The relaxing world of fine cigars may sometimes feel overwhelming when presented with a plethora of options, perplexing statements, and misinformation parading as knowledge. Even for a seasoned smoker, it may be a complicated and perplexing activity. To assist you in finding your way through the maze, we’ve compiled some tips that will provide context and understanding to every kind of cigar enthusiast, from newbie to seasoned.
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The Best Tobacco
Before selecting a cigar, it’s essential to understand the blend. This ensures that you don’t select a smoke that is either too strong or too moderate. In order for you to decide which cigar to choose, it’s always a good idea to look into its intensity level. One may smoke a cigar that seems to be fully flavored but isn’t too strong or filled, indicating there’s still a lot of finely crafted aroma that won’t overwhelm the tongue. Full-bodied, strong cigars commonly embody Ligero tobacco, which is composed of the plant’s thickest and richest leaves, whereas the lowest leaves produce a milder blend. This distinction is passed onto the final product, with dark wrappers signifying a strong cigar and the lighter wrappers suggesting a more moderate product. You shouldn’t base your decision solely on their appearance though, as this is not always an accurate representation. For a safer choice, you should consult professional cigar ratings found on specialists’ websites and magazines.
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Price Is Not Always the Key
Another factor that will undoubtedly affect your judgment is their price. Well, you’re in for a big surprise here, because the most expensive cigars are not always the best ones. One thing is for sure though: the top materials, the best craftsmanship, and the most rigorous quality checks certainly come at a cost, so don’t expect a very cheap cigar to be as rich and flavored as an expensive one. And surely, it all starts with the quality of the crops. When it finally reaches your hands, what should determine a good cigar’s quality are its looks, flame, scent, and flavor. In the end, the easiest way to figure out if the more expensive cigar will satisfy you is to give it a shot. If you pay much more and you realize that it wasn’t worth it, just stick to the ones you know.
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Choose Your Country Wisely
There has always been a passionate dispute about which tobacco is the finest, with the debate always pitting Cuban cigars against all the others. Well, the truth is that the best cigars from the primary tobacco-producing countries are all exceptional in their own right. They are authentic, economic, and handicraft manifestations of their homelands. Surely, Cuban cigars are famous all over the world, as often portrayed in movies, ads, and even art, but countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, or Honduras produce equally fine qualities, and sometimes even better. Again, the best way to know which of them to choose is to closely follow the ratings given by cigar aficionados.
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Preserving Cigars
Perhaps the most useful tip is how to preserve your cigars now that you’ve bought them. The reason for this is that if you leave them unattended, your cigars may gradually get dry or mushy. Here is where humidors come in. They are boxes, typically made of the finest wood, ready to reliably store your favorite smokes. There are also acrylic humidors in the market, but generally, they’re not as durable for preserving cigars as wooden humidors are. The key consideration when using a humidor is long-term storage. That’s why they’re mostly made of cherry or mahogany on the outside and Spanish cedar on the inside. The Spanish cedar is used to absorb the humidity from the interior, so the cigars will stay fresh and retain their flavor for as long as possible. There is a wide variety of humidors out there and you will definitely find the one that fits you, as long as you do your research from the most reputable expert merchants.
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Cutting and Lighting
The first thing to know when it’s your first time smoking is that handmade cigars aren’t suitable to smoke right away. You must chop the head first, and then light it. While there are many different kinds of cutters and lighters, there are also some general rules to this. First of all, you shouldn’t cut so much of the top of the cigar that you make the wrapper unfurl. Thankfully, there is usually a little taper at the head, also known as the shoulder, which indicates how far you can cut.
As far as lighting the cigar, it should always be done with care, like how you would roast a marshmallow—with as little direct touch as possible. Your cigar may taste like charcoal if there is too much direct flame in contact with the tobacco. Moreover, it’s always preferable to light when there’s little breeze. Aside from the obvious causes, the breeze may induce you to overcompensate by utilizing excessive fire to get a burn started. This will result in an unappealing charred aftertaste once more.
Finally, don’t forget to smoke it slowly, to cherish the aroma and flavor, as cigars are not meant to be smoked like cigarettes. A good tip is to watch a James Bond movie (or something similar) and observe how they inhale and puff and try to do the same. You will probably need some time to get used to it, as smoking it too slowly can also lead to the cigar going out, and having to re-light it many times.
These are the most useful tips that will usher you into the intriguing world of famous men like Fidel Castro, Jack Nicholson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who’ve all enjoyed their cigars for years now, followed by thousands of successful businessmen, lawyers, and renowned athletes. If you follow these simple rules, you will also feel as if you share a small piece of their success from the comfort of your home, making your own precious memories at the same time. It’s never too late to start.
