Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Hey Yellow Cello welcome aboard, there is also a newbie thread here where you can post a "hi I am ... " and give us your life story, please keep it to 350 words or less though :D

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=7

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Is there a trick to getting a new lighter that is empty. I have made a few cigar purchases and got a free lighters with them or they were part of the package deal. They seem to be very nice lighters but have issues lighting. One is a Bugatti B-2002 the other is Moretti Carbon Fiber Torch. I am using Ricoh butane. Could it be the quality of the Butane? Just curious as because I have a Ricoh cheap lighter and it lights up everytime where the high quality ones have issues. Could this be why they were free or were with the package too?

Example one I have to hold side ways to get it to light sometimes, the other will light up and turn into a flame lighter instead of a torch.

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Cookee...try purging the fuel by pressing the tiny interior ring in the refill area before filling. A tiny screwdriver is what I usually use. They probably just had some air in the tank and you are getting air bubbles blocking butane flow. Could also try increasing the flow too. Turn the exterior ring towards the little plus sign (mini screwdriver is the perfect too for this).

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Find some triple refined or better butane (I use Vector from CI). It sounds like you've got some jets blocked with the impurities from your butane. Sometimes a shot of compressed air into the jets is enough to dislodge the gunk. Others use the butane itself and spray it into the jets to clear. That's the first step. Clear the jets. Also, after filling, resist the urge to try it out until the butane has a chance to warm up, maybe 15 minutes or so.

I have the Bugatti and mine works fine. Nice heft to it and the dual flame pointed towards each other make for a nice flame with pin-point accuracy. I have another on the way. Free is good. :)

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It is not unusual to have to adjust the flow after refilling or changing fuel. Purge, refill and then fiddle with the adjusting screw(try up and down) until it lights as you prefer. :2

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Could someone explain what a "dry" cigar is? I smoked a Balmoral cigar and found it far too strong / overpowering for my liking. When I searched around it came under the category of a dry cigar but I'm not sure what that means. All I know now is I don't like "dry" cigars haha.

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Dry cigar means the humidity is too low. Will burn fast, hot and possibly be harsh. Strong has nothing to do with the "dry" part.

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I suspect you are referring to a cigarillo sized machine made cigar. Dry cured cigars are quite different from long filler cigars. There is a lot of information here: http://www.jrcigars.com/index.cfm?pa...drycuredcigars

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For the past years I've been using Boveda packs for my 3 big desktop humidors and for my coolidor (not the biggest one but big enough for about 10 boxes) and I am spending a ton on the boveda packs, I love them but they're expensive (48$ a cube of 12). I've been eyeballing HCM Cigar beads but am nervous about A- how to recharge them, and B- how many and what size to put in my humidors? Anyone who is familiar with these products let me know, I like the idea of having something that's a permanent source of humidification! Anything helps, thanks!

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Most everything you could want to know...I suggest reading that, and then posting any follow up questions here. :)

http://67.222.135.200/vb/showthread.php?t=618

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The website that sells them also give great instructions depending on your humidor's dimensions, and additional instructions with your purchase. Just picked up a pound a half a couple of months ago for my cabinet and the humidity has been perfect!

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There is a lot of information out there in this forum or you can check the website (http://www.hcmcigarbeads.com) or you can contact me via PM or email (info@hcmcigarbeads.com).

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I have been smoking cigars for a little over a year now. Typically 1 or 2 a month with the frequency increasing in the summer to about 1 a week. I have yet to taste a thing. I have tried retrohaling and still nothing. I must note that I have never, until recently let a cigar rest for more than two weeks after purchasing it online. I am wondering if anyone else has this issue, or is it something that can be learned? I want to enjoy the flavors and not just the art of smoking. I can tell that cigars differ from one another, but I certainly can't pick out any flavors. And I have had some pretty "premium" or well known brands.

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Wait they have flavors?

If you aren't smoking that often take it easy, it takes time for your pallet to adjust to the flavor profiles, sometimes if you hold the smoke in your mouth for a few seconds and exhale slowly it will help you pick up the taste notes.

What kind of sticks do you smoke, you might want to try something a bit more on the medium side or a nice maduro, something with a more pronounced flavors and a bit of punch to them.

It also depends on what you drink while you smoke, you might want to just try drinking water with a stick and see if that helps you pick up any of the subtle flavors, all in all give it time for your tastes to adjust.

I'm sure others can give better advice but that's my :2

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I had the same issue. Also happened with wine. What really helped in finding different flavors in wine was doing a wine tasting event where they went through the different flavors on the palate. I started picking up hints of flavors in wines afterwards. It still takes time and my palate picks up stuff differently from other folks. Reason why I bring this up is you can do the same with cigars.

To me at least, I pick up the essence of something, not really the fully flavor of it. Things that did help was to actually taste some of the things I was supposed to be picking up. Cocoa, holiday type of spice, pepper both black and white, etc. I mean really smell and taste them. Its a combo between the taste of the smoke on the tongue/palate and also through the nose. I had to learn how to take in the smoke just right. It took practice and I agree that maybe more than 1 a week might help you. I have smoked quite a few cigars with people who have never smoked before and can't remember a single one that could pick up a taste. I am sure it happens but not with me so far.

One thing I always do it make sure I take the time to smell the cigar pre-light to see what I can recognize; barnyard, cocoa, tobacco, cedar, sweetness, etc. Take my time to really enjoy the aroma's the cigar is making. This is part of the mystique and enjoyment to smoking cigars.

I have also found humidity plays a role in this and also what I am drinking at the time. Shoot, what I had for dinner can affect it too.

Anyway, you will get a lot of more educated answers than mine, just sharing the little things I have done.

-C

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Fancier label could make cigar taste better. it all depends.

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Only if you smoke the label.

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Agree. But make sure to use a wooden match. Lighter with a noxious gas affects the chemical taste to your cigar and affect the pleasure of your cigar-smoking experience. Butane is acceptable.

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The post you replied to is two and a half years old.

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Has anyone hear of the cigars Slober Knockers? Who makes them?

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RoMa Craft Tobac

http://romacrafttobac.com/cromagnon.html

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RoMa Craft Tobac, limited release from last year. :tu

From their blog: "The Slobberknocker, is a 7 ½ x 56 two-headed schizophrenic beast hybrid of the CroMagnon and Aquitaine blends. The filler contains a double-dose of ligero, which our most avid fans know is a characteristic of our Mandible vitola. For the binder, we use the thickest, gnarliest Ecuador Habano Ligero leaf from our Aquitaine wrapper-leaf inventory. For the wrapper, we use the highest grade US Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro from our CroMagnon wrapper-leaf inventory. Each cigar is hand bunched, pressed and rolled by a single master torcedor."

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Another newbie question. So how do I find a HERF in my area in East Texas around Livingston. There's so much to learn.

Mark-(P

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Keep and eye on the Texas Banter thread, seems like a lot of us Houston area people are commenting there about events. Get on the facebook pages/websites/twitter etc for local B&M's to know when they are having any kind of event. Keep an eye on the Herf section of the forums. Or start one yourself.

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Hey Guys a newbie humidor question here

In your opinions would I be better served to start out with a fridgador with shelves from chasidor right away or start out with a desk top model

I currently and using a tupperdor that is full and i am expecting a shipment on Mon

It seems that a decent wooden humidor is about the same price as a fridge without the shelves

I really like the chasidor shelves in the wine fridges

I would not be getting the shelves for a few months

Just looking for opinions

Thanks in advance

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Since you're in WI, heat is not a problem so why go with a wine fridge? And unless you want a piece of furniture, I would suggest a Coleman or Igloo cooler. Best bang for the buck for cigar storage. More money to spend filling it up!

:2

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I double his :2

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Chasidor disappeared from the forum quite some time ago. :sh

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Greg is correct. I keep my coolers in the basement and they stay perfect!

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As others have said: if aesthetics are not an issue, a cooler is the best way to go.

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What NCRadioMan said!!!!

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thanks all im trying to decide on function or form ideally you have both but they rarely coincide

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Eros,

I've been smoking for little over a year now and just started to make connections to the flavors my friends can list off after just a few puffs.. To me, it seems to be more about your connection to the taste you are experiencing and less about what people say it should taste like.
Just my newbie :2

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Anyone use a herf-a-dor for long term storage?

Is leaving them in the foam and a plastic container detrimental, although the humidity is constant at 65% ?
thanks

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Yes.
No.

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I would have to agree. I keep a medium sized Humidor on my desk and just purchased a new cooler to keep the extra's in since I have yet to figure out how to justify the cost of a tower to the wife.

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Yes meaning they work for awhile and then not a good thing for what reason?
I've had 40 in mine for 5 weeks and the cigars have greatly improved.
Thanks

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The one you enjoy smoking the most amigo! As of late "My Father Cigar" Flor de las Antillas has the crown from last year.

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Such a disappointing cigar :td

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What make a long resting cigar better?

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Well I believe resting is more of a period of letting the cigar sit, get to your preferred humidity. If it's a freshly rolled cigar or one bought and shipped, the purpose is to let them 'dry' a bit, some shippers are notorious for shipping very humid cigars so they hold up in transit. :2

I, like you will wait to see what other more informed people say.

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Thanks brother! :tu

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Some cigars "age" as they rest -- that is the flavor and character of the cigar may change. This can take years to happen.

This is supposed to be more true of CC's than NC's, but this, like most everything else related to cigars is more about personal tastes and personal choice than anything else.

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B&M etiquette question: I popped into Georgetown Tobacco down in DC over the weekend and picked up 2 sticks. I left not planning on smoking one right away but returned about 10 minutes later and asked if they had a cutter I could use. One of the guys grabbed a cutter and put his hand out for the cigar. I said I could snip it myself and did so. I didnt think anything of it until another worker said they are always happy to cut for me in what I took to be a somewhat snobby tone. Is it bad form to want to cut my own stick? The way the worker voiced himself just struck me as very odd.

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One concern is if you cut yourself using their cutter, you may go after them in court. So there is some liability issues. Some B&M's insist on cutting. If one of their employees cuts a finger off, it is handed differently. It could be they just really wanted you to know they are there for you. I wouldn't read too much into it if their other services are good.

But I prefer to cut mine too.

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because when we forget to laugh we are all in trouble....

"Francis Lighten up "

Ok So I won't ask my question .....

Rob ;s

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The personal injury factor does make sense Jeff, and I think I may be looking too far into it as well. I thought I would ask though. *cheers*

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Depends what you're looking for in a cigar. A lot of wine advocates used to drink the mature old wines, but recently have moved on to prefer the robust, full offerings of young wines.

So just keep on smoking and find out what you like...and maybe you'll get to the zen moment where you realize, just appreciate everything for what it is.

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Thanks brother!

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Rioja is usually pretty bomb with a nice robust cigar. Just a suggestion for you to try that pairing Outlaw.