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Pipe and cigar talk

Red Beard

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2019
Messages
5,502
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in my skin
I've got some buddies that hold a cigar night about once a month. We get together, enjoy a cigar or two, and talk about life. It's a real nice time. However, I stay pretty busy with the buzzing of our family, so I only get to make it over there about once a quarter. When I go, I'll bring my regular "trash cigar" I pick up from the convenience store on the way there (a Backwoods, Game, or the like). Last time I was there, my buddy handed me a Drew Estate Deadwood Sweet Jane and I enjoyed it immensely. Very smooth, and sweet cigar. It seemed to last for quite some time. Say, maybe 5 times as long as my 2 for $1.95 cigars. :D

Anyway, we've been spending some time outside on the front porch in the evenings after we put the kids to bed and so I bought a five pack of them the other day. While waiting for them to arrive, all kinds of saddlehunter thoughts (read: overthinker thoughts) have been running through my mind. They go something like this: I've never had a good cigar in my possession before... I've never had multiple cigars that can't be smoked immediately before... Do I need a humidor? How big? Box or cedar lined acrylic jar? Guillotine cutter or hole cutter? 58% vs 62% vs 72% humidity control packets?

I'm hoping there are some old fuddy-duddies around here that can school a young buck on the ins and outs of leaf rolled tobacco...
 
I miss the cigar shop in Colorado Springs, many days spent at that huge walk in humidor and in the big leather chairs talking to the old timers.

Do you have a cigar shop nearby?
We have one in town but I normally don't have an opportunity to get down there while they're open.
 
If you’re only keeping a few cigars at a time, a ziploc or Tupperware dish that’s “humidity controlled” will be fine. If you get serious and need a good basic one, PM me and I’ll send you mine (I don’t smoke any more).
As for cigars to try, I recommend Connecticut cigars, as they’re lighter and generally smoother and easier for newbies than some of the more robust, flavorful cigars. If you can find them, get the Rocky Patel Vintage 1999–that’s a GREAT beginner cigar, and it would be the first one I’d reach for these days if I smoked.
Here’s another idea for you: check out pipe smoking. If you smoke regularly, it’s much cheaper than buying nice cigars, and your local shop probably carries some great blends that you can try. Also, you can buy a pipe with a filter, which is a bit “cleaner”/healthier.
Finally, bourbon and scotch pair the best with tobacco (IMHO), and can really enhance the smoking experience.
Hope this helps!
 
If you’re only keeping a few cigars at a time, a ziploc or Tupperware dish that’s “humidity controlled” will be fine. If you get serious and need a good basic one, PM me and I’ll send you mine (I don’t smoke any more).
As for cigars to try, I recommend Connecticut cigars, as they’re lighter and generally smoother and easier for newbies than some of the more robust, flavorful cigars. If you can find them, get the Rocky Patel Vintage 1999–that’s a GREAT beginner cigar, and it would be the first one I’d reach for these days if I smoked.
Here’s another idea for you: check out pipe smoking. If you smoke regularly, it’s much cheaper than buying nice cigars, and your local shop probably carries some great blends that you can try. Also, you can buy a pipe with a filter, which is a bit “cleaner”/healthier.
Finally, bourbon and scotch pair the best with tobacco (IMHO), and can really enhance the smoking experience.
Hope this helps!
Great tips! Thank you. Yeah I've considered a pipe. In all actuality, think I'd probably like that better. Any recommendations there?
 
Temperance is the key. Small moderatioms. BC (before kids) me and my friends use to play poker and smoke cigars most Friday nights. Now I can't stand the taste in my mouth after wards. But a place like https://www.thompsoncigar.com/ has sample packs. Small humidors and such. Might still have one in the basement if your interested.
 
I never smoked and really don’t have a strong desire to but I enjoy the smell of a good cigar or pipe smoke. I think all the great memories that come along with the smoke smell from hanging out with the guys has something to do with it. A fine bourbon pairs well with second hand smoke too.
 
I never smoked and really don’t have a strong desire to but I enjoy the smell of a good cigar or pipe smoke. I think all the great memories that come along with the smoke smell from hanging out with the guys has something to do with it. A fine bourbon pairs well with second hand smoke too.
I would rather have the Fine Bourbon.
 
Temperance is the key. Small moderatioms. BC (before kids) me and my friends use to play poker and smoke cigars most Friday nights. Now I can't stand the taste in my mouth after wards. But a place like https://www.thompsoncigar.com/ has sample packs. Small humidors and such. Might still have one in the basement if your interested.
See... thank you for that! I think you're exactly right. Moderation. 9 years ago I ended 13 years of smoking 1.75 packs of cigarettes a day. I was a slave to them. Took me a LOOOOOONG time and a great deal of prayer to put that down.

Like I said though, this is a once a month thing. It's centered around dudes getting together and talking through life. :)
 
For the money, the lower cost Aturo Fuente cigars are a bargain. The cheaper Rocky Patels are also pretty good. If you want a good large cigar, look at the Ghurka Warlord.

Anything with a Maduro wrapper is going to be pretty strong and not recommended for a newby.
 
For the money, the lower cost Aturo Fuente cigars are a bargain. The cheaper Rocky Patels are also pretty good. If you want a good large cigar, look at the Ghurka Warlord.

Anything with a Maduro wrapper is going to be pretty strong and not recommended for a newby.
Right on. At the risk of sounding like a lame-o... are any of the ones you suggested, flavored? Think what I enjoyed about the Deadwood Sweet jane the most was that the end was rolled in some sort of sugary something that made it have a great taste.
 
Right on. At the risk of sounding like a lame-o... are any of the ones you suggested, flavored? Think what I enjoyed about the Deadwood Sweet jane the most was that the end was rolled in some sort of sugary something that made it have a great taste.

No, sorry but I avoid the flavored ones.
 
I used to go to a place called The Red Snapper” on occasion. I stuck to $5-10 cigars. I can’t remember the name of any except for one, “Punch” cigars. Idk what one in particular though. Might be worth checking out?
 
Lots depends on the cigar. Demand is so high that in order to keep people happy cigars are being sold "green" and need to be aged before use. They need to ferment a bit
 
I'm a relative cigar noob, a year or so in, but I got one of these https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00284AG5U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_NA05E5W23WWGPEQBWXGC

Add a 69% (I think) Boveda pack. It's cheap and more effective than a traditional humidor. I believe you don't want it much over 70% because of mold.

I've got a cheap guillotine cutter, a punch, and a v-cut. Punch and v-cut are pretty fool proof. With a guillotine people tend to cut too much off and the cigar unravels.

Cigars that I've liked so far are New World by A.J. Fernandez, Undercrown Maduro, Oliva V Melanio Maduro, and My Father Flor De Las Antillas. Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate have a reputation for being good yardwork cigars. Cheap enough you can toss half way if needed but not horrible quality. But it's all pretty subjective. The only one so far that I've bought a box of is the Oliva V Melanio Maduro. They're good and Holts has them 10 for $65. My next box will probably be New World.

These are infused and are cheap. Haven't had this variation but I've had the Factory Smokes Maduro. https://foxcigar.com/shop/cigars/drew-estate/factory-smokes-sweets-robusto/
 
I enjoy an occasional cigar. Have a friend of mine that gets us a direct supply from an island south of FL. ;)

I'd agree with the cigars @BuffaloBill mentioned as well. 69% humidipak should do fine for those. I'd go ahead and grab a 4-pack of those so you are set for a while. One pack should last a few months with just 5ish cigars to keep at a constant humidity.

My recommendation for a humidor would be to get a travel caddy humidor. If you end up finding you like having cigars on hand, maybe some extras for friends to enjoy, then you can upgrade to a cedar box humidor (I own this one and it has worked like a charm for over 6 years now) and keep this travel caddy for vacations or hunting trips. But in the meantime this will work just fine for what you want. There is another that fits 5 cigars that is $4 to $5 cheaper as well.


In the end, this is honestly just about a good conversation. Not sure how a fire, a drink and a cigar help make that happen...but they certainly do! Enjoy!
 
I've got some buddies that hold a cigar night about once a month. We get together, enjoy a cigar or two, and talk about life. It's a real nice time. However, I stay pretty busy with the buzzing of our family, so I only get to make it over there about once a quarter. When I go, I'll bring my regular "trash cigar" I pick up from the convenience store on the way there (a Backwoods, Game, or the like). Last time I was there, my buddy handed me a Drew Estate Deadwood Sweet Jane and I enjoyed it immensely. Very smooth, and sweet cigar. It seemed to last for quite some time. Say, maybe 5 times as long as my 2 for $1.95 cigars. :D

Anyway, we've been spending some time outside on the front porch in the evenings after we put the kids to bed and so I bought a five pack of them the other day. While waiting for them to arrive, all kinds of saddlehunter thoughts (read: overthinker thoughts) have been running through my mind. They go something like this: I've never had a good cigar in my possession before... I've never had multiple cigars that can't be smoked immediately before... Do I need a humidor? How big? Box or cedar lined acrylic jar? Guillotine cutter or hole cutter? 58% vs 62% vs 72% humidity control packets?

I'm hoping there are some old fuddy-duddies around here that can school a young buck on the ins and outs of leaf rolled tobacco...
If you aren’t going to be keeping them in place you want to show them off I would just use a plastic storage container that has a gasket. I keep anywhere from 50-150 cigars on hand at any time, and I have pretty much gone strictly to the plastic ones. Less upkeep than a humidor as you don’t have to season it from time to time. I keep 72% boveda packs and I have never had a problem with any of my cigars. Cutter style doesn’t really matter, it’s all personal preference. As some guys have stated I would stay with the lighter Connecticut cigars at first as they are a little lighter. I personally don’t smoke a lot of flavored cigars, but I do enjoy them from time to time. Drew Estate makes some VERY VERY good flavored ones you may enjoy! Any cigar questions hit me up, I’d be happy to help.
 
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