What to smoke for graduation?
 

In November, I will be graduating culinary school with my degree in culinary arts. It's been a long, strange trip through the last 22 years, and I am happy that I've found something that not only am I successful with, but that truly makes me happy every day.
That said, what cigar should I smoke for celebration on the day of graduation? I posted this in the NC forum b/c I don't have much experience with CCs, but have nothing against them if there is a good recommendation.
Since November is a pretty good while away, I was hoping to get this cigar before too long and make sure it has plenty of time to rest before smoking it. Also, I don't mind dropping a little bit of coin for this special occasion, but no $80 stick recommendations please. So any good recommendations??
Thanks in advance.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I almost always recommend a Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro. These are the best, IMHO! Congrats!:tu

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Congratulations, chef!

What do you like? That is the key. I'm not a big Padron or Fuente fan. My :2
would be the Ashton Estate Sungrown. Or any cc Cohiba.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

my last special occasion smoke was a Padron 1926 80th maduro, it was pretty awesome

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I definately consider the God of Fire line to be "Celebratory Smokes" Maybe a nice Carlito? Try and grab one with some age? They are fantastic smokes that are mildly overpriced.

The other one that I just bought for a celebration that is coming soon (a ring involved :)) is the La Aurora Vintage Puro Sol Salomone... Try it!

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro, or Gurkha Black Dragon 7 inch

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

:tpd:

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

H. Upmann Sir Winston. :D

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Well for crying out loud Darrell....this is the non-cuban section! I would vote for a Mag 50 just because that is the latest cuban I'm in love with.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

First, congratulations! Good luck in your future endeavors.

Second, I would go with one of my personal favs (in this case, your personal favs), and carefully pair it with the mood and menu of the evening. There are lots of good cigars people can recommend, but they could overpower the celebration or be of a vitola that is not appropriate for the time available or mood of the room. Choosing one of your favorites will also assure that you like the selection.

Have a great time!

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I agree with going with something you know you like or at least a Marca you like. Maybe with a few years on it. My idea of a great cigar might not be yours.

With that said, what are a couple of your favorite Marca's both CC and NC?

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I just picked up some celevration sticks, I ended up getting a AF shark, Davidoff series R, Davidoff Millenium, And a Padron 1926. All of those came highly recommended to me from BOTL.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

+3 This cigar is the best one that I have ever smoked.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

About time!

If you meet up with me AND show me how to sharpen my knives correctly, I have something that might tickle your fancy.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

GOF or Davidoff Winston Churchill

Congrats on making through culinary school. You should prepare yourself to miss holidays, birthdays, anny's, nights, and weekends, and family, and friends. Find yourself the biggest toughest S.O.B. chef you can find because it will pay off in the end. And don't be that guy that shows up the first day after graduating and has chef written on his jacket. We destroyed that kid when he walked in :r. It's a long, tough, thankless road but if you can weather it will truly be a rewarding career. Good luck.

books to get Michel Bras, Thomas Keller, & *Culinary Artistry*(for flavor profiles)

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys
Hmmm.... Well I love the entire Padron line. I've had the Anniversary's and I wish I were rich enough to make them an everyday smoke. I've also enjoyed most Perdomo I've come across.
CC, I've only ever smoked a handful. I got bombed a few by Jbo and the Hillbilly Herf last year. I have little such little experience with them I'm not sure I could tell you what I like best.

:r:r You drive a hard bargain, Dan!

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Thanks! I staged for a couple months in a restaurant here. The Chef really kicked my ass, and I enjoyed it to be honest. I felt like it made me tougher, but it also made me feel like part of the team instead of an outsider stage. The one thing I learned is that when you're new in a kitchen, you best keep your head down, your mouth shut, and your ears open.
Thanks for the book recs! I've got TFL and Culinary Artistry (those profile pages are seriously awesome) but I'll have to pick up Bras.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I'm picking out a few for you already. What year were you born?

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Yup, that's one of the reasons I eventually left the business.

Hey, you passed FNG 101 already. :tu

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Now now, let's keep things peaceful. You don't want to start a war.
Best year ever baby, 1987. The year Reagan got prostate surgery. The year U2 released The Joshua Tree. The first appearance ever of the Simpsons cartoon. Some other crap happened in there too.
Yes a good year indeed.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Had to google FNG, but :r

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

The year some d00sh was born named Kevin Wilkinson....

No war, just a congrats cigar and thanks for learning me to sharpen things.

Any plans on where you might work?

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Dunno man. I've applied to a lot of places for my externship. Hopefully I get a great externship and can stay on board afterward. If I can only get a decent externship, then I'll prob try to stay in that job for at least 6+ months to get some more experience. I'd like to stay in Chicago/Minneapolis/DC/NYC/SanFran (or yountsvillle or healdsburg :D:D ). But honestly, this is my career, it's the rest of my life. I'm ready to get started and follow the path that life takes me on.


BTW stop calling me Kevin, Dane.:r

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Anyone needing an address for Kyle I have one that is valid through August.

PM me if interested.

:D

I do know that he is a single malt drinker. Just sayin.

87? Christ! Now I do feel old! Thanks buddy. :sad:

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

DUDE

:mad::mad:


Note to newbs: if you think you have friends on this site, you are bound to get backstabbed!


You can't be any older than my dad, who is an ancient 57. But man, you have a kid in college now. Gettin up there buddy :r


BTW, I'd give out your address but I'm pretty sure everyone knows it! I think it comes in the first PM new members get :r:r

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

With that statement alone you're more set-up to succeed then all the crap kids i get coming out of CIA, PICA, J&W, and Le Cordon Blew. (i spelled it that way on purpose)

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I'd have to agree with George, I have had a couple and they are exquisite - and they are only from 2008. I cannot imagine what these ould be like with some age.

Of course, as we are looking at NCs, I'd have to concur with the Padron '64 Maduros are about the tops, and the Exclusivo is (IMO) the best of them.

However, I am going to through out another that is simply exquisite, with some of the most incredible flavors (but less full-bodied). That is the Moore & Bode Flamboyan blend. If you can get some of these, you will not be disappointed - the Salvadore is great, and the Brass or Full Brass are simply incredible.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Technically, it's ALL Cigar Discussion.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

NC= Opus X power ranger...or Davidoff Grand Cru #2

CC=Partagas P2, Partagas 898v, Cohiba Lancero

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

ok Kev.....

......


chop me up some tiny square onions please.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Thanks for all the recs guys, I really appreciate them.
I'm actually an LCB student. To be entirely honest, my school is nothing more than a diploma factory, riding the reputation it built up before LCB bought it out. When I see the people that keep passing classes and see the food they produce and realize it's only b/c they pay their tuition bill monthly, I know it's pretty F'd up. But, like most things I try to realize that I'll only get out of it exactly what I put into it. I definitely don't think I'm going to go into a kitchen and be an exec. chef in 3 years, which is what a lot of my fellow students seem to think.
:r:r I can do that.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Conrgrats!!! Any of the Padron Annys will treat you well. :tu

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

My vote goes to PAMs as well. Excellent flavor, reasonably priced and widely available.

or see if you can track down an Opus X in the WTB forum. They're over-priced and even more over-hyped but still excellent smokes in my opinion.

but most importantly get something BIG like double corona and give yourself plenty of time to sit back and reflect on your accomplishment. :tu

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Something from the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos line

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

I don't really know where to post this or if I should, but I'm excited. I just got my externship at Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA. It's one of the nicest places in the country. I am SO f-ing excited. :dance::dance::wo

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Congrats!

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Congreats...great job!!!

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

:dance:Congrats Kyle!!!:dance:

Can't go wrong with PAM 64 or 26!!!:tu

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Nothing says success like an Opus X.

Re: What to smoke for graduation?
 

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the recs and congratulations.

It rhymes, too! :r