Cigars GQ... (beginner)

Factual Questions
1

I think this in the realm of GQ…

Short version: give me my GQ-ish references to cigar afficionado websites.

Long version: When I stopped being addicted to cigarettes, at one point at a party involving things like Jameson (sp?) Scotch and Three Generations tequila (both good, and I’m not a Scotch drinker), someone offered me a cigar. And it was good. I’d tried cigars in the past (as a cigarette smoker) and was always sorely disappointed. But this thing (I don’t remember what it was) kind of got me intrigued – not hooked, but intrigued.

So I’ve been randomy sampling cigars since then, with no methodolgy or grand plan, and have been pleased and disappointed. Frankly, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. Google only results in sites that sell cigars, so that’s not very educational or very helpful.

This post was actually precipated by my having just smoked a wonderful Montecristo Robusto. So if I’m ignorant, go ahead and laugh; otherwise, it was a cigar that I truly, truly enjoyed. The problem is, I don’t know what I enjoyed it. It was especially notable compared to some other recent cigars, and I can’t remember their names because they weren’t all that memorable.

Mods: aside from the fact I’m asking for factual information, it may be that I’m delving into a type of IMHO territory; I won’t be mad if you move this post!

I don’t want to get into some big thing whereby I have to buy a humidor to maintain a prized collection. I want to be able to go into the corner liquor store (that’s an understatement; it’s really quite stocked and has a walk-in humidor if that means anything [does it??]) or to the upscale-ish grocery store (where I procured this excellent Montecristo) and buy something between $5 and $15 bucks that I enjoy just as much or better than the aforementioned cigar. Sure, I think I could be happy with the Montecristo forever, but now that I’ve been exposed to this fantastic world of cigars, I want – no, need! – to be better educated* about them.

*Yeah, cancer, emphasyma, high-blood pressure, blah-blah blah, c’mon, I quit smoking a pack per day – a cigar per week is surely an improvement.

2

Of course, the whole point of my OP is, why I enjoyed it. Is there some type of quanitification that will help me determine why I enjoyed it, and increase my luck in finding other such exquisite pleasures?

3

OK OK but refrain from inhaling if you can.

Find a well stocked shop, staffed with aforesaid afficionado types, that deals exclusively (or principally) in fine cigars.

Would you buy a fine diamond broach for your wife online or see & feel it yourself?
Or buy something out of the ordinary for yourself sight unseen? :wink:

4

[pedantic nitpick]Jameson is Irish whiskey, not Scotch.[/pedantic nitpick].

On the topic of cigars, I know absolutely nothing, so we now return you to your regularly scheduled [del]carcenogen[/del] cigar discussion.

Stranger

5

While it is a commercial site, and has an interest in selling product, JR Cigars has an informative “Cigar University” section which may answer many of your questions.

Having worked in a cigar store for two years (many moons ago), something I learned is, well, everyone has their own taste. Some folks really like mild cigars. My opinion is, if you like a real mild cigar, breath plain old air. I personally like strong cigars, but some of them are harsh, and some are quite smooth. My personal favorite brand is Hoyo De Monterrey Excaliburs, which would probably be too strong for you if you like Montecristos.

I understand you don’t want to get into humidors, etc. (actually, any airtight container will serve as a humidor, but a cigar box in a ziplock bag might not look too impressive sitting on your desk), but purchasing cigars by the box is much more economical than buying them individually. On the other hand, if you only smoke one per week, they last ones in the box could be stale by the time you get to them.