Hello all:

I was referred to Cigar Press today by a friend I made while enjoying a cigar at a local shop and we spoke to some length about our different likes and, as a newcomer to the cigar culture, I'm always looking to learn more from the cigars I smoke, the literature that I read and - most importantly - from the people I meet.

I've been enjoying fine cigars now for about the past year and my interest was really fueled by my father who is himself a bit of an aficionado. During my last visit with him in South Carolina, we shared a few cigars together on his porch that really became a special experience for me and allowed me the opportunity to bond with my father in a way that we had never been able to before. His cigar of choice (now anyway) are Montecristos and he sent me back home with a few of the Crystalli selections that helped me recognize a fine cigar among the many.

Since I began exploring cigars on my own, I've tried many and found only a few that really remain among my top favorites. I'm a big fan of Gurkhas, Padrons, Toranos, the My Father line and Romeo Y Julietas - and of course Montecristos.

Aside from just enjoying the smoking experience, I'm also very passionate about learning of the whole process that goes into making cigars as well. When I try a new cigar, I usually do so while surfing the net and reading reviews and commentary about it so that I can experience it as fully as possible. Having developed my palate to a decent enough degree, I've also started recording my own reviews and I post them online at: http://fatalhalocigars.blogspot.com/. Being a 33 year old cigar enthusiast, I don't know of many people my own age who I can share my interest with, and I suppose I've come to Cigar Press to boraden my horizons.

I've hosted a cigar event this year that went pretty well and I'm looking to host more in 2012. Im hoping my reviews (video reviews to come soon) will be of interest to other smokers and am looking to network with others in the industry to try and do some great things in a culture that I enjoy. Right now I am a big fan of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especials and the Montecristo Reserva Negras. I have my eye on a few choice cigars that are typically out of my price range, but as I plan to marry soon, I'm dedicating a whole week prior to the ceremony of smoking one ultra-premium cigar a night just to spoil myself a little more than I already do!

So . . . that's my introduction. Again, I'm really happy to have found this site and am looking forward to getting to know more of you as I post and read & respond to yours! Thanks again to my friend who led me here.

Respectfully,
Shidoshi

A pleasure to hear from you Dan. Thank you also for the email. I've already sent a more personal introduction to your mailbox. I also read your most recent cigar review on CigarExplorer.com and thought it was great! Looking forward to reading more from you and hopefully meeting you soon.