What was the cigar that started it all for you?

DonniePaul · 09-14-2009, 06:39 PM

What was the smoke that gave you “the fever”?

My Story goes like this. I had smoked a few “gas station cigars” in my younger days but what really got me into cigars can be traced to one night in the Dominican. My wife and I were on our honeymoon and had met another couple from the same state, married at the same time, on the same day. So this couple and my wife and I ended up hanging out all week. The resort was all inclusive so we had free food, free drinks, good company AND the gift shop sold a variety of good cigars including genuine Cuban Cohibas and a slew of Dominican brands. My new buddy is a big cigar smoker and we tried to smoke at least one cigar a day during our rigorous schedule of relaxing with the wives. One night after dinner the girls went off to do their thing and I found myself at the bar with my new buddy. We lit up a couple of Cohibas and damn they were good! We sat and smoked and drank and talked about life and the world in general. It was an experience where the world seemed to slow down. Within a month I had my 200 capacity humidor and I have been doing my best to fill it with a wide Varity of tasty treats since then. I already need more storage.

The whole experience was awesome but specifically that one night and a real Cuban Cohiba was what got me into smoking cigars. .

So my question/topic is what was the cigar that turned you on to smoking cigars seriously? Which stick got you started?

Giant & 49er Fan · 09-14-2009, 06:46 PM

My first cigar was an Acid Kuba Kuba. I enjoyed them for a while and then began to get head aches from the aroma. I didn't truly fall in love with the traditional cigar until I smoked an RP OWR Maduro. Rich, cocoa, great draw and soooo smooth.

My first favorite cigar ever and before I worked for the brand too. I picked this cigar up at an old B&M not around anymore called, Famous Smoke in Clearwater, FL. I was amazed by the flavor and compexity a cigar could have. It's been downhill fast ever since. Thanks for the thread!

marge796 · 09-14-2009, 06:50 PM

I can't remember the name of the cigar but, I do remember it wasn't very good.

Chris.....

kelmac07 · 09-14-2009, 06:50 PM

My first was an Acid as well...the Blondie. Went on a binge of buying all kinds of flavored sticks. Then Johnnykay5 gave me a Davidoff #2 and it was over. Sampled a bit of everything over the next few months. And then again Johnnykay5 turned me onto maduros and it is over for good this time. My name is Michael and I am a full fledged maduro whore.

longknocker · 11-09-2009, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmac07

My first was an Acid as well...the Blondie. Went on a binge of buying all kinds of flavored sticks. Then Johnnykay5 gave me a Davidoff #2 and it was over. Sampled a bit of everything over the next few months. And then again Johnnykay5 turned me onto maduros and it is over for good this time. My name is Michael and I am a full fledged maduro whore.

DejaVu, Mac!

Except My First "Special Smoke" Was a Davidoff Special R. I Can Still Taste It In My Memories! After Don Fernando's Problems With Davidoff, Though, I'll Probably Never Smoke Another!

I'll Also Agree With You On The Maduro Whore Part!

11-09-2009, 05:24 AM

Monte #4. I was given one by a friend on a couple of occasions. Then when he quit he gifted me 10-12 of the ones he had left.

Haven't had one in a while but it will always have a special place in my heart.

vankleekkw · 09-14-2009, 06:53 PM

Gas station is how I got started, but Fuente Gran Reserve is where I fell into a deep dark hole.

Scothew · 09-14-2009, 06:55 PM

Ashton VSG courtesy of Poe and GoldnGT. I was a noob and never smoked anything before so I ended up leaving the last 1/4 of it or so to die..... never again my ashton VSG friend!

Smokin Gator · 09-14-2009, 06:56 PM

I guess the one that hooked me was a Fuente 898. The first CC was a Monte #4.

BlackDog · 09-14-2009, 06:58 PM

Back in my post college days (early 80's) when a friend and I got together we'd smoke AF 858's. We didn't know anything about cigars, just that the guy at Tinderbox said they were good and we liked them.

If we had no money we smoked Marsh Wheelings, which I think are made from sweepings of a dairy barn.

Emjaysmash · 09-14-2009, 07:03 PM

Gas station cigars until the day I turned 18 (I know, naughty boy!) and bought a Sancho Panza Double Maduro Quixote.

Chemyst · 09-14-2009, 07:13 PM

The Pro Shop at a charity golf tournament had a small display humi
with RyJ Reserva Real and Hdm Excalibur in it. On a whim, my brother
and I bought one and smoked them during the round. I kept playing
with the smoke in my mouth and got a texture of cream, which I've
been looking for ever since. IIRC, I had an RyJ. That was over 3 yrs.
ago. Now I have 600-700 smokes, a Vinotemp, some new friends,
and a relaxing hobby.

Chemyst

Puro Smoker · 09-14-2009, 07:16 PM

Mine was a Macanudo Duke of Windsor. I was living in Arizona at the time. I had had a couple of other cigars and the suggestions of the guys that worked at the store where I had made my purchases.

My grandfather always smoked Antonio & Cleopatras but I knew better than to smoke those nasty smelling green sticks!

No offense to those that like them, just not for me. Plus my grandfather usually chewed 75% of it before he lit it.

The guy at the store recommended the DoW to me, so I bought it. It was toasty and wonderful. It had a great finish to it and it was a truly a remarkable smoke. I was hooked from that moment forward.

DonniePaul · 09-14-2009, 07:20 PM

Awesome! I love hearing these stories.

Keep 'em coming!!!

kenstogie · 09-14-2009, 07:35 PM

I always had cigars but the first one that had actual flavor was an Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Natural. I still smoke them and they are still good IMHO. As I recall the next one was the Torano Signature. Which I would still smoke today too.

pinotguy · 09-14-2009, 07:45 PM

The first cigar that really made an impression on me was the Avo XO Maestoso back in 1996. Took a long time off but the cigar that recently got me back on board was the Cruzado Marelas.

(Bottom line - I shouldn't have stayed away for so long.)

Texan in Mexico · 09-14-2009, 08:07 PM

Cool thread - basic same story as the others.

The "moment" for me came at the Texas Aggie Bonfire in '95. A couple buddies came up from Houston and brought some H. Upmanns.

Two of them got sick as dogs but I was really enjoying it - the start of a very long slide which has brought here today to learn and share from all of you!

Kreth · 09-14-2009, 08:10 PM

I started out with an Onyx Reserve ($10/ea. at my local B&M pre-SCHIP). Luckily, I found this place and the BOTLs here turned me on to places like CI and Famous, or this could have been a *very* expensive hobby.

Posted via Mobile Device

roughrider · 09-14-2009, 09:36 PM

The cigar I recall trying first was the Famous Private Selection Presidente back in high school. Me and a buddy ordered a box our senior year. Don't remember much about the cigar, but I do remember the good times.

Eleven · 09-14-2009, 09:47 PM

This one, and its all my Son's fault:

09-14-2009, 06:39 PM	#1
DonniePaul It's Cigar O' Clock! Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Don Location: North Haven CT Posts: 253 Trading: (4)	What was the cigar that started it all for you? What was the smoke that gave you “the fever”? My Story goes like this. I had smoked a few “gas station cigars” in my younger days but what really got me into cigars can be traced to one night in the Dominican. My wife and I were on our honeymoon and had met another couple from the same state, married at the same time, on the same day. So this couple and my wife and I ended up hanging out all week. The resort was all inclusive so we had free food, free drinks, good company AND the gift shop sold a variety of good cigars including genuine Cuban Cohibas and a slew of Dominican brands. My new buddy is a big cigar smoker and we tried to smoke at least one cigar a day during our rigorous schedule of relaxing with the wives. One night after dinner the girls went off to do their thing and I found myself at the bar with my new buddy. We lit up a couple of Cohibas and damn they were good! We sat and smoked and drank and talked about life and the world in general. It was an experience where the world seemed to slow down. Within a month I had my 200 capacity humidor and I have been doing my best to fill it with a wide Varity of tasty treats since then. I already need more storage. The whole experience was awesome but specifically that one night and a real Cuban Cohiba was what got me into smoking cigars. . So my question/topic is what was the cigar that turned you on to smoking cigars seriously? Which stick got you started? __________________ You don't make salad with a chainsaw

09-14-2009, 06:50 PM	#3
marge796 It Just Doesn’t Matter!!! Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Chris Location: Topeka KS Posts: 1,624 Trading: (28)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you I can't remember the name of the cigar but, I do remember it wasn't very good. Chris..... __________________ “Don’t talk to me about naval tradition. It’s nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” -Sir Winston Churchill

11-09-2009, 05:24 AM	#6
kayaker Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Monte #4. I was given one by a friend on a couple of occasions. Then when he quit he gifted me 10-12 of the ones he had left. Haven't had one in a while but it will always have a special place in my heart.

09-14-2009, 06:53 PM	#7
vankleekkw Still Watching My Back Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Kris Location: Round Lake, IL Posts: 136 Trading: (3)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Gas station is how I got started, but Fuente Gran Reserve is where I fell into a deep dark hole.

09-14-2009, 06:55 PM	#8
Scothew CA Scott #2658 Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Scott Location: AL Posts: 580 Trading: (5)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Ashton VSG courtesy of Poe and GoldnGT. I was a noob and never smoked anything before so I ended up leaving the last 1/4 of it or so to die..... never again my ashton VSG friend!

09-14-2009, 06:46 PM	#2
Giant & 49er Fan Formerly known as RPguy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Jaime Location: McCovey Cove! Posts: 1,318 Trading: (35)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you My first cigar was an Acid Kuba Kuba. I enjoyed them for a while and then began to get head aches from the aroma. I didn't truly fall in love with the traditional cigar until I smoked an RP OWR Maduro. Rich, cocoa, great draw and soooo smooth. My first favorite cigar ever and before I worked for the brand too. I picked this cigar up at an old B&M not around anymore called, Famous Smoke in Clearwater, FL. I was amazed by the flavor and compexity a cigar could have. It's been downhill fast ever since. Thanks for the thread! __________________ "This cigar tastes like the weekend!" - JBoogie

09-14-2009, 06:50 PM	#4
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you My first was an Acid as well...the Blondie. Went on a binge of buying all kinds of flavored sticks. Then Johnnykay5 gave me a Davidoff #2 and it was over. Sampled a bit of everything over the next few months. And then again Johnnykay5 turned me onto maduros and it is over for good this time. My name is Michael and I am a full fledged maduro whore. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

09-14-2009, 06:56 PM	#9
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you I guess the one that hooked me was a Fuente 898. The first CC was a Monte #4. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

09-14-2009, 06:58 PM	#10
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Back in my post college days (early 80's) when a friend and I got together we'd smoke AF 858's. We didn't know anything about cigars, just that the guy at Tinderbox said they were good and we liked them. If we had no money we smoked Marsh Wheelings, which I think are made from sweepings of a dairy barn. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

09-14-2009, 07:03 PM	#11
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Gas station cigars until the day I turned 18 (I know, naughty boy!) and bought a Sancho Panza Double Maduro Quixote. __________________

09-14-2009, 07:13 PM	#12
Chemyst Doin Time on Planet Earth Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Ken Location: So. Jersey Posts: 392 Trading: (7)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you The Pro Shop at a charity golf tournament had a small display humi with RyJ Reserva Real and Hdm Excalibur in it. On a whim, my brother and I bought one and smoked them during the round. I kept playing with the smoke in my mouth and got a texture of cream, which I've been looking for ever since. IIRC, I had an RyJ. That was over 3 yrs. ago. Now I have 600-700 smokes, a Vinotemp, some new friends, and a relaxing hobby. Chemyst

09-14-2009, 07:16 PM	#13
Puro Smoker Hey! Nice Wrapper! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Trading: (0)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Mine was a Macanudo Duke of Windsor. I was living in Arizona at the time. I had had a couple of other cigars and the suggestions of the guys that worked at the store where I had made my purchases. My grandfather always smoked Antonio & Cleopatras but I knew better than to smoke those nasty smelling green sticks! No offense to those that like them, just not for me. Plus my grandfather usually chewed 75% of it before he lit it. The guy at the store recommended the DoW to me, so I bought it. It was toasty and wonderful. It had a great finish to it and it was a truly a remarkable smoke. I was hooked from that moment forward.

09-14-2009, 07:20 PM	#14
DonniePaul It's Cigar O' Clock! Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Don Location: North Haven CT Posts: 253 Trading: (4)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Awesome! I love hearing these stories. Keep 'em coming!!! __________________ You don't make salad with a chainsaw

09-14-2009, 07:35 PM	#15
kenstogie following the whiterabbit Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,325 Trading: (3)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you I always had cigars but the first one that had actual flavor was an Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Natural. I still smoke them and they are still good IMHO. As I recall the next one was the Torano Signature. Which I would still smoke today too. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

09-14-2009, 07:45 PM	#16
pinotguy Still Watching My Back Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 200 Trading: (13)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you The first cigar that really made an impression on me was the Avo XO Maestoso back in 1996. Took a long time off but the cigar that recently got me back on board was the Cruzado Marelas. (Bottom line - I shouldn't have stayed away for so long.)

09-14-2009, 08:07 PM	#17
Texan in Mexico Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Travis Location: Puerto Morelos, Mexico Posts: 958 Trading: (0)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you Cool thread - basic same story as the others. The "moment" for me came at the Texas Aggie Bonfire in '95. A couple buddies came up from Houston and brought some H. Upmanns. Two of them got sick as dogs but I was really enjoying it - the start of a very long slide which has brought here today to learn and share from all of you!

09-14-2009, 08:10 PM	#18
Kreth Ronin smoker Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Oneonta, NY Posts: 3,620 Trading: (14)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you I started out with an Onyx Reserve ($10/ea. at my local B&M pre-SCHIP). Luckily, I found this place and the BOTLs here turned me on to places like CI and Famous, or this could have been a very expensive hobby. Posted via Mobile Device

09-14-2009, 09:36 PM	#19
roughrider Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 835 Trading: (24)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you The cigar I recall trying first was the Famous Private Selection Presidente back in high school. Me and a buddy ordered a box our senior year. Don't remember much about the cigar, but I do remember the good times.

09-14-2009, 09:47 PM	#20
Eleven Solid As The Sun Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Scott Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,859 Trading: (23)	Re: What was the cigar that started it all for you This one, and its all my Son's fault: __________________ CA: putting the 'man' in bromance since 2008! --markem.