Cigars/Cigars to buy
Advertisement
Question
Hi James,
I am a beginner in smoking cigar.
A friend of mine will be travelling to the US in July, and I am thinking of asking her to help me buy some cigars since they are relatively cheaper in the US compared to where I am (Malaysia).
Wonder if there's any reasonable (not too expensive, neither too low-quality) cigar that you would recommend to a beginner?
Hope to hear from you.
Thank you.
Rgds
KF
Hi KF,
Here are some excellent non-Cuban cigars that are not too expensive and definitely worth trying:
(not listed in any particular order)
Padron 2000
Padron 3000
Padron Executive
Arturo Fuente Curly Head
Punch Gran Cru
CAO
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur 1066
Indian Tabac
Avo Domaine Maduro
Partagas Black
Montecristo
Macanudo Gold
These cigars are mild-to-medium bodied which are excellent for beginners.
Hopes this helps. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
Related Articles
James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.