Cigar Aficionados

Scuzi · 26 Feb 2008 at 20:11

I remember posting a similar thread about a year ago and it got a good response. There were a surprising amount of cigar enthusiasts posting here.

I got a new humidor today. It's nothing special, just burlwood veneer with about a 15 Churchill capacity. It sure as hell beats freezer bags and should mean that I can have a go at ageing some of my cigars now.

The current collection consists of:
Fonseca No. 1
Cohiba Siglo V
Punch Punch
Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona
Partagas 898
Montecristo Especial
El Rey del Mundo Lonsdale
Saint Luis Rey Churchill
H. Upmann Sir Winston
Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Let's see your humidors then. What do you have in your collection, anything particularly special? Do you have a favourite?

I'm off to try out the Fonseca. It doesn't get stunning reviews but it's supposed to be a decent light smoke.

Dist · 26 Feb 2008 at 20:30

I dont know anything about cigar storage, but is it realy a good idea to keep different cigars together like that? if each cigar has ment to have its own flavour and character, wouldnt the cigars overtime take on the characteristics of nearby cigars, especialy if a lighter cigar is sitting on a stronger cigar?

Also, out of curiosity, how much did that humidor set you back?

rmuir · 26 Feb 2008 at 20:32

http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/beginners-sampler-pack-best-seller-p-524.html

tried that pack to start with last year and not sure what to move onto next.

Any tips scuzi?

At the moment, considering i'm new to this, i dont really want to spend much more than, say, 50 quid in one go. I was looking at the other sampler deals on simplycigars.

Bear · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:18

Dist said:
I dont know anything about cigar storage, but is it realy a good idea to keep different cigars together like that? if each cigar has ment to have its own flavour and character, wouldnt the cigars overtime take on the characteristics of nearby cigars, especialy if a lighter cigar is sitting on a stronger cigar?

Aye it causes the different flavour profiles to marry over time. I got two 200 count humidors and put dividers between differing brands. One humidor is Cuban cigars and the other non Cuban but niether are full.

Scuzi · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:24

Dist said:
I dont know anything about cigar storage, but is it realy a good idea to keep different cigars together like that? if each cigar has ment to have its own flavour and character, wouldnt the cigars overtime take on the characteristics of nearby cigars, especialy if a lighter cigar is sitting on a stronger cigar?

Also, out of curiosity, how much did that humidor set you back?

Not that I know of. Every cigar smoker I know keeps a large range of cigars in their humidors. It shouldn't make a big difference to mine as they don't spend too long in there anyway. I could be wrong though.
It cost £80. Like I said it doesn't compare to some of the bigger and better humidors out there but it'll do me for a while

rmuir said:
http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/beginn...ler-p-524.html
tried that pack to start with last year and not sure what to move onto next.
Any tips scuzi?
At the moment, considering i'm new to this, i dont really want to spend much more than, say, 50 quid in one go. I was looking at the other sampler deals on simplycigars.

It's hard to make recommendations without knowing what you like. What did you think of that sample pack you got? Do you prefer a long smoke or a short smoke? Big or small ring gauge? Strong or mellow flavours? What sort of occasion are they for?

The Fonseca no. 1 I just had there is a great beginner cigar. It is very mellow, easy to smoke and the flavours are very simple and not at all complex. Seasoned cigar smokers won't be a big fan of them but in my opinion they are the perfect beginner Cuban. They're good value too

Anksy · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:28

i dont know anything what so ever about cigars ive had the odd henry wintermans (or however you spell it) with my mate in a car

thats about it. but that looks very posh

and pretty cool tbh.

rmuir · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:28

hey

I enjoyed all of that sampler, but the don ramos ones most of all. Thus far i prefer a longer, mellow smoke with a larger ring guage. Not for any occasion in particular really, relaxing with a glass of red or maybe a malt or two.

Robert · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:33

Scuzi said:
I remember posting a similar thread about a year ago and it got a good response. There were a surprising amount of cigar enthusiasts posting here.

I got a new humidor today. It's nothing special, just burlwood veneer with about a 15 Churchill capacity. It sure as hell beats freezer bags and should mean that I can have a go at ageing some of my cigars now.

The current collection consists of:
Fonseca No. 1
Cohiba Siglo V
Punch Punch
Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona
Partagas 898
Montecristo Especial
El Rey del Mundo Lonsdale
Saint Luis Rey Churchill
H. Upmann Sir Winston
Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Let's see your humidors then. What do you have in your collection, anything particularly special? Do you have a favourite?

I'm off to try out the Fonseca. It doesn't get stunning reviews but it's supposed to be a decent light smoke.

Me and 4 friends smoked 2 cohiba siglo VI's on sunday, along with a glass of hine millenium

Bear · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:35

This is the Cuban humidor.

With 4 Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robustos, 1 Partagas Series D No.4, 4 Montecristo No.4, 4 Montecristo No.2, 4 Bolivar Beliscoso Finos, 3 Bolivar Royal Coronas, and about 20 R&J Short Churchills

Scuzi · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:42

Beautiful! Did you get that humidor in Cuba?

What do you think of the Bolivar Beliscoso Fino? The first time I smoked one about a year ago I almost passed out! However, I had a couple at Christmas and really enjoyed them.

Makunouchi · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:42

rmuir said:
http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/beginners-sampler-pack-best-seller-p-524.html

tried that pack to start with last year and not sure what to move onto next.

Any tips scuzi?

At the moment, considering i'm new to this, i dont really want to spend much more than, say, 50 quid in one go. I was looking at the other sampler deals on simplycigars.

I know nothing about cigars, but ill give anything a go once, ordered the above so ill come back to this thread in a week

Bear · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:43

This is the non Cuban Humidor

The bottom layer are La Aurora Cien Anos Robusto which is a limited edition puro from the Dominican Republic to celebrate their 100 year aniversary of making cigars. The top layer are just cheapy La Aurora Petit Beliscosos.

Bear · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:47

Scuzi said:
Beautiful! Did you get that humidor in Cuba?

What do you think of the Bolivar Beliscoso Fino? The first time I smoked one about a year ago I almost passed out! However, I had a couple at Christmas and really enjoyed them.

I love the BBF but it is a full flavoured cigar that can blow your head off if you arent used to them. I smoke about one cigar a week so it can still catch me out.

I got that humidor from the US as prices in the states for humidors are much much cheaper even with the shipping, I think it came in at less than £120 delivered.

Scuzi · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:49

Bear said:
I got that humidor from the US as prices in the states for humidors are much much cheaper even with the shipping, I think it came in at less than £120 delivered.

Jesus, that's very cheap. Any sources you could point me towards?

Bear · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:54

Scuzi said:
Jesus, that's very cheap. Any sources you could point me towards?

I got my humidor from here http://www.cubancrafters.com/accessories_sub_catagories.php/catid/7/category/HUMIDORS. The humidor is great but dont be tempted to by cigars from there, apparently they are awful. I wanted the $500 cabinet but they wouldnt deliver that to me as they said it was too big

edit my mistake, the humidor is a 150 count.

Dist · 26 Feb 2008 at 21:59

This may sound like a dumb question, but i read only a small hole is needed to draw the smoke through, and cutting the entire end of a cigar can cause the outer leaves to come apart, so how are you ment to cut a small hole in the end of the cigars that sudenly curve to a flat end, instead of gradualy go to a point? do you have to poke a hole into the flat ended ones with a special tool or something? because when i see the pictures of them i cant help but think a cigar cutter would just chop the end off instead of a small hole on the flat ended cigars.

Robert · 26 Feb 2008 at 22:06

Scuzi said:
Jesus, that's very cheap. Any sources you could point me towards?

After smoking the Siglo with my friend I felt quite ill (sick). This has happened before although I can't remember with what cigar

Any advice or is this majorly abnormal?

Bugger!

Mp4 · 26 Feb 2008 at 22:10

i've never smoked in my life , but tbh i think that a cigar is classy ...

Scuzi · 26 Feb 2008 at 22:23

Bear said:
I got my humidor from here http://www.cubancrafters.com/accessories_sub_catagories.php/catid/7/category/HUMIDORS. The humidor is great but dont be tempted to by cigars from there, apparently they are awful. I wanted the $500 cabinet but they wouldnt deliver that to me as they said it was too big

edit my mistake, the humidor is a 150 count.

I can't believe the price difference. How long did delivery take and did you get stung for customs? I have just ordered one. Thanks

Dist said:
This may sound like a dumb question, but i read only a small hole is needed to draw the smoke through, and cutting the entire end of a cigar can cause the outer leaves to come apart, so how are you ment to cut a small hole in the end of the cigars that sudenly curve to a flat end, instead of gradualy go to a point? do you have to poke a hole into the flat ended ones with a special tool or something? because when i see the pictures of them i cant help but think a cigar cutter would just chop the end off instead of a small hole on the flat ended cigars.

Yes, that's right. I use a cutter but when cutting the end off, the leaves can unravel slightly on some cigars. It's not a major problem as it's usually just a flake and doesn't compromise the construction of the cigar.
You can however buy a cigar punch. This device effectively cuts or punches a hole in the end of the cigar. A lot of people seem to prefer this for the reason that you mention and also as there is less tendency to get bits of tobacco in your mouth.

Robert said:
After smoking the Siglo with my friend I felt quite ill (sick). This has happened before although I can't remember with what cigar
Any advice or is this majorly abnormal?
Bugger!

This isn't overly abnormal for a beginner. Cohiba are one of the stonger brands and if you are new to cigar smoking they can be overpowering. You should start with something a bit more mellow to get you used to the experience, flavours, aroma etc...
Try out any of the Fonseca range, El Rey del Mundo Petit Coronas or a H. Upmann Petit Coronas. These are all fairly mellow and should be a nicer experience than a Cohiba Siglo VI which is quite a strong full flavoured cigar.

Bear · 27 Feb 2008 at 07:14

Dist said:
This may sound like a dumb question, but i read only a small hole is needed to draw the smoke through, and cutting the entire end of a cigar can cause the outer leaves to come apart, so how are you ment to cut a small hole in the end of the cigars that sudenly curve to a flat end, instead of gradualy go to a point? do you have to poke a hole into the flat ended ones with a special tool or something? because when i see the pictures of them i cant help but think a cigar cutter would just chop the end off instead of a small hole on the flat ended cigars.

You can use a punch to make a hole but you obviously can use a cutter, you make sure you dont cut too far up the cap (the tapered round end) else it will unravel. Cigar cutters are very sharp and if you use a twin blade cutter then you can make some very small and tidy cuts.