.... The Tuppodore. Piece of tupperware, rubbermaid, whatever, a decent humidifier puck, or homemade one, and you're lookin' stylish hehehe. I'm sure almost all of us here have had one or still have one (I keep a lot of my daily smokes in one and use another for passes).

BEWARE of Cigarbid, one minute you'll be saying to yourself, "self! I can afford this, it's not THAT much more money".... Next minute they'll be haulin' you off to the loony bin because you have over 3,000 cigars hahaha!

I also agree on never buying ANYTHING from Thompson, they may look tempting, but it's all overpriced garbage. I buy from all the people Bill listed up above, and I'm probably going to try TobaccoLeaf's shop one of these days.

Other than that man, you're on your way. You started out similar to me, smoked those black and milds for a long time, then was introduced to a real cigar and never looked back!

Personally I still do enjoy a Macanudo. Sometimes I just don't want the big tasting smoke and look for the good 'ol days. Then I'll grab a Mac. It's still better than a Swisher :sign: Not by much, but still :p

Don't be afraid of sounding stupid on here. I wish I could find some of the posts I thought were stupid when I first started.
 
Smokin said:
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I agree with trying Ian's (tobaccoleaf) shop. www.billboardtobacco.com

He posts some great deals in the Hot Deals thread from time to time and ships super fast. Great guy to deal with! I started out buying from Thompson but after about a week here I realized it's not worth it - don't make the same mistake. :thumbs:

Oh, and welcome to the board!
 
stay away from thompsons... !
also I started out using tupperware and ziploc bags. Have to start somewhere.. ALso you dont have to buy boxes ..you can always pick up singles.. Best thing to do like CC said is to get into the Newbie Sampler Trade. You pick what you can afford to spend and one of the good brothers on here will send you a variety of smokes...To try out.. !!
 
[quote name='Smokin'Tone' date='Mar 13 2005, 10:45 PM']...and I'm probably going to try TobaccoLeaf's shop one of these days.
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yep, not a bad idea.
Ian's a fellow CP botl, and he's great to deal with. :thumbs:
 
Newbie Sampler Trade thread. Newbie Sampler Trade thread. Newbie Sampler trade thread.


I would go so far as to say that cheapie punch cutters will work. As for guillotines it's worth spending $10-15 as opposed to $2.
 
Welcome to CP from MN. :) I had a bunch of nice 100 stick humidors that I got for $16.00 each from a clearance discount store and passed them on here. If they get any more in I'll PM you and let you know.
 
coventrycat86 said:
This is a lot cheaper than golf and far less frustrating :laugh:
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:laugh: The combination is deadly. Golf isn't frustrating if you are really good........is it? :laugh:

Anyway, welcome! Some people start out with milder smokes before moving on to more full bodied cigars.
 
I'll revise my original "sage" advice :0 :D (suggesting an inexpensive humidor) and agree with those who suggested using a tupperware container. That's really all you need to keep your cigars from drying out along with a humidification device.
 
Welcome to CP :)

If you've got at least $50 to spend you'll get way more then your money's worth from the Newbie Sampler Thread. Great way to try a variety of good smokes.
 
Welcome Cameron,
glad you found us. I hope you enjoy smoking some fine cigars, they certainly are better than those one's with the plastic tips. Try to pace yourself, and of course if you dont know already,make sure you eat before you smoke, and DON'T INHALE! ;)

Here's another good tip for you and other newbies, place your address in your profile, you never know which of these fine brothers might send you a little somethin to get you by for a while. :D

John V.
 
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