Best first box to buy ...

[DevRider]

I have a humidor with +/- 30 various stick and I want to buy my first box ... What do you think I should buy ? I want a good value for every day smoke ...
Need to be available online ...

What I have in mind, for now ...

- Asylum 44x4 ( box of 25 for 105$ )
- ??
- ??

DEv

[Hardheaded]

Well, what have you liked to smoke so far?

[herman]

You could probably tell us better than us tell you!

The only thing I can recommend is make sure you really like the cigars before committing to a box. I usually smoke at least a 5er before going for a box.
I tend to rotate various Olivas, Short Story madies, and have been considering Nica Rusticas and JdN.

I saw some KFC boxes going pretty cheap too if you like those.
My box budget is usually $150 or less.
Among those I need to try that have caught my attention value wise are Southern Draw Cigars, Sam Leccia Luchadors, and now Asylum (thanks!)

[JollyRogers]

I did undercrown corona viva and joya red's for my first two boxes

[dinoa2]

it would really depend on what you like so far , so it would be difficult to recommend a box for you. I would say definitely consider something that you have smoked before and really liked. Then look around for a deals on boxes of them. The first box can seem like a life long commitment but you can get a box, smoke some and let the remainder rest and come back to them later. If you are just getting started, that is how the slope works and you will soon be looking for more storage.

[Sigaar]

I went with something I really liked...Padron 1964 Maduro. That said, they aren't cheap. I'm smoking more cc's these days, but still love the '64.

[Jaybird]

I find this to be the funniest thread DEv.

The "What do I like" thread. HMMMMMM

Well I think the HMR reserve should be your first box. Wink Wink!

Good luck on the hunt Brotha'.. Its a LONG trail that needs to be blazed.

BUT my vote is MOW Puro..... Had 1 last night and it AMAZED me!

Cheers
Jay

[Demuths1770]

well price wise the joya reds are a great box price viva republica gurellia warefare has a good box price. but you shouldnt go off price go off what you enjoy to smoke. i love liga unicos and my first box purchase is going to be of unicos either ffp or uf13. get what you enjoy to smoke not whats cheap!

[Tombstone]

I really enjoy Ave Maria, Man O' War, Diesel Unlimited, and Diesel Grind. All should be able to be found for a reasonable price, and have aged well. If you like the Drew Estate Undercrown that is also a good box. Like many have said here already its hard to tell you what to get not know some of your taste preferences. Let us know what you decide. My first box was a Punisher shorty edition and I loved every cigar of it. I have squirreled away my last one and will burn it this summer. Enjoy.

[DevRider]

I smoke a few Drew Estate ... Like it pretty much
A few infused one ... But don't want a box of it ...
Arturo Fuente sun grown R44, like it a lot
Gran habanos vintage 2002

DEv

[Tombstone]

I smoke a few Drew Estate ... Like it pretty much
A few infused one ... But don't want a box of it ...
Arturo Fuente sun grown R44, like it a lot
Gran habanos vintage 2002

DEv

Arturo Fuente 858 sungrown is very good and singles are reasonably priced around here. Never looked up a box price but should hold true. If you have not had the pleasure one day try yourself a Arturo Fuente Don Carlos.

[StogieNinja]

If you have to ask, you shouldn't buy a box yet.

Your palate will grow and develop, and as you continue to smoke, your preferences may change. Even if they don't, you might buy a box today, and find a cigar you like more, and half the price, tomorrow.

Here's my advice: Keep sampling singles. When you find one you really like, buy a fiver, and smoke through those. If after that you still think it's boxworthy, only then should you actually buy a box. There's so much good stuff out there to try, and very little that's actually box-worthy.

I've been smoking regularly for about 6 years, and I have three wineadors. You know how many full boxes I bought and kept? Eight, including the boxes I bought to mark the births of my five kids. I tend to buy in fivers and ten packs, which is enough to keep me smoking and even age a few, while trying new things. I have a few favorites, but even those I tend to buy in five-packs or do box splits. The only things I buy by the box are Cubans I want to age.

Save your big purchases for stuff you already know you like, and will like for a while. Right now, I'd recommend buying samplers, or trying singles/five packs.

[DevRider]

If you have to ask, you shouldn't buy a box yet.

Your palate will grow and develop, and as you continue to smoke, your preferences may change. Even if they don't, you might buy a box today, and find a cigar you like more, and half the price, tomorrow.

Here's my advice: Keep sampling singles. When you find one you really like, buy a fiver, and smoke through those. If after that you still think it's boxworthy, only then should you actually buy a box. There's so much good stuff out there to try, and very little that's actually box-worthy.

I've been smoking regularly for about 6 years, and I have three wineadors. You know how many full boxes I bought and kept? Eight, including the boxes I bought to mark the births of my five kids. I tend to buy in fivers and ten packs, which is enough to keep me smoking and even age a few, while trying new things. I have a few favorites, but even those I tend to buy in five-packs or do box splits. The only things I buy by the box are Cubans I want to age.

Save your big purchases for stuff you already know you like, and will like for a while. Right now, I'd recommend buying samplers, or trying singles/five packs.

What about that ... http://www.cigarsinternational.com/samplers/64573/the-bender-ender-80-cigar-sampler/#p-87014

[StogieNinja]

What about that ... http://www.cigarsinternational.com/samplers/64573/the-bender-ender-80-cigar-sampler/#p-87014

Only if you want to be cured of ever wanting to smoke cigars again.

Start with samplers featuring well-known, and well-respected blenders or manufacturers.

Here are a couple by some reputable manufacturers that feature a variety of wrappers and strengths:
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1994168/Oliva-Top-Ten-Sampler-10-Cigars/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1994155/Perdomo-Reserve-10th-Anniversary-Sampler-Box-of-6/
http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/2001255/Pinar-del-Rio-5-Star-Sampler-II-5-Cigars/


Most of these sticks are decent sticks. None of them are great, ultra-premiums, but the more important thing is that they are inexpensive, decently made, and will offer you a good variety of wrappers and blends, which will help give you an idea of what kind of smoke you like as you work your way through the different styles.

As you smoke through any of them, make notes of what you really liked and what you didn't about each cigar, and you'll begin to figure out what kind of preferences you have. Then you can start exploring other good smokes within that profile, and start figuring out what really blows your mind :D

[BryGuySC]

That's kind of a personal question!

Do you have any cigars for which you have purchased a fiver, smoked them, and purchased more? That may be a good candidate.

[Billb1960]

What about that ... http://www.cigarsinternational.com/samplers/64573/the-bender-ender-80-cigar-sampler/#p-87014

Oh. Hell. No.

[AlanS]

Oh. Hell. No.

Tell him how you really feel Billb1960. Lol

[Billb1960]

Tell him how you really feel Billb1960. Lol

Any sampler that includes both Dark Sharks and Ron Mexicos is not worth buying.

[Demuths1770]

I would start with some of these have a feel for what you like with some different brands and different blends within the same brand.
http://smallbatchcigar.com/smallbatchmixes-c-131.html?osCsid=6be3d965cd67435d8932ff58d1f7de28

[stonecutter2]

If you've had the Asylums, and like them, then buy a box :)

My first box was Padron 2000 Maduro. They've aged pretty well over the past few years, I still have a couple left :D

[izkeh]

What about that ... http://www.cigarsinternational.com/samplers/64573/the-bender-ender-80-cigar-sampler/#p-87014

I can only hope you're joking...

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!! Life is too short to smoke shitty, and ultra-shitty cigars.

Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Natural or Maduro - around $100-$110. Never disappointing, always consistent.

[ChiefIlliniwek]

Buy some 5 packs, and smoke them over the course of a couple of months. If you still like the cigar after smoking it 5 times, then get a box of it. If you're looking to buy in bulk, then I'd recommend some of the bigger samplers from CI or your website of choice that have some name brand, premium cigars in them. If you see Dark Shark, Hesitant Pirate, Ron Mexico, Raji's Untimely Demise in a sampler - avoid it like the plague. If you're not paying $2-3 a stick in a sampler, the cigars probably suck.

My first big cigar purchase was a Chosen One sampler from CI. It was a different one from two years ago, but I got 40 cigars for $100, plus a free 5 pack. I'm two years into seriously enjoying this hobby, and I've never bought more than 10 of the same cigar at a time.

[HIM]

If you have to ask, you shouldn't buy a box yet.

I think this pretty much sums it up. Give yourself time to figure out what you like and YOU decide what to buy a box of. No need to rush into a box purchase you could regret.

[Zeede]

I haven't yet smoked a dozen cigars in my life, so I am still very new to this, but the good advice I was told was:

1) Find a cigar you really like.
2) Try other vitolas in that blend, if available.
3) Buy a fiver of the best one.
4) Do a box split.

If you still aren't sick of that blend, buy a box :)

[Ropey]

This is why we need a stickied thread for noobs that lists cigars to absolutely avoid. I know nobody wants to be politically incorrect or negative, but something like that would have saved me hundreds of dollars when I first started.

That 80-cigar sampler is something out of a nightmare.

[Zeede]

Some people want quantity over quality. Plus, taste is so subjective.

[DevRider]

Alright guyz ... From what I smoked what do you recommand ...? I check with cigar aficionado and halfwheel, but it very though to choose ...

DEv

[c.ortiz108]

StogieNinja said it all. There's no rush to buy a box, and if you were considering that crappy sampler it shows it's not time yet to make that decision. Nothing's worse than buyer's remorse after spending $100 or so on a bunch of cigars you might grow to hate.

Like the others said, stick with quality samplers (like the ones guys here are suggesting), singles and 5-packs. Read reviews, and let us know what else you've liked besides Asylum.

Having said all that, I'll bet nobody has ever regretted buying a box of Short Storys!

[DevRider]

2063

[izkeh]

That looks like a good selection of cigars that will most likely give you a very good foundation on what you'll like. This is how it begins....MMMWWAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Aithos]

My first boxes were Montecristo Espada (I got two boxes of ten), then I picked up Flor de las Antillas and Alec Bradley Prensado...but it really depends what you like. I looked for good deals on smokes I really enjoyed when I smoked them.

[DevRider]

2063

Ordered ... Hope I'll enjoy all of them !!

DEv

[fastnbulbous]

I am just getting ready to buy my first box and I have been smoking for almost 7 years. Only 1 or so a week, but still.
I have my choices narrowed down, but also have a ton of other cigars in my humidors to get through as well as trying some other vitolas of the cigars I am interested in.

So many to try, so many to buy.....

[UncleFesterESQ]

I am just getting ready to buy my first box and I have been smoking for almost 7 years. Only 1 or so a week, but still.
I have my choices narrowed down, but also have a ton of other cigars in my humidors to get through as well as trying some other vitolas of the cigars I am interested in.

So many to try, so many to buy.....

Soooo... what choices have you narrowed it down to? Inquiring minds want to know!!! :stogie:

[fastnbulbous]

A List
Oliva V - Lancero or Churchill
Cabaiguan Guapos 46
Opus X

B List -
Fuente Chateau Chateau Sungrown
Fuente Anejo
Fuente Don Carlos

Padron 1964 and 1926 would also be in there, but I do not smoke often enough and they supposedly do not age very well. Fivers will work for these.
Does anyone happen to know how the Cabaiguan Guapos Age?
Davidoff also, but they are too expensive for me to get a box.

[OnePyroTec]

I'd tip the scale for Fuente Hemingway Best Seller or Work Of Art any wrapper.

[fastnbulbous]

I have had a best seller and a short story but it was a long time ago.
Will have to revisit them.

[Tman]

Does anyone happen to know how the Cabaiguan Guapos Age?

IMO, they age just fine. You don't get the powerhouse strength of the Opus, but I enjoy it just as much in the nuance.