Smoking cigars

[paulney]

Just returned from Mexico - went there with my wife and my kid for a week. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, and when it was siesta time, there really is nothing to do, but while away at any of the multiple bars they have.

So, I'm sitting at the bar. I'm getting drunk. I'm feeling mellow.
I'm drinkin' bourbon, I'm drinkin' scotch, I'm drinkin' beer

Oh, wait! But anyway, I decided to try out a cigar. I'll tell you right away: I've never smoked in my life. All I know about cigars is: do not inhale. So, I get a $3 Mexican TeAmo, slice off the end, light it up and just sit and puff there shooting breeze with other people at the bar.

And you know what? It's awesome.

So now I want to get a humidor and a bunch of cigars and puff the magic dragon every now and then on Sunday afternoons in the backyard.

What should I get?

Thanks!

P.S. Obligatory: CANCER! YOU ARE KILLING CHILDREN WITH SECOND-HAND SMOKE!

 

[xanis]

Go to a local smoke shop and see what they have. Ask whoever is working there if they have any suggestions.

 

[imported_Mike]

Rocky Patel 1992

Set you back about $9, but IMO one of the best for under $10.

 

[dotcom173]

Local smoke shop owner in San Luis Obispo recommends Tolosa for people who are new to cigars. It has a "creamy" taste to it, which i dont personally taste, but he's the pro. Theyre about 7 bucks

 

[Descartes]

I grew up around cigars. My dad used to take me to the local shop where they'd roll some by hand. I remember sticking my heads in all the little tobacco jars and enjoying the sweet, spicy aroma of a good tobacco. Despite my affinity for tobacco itself, I've never smoked.

Sounds like you're having a great time though. Enjoy.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Wait, you don't inhale? WTF is the point then?

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Wait, you don't inhale? WTF is the point then?

I'm not a smoker, but what's the point of inhaling? I thought the point was to enjoy the aroma, sometimes the taste, etc. Does inhaling add anything to the experience?

Serious question.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Wait, you don't inhale? WTF is the point then?

I'm not a smoker, but what's the point of inhaling? I thought the point was to enjoy the aroma, sometimes the taste, etc. Does inhaling add anything to the experience?

Serious question.

You've got it right. Inhaling gives you more nicotine, and damaged lungs.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I grew up around cigars. My dad used to take me to the local shop where they'd roll some by hand. I remember sticking my heads in all the little tobacco jars and enjoying the sweet, spicy aroma of a good tobacco. Despite my affinity for tobacco itself, I've never smoked.

Sounds like you're having a great time though. Enjoy.

The smell is what I enjoy the most. I have a keen sense of it, and while I can't stand cigarette smoke (gah! it's ridiculous), the cigars are a completely different story.

They had some cubans at the hotel, but at retarded prices: $20 for one. Even if they were legitimate, I bet the profit margin was around 200% on those, if not more.

I also saw plenty of questionable smoke shops in Puerto Vallarta offering cubans, no doubt making a good buck on stupid newbs like me.

But even if I spent $20 on a cigar, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Wait, you don't inhale? WTF is the point then?

I'm not a smoker, but what's the point of inhaling? I thought the point was to enjoy the aroma, sometimes the taste, etc. Does inhaling add anything to the experience?

Serious question.

Cigars aren't filtered, and deep inhaling will give you a ton more kick than a cigarette. Since I am not a smoker at all, even just puffing away makes me a bit light headed and gives me slight high.

As for cancer, yes, cigars aren't much safer than cigarettes. According to research, you are at risk for getting mouth cancer rather than lung cancer.

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: dotcom173
Local smoke shop owner in San Luis Obispo recommends Tolosa for people who are new to cigars. It has a "creamy" taste to it, which i dont personally taste, but he's the pro. Theyre about 7 bucks

I like Drew Estates myself....the Copper label and Acid are my faves.

Hey, you ever get up to Paso Robles to Boyd's for their event nights?

 

[paulney]

I also have a few friends who smoke cigarettes like chimneys, and they don't like cigar aroma.
What gives. Cigarettes must have killed their sense of smell.

 

[TonyG]

Those evil cuban cigars really are worth shelling out for on occassion...
I had a rather nice montecristo habana a while back and can only hope that I can find another.

A cigar I enjoy on occasion is the kristoff brand, as it is not too expensive ($6-$8?), and everyone that has tried them has enjoyed the experience.

 

[destrekor]

Do you still get nicotine when not inhaling?

And magic dragon not found in relation to cigars. very confused

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Descartes
I grew up around cigars. My dad used to take me to the local shop where they'd roll some by hand. I remember sticking my heads in all the little tobacco jars and enjoying the sweet, spicy aroma of a good tobacco. Despite my affinity for tobacco itself, I've never smoked.

Sounds like you're having a great time though. Enjoy.

The smell is what I enjoy the most. I have a keen sense of it, and while I can't stand cigarette smoke (gah! it's ridiculous), the cigars are a completely different story.

They had some cubans at the hotel, but at retarded prices: $20 for one. Even if they were legitimate, I bet the profit margin was around 200% on those, if not more.

I also saw plenty of questionable smoke shops in Puerto Vallarta offering cubans, no doubt making a good buck on stupid newbs like me.

But even if I spent $20 on a cigar, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway

I saw a lot of Cubans (real or not, I don't know) around the islands like Barbados, St. Lucia, etc. I was so tempted, but never tried it.

And I know what you mean about the smoke. Cigarette smoke disgusts me, but I love cigar smoke. My dad's standard choice for regular smoking was the Macanudo, so I used to buy those for him quite a lot. I don't know much about cigars beyond that.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: destrekor
Do you still get nicotine when not inhaling?

And magic dragon not found in relation to cigars. very confused

I was just joking, not really implying the magic dragon reference

 

[dotcom173]

Originally posted by: JC

Originally posted by: dotcom173
Local smoke shop owner in San Luis Obispo recommends Tolosa for people who are new to cigars. It has a "creamy" taste to it, which i dont personally taste, but he's the pro. Theyre about 7 bucks

I like Drew Estates myself....the Copper label and Acid are my faves.

Hey, you ever get up to Paso Robles to Boyd's for their event nights?

No i havent. In fact, i dont know what Boyd's event nights are. Google, here i come.

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: dotcom173

Originally posted by: JC

Originally posted by: dotcom173
Local smoke shop owner in San Luis Obispo recommends Tolosa for people who are new to cigars. It has a "creamy" taste to it, which i dont personally taste, but he's the pro. Theyre about 7 bucks

I like Drew Estates myself....the Copper label and Acid are my faves.

Hey, you ever get up to Paso Robles to Boyd's for their event nights?

No i havent. In fact, i dont know what Boyd's event nights are. Google, here i come.

Fill out the 'contact us' form to get on the mailing list for the events. Should be one coming up soon- they invite a cigar maker rep and local winery to pour. For $25 (non-members) you get two of the host's cigars, all you can eat BBQ, plus local beer and wine. It's a deal! They also have a drawing for swag.

 

[dotcom173]

Originally posted by: JC

Originally posted by: dotcom173

Originally posted by: JC

Originally posted by: dotcom173
Local smoke shop owner in San Luis Obispo recommends Tolosa for people who are new to cigars. It has a "creamy" taste to it, which i dont personally taste, but he's the pro. Theyre about 7 bucks

I like Drew Estates myself....the Copper label and Acid are my faves.

Hey, you ever get up to Paso Robles to Boyd's for their event nights?

No i havent. In fact, i dont know what Boyd's event nights are. Google, here i come.

Fill out the 'contact us' form to get on the mailing list for the events. Should be one coming up soon- they invite a cigar maker rep and local winery to pour. For $25 (non-members) you get two of the host's cigars, all you can eat BBQ, plus local beer and wine. It's a deal! They also have a drawing for swag.

Sounds pretty cool, but maybe ill hold out for another year when i can appreciate the local beer and wine legally.

 

[MyThirdEye]

tl;dr

IMO, Black and Milds are the best cigars on the planet. Plus, they're like 50 cents a piece.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Mike
Rocky Patel 1992

Set you back about $9, but IMO one of the best for under $10.

Seconds on CigarsInternational.com are under $3/stick.

They're blemished usually, but are otherwise identical. I've compared them to the A quality from the local shop. Usually it's just a small problem with the cap construction, which gets sliced off anyway. One of the better bargains out there.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Wait, you don't inhale? WTF is the point then?

I'm not a smoker, but what's the point of inhaling? I thought the point was to enjoy the aroma, sometimes the taste, etc. Does inhaling add anything to the experience?

Serious question.

If you inhale a cigar, the only thing it will add to your experience is nausea. The smoke is too heavy, it's not a cigarette, and it's a 45 minute smoke (or more).

Cig smokers don't usually get it and end up inhaling out of habit, I've noticed. Never a good result.

A cigar will give you a solid buzz, but it builds slowly. You don't need to inhale.

 

[Martin]

I don't smoke cigarettes, but I too enjoy the occasional cigar or Sheesha/Hookah. Sit back, relax, enjoy the taste, have a drink, blow a smoke ring or two.

My inaugural cigar was much like yours, except I was in Cuba and drinking a Mojito.