Cigar discussion/appreciation
Hoping this is the right group?
Inspired by coffee/cocktail threads, here’s one for my favorite consumable, cigars!
Here’re some potential questions to maybe inspire some discussion.
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What have you smoked recently that has surprised or impressed you?
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What’s a favorite cigar memory?
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What’re your stogie rituals?
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What’re some recent acquisitions and why did you purchase them?
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What’s your #1 cigar rec of all time? What’s your top rec from something new to you in the last year?
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How did you get into cigars and how long have you been smoking?
And anything else!
I’ve discussed cigars extensively in various online spaces and I’m very optimistic about the idea of tildes’ text-only and highly discoursive environment to provide some cool cigar content and a bit more than just photos of half smoked sticks (which I love too but get a lot of!).
I’ll hit on a few of my icebreaker questions at once. My most recent smoke was a Plasecnia Alma del Fuego Eduardo I which was absolutely fantastic. A lot of pepperiness throughout, with a lot of earthiness and meatiness. Quite full bodied, phenomenal smoke production and a very easy draw.
This stick was new to me but I am no stranger to Plasencia. I’ve been closely following their growth the last few years and the Alma Fuerte Salomon was my top stick of 2022.
I was at about 2 to 3 a week for ten years them the lock down came and I decided it was time to invest and get serious. What started as "I'm going to smoke a cigar a day until this ends" rolled into "it's ok to have two in a day every once in awhile, right?" Fast forward 2 years and I started noticing some concerning health issues. Stopped buying more, tried to dial it back, gradually burned through my remaining stock and then I cut cold turkey (that was not easy), put the humidor in storage, and went 2 months without one before I received a cigar as a gift... and it reeled me back in for a month or so. Now I'm back to a break again. But I do miss it. Not only the experience of smoking, the mouthfeel, the retrohale, the creaminess, the complex flavors (I can go on lol) but most of all I miss the experience of the time. An hour or sometimes even an hour and a half, quietly just slowing down. Taking the time to enjoy. No pressure, no pending projects, no guilt at taking some "me" time. Without cigars, I find that I'm almost always in "I have to get things DONE!" mode.
Can I ask about the health concerns? I’m at one or two a week and sometimes wonder where I should draw the line on too much.
That aside, I hear ya on everything about the ritual of it. The sound of a cutter, lighting the match, and the first whiff of smoke when you start roasting chefs kiss.
I think one of the biggest reasons cigars are such an important part of my life is because they represent those calm pauses. For the 45-90 min you’re smoking, there’s nothing else you can do. You’re on the porch and not going anywhere.
During the pandemic, taking that time to get out of the house and hop on a Discord call with friends or Zoom with family was a really important routine for me. It helped elevate those virtual mediums a lot.
Thanks for asking. And I don't mean to scare anyone off enjoying an occasional cigar. For me though it was more of a lot of issues threaded together, I tested very low on testosterone and high cholesterol, for example, as well as being tired too often, and getting out of breath from even minor exertion. Doctors prescribed me a pill for cholesterol and the testosterone I'd have to increase using a needle for injections, and I decided instead of all that to first try to get healthy on my own. Turns out, perhaps I was smoking so often because of gradually worsening stress management. Like I said, it's all threaded together. One issue affects the others. Still, I'm sure even in light of this that I haven't smoked my last cigar. One little San Cristobal or Oliva Serie V once a moon cycle or so can't hurt nobody!
I hear ya. I have definitely seen myself sometimes relying too heavily on cigars for stress management when I find myself craving one at the end of a long work day or going on too many late night walks alone with one and losing the social element. For sure something to keep track of!
My favorite cigar memory is my first smoke with my dad. When I graduated high school, we took a cheap flight to Arizona to hang out with some folks we knew and see the sights. I don't remember what he got me, and it was probably just a cheap stick, but it was a very cool experience to sit with my dad and his buddy, smoke a cigar, and drink a non-alcoholic beverage.
I smoked infrequently in college, taking a year sabbatical during some of that time. My then girlfriend (now wife) was uncomfortable with my smoking habits. When she became more comfortable with it, I started back up. These days I smoke maybe once or twice a week, sometimes more if there are situations that demand it.
My number one cigar recommendation is the Oliva Serie V. Pretty much everything I've had from Oliva has such a good flavor. Another good smoke that I tried this year was the Macanudo Inspirado Black. A little more full bodied than I would typically smoke, but it's just so darn good.
Last night I smoked with a buddy at my place. I made some coffee before we started, and I must say, smoking a stoagie with a cup of coffee is such a delightful treat.
My first cigars were with my dad and older brothers! For a long time I was only smoking every few months with them and it grew from there.
I’m in a similar place with the wife. I never completely stopped because she disliked it but as she’s grown more understanding the last few years I’ve been smoking more, one or two sticks a week, more in summer, less in winter.
Serie V are great! Do you have a preferred vitola? I used to love the Melanio Maduros until they tweaked the blend a couple years back and they just haven’t been the same since.
I’ve honestly had very little Macanudo though my brother got me a very cool stick I’m forgetting the details of that was amazing. I’ll dig out the band later and post what it was.
I can’t do caffeine, so while I love a decaf latte or cappuccino, it’s not something I make at home. You don’t find the coffee overpowers the cigar?
My wife's mom was a heavy cigarette smoker for many years, and I think she was genuinely worried for my health, so I felt okay just stopping for a while to ease her mind. Thankfully much like your wife, mine has also grown more understanding. And we have a good system so she doesn't have to smell the smoke on me haha
I don't think I really have a preferred vitola. I'm actually not entirely sure all of what that encompasses. I like toro cigars, does that fit into the vitola?
I've found that black coffee with a cigar just pairs really well for me. It might not be everyone's cup of... tea?
Toro is definitely a vitola! Vitola refers to the shape and size. The larger toro tends to be the most popular vitola in the US while robustos dominate in Europe.
As you become more familiar with smoking and with a specific brand/stick, different vitolas can really make a difference and it can be quite interesting to explore them.
The theory of the impact of shape on a cigar is about what the wrapper, binder and filler each contribute and how changing that ratio, by changing the shape can alter the flavor. Regardless of width, there is always the same one layer of wrapper, but in a figurado (anything that isn’t a neat straight cylinder) wider or thinner parts of the stick can have more or less filler.
Additionally, it’s commonly accepted theory that roughly 70% of the flavor in a cigar comes from the wrapper. So the idea is that thinner cigars or thinner parts of a cigar exaggerate the flavor of the wrapper even further and let you really get the core flavors of the blend.
I asked specifically about vitola because part of what Oliva has done with Serie V is release an ungodly but very cool array of vitolas, which makes a really good stick to understand the effects of vitola with.
With regard to rituals, my wife HATES the smell of cigar smoke, so when I smoke I make sure I shower and sequester my clothes and all that.
Which means the actual cigar becomes more of an event. I usually go for a My Father's...something or an Oliva G and a enameled steel cup full of whiskey. There was a bar that closed down here in Kansas City and I bought one of their uniform shirts (it was called The Foundry so their uniforms were mechanic-style). That's become my "smoking shirt."
Between the shirt, the whiskey, and all that, it's become a savored and infrequent event.
I love that. It’s become less ritualistic for me as the wife has become more accepting. Funny how those things intertwine.
What’s your go to whiskey pairing(s)?
I don't usually pair my fancier whiskies, but Bulliet and Buffalo Trace rank near the top for cigar nights.
Funny you posted this—I just finished hanging out with a friend at a local cigar and wine/beer bar (Sturman's Wine and Cigars in Garden City, Idaho). I'm fairly new to cigars (since just before the start of this year, never smoked before), but I had a Leaf by Oscar Sumatra, which comes wrapped in a tobacco leaf, rather than cellophane. It was pretty good, although not my favorite (I have fond memories of the Leaf by Oscar Connecticut as one of my first proper sticks).
I don't know if I have a favorite, but of the stuff I've tried Arturo Fuente has been solid.
Perfect timing!
I have a funny fondness for the Leaf by Oscar sticks (of which the Sumatra is my favorite - love that sweetness!). Some years ago, I would be very bothered by cotton mouth the next morning after smoking and I always noticed that I experienced that much less with the Leaf by Oscar sticks. Certainly could have become placebo over time but I always have a few around for people who don’t smoke to much and mention the cotton mouth bothers them.
I’m a fan of AF, my dad will only smoke a Hemingway Short Story and with a few years of age I think the 8-5-8 maduro is a killer stick for the price.
Arturo Fuente is great! One time my wife was trying to buy a cigar for me as a small gift, and she didn't know what to get. The guy in the shop said "Anything AF will be a good choice" and that's what she did. And he was right, it was a good choice!
Jumping on the Fuente train. They have a torpedo Maduro wrap that is my favorite.
I'm just getting into cigars as more than a casual "5 or 6 a year with friends", and Fuentes are still at the top of my list.
Macanudo Black platinum are also really nice.
For AF fans I can’t recommend ordering from https://www.tampasweethearts.com/ enough. Great selection at great prices, basically from the source.
Recently went for a walk with a friend and broke out a Teatro del Mundo Robusto.
Unbelieable smoke. Really fruity and flavourful.
I still consider myself a rookie when it comes to cigars but appreciate having one occasionally. Can someone offer a decent option at a somewhat rational price point?
Hm, "rational" is quite subjective and depending on your willingness to hunt for deals (for instance on cigarbid) the price of a single specific stick can be found at a few bucks up or down in price, which can be pretty significant as a percentage if we're talking a $8 stick that can be found at $6 or at $10.
Lastly, there are some (especially cheaper) cigars that I think with a few years of age punch at a level well above their actual price point. Most of the cheaper sticks here I would age for a few years first.
That being said, here are a bunch of sticks at various price points:
$5 - Tattoo Caballero - The Tattoo by Tatuaje sticks are a great embodiment of pepperiness in cigars and are a nice medium body for new smokers looking for a slightly fuller stick. With a couple years of age some nice notes of coffee can shine through.
$6 - Charter Oak Maduro Rothschild - The Charter Oak line from Foundation is a champion of the $5-7 price point IMO. I've linked to this particular wrapper and vitola combo because I think it's a bit more interesting than the Connecticut wrapper that you usually see these in.
$7 - 8-5-8 Natural - This is a great intro point into the upper end of "middle shelf" cigars imo. Arturo Fuente doesn't need much introduction but I think this stick is a great way to get the experience of a heritage cigar with the consistency, smoothness, and good construction that comes with that without paying too much. I prefer these in maduro (which Fox doesn't have in stock) and with a few years of age these outpace many $10-12 sticks.
$9 - Flor De Las Antillas Toro Grande - My Father has carved out a really great place at the highest end of middle shelf/bottom end of top shelf and this stick is one of their most popular. Delicious creaminess, great smoke production, and a heavy chewy smoke. Almost all My Father are towards the fuller end of medium-full bodied. FWIW, I actually prefer the La Promesa(in the slightly more expensive lancero) but that's a less popular opinion. Also, honorable mention at this price point to the Leaf Lanceros that have already been mentioned in this topic.
Given your request of rational prices, I won't give long descriptions for the rest of these but here are a variety of other recommendations that fall in the $10-25 price range. This is where most of what I smoke falls and all of these are fantastic.
I will have to track these down. My local Cigar shop doesn't have any of these. Thanks for the response. I've had dozens of cigars maybe a few hundred but I don't think I've ever had these. I typically sit in the $10-$15 range and recently picked up Montecristo White Series Rothchilde that I'm eager to try.
These are all from Fox but I tried to stay with things that shouldn’t be too hard to get on any online shop. I’ll admit I’m pretty bad at patroning any brick and mortar shops around me. Most don’t have a lounge to encourage me to hang around, their stock is only the most middle of the road stuff and I’ve encountered too much mold in the ones nearest me (no, I don’t want to open the mold vs plume debate).
It's good to try different ones in the beginning to get a feel for what you like. I would say to start with a Connecticut wrapper, maybe something like a San Cristobal Elegancia, or an Oliva Connecticut. Both are easy draws that produce thick creamy smoke. And then if you want something more rich and complex, for shits and giggles, splurge once on a Padron 1964 Maduro.
I've jumped in the pool many times but I don't partake often enough to remember what I had last time and how it was.
I've been passively smoking cigars for going on 2 decades. But the habit kinda peaked at maybe 12-15 per year. I've gone through a couple different humidors over the years and never quite found a perfect one. For lighting one...wood matches, single torch, triple torch, even slummed it with a bic lighter.
Early in I was a fan of Macanudos and Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta's and CAO for a bit for large producers I am a Rocky Patel fan! But if I can get to Ybor City/Tampa area, Long Ash is definitely a go to of mine, live their spiral wraps!
No special rituals but a friend did get me in the habit of putting a couple cigars in a mason jar with a Boveda pack and let them age together for several months, sometimes about a year!
For cutters, my preference goes V-cutter > Punch > Nip the tip (if it's not a torpedo).
One strange thing I've never seen in another cigar smoker...I really salivate when smoking. I spit a lot. I'll usually keep a spare beer bottle near me and use it as a spittoon...or just keep spitting into the grass if outside.
That’s a great palate, CAO have a fun fun variety of things (and a very good marketing team).
I’m a torch lighter + match guy. I toast with the torch and then light on a match. Usually just a guillotine cut but I’ve been enjoying a v-cut more and more (maybe since getting myself a ST DuPont v-cut…. Hm….).
Hm, I don’t think I’ve ever had someone else explicitly raise the observation that they salivate a lot but I’ve had some friends that I know not to try a stick they’ve been smoking (something that I did a lot in college but the pandemic seems to put a different spin on).
After a long work week carved out some time tonight for a new stick. In a trade with a buddy I got a couple of sticks from Paul Garmirian, a small shop in VA. Tonight I tried with PG Soiree. Here are some jotted noted:
Stick was very well constructed, great smoke production, beautiful oily wrapper.
First third started right off with leather and an interesting sweetness on the retrohale and rounded out with a bit of white pepper.
Second third brought in a hint of charred meat and the sweetness in the retro continued, maybe even fruity?
Final third had a pleasant toasted nuts and more leather ending with notes of hay and some burnt caramel.
The stick was surprisingly lighter than I expected with how it started and was very very very smooth throughout. I was surprised by the complete lack of pepperiness or earthiness in the retrohale. I assume there's a bunch of Honduran and not much Nicaraguan tobacco in it. Overall I have to say I wasn’t blown away, the cigar started off a bit underwhelming (though I think I also overtoasted it) and I kept waiting for a stronger aftertaste to come in. For $17, not something I would buy for myself
Maybe I’ve also been spoiled by some of Plasencias and CCs I’ve been smoking recently that just have such a stronger flavor.
I am going to let the other stick have a few months rest before trying it.
I'm a pretty avid smoker, maybe 5-6 sticks per week. As someone on this thread or maybe somewhere else that I read, cigars are the only thing that calm me down and make me observe the moment. The moment right now. No todo lists. No rush. Just me and my thoughts.
Having said that, my all time #1 smoke is the Plasencia Cosecha 149 (146 is good, but 149 is bonkers). In fact, I'm pretty much a Plasencia fan through and through. The Alma Fuertes are also great, that Hexagono is also in my top 10.
Another smoke I enjoy is the Tatuaje Tuxtla T110.
My daily smoke is a house made Maduro from a Cuban cigar maker living in Florida. His shop is in Lake Worth, Florida. I'm telling you guys, this man makes some of the best cigars I've ever had. Incredible value. I get a bit of a hookup so I won't disclose the price, but even full retail, they are a bargain. His shop is "Alacranes, Cuba Cigars" sorta downtown in Lake Worth. It's totally worth the drive from Miami if you're in the area.
Glad to meet you guys!