Thanks for this, sgoselin.
I've enjoyed cigars since I was a kid, only 41 now, so it'll take me awhile to catch up to you.
When I started checking out the cigar forums online, it took me about 15 minutes to coin the term "cnob". The arrogance and uptightness surrounding cigars was just about enough to make me puke.
Then I found this place. Just a bunch or regular knuckleheads sharing some fun.
One thing I have learned is that if there's lots of hype around a particular smoke, it's very likely it's going to suck. It's because my taste runs out of the mainstream, I suppose. That, and I'm very picky. Too many cigars out there, so little time. It makes no sense for me to try and force myself to like something.
There's also that "mystique" that's wrapped around cc's. The whole bad boy, not allowed, sinner thing that makes them so appealing.
To date I've only tried 15 or 20 cc's. Of those, there are exactly 2 that I'd like to smoke again. Cuaba and ERDM. I've found all the rest flowery and sissified.
Today I am fortunate to have been gifted a Sancho Panza cc. I had an nc Sancho over the weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A double quixote, I believe. I'll smoke the cc Sancho today, and I'm excited about it.
Point is, I'm always half afraid to say "Ya know, this thing sucks" for fear that I'll be an outcast. :r
My fear is that my opinion will be misconstrued. I have smoked literally hundreds of gifted cigars. At least 20 this past weekend. Even though I didn't like most of them, I enjoyed every one. I enjoyed the opportunity to experience the cigar. I enjoyed thinking that someone thought enough of me that they wanted me to try what they like.
And I smiled with every one I sparked up, even if I tossed it in the fire after 20 minutes.
I'm very leary of hype. A good amount of the hype that surrounds isom's has always smelled a lot like ego to me, and I thank you very much for validating that. I also realize that just as much of the hype is out of pleasure. It should be pretty easy to tell which is which.
It takes a big man to be so humble. (Don't let that go to your head.)
:r
Thank you, my friend. It's a great gift you've given. Nothing like learning from someone else's experience. :tu