I've hung around CP less than six months but must admit I've probably learned more here about cigars than I did the last half-century. Thanks to all the members and especially the FOGS. The following are some of the insights I picked up while here.
Top Ten Things I’ve learned from CP.
1. The Newbie Sampler Trade is the best bargain on the Internet and one of the fastest ways to survey the finest cigars available in the world.
2. Assemble yourself a coolidor before buying more than one or two desktop humidors. The desktops will be full before you know it.
3. Make sure your humidor is sealing well, then take as much time as needed to season it. It may take weeks before the humidity stabilizes. Be patient.
4. There exists good, cheap cigars but there are no Great, cheap cigars.
5. Just as a restaurant critic partakes in multiple meals at a restaurant before publicly reviewing the establishment, you need to smoke several cigars of the same vitola before making a final judgment on its merits. Mood, occasion, environment, natural variance, even the accompanying beverage, can affect the smoking experience. Note: This suggestion may not apply to the extremes – either very bad, or extraordinary good cigars.
6. There are some extraordinary non-Cuban cigars but they can cost as much or more than ISOM sticks.
7. I don’t see flavor similarities between Cuban brands and their NC counterparts. TTT Trinidad ISOM versus TTT Trinidad from the Dominican Republic are both delicious – but they are different. (ISOM version is even more delicious)
8. You’ll know that you've found a personal, favorite smoke, when, after smoking through your supply of the enchanting sticks, you feel like your humidor is empty, even though you have a couple hundred other cigars on hand. I felt that way when I smoked the last of my box of Ortega Series D #8.
9. Some great cigar vendors support Cigar Pass and you can save some bucks supporting them. However, some of the big, name Internet suppliers provide good cigars at really good prices and, contrary to the reputation, have provided me good service. But their selection of true premium cigars is almost non-existent.
10. Rather than join big name cigar clubs, newbies should put that money into the Newbie Sampler Trade, and after 4 months membership on the boards, try one of the passes.
11. Read, read, read, Google, then post your question if needed.
12. Don’t depend too much on old cigar reviews. Tobaccos rollers, facilities, management, ingredients, and weather change can and do affect product quality.
13. Your tastes will change as you participate in the BOTL community. You will retire or give away old favorites and become quite fond of some of the smokes introduced here.
14. Don’t let your wife find out how much your infatuation with cigars is costing.
15. If in doubt about whether or not to post a question or comment, you might consider sending a PM to a FOG. Better to have one FOG instruct you, than the whole community angry with you.
16. Better to smoke a few high quality cigars than lots of crappy cigars. Cigars can be addictive.
17. Resting cigars often does improve them.
18. Ultimately, the only taste that counts is yours.
19. Don't cut past the cap.
20. To prevent awkwardness, keep a "guest" desk humidor stocked with cigars that you don't mind giving away. Just hand them the humidor and let them select what they wish, secure in the knowledge that your special treasures are safely tucked away in your cooladore.
Top Ten Things I’ve learned from CP.
1. The Newbie Sampler Trade is the best bargain on the Internet and one of the fastest ways to survey the finest cigars available in the world.
2. Assemble yourself a coolidor before buying more than one or two desktop humidors. The desktops will be full before you know it.
3. Make sure your humidor is sealing well, then take as much time as needed to season it. It may take weeks before the humidity stabilizes. Be patient.
4. There exists good, cheap cigars but there are no Great, cheap cigars.
5. Just as a restaurant critic partakes in multiple meals at a restaurant before publicly reviewing the establishment, you need to smoke several cigars of the same vitola before making a final judgment on its merits. Mood, occasion, environment, natural variance, even the accompanying beverage, can affect the smoking experience. Note: This suggestion may not apply to the extremes – either very bad, or extraordinary good cigars.
6. There are some extraordinary non-Cuban cigars but they can cost as much or more than ISOM sticks.
7. I don’t see flavor similarities between Cuban brands and their NC counterparts. TTT Trinidad ISOM versus TTT Trinidad from the Dominican Republic are both delicious – but they are different. (ISOM version is even more delicious)
8. You’ll know that you've found a personal, favorite smoke, when, after smoking through your supply of the enchanting sticks, you feel like your humidor is empty, even though you have a couple hundred other cigars on hand. I felt that way when I smoked the last of my box of Ortega Series D #8.
9. Some great cigar vendors support Cigar Pass and you can save some bucks supporting them. However, some of the big, name Internet suppliers provide good cigars at really good prices and, contrary to the reputation, have provided me good service. But their selection of true premium cigars is almost non-existent.
10. Rather than join big name cigar clubs, newbies should put that money into the Newbie Sampler Trade, and after 4 months membership on the boards, try one of the passes.
11. Read, read, read, Google, then post your question if needed.
12. Don’t depend too much on old cigar reviews. Tobaccos rollers, facilities, management, ingredients, and weather change can and do affect product quality.
13. Your tastes will change as you participate in the BOTL community. You will retire or give away old favorites and become quite fond of some of the smokes introduced here.
14. Don’t let your wife find out how much your infatuation with cigars is costing.
15. If in doubt about whether or not to post a question or comment, you might consider sending a PM to a FOG. Better to have one FOG instruct you, than the whole community angry with you.
16. Better to smoke a few high quality cigars than lots of crappy cigars. Cigars can be addictive.
17. Resting cigars often does improve them.
18. Ultimately, the only taste that counts is yours.
19. Don't cut past the cap.
20. To prevent awkwardness, keep a "guest" desk humidor stocked with cigars that you don't mind giving away. Just hand them the humidor and let them select what they wish, secure in the knowledge that your special treasures are safely tucked away in your cooladore.
