Age & Experience

[RevSmoke]

I am one that has smoked fo 28+ years. I have seen some cigars come and some go. I have sometimes enjoyed my pipe more often than cigars, and so my humidor kept me happy for a while during that time, without having to visit a cigar shop or the internet. Then, a few year ago, I found cigar forums online, and I have noticed since finding them, a couple things that intrigue me.

I remember the 90s boom years, there were a number of brands that popped up, and then died soon thereafter. Some stayed for awhile and have flourished - Padron (wasn’t in the US market til ‘97), Perdomo (La Tradicion came out in’95), and La Flor Dominicana (‘94) to name just a few of the more successful ones. There are some others that are still around, they’ve weathered the storm, but not quite as successfully. For example Cupido was a great smoke came out and was and incredible smoke, rich, sweet, on the full side of medium - they’re sill around, but what happened to them. Then there are some that make you scratch your head, like Cremosa - introduced in ‘94 and for some unknown reason, still being produced. And then, there are those that have gone the way of the dodo.

What interests me is the variety of cigars out there, and the new faces in the cigar world that seem to have cropped up and are making themselves popular. Names that were unfamiliar to me before I found CA (and before it, CS), and seem to be the best of the best, make me curious about their pedigree and staying power.

What is more, I am curious who is smoking them? Are they long-time smokers, seasoned smoker, or neophytes.

So, I’ve organized a poll to see how long people have been smoking. And I’m taking a straw poll in the thread - what are you 5 favorite brands. If you want to mention in the thread how long you’ve been smoking, that would be nice. Curious what the old-timers versus the relative newbies are smoking. Are we in the midst of a new boom, with some names that will fade like the wind? Or are some of the new names here to stay?

I ask, because I was seriously out of the cigar loop from mid-2000 until 2007, I smoked almost exclusively, my pipes. I had enough cigars that I hadn’t bought any from 1999 till 2007. (I think being a reviewer for SMOKE magazine for most of 1999 may have burned me out for a while.) And then moving to Embarrass, Wisconsin - with no B&M to hang out at, I had no place I wanted to smoke, and nobody to smoke with. I even traded cigars for some quality pipes. There were months I’d go without a cigar, and other times, I was smoking only about 2 cigar every month. A box can go a whole year at that rate. So, basically out of the cigar loop for those few years, I come back and there are some names that seem to dominate that I didn’t know.

Rocky Patel came on scene in the 90s, but with Indian Tabac - since then he’s done his own lines and is still going strong. Jose Garcia didn’t come on the scene domestically until 200?? Ernesto Padilla went into cigars with Perdomo, and didn’t get his own company going until 2003? Pete Johnson is also immensely popular on CA, but he also is a relative newbie to the cigar scene.

My 5 favorites:
Moore & Bode Flamboyan
Padron (PAM 64s & X000s)
Oliva V
Taboo HSGs
Punch (Rothschilds)

What is interesting with my list is that 2 of the 5 I discovered after the boom, 2 during the boom, and 1 I have smoked for 28 years. What is interesting is that I used to smoke almost exclusively; AF Chateaus ($15 a box) and AF ($18 a box) & Punch Rothschilds ($40 a box). When I had some extra $$, I’d pop for a box of AF Hemi Short Stories ($60 a box). Notice what cigars are not on my list anymore?

How long have you been smoking?
What are your 5 favorites?

[Mugen910]

My top 5:
Davidoff
Trinidad
Cohiba
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero series
Padron Anniversary Series

About 6 months ago the bottom two NCs would have been in #2 and #3 followed by L' Aroma De Cuba and Tats.

[RevSmoke]

Just thought of this. The boom was really fading fast by 1999, so if someone didn't smoke over 15 years - they almost wouldn't know and certainly wouldn't remember - AFs for the prices I mentioned.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Just thought of this. The boom was really fading fast by 1999, so if someone didn't smoke over 15 years - they almost wouldn't know and certainly wouldn't remember - AFs for the prices I mentioned.

Ha, I was going to say "Where can I get AFs for that price??!"

Top 5:
Padron (any and all)
Perdomo
Tatuaje
...I cant think of anymore...

I dont have a Top CC list becuase I 've only had a few, but I'm a fan of Partagas.

Been smoking for 1-2 years.

[Lucky_Hippo]

I've been a cigar smoker for just over 14 years. I was pretty serious about it for the first 3 or 4 years, and after a few years of just smoking occasionally I really got back into it about 4 years ago or so. I worked close to my local B&M so I was still there 4 or 5 times a week, I just did a lot more hanging out than smoking.

The first go around I was really into:

A. Fuente (smoked a lot of 8-5-8's)
Macanudo portofinos (from Jamaica)
and
Ashton (when you could easily find VSG's by the box)

The second go around I've really been into:

DPG
Rocky Patel
Pete Johnson
and
Ashton

For some reason A. Fuente, who I almost smoked exclusively before, has fallen off my radar. Even the Hemmingway stuff just doesn't hold my attention like it used to.

**Remeber Lone Wolf cigars, a Belushi and Chuck Norris collaborative? With all the differnt flavors I tend to remember them as the Acid cigars of the 90s.

Not my cup of tea at all, but what a unique pairing in the cigar world.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Lucky_Hippo

For some reason A. Fuente, who I almost smoked exclusively before, has fallen off my radar. Even the Hemmingway stuff just doesn't hold my attention like it used to.

**Remeber Lone Wolf cigars, a Belushi and Chuck Norris collaborative? With all the differnt flavors I tend to remember them as the Acid cigars of the 90s.

Not my cup of tea at all, but what a unique pairing in the cigar world.

Actually, the Belushi & Norris cigars weren't flavored. That was Lars Teten - and they are still available, only very much limited.

I know what you mean about the AFs. They used to be exquisite. But, during the boom, something happened. Their best were the Hemis. I don't know if it was the addition of the DC and Opus line, but something happened to the flavor, body, strength of their other lines, including the Hemis. I enjoy an occasional SS, but they are not the same. And the Chateaus and the Rothschilds that were my staple, I visit only rarely - though I do have some Chateau SGs that are better. The few Opus I have had, have failed to really "WOW" me. Considering their price tag, I'd expect something spectacular. I must say that one I had was incredible - very, very nice. The other 2 though have left me sorely wanting. When they came out in the 90s, I had a few, but remember construction & burn issues - flavors were decent, but I had Hemi SSs in my humidor that made me happier.

I don't know if I am unusual in that regard, or if others have also noticed the diminished satisfaction that is received from Fuentes in general. It might be that my tastes have changed and I like fuller-bodied cigars. Who knows.

[e-man67]

age 36 been smoking cigars since 93...

It all started with a trip to Windsor, CA...Bought various Partegas, Punch, and a Jose Piedra...started hitting the local shops after:

Top 5 all time favorite NC:
1). El Sublimado (not made anymore)
2). Ashton VSG
3). Monte Cristo Platinums (love whites too)
4). Casa Magna (new and I love them)
5). tie Partegas Black label, Punch Rare Corojo

*I tend to stick with what I like and not venture much...I am exploring more...recently with pepin's stuff which so far I am enjoying. Fuente's with the exception of the Anejo, need more aging IMO...especially the Opus. I do love them when they are right.

Top 5 CC's:
1) Monte Cristo torpedos
2) Various Cohibas Siglos (non cubans are blah)
3) Hoyo's
4) Ramon Allones
5) Romeo J's

[Seanohue]

Started July 4 when I was 17, so it'll be 3 years this July. My favorites marcas are:

H. Uppman
Cohiba
Partagas
Por Larranaga
SCdLH

[BORIStheBLADE]

I've been smoking for three years. I didn't hit it hard till about late last year.

My Fav CC so far..

Montecristo
Bolivar
Cohiba
Hoyo de Monterrey
Ramón Allones


My fav NC

Don Pepin
Olivia
Cruzado
Ashton

[stitch]

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!

[croatan]

13 strong years for me so far.

Top five marcas would probably be:
Partagas
Bolivar
SLR
Punch
Sanch Panza

I don't own or smoke many non-Cubans (probably 1% ish), but a few that I've smoked and enjoyed recently:
Oliva Serie V Lancero
Tatuaje Noella
Most Tabacalera Tropical stuff

I smoked a whole lot of Fuentes in the 90s. Now, I might have one a year.

[marge796]

I started with cigars in the spring of 2000, a good friend said, try one of these and here I am. I have evolved like many others. I smoked a number of different cigars until I developed a cigar savvy palate and acquired a little education from my local B&Ms and networking on sites like this one. Here's what I like to keep on hand in no particle order.

La Arome De Cuba
Perdomo
Rocky Patel
Gispert
Astral
AF
Diamond Crown Maximus
Gurkha
CCs when I can come across them

As you all know there are many variations to my above list and I have tried to smoke as many as I can. I also prefer the larger sized cigar like a Belicoso & Churchill. Well that’s my story and I’m sticking too it.

Chris

[icantbejon]

I would say I've only been smoking seriously for two years or so. Before that, I would smoke a cigar at a BBQ or whatever. Nothing major.

As far as favorites go,
1. CAO MX2 (this is old faithful so it remains #1 despite better cigars available)
2. Cohiba Siglo IV (I've only smoked 08's)
3. RP Fusion MM
4. Oliva V (recent addition)
5. AF Shark (only had a couple, but they have blown me away every time)

[TheLostGringo]

Nice post thanks for sharing. I have been smoking about 20 years myself but truthfully over the past 6-7 years smoke almost exclusively Cuban Cigars.

Now and then I do enjoy a Tatuaje which obviously is a relatively new cigar.

[tsolomon]

Smoking for 1 1/2 years.

Top 5 NCs
Tatuaje Browns
La Riqueza
Illusione
Padron 64 & x000 Maduros
Oliva V

[elderboy02]

In May, it will be 1 year I have been smoking cigars.

My favorites are:
Don Pepin Garcia
Illusione
Padron
Oliva
601

[thebiglebowski]

great post. very thoughtful. i'm gonna bump your ring gau... er. nevermind.

i fall in the 10-20 year category myself. sounds like you're kind've directing this thread towards NC cigars. i enjoy both, but mostly CCs. here are the NC brands i enjoy, off and on:

LFD (i like most of what Litto produces)
JdN
Tatuaje (i'm kind've new to this brand, but really like the brown labels)
and Gurkhas



































BWAH-HAHAHAHAHAHA!

joking on that last one....

[Texan in Mexico]

I have been smoking for about 15 years where I would smoke a couple a month and then I found Louie and the good folks that are now here!

Dom H. Upmann was my favroite and then I gradually went through the Rockies, Pepins and some of the other favourites.

Nowadays I guess I focus on Padron, Taboo, CC LGC, CC Parties and I got the CC Custom bug recently.

I would be interested to see if we could do a cross analysis based on years of experience you set up.

I bet I know the answer but would be cool to see if we could get 500 answers here and do a real analysis.

Shoot me a PM if you'd like some help organizing data and we could present it to the peanut gallery!

Travis

I've been smoking premium cigars since I turned 18 in 1998 (and crappy machine mades before that). I really got into cigars when I met my wife in 2001. Her father got me my first humidor. I was in college then so I didn't have many cigars and eventually I let my humidor empty and put it away for awhile. I took a little hiatus from having my own and smoking regularly from 04-07. I started back again when I bought some Cohibas in Italy. I reseasoned my humidor and it's been full ever since.

Top 5
DPG (blue/black)
JdN Antano
Fuente
Padron
LFD

I'm sure Tatuaje and Illusione would be in there too but I've only had two Tats and 5 Illusione.

Lately I've been getting into CCs and have noticed my NCs aren't as appealing. Although I had a Davidoff millenium lancero that was frickin awesome.

marcus

[colimo]

I have been smoking a pipe for over 35 years, (took it up my junior year abroad in college when i was in england, along with such other vices as Guinness and Single Malts)...took up cigars in about 01 when i went to a single malt and cigar tasting sponsored by my pipe tobacco shop....my initial favorites were the la gloria cubana series R # 5...although i have recently moved away from that to the SLR serie G at about $2 less per stick...while i enjoy more expensive cigars such as opus X and padron's, they are at a price point where it is a rare luxury. just within the last 2 weeks i have smoked 2 tatuaje's and was very impressed, as well as olivas

i have only recently(last 4 years) discovered the world of cubans. my first one was given to me by a client, and i wish i would have thought then to save the band....almost got high just sniffing it on the way home...

then i married my wife and took numerous trips to her hometown in Canada and found a shop that sold cubans so tried a few...found i liked Cuaba and only recently have smoked a couple cubans gifted from the FRherfs

so i guess my favs would be as follows (in no particular order)
NC:
SLR SERIES G
OLIVA V
AF ANEJO
CAO
LA GLORIA SERIE R

CC:
CUABA
PATAGAS SERIE D
VEGUEROS

I tend to prefer larger ring gauge 50+ i.e. toro, topedo, belicoso...

interesting thread to read