Evening Gentlemen,

New to cigars, all setup at this point. Humidor, digital hydrometer, humidifier etc... but I need some opinions from seasoned smokers about some cigars.

I went to a cigar festival and this is the sampler they gave us. Here is the list, was hoping you guys could give me some opinions on these cigars.
Mild/Full bodied, good smoke/bad smoke. age/dont age etc...

Thanks in advance, I appreciate the help.

o1 90 Miles 1980 Corona Gorda (6 x 56)
o1 Aging Room Small Batch M356 Mezzo (6 x 54)
o1 Alec Bradley Nica Puro Robusto (5 x 50)
o1 Asylum Straight Jacket 54x6 (6 x 54)
o1 C & C Corojo Churchill (7 x 50)
o1 Camacho Corojo Robusto (5 x 50)
o1 E.P. Carrillo E-Stunner Siboney (5 x 50)
o1 Espinosa Habano Trabuco (6 x 60)
o1 Fonseca Serie F Robusto (5 x 52)
o1 Four Kicks By Crowned Heads Robusto Extra (5 1/2 x 56)
o1 Gurkha Regent Toro (6 x 50)
o1 Joya De Nic Antano 1970 Robusto Grande (5 1/2 x 52)
o1 Kristoff Ligero Maduro Robusto (5 1/2 x 54)
o1 La Aroma De Cuba Immensa (5 1/2 x 60)
o1 La Aurora Robusto (5 x 50)
o1 La Capitana Gigante (6 x 60)
o1 La Duena Robusto No. 5 (5 x 50)
o1 Leccia Black Robusto (5 x 52)

o1 Liga Undercrown Gran Toro (6 x 52)
o1 Monte By Montecristo Conde (5 1/2 x 48)
o1 Nestor Miranda Special Selection Robusto Connecticut (5 x 50)
o1 Oliva Cain F 654 Torpedo (6 x 54)
o1 Oliva Serie G Maduro Belicoso (5 x 52)
o1 Opium Miami Special Edition Gran Robusto (6 x 54)
o1 Padilla Crianza Robusto (5 x 50)
o1 Padron 3000 (5 1/2 x 52)
o1 Perdomo Exhibicion Connecticut Double Robusto (5 x 54)
o1 Perla Del Mar Perla G (6 1/4 x 54)
o1 Placeres Reserva Estrellas (5 x 50)
o1 Punch Rare Corojo Perfecto (7 x 48)
o1 Rocky Patel The Edge Lite Toro (6 x 52)
o1 Tatuaje Tattoo Caballero (5 x 50)
o1 The Judge By J Fuego Animus (6 x 60)
o1 Torano Vault Blend A-008 Robusto (5 x 52)
o1 Casino Gold Toro

That's a hell of a sampler.....I would just start smoking them. If you like it keep the wrapper if it's nasty toss it. You will find out quickly what you like and don't like. Sorry I can't help with that list. Most I haven't tried. I tend to stick to Maduros , non ligero fillers.

I went to Cigarfest once withh my brother in law. We had a nice roadtrip from NYC and fun walking around the fest, but in the end it was a humidor full of shitty cigars. There were maybe five really good cigars and 50 shitty ones. I still have around 20 or 30 of them that I just use as a humidity buffer.

Now I just buy fivers from the devil when I want to try something new.

In my limited knowledge of cigars I would guess these would be your best ones to start with...

Alec Bradley
Asylum
Camacho
Four Kicks
Liga Undercrown
Oliva
Padilla
Padron
Rocky Patel
Tatuaje

Full bodied. Eat a meal before you smoke it; it packs a punch. It's my favorite cigar. Outstanding cigar I smoke them in the Gran Consul size.

Is the Joya De Niceragua a dark Corojo or just a 1970?  If its the dark corojo eat something before hand.

Camacho Corojo, a stronger more full bodied cigar another one that you might want to eat before smoking.

The Kristoff is a med-full bodied cigar very good.

Undercrown is a medium bodied cigar good flavors.

Padron 3000 natural or Maduro?

IMHO, toss the gurkha they aren't good cigars they're just well marketed.

Thanks for the opinions guys about what to eat before and strength. Trying not to get nic sickness with the more full bodies sticks. I'll def answer the questions posed about some of them as soon as I get home, at a wedding today.

I've heard the same thing about Ghurkas a lot now, good marketing but terrible cigars.

I had a nub Connecticut the other night, it wasn't on the list. Smoked nice and had a nice flavor.

Being new to this, I always think when giving my opinion it's like a new gun owner bragging about a Taurus because they don't know the good stuff yet

You can generally count on Connecticut wraps being the lightest with Maduro and Corojo being some of the stronger wraps.

If you like it, it's the good stuff. For two years, all I smoked was an off brand called Cuban Rejects. They are unsmokable to me now. Ghurkas are just ok, in my opinion. All marketing. Same with anything Alec Bradley. Your taste will evolve, and change. If you very much like a cigar, take note of what you ate before, and what you drank with it. Even the time of day and weather can affect your cigar enjoyment.

Nubs are generally pretty good. Glad you enjoyed that one..

The Gurkha Regent is pretty good.

The only Gurkha that I've actually liked is the Stella Reserve 15 year.  It looks like a Liga Feral Pig.

As far as AB, my SO and I both injoy the black market line.  Other than that I haven't smoked that many AB.

I'm another guy that thinks the Gurkha Regent isn't a bad smoke, feel free to send your unwanted ones to me.

Honestly, that list looks like a fairly good stash to start out with, I'm having trouble spotting any real turds in that punchbowl.

Yes it is really good if you have your meal first and then go for a full bodied cigar This blog can give them more information   http://www.solocigars.com/blog/

Sry I haven't been back in awhile. Father suddenly in the hospital and this last week has been an ordeal. So if you guys want to say an extra prayer he could use it.

To answer the above. Joya is dark and pardon is natural.

I'm glad to hear these are decent cigars. I smoked the Romeo y Julietta the other day and it was decent. Burnt a bit uneven but overall not bad. Going to try the rocky this weekend. Any other ideas for purchases or trials are def appreciated.


Eta: Romeo wasn't on the list either. At the festival my buddy kept tossing in sticks he was winning in raffles or samplers.

The ones I always suggest to new smokers are...

My Uzi Weighs A Ton
Hemingway Short Story
Papas Fritas

No I fixed it.As much as I love the Baitfish. It smokes too hot for me,

 

Don't worry, in ARF fashion ill try all.

nice set of sticks man,

As you can see a lot of love for the MUWAT line of cigars. Baitfish is usually the size I buy, small and tasty. A good size for someone new to cigars imho.

 

 








 

MUWAT is made by Drew Estate not a boutique brand.

That MUWAT looks good. More than an hour for half way is def a slow burner.

So you guys can help me with one more thing if ud like. Going to buy a box of something to give out to groomsmen in a few weeks. I'm taking the plunge. Not many are smokers and some are. What's a good cigar to cover everyone pretty well. Also I'm thinking of a nice scotch or whiskey to drink while we all smoke. Any good pairing you guys can think of in that dept. trying to make my wedding classy and treat my buddies right in regards to gifts.

If there are more than a couple who don't smoke at all/regularly I would stick to a mild cigar. Medium at MOST.

Price point for cigars would be not too high as many are not regular smokers, heck I'm not even a regular. Now for the whiskey/scotch, price could be around 100 dollars a bottle. I'd like a unique experience for the wedding, something the guys wouldn't normally have the opportunity to drink.

Spend a bunch on whiskey if you want, but Woodford Reserve pairs very well with a good stogie.

The Oliva Connecticut Reserve is a lower priced connecticut (mild smoke) that is actually decent.

Your the third person that has told me to try woodford reserve. I guess I'll have to listen and go for it.

I doubt you'll regret it. That being said, I can see why you might want something a little more 'distinguished' for your special occasion. Break out the Pappy!  ;)

I was going to buy JW blue but I've read many ppl saying it's not worth it.

I'm a little late tot this party, but the Four Kicks is a great cigar.