So I've been smoking for a while now and recently had my budget increase significantly. I want to start ordering boxes online and just wondering what are a few of the well known higher end cigars I should be trying to get my hands on, honestly I'm just a bit out of my depth when I'm looking at a website like cbids.

So far just from reading the boards I've picked up a few names, Opus X for example, any suggestions on what else I should be looking for?
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Don't order boxes man.. get 5 packs and such, see what you like, one man's good smoke is another man's dog rocket, taste always differs.

I'd get on cbid and rack up some auctions with different 5 packs, give each cigar a try!
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Agreed 5 packs make more sense, I'm still looking for some of the cigars that are more or less universally agreed on though, before I start filling up my humidor with experiments.
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There really are no universally agreed upon good cigars. The best thing to do is buy some samplers, after you figure out what flavor profiles you prefer then you can read some reviews and look for similarities. I know exactly how you feel, I was asking similar questions not long ago. You need to really get to know somebodys likes and dislikes before you invest to much money into the cigars they recomend and you may not even like. Price doesn't mean much with cigars, you can find some great sticks for a great price, some great sticks cost more because of brand name, popularity and accessibility. Do you know what type of cigars you most prefer? Can you tell us some examples of sticks you tried and truly loved?

One definite must try, I would say, is the Diesel Unholy Cocktail.
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Just like every suggestion thread: Smoke everything. Then make up your own mind about what is good or not.


:-)
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My idea of a great must have smoke might differ from someone else's. Your palette might not be the same. I prefer maduro's and oscuro wrappers. Just buy some fivers and go from there. It took me awhile to figure out what I like but now, I'm set.
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Tatuaje Monsters, Man. Boris, Frank, Face, Wolfman. That's where it's at, everything else is just window dressing.
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I hear very little bad things about Padron anniversary smokes. I would not hesitate to buy a box of them if my budget allowed. Plus, the nice thing about them is, if you don't like them, someone will buy them from you.

Tatuaje Cojonu 2003's are pretty good too.

Illusione makes great smokes. I'm partial to the MK.

But as the others said, you'll have to figure out what YOU like, and go from there.
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Lol. Wolfman. AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!1!!!11one

Join the Newb Sampler trade. It's an excellent place to start. Let your CIA know what you like and he'll fix you up.
You can do that a couple times, and by then you'll have hung around enough and read enough that you'll be able to see the sale threads where you'll see samplers from heaven. That's a fantastic place to explore.
Fivers are a good idea, samplers moreso, but it'll be awhile before you can gain access to that forum.
In the meantime be patient. Read some reviews.

Try some Fuente Hemingway series, most everyone likes them. Maduros, mainly.
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Ashton VSG.


I repeat, Ashton VSG.


In case you didn't hear me, Ashton VSG.
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:-) :-) :-)

Tom, have you been hitting the bottle already today?
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Little monsters are coming soon. I hear they are the best cigars in the world:-)
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So wrong Tom, so wrong. :-)
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I agree with the "try everything approach." But, something to think about while you do it is know the blender of each one you smoke. For Example, if you like one stick from DPG, you may like his many others. I'd say at least 75% of what I smoke is DGP, Oliva and Padron. Find blenders you love and have less headaches and bank account depletion. YMMV. :-)
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Yes finally Tom gets it!!:-) He is a Pete fanboy!
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Seriously, 5 packs and high quality samplers are where you want to be if you don't have a specific profile preference. Pay attention to where the different parts of the cigars are from. That way you can get a general idea if you prefer Nicaraguans over Dominicans, maduro over natural wrapper, etc... Buy what you know you like, otherwise you'll be stuck with boxes of smokes you may not enjoy.
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Dont forget Casa Fuente's. Everyone loves them. Go out and buy all you can find :-)
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What, you got something against the Drac?:-)
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These are pretty nice looking sticks:

Image

These Pvnishers are horid sticks, stay away. They trick alot of people into buying them.
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Since everyone is a comedian, I'll respond with some of my favorites that a good number of people may likely agree with (of course taste is subjective, so here are a few of my recommendations):

Ashton VSG (ESG's are good too, but I don't think they are worth the extra money)
AVO Domaine
Camacho Triple Maduro
Don Pepin Series JJ Maduro
L Flor Double Ligero
La Vieja Skull and Bones
Liga Privada T52
Montecristo White Label
Oliva V
Padilla 68'
Perdomo Patriarch, followed by Champagne for a mild cigar and Lot 23 for a golf cigar
Rocky Patel Decade
Padron 64 Anniversary
Tatuaje Miami

There are so many other good cigars that I didn't list, but if you haven't tried any of the above, my list should get you started!
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