need some asvice for good yet inexpensive cigars

[dave]

I smoked more than a couple Quorums many, many years ago. I didn't hate them. BUT, until I did hate them I had almost no true appreciation for what I now appreciate. So anything better would have been wasted on me. I say go ahead and smoke the Quorums for now. Until you get the scratch and a mentor (could be guy at the B&M, could even be here, CA) to expand your sweet spot. Like many others, I spent years searching for the holy grail: the outstanding $2 cigar. I don't regret it at all. Learned a lot -- about cigars and about my evolving pallette. But, if I had it to do all over again....I'd have worked at appreciating finer cigars and skipped the crap. I have a couple cheapos that I still enjoy very much from time to time. (Won't help you much, however, because I've never seen them in B&M's - only online.)
But, I sure went through an awful lot of crap. Smoke what you enjoy and enjoy what you smoke. Read a lot and sit and talk (read listen) to BOTL in the shops and lounges.