So I bought a few cigars...

[Clavius]

Alright guys, rather than clutter up the "What Is Everyone Smoking?" thread I decided to start a new thread for this.

Here's the deal: I know a little about cigars. But I'm still overwhelmed whenever I go into the big walk-in humidor at Liquor Barn here in Lexington. I didn't go to Liquor Barn today to get cigars but I always stop in the humidor to have a look around. And I'll be honest, I used to think that Acid's were "the shit." But I've since learned from reading here in the smokes section on SB that they're really not. So I'm trying to learn more and be more serious about cigar smoking. Only thing is, it's something I rarely do so I can't really justify the cost of a humidor, etc. (at least, not at this point!). So I perused the humidor at the Barn today and one thing I've read in the past is that Padron is a good brand. So I had a look around and thankfully Liquor Barn had a few shelf-talkers to help me out. I ended up going with two Padron 2000's. One natural and one maduro. They were like $4.99 each. Then I went higher-end Padron. Also picked up two 1964 Anniversary's. Again, one natural and one maduro. I want to see if I prefer natural wrappers over maduro wrappers. So that's the reason for one of each. Now, I have two different types of cutters. A guillotine cutter and a punch cutter. Which do you guys think is better? Should I start with a 2000 and then later try a 1964?

[Clavius]

Just smoked the Padron 2000 maduro... and I'm not a fan. I will reserve judgment on maduro wrappers as a whole until I've tried the 1964 maduro. But at this point I think I'm definitely not a fan of maduro's.

[steeltownbbq]

I don't know much either. But I do know that generally I prefer punch cutters and maduros. I get glassy eyed in the humidor too. I've found P1 Cusanos to be reasonably priced and enjoyable.

[Clavius]

The Padron 2000 maduro was just too strong and dirty for me. I don't really know what I'm looking for in a cigar but I know that I don't want another 2000 maduro!

[JayMonster]

OK, a couple of quick answers first.

I always prefer a cutter over a punch. When you punch a cigar, more tar seems (to me) to build up around that small hole, and also limits the draw.

As for the humidor, if you are not ready for one... then don't buy one. Decent ones have a definite cost of entry and cheap ones are... well... cheap and you are doing yourself no favors in getting one. Instead, you can make one for about $2. Get two plastic food bags (preferably the type with a "zipper"), one of the gallon size and one quart size. Get a piece of floral foam (there are two kinds, one which is styrofoam... you do not want that one, and one that holds water, it sort of looks like green clay... that is the one you want. You want a small piece that will fit in the quart size bag). Punch a couple of small holes (pinholes) on each side of the quart bag (maybe 3 or 4 on each side to begin), wet the floral foam (so it is damp but not dripping), place the floral foam in the quart bag and place that bag, along with your cigars in the quart bag, zip it up and you have an instant humidor. (if you find your cigars drying out, you can add more holes to the quart bag a few at a time until you get a satisfactory result... more on that in a moment).

Now as for your cigars. The Padron 2000s are good (not great, but good) cigars, and the Maduros are generally flavorful. However, based on your description of it tasting "dirty" I would guess that they were over-humidified. This is not uncommon for stores with large walk in humidors. Because of the foot traffic and because most people are going to carry or put them somewhere before smoking, they tend to keep the humidity higher. This makes the cigar too "wet" and when maduros are over humidified, they tend to really show the earthy (dirty) taste. (And Padron starts out with an earthy taste, so it only gets more "dirty" when "wet" think of it like a very woody bourbon that you put on ice, which then dulls all the flavors and makes it taste over-wooded).

So how do you know if a cigar is over-humidified? You pinch it (lightly), on the open end. If it is crunchy... it is UNDER humidified (which is just as bad as over humidified... it will burn, hot, fast, and you won't get the flavors you expect.) If it is spongy and regains it shape slowly, it is over humidified and you get results like you describe. If it springs right back into shape, it is about right.

I don't know about the weather in Kentucky, but with the humidity as high as it is right now in NJ, you could easily just leave the cigars out, and they will settle to about the right humidity in a day or so without drying out.

So that is the quick and dirty (no pun intended) of it... in my not so humble opinion of course.

[bllygthrd]

Clavius

I actually prefer the punch over the cutter, but only if the cigar has a full cap and a ring gauge 40 or greater. It is easier for me to keep a punch on my key ring ... rather than carry a cutter in my pocket. The use of a punch also minimizes the potential for the wrapper to unravel during smoking ... and I hate tobacco flakes in my mouth.

Humidor - Google: Tupperdor, Coolerdor, ZipLocidor and/or Fridgeidor ... there are allot of inexpensive options/innovations out there that will provide you with a fully functional humidor.

Now, on to Padrons ... the 1964s were a great selection, and I actually prefer the maduro wrappers. Try the 1964 series also, the box pressed 1964s are a real treat. I'm also a fan of the Illusione line of cigars ... particularly the CG-4s.

JayMonster

Great post and answer ...

[Clavius]

I have to say that the Padron 1964 Anniversary natural wrapper that I just smoked was probably the best cigar I've ever smoked in my life. Just silky smooth and nice. Don't know how else to describe it.

[KYPayne]

I used to buy cigars strictly from the liquor store I frequented, but I bought a few that wouldn't stay lit. The next time I returned there was an additional humidifier in the humidor, and my cigars weren't up to quality. I went downtown to a cigar/pipe store on the square. They had cigars that I'd never heard off, but the owner was very helpful in suggesting a few cigars for me. I suggest that you find a store that deals in cigars as a priority. That solved a lot of my problems.

I use a cheap place cutter. I place the cap on a table, slide it into the cutter, and cut the end. I prefer a big draw personally, but freehanding the cut usually results in me tearing the wrapper some. I toast the foot by holding the lighter away from cigar a few inches and letting the filler turn dark. Then I ignite the wrapper, touch up the parts that aren't burning, and then enjoy my smoke. I'm an amateur, though.

[Clavius]

I used to buy cigars strictly from the liquor store I frequented, but I bought a few that wouldn't stay lit. The next time I returned there was an additional humidifier in the humidor, and my cigars weren't up to quality. I went downtown to a cigar/pipe store on the square. They had cigars that I'd never heard off, but the owner was very helpful in suggesting a few cigars for me. I suggest that you find a store that deals in cigars as a priority. That solved a lot of my problems.

I use a cheap place cutter. I place the cap on a table, slide it into the cutter, and cut the end. I prefer a big draw personally, but freehanding the cut usually results in me tearing the wrapper some. I toast the foot by holding the lighter away from cigar a few inches and letting the filler turn dark. Then I ignite the wrapper, touch up the parts that aren't burning, and then enjoy my smoke. I'm an amateur, though.

Yeah, I guess I need to find a dedicated cigar/tobacco shop.

[MyOldKyDram]

I believe Schwabs just recently moved to Southland.