Recommendations for a cigar smoker that's been off for many years?

I love food, I love wine, I love fine scotch, I love tobacco. Unfortunately I had to give up all tobacco for a while to kick a cigarette habit the second time around. Times have changed and I'm ready to start enjoying cigars again.

The owner of our local shop has been away for about 3 weeks and while the guy watching over the store is a very nice fellow, he's not a cigar smoker and knows nothing about them.

The next shop is 30 minutes away, no parking and it's a chore.

I need some recommendations on things to try again.

Last night I smoked a Padron 4000 and a Partagas Sabroso with some friends.

While I enjoyed them both I think I preferred the Partagas as it seemed to offer a little more flavor without going over board. It also had a better burn and draw.

I recently had a Padron Anniversary Diplimatico and it was amazing.

Over a decade ago when I was single, traveling over seas and could smoke in my own home my favorites were Montecristo. # 4s were nice for a short smoke and #1s worked well when I had more time.


Any recommendations on what to try? Something mid strength with medium to full flavor that won't bust my bank account. Until my local cigar owner gets back I'm kind of at a loss.

Thanks
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Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic.:-)
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5 vegas golds!! A definite pick up
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any Don Pepin Garcia really

My favorites are the Tatuaje cabinet series right now.

I would give one of the smaller Padrons at try too. They taste the same but tend to have more concentrated flavors than the larger ones. Also, many people including myself tend to favor the maduro Padrons.
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One thing you will find that the cigar market has changed dramatically since the boom years. Much better smokes at far lower prices, tons of good stuff in the $4-8 range. Also, there are more full bodied smokes now. Alot of corojo and ligero. CC's are still consistently good, you cant go wrong with a Monte #4. Check out some of the samplers on cigarbid.com. :-)
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Padilla 1932 or 68's, OlivaSerie 'V's
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Good mid-strength smokes with medium-full flavor that I enjoy include:

Partagas Classic & Spanish Rosado
Punch or Punch Gran Puro
Padilla Hybrid
El Rey del Mundo
Perdomo Lot 826 Slow-Aged
Perdomo Lot 23
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Sancho Panza
Felipe Gregorio Dominicana
Oliva Serie G Natural (Cameroon)
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
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DPG Blue is a great medium smoke:-)
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Thanks. That's a nice range of cigars with various pricing and some I can pick up at my local shop :-) The first one I do like quite a bit.
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That's an interesting site that I might try. If I'm only smoking 2- 3 a week for a while without a humidor is it worth paying shipping on a $20 - $30 order?

If the owner from the local shop ever comes back I'd like to use his place as much as possible but some of those deals look good on things that the local shop doesn't have and the sample packs, as you mention, look interesting.

Thanks
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Uh oh...the devil site will get you! I know first hand. :-)
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I'm guessing you'll be shopping for a coolador before April is out.

BTW...I gave up cigars for about 6 years until taking them back up again last year. A lot of good quality makers have come around since then & the Don Nobodys have gone away. Pepin, Padilla & Oliva are some that come to mind.
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I don't think you can go wrong with Padrons and Tatuajes. There are enough different types of cigars in all of their lines that you bound to find something you like.
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You seem to like some strength and full flavor so I have a few for you:

Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970
Rocky Patel Edge Sumatra if you can find some
Oliva V
Oliva G Maduro
Partagas Black
Don Pepin Garcia Blue
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 and 1992
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Try the Don Thomas sun grown. I really like those right now, very different nice smoke. I prefer the robusto.
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I had a Padron Ambassador last night while I went for a walk. It started off a little bitter actually. Was that my taste buds from dinner (2 hours before) or is this a common occurrence?

I smoked it down to the nub as the last 2 thirds were really nice.
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:-):-):-)

I also enjoy the Paetagas Padre.
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