Choosing a Cigar

Since cigars have gained a resurgence in popularity, the market has been flooded.  Older, more prominent family brands now share their shelf space with newer brands hoping to lure away smokers from some of the more established favorites.  With so many choices it may seem daunting and yet it does not have to be. 
So, how do you choose a cigar?  Believe it or not there is no “right or wrong” when it comes to choosing a favorite cigar.  Thankfully, cigars are about taste and preference.  Now although the author himself has a preference, this is not about my tastes, this is about finding the right cigar for you and this article will guide you in that process so you can be informed before entering a cigar shop.

Do Not Be Color Blind

Now, this is going to apply to the novice more than the experienced smoker, who probably has found their brand.   The shade of the wrapper is an indication of the “flavor” of the cigar. Although this is more of a guide than a hard fast rule, the darker the cigar, the more likely it will be “spicier”, stronger.  The lighter the wrapper, the “milder “ the cigar. 

Please keep in mind that the darker wrapper results in the cigar being sweeter and stronger in flavor as it produces the greater content of oil and sugar in the wrapper. This is due to the fact that darker wrappers will normally have spent longer at the tobacco plant or come from higher altitudes and through extra exposure to the sunlight creates oil and sugar.   

Below are some basic characteristics of cigars from various regions.

Brazil
Tend to be dark, rich, and smooth with a slightly sweet flavor.

Cameroon
Wrapper tobacco only, which has a spicy taste and a sharp aroma.

Cuba
Cuban, or better known as Havana, cigars are medium to full-strength, and have earthy, coffee and honeyed flavors.

Dominican Republic
These tend to be mild to medium, with a sweet, nutty taste, and sometimes with floral and earthy tones.

Ecuador
Mostly mild and flavorful.

Honduras
Stronger and spicier than those from Dominica, and are considered nearly as rich as those from Cuba.

Indonesia
Mostly wrappers from Sumatra and Java, these tend to be mild with a spicy flavor.

Jamaica
Jamaican tobacco is normally milder than Dominican.

Mexico
Mexico grows tobacco along the entire spectrum, from mild to full-bodied.

Nicaragua
Have a medium sweet taste and full-bodied with a lot of aroma.

Obviously, you want a cigar that will satisfy your particular tastes, so experiment with all of these strengths and find the one that is more suitable for you.  My advice is to start mild and work you way to the stronger cigars.  Many smokers prefer a milder cigar during the day and a stronger one in the evening, especially after a fine meal with a glass of their favorite scotch or other preferred liquor.

Size Does Matter

Yes, size does matter. There are two schools of thought out there.  One school says,  “find a cigar that is appropriate to your size as an individual”,  in other words, if you are small in stature, get a smaller cigar.  If you are large in stature, get a large cigar. 

The other school says: “who in the hell cares?”  For this author, find one that fits in comfortable in your hand. Now, although, it is very tempting to show off and gravitate towards the biggest stick available, it is not the smart way to go, especially if you are new to this. After all, a cigar is a luxury item and if you spend money and are not comfortable holding the cigar, or it does not fit properly in your mouth when smoking you will not enjoy the experience and you have wasted your money.    

There is no set standard for the names that express various cigar shapes. A Corona might have a length of 5 1/2 inches and a ring size of 42 in one brand, and a length of 5 3/4 inches with a ring size of 44 in another, or anywhere in between. 

For this article Please refer to the chart provided by Crown David International Handmade cigars as they have a wide ranges of examples of sizes and shapes.  

Their site is: www.crowndavid.com

Thickness is also a factor, so choose a cigar based on the ring gauge (diameter) or thickness you think you may enjoy.  Ring gauge is expressed in 64th's of an inch. Therefore, a ring size of 32 would be a half inch in diameter.  Very simple rules of thumb here are:  The thicker cigars have a smoother draw, the thinner cigars have less than a smooth draw.  The reason for this is that the thicker cigars tend to be cooler and slower burning than their thinner counterparts.  

Please refer to the ring gauge chart provided by Columbia University (www. columbia.edu) for reference

Structural Integrity

Check the construction of the cigar.  In addition to the necessity for a cigar to be pleasing to the sight, it must be well made.  The cigar you choose should be evenly colored and smoothly wrapped.  Although small blemishes and or spots are somewhat normal, the cigar should have discoloration.  If it does, choose another.   What ever you do, do not chose cigars where the wrapper is torn or cracked.

Also, a cigar should be fresh. When checking it’s freshness, should also not be dry to the touch, only having a mild oily sheen to it.  You will find this true more so for the cigars with the darker wraps.  In addition, you should be able to notice the veins on the wrapper. The rule of thumb here is the finer, the better.   

Price Matters

Choose based on price.  Again, the cigar is a luxury item, and this is really going to depend on how much you are willing to spend.  A good cigar can range from $7 - $22 depending on maker and size.  So, before you get a big head, check your bank balance because you may find yourself spending more than you bargained for.

Three Friendly Warnings

1. The cigar should not be too soft or squishy. When you give it a little squeeze, it should only “give” a little. If it is too soft then it is a sign of an over-humidified cigar.

2. The cigar should not be too dry or fragile. This is a sign of an under-humidified cigar. Some people like them this way, but it is best to stay away from these until you want to experiment.

3. Moldy cigars should be thrown away. Be sure you do not confuse mold with plume. Plume is the white ash like residue that can be brushed off. This is a sign of good aging.

Storage

Cigars are hygroscopic in nature. In lay terms, this means that they will over time dry out when in a dry climate or absorb moisture in a humid one. And they will continue to do so until their own moisture content matches that of the ambient climate around them.

A damp cigar will not burn properly. Not only will it be difficult to keep lit, but also difficult to draw on. The smoke may become too dense leaving the smoker with a sour taste and a rank aroma. Also, over moist cigars will commonly split their wrappers.

A dry cigar will burn too hot. Without the proper level of moisture, the combustion temperature of your cigar will be too high and the smoke will be hot and acrid against your palate. The smoke may become overly aggressive and you will lose many of the subtle nuances of flavor that a properly humidified cigar would of given you. Also, dry cigars will lead eventually to the early evaporation of their essential oils and reduce their overall flavor and aroma.

Typically for the most enjoyable smoking, a cigar should contain approximately 12 -14% of its total weight in moisture. This corresponds to 60 - 70% relative humidity, but can be up to 75%. Relative Humidity (RH) is a measurement of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere compared with that of complete saturation regardless of the temperature.

The primary criteria in the proper storage of cigars is to achieve a stable and ideal relative humidity within this 60% - 70% RH range. The secondary, but also important requirements are to store them at temperatures below 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in a darkened environment. Doing these three simple things will allow your cigars to not only be stored well, but also age well resulting in cigars that will draw easily, burn steadily, and share their optimum flavor and nuances with your palate.

Cutting

Cigars are made with a cap over the head. Most good cigars, therefore, have only one open end. This is NOT the end that you put in your mouth - that open end is where the smoke comes out. So you need to cut the cigar at the head.

Cutters come in different styles, but the most common is the guillotine. The double-bladed guillotine has a hole in the middle, two blades, and two notches where your fingers can grip it. You should absolutely buy a guillotine as your cutter - they’re easy, small, and they make a clean cut with less of a tendency to tear the tobacco than other styles. You can also use a knife or your teeth, but cutters are really cheap, and a knife may ruin the cigar.

Here’s how to actually make the cut (it’s really simple):

1. Cut the cigar on the tapered part (the cap).

2. Try to leave about 1/8th of an inch of the cap.

3. Never cut on or past the cap line - you’ll be cutting the wrapper leaf. All hell will ensue.

Lighting

This can be tricky for a newbie, but our tips will get you through it:

1. It’s best to light a cigar yourself - lighting a cigar takes longer than lighting a cigarette, and it’s best not to feel rushed by having a friend reach over with a lit match.

2. Matches or butane lighters are fine, but if you use a match, make sure the sulfur is burned out first so it doesn’t impair the taste of the cigar.

3. Never use a candle - the wax particles will enter the cigar and taint its flavor.

4. Hold the cigar in your hand, not your mouth, and rotate it near the flame.

5. Do not actually touch the flame with your cigar.
When the entire surface is charred and embers appear, place the cigar between your lips.

6. Gently puff to blow out any foreign particles or odors that may have come from the lighter or match. Check to see that the cigar is lit evenly.

This probably goes without saying, but just in case you happen to have a pompadour with a lot of hairspray: remember to not set your hair on fire.

Smoking

Now that the cigar is lit, you should be able to draw smoke gently through it.

1. Draw slowly by pulling in your cheeks. Do not suck or inhale.

2. Do not smoke the cigar too forcefully or quickly - it will make it taste harsh and burnt. Just puff occasionally, making sure the cigar stays lit.

3. After a few minutes, you may want to remove the cigar band (label). Some people think it is obnoxious to keep the band on while you smoke, and it’s not really necessary to keep your fingers from getting stained. Make sure that you’ve smoked the cigar for a bit, though. If you remove the band too early, the glue will not have softened and you will risk tearing the wrapper.

Ashing

People who smoke quality cigars like to keep the ash on for as long as possible. Indeed, a solid tower of ash is a sign of a well-made cigar. But don’t let the ashy end grow too long - this is both pretentious and an invitation for a mess on the floor.

Every once in a while, just gently press the ash against an ashtray - the ash should fall off easily without you having to tap the cigar. If your cigar goes out, it’s okay. This does not mean you are a bad smoker - just remove the ash and re-light it.

Smoke the cigar for as long as you want - the only time you should stop smoking is when it stops being enjoyable for you. When that becomes the case, just set the cigar down in an ashtray and it will go out on its own. Do not grind it out, as that will produce excess smoke. Just take one last draw, set it down, take a sip of your drink, and revel in your smoothness.

Mostly importantly, take the time and learn what you can.  Most cigar smokers are natural enthusiasts and enjoy teaching newer smokers the various brands, as well as obvious tips such as cigar shop etiquette – yes this is real – so do not be intimidated, ask questions, you might be surprised what you learns.

Thanks for reading and choose wisely.