Introducing The Humidor

If you don’t know, I dig a good cigar, but a good cigar doesn’t have to come from an island 90 miles from Key West nor does it have to cost more than ten bucks. Don’t get me wrong, I have been lucky enough to have my fair share of Cuban Cigars (real ones) not the counterfeit ones you buy when you go to the Bahamas on a family cruise. I stand by a Montecristo #2 when I have that option but my income and legal matters inhibit me from keeping a few on hand.

You will find most of my cigars I discuss here will be rolled in the DR, Nicaragua and Honduras. Rarely will I spend over $6 a stick “retail” or $3 a stick when ordering online. Currently I have a box in my humidor that I paid $1.75 a stick! Just as with wine there are gems that are easy on the wallet, you just have to do your homework and try different sticks until you learn what you like. Personally, I enjoy full flavored cigars with oily maduro wrappers and Nicaraguan fillers. Some that top my list are the CAO Mx2, Rocky Patel’s The Edge and a Diesel Unholy Cocktail. Each is an excellent after meal smoke with thick velvet smoke and paired with a scotch or bourbon whiskey.  For a nice day time smoke I turn to a lighter mild-medium smoke that I can enjoy on the boat or at a tailgate. Some of the best are Nick Perdomo’s Slow Aged 826, Indian Tabac Classic or Limited Reserve and a Gran Habano Vintage.

Disclaimer* With the exploring that it takes to find excellent cigars that wont break the bank be prepared to smoke one or two that are dog shit. My advice, don’t just buy a cheap box. I always try new sticks in singles or five packs.*

Hopefully I can introduce some new brands to cigar smokers or help someone who enjoys a cigar but doesn’t want to blow ten bucks a stick. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for supporting local cigar shops that bring something to the table, but all too frequently you find a shop owner that doesn’t want to take the time to help you out if you don’t have the coin to spend $250 on a box. But, for those that are willing to help and teach you a few things and know what you like and what your budget is, support them! I have a great shop by my house; Tobacco Cove on Baymeadows Road is the shit. Great people and great smokes, plus every month or so they do a tasting where a cigar rep brings a bunch of samples and they hand out free smokes and have raffles to win stuff. Also, the gem of a serious shop is they have a few sticks that they created just for them. Tom, from Tobacco Cove has a smoke dubbed the Gringo that resembles The Edge from Rocky Patel. It rocks, plus doesn’t carry the same “brand name” price tag. Stop in and introduce yourself and be honest what you’re looking to try and spend, they will point you in the right direct. There are tons of incredible smokes in the $5.50 and under price range to try so you can get a feel for what you like before you order boxes or sampler packs from places like cigarbid and cigarsinternational.

So, check out The Humidor page for what I smoke and reviews.