Tim, I'm 52 years old and only started smoking cigars in March of last year, 2022. After that first cigar, the next day I literally got on KZfaq to do research and found your videos. What a wealth of knowledge and a blessing it was to learn everything about cigars the correct way from you. The only thing I would change, is that I should have started cigars sooner lol. Thanks again and stay safe brother.

i picked up my first cigar literally yesterday. this is perfect

I've been smoking cigars off and on for about 22 years (Im 37 now). But I did take a break twice (because the wife wasn't super fond of them) for a few years. But one of the best I recommend is get a Connecticut wrapped cigar. I recommed the Perdomo Reserve champagne cigar. Not super expensive (around 8-12 dollars depending on size and store) but very mild and enjoyable. However, there are good cigars around the 2-6 dollar range. If you are new. Have some kind of sugar drink and a bottle of water. Water to cleanse the pallet (I cant seem to pick up flavors) and it helps with harshness, and a sugary drink incase you start to feel dizzy or something from the nicotine. The sugar counteracts the effects. Then sit back, enjoy. 1 puff every min or 2 is enough. Also DO NOT INHALE INTO YOUR LUNGS. Think about pulling it into your mouth, similar to pulling a drink through a straw and leaving it in your mouth. Enjoy!

I used to smoke a cigar with a very wealthy friend when we were invited over for dinner. I'm positive I cut the stick wrong, lit it wrong, etc. Now that we've moved down to a family farm, I decided to try and get some good sticks to start to build a nice humidor. I pour myself a nice Irish whiskey or single malt Scotch, sit by our chicken pen and just relax around sunset. I really appreciate your help, Tim!

Great video! Two things i wish I knew when I started we're: 1) decent cheap cigars are out there. I thought i could only afford to smoke once a month or so, but I've since found enjoyable sticks in the $2-4 range. Tim here has done done reviews in the past if you want some ideas to try. 2) cigars aren't very unhealthy if smoked in moderation. I've read a couple good papers on studies (at least one Tim here has highlighted) that show they cause very minimal health risk. It was good for my peace of mind when people accuse it of being a "dirty and dangerous habit". Do some research and arm yourself with the knowledge (don't take my word for it).

Great video as always, Thank you to the entire Cigars Daily Team !

Tim…You’re crushing it!!! We took a ton of notes from this video!!! Simple and crystal clear…. God Bless

Well before I got into cigars I found this channel and it helped me avoided many mistakes I could have made but one I did make was not buying a humidor for the first few months as I had only stated recently. Without a humidor, I rushed a few cigars and even smoked them when I did not feel like it out of fear that they may go bad in their zip lock bag. I now have a humidor set up identical to the one recommended on the channel.

By far the most helpful video I've seen for a beginner cigar smoker, thanks!!

I’ve been into cigars for only about 6 months and I absolutely love it

tim, i’m just a few months into smoking & you have been just an extra big help. thank you so very much for your videos sir

I started cigars about the same time this video came out. Luckily I watched several of your vids and talked with our local BM and educated myself as I progressed. Thanks!

I started a little over a year and a half ago, and watched a lot of your video's over that time. I used them as information like in this but also the once where you do the cigar reviews to compare what I feel and taste in the cigar I smoke. My problem is my palet, all those taste profiles that everybody pick up from their cigar but they are completely lost to me, Chocolat, cedar, coffe, hay etc etc, never tasted those, only a light chocolate once. Keep the video's coming, good info and fun and love your view on smoking cigars, smoke them how YOU like them and want to, not like how somebody else tells you to. It is your pleasure and moment of relaxation. Smoke'em if you got 'em.

Keep a journal. I was given one free at a shop (3" x 4") and tape the band from every different cigar I smoke. I've been smoking regularly for a few years and I use it to track what I like. I seem to have only 2 tasting notes, good/bad which translates across everything, whiskey, wine, food or anything else in my life. The other criteria I write in my journal is construction. I find I can enjoy a cigar that flavor wise is not my favorite because the construction makes it worth continuing. I am disappointed when I like the flavor but it has many construction flaws. There is no score, tasting notes and no mention of thirds just 2 criteria, if I liked it and if it smoked well. Thanks for all of the content and whether my palate develops or not I will continue to enjoy cigars.

Started a couple months ago. I started by asking the clerk at the cigar shop where to start. Beyond that, I decided there were no rules, and have experimented accordingly. I've played with different price ranges... it doesn't matter to me. I've played with color of wrappers... doesn't matter to me. I find is easier to play around inside a geography. By doing that, I determined that I really enjoy Dominican blends... and from there I've picked a favourite: Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best Seller Maduro. I love a few... but I love that one the most. Tim... I loved your comment that with a good cut and a good light is hard to go wrong. I 100% agree.

I'm almost 24 and every time I go into the cigar shop I come with a new perspective every time. Usually from researching brands and reviews

Great info from a great channel for a great hobby. I’d say don’t be hesitant on trying different cigar makers. I stuck to drew estate for the longest time, and not too long ago began really branching out and discovered just how much variety and flavor there is available. This Undercrown shade toro is crushing it right now but absolutely love the perdomo 20th anniversary Connecticut, and Espinosa crema. There really is so much out there

I really appreciate your team and the information. I've started my journey with Miu l my first cigar a few years ago but didn't know good suggestions. I had that one 5 years ago but this year have taken more Of the culture and I really do enjoy the relaxation chill time And you have really inspired me to take this further. I used to work for a Wine bar-and-grill and am a big Wine drinker my wife and I but cigar and whiskey smoking and it's become my after work into the week reward and I appreciate finding your channel keep up the great work

I just started this year getting my feet wet in this new hobby, this channel has been helping so much!!!

Tim, as a digital marketing aficionado I want to give you solid props on your content quality and creative style. Great video. Thank you!

Love how you worked in some of the topics covered in the cigar misinformation section of the previous live chat 👍

I really appreciate the time, effort and consideration, that You put into the videos that You produce and share with Us here on KZfaq. Thank You for this information Tim. Later

started my cigar quest around Christmas. I didn't expect to enjoy something so much. Thanks for your videos and knowledge!

The wife and i are getting to take a little get away and it dawned on me im going to a place famous for cigars. I know nothing. But 10 minutes in you have sent me down the rabit hole. What a wealth of knowledge you have. Very cool

Man love your channel Tim Your style is great. Reviews Are engaging and smooth! Keep em coming my brother!

Tim, I just turned 45 a week ago and bought my first 2 cigars ever. I smoked one with my lodge buddies the other night and it was a whole new world for me! I came across your videos while searching cigars on KZfaq. I love the information as I am wanting to learn everything I can about cigars and am even planning a trip to my local cigar store and lounge around payday to buy some more cigars.

I’m new to cigars and just got my first order from y’all and love your content. I’m still trying to see what I like the most but I hope when I go to Phoenix I will go see the shop!

thanks tim for all you do placed an got my first order with you guys a week ago.

i'v been smoking cigars for almost 2 months and I've learned everything i know from you i wont get my sticks anywhere but your shop is a great costumer super fast shipping

Love your videos learn something new each time I watch!

I started enjoying cigars in my late teens when my father brought me a humidor with a bunch of Monte No. 4’s in it from his trip to Cuba. The thing I wish I did when starting was learned properly how to care for them. About half of them became ruined with Mites and such. Anyone starting out do your research. Now 29 that first bunch of ruined cigars still erks me but was a learning lesson for sure. Great content 👍

Starting around March of 2020, and I'm always learning new things as well as picking up new flavor notes even in cigars I've tried countless times. It's truly a great field and hobby. As much as I love Perdomo and Ramon Allones, I'm always more impressed when a cigar that's half the price or cheaper can give me close(key word: "close" ^_-) to the same enjoyment. Always on the lookout for cheaper options(especially given this current timeline lol) Also good tip on the journal - I've done it for about a year and not only does it let me jot down notes and whatnot on paper, but it will allow me to concentrate on flavor as I do so. Also my retrohale didn't come as naturally as I would've liked and took near 8 months to get it down to what I have it at currently. Can't do the dragon breath like some people can, but it does make a decent amount of difference when it comes to tasting that cigar

I really appreciate this!! I am 21 and going to smoke my first cigar tonite with my dad. Thank you for your tips!

How to store cigars properly is what I wish I new back in the day! But my favorite cigar as of now is the short story by Arturo Fuente! Great taste and with small kids I don’t get a lot of free time to enjoy one so this half hour cigar is perfect for me and not expensive at all! Thanks for all your help Tim with my education!

Your cuts are so well spoken and so long.. amazing knowledge and production quality

My number one piece of advice is do not inhale followed by smoke on a full stomach! From there try all the different kinds to determine what you like most including those forbidden flavored cigars. You might find out those are your favorite!

Hey Tim. Another noob here. I truly appreciate all of the great content. Keep up the good work!

Just have fun with it! The community is great. Don’t be afraid to try every cigar available. I used to save wrappers and write a little entry about it. I have definitely found buying a better humidor right off the bat will save a ton of time messing with humidity! You learn a lot though messing with cheaper humidors, especially in winter or dryer climates. 😂.

I’ve gotten in the routine of at least buying two of each cigar I want to try. If I love it - cool I have another stick to save. If I don’t like it the first time, I let it rest for a few weeks, maybe change the drink or snack I pair it with, and then try it again before finalizing an opinion on it.

CJ's Cigars in El Dorado Hills, CA is my go to place. CJ is very professional and helpful. Definitely a great video!

Love the videos so informational as well as entertaining!!

I'm newbie and I love your advice and knowledge keep up the great content🎉

Helpful and informative as always.

Another great video Tim. One note, that I've noticed gets overlooked frequently when talking about a beginner selecting their first cigar. Beyond wrapper leafs, even before looking at wrapper leafs: infused vs natural vs. aromatic vs. sweet tip. I've found many new smokers are drawn to infused or sweet tips. Also, re: wrapper leafs and strengths, my preferences change not only over time, but depending on time of day. keep up the great work and thank you for the videos!

Started a couple months back and you’ve been a great help in my journey! My father got me a humidor and I’ve been slowly expanding my options. I am a nicotine fiend so drew estate factory smokes have been a great daily! I would love for you to talk more about dry boxing because ever since I started this I have not had any draw issues or burn issues, even after relighting a cigar it still burns perfect, and over humidified cigars can completely ruin your experience, at any rate great video as always!

Been smoking cigars for years. First time in a cigar shop I picked up a double ligero can't remember the exact stick though. After puffing on it for an hour I felt very ill to the point I blew chunks outside the bar! I wish I was better informed by the seller I had no idea what to go for I had only been used to Hamlets or Wintermans before that. Came across your videos thanks to Steven Crowder and enjoy the reviews and tips. One of my favorites is the Southern Draw rose of Sharon trying it after watching the review. So thanks Tim for all the vids I look forward to seeing the next one. God bless.

I have it made. I live out in the country in SW Virginia just down the hill from Mt. Lake. I have to go to town for my sticks. My local tobacconist ( "Joe" Nazare @ Blacksburg Pipe and Tobacco ) owns a cigar factory in Nicaragua and ages everything in his cavernous home humidor before it goes in the store humidors. some for years, it is all labeled as to aging. He really enjoys teaching about and is passionate about cigars!! He only sells stuff not directly available to the public. Keep up the fine work gents!!

Tried cigars out when I was in my early 20s, 37 now and can appreciate it for what it is. I’m one month in now and Acid is a great beginner brand, bought a pack of c-notes and a few blondies and am fully in. I have a humidor seasoning, two full boxes one of c notes one blondies, c notes are a perfect quick sweet smoke, blondies may be the perfect intro cigar. Within a week of getting my order I placed another for their full sampler lineup and a few 5 packs of some bigger boys in the 6X50 range.

I started smoking cigars on my first deployment to Iraq back in 04 but all my corps buddies were more or less stabbing in the dark just like I was. Something like this would have been awesome for us to have back then, your doing The Lords work Tim keep it up,

Found a company here in Sweden (Kind Cigars) that has a subscription service so i got a new batch of cigars from diffrent brand every month and a information pamplet about the cigars that really helped me find out what i found to fit me. When i was going to order myself for the first time its overwhelming with the amount of brands wrappers tastets etc so that really helped me get started, should have done that from the start.

I ended up getting lucky early on after on a few cigars and stumbled upon the Fuente 8-5-8 Maduro. Great cigar, especially for the price and then I branched off of that. Love a good cigar and I love the community.

I wish I had of known about COTM (cigar of the month clubs) earlier in my adventures. Getting the variety each month has really opened me up to things I would walk past in a humidor.

Gonna go pick up the first one today actually, so kind of funny that I found this video, ty C.D

The one thing I wish I had known when I got into smoking a couple years ago was around storage. If you aren’t just buying a few at a time, definitely buy a larger humidor than you think you will need. It becomes real easy to outgrow it quickly and the counts that they state are almost never what you will actually get in them. Whether you are using wood humidors, electric, or plastic, go with something larger unless you have great self control on only buying what you can fit in your current humidor.

I’m 32 and getting into I tried a mild but looking for different options I got into it bc I always liked the look of it you see people relaxing or a group setting it always gave me a real chill vibe so I started I’ve never been a drinker but just to sit in the backyard or on the porch does it for me

Thank you so much Sir, absolutely marvellous informations.

Tim you are a great person

Started in 2020 because wanted to quit ciggerates but wanted something that I enjoy as I don't drink or party or do other recreational stuff and trust me it was a great decision❤

Hi Tim. Thanks for the tips!

Very well done video. Thanks 👍🏻

I started with some Cubans. I had to learn about the different types. I love to try all cigars .

If I could give myself some advice a year ago around when I was getting into cigars, I'd tell myself to buy a full on 2000+ cigar humidor that heats as well as cools.

21y/o pretty new to the “vice”😂, but thank you sir, you both presented a TON of USEFUL info as well as easing the anxiety of your first browse. God bless you sir!

You need more subs. Best cigar guy on KZfaq

Just got a 150 stick electric humidor ordered a couple variety packs to figure out my thang.. thanks for this video

Great video, I love your channel, I just ordered off your website!

Great video. I'm a new cigar smoker and have found that the Rocky Patel 1999 Vintage (Toro or Churchill) to be a really great smoke.

This is exactly what i needed to hear thanks!

Love Tim and Cigars Daily!

The first cigar I ever smoked was a swisser sweet then a factory 59 then I found the cigar I love macanudo Maduro Hyde park I have smoked a pipe for years but I'm going to the cigar now thanks for the great video I've got lots of learning to do

just picked up 2 vasco da gama cigars one Scottish and one Caribbean. Looking forward to trying them.

Within my first few weeks, to a month, that I was smoking cigars, I was cutting the entire cap off! I still get the shivers, when I think about it lol

I was lucky, I started my journey in 1987 when on my way to college meeting a Cigar store owner In Lawton,OK he introduced me to a mild Honduran because I had never smoked anything thing including cigarettes. I took that box to Langston University and mostly smoked Honduran for 6 years. Being introduced to a wider variety in Dallas it transformed my smokes into a passion .

I'm 25 and have been smoking cigars for 4 years and when I was starting out I learned about buying discounted cigars or variety packs for about 60% off which gave me a good supply of trying multiple different types of cigars so knowing what you like and what you didn't like became easier

58 years old always lived the smell of cigars yet started smoking since Dec 2023 enjoy it very much it's a way of me relaxing. The idea of being addicted like with cigarettes witch I always hated the smell since cigars aren't inhaled my thought are that it wouldn't as addictive

I started with a connecticut and didn't like the pepper so my friend gave me a quorum maduro and it charged my full out look on cigars and still to this day my palette still wants that chocolate coco and coffee creamy notes .. jc newman brickhouse maduro is my go to now 5x54 I find that's my limit lol love it :)

Great video, as always. I would add that “milage” is really important, smoking much more than an occasional cigar. I now smoke 4-6 per day. That can get expensive and if they are all great you tend to take them for granted. I incorporated high quality cut leave cigars that run $2-4 each and once you’ve found some good ones, you will find them a good approximation to a long leaf more expensive cigar. Cut leafs are my daytime go to cigar and the long leaf tend to be my last one of the day. It not only helps the budget but it helps me appreciate the somewhat subtle differences in a long leaf. Plus I’m busy during the day and often just can’t pay attention to the cigar I’m smoking so the cut leafs are more than adequate. The trick is trying varieties out until you’ve found cut leafs that are consistently good! I’ve tried hundreds. Many are quite poor but some are spectacular. This issue, to me, is the real secret to cigar smoking and getting the milage that matures a palate.

I had my first stick 11 years ago and kept a journal until I noticed trends in what I liked. Great thing to do. Having issues getting a good cut? Try a punch (the accessory, not the brand). Small, dead simple to use and some torches come with one built in. They keep the cap firmly in place and almost eliminate those little flakes of leaf that some people find really annoying. A word about the diameter of cigars (ring size)... the thinner the cigar, the more influence the wrapper and binder are going to have, the fatter the cigar the less influence they have. If you find one you kinda like, try a different ring size to change the flavor balance between the wrapper/binder and the filler leaves.

I'm just getting into cigars and I've had the rocky Patel vintage 1992 and the pardon 2000 aka baseline..the rocky Patel was packed with flavor with good transitions between coffee and a strong dark chocolate..slight pepper on the exhale that gets stronger as you progress...only issue I had was with the burn definitely had to pay attention to the stick.

Hey Tim, I'm only 25 but i was curious about everything in the industry. I was just curious and happened to stumble upon your channel. Thank you for explaining everything so nicely. Really makes it feel like an actual community.

great video Tim

I've been on and off smoking for near 12 years, I'm still learning still growing my pallettes. I'm so different from who I used to be. Only thing I wish I'd considered was starting with Connecticut wrappers and learning to like them, cuz now I just can't seem to. Been a bold and medium+-full smoker for so long I feel like half the selection just won't work for me lol. That said the community has been a joy to see how to expand my pallette and now I got a bunch of fivers waiting for me to start trying a massive mix of different flavors. That alone is why I love cigars. My ADHD loves the variety, the uniqueness the new experiences, while the collecting and the organizing feeds my autism wonderfully too. The last thing I'll say this... Curse padron for ruining almost every other Maduro for me lol

For a beginner suggest placing the cutter on a table put the cigar in the cutter and cut. In this way the table stops you from cutting the cigar to deep.

I started with swisher sweets and still love em today

If I could start over, I would never have gotten a wood humidor: a lot of trouble when better products are available. The Cigars Daily round acrylidor seals perfectly.

The only advice I want to give is that if you have sinus issues keep the retrohale to a minimum. I only do it for cigars I'm already in love with to bring out the full flavor and only once or twice for a cigar. It'll mess you up if you already have issues due to allergies, deviated septums or other related issues. Tried doing it for every cigar for a bit and regretted it, especially after I decided i was having so much issues I had to do a rinse. I don't have issues when I keep it to a minimum though, but I can see someone having issues after just a couple attempts if they already have worse pre-existing conditions I don't have.

Ya'lls Obrigado is probably the best cigar for a beginner. I bought the Crowder 7 + 1 and an Obrigado came with it. Oh it was so awesome 👌

Wonderful video! If I may come with one suggestion, it would be incredibly helpful if you split this video into different chapters, using the KZfaq function. Would make it a lot easier to find the section of the videos you'd want to revisit, when coming back to it.

Enjoyed your shop today. Bought a box of Wild Hunter by Oscar.

I do have a question I miss some of the live streams and I never get to ask the question. But if you could make a cigar kit to season the palette what would you put in it? So your palette is properly seasoned. So you can enjoy the cigars and I know people say to just smoke and smoke but I feel like it could help to have some tips. Thanks for any help.

I just had my first premium cigar yesterday. I had smoke Swishers and Backwoods before, but I knew nothing of etiquette, how to light them, etc (not that it would really matter how you lit a Swisher). A Cigar bar just opened in the town I recently moved to, and I wanted to give it a try, I'm pushing 40, might as well be the old guy I'm becoming, right? The bar owner, Larry has an beautiful and vast humidor, and man, it was intimidating. He and I talked for a bit and he gave me some suggestions, and I ended on a Honduran brand JRE. I purchased an Aladino Corojo Reserva. From what I've read, it's the same leaves used in Cubans, and it might sound silly, but every talks about Cubans, and they are coveted that I thought I might as well start there. I smoked one yesterday with my uncle, and went back 3 hours later and had another, and then I bought one for the road, which I'm going to enjoy today. I smoked cigarettes for 15 years, then switched to vaping, but cigars might just be the new way I get my nicotine. The whole experience is just amazing, and the flavor is something I can't imagine anyone hating. Glad I found your channel!! Now it's time to nerd out and binge watch your backlog!! Cheers, from Kentucky!!

My first cigar was with my Uncle 18 years ago at a family reunion. But I remember growing up my great grandfather always having a cigar in his mouth.

One of my things is give a cigar or a brand 2 or 3 chances before you say you don't like it. I love the AB project 40 but I have had a tight draw in a couple so I have to use a draw enhancer but I do enjoy the cigar that much I don't really mind needing to do that once in a while

My one thing I’d change Tim, not wasting the first 15 years of my cigar journey smoking only Cuban cigars!!!! New world cigars are so much better (in my opinion). Love your videos BTW

I agree with your leaf discussion. The very first cigar I had was a Diesel Rage. Oh my god it was horrible because it was so strong and peppery. It has a dark leaf wrapper and was told by someone that since it was a dark leaf wrapper that i was going to be like that. Next cigar after that was a Drew Estates Fat Bottom Betty. I looked at the wrapper and thought to myself, “great, another cigar that’s going to suck!” Oh my lord was I wrong! That Betty was the best cigar for my palate ever! I am pretty new to cigars and love sweets. After the Betty, it was Sweet Jane because I wanted to stick with Drew Estates and boy ill tell you what, Drew Estates is my favorite and cant wait to keep trying all their other flavors!

Getting into it now. I ordered some from cigars daily and happy about it, but I wish I just skipped the lowest stuff, because this is not a daily thing for me. Maybe 1 per week. Prob most value in that 6 - 10 dollar range for me (excluding sales of course)

Writing down what’s in every cigar that I choose so that I can understand what i like and don’t like. Also using the notes to direct me to the ones that I want to try out

I know not to keep flavored or infused cigars with regular ones. But do I need to keep different types of infused cigars separate?

Started when I was 18 and quit after 6 months because it was drying my mouth out and the taste got burnt after halfway through. Come to find out It was how I was smoking them ( like a cigaret) and I used a gas lighter… stupid lol explains why they start off tasting good then burnt. Can’t wait to go down this journey the right way 10 years later. I have a grand habano #1 52x5 to try after work tomorrow

Im a newbie/reborn cigar smoker. After sitting down with my fishing around the age of 19, he introduced me to my first cigar. Id watch that man fish, puff and tweez every stubble from his beard, Lol. I've learned an awful of knowledge from your videos. The thing that i found to be very important now? Roast your cigar and not using a regular Bic. Guru status to me✊🏽