Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

That Seems Like "Common Sense", Though, Tim. I'm Still :confused:

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I just read Mr. Nee's thoughts on aging and on packaging. No where does he state that unsealing or opening an SLB will stop the cigar from aging. In fact, he says that exposing cigars to oxygen will actually cause them to ferment and age more quickly, though he does opine that cigars that are devoid of oxygen or breathing will age more "beautifully", albiet more slowly.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

huh, wonder why that member was talking about that? Is it somewhere else?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Not in Min Ron Nee's book as far as I can see.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Well good to go then. Thanks for verifying that.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

My pleasure, never a chore to pick that book up and learn. :)

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Good example of "don't believe everything you read" - especially when you don't know the source.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I got the cigar bug big-time over the last two months or so. However, I live in Wisconsin and the biggest issue I have is where to smoke.

I won't/can't smoke in the house, and the last week has been too cold to be easily comfortable in the garage. How do my northern brethren deal with this? Do you routinely use a cigar lounge? Have you build and outdoor room of some kind?

Thanks, in advance.

Mike

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

We decided when we moved into our latest house about 8 years ago, smoking in the house was not going to happen. So....

I've got a "lounge" set-up in my insulated garage. A kerosene space heater aimed at my legs and I'm good for hours at a time.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Thanks for the Info. My garage is not insulated, but I may have to change that and keep an eye on the big box stores for deals on heaters!

Mike

Re-lighting a cigar
 

How long can a half smoked cigar sit before you have to throw it away, rather than finish it?

Mike

Re: Re-lighting a cigar
 

There is no definitive answer.
For me, not much more than an hour or so. For others, they smoke sticks the next day.

Re: Re-lighting a cigar
 

If you do this, be sure to purge it well just prior to setting it down. This should help the flavor when you relight it.

Re: Re-lighting a cigar
 

Cigars? Not very long, as they usually get very acrid tasting very quickly - especially if allowed to cool. :2

With a pipe, this is much different. In fact, with many Virginia and Virginia?Perique blends, sometimes finishing a pipe a couple days later can find the tobaccos tasting even better.

Why is this?

Good question!

Re: Re-lighting a cigar
 

My wife is notorious for lighting up an hour stick and giving up on it after 15 minutes. :)

It all depends on how much bitterness you can stand. Be sure to purge the cigar when you sit it down to at least get most of the stale smoke out.

Re: Re-lighting a cigar
 

My first opusx(like my 3rd cigar ever), I smoked halfway then left it in a zip lock baggie for like a week. One or two days I even forgot that I left it open. When I smoked it later on, it was even better than before. I never purged it either. That was before I knew anything about smoking cigars.

Re: Half smoked cigars
 

Thanks for the feed back guys. Looks like results can vary. May require some experimentation....

Mike

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I wouldn't experiment with it. But, if for some reason you need to put one down and want to pick it up again later, dont be afraid to do so.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

hello
I have never tried smoking before but i really want to try a cigar, i have some questions:
Does cigar smoke smell and taste better than cigarette smoke? (i can't stand the smell of cigarettes and have no idea of what cigars smell like)

Is there a chance that i would like it even though i can't stand cigarettes or is it all pretty much the same?

I have also heard that some people get sick and throw up after their first smoke, any tips on how I can prevent this from happening?

thanks in advance

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Some replies in red above. Good luck.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I'll give some answers on what I can, then let the more experienced members help you out.

1. In my opinion, cigarettes and cigars are completely different, and don't taste anything alike.

2. In my experience, the more I smoked cigars the more I liked them. (still an ongoing process, but I do love them!)

3. How to not throw up: Smoke slow, very slow, around 1 puff per minute or less. Also a Mild cigar would be better for your first. Something that helped me starting out, drink (or sip) water while you are smoking.

Hope that helps some!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

DONT INHALE! :) You should be fine. Just don't go buy the cheapest smoke you can find though. Perhaps a Flor de Oliva would be a good first smoke for you.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I used to smoke ciggerette way back, and will say that it's two different things!!
I would agree with all that's been said so far.
As far as the smell of the smoke, I know people that can't stand when I smoke cigars, but then other's think that it smells great (luckily my fiance is one of these people!!).
On a funnier side, I've found that cigar smoke is a much better misquito repelant than cigerette smoke!!!
The taste is going to the tough one I would think. I have had some nasty cigars and some heavenly ones!! So hopefully you get one you like the first time around. The bad ones are far and few between in my eyes though.
Good luck in the new journey!!!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I was thinking if you got a bad one for your first stick, then there would be one less person to fight over the good ones on.........something is telling me not to be that way, there is plenty to go around. Pick up your cigar from a B&M (cigar store) and not the corner market.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Smoke a nice mild cigar, something like a Camacho Coyolar, LDF DL maduro or an El Cobre.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Did you really just recommend the LFD double LIGERO as a mild cigar? :r Granted, the DL maduro is good and smooth, but definitely not for the beginner.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Say im taking a cigar to work with me for the ride home. I have a leather holder, and if I put a cigar in that leather holder would it be alright? Or would it dry out too much? I would leave the cello on it. Or should I use a ziplock baggie and then put the cigar inside the leather holder?


Are there any airtight cigar holders?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Those types of holders are fine for your purpose. If you are going to have your cigars over night or over a few days you need some kind of otterbox. Example below.
http://golfhumidor.com/wp-content/up.../otterbox5.jpg

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I could use that just for like everyday use? Arent they pretty gaudy? Thanks!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

The leather holder for the day will work ok. I wouldn't leave anything in there longer than a 12 hour period unless it has a good seal. The cigarcaddy/otterbox can be used for everyday use. I have a 5 count box that I take with me to local B&M's. It isn't the most asthetically pleasing box but the seal is great and it keeps your cigars humidified.

In any case you just want to make sure you don't subject the cigars to extreme heat or cold..

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Yes theya re, but remeber you can pimp them out with cool stickers of your favorite bands and stuff!!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I have a 5 ct box as well. They make 2 cts also.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I disagree, Christos.
While the otterbox is certainly a good idea, cigars are shipped from around the world without being in a controlled environment. Also, I've been to a number of large herfs where cigars for raffle and auction are staged outside of regular humidification for an an entire weekend.

Is this the most desirable way? Of course not. But having cigars outside of 65% for a few days is not a catastrophe.

EDIT: Leaving cigars in a leather case for a few days to a week is not a whole lot different than dryboxing.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I'm with the old guy on this one. Cigar cases are more for the protection of the cigar than anything else. For taking a cigar to work the leather cases are ideal. I have wanted one of those Xikar 3 cigar cases for a while just never got around to picking one up. Humidity is not a concern unless they will be out for more than a week or in extreme conditions. Cigars are much more durable than we, as obsessive hobbyists, give them credit. :2

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Newbie here, first post. (Hello!)

Had my first real cigar last night, okay, I had 2 back to back. Had a Macanudo Maduro Hyde Park and a Romeo/Julieta Love Story. Couldn't really tell a big difference in taste between them, newbie palate? The Love Story required more relighting.

My primary question is this:

While smoking them I felt great, great mood, energized, very clear thinking, and just basically feeling wonderful! Is this an effect of the nicotine??

Also, I don't currently have a humidor, (will get one soon) but currently my house seems to be at 70% humidity, is that okay for now?

And a special shout out to my wife for putting up with all my monkey business all these years!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Welcome to Cigar Asylum, Gary.
Let me suggest you head over to the New Inmate forum and introduce yourself. We're a friendly bunch here and would like to know a little bit about you.

On to your questions.

A discerning palate is one that is developed over time. I don't know if the 2 cigars you smoked are at all similar in flavor profile but there may be someone else here who could chime in on that. I would bet the nicotine (a stimulant) is responsible for your heightened mood. If your house is in the 60-70% humidity range you should be fine (temporarily). Any much over 70% could lead to burn issues and mold. It's good that you are in the process of purchasing a humidor.

Any man who has a wife that is supportive of our hobby/obsession is a lucky man, indeed.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Last year I moved from the San Francisco Bay area back to Salt Lake City, Utah. As I'm sure you know, Utah is much more arid than the coast and I've been having trouble keeping the humidity up in my humidor.

My humidor isn't big, just 4 drawers (I forget the capacity). I keep two of the silicon sticks in it and had no trouble keeping the humidity at about 60%. I don't get into the humidor much these days (it's too cold to go outside to smoke at night). Obviously I need to check the sticks and dunk them in water more frequently, but is there anything else I can do to help stabilize the humidity in this climate?

Should I re-season the humidor, add more sticks, change the sticks for higher-humidity ones or just check it more often?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I would ditch the silicon sticks for some humidity beads, Dave.

Member shilala and company Heartfelt Industries both make quality ones.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Dave, you need to move to beads like Tom said. Also consider adding more humidification to the humidor. Many people use more beads/humidification than required for a certain size humidor just to make sure it stays at a certain rH.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I think I must have used the wrong language, my humidity control are these plastic tubes with silica beads inside. I'll pick up two more and double my control.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll certainly look for those brands you mentioned.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/c...Humidity+Beads

Scotts:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19160

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

What the perfect humidity to keep your cigars at: 75%, 72%, 69% or 65%. Thanks.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

It's all a matter of personal preference. Although most would agree that anything over 70% is too high. Some actually prefer 60%.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I use 65% beads and the coolers stay right around 63%-65%. I find it works pretty good and the cigars smoke great!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Humidity is as subjective a thing as you can get. Between 50% and 75% will not damage your cigars. I try to keep mine between 60-65%, which I have found to be perfect for Habanos. NC smokers seem to prefer the 70-75% range. The best advice I can give you is: if your wrappers are cracking, the cigars are too dry. If the cigars won't stay lit, then they're too wet. Beyond that only you can decide what's right for you!:2

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I would say that at 75% you are at serious risk of developing mold on your cigars.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Among other serious problems with your smokes.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Absolutely.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Right. ;)

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

have a glass top humidor that seems to stay between 61 and 65 humidity with heartfelt 65 beads in it, do i just contribute the fluctuation to the great glass top or be worried, also where should i place the humidity tube for best results.

My cigars feel pretty firm which i tend to worry about didnt know if it was from the lower humidity and tempature around 64 in the humi or if i should do something different.