Re: Age & Experience
 

Been smoking for just about two years now. A couple more weeks I think. I've had a blast with the cigar culture, and meeting all the people I've met throughout this. Also managed to pick up a bunch of new hobbies with it...pipes, coffee, liquor (bourbon and rum are favorites). Between this place and my time at the other site, I've had a total blast for the past two years.


Some of my favorite cigars are:

NC:
Padrons
Oliva Vs
Tatuajes
Cabaiguan
Pepin

CC:
Partagas
Bolivar
SCdlH Principes
Montecristo
LGC MdO

Re: Age & Experience
 

They were re-blended about 4-5 years ago and they are nowhere near as strong as they were before. I miss those.

Re: Age & Experience
 

That is too bad. They were a very tasty smoke. Of course, strength isn't everything. If the change in the blend produced a bit smoother smoke, but still on the fuller side of medium-bodied, that wouldn't be a bad thing. I remember them as having a tendency to get a bit harsh.

Re: Age & Experience
 

At a charity golf tournament 3-4 yrs ago I spotted
a humi with Excalibur and RyJ on the Pro Shop counter.
It was a creamy smoke, and I wondered if all cigars
had that trait. Been looking to repeat that experience
ever since.

My favorites are:

AF Hemi maduro
Ashton San Cristobal
Gurkha Ancient Warrior
RP Olde World Reserve
PAM

Chemyst :cool:

Re: Age & Experience
 

Smoking about 3 years...

Padron (got me going in cigars)
Tatuaje (kept me going)
Cabaiguan
Illusione
DPG (Blue, Black & others)

CC's
Bolivar
Monte
Juan Lopez
Cohiba (when I can afford 'em)
Party

Re: Age & Experience
 

Shoot, I haven't been in the game long enough to even say really. Been smoking for almost a year now, but since about December I kind of dropped my NC experimentation for Dark Side experimentation. So as for non-Cubans, I haven't done much but sample around a bit. But here's what I've been attracted to with so far on the NC side, in no particular order:

Tatuaje
Joya de Nicaragua
Oliva
Padron
Saint Luis Rey
Romeo y Julieta

Re: Age & Experience
 

I've been smoking cigars for about a year. My favorites:

Tatuaje
Padron (64,26)
A.Fuente
Cohiba (cuba)
Oliva (any of 'em)

Re: Age & Experience
 

Have you tried the Excalibur and the RyJ again - from a different vendor?

Re: Age & Experience
 

I was a cigarette smoker for 40+ years. Gave them up in July 2007. ( Yep, I'm an old guy)Started smoking cigars last May. I work with 2 younger guys who are very knowledgeable cigar smokers. They have led me on the right paths to enjoying good cigars. My favorites to this point:
601 Green Oscuro
Oliva V
La Aurora Gold Preferido
Oliva "O" Maduro
Padron 3000 or 4000

Re: Age & Experience
 

I smoked maybe half a dozen a year until I quit smoking cigarettes
6 yrs ago.
Thought I would smoke a few cigars again about 5 months ago.
Well with the help of Smokin Gator, BigAsh, and others, along
With this place and the devil site, I now smoke at least that a week.
Even bought my first 'box'

My favorite so far is the CAO LX2

Re: Age & Experience
 

Well, I'm one of those Geezers who's been doing it off and on for over 30 years, ...On for the last 20 at least ... Used to smoke a lot Munimakers, Toppers, King Edwards, A&C's ... That stuff. ... My how my tastes have changed! ... My Favorites?? ...Hmmmm...
La Aroma de Cuba
Padron Aniversary (Actually ANY Padron!)
Tat's
RYJ Habana Reserve
And my newest Fav. ... San Cristobal! (Thanks John!)
But other than that, Hell ...I'll smoke a tree branch if it tastes good! :cb

Re: Age & Experience
 

I've been smoking since the divorce in 2007. I smoke a lot of variety thanks to the passes, trades and cbid, but I have only a few real favorites...

Perdomos
Pepins
Padrons
JdNs
RP 1990
Casa Magna

My taste isn't all that, and I have a lot to learn and a lot to try yet. I have to say that I got a Diablo Picante in a pass, and I really liked it. Bought a box on clearance from Famous, and they are very much to my liking, more than any other dominican I've had. Probably indicative of my inexperience. But as you can see, I'm a solid Nicaraguan fan.