How did you happen to fall in love with Cuban Cigars?

[Hammer Smokin']

yah, my first box (unfortunately two boxes) were fake Cohiba Robusto's from a business friend. 

I gave him $500 CAD to buy me a box (and instructions to buy from a LCDH)...instead he came home with two from the "airport". 

made me REALLY appreciate that first real Cohiba Robustos. 

[RDB]

5 minutes ago, Bijan said:

Only got serious about CCs with Covid work from home and then finding vendors online.

You’re making up for lost time pretty fast, Brother!

[SpecialK]

2 hours ago, Hammer Smokin' said:

yah, my first box (unfortunately two boxes) were fake Cohiba Robusto's from a business friend. 

I gave him $500 CAD to buy me a box (and instructions to buy from a LCDH)...instead he came home with two from the "airport". 

made me REALLY appreciate that first real Cohiba Robustos. 

I have 2 Cohiba Petite Robustos in a LCDH sampler from 2019 I'm sitting on... Can't wait to try them..

[Nico]

Tried my first Cuban when I was 17. A RyJ MF. Had only tried a few Dutch/German machine made ones earlier. I was so hooked after that first cuban. I still remember so vividly that thought to myself while smoking it “this is something I have to do from time to time. This is absolutely amazing”. Bought a humidor the day I after I turned 18 and the rest is history. And I’m 30 now. I’ve actually been dabbling with NCs just the last 5 years so I guess I went the other way around then most of you.

[Strauss12]

Back in 2003 some college buddies went on a trip out of the country. They stopped by a few LCDH and brought me back some Cohiba Corona Especiales. We all sat on their back porch drinking the Tequila they brought back and fell in love with Cuban cigars. Coolest Nicaraguan folks ever! That's what hooked me and I finally grabbed some the last time PSP hit the 24:24. Unfortunately Customs Sent them back so I have to wait even longer now. So much anticipation and so much let down. 

[Vitola Corleone]

Was an untenured professor writing my 1st book, smoked a lot of NC's in the process. Went to the UK to give some talks on it. Stopped in a tobacco shop in London to buy a few CCs. No idea what I was looking at -- what were all these marcas and vitolas about? Got various Punch, Partagas etc because I'd heard of them. Was scandalized by the prices -- £12 for a punch punch if memory serves, Cohibas were out of my league in those days. This was 2009. That's London shops for you. 

I dutifully removed the bands at Heathrow and stowed them away in a desktop humi for a special occasion. Said occasion came in 2010 when I got a favorable tenure vote. Smoked the Punch Punch on a beautiful October evening. Totally blown away by the twang, the nutty-woody complexity, just unmatched by anything I'd had before. Followed it with one of the Partagas, similarly amazing. A fitting commemoration of the event.* Within a couple days my small stash of habanos was gone. 

After that my CC's were limited to what I grabbed in overseas trips or convinced an in-law to mule back from Mexico City. I looked blind at a few internet retailers but never knew what to trust so didn't buy any. My friendly neighbor is into CC's and put me on to FOH about a year ago. I'm now almost exclusively CC's and putting down my share working on book #3. 

* Tenure is a big deal in my world and usually people celebrate it with loved ones. My ex wife elected to watch a celebrity dancing show at her friend's house that evening. I got the better end of it with the Punch punch but it's a good summary of why we're not married

[Nico]

I’ve been around cigar forums for a long time, starting in the early 2000s with cigar aficionado’s board.  Used to go by digital_demon or digi1d, depending on the board.  I found the secrecy around Cuban cigars irritating and the phrase ISOM to be pretty ugly.  As a result I didn’t spend much time in the Cuban cigar section or pay any of it much mind.
It wasn’t until 2007 on a trip to Cabo San Lucas that I purchased my first few Cuban cigars from the J&J store in town.  Ended up with an MC2, BBF, and a machine rolled something or other.  The MC2 and machine rolled were tossed before the first half.  I knew Cubans in particular benefited from aging and began to think it wasn’t going to be for me as the financial black hole that are cabinets wasn’t an option at the time. 
Last day there my departing flight was bumped, now I had several hours to kill. Decided to light up the BBF on the beach rather than flying a stick back that I was sure I wouldn’t like.  Lucky for me (unlucky for my wallet?) it was the epitome of a BBF, even burned perfectly at the windy beach.  
After returning home, I promptly messaged some friends on the board for leads and the rest is history.
I’ll be 40 this June and just ordered my first cabinet from Vigilant.  The first box will be Cohiba Lanceros (my all time favorite) – looks like this will require a fair bit of internet scouring based on a couple quick searches.  Can’t wait to put those guys down with this year’s release of Doubleback for the 60th bday.

What does ISOM means?

[Kevin48438]

41 minutes ago, Nico said:

What does ISOM means?

Island South Of Miami

Old internet attempt to hide what was being discussed.   In the USA, saying on a forum that you were smoking a Cuban cigar is confessing to a crime.  So the paranoid would use “ISOM” to deceive government officials who could be watching the forums to bust such criminals.  🙄 

[Nico]

Island South Of Miami
Old internet attempt to hide what was being discussed.   In the USA, saying on a forum that you were smoking a Cuban cigar is confessing to a crime.  So the paranoid would use “ISOM” to deceive government officials who could be watching the forums to bust such criminals.   

Sounds more pretentious then paranoia if you ask me..

[GVan]

My story and journey with cigars seems more about luck (both good and bad) than any real intention to "Fall in Love with Cuban Cigars".  I started smoking cigars while playing golf with buddies in my late 20's.  Frankly, like @Hammer Smokin' people gave me cigars - none were really that good; plus I tended to focus on golf not the cigar.  Because I was busy at work building a career and raising three children, smoking cigars while doing an activity with friends or family pretty much continued for the next 15 to 20 years.  During this time I would buy the occasional box of Ashton's or Fuente's to smoke and share with friends while playing golf.  

During my late 40's and early 50's two things happened: (1) I was given a partial box of Padron Maduro Executives and (2) I went to Scotland on a golf vacation and brought back a box of 2002 Monte #2's that I bought there (I can't even remember where).  Where luck comes into it -- I had a small box humidor that held my cigars waiting to be smoked usually on the golf course  -- since both the Padron Executive's and Monte 2's were in boxes, I put the cigars in a Tupperware with beads and completely forgot about them for years.  Since I was very busy at work - I probably only smoked ~ one cigar a month allowing some cigars to gracefully age away.

Now the bad luck part; after working long-hours and pushing hard to become the youngest SVP at my company, one day, I was given a new boss who immediately fired me!  The reasons are a long-story that is self-serving so, I won't bore you all with that part of the story.  Of course, I was devastated; in the past, I would reach for a cigar to celebrate special moments, now I reached for a long-forgotten, and well aged,  2002 Monte #2.  Sitting alone in the woods behind my home smoking that Monte - with just my thoughts about what I was going to do next - I guess, allowed me for the first time to focus on the cigar.  Wow, was that Monte good and the flavors were something I had never experienced.  Over the next few days, I remembered the Padron Maduro that was now probably 10 years old - that was a stunner as well.  I had time on my hands and for the first time started researching cigars - how to store them properly, how to age them to get the best out of them, what flavors can come from different brands and how the heck do I find Cubans without flying to Cuba?

(Again, the good luck part) As is typical of life, most things work out - I was quickly hired by another company and it was the best thing for my career.  I'm now 62 and since my 50's when I take a new job -- I pick my boss -- if he's a jerk I say no or quickly leave.  My current boss is a great guy and thankfully, likes Cuban cigars.  I figured out I could still work hard in my career yet, take time off to enjoy being with my friends and family.  I play lots of golf and now only smoke the cigar afterwards enjoying the discussions as much as the cigars with my buddies (like with @Devo or @StogieSteve23).  My wife still gives me s**t for getting my son and son-in-law into cigars.  Last Christmas vacation, between the two of them, they smoked about 50 cigars out of the humi - we loved discussing the flavors and who picked the best cigar (an Ashton VSG Torpedo that was 12 years old won).  Now I enjoy giving away great cigars as much as I do sitting by myself with a good cigar and just thinking about whatever is on my mind.  (This might be the bad luck part again) I now really appreciate a well stored and aged cigar so, as I write this, the collection has grown to 1837 cubans and 265 non-cubans.  I probably give away just as many cigars as I smoke and I love discussing the flavors that might just be present in that cuban I've given away.  The non-cubans all have more age and some of them are still real stunners. On this forum I keep learning new things and adopting the best ideas - thanks to @SigmundChurchill, I take 3 cigars from every CC box and store them away not to be touched for years trying to replicate my Padron / Monte story above - thanks Elliot, great idea!

To me, cuban cigars represent one of the good things about enjoying life.  I'm not sure that I Love Cuban Cigars -- but, I sure do love what they represent and add to a great life; time to think and enjoy a quiet moment with a good cigar, being with others that share the same passions and enjoying a robust discussion over a good cigar, introducing someone to something new and watching them enjoy the experience.  All in all - I feel like I'm a pretty lucky guy (and I still have 2 of the 2002 Monte 2's in the humi - way past their prime but cherished for what they represent)!

 

[Walter19]

Hong Kong Harbor after returning from the mainland for a work trip. Stopped at the Hyatt(?) which had a LCDH and picked up a Monte 2 and Partagas D 4 and smoked those overlooking the harbor with a fish and chips plater. Had limited Cuban cigar experience, but fell in love with the flavors. I enjoyed the whole cigar, unlike many NC's that get a little too dark for me in the flavor department.

Went back to the LCDH and paid loads of money to bring back 5 cigars with me to the states. I loved being able to pick what I wanted in person, versus, buying online.

 

[Connoisseur Kim]

How did Connoisseur Kim become a die hard CC enthusiast/aficionado? Here goes his vivid story of becoming an avid CC fan...

"When I was somewhere between 18 and 19, I randomly surfed on the web and found the forbidden fruit called Cuban cigars (Habanos). As soon as I searched Cuban cigars even more, I was deeply fascinated by the long history, various flavour profiles like perfume, and relaxation offer from Cuban cigars. So, I decided to give a shot with a Cohiba Siglo II Tubo at speakeasy cigar lounge, which is no longer in operation nowadays.

As soon as I puffed Cohiba Siglo II, its clean citrus; cream; caramel; spice; vanilla; butter; cedar; coffee; tobacco; hay; honey with signature Cohiba grassy flavor notes reminded me a mixture between Keemun and Darjeeling tea leaves. The flavour was so decadent and superb that made me thought as if I was in the heavenly place with hot chicks until I puffed it to nub. The price was obviously expensive (Cohiba's premium price tag + tobacco tax), but I didn't regret for spending money on that precious premium CC Petit Corona. Since then, I dug more CCs with Cohiba Robustos, Partagas Shorts, and H. Upmann Magnum 46 from various local B&Ms and I enjoyed them a lot like I did with Cohiba Siglo II Tubo.

However, as time goes by, I started to found myself that CCs from B&Ms were way too wet, since CCs from B&Ms always seemed to have harshness and spongy texture. Hence, I decided to join the FOH, the greatest cigar forum on the web and since then, I happily lived after with an abundance of 24:24 cigars from our host 😃."

Note.

• My CC life changing moment is a Herf with @Raskol at cigar lounge in hotel. During that day, he gave me La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 4 (my first FOH 24:24 cigar); Ramon Allones Specially Selected; Montecristo No. 4; two Cohiba Shorts as gifts, which I didn't expect at all. I absolutely had a great time with him and the gorgeous flavour profile of La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 4. From then, I decided to do same thing to CC newbies as he did with the hospitality. I still miss the La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 4 and herf with @Raskol for sure!
• Cigar lounge where I puffed Cohiba Siglo II also had a 50 SLB cab of bandless Saint Luis Rey Double Coronas, but didn't give much attention to them, since I was mere CC newbie back then. It's not only one of my greatest regrets but also made me really sad when I saw the news of Saint Luis Rey Double Coronas and Serie A were being discontinued.

[joeypots]

I was smoking Fuentes and AVOs in the late '90s. A friend who worked in Toronto started to bring me gifts of Cuban cigars. It too me a while to "get it" because I was keeping my smokes at too high a RH, but when I got it I was sold for life. Back in the old days people used to talk about sources in hushed terms, like they were buying contraband that could get them arrested.I finally got a couple of good sources and my wallet has never been the same. I still use one tried and true source and this place exclusively. It's been a great journey.

[Mickey D]

I’ve been a cigar smoker since mid ‘80s. Attended several cigar club herfs in the mid ‘90s (the term wasn’t known then). We had an international salesman in our group who brought different boxes of Cuban cigars from England. I enjoyed the CCs at that time.

I lost contact with that gentleman and continued to enjoy NC for a couple more decades. Just recently I have jumped back on the CC wagon and am enjoying the Cuban nuances. 

[Mrcpt]

I smoked occasionally during college, mostly altadis brand maduros (I know..) but hadn’t really touched a cigar for several years, mostly since I quite cigarettes cold turkey and wanted to try to stay away from all tobacco. Fast forward to last summer during lockdown. Bored out of my mind, my wife and I were watching the sopranos.. I guess watching Tony smoking in the intro enough times got to me.. I just said screw it and bought some non Cubans online from one of those big box American cigar retailers. 
as far as getting into Cubans, that was by accident, funnily enough.  Both of my brothers ended up getting married during lockdown and we couldn’t be there for either of them. I decided that I wanted to try to get my hands on a culebra to smoke with the two of them when we eventually got back together. Of course, I could only find Partagas Culebras for sale anywhere. That experience led me down quite the rabbit hole. 
Those culebras are still waiting in my cooler for the next time my brothers and I get together. However, they now have several boxes of friends to keep them company in the cooler. 

[StogieSteve23]

My first real job I could drive myself to in high school was working at a cigar shop owned by a buddies father. This was back in 2006. I'd snuck a couple stolen cigars from my dad before that, but never knew the difference or enjoyed them.  My love for cigars blossomed while working at the store.   Fast forward to 2016, one of my best friends works for JetBlue and was on the first commercial flight back to Cuba since the embargo.  Knowing I love cigars, he brought me back a handful of D4 Tubos and R&J Short Churchills Tubos.  I fell in love with cigars all over again.  Went down the rabbit hole big time..