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An extreme newbie with some broad questions.

A

andtasmo

New Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
7
Well guys, before a few nights ago I had never smoked anything in my life. Just a few mintues ago I finished my second Swisher Sweet slim (hey, everyone has to start somewhere). While I say it was a new sensation, I can't say it was unpleasant. I'd like to know a few things so I can make cigar smoking a casual hobby for myself. I have for you a few questions.

1.) What are some good cigars to start off on? I'm talking about relatively cheap ones that I wouldn't have to cut. I hear these Swishers I'm smoking suck in comparison to other stuff out there.

2.) How hard is it to get addicted? I'd really like to make this a habit I have control over.

3.) What health risks does the casual smoker take?

4.) What kind of accessories would you recommend for one starting out? Right now I've got half a box of slims and a Bic lighter. I'm going to assume there's more to the industry.

Thanks a lot guys. Feel free to add anything else, too.
 
1.) Buy a humidor now, and then season it. After that, goto JR cigars and buy a bundle of Consuegra's in EMS wrapper. Many consider them to be the Holy Grail of inexpensive cigars. In the mean time, I suggest these that are easy to find in local shops:
Arturo Fuente 858 Natural Wrapper
Leon Jimenes
Fonseca
Macanudo
2.) They aren't quite like cigarettes as far as the addiction factor goes, but your mileage may vary.
3.) if you smoke 3-4 a week, most will say the risk factors are minimal. I guess the best answer is to look at your familys history of illness.
4.) Get a cheap dual blade guillitine cutter, a cheap punch cutter, a cheap thorch lighter.

Emo
 
Welcome to Cigarpass, I hope you enjoy your stay with us. You will certainly learn a lot here, just sit back and read up and have fun.

Two very important suggestions.....Make sure you dont inhale the cigar smoke, and really try not to smoke on an empty stomach. Both of these factors can contribute to a very sick stomach and an unpleasant smoking experience. ;)

If you decide that this is a hobby that you like, then I would guide you to the Newbie Sampler Trade Thread, where you will find a bunch of experienced friends who can set you up with really great sticks. :thumbs:

Enjoy!

John V.
 
NO! NO! NO! Stay away! Take a look at some of the members pictures and you'll see what cigar smoking can do to you. These guys will do and say anything to get their "fix" of an ISOM. They all leave their "cello" on while making hot monkey love to each other. I'm amazed that I can handle hanging around here myself.




















:sign: :sign: :sign:
 
Welcome to CP. Read, read, and read some more. The search function works great for finding tons of info on a variety of topics. But most importantly take Camerron's advice and sign up for the newbie sampler trade. Best way to try a ton of different cigars and find some favorites.

Oh and on the addiction front I think it's pretty rare for a non-inhaler to become physically addicted. Like you I'd never smoked anything until my first cigar so I was a bit worried about addiction as well. At times I've smoked 6/day for a week straight and then gone a couple weeks without a single puff. Sure I wanted one from time to time but I didn't have to have one :D

As far as health risks are concerned I figure the de-stressing and relaxation I get from my little hobby far outweigh any other possible negative effects. But that's a personal thing. Most will agree as Emo said that a few a week or even one a day comes with minimal risk.
 
Toss the swishers, toss your bic. Go to the newbie sampler thread under the hot deals/trades section. PM a willing "fog". Buy a humidor and condition it. Recieve your cigars in the mail from your helpful mentor. Enjoy
 
As a newbie here also..


toss the crummy smokes...

go to a local cigar shop and ask around talk to other ppl in their.. i have noticed most BOTL's are very nice guys...

Also pick up a torch...or zippo....BIC's are crap...


Enjoy your stay here.. I know I have.. alot of good ppl on this forum..

A nice cheap smoke I enjoy regularly is the Sancho PAnza maduro..roughly 2.50 a stick..
 
Welcome to the board and get ready for some info overload, the guys on this board are awesome and will lead you to the golden path of Cigars!!
Do a search on whatever you would like to know more of up on the top of the page, there's lots and lots of info on everything that has to do with cigars ex. different types of cigars, humidors, cutters, humidifying beads and credos,places to smoke,reviews of cigars, etc.
Enjoy :)
 
Welcome I'm also A newbie so here are a few other things i've noticed.If you smoke cigarettes they dampen the flavor of a cigar so I try to at least smoke one cigar a day prior to any cigarettes.Also the empty stomach factor like the other guys said. Ive had some harsh smokes due to lack of food. Just try as many as you can afford and listen to the guys here you wont go wrong. puros Indios green label and Drew estate fumas are very good holy grails as well.(holy grail= cheap cigar that is actually worth smokeing).
 
Welome to CP. I am a newbie to this board also and I've been smoking cigars for about 8 months now. I'm 42 and, like you, I never smoked cigarettes. I smoked my first cigar as a poker-night ritual and got "drawn into the fold" almost right away.

In my short time at this, here's what I've learned so far:

I've learned that cigars are like women. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They have distinct tastes, smells and textures. And -- just like women -- what appeals to one person, may not appeal to the next. Cigars can be a cheap date or an expensive one, and either type can be enjoyable or downright nasty. Again, it all depends on what you prefer.

I've also learned that this hobby/lifestyle/habit/affliction that is cigar smoking is about the journey and the discovery. The journey is learning about the types, sizes, tastes, prices, and accessories. The discovery is in finding those great tasting cigars and good people to enjoy them with.

Having said the above, my suggestion is this: Try a variety of different smokes until you find what you really like. (You wouldn't marry the first girl you ever met, right?) Try some that the good folks on this board recommend. If you've got a decent cigar shop in your area, spend some time there and try a few that just look good to you. Once you've found one or two that you really like, find out about other smokes that are similar and then try those. Before you know it, you'll have a favorite... then another... and another. Don't be surprised when your tastes change and your first favorite quickly becomes old hat. Again, it's all about discovery.

As far as health risks, there are some, but they are minor compared to cigarettes. As was pointed out above, you do not inhale. You take the smoke into your mouth and, like wine, enjoy the flavor. The nicotine from the smoke is absorbed into your body primarily through the lips and the nasal membranes. Also, the tobacco in non-flavored cigars is pure tobacco -- unlike cigarettes, there are no additives to enhance the burn or the flavor.

I think I've rambled enough so all I'll add is this: Do some research... smoke a wide variety at first... and enjoy the journey! It's a great one!

-- Hawk
 
The thing is I'm wary about pennying up for a humidor if I'm not 100% sure about things. Is the difference between real cigars and gas station cigars worth it? Spare me the refined palette stuff for now. Is it REALLY that different?
 
Read my friend you will do fine. all of your questions have been asked before.. read read read. I was just starting out last year about this time as a extreame newbie like yourself. Real "handmade" cigars are the way. gas station cigars are like yugos in all aspects and good handmades ie, Padron, fuente,AVO, & CAO are like Bentleys in all aspects. go to your local shop and pick up a few of the above names and try for yourself. I started off with a CAO gold label "mild cigar" been hooked since bro..
 
Hiya,

Being a newbie myself, I would say that since you never smoked before in your life, for a while, almost all the cigars will taste similar to you, since, for the most part, smoke is smoke. With the swisher, the sweet tip hides that bitterness. As you smoke a little more and get used to the basic smoke taste, you will find a HUGE difference between gas station 2 for 1's and good, handmade cigars. Some will have no bitter taste, some will have a sweet taste without the additives, etc.
I would say that compared to not smoking, smoking even a few a month will have at least a 0.000000000000001% detrimental effect to your health. Give or take. I think you need to read the research that is out there and make your own decisions. There is a lot of negative propaganda out there about it, so read everything with a grain of salt. Tobacco nowdays, in any form, is the devil, and a scapegoat for everything. Personally, I feel comfortable with the risks of smoking 1 a day. Your milage will vary.
 
andtasmo said:
The thing is I'm wary about pennying up for a humidor if I'm not 100% sure about things. Is the difference between real cigars and gas station cigars worth it? Spare me the refined palette stuff for now. Is it REALLY that different?
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Don't buy a humidor. Just buy one or two well stored cigars from a reputable cigar store that knows how to store them and smoke them before they need long term storage. Where do you live? Chances are someone here knows a reputable store nearby. Keep one or two in a baggie with a water pillow. Don't let anything damp come in direct contact.

In a couple weeks or months you will know whether you need a humidor.
 
Yup, so far the advice here is pretty good

either go and do the Newbie Sampler trade where you tell a veteran guy you want to spend "$30", he'll ask you to get him something, whether it's a simple lighter coffee, or cigars, and he will put together and package to send you of very nicely aged cigars that is worth sometimes always double what you paid for.

Or


Go to your local cigar shop and tell the owner your new, and you have a budget of say $20 to spend and they will pick out a good sampler of cigars.


Or......You can add your shipping address to your profile, and someone here might send you a sampler by way of USPS Prioirity mail....if you can take my hint.
 
Where do you live? Chances are someone here knows a reputable store nearby
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I live in Washington, MO. That's about 50 miles west of St. Louis.



Or......You can add your shipping address to your profile, and someone here might send you a sampler by way of USPS Prioirity mail....if you can take my hint.
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It is done. Thanks.
 
Also fuente makes a couple of humidor bags that work well for quite a while for around 4 dollars for the small one and 8 for the larger bag.
 
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