How do.

[flamingsombrero]

Hello to everybody.

Spent an hour browsing around and thought I better introduce myself. Not a cigar smoker as such but for my sisters upcoming wedding I have promised to buy a box for the reception and so I'm doing some "research". If you have any suggestions on what or where to buy that's great but for the time being at least I think I'm going to enjoy myself sampling the possibles.

Where would you suggest I start?

[Davros]

Welcome Flamingsombrero, I've only been here a couple of weeks myself.

As for what to buy? the choices are endless, it depends on how much you want to spend and do you want Cuban or Non Cuban?

[flamingsombrero]

Certainly open to Non-Cuban. If I can get away with a bit of change out of ?250 I'll be happy, be that for a box of 25 that are decent or 10 that are a bit more special. That's a while off yet though, I can concentrate on enjoying finding just the right ones for the time being

Think getting a few singles is the way to go, seen the odd sampler bundle that has caught my eye.

[daverave999]

Hi. Thanks for popping in.
I'm assuming you're buying for people who don't normally smoke cigars? Are you looking for LARGE or small cigars? Other criteria?

May I suggest a box of Trinidad Reyes if you want something tasty but not brutal. They're pretty popular amongst people of all smoking experience and are unlikely to last so long that people get bored of them.

Or are you looking for something that says "you're unlikely to smoke something like this again"?

[flamingsombrero]

I think anything too fancy would be waste as only a few of them are going to be in the hands of regular cigar smokers. Still I wanted to look into it a bit so end up with something decent and also its a very nice excuse for me to get myself started and try a few out.

The trinidads look promising and well within budget. I'll keep my eye out for a single so I can have a try.

[PoohBore]

My favourite at the moment are the Partagas Series D No4. Good size but not a monster and a nice pleasant smoke.

[whisky77]

MC No4

I would perhaps consider staying away from anything too strong and stick with the likes of Montecristo or R&J.

The majority of people smoking at weddings will have very little experience of good quality smokes;I would say that spending your money on something expensive would be a waste.

You could pick up a box of Monte 4 for a reasonable price and they will be ideal for a special event.

[nicwing]

Hi Flammin, I've been smoking cigars for a while now, just not very often, this is a great place to pick up tips from the boys who really know their stuff.

I have recently started to work my way through the Trinidad range, to me they are ideal for a new boy. They are medium strength and tasty. I started with the Coloniales and moved on to the smaller Reyes, now I look forward to trying some more of the range. Love the Cohiba Siglo IV but only for special occassions.

My other tip is to find yourself a great cigar store. It was Edward Sahakian at Davidoff in London who introduced me to Trinidad but only after checking out my preferences.

We are doing the Cigar walk on 6th June, why not come and meet Edward and some of the boys in the smoke!

What ever you do take your time and enjoy it, it's a great hobby for a boy to have

[Robusto]

Hello Flaming.

I agree completely with Whisk above. Monte no4 would be a very good buy for the debutant wedding cigar smoker.

I adore the Partagas D4 - probably my favourite robusto along with the Cohiba - but IMHO (apologies above) I think it would be wasted on beginner smokers because its punch might knock some of the guests out. Or kill them, to be frank.

I could think of no worse wedding sight that ashtrays full of Partagas D4s which were too strong for the guests. Two puffs and thrown away. All that great sex gone to waste.

Mr CohibaIV on here is getting married soon. In a thread months ago, I wrote that a mate of mine got married and instead of putting cigars out liberally for the guests all over the tables, or on a side display, he walked round all the tables with a couple of boxes of cigars and said "If you would like to try a Montecristo, we will be lighting up on the lawn in about five minutes".

I tell you he saved so many cigars that day. No dumped sticks anywhere. (Worst culprits seem to be cigarette smokers who stop after an inch or two and grab their fags).

And I got to take a box of Montecristo Number 4s home.

I hope you'll have a crack at cigars yourself, Flaming. You don't know what you're missing!

[flamingsombrero]

Thanks for all the great advice. Are there any shops in the West Midlands area at all that might be worth a browse around?

[Ramon]

Welcome to the forum

Thinking about cigars for a wedding, how about the Punch Coronations/Royal Coronations. Not too big or strong, and not too dear either. As they're in tubes they should keep a bit longer without having to put them in a humidor.

One thing to remember to get, a cutter. Don't buy an expensive one, in fact when you get your cigars, ask if they have some cheap ones they could give you for free.

[Deano]

Welcome mate. Glad you're getting some good advice.

[daverave999]

There's a cigar shop/tobacconist in the arcade behind House of Fraser in Birmingham city centre-I've not been in so I'll let the locals tell you about that.
For a cheap and effective cutter, I bought this from ebay. Double bladed give a cleaner cut IMO.

[Stevieboy]

Welcome mate

[Robusto]

Cutter is good advice for the wedding.
I had mine in my breast pocket and the groom was without!

These posts have reminded me of how it might have all been chewing and spitting!

I'm in love with my punch cutter now, so if I'm invited to a wedding, I'll pull that out instead!