Any cigar smokers out there? I've had one the last two Saturday's my brother-in-law and I golfed (he brought) but I have absolutely no knowledge of what's good or what type I like. Just starting this thread to open up any discussion and hopefully learn something from those of you that may know something about them.

My BIL has recommended this site before, and they are having a sale going on now. Not sure if I'll jump on it or not, seems like a lot to spend on something I'm not sure I'll actually like.

https://www.thompsoncigar.com/shop/5-pack-fever/8371/?v=90

I've probably had two dozen different brands over the years.  Briefly started a journal at one point, which I no longer have.

Surprisingly, because it's not supposed to appeal to beginners/infrequent smokers, I found I prefer darker and bold cigars.  My go-to is Partagas black label, Partagas 1845 is also very good and a bit more mild.

Don Diego is a very mild cigar that CAN be excellent (and relatively inexpensive)....but IMO tends to be pretty inconsistent (had a number of really good and really bad ones).

Cohiba's are very popular, but I'm not a big fan.  Same with Romeo & Juliet, though both are pretty consistent and mild/medium side.  Ashton is another example.  I've had some good Padron's.  Also a few Davidoff's I liked.

Start sampling and find out what you like.  I landed on Partagas early on and pretty much stuck with it given I only smoke 4-5 cigars a year.  I'm not refined enough to speak to quality, just that for me the big differentiator is mild/medium/bold, and I found I prefer the dark/bold cigars.

Had a nice one last night – Arturo Fuente --  pretty solid brand, among several that are high-quality.  I’ve generally been a maduro wrapper fan, but enjoy most good quality cigars, particularly on the golf course.  Also JC Newman makes some good stuff, especially the Diamond Crown ….and Bobby Newman is a great guy.

Also, it makes a BIG difference if you are not going to store the cigar in a humidor.  So your best bet is to go buy a single cigar from a local shop and smoke it within a few days (preferably the same night).  So if you're ordering a 5-pack with no humidor to store it in, you're definitely wasting your money.

That was gonna be a question I was going to pose. How long does a cigar last outside of a humidor? So, if I'm ever going to have them on hand I'll need to invest in a humidor?

posted by justincredible

That was gonna be a question I was going to pose. How long does a cigar last outside of a humidor? So, if I'm ever going to have them on hand I'll need to invest in a humidor?

Can't answer how long they will last.  Supposedly the freezer will dry them out.  They'll give you a small ziplock bag which helps, especially with a drop or two of water in it is probably safe for a few days.  A tube is the poor man's option.  In a tube you might get a week or two, depending on how air-tight it is (dry air is the enemy).

Most humidors require maintenance to keep the proper temperature and humidity.  A cheap one, combined with not knowing what you're doing, is probably a good way to ruin a bunch of cigars bought in bulk.

edit: I'm talking about a loose cigar bought, and putting it into a tube temporarily.  Cigars sealed in a tube at the shop are good for a while so long as it remains an airtight seal.

this is a weird coincidence, but just 2 weeks ago, i was ALL THE WAY DRUNK, at the casino here by the house and bought and smoked a cigar at the cigar bar. It was the first cigar i've had in 4 years. I really liked it, but was too drunk to save the wrapper or otherwise remember what it was. I know it cost $14.99 from the cigar bar. but nothing else.

This is one of my primary hobbies.  I love cigars.

My go-to these days is the Illusione 888 Candela.  I really dig a good candela when I can find one, and the Illusione ones are definitely solid, so I got a box a few months ago.  Quality stick.

https://www.famous-smoke.com/illusione-888-candela-cigars/item-38048

Justin,

Put them in a ziplock bag with a slightly damp piece of sponge.  Not enough to even be close to dripping, but enough that you can tell it's not dry.

I'd definitely recommend at least a small humidor.  You can get like a 10-12 stick box for probably $25.  Before you put any cigars in it, though, make sure you season it, otherwise the humidor will actually dry them out.

posted by QuakerOats

Had a nice one last night – Arturo Fuente --  pretty solid brand, among several that are high-quality.  I’ve generally been a maduro wrapper fan, but enjoy most good quality cigars, particularly on the golf course.  Also JC Newman makes some good stuff, especially the Diamond Crown ….and Bobby Newman is a great guy.

Arturo Fuente is more than just a pretty solid brand.  It's a cigar Mount Rushmore brand.  What cigar of theirs was it?

posted by O-Trap

Arturo Fuente is more than just a pretty solid brand.  It's a cigar Mount Rushmore brand.  What cigar of theirs was it?

I've liked those.  Rocky Patel is another brand I've enjoyed.  I'll have to give Illusione a shot.

Debated getting a humidor over the years.  Really no reason not to as I'm sure a $25 one like you mention probably pays for itself after only 10-20 cigars.  I'd like to go back to sampling and experimenting, so a humidor and mail order would be the way to go.

posted by gut

I've liked those.  Rocky Patel is another brand I've enjoyed.  I'll have to give Illusione a shot.

Debated getting a humidor over the years.  Really no reason not to as I'm sure a $25 one like you mention probably pays for itself after only 10-20 cigars.  I'd like to go back to sampling and experimenting, so a humidor and mail order would be the way to go.

Yep.  Lots of cigar retailers offer pretty good sample bundles that would let you try a lot of different ones.  I recommend Cigars International:
https://www.cigarsinternational.com/

Or, if you kinda know what you like, and you're balling on a budget, I recommend:
http://www.cigarmonster.com/

I've gone through several "go-to" sticks over the years.  Rocky Patel Decades were one of them, as well.  Good stick.  Others were Punch Champions, Perdomo 10th Anniversary Reserve (Champagne), Perdomo Lot 23, Macanudo 1968, Padron 1926, and Gurkha Assassin.

It's just been what I've been in the mood for at the time.

This was my starter humidor.  It was maybe $20.

This is the one I have now.

It's an addictive hobby.

SIDE NOTE: My humidity is a little low.  Ideally should be about 70 percent humidity, and as you can see, I'm at about 60 percent.

As you said, upkeep.

I've got a Wineador. It holds about 400 Cigars I believe. I just went through it and pulled out about 45 Cigars to donate to Cigars For Warriors. I still have about 250-300 in it.

I hardly ever buy boxes. If I get a box it's usually Vicarias. (Blue, Black, or Red label ) I know the owners of that company, Tre J Cigars, and see them weekly at the cigar events at Jungle Jim's. (Thursdays/Tonight) Been going to those cigar event each week since 2012. I win boxes there through their raffles, but usually pass out most of them to friends as they exit the event. I've also never ordered any online. I usually get a decent deal at those events on the rare occasion something peaks my interest.

I've been lucky enough to meet some people in the cigar industry. I know a couple of National Sales reps. (Oliva and Crowned Heads)  Jonathon Drew. (Drew Estates) Ricky Rodriguez (Master Blender for CAO) Mike Giannini (formally of General Cigar/Foundry Cigar now with Ventura) Willy Herrera (Herrera cigars) Sam Laccia (developed the Cain and Nub line for Oliva, now Leccia Tobacco) This don't include the many sales reps that I see about every six months.

Justin there is a new Cigar place in Mason called The Wright Puff. I haven't been there yet. I wanted to try it this weekend, but it's beer fest weekend.

O-trap, cigars has made me a monster, but it's cool as I'm not into craft beer like I used to be. (too many beers out there now) It's also peaked my interest in Bourbon and Ryes.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Trap, I actually have a humidor my grandma gave me. Unfortunately it was converted into a jewelry box by gluing felt on the interior. Luckily the glue was only laid down in lines near the edges, so I'm hoping I can salvage it with a little sanding. I've already ripped all of the felt out. I'll post some pictures once I find it again.

As for seasoning it, what does that entail? Letting it get up to humidity for a while before storing any cigars?

Curly, that's a hell of a collection. I might need to check out one of those cigar events at JJ's in the fall once my golf league is over. I'll try to check out the place in Mason as well. I read an article a few days ago about a premium cigar place opening up in OTR at some point soon. I think it was supposed to open up in May but I don't think it has opened up yet.

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/04/10/exclusive-premium-cigar-shop-coming-to-over-the.html

posted by justincredible

As for seasoning it, what does that entail? Letting it get up to humidity for a while before storing any cigars?

LMGTFY:

https://www.neptunecigar.com/tips/how-to-setup-your-new-humidor

lol

Yeah, generally, it just means getting the wood moist enough to store the cigars.

What I was taught was to take a cloth (not paper towel or paper product), microfiber preferred, and wipe down the entire inside with purified water for ten straight days, keeping the humidor shut for a day in between each time.  When you're done, the hygrometer should be able to hold a steady reading.

Side note: A humidor full of cigars will generally also hold humidity better than an empty one, so generally, I encourage people to fill it as full as they can justify once they've seasoned it.

So with regard to humidors, will most of them with a hygrometer do the job?  I assume the ones selling for $400 or more are for people who intend to store cigars for YEARS?

Also, would there be a significant difference between a 25-50 capacity vs. 100 if you'll only have 10-20 sticks in it?

Seems like reviews in the <$100 range tend to cite cheap, inaccurate hygrometers.  If you set it at 66 and can be confident the actual is between 60-72, that's probably fine right?

This is the humidor I inherited. It appears that the hygrometer is shit, so I'll need to replace that. And obviously I'll need to sand down the inside to get rid of the glue/felt remnants. But this should suit me pretty well for a while, no?

posted by gut

So with regard to humidors, will most of them with a hygrometer do the job?  I assume the ones selling for $400 or more are for people who intend to store cigars for YEARS?

Also, would there be a significant difference between a 25-50 capacity vs. 100 if you'll only have 10-20 sticks in it?

Seems like reviews in the <$100 range tend to cite cheap, inaccurate hygrometers.  If you set it at 66 and can be confident the actual is between 60-72, that's probably fine right?

Most with a functional hygrometer will be fine.  Set it to 70.  If it's 2-3 degrees off either way, you're still more than safe.

If you're only going to keep 10-20 sticks at a time in it, get the smaller one.  A fuller box tends to hold its humidity better.
 

posted by justincredible

This is the humidor I inherited. It appears that the hygrometer is shit, so I'll need to replace that. And obviously I'll need to sand down the inside to get rid of the glue/felt remnants. But this should suit me pretty well for a while, no?

Sure.  Yeah, make sure the glue is sanded as much as possible (won't have to be perfect, but try to get it mostly removed), and if it's not super humid in your house, the hygrometer definitely needs replaced.

After you season it, pay attention to not only getting the humidity around 70 percent, but keeping it there.  If it won't stay there, you might need a bigger humidifier.
 

posted by O-Trap

Most with a functional hygrometer will be fine.  Set it to 70.  If it's 2-3 degrees off either way, you're still more than safe.

If you're only going to keep 10-20 sticks at a time in it, get the smaller one.  A fuller box tends to hold its humidity better.

Thanks for the tip.  I've been on sort of "waste money on gadgets I probably don't need" binge.  Most of the time I'm in a mood for a cigar, I'd have to make a trip to a shop for a decent one, and they don't stay open late.

Doesn't seem that difficult to replace a bad hygrometer if one is faulty.  And I saw an easy test you can do to validate the accuracy.  I have to keep looking - can't seem to find a smaller one with an exterior hygrometer that doesn't have a glass top.

Well, maybe this one:

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/statesman-humidor-humidors/1438934/#p-2556

Link to the accuracy test?

posted by justincredible

Link to the accuracy test?

There was a video I saw, basically the same as below.  Take a bottle cap from a 1-liter soda, fill it 3/4 full with salt, and add a few drops of water to create a sort of slurry.  Place cap and hygrometer in 1-qt ziplock bag for 6-8 hours.  The humidity will be 75%, and your hygrometer might have an adjustment screw.  You can re-test then to see if it's consistent.

I was skeptical those amounts were enough.  Below uses more: https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-calibrate-a-hygrometer-1239116

Any opinion on humidification packets?  The below supposedly lasts 90 days for 20-25 sticks.  Seems like the best low-maintenance solution.

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/gelly-humidification-packet-humidification/1505147/

posted by gut

Any opinion on humidification packets?  The below supposedly lasts 90 days for 20-25 sticks.  Seems like the best low-maintenance solution.

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/gelly-humidification-packet-humidification/1505147/

Never used them, but I've heard good things, and I've seen people use them.

Regarding the glass top on humidors, if that's a personal preference issue, no worries, but some glass is not hugely problematic.

I'm also trying to figure out my humidifier situation. So many options, thinking of going with the xikar gel jars to start with. I've seen that you can use their glycol solution or distilled water, but the glycol is preferred. Is that just because they want to sell it to you, or does it actually make a big difference?