Merry Christmas! I'm currently cooking up a batch of seafood in a sauce to pour over my spaghetti (shrimp, scallops, squid rings, mussels, and baby octopus).
I suppose I will introduce myself as some have already know me :-) I am John I am from Toms river NJ. although I was a cigarette smoker for 17 years or so (yes I am that old 34 to be exact) I have been free of it going on 2 years now. as some already know by my posts I got into pipe smoking 2-3 months ago. yes I am a virgin when it comes to pipe smoking lol.. In fact tonight will be my first pipe for i have gotten my shipment :-). I saw a pipe online which caught my eye which I told my wife about, she a smoker as well. for past month or so I was starting to read up on pipe smoking and how much of a relaxing hobby it is. so I got this vison in my mind of me sitting out side in my back yard with a nice lite fire in the spring puffing on my pipe while enjoying some music and a beer. this is when my interest grew even more. then to my surprise on Christmas I opened up a gift and there she sat my first pipe I was SO excited I couldn't believe my eyes. I jumped up (any more I would have jump thought the ceiling lol ....no seriously lol) I show my emotions though actions :-) I spent all day from there to this day researching and looking for more information on this GREAT hobby
Old Jersey boy here, although I now live in Connecticut. Grew up in Lakewood and visited Toms River many times in my youth. Went to high school in Freehold. For those of you into New Jersey jokes, that would be Exit 8.
Jersey born, Jersey raised, and still here.......sadly. Only significant time away was 6 years in the USN, and in Miami Florida for a short time as a very young child. It apparently has me in its' grasp and won't let go.
PA born currently living in Delaware County and work in center city, Philadelphia. Have been up and down the east coast and as far across as Texas. I am a Jersey boy in the spring thru fall as I am likely to be found either in Cape May or Wildwood.
@pwkarch - we are neighbors. Remember when there use to be the Cigar Aficionado Big Smoke cigar shows in A.C. in the summer? Miss those. Have to either go to NY or Vegas if I want to attend now. If you ever find yourself in Philly, let me know. We can meet up at Holt's for a smoke and a drink at the Ashton Cigar Bar.
I used to hang out at the Smokers Haven Store on Route 9 in Galloway, smoked many a cigar there. My friend the tobacconist retired and the atmosphere just isn't the same, and actually I think I may have had 2 or 3 cigars in the past year in favor of my pipes. The sad thing is I have over 6 or 7 hundred top of the line cigars in food grade, air tight containers with Boveda bags which I constantly check. I am not sure now what to do with them.
I don't get to Philly much anymore, but I will keep that in mind. Too much work and not enough play.
@pwkarch Regarding your cigars, and this is just a suggestion, you could always sell the cigars through ebay if you are not smoking them anymore or find a brick & mortar shop near by to either trade with or to buy your cigar stock. Possibly some of the guys on this site who also smoke cigars may also be interested. Let us know what you have and what you want if you decide to reduce your stock!
@pwkarch do you know a lot about cigars? I am looking to smoke one amd get into smoking cigars but I am at a lose in what to buy etc I have about 4 chooses but not sure about making the leap lol trying to find someone whom is knowledgeable about it
Much like food tastes, everyone will have a differing opinion in what one likes. Do not smokle cheap ass machine made cigars. Start out with a premium handmade cigar. Generally people just starting out should perhaps go with Connecticut wrappers (light tan) as they are USUALLY milder than other wrappers. If you go on a reputable cigar site (I almost always bought from Cigar.com) you will see that they rank the cigars in several categories, so you could pick "mild" to start. DO NOT try any cigar that has the word "LIGERO" attached to it. As you come alone you can ramp up your selections. I almost always smoked Maduros, sometimes Oscouros. They tend to be a bit sweeter and stronger, but the color of the wrapper does not always equate to the strength. A word to the wise: DO NOT try flavored cigars, they are typically horrible.
Also, remember you are not smoking a cigarette. Do not puff away, sip it like a pipe and you will be fine. Learn how to store them. Unlike pipe tobacco cigars (handmade) need an optimum storage temperature of 70 degrees and a 70% humidity level. Learn how to cut them......and you are off. You can still buy a decent handmade quality cigar for as little as $6.00 or so each, up to what might be your paycheck for the week.
I have to tell you in my estimation no cigar is worth 10X the cost (or more) than a moderately priced quality handmade cigar.
Have fun.....try the Ramon Bueso Genesis in the Robusto size, medium strength,......excellent stick.
Really cool to see all of the Jersey folks @Pipefreak2383@Woodsman@Topaz75. I married a (south) Jersey girl and was an assistant pastor in Shamong Twp for two years before going active duty in the Army.
Welcome to all new members,I'm sure you will all like TPL. We have a lot knowledgeable members,they can tell you things about pipes and tobacco you may never even given a thought to.
Comments
thanks to @PappyJoe @ghostsofpompeii @motie2
they have lead me on a GREAT journey though being a pipe smoker :-)
Where in Jersey you from I wish I wasn't in Jersey I want to be in the mid west where it's peaceful and not expensive as it is here
lucky for you that you moved lol....Jersey is not the same since the 90's it's just to expensive do you know of any decent tobacconist in this area?
Jersey born, Jersey raised, and still here.......sadly. Only significant time away was 6 years in the USN, and in Miami Florida for a short time as a very young child. It apparently has me in its' grasp and won't let go.
I am just west of AC.......
I am north of AC about hour :-)
I am in the very last town you would go through on your way into AC.....I see the AC Skyline every night from my windows
that must be a very beautiful site
I used to hang out at the Smokers Haven Store on Route 9 in Galloway, smoked many a cigar there. My friend the tobacconist retired and the atmosphere just isn't the same, and actually I think I may have had 2 or 3 cigars in the past year in favor of my pipes. The sad thing is I have over 6 or 7 hundred top of the line cigars in food grade, air tight containers with Boveda bags which I constantly check. I am not sure now what to do with them.
I don't get to Philly much anymore, but I will keep that in mind. Too much work and not enough play.
I thought about selling some
do you know a lot about cigars? I am looking to smoke one amd get into smoking cigars but I am at a lose in what to buy etc I have about 4 chooses but not sure about making the leap lol trying to find someone whom is knowledgeable about it
Much like food tastes, everyone will have a differing opinion in what one likes. Do not smokle cheap ass machine made cigars. Start out with a premium handmade cigar. Generally people just starting out should perhaps go with Connecticut wrappers (light tan) as they are USUALLY milder than other wrappers. If you go on a reputable cigar site (I almost always bought from Cigar.com) you will see that they rank the cigars in several categories, so you could pick "mild" to start. DO NOT try any cigar that has the word "LIGERO" attached to it. As you come alone you can ramp up your selections. I almost always smoked Maduros, sometimes Oscouros. They tend to be a bit sweeter and stronger, but the color of the wrapper does not always equate to the strength. A word to the wise: DO NOT try flavored cigars, they are typically horrible.
Also, remember you are not smoking a cigarette. Do not puff away, sip it like a pipe and you will be fine. Learn how to store them. Unlike pipe tobacco cigars (handmade) need an optimum storage temperature of 70 degrees and a 70% humidity level. Learn how to cut them......and you are off. You can still buy a decent handmade quality cigar for as little as $6.00 or so each, up to what might be your paycheck for the week.
I have to tell you in my estimation no cigar is worth 10X the cost (or more) than a moderately priced quality handmade cigar.
Have fun.....try the Ramon Bueso Genesis in the Robusto size, medium strength,......excellent stick.
Ramon Bueso Genesis in Maduro is available at any online store.....try Cigar.com
SJ here as well, just outside of good old AC......welcome aboard
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