The Cigar Thread

[Zarathustra]

Are there any other members out there that are interested in cigars? To celebrate the end of the university year I smoked my first cigar (Montecristo no. 4) and am interested in learning more about cigars and different types. I was in Edmonton when buying it so I don't know of any shops in Calgary. Any recommendations? What are your favourite types? Is Cuba still the producer of the highest quality cigars? Any good deals on cigars in Calgary?

[sadora]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

Are there any other members out there that are interested in cigars? To celebrate the end of the university year I smoked my first cigar (Montecristo no. 4) and am interested in learning more about cigars and different types. I was in Edmonton when buying it so I don't know of any shops in Calgary. Any recommendations? What are your favourite types? Is Cuba still the producer of the highest quality cigars? Any good deals on cigars in Calgary?

There are a few little cigar shops around the city. The one in Eau Claire Market has a pretty good selection. If you're really interested, buy yourself a Cohiba. You might be able to buy one but I'm not sure. The boxes are pricey but well worth it.

[prarieboy]

Cigars are really a personal choice thing. Cohiba is a very recognized brand and as a result very popular (They have the price tag to go along with them.)

Cuban cigars are the standard by which all others are judged but it's all about the tobacco. I've had many excellent Dominican cigars but from what I understand the tobacco seeds are from Cuba, don't limit yourself to Cubans thinking they are the finest available. Good Cigars come from several countries.
It's hard to suggest a cigar for someone. Do you smoke frequently, or maybe just the occasional celebration cigar.

What I like,

Romeo & Julieta (No2 in the tin tube container.) Cuban
What can I say, I smoke these to the band everytime. Even burning and not to strong, nice flavour.

H. Upman (anything larger than your finger) Cuban
Another milder brand Cigar that is a pleasure to smoke and always gives you your money's worth.

Macenudo (SP?) Dark Wraper. Dominican
I love these cigars. Nice tight wrap, slow burning and good taste. You'd think they'd be strong but there not.

Cohiba (a really large short one) Cuban
I like the big Cohibas because of there is less wrapper tobacco compared to the filler. That said I usually only get about half way through these guys cause I find Cohiba's pretty strong in general.

[PsYcNeT]

I'll second the Romeo y Julieta No. 2's, and toss down the gauntlet and say Emilio's Humidor (the one in Eau Claire) is a ripoff, which is too bad because I like the lady who works there.

The best prices and selection I've found are in Willow Park village, but I can't for the life of me remember the shop's name...(though they do have a private smoking room...pretty posh)

[MonsieurFish]

dumb question, but what's the difference between them and cigarettes? they seem to be just bigger versions... and maybe they have a better taste but you can get flavoured cigarettes can't you?

[CaptainCrunch]

I only rarely smoke cigars now, mostly on my Birthday, on New Years eve at midnight and when the Flames win a playoff round.

Cohiba's are a nice cigar, but they're also pretty strong in terms of taste. A few years ago I smoked a Churchill which was about a foot long, or so it seemed and it was a long night getting through it.

The shop at Willowpark is very good, there is also one at the far end of the eaton's center that has its own smoking room, and is pretty classy.

Cigar's come down to individual taste, some like really strong flavors, some like them more mild. The fun part with cigars is asking for advice from the guy selling them, and trying them out until you find one that feels right.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by MonsieurFish

dumb question, but what's the difference between them and cigarettes? they seem to be just bigger versions... and maybe they have a better taste but you can get flavoured cigarettes can't you?

Cigars have nothing in the way of flavor, and you really shouldn't inhale cigar smoke, you should just hold onto the smoke and enjoy the flavor.

Cigarette smoke is cheap tobacco, and its tastes like cheap tobacco, and your not really smoking it for the taste but the effect.

With Cigars you can get a ton of different tastes and thats what your smoking them for. That and the image.

[Knut]

I personally like the Romeo and Julieta (No 2) as well as some of the smaller Cigarillo's ...

Unfortunately, while i was in the Dominican i kind of overindulged on cigars (way cheaper there) and ended up losing my taste for them a bit .

I will probably start again with occasional cigar smoking...

OH... and never, ever smoke a big cigar during a night of heavy drinking... that is recipe for visiting the Porcelain God.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Hesla

OH... and never, ever smoke a big cigar during a night of heavy drinking... that is recipe for visiting the Porcelain God.

Wish someone would have told me that before last summer's camping trip in BC...

[Zarathustra]

Hey guys I have a question regarding ordering cigars on the 'net. Has anybody done it? What have your experiences been? What sites has you ordered from?

[Phanuthier]

R&J, Montecristal, Churchill are some of the best, but they're a little pricey. I personally have Guantanamera.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by MonsieurFish

dumb question, but what's the difference between them and cigarettes? they seem to be just bigger versions... and maybe they have a better taste but you can get flavoured cigarettes can't you?

Do you drink scotch? If so, think of the worst blended swill imaginable, and then compare it to your favourite single malt. That's pretty much the difference between a cigarette and a good cigar. You don't even have to be a smoker to enjoy a good cigar ... I know a lot of people who don't smoke, but will burn the odd cigar. And then you can torch a cigar and sip on a glass of cognac will doing so ... that particular combination can come darn close to stimulating nirvana.

[sadora]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

And then you can torch a cigar and sip on a glass of cognac will doing so ... that particular combination can come darn close to stimulating nirvana.

A good Port makes a nice combination with a good Cigar as well. A nice Malbec doesn't go too badly either.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by sadora

A good Port makes a nice combination with a good Cigar as well. A nice Malbec doesn't go too badly either.

Truly, no argument there at all. But I have a thing for cognac to start with, so I invariably reach for the cognac when I want something to go along a good cigar.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

Hey guys I have a question regarding ordering cigars on the 'net. Has anybody done it? What have your experiences been? What sites has you ordered from?

I've ordered cigars and pipe tobacco from a place called Old Morris Tobaccanists in Victoria, BC. They're a very old business not far from the harbour in Victoria. Very reputable and reilable. BC's tobacco taxes aren't as high as Alberta's either, so it's actually cheaper than buying locally in spite of the shipping costs.

Edit: Here's their website ...

http://ordercubancigars.com/

[Fuzzy McGillicuddy]

I've become very spoiled lately. I've been to Cuba the past three years and I bring back 75-100 cigars each time.

One of my favorite smokes is Cohiba 3. After a meal, a good smoke and a Remy XO is pretty much as good as it gets.