I think I've come to the end of my "trying cigars".

[jonumberone]

If I had anni's lying around, that's all I would want to smoke too. If you throw them away, you will be in love with the rest of you cigars in no time.

[KenyanSandBoa]

I'm at the polar opposite of where you are Scott...I'm hoarding as much as possible to try anything and everything I can.

I'm sure I'll get to a point where I'm only buying a limited range of cigars...but God I hope they are not Anni's...I don't know if I could afford that "hobby".

[icantbejon]

I'm clearly newer and less versed in the hobby than you Scott...but I've hit this point before. I got frustrated trying the "next hot stick" and just got into a place where I wanted to smoke the two or three cigars I knew I was going to like. That mood lasted for almost a year I would guess, and I'm just now coming out of it. Mostly because my tastes seem to be changing a bit. I was somewhat a maddy whore, and I'm losing my flair for them. I'm progressing into a Pepinish spicy place. Maybe in a few months you'll get the zest for trial again. Until then, it doesn't sound like you've "settled" on a bad stick to smoke regularly.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by icantbejon

I'm clearly newer and less versed in the hobby than you Scott...but I've hit this point before. I got frustrated trying the "next hot stick" and just got into a place where I wanted to smoke the two or three cigars I knew I was going to like. That mood lasted for almost a year I would guess, and I'm just now coming out of it. Mostly because my tastes seem to be changing a bit. I was somewhat a maddy whore, and I'm losing my flair for them. I'm progressing into a Pepinish spicy place. Maybe in a few months you'll get the zest for trial again. Until then, it doesn't sound like you've "settled" on a bad stick to smoke regularly.

How long have you been smoking icantbejon?




Also, another great way to open your horizons, so to speak, is through the Blind taste test. More often than not I am surprised to find new sticks I like.

[kelmac07]

I gotta agree that trying to find a few of the "new and hot sticks" is becoming an everyday occurence...and usually only to be disappointed in the end result (not always). I always find myelf going back to what I KNOW I enjoy and like. While I must admit that I am glad it isn't a Padron, not sure the wallet could handle that.

[awsmith4]

I came to that point last fall where all I wanted were a few select sticks and probably could have lived consistently on Mag 46s. Then I had a 3month head cold and after that the bug hit me again to try different smokes.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

I gotta agree that trying to find a few of the "new and hot sticks" is becoming an everyday occurence...and usually only to be disappointed in the end result (not always). I always find myelf going back to what I KNOW I enjoy and like. While I must admit that I am glad it isn't a Padron, not sure the wallet could handle that.

If I can smoke one or two ten or twelve dollar sticks a week rather than eight sh!tty $3.00 sticks, that fits the way I smoke.
I'd be willing to smoke one stick a week and be happy with that.
I know that wouldn't work for a four stick a day brother, and there's lots and lots of non-sh!tty options, and I still smoke a good amount of super cheapos, but I could easily live with one really good cigar a week.

[icantbejon]

Originally Posted by shilala

If I can smoke one or two ten or twelve dollar sticks a week rather than eight sh!tty $3.00 sticks, that fits the way I smoke.
I'd be willing to smoke one stick a week and be happy with that.
I know that wouldn't work for a four stick a day brother, and there's lots and lots of non-sh!tty options, and I still smoke a good amount of super cheapos, but I could easily live with one really good cigar a week.

I don't think I could pull off one per week. Getting outside at the end of a night with a beer and cigar is my relaxation and adult time, once we've put the kids to bed. I like (notice it's not "need") having more than that. However, if I was given the choice of lots of bad vs. one good, I would take the one good as well knowing that I would enjoy my experience.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by icantbejon

I don't think I could pull off one per week. Getting outside at the end of a night with a beer and cigar is my relaxation and adult time, once we've put the kids to bed. I like (notice it's not "need") having more than that. However, if I was given the choice of lots of bad vs. one good, I would take the one good as well knowing that I would enjoy my experience.

I enjoy more than that, too. I could live with it or smoke 50 cent cc machine mades, or some other dollar sticks that I like.
I chew snuff constantly, so I a.lways have my backup fix.

[icantbejon]

Originally Posted by shilala

I enjoy more than that, too. I could live with it or smoke 50 cent cc machine mades, or some other dollar sticks that I like.
I chew snuff constantly, so I a.lways have my backup fix.

Well as long as you're backed up.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by shilala

If I can smoke one or two ten or twelve dollar sticks a week rather than eight sh!tty $3.00 sticks, that fits the way I smoke.

This is my philosophy as well. I usually only find time to smoke on weekends, so we're talking somewhere between 1 to 3 cigars per week, 4 at the very most. no reason to waste precious smoke time on budget sticks.

I also find myself trying new cigars less frequently. I feel like I'm missing out on some of the fun you other guys on the board enjoy, but more often than not, I'm just disappointed.

There are only a handful of brands that have stood the test of time for me and I tend to stick to those. Fuentes, Padrons, and CCs make up the majority of what I smoke. I find other cigars that I enjoy occasionally but as I mentioned, I'm usually let down by most smokes.

I should mention though, that I will probably never stop trying new cigars completely, especially Cubans.

[pennjones]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I haven't tried close to what I want to try yet, but I notice when I go for a cigar it's usually to the same ones. My coolidoors are just sort of sitting there letting those cigars age, and hopefully one day I'll revisit them and love them, but for the most part, I just enjoy the same things.

I hadn't actually read the entire thread before I made my comment Scott! Please disregard! I love the Londres Maduro! Great little smoke! Have you
tried those Bud?

Also I smoked nica libre principe that had been sitting in my humidor for
somewhere between 3 to 6 months! It was late, but I wanted to smoke
and with a little coke (Coca-Cola that is for all of you "jokesters") it really
hit the spot!

[Dunkel]

I hope I never get to the point you're at Scott, but I know what I like. If I could afford it I'd smoke San Cristobal, 601 Red, DPG JJ Maduros, MOWR all the time. I have to work LHC Oscuro Fuerte, Diesel, IT SF Maduro, 5 Vegas Triple-A , 5 Vegas Miami, and Corojo Label into the rotation to keep things affordable. I like trying new stuff, probably always will.

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by shilala

In the last few months, the only cigars I've really, really enjoyed are Padron 64's and 26's. I have tons of cigars around and I just don't touch them. I just found it odd that I absolutely love cigars, but I'm just plain tired of looking for new ones, and found out I just like what I like...

I made my last bundle and box purchases in April 2010, and then made a promise to the wife of 'no more cigar purchases until January 2011.'

In my cooler and desktop, I have about 7 brands (all robusto sizes) which I enjoy and can rotate daily. These are brands that give me the body, flavor, and aroma that I enjoy. I have some singles and triples of other brands that can work their way into that rotation as well.

In addition, I indulge in a pipe (of which I have a couple) and 4 particular blends that I enjoy. I haven't gone overboard such as others, and have only kept it to a small group that I can work into the cigar rotation.

What I have in stock should last me (sans group or solo salvation missions) until Dec 2010 or through Jan 2011. So, what about the various singles, doubles, and triple brands laying about? I'll work those into my rotation from time to time, and if I 'really' enjoy them, will then make a mental and written note to myself for a box purchase come the first quarter of 2011.

I believe a majority of folks have a minute core of brands they truly enjoy on a regular rotating basis, but I'm always up for trying a new brand where applicible. However, new brands only get one (possibly two) shots with me and its out the door.

Always have a core stock of smokes, but always up for trying something new Scott (that is, when 2011 rolls around)

[alwayslit]

It's a phase. Smoke what you enjoy now and the bug will come back.

[taltos]

Scott, I am pretty much where you are and have been for a couple of years. Very content to smoke one of about 5 different cigars, mostly all Oliva and Perdomo smokes. I guess that I am getting old and prefer to grab something that I trust and really don't get a whole bunch of pleasure trying the latest and greatest.

[Chemyst]

After 4+ yrs. I've narrowed down my fav sticks to 10 or 12.
I still try new ones, but rarely more than a fiver, and not
very often. Trying to get boxes of the favs, as I run out of them.

Good, new blends still come out, so the search goes on.
Just sloowly...

Chemyst

BTW, many of my favs are higher end sticks, too. Smoking fewer
but better sticks, IMHO.

[TheTraveler]

Here's an idea.

You're pretty talented at making humidors. Make yourself a nice humi, pick up to five cigars, stock and smoke only those for 1 year. Don't touch the other stuff except to monitor humidity and temp. Then next year have a sampler weekend. Break out the good liquor, plan a big steak dinner or BBQ with friends, make a weekend out of it. About a week before the big day start rummaging around in the untouched humis, start getting an idea about what's in there, stuff you may have forgotten about. I'll bet there will be an adventurous spark in your eye by the time you've picked your cigar menu.

Maybe not even a year. Maybe try the "strict diet" for only 3 months.

Anyway, I'm happy you have a cigar to be more than simply satisfied with ... I'm glad you have a cigar that still sparks genuine interest for you.

[RevSmoke]

Scott - what about the LGs and Coronados?

I have personally found that I only smoke so many cigars a week, usually 4-7. And so, I smoke what I really like. And then someone sends me a bunch to try. I want to be respectful and do so, but as they are unknown quantities they sit and wait.

When I grab a stick, I have an idea of what flavors I want from it, for I am pairing it with a mood, or a beverage, or a...

And, as I smoke only so often, it has to be a cigar that really sticks out in my mind. There are a lot of good cigars out there, don't get me wrong. When I grab one, I usually want something that I know is going to "WOW" me. There are some less expensive sticks in that list, and some more expensive cigars. But, I hear where you're coming from.

Peace of the Lord be with you.