Cigar Aficionados

XeNoN89 said:
Any advice on what a non smoker should try?

I recently had friends with cigars while out drinking and quite liked a puff! I've never been a smoker as it;s just never appealed to me, but there seemed to be something nice about a cigar with a drink!

All I've tried so far was a big cuban type thing, and a skinny thing not much bigger than a ciggarete with a chocolatey/cocoa flavour to it
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One I mentioned above was the Fonseca No. 1. I think it's one of the best introductory Cubans out there.


ChroniC said:
Yes, but without proper care, which I doubt I will bother with, they can't just be kept in small box, under a desk. Basically they aren't going to survive without being looked after.
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They'll survive a trip back home but you'll need appropriate storage at home. A big Tupperware box and some humidity beads is a cheap and effective solution if you don't want to fork out for a humidor. If you want to keep them for a long period and age them, then a cedar humidor is recommended.
 
NVP said:
HELP!! Came back after only 1 week away and this has happened :(

None of it is white blossom, definitely mould :( All ruined?.
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Wow, you have my condolences :(.

Cohiba smoker here, though only on special occasions or nights out.

Have tried Siglo I & II (edit - and Robustos of course!). Also smoke minis/clubs occasionally (I know, I know, not the real thing!)
 
Question on this: Just before Christmas some friends and I bought some Cigars with the intention of having them then, but we delayed and only got around to it in July. I had them stored in a paper bag in an air tight container, when we came to light them however they seemed really hard to take compared to ones I've had before, any ideas?

- GP
 
Scuzi said:
Ideally they need to be kept in a humidity and temperature controlled environment, although 24 hours of variance would be acceptable if they went straight into a humidor at the other end.
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I always thought it didn't matter how dry the cigar became as they were always regenerated once returned to a humidor over a period of time. Is this wrong? Why is there a 24hour limit?


In regards to a new humidor... there are so many to choose from!! Why the hell are davidoff ones over 10 grand?! I think I may just settle for the cuban crafters one Spanker posted, cheers :)
 
NVP said:
I always thought it didn't matter how dry the cigar became as they were always regenerated once returned to a humidor over a period of time. Is this wrong? Why is there a 24hour limit?


In regards to a new humidor... there are so many to choose from!! Why the hell are davidoff ones over 10 grand?! I think I may just settle for the cuban crafters one Spanker posted, cheers :)
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24 hours was a figure plucked from the air based on how long it might take travelling back from Cuba. There is no fixed limit as such. Dried out sticks can be saved but not always. I'm not sure of the science behind it but they rarely taste as good. As they become dried out the wrapper can crack or become brittle and if they get to that stage they're beyond saving. Essentially, it's not worth the risk, especially if it's a £500 box!


GhostlyPea said:
Question on this: Just before Christmas some friends and I bought some Cigars with the intention of having them then, but we delayed and only got around to it in July. I had them stored in a paper bag in an air tight container, when we came to light them however they seemed really hard to take compared to ones I've had before, any ideas?

- GP
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Sounds like they could be plugged or maybe they're just a tight cigar. For example, the Diplimaticos No. 2 is a lovely cigar but you need the sucking ability of a Thai hooker to get any smoke from it. Dried out cigars usually burn quickly, unevenly and draw quite easily. Overly humidified cigars can produce a tight draw and will need touched up and relit often. What cigars are they?
 
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Ah ok, good to know and also explains why sometimes my Siglo VI's taste off depending on where I purchase. Thanks Scuzi :)
 
Hi Scuzi, Spanker, quick question if you don't mind.

For the Exotica, did you go for the tubed beads and leave on the tray or did you go for the stainless humidifier and replace the one in the lid?

Cheers :)
 
Once a cigar is dried out it loses a lot of its flavour due to the natural oils drying out, if smoked dry it will burn quickly and burn hot. You can re humidify them but they will never be as good.
 
NVP said:
Hi Scuzi, Spanker, quick question if you don't mind.

For the Exotica, did you go for the tubed beads and leave on the tray or did you go for the stainless humidifier and replace the one in the lid?

Cheers :)
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I could never find a happy middle ground, so I kind of went for a double whammy. In the lid of my humidor, I have replaced the crappy foam humidifier with a Xikar 250 cigar crystal gel humidifier. With Xikar solution it maintains about 67% humidity on its own. With distilled water it's not far off.

On the bottom shelf I have a large tube of Heartfelt 65% beads. I use these as a control. I introduce humidity using the Xikar gel and the beads keep the humidor stable.

It's the best solution for a "close and forget" setup IMO, although I do like to open the lid every week or two to introduce some fresh air and to rotate the cigars in the interests of reducing the chance of mould. Previously, I could never get the damn thing stable. One day it would be at 58%, the next it would be at 72% depending on the temperature of the house.

I'll get some pics if you like?
 
Thanks Scuzi, I've read great reviews of Xikar products. I may simply copy your approach :D Pics would be nice but not necessary so only if you can be bothered :)

The CC Exotica was initially too extravagant for me but I've come to love it's looks and the fact it has a mini felt lined drawer is a definite plus... but it's out of stock :( Next closest is the elegance but that's even further from my original discrete preference. Then there's the Embajado which looks perfect but doesn't have the newly required drawer hahaha

What to do...
 
Just picked up another 4, I'm still trying to settle on my favourites:

H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1
Punch Punch
Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos
Bolivar Coronas Junior

All short but I'm trying to gauge flavours (hence the range) and pick my favourites. I've tried a few Romeo y Julieta, Trinidad and Montecristo and not settled on one yet so still trying a few out.
 
Scuzi said:
Sounds like they could be plugged or maybe they're just a tight cigar. For example, the Diplimaticos No. 2 is a lovely cigar but you need the sucking ability of a Thai hooker to get any smoke from it. Dried out cigars usually burn quickly, unevenly and draw quite easily. Overly humidified cigars can produce a tight draw and will need touched up and relit often. What cigars are they?
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Missed this last time and forgot! In all honesty I don't know what they were and they were hardly expensive, maybe £8 - £12 each. It felt like they were overly dry (probably due to the terrible way I had them stored) which is why I was surprised when they didn't take. I'll keep a better eye on it next time

- GP
 
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