Getting started

[scott81425]

you might consider something like this

http://www.thompsoncigar.com/default.aspx?sid=4baowr45lck22i553qroay55&uid=641&CategoryID=89&page=product

i'm not gonna lie, the cigars aren't the best you're ever going to smoke, but the humidor is actually pretty decent. i used thompson when i first got into cigars for my humidor purchases, and the humidors are nice. their cigar prices aren't the best, but it's a good way to get into a humidor. they have a few other deals on the site that might be worth checking out too.

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

I agree that you have been given some very sound advice here so I don’t have to much to add. I will share something that has worked well for me. I still consider my self some what new at cigar smoking. I have been at it pretty seriously for about a year and off and on before that. My local B&M deals in Fuente and they come with a humidity pack in the boxes. He will give them away if asked. So get your self a nice big empty cigar box, one or two humidity packs if you can, a cheap hygrometer and a big zip lock bag that the box will fit in and you should be set. Keep an eye on your humidity but don’t obsess over it. Store your box where the temp is below about 72-74 degrees if at all possible.

If the humidity packs don’t keep your humidity high enough or you cant get them, open celled florist foam with PG solution works well. Treat with the solution the first time and distilled water after that. If you know some one with a young baby, the smallest plastic Gerber baby food containers work well to put the foam in. drill some holes in the side and lid or just leave the lid off. I’ve not used the beads but it sounds like they work very well as stated above. These are just a few budget friendly ideas. The more money you save on accessories is the more you have to spend on stix.

Also as has already been said try lots of different smokes and support the site admen and the other brothers here that sell cigars. It is also nice to develop a good relationship with your local B&M. Above all have fun because that is what it’s all about!

GSM

P.S. I know you said that in another thread that you didn’t know what type of cigar that Fuente was. It looks like a chateau series toro.

[MK 199]

Thanks again guys for all the good advice, I'm heading to my B&M this weekend finally!  I have left my house like twice this week (to go take my finals) and have spent the rest of the time in my room studying. Hopefully I will finally have some reviews and some better posts here soon.

[tafdom]

You are on the right track. Is 30 about what you want to try to start with? The only prob it will usually be the same cigars and not a selection to  try. Come up with 10 more and I'll make you up a box you wont forget. PM me if you are interested. Good in your search for cigar smoke serenity. T

Or you could PM Mark and tell the guys reffered you to him for cubans. Don't forget to tell him your a noob with 11 posts.

[BaileyCAO]

You are on the right track. Is 30 about what you want to try to start with? The only prob it will usually be the same cigars and not a selection to  try. Come up with 10 more and I'll make you up a box you wont forget. PM me if you are interested. Good in your search for cigar smoke serenity. T

Or you could PM Mark and tell the guys reffered you to him for cubans. Don't forget to tell him your a noob with 11 posts.

[doh][doh][lol] Very generous offer T.

[MK 199]

So I smoked my Fuente last night and I was kind of disapointed. I borrowed a friends old cutter and didn't get a very good cut and it began to unravel.  I started smoking and began to get a bitter kind of taste, and from what I had read on here meant I was smoking to fast and it was burning to hot, so I slowed down and it got some better as it went on.  I kept having the urge to spit, and I didn't know if that was normal or not? I ended up cracking open a beer and that helped  some.  Really showed my newbie skills, but it was a learning experience. I have two more, and hopefully they will go better and I can decide if I like or dislike the cigar, or if this first one was just me smoking wrong.

[MK 199]

You are on the right track. Is 30 about what you want to try to start with? The only prob it will usually be the same cigars and not a selection to  try. Come up with 10 more and I'll make you up a box you wont forget. PM me if you are interested. Good in your search for cigar smoke serenity. T

[color="red"]Or you could PM Mark and tell the guys reffered you to him for cubans. Don't forget to tell him your a noob with 11 posts[/color].

[doh][doh][lol] Very generous offer T.

Thanks for the offer, I will probably be PMing you here soon. 

Im guessing from Bailey's emoticons I may be getting in over my head lol?

[Magnum PI]

So I smoked my Fuente last night and I was kind of disapointed. I borrowed a friends old cutter and didn't get a very good cut and it began to unravel.  I started smoking and began to get a bitter kind of taste, and from what I had read on here meant I was smoking to fast and it was burning to hot, so I slowed down and it got some better as it went on.  I kept having the urge to spit, and I didn't know if that was normal or not? I ended up cracking open a beer and that helped  some.  Really showed my newbie skills, but it was a learning experience. I have two more, and hopefully they will go better and I can decide if I like or dislike the cigar, or if this first one was just me smoking wrong.

Nothing wrong with having to spit while smoking. 

You might just not be a Fuente fan - or at least of that particular cigar - the great thing is that there is so much out there to try.  Just take your time.  The point of this hobby is to relax and enjoy.  My advice is always to try a Padron.  Start small with a Padron 2000.  Won't break the bank - should be around $3.50 I think - and will give you something to compare your Fuente to.

What else have you tried?

[MK 199]

I have tried a few sticks that friends have given me on special occasions but it was before I really got interested in cigars and didn't pay any attention to the brand.  This Fuente is really my first one that I have really taken seriously and tried to pay attention to and was just my starting point of trying a variety.

[Not A Nice Person]

With Fuentes, look for the ones with the black ribbon on the foot. Those are the Sungrowns, and in the regular lines, they're what many consider the tastiest ones.

But a lot of it just comes down to personal taste and a developing palate.

NANP™
[cigar]