Need some help...don't laugh!!

[vpr80]

Ok guys I need a little help. Basically I am not a smoker, but once in a while I would enjoy a nice cigar with my friends. Considering I can still count the number of times I've smoked a cigar I don't really know my ass from my elbow. I've been reading up online to get some basic info down, but when I actually go to buy a cigar I have no clue what to try.

In the past I have smoked the following:
Davidoff 2000 - Liked this one, nice flavor, no bitterness, could smoke all the way down to the nub.
Davidoff Grand Cru - A little too much, felt very strong, but still liked it because it was a nice flavor with "clean" smoke, again not bitter.
Montecristo (I think #2, don't remember) (Cuban) - I think this particular cigar was bad because it burned out in like 4 min and was horribly bitter. I just threw it out.
Romeo Y Juliet (Cuban)- It was ok, nothing really special.

Probably some others, but I can't recall right now. Kinda stuck to Davidoffs. I rarely smoke cigarettes and when I do I only like Davidoff Lights. For some reason I like the Davidoff stuff.

My main problem is that I went to a cigar shop to get a couple to smoke, and I had no idea what to get. They had like 20 cases of cigars with every brand you can possibly imagine. I was totally lost.

What I would like to find out right now is how to start learning about the different cigars and which ones to try. Hopefully you guys can give me a couple to try. Here are my prefences to my best ability:
Size: around 5x45. I like a nice ring size but not huge. also some length so I don't smoke it in like 2 min.
Strength: Mild to medium. Since I don't smoke much anything very strong is just too much and I don't enjoy it.
Flavor: I have no idea how to describe this, but the one thing that I HATE is ANY bitterness or burning feeling. I like nice clean flavorfull smoke.

I hope that made some sense....Thanks!!

PS - Got some Zino Platinums yesterday...hopefully will try them today.

[galaga]

Might I suggest that you go to the review section and find someone who had a review of the Davidoffs that you liked and see how they described the tastes. Then go to the drop down menu and look at other cigars that the rated and start from there.

[vpr80]

Drop down menu....what drop down menu???

[drc]

Welcome to the jungle. I think he might be talking about the Review Database over at Top25Cigar (http://www.top25cigar.com/reviewdatabase/). Check it out. Tons of entries in there, from regular Joes who enjoy smoking. Not all the ad-funded, biased bs you find in cA.

[vpr80]

Oh sweet I had no idea bout the other site....thanks

[vpr80]

This is ridiculous...I keep looking but there is just tooo much.

[galaga]

Just too much what vpr80, reviews.... well smoke one while you look:w OK, why not try a Macanudo, they are famous for being mild and are pretty easy to find. And looking from the reviews, I see that people recommended some of the Astrals and the AVO lines to be mild. I've had the Macanudo Cafe and they're pretty good, if somewhat too mild IMO but I think that's what your looking for. Never had the other two though. There are also internet stores that rate the cigars according to strength, the only one I can think of off the top of my head is Abner's World of Discount Cigars though I'ver never ordered from there. Good Luck

[vpr80]

I've tried to make a small list of ones to try based on the ratings...thanks

[drc]

Originally posted by vpr80
I've tried to make a small list of ones to try based on the ratings...thanks
This should be a good starting point: Overall Top 25 Cigars (http://www.top25cigar.com/reviewdatabase/top25reviews.asp)
Or, you could go this route: Overall sub $6 Top 25 Cigars (http://www.top25cigar.com/reviewdatabase/top25reviews_subsix.asp)

Or, ignore all that and buy one of everything you see. Take your time, smoke them, keep a notebook or journal. You'll figure out which ones you like.

[vpr80]

Hehehe yeah thats what I worked from...picked from both lists and will just go down the list and keep notes.

[Eichen]

Uh oh.

Look around for Private Stock. They're made in the same factory as Davidoff and Avo (I think). You can usually find them for pretty cheap. I've liked those that I've had. They have one that's 5 1/4 x 46 or so. That should fit the bill.

Think about Montecristo from the Dominican Repbublic. Maybe the Dominican Fonseca or Bolivar (NOT the Fuerte stuff!) ... but it's been a while since I've had those. Maybe the new Por Larranaga from Honduras, those are pretty light too.

Consider a Fuente. The flavor of the wrapper might throw you though. It's worth a try anyway.

Like what's been said above, read reviews, ask for suggestions and most importantly, smoke a bunch of samples. You'll find some good ones soon enough.

Good luck!