So I'm heading over to my local B&M tomorrow as they're running a 20% off build your own box deal. Is there any "YOU MUST TRY THIS NOW" recommendations that you guys have?

I seem to be in the medium to (sometimes) full body flavor profile, although I've only been smoking for about 2 months. So far my memorable smokes have been:
* Famous Nic 3000
* CAO Gold
* CAO CX2
* RP Cuban Blend Maduro & Natural
* and by far my favorite has to be the Cubao No. 5

My short list:
AF Short Story (been really wanting to try these)
CAO Cameroon
CAO America (these look so nice)
Maybe some My Father stuff
Tatuaje something
Gurkha something

Really interested in the last two, but know almost nothing about the brands. Anyone have suggestions for this newbie?
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Definitely pick up a short story or 5. Try an Undercrown too. There are tons to try, thats part of the fun I'm learning. I had a Viaje Platino Lancero that I really enjoyed.

I suggest reading through the reviews. That should help you make up your mind.

Full disclosure, I'm a newb too. :-)

Just try everything you can get your hands on.
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I would add Padron Londres Maduro and Padron 2000 Maduro on to that short list. Also, El Triunfidor, and Cabaiguan.
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Heh, I've never even heard of the last two! MORE RESEARCH!:-)
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Fair warning on the Americas: they may look pretty but they're an underwhelming cigar IMO, most reviews I've read have corresponded with me so I know I'm not just being an odd ball

That said, add a Padron or two to the list(bonus points for the 64 anny maduros), a Perdomo or two, and a Punch or two(great cigars for not much).
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Both are made by Tatuaje, and I would say have some similarities with the Cubao
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I rocky Patel Edge.
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I've noticed that sentiment here - still going to give them a shot, but I probably won't buy many of them now.

I don't feel I have the palate to appreciate the higher end Padron's yet - even though they look/sound so amazing.
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You have my attention!
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Im a noob too. and the ghurkha seduction I had as wonderful. punch are good, padrons are wonderful. have a short story in my humi now awaiting taste testing
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what i do is talk with the B&M owner and tell him sticks i have likes, and some that I didnt. then how many sticks I want to buy or how much money Im willing to spend, and he hooks me up with a random selection. I am going to guess that I have tried about 100 different sticks adn am still testing the waters. so far my fav is the 601 blue lable or PDR 1867 blue. I always keep a couplle of each of these in my humi, but there is no telling what else you willl find in there.
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Ok the oliva g & v, and the drew estates joya de nic...
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Try them all... It is so hard.. remember to keep track of them, your own review so you know. When people compare them, you can try those and see..

I have a cooler full of ones I have never tried. So exciting when I get to smoke one.. even if I like it or not..

There are just so much out there to give some recommendations.. Have fun!!

I have only been at this for a year now.
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601 Blues :-) :-) :-)
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I overlooked the Oliva Gs when I first started smoking due to the Vs being so talked about. You newbs don't forget about the Gs, they are tasty!
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Yep.
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My recommendation would be to buy individual brands/blends only in very minimal (ie. one or two sticks) quantities, so that you can maximize the breadth of your selection. You'll be glad later, when that one you were 50/50 on catches you by delicious surprise and when the one that looked so fantastic disappoints you and you realize that you've escaped the burden of a whole box of them.

Be careful not to write off an entire line on your experience with a single size or wrapper type. If the flavor is completely wrong for you or the performance is poor, that's one thing, but you might be surprised at how many brands feature a size that's just so-so, right next to a not-that-different size that's spectacular. Seemingly subtle distinctions can mean the world.

When you do put together a short-list of favorites from your shotgun explorations, you can try different sizes and wrappers within those brands to really wrap your mind around the blends and hone in on your favorites.
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I would def go with these......Gurkha's can be hit or miss, but I really liked the one with the red label (sorry I don't know the name of it) it almost looks like it's on fire, it might be the classic, I would avoid the European Selection, it bored me to tears, but again try what you want, sample all you can.

This is fantastic advice as long as the owner or employee will take the time to help you, and yes keep a log of what you have smoked it really helps, I have a notebook and just jot down notes or if I would buy again.

I concur.....very very good stick
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If the Cubao was your favorite by far, push the My Father, DPG, Tatuaje, 601 stuff to the top of your list. They're all DPG blends. The Tatuaje La Riqueza is another great blend that I'd recommend.
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:-)
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