like beers, cigars are a matter of personal taste,
but there are some cigars that seem to rise above the rest of the masses,

i smoke a couple with some off-and-on regularity but would like to become more versed in others,

my favorite lately has been A Fuentas hemmingway,

but for a long time i have smoked a locally rolled cigar that i buy from SanDiego's 'Cuban Cigar Factory,
which since they'll roll you a case as you watch is about as 'cuban' as my mom Ms.O'Shanahan ... but those slighty green and robust cigars they roll are my favorites,

anyone else here ever smoke a cigar that they liked ?

Ahhh...yes. Cigars.
A few years ago I came across some Cojimar Exotics, Black Vanilla that I REALLY liked. But it looks like they have discontinued them. I prefer flavored cigars so I like Havanna Honeys. I also like a Partagas now and then. My only experience with a Cohiba was my first day in Mexico, drinking Tequila Sunsets all day long. My friend gave me a Cohiba that kinda pushed me over the "porcelin" edge and I have yet to get that memory out of my mind and try another one. Unfortunatley the local smoke shop isnt as nice as the one I went to back in Colorado. Mainly lower end for me, unless its a special occasion.
Im sure the expert, CigarMan, will chime in on this thread.

Dunhill Altamiras. Smooth, woody flavor. Perfect for any occasion. I definitely recommend to any cigar lover.

I actually haven't smoked one in a few years. I quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey in 2002, had a brief relapse in 2004. After getting off them the second time, also cold turkey, I decided that I needed to stay away from tobacco altogether. I haven't smoked a cigar since then, though I got completely smashed while in New Orleans (big shocker, that) and smoked one cigarette this past July. I didn't breathe right for about 3 days after that, and I can hardly bear the stench of smoke, at this point.

On a couple ventures on cruise lines down to Ensenada, I have partaken on what was billed as Cuban cigars, paying as much as 10 dollars (this IS Mexico now). Now, I am by no means any sort of officienado, so perhaps I was ripped off (duh!)... But having smoked maybe 50 cigars in all my adult life,(one which was given to me by a neighbor, and guaranteed to be a Cuban) I have yet to find any pleasure in a cigar. By and by, they're harsh on the throat, rash in taste, and in no way imaginable, pleasurable. What am I missing? Why do so many smokers find them joyous? Is it an acquired ambition?
I am, ashamedly admitted, a cigarette smoker, so my first inclination when smoking a cigar, is to inhale... I hear that is wrong. Then what's the point?

What is a good cigar to introduce someone who is unknown to the experience? Or, rather, turned off to them for lack of quality?
WTF is that?

It is SOOOO easy to get ripped off buying Cuban sticks. Counterfits are everywhere. It was once easy to buy overseas via the 'internets' to get true Cubans.... but that is getting risky these days as well with Dubya's Nazis and the ATF now mining CC records for 'questionable' purchases of Cuban sticks. I know lots of folks getting certified letters these days from the ATF with cease and desist notices. Scarry sheet.

I often have guys ask me which Dominican tastes closest to a Cuban, and I am always at a loss for an answer. Don't know if I'd describe anything as "close to Cuban." It just either is or is not that Cuban flavor. Maybe I just haven't found the right domestic yet . . . . I find that the Cubans I like are far cheaper than the domestics I like. Nothing taste quite like a real Habano, and, like I said, compared to the price of premium domestics, they are a lot cheaper too. BUT, like I said I used to buy overseas where there is no Cuban shortage/embargo, and very often Davidoffs or AVOs cost almost twice what a good Cohiba Siglo I or the Montecristo #5 goes for. Go figure.

That said, just like boats, buy a good brand, well constructed, from a company that takes pride in their products, and you will most likely find yourself smiling most of the way through the products lifecycle, with a stogie that is about an hour. I have become a big fan of the Padilla line these days, as well as the Bucanerro Z.

Padilla's Miami line is flat gorgeous construction, end cap nicely done as well. Smooth draw, even burn. Gorgeous ash very Davidoff like in its light gray flakiness and consistency.

This is a very interesting cigar. It starts right out the gate with a fair amount of spiciness, like a softer OpusX. This is also a full bodied smoke, but it takes on different characteristics as you burn down the stogie. This is not real subtle either. About half way into the gar, it takes on a little additional smoothness (which is not what I expect here, usually it gets harsher the farther down the stick you go). Much more ‘grassy’ undertones (yet still spicy with lots of nutty flavors), which I would expect from a Honduran cigar.

The draw is just lusty, delivers rich flavors. Hints of cream maybe, earth and light coffee were noted. Balanced, flavorful, full bodied and really intriguing. I keep finding myself looking at these cigars, exhaling and wondering just when it was that I got beamed up to the Nirvana Cigar Planet, where everyone smokes Ambrosia Leaf all the time made by reincarnated Cuban guys who have been rolling for over 400 years. It is that nice. Burned my fingers trying to extract every last bit of pleasure from this gem.

I’m hooked. I am now a Padilla stogie hair-lipped, hunched back junkie. Nothing wrong with some 'common' Fuente Don Carlos or Hemingways either… (of course I’m joking, I love Fuentes… but I have a New Favorite methinks).....

Try almost any of the natural wrapper Macanudos. Mild but always well rolled and made with quality leaf blends. Try a Portofino sometime. Nice easy stick to smoke.

A Fuente makes very nice cigars, the Hemingway is one of their more popular lines. Don't miss the Don Carlos line either

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Masterpiece
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
Arturo Fuente 858 Natural (good starter stick)

Oh, don't inhale. Roll the smoke around in your mouth and exhale. Much more flavor than a cigarette....

Favorite Habanos - Habano Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No. 4 Cabinet, Cedro Deluxe #3 & #4, the Belicoso (wonderful cigar! This is one of my favorite vitolos). Cohiba Esplendidos, Robustos and Exquisitos. In 1992, Cuba's LHCD released five sizes of the classic La Linea 1492 in order to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Cuba: Siglo I, II, III, IV and V. The Siglo VI is also out now. All provoke grins on my ugly mug.

Thanks for the great information Cigar Man.....my favorite is still a Cuban Cohiba Robusto......I've had the fakes and there is no comparison....have a friend who sends them to me from Miami if called upon.....

I tend to like the more mild smokes than the heavier taste of the darker wraps.

I find the Diamond Crown and Butera's to be really smooth mild enjoyable smokes on the rare occaision that I have one.

in non cuban cigars, i like the larger sizes of avo uvezian (AVO) and paul garmirian (PG). good quality stuff, although pricey (aren't they all).

I like a mild Montecristo White in a Corona or Churchill size. The "Whites" are considered a creamy smooth smoke and are very popular. They run about $8 a stick less if you buy them buy the box

If you want a Full Bodied stick the La Gloria Cubana's are very nice. They are considered an earthy and spicy smoke, also very popular.

I smoked cigarettes for 30 years before I quit in '00. I've tried pipes, even got one pipe burned in real good, but just never "got it". I've smoked many a cigar in my time, mostly cheap crap, never anything of 'real' quality, but I've had a couple of spendy ones. Don't ask what kind, don't know. I didn't think they were all that different from a Tijuana Small.


But I do enjoy a cigar after work. Actually, several. At the moment I'm smoking Dean's little cigars, they're a whopping $1.39 a pack at the local smoke shop. Lot's of nifty flavors too, although the chocolate leaves a little to be desired...

I'm sticking my head in where it doesn't belong, but why would anyone care what the ash looks like?

It's been said that smokers are the last fun people on earth. Based on my own observations I tend to agree with that, but still don't understand how anyone can do it.

Cigar man- I had you pegged for a bubble gum flavored swisher guy.