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Cigars and Spirits: A Winter Pairing Guide

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Staff

Whether it is the chilly weather, the limited sunlight, or the visiting in-laws, the holiday season is a time when we all could use a little extra cheer. For the cigar smoker, adding a thoughtfully-paired beverage to your next smoke is a sure-fire way to increase your jolliness factor while also elevating the sensory experience. We’re sharing some of our very favorite holiday-season cigars and drink pairings*, as well as a few tips for how to create the perfect pairing with the cigars and spirits you might already have on hand.

*Grinches & Humbugs beware: the cocktails presented in the following article are known to cause significant spikes in caroling, gift-giving, and goodwill towards man.

The Basics of Cigar & Drink Pairing

The pairing of tobacco and alcohol is not a new phenomenon, but the recent proliferation of craft beverage culture in the United States and other developed countries has led to a sharply increased demand for curated cocktail pairings.

This is because the flavor and aroma compounds present in food and drink can interact with one another to create new expressions that would be otherwise inaccessible if each item was enjoyed separately. The rich, flavorful complexities of the tobacco plant make pairing cigars with spirits a natural choice for cocktail pairings.

No matter how you arrive at your decision, there is one rule that stands out above all others. Enjoy yourself. Pairings don’t have to make sense if they make you happy. As any regular reader of ours will tell you, if you aren’t enjoying your smoke, you’re doing it wrong.

Cigar & Cocktail Pairing Suggestions

Now that you’re armed with the basic concepts, we’re going to share some of our go-to favorites for holiday cigar & cocktail pairings.

For Mild Cigars: The “Stinger”

One of our favorite ways to bring out the mild, toasty flavors of a mild-bodied cigar is with a little bit of cream. The cream acts as a sort of canvas upon which the flavors of the cigar are both expanded and rounded, leading to a delicate smoothness.

The Stinger utilizes crème de menthe to open up the rich flavors of brandy. The sharp mint acts as a sort of tongue-refresher, preparing your palate for another puff of rich tobacco.

Ingredients:

1 ¾ oz Cognac (or Tequila, for a Mexican Stinger)
2/3 oz White crème de menthe (the green variety is less visually appetizing)

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a cocktail glass. It is also common to see Stingers prepared in a shaker and served over rocks.

Recommended Stick:

While the creamy, refreshing nature of the Stinger makes it a pretty damn good pairing for just about any cigar, it is particularly well-suited for mild-bodied cigars with shade-grown wrappers. The Dominican Montecristo offers light notes of both grass and cedar that melt seamlessly into the minty crème de menthe and is widely available.

For Medium Cigars: The Cuba Libre Especial

Rum and cigars go together as well as peanut butter and jelly, no doubt due to the overlapping flavor and aroma components of vanilla and subtle tropical fruit. Our recommended rum-based, cigars and spirits pairing considers the old standard, Rum & Coke, with added complexity from a darker, bolder rum.

The Cuba Libre Especial utilizes dark, 3-year aged rum and your favorite cola for a harmonious blend of dark caramel and spice. A twist of lime cuts into the sweetness, making it highly palatable.

Ingredients:

4 oz Cola
1/3 oz Fresh lime juice
1 2/3 oz Bacardi Black 3-Year Aged Rum

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a ‘rocks’ glass, mix, and enjoy!

Recommended Stick:

The dark spice complexity of both the aged rum and the cola will pair well with a medium-bodied cigar that is savory enough to stand up against the sweetness but has enough herbal character to contribute to the overall effect. To this end, the highly-popular Acid Blue Kuba Kuba is the obvious choice.

Pair Full-Bodied Cigars with the Rye Sazerac

When you’re pairing cigars and spirits, follow this no-nonsense rule. The bolder the cigar, the bolder the cocktail.

The Rye Sazerac offers the perfect solution. It blends Rye bourbon with bitters, sugar, and a few drops of Absinthe. This gives you a bold and slightly peppery flavor to savor. It goes down much like an Old Fashioned.

Ingredients:

¼ oz Absinthe
One sugar cube
1½ oz Rye whiskey (Cognac can be substituted for a more traditional Sazerac)
Bitters

Preparation:

Pour the Absinthe into a chilled rocks glass and swirl, coating the interior of the glass. Add crushed ice to the glass and set it aside. Then, mix the remaining ingredients over ice. Finally, discard the ice and any remaining absinthe from the first glass, and strain the mixed drink into it. A thin lemon peel is an essential garnish.

Recommended Stick:

Big bold cigars are a great match for this kind of cocktail. Rye whiskey packs enough of a punch to cut through the robust flavors of full-bodied cigars, particularly Maduro-style sticks that have the deep flavors that come with extended leaf aging. The Camacho Triple Maduro is not a cigar that we usually recommend for beginners, but its expert blend of three different Maduro tobaccos produces a smoke that is rich with notes of black pepper and coffee, the perfect companion to the Rye whiskey. These sticks are a bit harder to find but well worth it!

photo credit: Pixabay

Tobacco Plant Anatomy: A Crash Course

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Staff

Three Different Leaves Create the Perfect Cigar

We might as well come right out and say it. You really don’t need to know anything about the tobacco plant to enjoy smoking a well-made cigar. But some of us can’t help but admire the layered craftsmanship of a good stogie. For us, cigar knowledge, knowing more about how they are made and grown actually increases our satisfaction.

Calling the tobacco plant “special” is something of an understatement. It’s likely the unique way that the tobacco plant grows and expands. The plant offers three distinctly different types of leaf, each with its own unique properties that make it ideal for a specific part of the cigar.

Here, we’ll introduce you to the three different types of tobacco leaf (Ligero, Seco, & Volado). We’ll also explore the ways that each variety is used within a single cigar.

Ligero Leaves

We’ll start at the top of the plant. The Ligero leaf (“light” in Spanish) is the uppermost leaves of the tobacco plant. They receive the greatest amount of sunlight. This allows them to grow both thick and heavy for a very potent, bold, and flavor.

Since Ligero leaves are the last for harvest, they have an opportunity to absorb more nutrients (i.e., flavors) from the rest of the plant. The relative thickness of the Ligero leaf means that it must be blended with the lighter, thinner leaves below it. This is to ensure it burns properly.

Seco Leaves

The Seco leaves grow in the middle of the plant. They are not as thick or heavy as the bold-flavored Ligeros. But, they offer more restrained, nuanced flavors. The Seco leaves also happen to be far more aromatic. So, they are essential in crafting a cigar blend that smells as good as it tastes.

Seco leaves are more combustible than Ligeros. Yet, they are still unable to maintain an even burn on their own and that’s one of the keys for a good smoke. For this reason, they are a near-exact middle-ground between Ligeros and Volados.

Volado Leaves

The base of the tobacco plant is where the first priming occurs. The Volado Leaves are the lower-most leaves on the plant. While they can be large and thin, they tend to receive the least amount of sunlight. This is the primary reason why they are the least flavorful of the three. But, they can provide some understated flavor and aroma elements in some cases.

The primary benefit of the Volado leaf is its combustibility. Since it grows so thin and retains less water, this is the leaf that provides the most consistent burn. It is also an essential element in any well-made cigar.

“Wrapping” It Up

Our overview of the three different types of tobacco leaf is but a brief introduction to the topic. Each leaf that we explored features its own set of sub-varieties. And, each variety can have even more specialized effects and uses for any given cigar. Going into depth on even one of them would only take up valuable time that you could otherwise spend smoking your favorite stick.

So what’s the takeaway? For us, it is that the act of smoking a cigar that’s somewhat akin to stumbling upon the entryway to Wonderland. It’s easy to stand outside enjoy the visceral pleasures of the cigar lifestyle. But, there is also an entire world of detail, function, and nuance that lies beyond the rabbit hole, for any who feel the urge to look.

photo credit: Pixabay

Tough Conversations Over Holiday Cigars

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Staff

This holiday season will be full of lots of cigars and for most of us also a great deal of family time. Unless you’re related to cousin Eddie, family time is usually a positive thing. It means quality time with loved ones. It’s a great time to finally have those tough conversations you’ve been putting off for years and start implementing new plans. When people are around their loved ones, it also causes them to be reflective. So, there’s no better environment to start a difficult conversation than over a great stick!

Don’t miss my completely free holiday gift to you at the bottom of this article!

Tough Conversations and Holiday Cigars

Estate or end-of-life planning starts with internalizing that we all die. It’s unpleasant to think about and natural to put off. Some families are in great shape. They have had conversations about what happens if Mom, Dad, their spouse, or etc. were to pass unexpectedly. They’ve also implemented a plan to carry out final wishes. If that’s you, great! Cut another piece of pumpkin pie, pour a good beverage, and light an Opus X.

Have a Plan or Starting Thinking About One

If the unexpected happened to you, would your family be taken care of, financially and otherwise? If you have minor children, have you formalized how you’d like them cared for? Do your loved ones know what your final arrangement preferences are for burial, cremation, service or etc? They should include instructions beyond the vague, “something appropriate.”

On a basic level do you have a plan to pay for your funeral? Do your loved ones know about your financial affairs? Who should they talk to (lawyer, financial professional, insurance agent, accountant) to settle your affairs?

Each of these questions could be an article or two to address. Depending on their complexity, they might require professional advice. I’m not trying to solve all your issues here, just to encourage you to start the conversation.

Three Tough Conversations to Consider

So you’re all set. You’ve got a will and executor lined up. You clarified your wishes for final arrangements. You’ve had some tough conversations with your spouse or adult children. They have a decent idea of what to expect with your finances. And, you’ve given some thought to estate planning issues if your assets are enough to warrant it. That’s great! Now, here are three things that you might have overlooked.

Digital Footprint or Assets

Years ago you didn’t have to worry about digital assets. Now, we all have them, even if they aren’t valuable to anyone else. Have you written down all your major online accounts (email, social media, banking, or financial) and instructions on how to access them? Do you own websites or domain names? Someone should be able to access them.

Medical Power of Attorney or Living Will

Have you addressed how you’d like to have medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so for yourself? Have you codified this in writing? Would you like heroic measures taken to try to save you even if you’re facing no hope of recovery? If you haven’t codified your wishes, someone else might make a decision for you that is contrary to what you want.

Long-term Care

It isn’t just death that causes us problems. According to the 2019 Genworth Cost of Care Study, 70% of adults will need long-term care in their lifetime. I know! That is a frigging crazy stat…and also very sobering. The median cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is over $90,000 per year.

Long-term care insurance is an option for addressing some of those costs. It’s important to consider how you’d like to deal with the possibility of being unable to care for yourself. Having a plan is important even if you decide not to use long-term care insurance to help offset these expenses.

My Holiday Gift to You (No, It’s Not a Box of Cigars)

My friends at Tarkenton Financial have put together a great 24-page “Family Guidebook.” It’s great for dealing with some of these estate issues and starting conversations.

Written by a respected estate planning attorney, it also includes a workbook you can use to organize your important information (names, contact info, accounts, logins, instructions, etc.). I’d be happy to email you a complimentary copy as my holiday gift to you. Send an email to dave@cigarlifeguy.com or message me on social media @cigarlifeguy with your email address and a note that says “send me the family guide.”

Of course, if life insurance or long-term care insurance would help with your plans, Cigar Life Guy gets you non-smoker rates regardless of how many cigars you smoke so #PSSITA!

Photo credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/gylo/5277766947

The Top Four Cigar Rituals and Traditions

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Staff

There are many good reasons to fire up a stogie in the yard. Yet, folks like me would argue that a real enthusiast doesn’t need a reason at all. Why can’t the cigar be the reason? Still, there are some occasions that demand a good smoke. Take cigar rituals and traditions, for example. They have carried good cigars through the years and given plenty of aficionados even more reasons to smoke. Think new babies, young newlyweds, that big business deal you’ve been working on for months and more.

There is a delightful nostalgia to the notion that some cigars can be more than momentary pleasures. When enjoyed under specific circumstances, cigars grow into a tradition or ritual. So, here are the top four cigar rituals to give you even more reasons to kick back with a good smoke.

The Victory Cigar

The origin of tobacco smoking is attributed to the Native peoples of North and South America. But, it was the Spanish who brought the plant back to Europe. From there, it developed a following among upper-class merchants and statesmen.

Back in the Americas, Spanish conquistadors adopted the Native practice of enjoying rolled tobacco on the battlegrounds, immediately after the victory. Rumor states that the curling smoke would lead the souls of the fallen to the afterlife while cleansing survivors of the stench of blood and war.

Today, I’ll have a victory cigar just for making through to Friday. It might be a different field of battle, but hey, a victory is a victory, and a warrior is a warrior.

The Status Cigar

When tobacco first arrived in Europe in the 15th century, it was in short supply. But, in the Americas, cigar-smoking was commonplace for sailors, soldiers, and fieldworkers. Europeans had to pay a hefty premium for the dried leaves. As a result, the only people who could afford cigars were royal and wealthy.

Over the next few centuries, cigar-smoking became known as something only the well-to-do could afford. This changed after tobacco was commercial-grown and harvested. Yet, you can still find a few celebrities and businessmen who keep an unlit cigar dangling from their mouths. The reason is for none other than to flex their social standing.

Philosophically, I tend to side more with the Northern English noblemen of the late twentieth century. It was then that some gentleman cigar smokers took to the habit of removing the band from their cigar. For them, it was the act of flourishing the brand (and the price) into something of a social faux-pas.

The New Baby Cigar

The image of a sweating, nervous father-to-be pacing the hospital waiting room with a pocketful of stogies is something that you only see in the movies. In fact, bringing a lit cigar anywhere near a delivery room today will likely have you removed from the building.

Still, this cigar tradition celebrates the birth of a child and has managed to survive through the centuries. Most historians agree this tradition likely came from native tribes in North America. The tribes held a “Potlatch” ceremony to exchange gifts with one another to commemorate births and weddings. Primitive cigars were among the gifts often given and were highly prized.

The Thoughtful Cigar

The connection between tobacco smoke and the spirit world is strong in Native American spiritual tradition. Many tribes consider smoke to be a ‘collecting’ agent. In other words, it can lift spirits, ideas, and prayers to the ancestors above. For tribal leaders and medicine men, the thoughtful smoking of sacred tobacco is a pathway to a clearer understanding.

Anyone who enjoys a cigar in the peaceful quiet of a mid-summer dusk might agree that there is something contemplative about a slowly-smoke. Likewise, there is something in the shared experience of tobacco that brings us together in conversation.

I’m not anticipating a kid, planning to defeat an opposing army or feel the need to become a wealthy shipping merchant. So, I’m going to go ahead and call the thoughtful cigar my personal favorite of all four of the top cigar rituals.

Photo credit: Elvert Barnes on VisualHunt/CC BY-SA

Cigar Lounge Etiquette: 5 Pointers For Newbies

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Staff

If you’re like me, then you are more likely to enjoy that fine cigar sitting outside or perched atop a lawnmower than in the plush leather chairs in an upscale smoking lounge. But even the most introverted smokers enjoy occasional socialization. More so, when it involves gathering around a shared passion for a well-crafted cigar and long conversation. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the sofa of your local tobacconist or bellied-up against the bar of your favorite cigar club. Tobacco lounges are bringing more aficionados together than ever before.

Here’s the rub: your local cigar bar is not your neighbor’s garage. Treating it as such is a good way to earn the ire of your fellow smokers, so it doesn’t hurt to go in armed with a few pointers. What follows is a crash course in cigar lounge etiquette. It’s etiquette designed to elevate the cigar experience for everyone involved.

Get Your Cigar From the Cigar Lounge

Bringing your own cigar is actually prohibited at many lounges and smoke shops. But, there is a better reason than leaving your stash in your personal humidor and picking one up from the tobacconist. Buying in-house is a good way to support the industry and culture of cigar smoking. It also boosts the local economy in which they operate.

Beyond that, lounges and smoke shops likely have a much bigger selection than you do at home. This allows you to branch out and try some new brands and styles.

Cut Before Tasting

Tasting the cigar before it is lit is like listening to the overture of a play. You get to preview all the notes and themes of the upcoming experience. Some smokers prefer to roll the unlit cigar between their lips. Others will draw their tongue across the length of the cigar.

Whatever your tasting method, do the rest of us a favor. Save it for after you cut the cigar. Using a borrowed cutter on a cigar that is already coated in your saliva is hardly a gentlemanly thing to do.

Hold Your Calls

Even in a social setting, the atmosphere is everything for a good cigar. Blabbing on your cell phone is disrespectful to smokers around you. It’s also getting in the way of your own experience. Do the whole lounge a favor. Set your phone to vibrate and take important calls outside.

Watch Your Ash

Falling ash is a quick way to smudge furniture and clothing. The real danger, though, is ruining someone else’s drink because you weren’t paying attention to how big the ash was getting. Be sure to use the provided trays to keep your ash to a manageable level. Don’t ash on the floor … that’s just bad manners.

Don’t Smash Your Cigar

This is one that I see all the time, and it makes long-time cigar smokers cringe. We’ve told you how to light your cigar, and now it’s time to learn how to put it out with dignity.

When you finish with your cigar, place it on the ashtray and leave it be. Don’t smash it into the ashtray like you’re trying to put out a cigarette. The high moisture content of cigars is enough to ensure that the cigar will go out on its own. Besides, being destructive in such ways is beneath the art of cigar smoking. It can also lead to some harsh, unwanted aromas wafting throughout the room.

Remember: no one goes to the cigar lounge to have a bad time. Relax, be courteous, and don’t talk too loud. Before you know it you will be enveloped with the sweet comfort of a well-curated cigar lounge. A lounge where it’s possible to pursue that delicate, centuries-old art of enjoying a cigar amidst the company and conversation of strangers.

Photo credit: Ross Dunn - Thanks for the more than 13 million views on VisualHunt/CC BY-SA

How to Choose the Right Cigar Shapes and Sizes

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Staff

Have you ever perused the humidor at your local cigar lounge? The experience can be overwhelming. The number of cigars to choose from is in all their different shapes, sizes, and colors create a dizzying effect. These factors tie into the experience you get when you select the right cigar for your smoking pleasure. But, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before you choose. How long do I have to enjoy this cigar? Am I in the mood for a stronger cigar, or something a bit milder? What kind of draw am I looking for? These factors play into your decision when choosing your next cigar from the humidor.

The Shape of your Cigar

Cigars come down to two different shapes. You have ‘Parejos’ and ‘Figurados’. The meaning is simple. ‘Parejos’ feature a straight side, a cap at one end, and an open end to light. ‘Figurados’ are the rest – think Torpedos, Piramides, Perfectos, and the like. Why does this matter? Well, it’s a matter of education. The shape of the right cigar you choose to smoke is about personal preference. It doesn’t much affect the taste.

If you’re the kind of person who likes a big draw on their cigar, a Parejo is probably a good bet. You can get a nice, large cut where the shoulder meets the cap for a big draw while smoking it. Figurados allow a bit more flexibility in cut, and you can tailor your draw to your liking.

Choosing the Right Size

Within every cigar shape, there’s also a measurement for size: length and ring gauge. Length obviously refers to how long the cigar is. A ring gauge refers to a cigar’s thickness and how wide it is. In the literal sense, it’s like a ring you’d put on your finger. These factors play into your cigar smoking experience.

The length of a cigar and ring size go hand in hand. A longer cigar has a larger (wider) ring gauge and will take longer to smoke and finish. This is your “celebration” cigar. With these cigars, you’re not rushed into a quick 30-minute cigar smoking session. Instead, you’re in it for the long haul. These will usually smoke for over an hour. So, grab your Churchill for this one. If you only have a few minutes to spare, then stick with a shorter cigar and a slighter ring gauge. Something like a Petit Corona should do.

In general, a larger ring size will burn a bit cooler and slower, resulting in a milder flavor. Yet, smaller ring size can burn faster and hotter than a larger cigar, even of the same variety. The combination of size and shape go into the taste of a cigar, as well as the wrapper and the filler.

Bringing It All Together

As with most things, practice makes perfect, and the more cigars you try, the more experience you’ll gain. Our recommendation? Try a bunch of different cigars with a variety of lengths, ring gauges, and shapes. You’ll begin defining your tastes, which will help you choose the right cigar during your next trip to the humidor.

photo credit: Pixabay

The Alabama Cigar Tradition: Rules Be Damned

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Staff

The third Saturday in October means Tennessee vs. Alabama football…and the Alabama cigar tradition. Until Tennessee’s program slipped below mediocrity, this was among the best rivalries in college football. Then, two programs, rich in history, often rose to the top of the Southeastern Conference.

A conference game holds specific title implications: the winner gets to light up a cigar. And we mean right there in the stadium and breaking God knows how many rules.

Oh yeah, fans get in on the act as well. So even if you don’t like college football or these programs are your bitter rivals, you can’t help but smile at this beautiful tradition. But, of course, that’s even more true if you’re a cigar aficionado.

What Happens?

About the time the game ends and the winner is clear, fans inside the stadium start lighting up cigars. Yes, right there in the stadium.

Fans not inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in Alabama or Neyland Stadium in Tennessee light up wherever they are. That might mean in the parking lot where the tailgating party is. Or, they’ll celebrate with victory cigars in local sports bars, at home, or even thousands of miles away.

Here are a few great pics from last year’s game.

What Kind of Cigars are they Smoking After the Game?

For players and staff, favored sticks appear to be Honduran house sticks from R&R Cigars in Downtown Tuscaloosa. Per the R&R website, they are from a Rocky Patel factory.

For the fans, it’s a little bit of everything, from great stuff that has aged in the humidor all year to everyday sticks from the local B&M to the Swishers stuff.

Remember, most of these traditional participants aren’t regular smokers. For many, it is the only stick they smoke all year. Shop owners in Alabama report a 30% increase in sales during game week.

A History of the Alabama-Tennessee Cigar Tradition

In 1961, Jim Goostree, then an Alabama athletic trainer, and a University of Tennessee Alum, made a promise to the Tide players. If they won, snapping a six-game losing streak in the rivalry, he’d dance naked in the locker room. Well, not only did the Tide win, but Ol’ Jim did, in fact, dance. Fortunately, this was in 1961.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have iPhones, Youtube, or Facebook yet. So, there was no video footage of Jim in his birthday suit to float around. But he’s also rumored to have lit a cigar during his naked dance. So, naturally, the players wanted a cigar, too. Boom! A tradition was born.

The tradition lived on for years. Then, it took a few breaks amid political correctness on campus. But, in 2005, somebody in Alabama said, “F*** It!” The tradition was rekindled. Since then, the Alabama athletic department self-reported to the NCAA a minor violation.

Does Nick Saban Partake?

No.

How Many Rules or Laws Does This Violate?

Since 2015, the entire University of Alabama campus, including the stadium, has been a smoke-free environment. The NCAA expressly prohibits the use of tobacco products by any player, coach, member of athletic personnel, etc. So, all players, staff, fans, etc., engage in a minor criminal offense. Any other day of the year, this would result in a citation and a fine.

The actual cigar given to a player is an “impermissible benefit.” In other words, it could subject the player to all kinds of trouble. That includes loss of a scholarship, forfeited games, ineligibility or etcetera. So although the cigar seems small ($10-20 value), players have been penalized for less. USC and Ohio State fans, am I wrong?

But, on this one day in October, the usual rule-based NCAA does something rare. It exercises common sense. This cigar tradition is hurting nobody. It’s fun, and the fans enjoy it.

Alabama Cigar Tradition Brings It Together

There are many wonderful things about cigars and football. Setting a tradition is one of them. Cigars really are about relationships and strengthened over a shared cigar.

The winners of this athletic contest will one day have a story to tell to their grandchildren. So they spoke three to five of the third annual Saturdays in October when they participated in a cigar tradition. A victory cigar tradition. What better way to reminisce?

Photo Credit: “A-Day Game football scrimmage for University of Alabama with coach Nick Saban analyzing every move. Tuscaloosa, Alabama” Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Carol M. Highsmith [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-123456]

Great Cigars Enhance the Moment

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Staff

We all remember our first cigar. It may have been at a swanky cigar lounge with some coworkers, in front of a backyard campfire, or on the ninth hole of your favorite golf course. In any case, the first cigar is a memorable experience. Since that time, we’ve had plenty of great cigars, some of them memorable, some of them not. For most of us, when we reach into our humidor, the anticipation is great – we know we’re about to sit down and relax. That’s what cigars are about, right? There’s an unspoken “value” of a great cigar, and it comes from the experience. The enjoyment, relaxation, and reflection that a premium cigar brings on can’t be discounted. As we roll into fall, keep an eye out for a special occasion to enjoy your next cigar.

Here are a few occasions destined to involve a fine cigar and enhance an already great experience.

The Celebration Stogie

There is no better reason than a celebration to break out a great cigar (or a few)! There’s no shame in pulling out that “special” cigar to enjoy when the occasion demands it. Birthday party? New Year’s? Perhaps your favorite team just won the ball game? Sounds about right. Pairing a fine cigar with a special occasion only helps to add another memory to that event – especially if you can share it with some cigar-loving friends or family. We always have that “one” cigar that we’re just waiting to smoke until we have the right opportunity. This is it.

The Breakfast Cigar

Okay, this one may be a bit taboo. But, if you haven’t had a breakfast cigar – don’t knock it until you try it. And if you haven’t tried it, add it to your list – there’s not much that beats a cool morning, a hot, strong coffee, and a great cigar. Cigars and coffee are like peanut butter and jelly – they just work. What better way to kick off the day than with your favorite smoke? As we roll into autumn, this one definitely should be on your radar.

The Late Night Smoke

The complete reverse of the breakfast cigar, this one’s your nightcap. Imagine you’re at the tail end of a night on the town with your buddies and are getting that one last drink in before heading home. This is the perfect opportunity to share a cigar with friends – that’s what it’s all about. If you’re in the city, find a local cigar lounge to cap off the night. Small town? A great cigar on the front porch accomplishes the same thing – a great end to a fine evening.

The Campfire Churchill

We saved the best for last. No campfire is complete without a group of friends, snacks, cocktails, and plenty of cigars to go around. A campfire isn’t a quick ordeal, so leave your Robusto at home – this is a Churchill occasion. There’s nothing quite like mixing a cool, fall evening with a nice cocktail and a complementary cigar – that’s the stuff that dreams are made of!

photo credit: Pixabay

My Best Advice for New Cigar Smokers

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Staff

Ask any cigar enthusiast what their best advice is and you’ll likely get a slurry of answers. Yet, the best advice always answers your initial questions. It also places you on the right path to a cigar lifestyle. There’s one question I get more than any other, or some variation on it. “I’m interested in trying cigars. Where do I start?” And it’s not like these things are cheap. I don’t want to buy bad ones. Which cigars do you recommend for someone new?” There are a lot of things new cigar smokers should learn about like cutting cigars, storing cigars, and lighting cigars but we’re just going to focus on getting starting buying and selecting the actual cigars.

Palates Change and Differs

I’m going to give you my best advice on cigar selection but first a couple of universal points. Understand that what you like will be different than what your friend likes or the “expert” on Facebook love. Smoke what you enjoy. Secondly, understand that there is a very good chance your palate will change or “evolve” as you become a more frequent cigar smoker.

Like most new cigar smokers, I initially gravitated to mild or mild to medium blends. Today while I can appreciate those cigars and their place my preference is medium to full or a full-bodied cigar. My early “go-to” sticks I won’t select today. That’s perfectly normal and it happens very gradually over the course of years.

Picking the Sticks is a Process

At the end of the day, it all comes down to trying a number of different cigars and figuring out what’s right for you. The good news is if cigars are going to become a pleasurable pastime for you, trying out a bunch of cigars trying to find your sweet spots shouldn’t feel like a chore. Most of them won’t be awful and many will be really good even if they aren’t your favorite. For a new cigar smoker, finding a palate should be like dating without the drama!

Whatever you pick (and we’ll get to that in a minute), journal your cigars, either literally or figuratively. That means taking notes on what you smoked and what you liked about it/disliked about it. You can formally do this in a physical journal or on your phone. If you’ve got a pretty good memory taking mental notes can work too (for me the mental notes worked just fine, and they can be as simple as “would/would not buy again”). Pro tip: after you remove the band instead of throwing it away put it in your pocket or take a picture of it to refer to when you journal.

Bricks and Mortar (B&M) Strategy

Go to your local cigar store. Not the place with a little humidor and a few boxes for sale but one where their whole business is cigars. Be upfront with the staff member that you are new and looking for help. Introduce yourself. New smokers are their lifeblood and they should be happy to help you and greet you enthusiastically.

Part of the value they should be offering you is the best advice on selection. If possible talk to the owner or a long-term employee. They don’t necessarily need to be a certified tobacconist, but they need to know their stuff. If you don’t get a good vibe about their expertise or they are short with you consider leaving and finding another store or buying just one and trying another time (when maybe a different staffer will be there).

Ultimately what you are trying to find is someone that will truly guide you through the journey. Prices will vary regionally but expect to pay $8 – $15 (each) for premium brand name cigars. He or she may also have some value or “house” sticks for less ($3-6/stick). Don’t be afraid of those. They are an excellent way to develop your palate.

The Online Strategy

Google “introductory deal for new cigar smokers” or similar and look at the results. Odds are you’ll find several different offers on the various links. Often these deals will cost anywhere between $15-30 all in including shipping and consist of 8-12 different brand-name premium cigars usually with some sort of accessory (humidor, cutter, lighter, etc.) thrown in on the deal. These are a fantastic deal! No these aren’t the best cigars in the world and you aren’t going to find an Opus X in there, but they are quality cigars that will give you a great cost-effective way of doing the trial and error.

You will also find these introductory deals in the USPS “junk mailers” you typically get with your grocery store coupons. They are almost always limited to one per customer or address as the deals are designed to be attractive. Nothing says you can’t take advantage of the offers from multiple companies. They are all trying to win your business long-term.

The Hybrid Strategy: A Little of Both

On a going basis, the online retailers will almost always beat the B&M guys on price. That’s just reality. I won’t turn this into a primer online vs. B&M retailing. Amazon is less expensive than CVS on the corner. You get it. That doesn’t mean one is better or worse. Regardless of where you buy online can be an invaluable source of information on the different cigar brands and figuring out what other cigars are similar to the ones you enjoy (remember you’ll be journaling this stuff). Most of the time the reviews and product descriptions from the top sites are fantastic.

Maybe you do a little bit of both. Then, my best advice is to buy a couple of introductory samplers. Make a friend at a cigar shop. Hard to put a price on the value of a friend at the shop.

In fact, they can complement each other. You can buy a sampler online then go into the store and be able to tell the merchant about two or three things you really like, and it will help him recommend other sticks to try. Just remember cigar etiquette, if you go in and talk the B&M merchant’s ear off or take up fifteen minutes of his time, buy something! He’s got to eat, too, and he’s providing value to you through the education he provides.

Final Word on Pricing

Unless you are just oozing with coin and frankly can never see yourself smoking anything but the ultra high end, don’t start your cigar journey at the top. Frankly, an inexperienced palate won’t appreciate what it is smoking. Don’t start at the bottom. Everything you smoke should be a premium, handmade, long filler cigar. Smoke a mix of brand names and value sticks until you figure out what you like.

If you’re a wine connoisseur or just familiar with wine drinking you’ll quickly see a ton of similarities between wine drinking and cigar smoking on a lot of different levels. One is if you really don’t know wine, for the most part, you won’t appreciate great wine. You’ll recognize the difference between a $4 bottle and a $40 bottle but you won’t know the difference between a $40 bottle and a $400 bottle. Cigars are the same way. I’d just say, the best advice here is to save the $20+ (per stick) stuff for when you can appreciate the nuance that makes a great (and priced appropriately) stick a great stick.

Bringing it all Together

Whether you go the B&M route or the online route will probably be based in part on the availability of good B&M near you, your budget, and your personality. Either is fine. The important thing is to get out there and start smoking! Take some notes from the best advice and figure out what you like and keep smoking. Don’t worry about what other people are smoking as long as you’re enjoying yourself. As I like to say, “My favorite cigar is the one I’m smoking right now!”

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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/

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