Any cigar smokers?

I've recently started smoking cigars. I finally found something I enjoy and brings me into a calm state of mind. Nothing more empowering than burning a stick of tobacco that was hand rolled by someone in another country, and has had so many people involved in its process of becoming a finished product.

So, what's your favorite smoke? All I've been smoking are Arturo Fuente Curly Heads. They've been nice and consistent. I'm looking for something a little fuller. I want opinions from my fellow GRM smokers.

non-smoker myself, but I love the smell of cherry pipe tobacco

I like a Macanudo once in a while, a whole real sized cigar makes me dizzy. My kid shoots me a Cuban once in a while. Good cigars but the smell stays with you much longer, sticks to your breath and clothes.

A friend and cigar smoker told me that if you get a pain or burn in your chest you have chosen the srong cigar.

Dan

I caution in my response because i am not trying to encourage but....
It is hard to go wrong with a Macanudo Portifino. They are not a harsh cigar. Mellow and often thought of a cigar that is pleseant.

VanillaSky wrote: I've recently started smoking cigars.

I have to wonder why you actively decided to take up a "habit" that you know kills people and reduces the quality of life, not to mentions the cost?

I would guess because of this statement:

I finally found something I enjoy and brings me into a calm state of mind.

Which I can agree with. I will have a cigar every now and then; maybe one every two months. I do not feel compelled to have any more tobacco/nicotine shortly afterwards, either. Perhaps my pint-a-day (of coffee) fills that niche.

carguy123 wrote:

VanillaSky wrote: I've recently started smoking cigars.

I have to wonder why you actively decided to take up a "habit" that you know kills people and reduces the quality of life, not to mentions the cost?

You know, the same thing can be said about playing with cars, from the chemicals we use to those nasty crashes. I think in life you always have to look at some kind of risk-reward ratio. I think there's also difference between the occasional cigar vs. two packs of smokes per day.

Disclaimer: My dad enjoys a good cigar. Personally, I don't smoke and can't stand cigarette smoke.

There's a difference between taking a risk on a car and known problem associated with tobacco.

Odd as it may sound alcohol is better for you than any tobacco product and it to can get you to that zen like relaxed state quickly.

I have yet to smell a cigar that I could stand, but cherry pipe tobacco smells fabulous!

Yeah, I'm used to getting crap about starting smoking. I feel that I don't smoke often enough to do any significant long-term damage. A cigar every couple of weeks is not a pack of cigs a day.

I have also considered trying a pipe. I do love the cherry tobacco that my neighbor smokes. His entire house, workshop, truck, everything has that sweet smell. I love it. I once found incense that had the same aroma and started burning it. I can't find that incense anymore, though.

On the topic of risks, I also want to get another BMX bike and start riding BMX again. Seems like broken bones are the norm among BMX riders. I've been lucky in my crashes in my youth. I just don't feel alive without risking something.

BMX is totally dangerous. I broke my wrist--didn't quite clear those doubles.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

MTB is, too. That's what I got into after BMX. None of my friends ride MTB anymore, they picked up BMX again.

I prefer the maduro variety of cigars, I don't have a particular brand that I smoke, I like to sample different brands.

I usually prefer a pipe though. I have a cheap $35 one and it smokes very nicely. It is also much cheaper than cigars as well since you can get an ounce for $4-5 and it will last for about 10-15 bowls.

VanillaSky wrote: Yeah, I'm used to getting crap about starting smoking. I feel that I don't smoke often enough to do any significant long-term damage. A cigar every couple of weeks is not a pack of cigs a day.

So what's significant long-term damage? Many things aren't significant until they are happening to you.

The truth is that you don't have to do any long term damage at all. This is one of those things that is totally under your control, not like a broken wrist doing BMX or a car crash.

If you get a pain in your chest, you're doing it wrong. You're not supposed to inhale a cigar.

Cherry pipe tobacco only -smells- like cherries. Personally, I smoke aromatics when there are other people around but for myself I prefer oriental or english pipe tobacco. Most people who don't smoke a pipe find the smell of english blends unpleasant.

Smoking a cigar or pipe is something totally different than being addicted to cigarettes. You smoke cigarettes because you NEED to. You smoke a pipe beacuse you want to.

Personally, I don't think a pipe once a week or so will kill me any more than that car coming at me on the morning commute. Everything in moderation I say.

Shawn

Think of it like drinking which also has the potential to kill people and reduce your quality of life (you're drinking a solvent fer chrissakes) I drink but I'm not a drunk. Get it?

Shawn

I picked up a nice pipe (note, a decent entry pipe is $60-$100). Having enjoyed cigars on occasion in the past, I much prefer the pipe. Initial buy in is more, but having the tobacco cheaper really pays off.

I can try different tobaccos, and if I decide I don't like one, I'm only out $5.

More importantly, I just can't finish off a whole cigar, so they go to waste, or leave me really jittery. Saving cigars for later ruins the taste. With a pipe, I can smoke exactly as much as I want to, and if there's still unburned tobacco left in the bowl, I'm not throwing away much money.

Plus, I like the character of a pipe more than a cigar. Makes me think of wise old men and studies rather than politicians and actors. Smoking a pipe while reading The Hobbit is too much fun. Also, aromatic (sweet) pipe tobacco pairs really well with Belgian beer.

A pipe relaxes me more than a cigar, too, since there's more ceremony in prepping it. Not to mention the girlfriend likes the smell.

I figure I'm a lot more likely to get cancer from inhaling noxious car fumes, or standing out in parking lots for hours on end than I am from smoking a couple of pipes each month.

carguy123 wrote:

VanillaSky wrote: I've recently started smoking cigars.

I have to wonder why you actively decided to take up a "habit" that you know kills people and reduces the quality of life, not to mentions the cost?

... and sex is bad for your knees.

Risk/benefit. Easy.

Holt's Take a look

In addition to Arturo Fuente's, I like Ashton's, Sosa's (pyramid #2's), and Padron's.

For me, it's a vacation habit. I enjoy them with a good book and a fine adult beverage. Old Fashion's have been the drink of choice lately.

In my town I can't seem to find a bartender who knows how to make an old fashioned. They all need to look it up.

Nothing beats a bowl of A&C Petersens Caledonian No.466 and a class of Glenfiddich.

Shawn

I smoke maybe 6 a year or so, my wife HATES the smell. I like Fuente's but part of the fun for me is trying bifferent kinds, like beer.

Acid "kuba kuba" or a La Aurora 1495 series are the ones i like the most.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway. Signature Dominican Maduro.

$20 for a 6x47 and its worth every penny.