Yeah that smokers reflex is a real killer when it comes to cigars. I quit smoking cigarettes nine years ago and then picked up cigars a few years after that. I had to learn how to not inhale when smoking a cigar. It took a while to break that smokers reflex. Many green gilled moments and purposefully not inhaling practice sessions later and I finally was retrained. Funny thing is cigars became much more enjoyable after that.

 

I ran this idea past the girlfriend, and she loved it. Now the question is, would it be bad form to show up with nothing to pass around? I admit I am a cigar newbie, but girlfriend definitely sounds like she would like to try a cigar or two, so what is the proper etiquette?

 

I suggest that you visit a cigar shop and chat with the proprietor. Mention that you are going to a Cigar Sampling Salon, and would like a few to bring along to share.

sndwave and I bought cigars today and I made sure to get a nice mild selection for the ladies. You are both welcome to sample some of my Drew Estate Kahluas. They're very tasty and mild.

 

If'n yer a newbie then make sure you get mild sticks. Rarely does a newbie like a medium body to full body stoge to start with. Occassionally one does but ...
My wife loves the Java's by Drew Estate. Women seem to prefer the flavored cigars. The only flavored one I can stand are the Java's and only occassionally.

Don't worry, the ones I'm bringing are medium body and aged very well.

 

I'd like to go to this.. is this an informal thing or a registered event?..

I'd love to find a LA CAROLINA CAPITAN DAD or perhaps a nice Jamaican cigar with a creamy/fruity flavor. I've done the "Cohiba" and Cubano thing, they're just a bit to strong and spicy for my tastes.. I like one that doesn't over-ride a nice shot of brandy or cognac..

I'll keep my eyes on this thread and see if anyone has any suggestions..

 

It's informal, I believe. I'm hoping to learn a thing or two about cigars...and socialize.

 

I ALWAYS bring a lot of different varieties of cigars when I travel, if for no other reason than variety's sake. Last year, I brought off-brand Cubans, so that people who had never tried a real Cuban cigar could try one out. When Clover and I first organized this event, we thought it would be a great place for the cigar smokers [as well as regular smokers] in NAM to have a designated place to meet and greet and not feel ostracized. We offered a t-shirt, had our after dinner "Smokin Dragon" and had a grrreat time.

Everyone is welcome! If you are a newbie, come on in! If you are a seasoned cigar smoker, come on in! If you're just curious, come on in! I'm bringing cutters, matches, and a good selection of hand-rolled Hondurans, Dominicans, as well as some Cubans, too...all ranging from mild to medium/full. I also have some flavored ones that are mild to medium. I'll also have some sangria and Mexican cornbread for anyone who missed supper....

You only have to bring an open mind to this event.

 

Jamaican puro's are a rarity if not plain non-existent. Traditionally your better known Jamaican sticks were: Creme de Jamaica, Temple Hall, Macanudo, Royal Jamaicas, Flor de Jamaica & Palamino. If I'm not mistaken everyone of these are composed of leaf from other countries if not entirely. There's a pretty good article online at Cigar Aficionado about Jamaican cigar history. Enjoy!

 

damnit... I just looked at the events planner.. I didn't realize this was thursday night... crap, I'll still be in transit.. well, if I see any of you down there, cool, I'm always up for a good cigar a nice shot o' cognac or brandy and some decent convo..

GR8: I believe the Creme de Jamaica is what I had a few years back.. obviously it left it good impressions with me if I remember that particular one still.. Thanks!

 

If youv'e got room for two more, my wife and I would like to attend. I am trying to get my hands on some Conch Repulic cigars (grown from cuban seed) and I'll bring a bottle of Smoking Loon Merlot or Cabernet along to sip.

 

Ack!!!

I ordered a bunch of cigars from Thomspon back in the last week of March. I was subsequently notified that they were on backorder and expected to ship about April 20 - not a big deal. Well, April 20 came and went with no update or notification, so I emailed them. Now they are on backorder until MAY 20!

Even though it was a good buy and I was curious about the cigars I ordered, they made me so mad I cancelled the order.

NOW, I have to scramble to figure out what else I want to bring and get it before I leave. If I didn't have so darn many things to get done in the next 5 days I wouldn't be stressing. :impatient

...So, now that I've vented , it's back to getting things done.

 

I've got some cigarillos that I picked up a few years ago... Dunhill Montecruz from the Canary Islands in 1967... just a few years after the embargo. Someone inherited them from their grandfather, who left them on a closet shelf since then! I've been bringing them back up to a proper humidity for the past few years and smoke one or two every once in a while. They are still a pretty fast burn and a bit hit and miss in terms of draw, but it's kinda fun to smoke something older than yourself (for those of us under 38)!

I'll throw a few in the bag and pass 'em around. I bought the entire box, unopened, so I got at least 50 of 'em.

I prefer the Maduros... been partial to CAO Brazils lately. I've also got a few rolling around that I picked up one stick at a time in Mexico and brought home when I didn't smoke 'em. It's been a while since I lit up one of those.

Thanks for organizing! One of those cigarillos goes to the person or people putting this all together!

I've got some Powers Irish Whisky that came back from Dublin with me last year and I still haven't opened it... I'll have to fix that!

 

Everyone interested in enjoying cigars is welcome to the Salon! Come on down! We decided to keep it a very casual and simple event this year, no registration needed.

 

I love CAO Brazilias!!! Samba & Gol!

IMHO the best thing to go with cigars, Irish Whiskey! Just a little on the unkempt side of neat with one ice cube thrown in.