Choosing your first cigar can feel like stepping into a maze. With countless brands, shapes, sizes, and wrapper colors, the variety is exciting but also intimidating.
This cigar guide will simplify the basics, helping you make confident choices and enjoy your cigar-smoking experience to the fullest.
Understanding Cigar Brands
For new cigar smokers, understanding brands is an important first step. A cigar’s brand gives you insight into its origin, quality, and flavor profile, helping you narrow down your options.
The term “brand” refers to a cigar line or family, much like labels in other industries. Renowned names such as Montecristo, Cohiba, and Partagas have long histories, many of which trace back to Cuba. The Cuban revolution added a layer of complexity to branding, as some original Cuban brands now have counterparts produced outside of Cuba.
For example, a Punch cigar can come from Cuba or countries like the Dominican Republic or Honduras. Cuban cigars are often marked with terms like Habano or Havana, indicating their origin. Non-Cuban cigars can be just as enjoyable, offering a wide range of premium hand-rolled options.
What to Look for in a Brand
For beginners, it’s best to start with trusted brands that offer a consistent smoking experience. Look for brands with a reputation for quality, such as Romeo y Julieta, Arturo Fuente, or Oliva. Ask a tobacconist for recommendations within your budget.
Cigar Shapes and Sizes
The shape and size of a cigar influence its flavor, burn time, and overall experience. Learning about these categories will help you pick the right cigar for your preferences and occasion.
Cigars are categorized by their vitolas, which combine size and shape. Each vitola affects the smoking experience, from flavor concentration to how long the cigar lasts. Two key measurements define a cigar:
- Length: Measured in inches or centimeters, indicating how long the cigar is.
- Ring gauge: Refers to the cigar’s thickness, measured in 64ths of an inch. For example, a cigar with a 64-ring gauge is one inch in diameter.
Parejos (Straight-Sided Cigars)
- Coronas: The benchmark for cigars, typically 6 inches long with a 42-ring gauge.
- Panetelas: Long and slender, about 7 inches by 38 ring gauge, offering a refined smoking experience.
- Lonsdales: A mix of length and thickness, at 6¾ inches by 42 ring gauge.
Figurados (Irregular Shapes)
These shapes are more intricate and visually distinct:
- Pyramid: Tapers to a point at the head with a wide open foot.
- Belicoso: Similar to a pyramid but smaller, with a rounded head.
- Torpedo: Features a pointed head, a closed foot, and a bulging middle.
- Perfecto: Both ends are rounded and closed, with a central bulge.
- Culebras: Three cigars braided together, often shared among friends.
- Diademas: Large cigars exceeding 8 inches, designed for long, leisurely smokes.
Naming Inconsistencies
Naming conventions can vary by manufacturer. For instance, one brand’s “Churchill” may be slightly shorter or thicker than another’s. Cuban cigars, produced under strict guidelines, tend to have more uniform standards.
Exploring Wrapper Colors
The wrapper, or outer leaf of the cigar, contributes to its flavor and appearance. Understanding wrapper colors can help you predict the taste and strength of a cigar before lighting it.
Here’s a breakdown of the six main wrapper shades:
- Claro Claro: A rare, light green wrapper with a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
- Claro: Light tan, offering a neutral taste that lets the filler tobacco shine.
- Colorado: A reddish-brown hue with rich, complex flavors and subtle aromas.
- Natural: Light to medium brown, often sun-grown for bold, earthy notes.
- Maduro: Dark brown, providing rich, strong flavors with a mild aroma.
- Oscuro: Black, the boldest wrapper with intense flavors and a robust profile.
Choosing Your Wrapper
For beginners, Claro or Natural wrappers are excellent choices, offering balanced flavors. As your palate develops, explore darker options like Maduro or Oscuro for more intense experiences.
Buying Your First Cigar
Buying your first cigar doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. By focusing on quality, avoiding counterfeits, and choosing beginner-friendly options, you’ll start your cigar journey on the right note.
Avoiding Counterfeits
Counterfeit cigars, especially those claiming to be Cuban, are common. To avoid fakes:
- Look for EMS (English Market Selection) stamps or other certifications.
- Buy from reputable tobacconists or trusted online retailers.
- Examine the cigar for consistent color and firm construction.
Affordability and Quality
You can find well-made cigars for under $10. Focus on beginner-friendly brands known for consistency, such as Perdomo, Macanudo, or CAO.
Preparing Your Cigar for Smoking
Before you can smoke a cigar, you’ll need to prepare it properly. Cutting and lighting the cigar correctly ensures an enjoyable and smooth experience.
Cutting the Cigar
Cigars are sealed with a cap at one end. Before smoking, you’ll need to cut this cap to create an opening. Use a quality cutter, such as a guillotine or V-cutter, for a clean, precise cut. Avoid cutting too much, as this can unravel the cigar.
Lighting the Cigar
Lighting a cigar isn’t like lighting a cigarette. Follow these steps:
- Use a wooden match or a butane lighter for a clean flame.
- Hold the flame close to the cigar’s foot without touching it.
- Rotate the cigar while gently puffing to ensure an even light.
- Toast the foot first, allowing it to glow evenly before taking full puffs.
Smoking a Cigar
The way you smoke a cigar affects the flavor and your enjoyment. Learning the proper technique will enhance your experience and prevent common mistakes.
Unlike cigarettes, cigars are not meant to be inhaled. Instead, draw the smoke into your mouth and savor the flavors. Smoking slowly allows the cigar to burn evenly and prevents overheating, which can lead to harsh flavors.
When to Stop Smoking
There’s no strict rule for when to stop. Most smokers enjoy the cigar until about the last third, though it’s a personal preference.
Developing Your Palate
Tasting cigars is an art. To detect subtle flavors:
- Practice retro-haling: Exhale smoke through your nose to access additional aroma and flavor notes.
- Try cigars with different wrappers and fillers to identify what you enjoy most.
Cigar Storage and Maintenance
Cigars are delicate and require proper storage to maintain their flavor and quality. Whether you’re storing cigars for a week or long-term, it’s important to know how to keep them fresh.
Using a Humidor
A humidor keeps cigars fresh by maintaining a humidity level of 65–70%. Here’s how to care for your humidor:
- Use distilled water or humidification packs.
- Check humidity levels regularly with a hygrometer.
- Rotate cigars occasionally to ensure even aging.
Common Cigar Issues
Even the best cigars can run into issues like uneven burns or cracks. Knowing how to handle these problems will ensure a better smoking experience.
Uneven Burn
Uneven burns, or canoeing, occur when one side of the cigar burns faster. To fix this:
- Light the unburned side gently with a lighter.
- Rotate the cigar while smoking to encourage an even burn.
Cigar Beetles
Cigar beetles thrive in warm, humid conditions. Store cigars in a controlled environment and inspect them regularly for small holes.
Repairing Damaged Cigars
If a wrapper cracks, use pectin (available in most grocery stores) to glue it back together. This quick fix can save an otherwise unsmokable cigar.
Conclusion
Starting your cigar journey may seem daunting, but it’s an enjoyable process of discovery. Focus on learning the basics—brands, shapes, wrappers, and storage—and don’t hesitate to ask tobacconists for guidance. Over time, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for the art of smoking cigars and the craftsmanship behind them.
Remember, the key to enjoying cigars lies in experimentation. Try different brands, sizes, and flavors to find what suits your taste. Each puff is an opportunity to unwind, relax, and savor the moment.