Staff, Author at Cigar Life Guy

Cigars and Football: Tailgating and a Good Stick

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Staff

There’s nothing better than pairing cigars and football for that pregame anticipation, or any other part of your tailgating party. When fall is here, that means football is here. And when football is here, tailgates drop all across the nation and parking lots explode into a fury of backyard games, lawn chairs, and some elaborate barbecue setups. Tailgating might as well be at the top of the list of American pastimes – they come in every shape and size and happen all across the nation at events large and small. Who doesn’t love a good tailgate? When your favorite team is playing, there isn’t much better than a pregame parking lot party and a great cigar.

Here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your next pregame stogie.

Choose a Cigar That Complements Your Food Selection.

We go through painstaking efforts to make some fantastic tailgate foods – we’re talking jalapeno poppers, buffalo wings, chili, dips, chips – the list goes on and on. So, you better make sure your cigar selection matches your food selection! For tailgating, the lighter the better – you don’t want a big, hearty full smoke to compete with that fantastic food that you just grilled up on the back of your Silverado. A nice, mild cigar is perfect for pregame festivities.

Cigars and Football Means Tailgating With Variety

Tailgating is a social experience – time to spend with family, friends, and those you enjoy hanging out with. We’re assuming that you hang out with like-minded folks and that they’re cigar aficionados like yourself. With that being the case, there may be some cigar trading going on – so don’t forget to bring a few extras! You may find your buddy has been dying to try that Ashton you keep talking about, and he happened to bring along that Padrón you’ve been drooling over.

Don’t Skimp on the Drinks.

When someone says drinks, we automatically think of alcohol. While that can be an essential part of the tailgate routine, we need to make sure and hydrate, too! When the season kicks off, you’re bound to get a blistering hot September weekend that rolls through – and smoking a cigar is always better with a drink in hand. Definitely pack the beer, whiskey, and other seasonal cocktails you might be a fan of – but don’t forget to stay hydrated.

A Travel Humidor is a Must

Now you know to bring a variety of cigars, but make sure you transport them safely. In the midst of packing all of that tailgate gear, you may be tempted to throw a few cigars on the front seat and hit the road – but don’t! Nothing can ruin a tailgate faster than getting set up, only to find that your cigars are ruined because you didn’t properly transport them. So please, make sure you take the time to get them in your travel humidor. You do have one of those…right?

Save Time to Enjoy Cigars and Football by Going Early

Most of us like to start our tailgates early, well before the game begins. Make sure you leave enough time to enjoy that cigar before game time – don’t rush it! Tailgates may get wild, but lighting up that cigar should slow the day down and help you enjoy every moment.

https://cigarlifeguy.com/stay-warm-this-fall-cigar-and-cocktail-pairings-for-the-autumn-season/

https://cigarlifeguy.com/traveling-with-cigars/

Photo credit: <a href=”https://visualhunt.co/a3/495310fe”>bk2000</a> on <a href=”https://visualhunt.com/re5/7fb06451″>VisualHunt.com</a> / <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/”> CC BY-ND</a>

The Best Fall Cocktails and Cigars

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Staff

For many of us, Labor Day weekend signals the unofficial start of the fall season. Summer was fantastic, but I think it’s safe to say that most of us have had enough of the heat. The nights start getting a bit cooler, and the typical fall festivities begin to kick off across the nation. What does that mean for us cigar lovers? Not only does fall bring some great cigar smoking weather, but it gets us in the mood for some great fall drinks. So, now is the time to start thinking about which drinks make the best fall cocktails to pair with your favorite sticks. Here are a few of our favorite pairings.

Hot Apple Cider

Apple cider is a classic – simple as that. With the right ingredients, it’s one of the best fall cocktails around. Apples come into the season starting in September and can be found readily in your nearest grocery store. Perfect for a brisk afternoon, simply throw your cider in a pot, add some mulling spices, and let it simmer. Since cider tends to be on the sweeter side, try and pair this one with a milder cigar – a mild Connecticut usually fits the bill. In the mood for a little extra zing? Add a splash of bourbon and dash of cinnamon – we wouldn’t steer you wrong.

The Classic Old Fashioned

Whiskey and cigars go together like peanut butter and jelly – you often can’t find the two apart. That makes it an excellent pick for one of the best fall cocktails. The Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey cocktail that pairs nicely with a variety of cigars, from mild to full-flavored. There are plenty of recipes out there, and each one of us has our favorite. The ingredients are simple: your favorite bourbon, bitters, orange, and a cherry – nothing anything fancy here. To spice this one up for fall, add a shot of maple syrup – it doesn’t get much more ‘Fall’ than that.

A Dark Roast Coffee

Are you a fan of the breakfast cigar? Yeah, we are too. If you’ve never sat bundled up on the porch during a cool fall morning to enjoy a nice, hot coffee and a cigar, put that on your list for this fall. Any cigar will fit the bill here, but a dark, oily Maduro seems to go hand in hand with a fine espresso roast. Cigars can be complemented by many different drinks, but good, rich coffee is a fantastic choice for any season – especially fall.

A Single Malt Scotch

No surprises on this one. Now that fall is here, you can set aside some of your clear liquors and bring in some of the brown stuff. A good scotch is a classic cigar pairing that’s known by most of us out there. The brand and type of scotch are largely personal preferences, and the choices out there are endless. The nice thing about scotch? No matter the occasion – whether it’s a college football tailgate, apple picking adventure, or crisp afternoon at home – you can usually convince a buddy to come help share your fine bottle of scotch and nice cigars. The best part? All you need is the bottle, a glass, and your cigar – talk about no fuss.

photo credit: Pixabay

Your New Cigar Humidor and How to Care For It

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Staff

We all started smoking cigars for one reason or another. Maybe it was a golf tournament that you played in with your Uncles where you had your first smoke. Or, it was that cool, fall evening around the campfire with friends that got you hooked. Either way, you’ve now ventured into the glorious world of cigars, and are stepping your gear up a notch. There comes a time in our cigar-smoking careers when it’s time to invest in our next big purchase, outside of cigars: a new cigar humidor.

Humidors come in all shapes in sizes, from small, plastic travel humidors to large stand-up ones that hold hundreds of cigars. Any way you cut it, if your humidor is wood (cedar, at that), then you have to ‘season’ it. The seasoning process allows the humidor to retain moisture that keeps your cigars in tip-top shape for when you’re ready to smoke them. Here’s how to do it.

Your Humidor, and Its Accessories

So, your new cigar humidor just arrived in the mail. Or, you brought it home from your local cigar shop, a friend, or found it in your dad’s basement. Now, you’re trying to figure this humidor thing out. To season your humidor, you need to first take everything out.

Usually, humidors come with a few accessories.

A hygrometer, which tells you the level of humidity inside your humidor.
A humidifier, which will retain water to keep humidity running at optimal levels.
Dividers and trays to store your cigars.

Hygrometers that come with humidors are often of the analog variety and not incredibly accurate. You may want to swap that out for a digital hygrometer, but if you don’t, the analog is fine to start with. Depending on your environment and the size of your humidor, you may want to add another humidifier to keep it running at the optimal humidity level.

Once you have all your accessories out of your humidor and the box is empty, it’s time to start seasoning.

Seasoning Your New Cigar Humidor

Seasoning a humidor is not a big, scary task – but it does have some nuances. All ‘seasoning’ a humidor does is prep it for your cigars. So, make sure you leave those out until the process finishes! If you put your new stash of cigars into that fancy box that you just picked up, the cedar interior will draw moisture out of your cigars. We definitely don’t want that.

First, you’re going to need a couple of simple materials that you can find at your local grocery or convenience store. You’ll need distilled water to prevent mold and a sponge to wipe down the interior.

Now that you have your humidor empty, soak your sponge in distilled water and wring it out. You don’t want to soak the wood, you just want it moist. Wet wood can warp and that’s not good. Wipe down all the interior surfaces of your humidor with the sponge. Re-wet it as necessary. Do the same for the cedar dividers and trays. Now that it’s all wiped down, place the dividers and trays back into your humidor and close the lid. Next, it’s time to wait – about 24 hours.

After a day has gone by, open your humidor and add your humidifier and hygrometer. Close that humidor back up and let it sit for another day. Your hygrometer and humidifier will regulate the environment of the humidor.

Finally, Your New Cigar Humidor is Ready

Seasoning the humidor takes a good 48 hours. So, I’m sure you’re ready to put your new humidor to good use. But first – check your hygrometer: is it reading 70% or something close? Good. Place your cigars in your new humidor and you’re seasoned and ready to go. Many of us choose to add a propylene glycol solution specially formulated for cigars to our humidors. They come in canisters and a variety of shapes and sizes and keep your humidor at around 68-70% humidity. Feel free to add one of those if you’d like – they’re inexpensive and can keep your cigars nice and fresh.

Finally, the most important part – open that new humidor, and go enjoy one of those fine new cigars. Cheers!

photo credit: Pixabay

Never Judge a Cigar by the Cigar Wrapper

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Staff

We’ve all heard it. The darker the cigar wrapper, the stronger the stick. Right? “That cigar is really dark…it must be pretty strong!” Or more commonly from newer cigar smokers, “That cigar is light, it must be mild – I’ll have one of those.” Could those statements be correct? Of course, they could. Some dark cigars are stronger than others. These are your ‘full’ flavored cigars. Other cigars are light. These are your ‘mild’ sticks. However, it’s a common misconception that the color of a cigar’s outer wrapper dictates its strength.

You see, cigar strength comes from multiple factors: its wrapper, its binder, and its filler. The mix of those three ingredients is what made the cigar great, as in AJ Fernandez and Arturo Fuente famous! They’re also what will make a cigar fall into its mild, medium, or full category. That being said, a cigar wrapper accounts for a large majority of its flavor. Let’s talk about a few of the common wrapper types: Connecticut, the Habano, and the Maduro.

The Connecticut Wrapper

When most people think of a ‘light’ or ‘mild’ cigar, they’re thinking of a cigar with a Connecticut wrapper. Connecticut wrappers come in two varieties. The standard Connecticut wrapper, also known as the Connecticut Shade wrapper, is grown in – you guessed it – Connecticut! It’s one of the tops, and only, remaining tobacco exports of the United States. The mix of sun, water, and soil in the Connecticut River Valley provide the optimal environment to grow tobacco leaves that produce a mild, woodsy cigar.

Golden blonde in color, Connecticut wrappers are quite popular for their mild manner and pleasant taste. These wrappers are also fantastic for beginner cigar smokers. Common brands making great Connecticut-wrapped cigars are Macanudo, Rocky Patel, and Montecristo, but there are thousands of others to choose from.

The Habano Wrapper

Ah, the Habano wrapper. The name ‘Habano” refers to the wrapper’s Cuban origins. All Habano wrappers are developed from Cuban seeds. Although, they are grown in numerous areas (Nicaragua and Ecuador are a few standouts). Habano wrappers are typically darker in color than Connecticut wrappers, and more robust in flavor. Often described as spicy, Habanos are full of flavor and complexity.

If you’re looking to move beyond your typical mild-medium cigar, give the Habano a shot. Habano wrappers give the flavor profile that’s closest to your authentic ‘Cuban’ cigar. They are also a very popular choice. There are plenty of fine Habano-wrapped cigars to choose from, such as those from Oliva and Padrón.

The Maduro Cigar Wrapper

Finally, we arrive at the Maduro wrapper. These are the dark, scary-looking cigars you see sitting at the top of the humidor in your local cigar lounge. You cringe at the sight of them, but you shouldn’t! A ‘Maduro’ wrapper isn’t actually a type of wrapper, but rather the aging process that the wrapper goes through. Maduro cigars spend more time aging than the rest, which is why they have a dark, oily appearance. The leaves darken as the cigar ages and the oils are pulled out of the tobacco leaves. This gives Maduro cigars a rich flavor that’s often appreciated by seasoned cigar smokers. Since Maduros are aged longer than other wrappers, they can be quite mild and a real pleasure to smoke.

Remember, strength is a combination of factors, not just the wrapper. Next time you’re looking for a new cigar to try, don’t be afraid of the Habano or Maduro varieties – just be sure to do your homework!

photo credit: Pixabay

The Cigar Cutter: Tools of the Trade

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Staff

Before you light a cigar, and we’re talking rolled-by-hand stogies, you need to ‘cut’ it. Imagine this. You open your humidor on a gorgeous, late summer evening and grab a nice, seasoned Churchill. Then, you sit out on the back deck, drink in hand, and get ready to enjoy your evening. You don’t have a cigar cutter on hand, so you bite off the end and get to it. But, when you light the cigar, but the flavor is strong, harsh, and hot. The wrapper starts to peel. There goes the evening.

Cutting your cigar may seem like a trivial activity, but it’s the kickoff to a great smoking session. It also holds a great deal of importance – the cut can make or break the cigar smoking experience. Here are a few of the most common cigar cutters to kick off your evening.

The cut is usually done with a ‘cutter’. Makes sense, right…? There are a variety of different types of cutters out there. Are you the type that prefers to bite off the cap with your teeth? Or, chop it off on a cutting board with a paring knife? Well, then we’re here to enlighten and help boost your next cigar smoking experience. There are more precise methods of cutting your cigar that will change your world.

There are a few common types of cigar cutters: the guillotine, the V-cutter, and the punch cutter. Cigar scissors are another option, but they are less common than the first three. The next time you’re in the market for a new cutter, give one of these a shot.

The Guillotine Cigar Cutter

The guillotine cutter is the one most folks recognize as ‘the’ cigar cutter. It’s often depicted in photographs and film and it’s likely the one that you’re most familiar with, too. Found most places where you can buy cigars, cutters come in many sizes and materials. Yet, their designs are the same. There are single-blade and double-blade versions, and they’re simple to use. Double-blade guillotines are often preferred. The blades cut from both sides and there’s less risk of the wrapper tearing. Insert the cigar into the cutter until the cap meets the shoulder. Then, using firm pressure, press inward and even on the cutter on both sides. Voila! You have a cut cigar. Make sure your cigar cutter is sharp. A dull cutter can tear your outer wrapper instead of making a clean cut.

The V-Cutter

The V-cutter is a bit less common and you may not have used one before. Like the guillotine cutter, the V-cutter uses a blade moving through the cigar. But, it differs from the guillotine cutter by making a v-shaped channel in the cap. The result? You get a nice, even draw without completely cutting the cap off the cigar. There’s also less risk that you’ll cut too deep into the cigar. The downside? Well, a V-cutter will only work on a cigar that has a round cap to it – Torpedoes, Figurados, and Piramides are out. So, you’re a Toro aficionado? Give this one a shot.

The Punch Cutter

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the golf course. I cringed at the sight of a spare golf tee plunged into the cap of a cigar. Right idea, wrong tool! A more refined method of this technique is using a punch cutter. A punch cutter uses a circular blade to ‘punch’ into the middle of the cap of the cigar. This creates a hole to draw smoke through. Punch cutters are available in many different shapes and sizes. They generally work best on larger ring cigars – think 40 ring size and up. Punch cutters are a great option if you despise getting tobacco bits in your mouth while smoking. That’s because the entire cap remains intact. The downside? Like the V-cutter, the punchcutter won’t work on Torpedo-type cigars. Depending on the size of the cigar, you may have a restricted draw – but that’s largely personal preference.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Are Real Cohiba Cuban Cigars Worth the Hype?

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Staff

Ask a handful of new cigar smokers what the ‘best’ cigar is, and you’ll likely hear the word “Cuban” come up. As with anything that’s outlawed,’ Real Cuban cigars have had a certain mystique surrounding them. It’s an air that other cigars don’t have. But – are they worth the mystique and the money? Anyone who’s tried to buy Cuban cigars overseas – the real ones, not the Cohiba knockoffs! – knows that they’re costly.

So, is it worth forking up the dollars for the authentic Montecristo, Cohiba, or H. Upmann from Cuba?

What Makes Real Cohiba Cuban Cigars Special

First, Cuban tobacco has a distinctive flavor. It’s the only thing that makes a real ‘Cuban’ cigar taste as it does. Then, there’s the ‘I can’t do what I want’ mentality floating around for almost 60 years. That gives a Cuban cigar a sense of ‘coolness.’ Cuban cigars carry a uniqueness all their own. When tobacco is grown, it takes on the flavor of the soil it’s grown in – so yes, Cubans are unique. The climate in Cuba – being smack in the middle of the Caribbean – makes for some fantastic tobacco.

A typical Cuban has a bold flavor profile that’s rich and complex. For those who have smoked them – you know what I mean. Some Cuban brands have milder varieties. But, the well-known Cuban cigars lie more towards the “fuller” side – so if you’re new to cigars, ease in. Some reputable brands are Cohiba, Montecristo, H. Upmann, and Romeo y Julieta. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

Where Do I Find Them?

Now, you want to buy some good Cuban cigars, but where? Since 1962, there’s been an embargo on cigars from Cuba – one of their top exports. Recently, the U.S. has loosened laws around bringing Cubans back to the United States. It’s still tough to find them in the lower 48 states because they can’t be resold here. Plan on an international trip, but be aware if you travel overseas and are in the market for a Cuban. Watch out for counterfeits – they run rampant.

If you’re sitting on the beach, enjoying a nice umbrella drink, and a vendor asks if you’d like to buy a three-pack of Cohibas for $10 – run away! Real Cubans are expensive – expect to pay some decent dollars for a cigar – usually around $15 or more per stick.

Duty-free shops in airports are great spots to buy authentic Cuban. Although, they may need a couple of months in your humidor when you get home. Also, if you’re staying at a reputable hotel, and we’re assuming you are, ask the front desk where you can find some ‘real’ Cubans. Many tourist towns have a shop or two that sells the real deal, and you can go there to pick up a few to bring home with you.

Is It Worth It?

Yes! Take this with a grain of salt. There are some fantastic cigars from plenty of manufacturers throughout the Caribbean (think Nicaragua, Honduras, etc.). But, if you’ve never had a Cuban, it’s almost a rite of passage – you must try one.

So, seek a real Cuban cigar next time you plan a vacation and want to incorporate some cigars into the mix. Try one for yourself, and let us know what you think!

Photo credit: Pixabay | Rom4in

Cigar Etiquette for the Casual Cigar Smoker

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Staff

New to cigars, or just a casual smoker looking for a few cigar etiquette tips? It can be an intimidating world especially if you find yourself in a swanky cigar lounge surrounded by a bunch of experienced cigar enthusiasts. Here are a few guidelines to help you navigate the world of cigar smoking.

1. Don’t inhale

Okay, this may seem obvious, but I cannot tell you how many times I’ve witnessed the “casual” smoker make this mistake. Cigars are not designed to be inhaled like cigarettes (or e-cigarettes, for that matter), they’re meant to be tasted and enjoyed. Once you light your cigar, you should take short puffs – smell the aroma (it should be pleasant, or you’ve done something wrong), and taste the tobacco.

2. Take your time

The act (or art) of cigar smoking is designed to be a relaxing experience – it’s not a race. Beating your buddy to the bottom of the stick doesn’t win any brownie points, and you can ruin a once fine cigar in the process. You want the cigar to remain cool, and not burn too hot – a hot cigar can be uncharacteristically strong and unpleasant. It’s said that a puff every 30 seconds to one minute is about the right speed; your cigar will stay lit but stay cool enough to thoroughly enjoy.

3. Don’t light someone else’s cigar

Yes, it may seem like you’re offering a helping hand. But no, don’t do it. Trust me, we appreciate the gesture, but we like to light our own cigars. Why? Everyone lights a cigar a little differently, and we each have our preferences. Plus, the lighting of a cigar is fundamental to how it will smoke – the most important part! If you need cigar etiquette tips on how to properly light a cigar, click here.

4. Don’t take your band off until it’s time (or at all)

Outside of style and preference, there are actually some reasons why your band should stay on. First, the band of your cigar is glued together – don’t try to slide it off your cigar, or you could end up with a cracked wrapper – bad news. Wait until you light your cigar, and if you really want to take that band off, the cigar will have heated up the glue, and you can peel it right off the cigar. Once the cigar is lit and the band is safe to remove, the choice to keep it on or not is yours; it really is an individual stylistic choice. If you want to keep that band on, it’s perfectly fine – plus, if it’s a great cigar, you have something to remember it by.

5. Let your cigar go out with dignity

Number five is probably the most important cigar etiquette on this list – don’t stub out your cigar. Some cigar smokers will smoke their cigar down until they have about a third of it left (if they’re enjoying it, that is) – the last third can sometimes be a bit strong, and you wouldn’t want to ruin the experience. Of course, others will smoke it until they can no longer safely hold the cigar, enjoying every last puff. In either case, when you’re finished with your cigar, just let it go out. It will go out on its own, and you’ll enjoy the last of its pleasant smell. Just don’t mash it into the ashtray – it smells bad and really is unnecessary.

6. If you’re headed to a cigar lounge, don’t ‘BYOC’

Cigar lounges are fantastic spots to enjoy cigars and talk with fellow cigar enthusiasts. You shouldn’t, however, bring your own cigars – unless you’re planning on replacing them with purchases from the lounge. If you’re at a cigar lounge that sells cigars, plan on buying a few, and ask for suggestions – you may find something you haven’t tried before, and it may become your new favorite.

7. Assess the room

If you’re smoking in a public place, take a look at the environment you’re in, and smoke as such. In a swanky, downtown cigar lounge that’s dark and quiet inside? Enjoy your cigar in peace and use the time to relax while the rest of the lounge does the same. At a family barbecue with corn hole games running rampant? Well, then some good chatter may be appropriate. Bottom line is, know your audience. Some people want to enjoy their cigar in relative peace and quiet. Avoid those controversial subjects that may spark some heavy conversation (politics and religion come to mind…) and keep the subjects on the lighter side. Most importantly, enjoy your cigar! Healthy conversations around cigars are usually a welcome topic with groups of cigar aficionados.

photo credit: Pixabay

Top Travel Destinations for Cigar Lovers

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Staff

Vacations wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a fine cigar somewhere in the mix. Finding a place to enjoy a good cigar is a vacation “must” that you can do anywhere. But, if you’re looking for some cigar-centric activities, you’ll want to check out one of these top travel destinations for cigar lovers.

Tampa, Florida

Florida is one of the top vacation spots in the States. It’s easy to get to and loaded with beaches, palm trees, and umbrella drinks. Of all the destinations in Florida, Tampa often flies under the radar. Not for cigar enthusiasts, though. Tampa – once coined the Cigar Capital of the World – was a transplant city for some of the most famous cigar rollers in Cuba. Ybor City, a neighborhood within Tampa city limits, is a hot spot for Floridian cigar making. And, it has a rich story to tell.

Take one of their guided walking tours. Then, stop at Centennial Park for some art and fresh hand-rolled cigars. If you time it right, you can attend the Cigar Heritage Festival. The festival features premium cigars, rolling demonstrations, and some of the finest cigar makers in the world. It’s also a great place if you’re looking to learn about cigar history in America. So, enjoy some great Florida weather and place Tampa on your list.

Dominican Republic

This one shouldn’t be a surprise to the readers out there. Most of us cigar lovers have a handful of Dominicans in our humidors, even if we don’t realize it. The Dominican Republic is known as a top travel destination for its phenomenal beaches, sunshine, and Caribbean vibe. It’s a top vacation spot and cruise destination. But, for cigar lovers, the Dominican Republic also features cigar factories producing some of the top premium brands. These factories will host tours for cigar-loving vacationers such as yourself.

Stop at the Davidoff cigar factory in Santiago for a tour and learn how they make these premium sticks. Or, visit the TDG cigar factory where Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and other top brands are rolled. After you’ve learned how some of the top cigars are made, grab a few for the road. Then, sit back and relax with your new cigar and a fine cocktail to relax and enjoy the Caribbean sun. For information on tours, click here.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas – the entertainment capital of the world, is another top destination that made our list. Now, Vegas may not have the heat, sun, and Caribbean allure of the previous spots, but it’s a cigar lover’s dream in its own right. Filled with casinos and nightlife, Vegas is one of the last spots in the U.S. where you can smoke a cigar almost anywhere. Plus, there are a wide variety of high-quality cigars at your fingertips.

If you’re an avid cigar smoker and have the means, check out Cigar Aficionado’s The Big Smoke held every year. This event is brimming with cigar lovers from all over the world. It draws some of the finest manufacturers to attend, like Arturo Fuente, A.J. Fernandez, and others. If that’s not a testament to Vegas being a cigar city, then I don’t know what is.

photo credit: Pixabay

New Cigar Smoker Tips: Choosing a Good Cigar

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Staff

If you’re new to cigar smoking, then walking into a giant humidor filled with cigars of all shapes and sizes at your local lounge can be intimidating. Maybe, you’re out with a group of experienced cigar smokers. You need to make a solid choice of stogie for a drink with friends, but as a new cigar smoker, you don’t know where to start. For beginner and experienced cigar enthusiasts, the choices are endless. Learning what makes a good cigar is the first place to start.

We’re not talking about a cigar being “good” on flavor or strength, here. That’s a personal preference learned with time and your best bet is to ask your long-time buddy for a recommendation. We’re talking about quality. Below are a few tips to help the new cigar smoker choose a well-constructed stogie.

Visually Inspect Your Cigar

This is the first, and easiest, step in selecting a solid cigar. When you’re trying to determine a constructed cigar, you first need to look at its wrapper. The wrapper of the cigar is the outside tobacco leaf that holds all the tobacco inside together. It should be free of blemishes like spots, or mold, and have a slightly oily texture to it. Choose a good cigar that’s maintained in a controlled, humidified setting. A controlled setting maintains the cigar’s intended character. It also prevents cracking from being too dry or mold from excessive humidity.

Feel the Cigar

Once you’ve taken a good look at the cigar, make sure you feel it. Roll it between your fingers, and you’ll be able to tell a lot about how it will smoke. A well-made cigar will be firm, without feeling brittle. A brittle cigar is a telltale sign of a dried-out stick or one that’s been through too many changes in humidity. It will smoke fast and feel airy on the draw. The cigar shouldn’t feel “spongy,” either. A squishy cigar is one that’s absorbed too much humidity. It will be tough to draw and give you a hard time staying lit. As a reference, a well-kept cigar should be about the same firmness as a finger – firm, with a little give.

Smoke the Cigar

Okay, at this point, if the cigar looks and feels good, it’s time to commit. Light your cigar. (If you need tips on proper cigar lighting, check out this article). Then, start smoking it. A good cigar should burn evenly throughout the duration of the smoke. The different tobaccos mixed within will produce the great taste quality cigars are known for. If the cigar starts to burn uneven, the flavor will distort and might turn harsh. Finally, the cigar should have a pleasant aroma to it – you seasoned cigar smokers know what I’m talking about.

Still not interested in picking up a random cigar at your local shop? Need to do some research on the best cigars out there? There are many resources out there, but one of our favorites is Cigar Aficionado’s Ratings & Reviews. Every year, they rate the top new cigars out on the market and communicate their results to the people. With a 90+ rating cigar pick, you can’t go wrong.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Traveling With Cigars: What You Need to Know

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Staff

If you’re anything like us, you just can’t stand to miss a prime opportunity for a cigar. But what if you’re traveling, and not within arm’s reach of your humidor? Whether you’re heading on vacation, for work, or just heading out for a night on the town, a lot of us like to have cigars handy in case the need arises (and we all hope it will!). Now, we’re assuming that your prized sticks aren’t stashed in your coat pocket, or tossed in with your toiletries buried in your suitcase. If that sounds like you…don’t fear! Here are some tips for traveling with cigars in tow.

The Night on the Town

So, you’re heading out for the night – maybe dinner, drinks, and some entertainment – and you want to bring your favorite Robusto for a nice smoke in-between spots. No problem! There are a few different ways to handle this one. If it’s just you who’ll be enjoying a cigar, opt for a single cigar case. With the ability to hold one cigar, these are lightweight, slim, and can easily slide into a coat pocket discreetly – perfect for when you’re going to be bouncing from spot to spot. Pay attention to the size restrictions – most will have a maximum ring size and length that can be accommodated. Most are crush-proof and will protect your cargo from being damaged if Murphy strikes.

The Weekend Getaway

Just booked a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains? Sounds like a few cigars may be on the packing list. Don’t even think about stuffing a few sticks into the side pocket of your duffel bag and crossing your fingers. Instead, opt for a travel humidor – a hard-sided case specially made for traveling with cigars. A basic travel humidor typically holds around five Churchill cigars and features a mini-humidifier to keep them moist along the way. If you’re into big ring cigars, your capacity may be reduced by one or two – just something to keep in mind. There are a variety of brands out there, but Herf-a-Dor seems to be the king.

The Long Trip

Heading for a week-long business trip, and need to pack for yourself and a few colleagues? Maybe an extended vacation? Bringing a humidor full of cigars would be ideal, but isn’t quite feasible. Fortunately for us, they make travel humidors in ‘extended stay’ sizes – from 10, 20, even 30 cigars. Keep in mind that the more cigars you have, the more humidity you’ll need. Why limit yourself, right?

Budget Alternatives

On a serious budget, but still, want to take a few cigars along with you? A largemouth water bottle with a humidification pack will do the trick. A plastic food storage bin with a damp paper towel will make a decent cigar humidifier, too. Not as exact of a science, and certainly not as fancy, but it will get the job done just the same.

Traveler’s Tip: If you’re going to be on an airplane, cigar cutters and punches are usually okay in your carry-on and checked luggage. Even so, don’t bring your best equipment, just in case. Your favorite butane torch, however, needs to stay at home – they’re not allowed on the plane, period.

photo credit: Cigar Life Guy