Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Andre Naser at Club-Offers.com. To learn how to win a 3 month membership into their beer and cigar clubs, see the details below.
There was once a time when a man with a cigar in his mouth was held in high regard; a time when a young man toasted farewell to adolescence by igniting the end of a cigar that “just happened” to slip out of his father’s humidor. A time where the arrival of a man’s progeny was celebrated with cigars in the hospital’s waiting room. A time when one could find a guillotine right alongside a man’s trusty pocketknife.
A 21-year-old Winston Churchill, on a quest to prove his manliness, ventured to the island of Cuba. It was in Cuba where Churchill began his love affair with the cigar. He described cigars as part of his “rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite; smoke cigars and drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.” Churchill was so renowned for his cigar habit that a cigar of especially large magnitude still carries his name today: The Churchill cigar.
There can certainly be some intimidation when you first walk into a well-stocked cigar humidor. How can you possibly tell the difference between a Montecristo and an Ashton? Does it matter if this “Romeo y Julieta” came from the Dominican Republic and not Cuba? (why yes, it does). Fear not. After reading these quick tips on choosing a quality cigar, you’ll have an idea on how to pick a quality cigar. You’ll also be left wondering why you ever thought picking up a pack of Swisher Sweets from the gas station was a good idea.
Anatomy of a Cigar
The head: This is the end you put in your mouth. It’s sealed off and will require cutting; a guillotine is preferred to reduce the chance of smashing the cigar; however, a sharp knife will do. But for the love of God, do not use your teeth!
The foot: This is the side that you light.
The filler: A nice, consistent blend of dried and fermented tobacco.
The wrapper: The outside of the cigar. It varies in color from light to dark. A lot of the cigar’s flavor comes from this outer layer.
Choosing a Cigar
Now that you know your head from your foot, we can move onto choosing a cigar. Check out a local cigar club. They’ll likely have a well-stocked humidor and a knowledgeable tobacconist who will guide you through the selection. When you arrive at the cigar club, you’ll walk into a humidor full of cigars. Humidors help maintain an optimal level of moisture inside the tobacco. If it’s too humid, the tobacco will rot. If it’s not humid enough, the cigars will dry out and lose their flavor and aroma.
If this is your first time smoking a cigar, stay away from the higher-priced ones since, at this point, you won’t be able to truly savor the distinguishing elements of an expensive cigar. Besides, price isn’t the most most important factor in choosing a cigar. There are plenty of cheaper cigars out there that hold top ratings from major cigar publications.
While price isn’t that important when selecting a cigar, cigar construction and tobacco quality are. The cigar’s construction determines how smooth and even the draw is when you smoke it. You can test the construction of a cigar by rolling it between the thumb and index finger of your hand. As you do this, make sure the cigar’s outside doesn’t have any lumps. Also check that the body is not too soft or void of filling. You want the cigar to have a nice even consistency and fill. A rough texture or any other mark of bad construction means a less smooth draw when you inhale. With a well constructed cigar, the ash will maintain the shape of the cigar as it is smoked.
The second important factor when buying a cigar is the tobacco’s quality. You typically can’t determine tobacco quality simply by looking at the outside of the cigar. So how do you know which brands use good quality tobacco? It’s mainly based on reputation. Ask the tobacconist or your friends for recommendations on cigars that use quality tobacco. It’s usually a safe bet to go with larger brands. The big cigar brands tend to use higher quality tobacco in their cigars because they usually have first dibs on the quality stuff. In your quest to find cigars that use quality tobacco, just remember to purchase one cigar at a time instead of buying boxes. You don’t want to be left with a box of crummy cigars you’ll never smoke.
Now before you go running off to your local cigar club, let me first answer a question that typically comes up from those who want to learn more about cigars.
The Cuban Debate: Are Cuban Cigars Really Better?
I must first preface my answer by saying this: if you live in the U.S., don’t even bother trying to buy a Cuban cigar locally. Because of a 1962 embargo against Cuba, Cuban cigars are not allowed in the U.S. (legally, at least). But because Cuban cigars are so desirable, a large counterfeit industry has popped up in the United States. If someone says they have some Cuban cigars for sale, steer clear. It’s probably a fake and will leave your mouth tasting like charcoal when you smoke it.
You’ll also find clever Cuban immigrants rolling cigars claiming that since they themselves are Cuban, the cigars can be sold as “Cuban cigars.” A clever scam, but a scam nonetheless. If you really want to smoke a Cuban cigar, you’ll either have to head north to Canada or south to Mexico.
Now to answer the original question: Yes, Cuban cigars are indeed better. Cuban cigars are highly regulated by the Cuban government and are held to a very high standard. They’re also constructed by some of the most skilled cigar rollers in the world. The “torcedores,” as they are referred to in Spanish, have been rolling cigars their entire lives, often learning the skill from family members who passed the knowledge on from generation to generation. The skill these workers employ ensures a consistent fill for the cigar every time. The flavor of a Cuban cigar tends to be extremely overpowering to someone not acquainted with cigars. They are much more full and smoky compared to their Dominican counterparts that tend have a more peppery and spiced flavor.
It All Comes Down to Personal Preference
The cigar-smoking experience is very personal. Everyone has different tastes, so make sure to try a few different varieties in order to discover your cigar of choice. It’s similar to finding your favorite beer. You probably didn’t know it was your favorite until you experimented with some different variations: more hops, less wheat, maybe some orange zest. But when you finally found your favorite beer, you knew it was the one. Cigars are going to be the exact same way.
And what if you could have a variety of cigars mailed straight to your door every month? Well, with the Cigar Of the Month Club you can try new and different cigars without leaving your house. It’s like the Fruit of the Month Club, but manlier.
The Beer and Cigar of the Month Giveaway
A 3-month membership to a cigar of the month and beer of the month club is up for grabs in this giveaway. One lucky winner will be getting a monthly shipment of 12, 12-ounce microbrews from two lightly distributed domestic microbreweries with a total of 4 different varieties to try. They’ll also get five professionally chosen, hand-rolled cigars from around the world. The focus each month is on quality cigars ranging from a variety of types. More information on the exact package can be found here.
How to Enter: To enter, simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite cigar brand, tip, or experience.
Deadline to Enter: The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, November 9 at 11PM EST. The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 14 in the weekly roundup.
Legal:
- Only open to residents of the United States (sorry, laws don’t let us ship alcohol and tobacco internationally)
- Must be 21 to win.
- Due to local laws beer can not be shipped to the following states: AK, HI, ME, and UT.
- Adult Signature Requirements (Beer & Wine) – All beer or wine shipments are sent via Federal Express, UPS, or other local ground service carriers with an adult signature sticker required on the box. It’s best to have your shipments sent to a location where someone (21 & up) will be there to sign for it. Each carrier will make one or more delivery attempts and if unsuccessful they will leave door tags and/or phone messages indicating the attempted deliveries. Please respond to any communication from the carrier right away. After the final delivery attempt, the box is routed back to the local consolidation center closest to your shipping address and you may be given a short period to pick it up before it is sent back to our fulfillment center. We’ve intentionally packaged our shipments in a very non-descript, brown corrugated box such that most of our customers are comfortable having their shipments sent to their daytime location.
- The memberships will be “gift memberships” which will automatically stop after the 3 months. They will be able to go online and easily continue membership on their own if they want, or let it expire without doing anything.
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So far haven’t had much of a chance to try many different cigars. So far I like the Partegas. It would be nice to be able to try out a few different ones and see what’s good!
I’m a Romeo & Julietta fan.
My favorite cigars have always been “it’s a boys”… but now I may try to venture out of my limited scope of manliness.
The first thing I ever smoked was a Cohiba (cuban) at a club in mexico. It tasted like coffee and chocolate, which are 2 of my favorite flavors. Now I’m hooked.
Once I found Padron, it’s the only cigar line that will get me away from my pipe tobacco. I started out in cigars, got on a few boards, and found Padron. Their line is the best I’ve had; they are very consistent with taste, draw, and construction. They are not overly priced either, if you stay with the regular line; their 1964 and ‘26 lines can be up there in price. I buy these things buy the boxes, and actually have to place an order here tomorrow for another box!
I like to dip the head of the cigar in sour mash whiskey. Wonderful flavor
Montecristo #4 has been my favorite for a while.
Sadly I have no great knowledge regarding cigars to impart. However this article does give me a solid base to build my future experiences on. Of course winning the giveaway would be great seeing as the foundation would be built by professionals. Regardless my winter will be spent fireside with a book, a glass of bourbon and a cigar.
First I’d like to preface by saying that I’ve been smoking cigars for approximately 6 years and though never able to afford large quantities, have always bought high quality. One of my favorite cigars is the Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve torpedo. I’ve found that torpedoes are a great cigar to start smoking on as they are short, Churchills can overpower a beginner, and the shape allows for an easy cut and thus a worry free smoke (no loose tobacco in the mouth with a good cut). Here’s to keeping the glorious tradition of cigar smoking alive!
I am personally partial to the drew estate brands. Their “acid” cigars a definitely a unique experience if you like flavored cigars. Otherwise their Chateau Real are a good choice.
My favorites are Rocky Patel’s The Edge, and Gurkha’s Legend.
My favorites are Tatuaje and God of Fire cigars. Tatuaje are good day to day cigars that are very well priced, even here in California. God of Fire cigars are just excellent, though a bit pricey. Something I consider well worth the money, though, during those special occasions.
My favorite experience with cigars was my first cigar. One night a friend and I decided to hit up the local skate park. After about an hour of skating my buddy pulled out a couple of cigars. Don’t know what they were, brand wise, and it took me a while to get used to the flavor but within a few minutes I was really enjoying myself. Took us about 40 minutes to get through our cigars, with discussions ranging from religion to women, and football to surfing. To this day I consider this buddy a close friend of mine.
I’m partial to the Punch rare corojo rothschild myself. I’m more of a short smoke person, I prefer the rothschild size and smaller.
Favorite was a Cuban Cohiba that I used to smoke while living in Bangkok. Tip, spent handgun brass can be sharpened with a deburring tool and made into a ‘field expedient’ punch.
I can’t say I have ever smoked cigars, as I don’t know anyone who smokes them, and thus can’t ask to try some out. I have always been interested though, because of all the wonderful pipe smoke I have been around.
My favorite cigar experience is really easy to remember. It was with my future father-in-law. We were camping, it was his birthday that weekend, and I had bought him a few Dominican cigars. He invited me to have one with him, and we sat around the campfire smoking them. It was such a great experience sharing such a “manly” moment with him, and I really felt like we bonded some in that moment.
I’m not a heavy cigar smoker – I prefer pipes – but when I do buy them I go for the Acid brand. They’re cheap, and based on what I’ve tried they have a nice strong taste.
Well, my mother’s uncle Adolf smoked di Nobili (sic) cigars. I can’t comment beyond the fact that there never seemed to be any spiders, ants, roaches, earwigs or mice around his house.
I’ve only had a handful of cigars in my life so I’m interested in any quality suggestions for started cigars.
I picked up a box of 5 Cuban Cohiba robustos in Mexico last year while I was on my honeymoon. Those are still the best cigars I’ve had. Dominican Cohibas that are available here in the US just don’t compare. In terms of what I can get here, I’m partial to Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real.
I just started smoking a few months ago, on my birthday, after friends brought me back a “fake Cuban” from their honeymoon in Miami. It’s become one of my favorite weekly rituals, taking an hour for myself each Friday night to enjoy a glass of whiskey and a good cigar. I recently had my “intimidating trip to the humidor” and was fortunate enough to meet a very kind and knowledgeable tobacconist. I’ve been enjoying NUb cigars recently. Thanks for the great post, Andre; I enjoyed it immensely.
While in Panama for my honeymoon – I picked up a box of Romeo y Julietta pyramides. Fantastic smokes, I was happy to share for the duration down there.
When back in the states – i have found a few cigars that live up to (or surpass) them. Avo (either classic or domaine) are consistently quite good. Tatuaje from Miami are really nice and very close to the RyJ from cuba, and Davidoff cigars have proven to be consistently good smokes. We may not have ready access to cuban smokes here, but there is no shortage of high-quality, mid-priced cigars available to a customer with time to experiment a bit.
I haven’t had a good Cuban in years, but I’ve never had a finer smoke.
My favorite smoke is a Padron 2000 series. I also love the CAO Brazilia. While in Bolivia a while back, I had the opportunity to pick up a few Romeo y Julieta No. 2 smokes…very fine indeed.
Also, for the purposes of the contest, I’m 20, and can’t get the beer giveaway, but I would love to get the cigars…am I still in the running?
Let me preface this by saying I’m 19 and British so this comment isn’t to be considered for competition, but I think it relevant nonetheless. My enduring memory of cigars from my childhood was seeing my grandfather, his two brothers and their uncle standing in a hazy circle, laughing uproariously and toasting my great-uncle’s birthday. I don’t know exactly when this was, but I know I was little more than waist-height to them all. Over time it became a quiet intention of mine to one day smoke a cigar in this esteemed company – an idiosyncratic ambition perhaps, but a genuine one. Suffice to say this is no longer achievable, but while some of the company may be gone, the smokables remain smokable. If you’ll excuse the lousy pun, this article has reignited that ambition.
The first night on a work trip To Whistler, I decided to have a Cuban and a glass of Blue label. Worst $120 dollars or so I have ever spent,I will gladly have a Arturo Fuente
With a Glennfiddich and still have beer money
As for Cubans, it’s a Bolivar Churchill, but really any Bolivar will do. They are strong and delicious – it’s like smoking a steak (they don’t taste like meat, I’m just saying the sensory experience is on par with that of eating a succulent New York strip). Non-Cuban would have to be a Montechristo torpedo. The only advice I can give is to smoke slowly – take your time. Enjoy.
I’ve just been introduced to cigars recently. A friend of mine brought two cigars over to my bible study and afterwards we went out side and smoked ‘em and talked theology. Awesome
I have always had a preference for Garcia y Vega English Corona
On my 21st birthday (how fitting hunh?), my family and I went to a great cigar restaurant/cigar bar. Such a great experience. Got wasted on AMFs and Long Beach Ice Teas, tried my first Montecristo (still my favorite), and didn’t have to drive home myself…. Perfect b-day.
I have tried about 4 different kinds of cigars total, I really liked the Romeo Y Julieta and the Montecristo, but I haven’t really found anything else that I’ve liked. I only smoke about once a year tops, but it’s probably been about two years since I last had a cigar. Hope to try some more soon.
Thanks for the offer Brett!
Decent overview of cigars, but the blanket statement that “Cubans are better” probably isn’t accurate. You can find a vast array of non-Cuban cigars that will outperform many Cubans. True, some of the best cigars in the world come from Cuba, but cigars aren’t automatically “better” because they’re Cuban.
When I was in college, I had an extremely enjoyable evening during which several older friends introduced me to cigars. They did so by first taking me to a lecture on cigar making/history/etc. The very first cigar I smoked that evening was the Casa Blanca Lonsdale. To this day it is my favourite. I have tried many other cigars over the years, but I keep returning to that one. I don’t know if it is simply because it is the first, or some other reason. I just like them.
I used to smoke these short little Macanudos that were smooth as all get out. They were like twenty bucks a piece. I cannot remember the type right now but they came in a thin tube.
I used to also smoke these CAO’s from the Jalapa Valley. They had a nice spice to them, but I relaly only liked the spicier cigars once in awhile.
The best advice I can give on smoking cigars is in regards to lighting them. Most people light their cigars with a match, lighter, etc. continually until the end of the cigar is nearly on fire. I like to light it the following way, and I’ll explain why:
Holding the cigar in your hand, light the end of it as you would if it were in your mouth, rotating it slowly. Do this for about five seconds, then, blow through the cigar. Repeat this one more time, then on the third, pull on the cigar as you hold the flame to it, and it will light instantly, perfectly, etc.
The reason I like lighting it that way is that you’ll never over-light your cigar – that is, you’ll never get it so hot that you won’t be able to taste the natural intricacies of the tobacco, rather just the burning flavor of, well… burnt tobacco.
Kind of new to the cigar scene and live in an area where you can’t just runout to the local cigar club for one. did have an Onyx brand cigar not to long ago liked its flavor. My wife however did not share the same opinion that I did.
I used to love Big Butt cigars, however I can not find them any more. I also like Bering #8’s in the blue metal tins.
I’m partial to Don Mateos. Full-bodied taste and reasonably priced.
My father told me the story, which I love to repeat.
Back when you were allowed to smoke in court, a famous lawyer lit his cigar shortly before a key witness took the stand. As the witness began his testimony, people began to notice that the cigar ash kept growing. Slowly the entire jury became enamored with the ash that refused to fall. When the judge realized what was going on, he discover that the lawyer had inserted a wire into the cigar to keep the ash from falling, and distract the jury with this smoking trick. It almost worked; or maybe it worked too well!
My favorite cigar is the regional release edition of “Punch” made in Switzerland in 2006. It is a robusto cigar, which has dimensions of 4 7/8 * 50.
The reason for my preference comes down to the fact that punch has a unique frutiness to it with out becoming an overpowering sweet taste. Since I prefer wide, but short cigars, robusto suits me to the ground. Punch doesn’t usually make robusto’s, so the fact that I was in Switzerland at the time of the release, made me one of the few lucky buyers of an entire box.
The best publication! thx
One of my best cigar expereinces was sitting at a jazz festival with some good friends, listening to music, enjoying some local microbrews, and smoking some cigars from the local cigar tent. That is how a good smoke and drink should be shared, with friends.
My favorite is the Hoyo de Monterey Excalibur, both the original and 1066 varieties. My cigar buddies and I freeze our asses off every winter up here in Maine as our wives detest cigar smoke. We have a tradition of building an outdoor fire in February, drinking beer and smoking a few stogies. The beer froze the first year we did this. Last year, the senior member of our group fell into a snowbank and we had to take him inside. We’re not sure if it has hypothermia or the beer. Anyways, a good cigar tip is to make sure that you slowly rotate the cigar whilst you light it to ensure the tip is evenly lit, otherwise your cigar may canoe, burning unevenly. This is a minor tragedy to one who smokes great cigars.
A few tips from my last 10 years for the beginner:
1. When first starting out with cigars, go for a natural wrapper and a longer cigar like a Churchill. The longer length collects the nicotine and you don’t get such a huge buzz. This will get you accustomed to the nicotine, so that you can then opt for shorter cigars if you wish. The key, thouhg…only go 50% the first few times (I know, I can hear the groaning on wasting the rest…but you’ll thank me later)
2. You don’t have to buy expensive cigars to enjoy them. I prefer these tow, to name a few: Padron 3000’s natural, Romeo Y Julietta Clemenceau en tubo. My favorite Cuban is a Arturo Fuente Don Carlos #4.
3. Follow the 70/70 rule for your humidor. 70 degrees F at 70% humidity. Get one of those digital meters. Use the glycol gel packs to maintain the levels – much easier than the green oasis that comes with the humidor. The packs just require water to be added. Your first humidor can be nothing more than a Ziplock bag if you have to. Remember…you enjoy the cirgars first…not the humidor……that’ll come later….
Nothing beats a glass of good scotch and a Rocky Patel cigar. Truly a great manly experience.
I am very partial to Rocky Patel’s 1990 &1992 vintage cigars they are just chock full of flavor after 10+ years of aging the tobacco.
I have also come to admire a hand rolled Maduro Robusto from a cigar shop near where I work in Stamford. Wow what a flavor!
It’s Fascinating to me to watch the guy they have in the window box masterfully roll a perfect cigar!
Interesting post. I’ve always been a fan of the Henry Clay Maduros personally… but I haven’t had one in a few years. I should try to correct that some time soon. =-)
I agree, there is nothing like a good Cuban cigar. There is a huge market for them down in Aruba (which is like my second home) and I lookd forward to going each year so that I can reload on my yearly stash.
Well, I don’t have a favorite cigar, nor any cigar tips. My experience with cigars is limited to one or two times that friends have offered me one. I guess this article was perfect for me, thanks. It’s one of those things that seems intimidating at first, kind of like getting into certain alcohols. I just finally bought my first bottle of single malt a while back, and am still trying to get a feel for it. I think I’m gonna have to take a trip to a cigar store sometime soon…
I have been slowly becoming a cigar guy for the past 5 years or so. Though I haven’t really had the resources to explore new cigars, I love everything about the smoking experience. As strange as it might sound, I think I might enjoy the process of lighting the cigar almost as much as I enjoy smoking it. Slowly working and turning the cigar until I get a perfect even light is so therapeutic. Its like while I’m doing it I can’t think of anything else.
I’m pretty much convinced that there is no greater night in the world than the one where I finish up a nice meal and me and the dog head to my porch with a great beer, a solid cigar and a good book.
The best advice my mentor ever gave me on this subject was “drink what you like and like what you drink”, same goes for cigars he said, don’t listen to what your supposed to like. I followed it and enjoy every beer and cigar I have.
Best cigar I’ve had was a Cuban Romeo y Julieta #7 in Dubai. Wonderful flavor, not too strong, didn’t “bite” my tongue like some other, cheaper cigars.
I partially disagree with the statement that Cubans are better. They are just different. My favorite cigar companies would have to be Davidoff and Drew Estates. I also like a Partagas Serie D No. 4 when I can get one, but I believe that Davidoff is better than the Cohiba Cubas or Dominicans.
I’ve always preferred my cigars cedar wrapped.
I’ve never liked cutting the head, although I’ve got a guillotine, but rather poke a generous hole when I have the right instrument for it. An awl from a pocket knife usually works well.
I do like warming the cigar before lighting. Hold the cigar a few inches over a naked flame and gently warm the wrapper. Then light it. In all it takes three or four wooden matches for the entire experience and is the better for it. If nothing else, it gives smoking the cigar a ceremonial feel which enhances the experience for the occasional smoker like me.
It’s kind of a bummer that we can’t get cuban goods here (including cuban Rum for those mojitos!). Alas, the best advice I ever got was when it comes to cigars and booze only buy high quality stuff, you’ll be able to afford less but it makes the ritual more special and enjoyable (and probably save one’s liver a little work
I would have to say my favorit cigar would have to be a Hounduran St. Luis Rey. My first real cigar when I turned 18.
I don’t have a favorite cigar brand. I haven’t been smoking long enough to develop a favorite.
A friend once told me that pipes are for contemplation and cigars are for conversation. True words! I smoke my pipe when I need to think or just to enjoy some alone time. I smoke cigars with friends and enjoy the smoky conversations.
It is increasingly hard to go out and enjoy a beer and a cigar, I joined a local club so I can have a place to go play cards and man it up with friends.
La Aroma de Cuba, but something small like a Robusto. Very smooth, but only use on special occasions.
The best advice I can give is find a place that has a very knowledgeable tobacconist to buy your first cigar. My goto club is Davidoff in Manhattan.
Montecristo No. 4 baby.
Bring them back from Cuba myself.
Montecristo Petit Edmundo
Loved those for my smoke breaks when I was working in Qatar.
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the Liga Privada No. 9 is absolutely fantastic, and up at the top of my list
I just recently got into cigars (built my own humidor at the woodshop at work) I’m finding i like the darker wrappers more. haven’t found my favorite yet, but i keep ordering sample packs from jrcigars.com best way to experiment since i haven’t found a good tobacconist around here yet.
Perdomo ESV ‘91 are the best I’ve ever had this side of Cuba. You can even get Perdomo 2nds for cheap due to wrapper veins that Nick Perdomo doesn’t care for and have the same great smoke.
For cigars you can purchase in the states, the La Aurora 100 Años (around $13 for a Robusto) is my favorite followed closely by the Cusano C10 (around $7 for a Robusto) – I highly recommend both! CAO also makes some excellent cigars. Their ‘Black’ line is fairly mild and a great everyday cigar. Their ‘Brazilia’ line is a bit stronger and another one that I enjoy frequently.
A Jose Llopis corona was a clear favorite of mine while stationed in Panama in the late 80’s, it was one smooth companion.
My favorite brand is H. Upmann – a robusto is just about the perfect smoke – lasts long enough to be enjoyable; not too ong to get boring.
There is nothing so relaxing as an evening on the back porch in the swing, reading and smoking a good cigar while relaxing with either a good beer or an evening drink.
Last night, in the swing smoking a St. Luis Rey, sipping on a Jack Black and Soda while reading the current issue of Business Week. As a wise man once said… “It don’t get no better than that!!”
I did not smoke a lot of cigars, but from the ones I smoke I will go for Cusano C10, and the toscanelli (little cigars produced in Italy). I do not know if any of you have tried toscanelli.
I found out a few years back, one of my favorite manly things. Brewing up a batch of homebrew while smoking some fine cigars. Homebrewing is something I’d encourage any man to get into, it’s a great time and you feel really accomplished drinking beer that you brewed. Cigars just add to the good times. One day I’ll have to learn to roll one.
I am rather fond of Ashford cigars in the US, Cohiba in Cuba and unfortunately am taking a liking to Acid Cigars…trashy but kind of wonderful.
My new favorite line of cigars is Drew Estate’s Acid. Hard liners might mock me, but I’m enjoying some of the “aromatic” hints they add. Add they have their natural line as well. But most of all, I can afford them, and in the end, that counts for a lot!
I prefer Acid.
It’s been so long since I was a regular cigar smoker to even remember what I really like.
I used to like the darker wrappers would go with my love for Stouts & Dark Roast coffee.
I used to be more into cigars when I was in high school and college, but it’s rare that I get the chance to enjoy one these days. I remember two brands I enjoyed most were Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo.
We used to smoke foot long Punch cigars in high school. They were never the highest quality, but some of my best memories with cigars are those hour long sessions hiding from our parents and talking about girls.
There are simply too many good cigars to choose just one. Different flavor profiles for different moods. That said, the best “bang for you buck” would have to be the Sancho Panza line. Most guys would probably prefer a selection out of their Double Maduro line. They have a very good flavor profile. Yummy stuff! For even more kick, and a bit of spice, check out their Extra Fuerte line. Want something that really has some kick?…Step up and try a La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero.
Best cigar: Romeo y Julieta in St. Martins
Favorite cigar: The ones w/ my father-in-law and hunting buddies over the campfire at deer camp.
But, I’m more of a beer guy! Winter beers are my favorite, and I’ve recently been leaning towards Founders Breakfast Stout.
K
Don’t forget that locally there are events that feature “cigar samplings”. Contact a cigar establishment to see when these events occur. You can try several different types of cigars, hang around some cigar people with more experience, and usually get an evening of fun talking, tasting food and drink, and good cigars at a modest price.
The best Cigar is the one you enjoy. Its not always a brand name issue, I have smoked many mediocre cigars in in the company of very good friends and enjoyed them immensely, I have smoke great cigars by myself and didnt get the same satisifaction, still enjoyed it though…just didnt get to share it with friends. While Cubans have long held the reputation of being the best, and likely still do, other manufacturers have made significant improvements in their tabacco stock and roller experience over the years, since they high tailed it out of Cuba and set up shop elsewhere (remember, the majority of the rollers stayed in Cuba so the expatriates had to start all over with unexperienced rollers). If you can get a real Cuban, enjoy, if not, try a top of the line Dominican, or Honduran, or Nicaraguan…Remember a $3 cigar is not going to smoke like a $10 cigar and a real Cuban is going to cost you $20, so why not try a few $8-$10 leagal cigars and find a favorite that will be easy to get…..
I’m a huge fan of maduro cigars: dark wrapper, mild fill. Fantastic
From my rather limited experience with the fine tradition of cigar smoking, I have found Macanudo Gold Labels to be some of the smoothest smokes I have had for around $10. I tend to go for about a robusto size, as anything larger than that tends to leave me feeling a little nauseated.
I wandered into my first cigar store at age 25. It was literally around the corner from my apartment. I’ll never forget the smells and colors and the magic of walking into the large, well-stocked humidor. The proprietor of this establishment was a New York transplant. He was mid-50’s, gruff but incredibly knowledgeable, and he would suggest different sticks to me, which I would come back and discuss with him or sometimes smoke with him. He really guided me early on.
I’ve enjoyed Cuban cigars on my travels to Mexico and Central America. I can say they are indeed sublime, but as is the case domestically one still has to choose carefully and make sure they have been well cared for. In short, buy from a reputable smoke shop like you would in the US. You can find Cubans in little corner shops and gift shops, but they are often dried out from lack of humidification.
I keep going to back to La Gloria Cubana, Rocky Patel anniversary and the Padron 1964 anniversary. Generally, I prefer the maduro wrapper (and generally I prefer stouts and porter beers) but variety, -as they say, is the spice of life.
One of my favorite cigar experiences was pretty recent. I had an art opening and decided I needed to spend the day alone to prepare for the night. I went to see my barber, then I drove to my nearest cigar club (45 miles away) and enjoyed a nice robusto in the lounge watching the Sapranos. It was the middle of the afternoon and I had the place to myself, like a private library. I often smoke in the studio as I’m reflecting on a work in progress.
I enjoy the culture of cigars as well as the experience. Cigar stores, like the real barber shop, are some of the last refuges of male-only community.
I’ve only been smoking cigars for about a year. I enjoy Rocky Pettel cigars the most but I always buy another that I haven’t tried just to sample what’s out there.
My personal favorite cigar is La Flor. http://www.laflordominicana.com/
They burn nicely, have decent tobacco, and are fairly priced. I recently purchased a box of 25 for $50 on the website I will describe below.
For those just beginning to smoke cigars I highly recommend this website: http://www.cigarbid.com It is like ebay for cigars. You essentially bid on singles or boxes until there is a winner (I haven’t lost one yet after only posting one bid) Get the sampler packs so you can try out many different varieties at minimum cost. If you keep doing this then you will find the one that is right for you.
When it comes to cigars and microbrews, it’s best to be open minded and don’t expect too much. There’s so much variety out there that it’s hard to say what most will like and dislike. Trust your senses and enjoy!
If anyone is looking to meet experienced smokers for some advice, I would also like to recommend going to meetup.com and finding a local cigar enthusiasts group. I learned more from those guys then any book or comment could teach me.
Cuban cigars are also available in Bermuda! Smoke them while you’re there, then buy extras so you can smoke them on your cruise ship before you disembark in the USA!
A good beer is always welcome. If it comes from the postman, it is like Christmas all over again. Gotta love beer of the month clubs
I have to admit I haven’t had that many memorable cigars, but I do enjoy one around a camp fire.
I don’t smoke cigars that often. My last cigar was a Dominican. It was much better than the ones that I’ve smoked before (drug and convenience store cigars). I now see what the difference is in the cigars. But I would agree with some of the posts above. Smoke what you like. I like wines that most wine lovers would not consider based solely on price but they are good wines. There are expensive wines that i like too.
I imagine the same holds for cigars too.
Bruce
Even if you are not a cigar smoker, if you travel outside of the US and see a tobacconists, drop in and get a cuban, there really is a difference.
I would like to think that the embargo will end when another cigar smoker gets into the White House, but somehow I think if a President wants a cuban, they can get a cuban.
I’m just getting started smoking cigars and I’m really learning the differences in taste. I tried a Drew Estates Natural Dirt the other day and fell in love. Drew Estates is known for flavor infused cigars most of which I don’t care for. However, the Natural line is fantastic. They are not expensive but give a long, smooth, and flavorful smoke.
This is a fantastic contest. Thanks AOM!
I’m a new cigar smoker. It really is very relaxing sitting back and smoking a cigar. Even though I cannot remember the brand, the last cigar I smoked was after a nice hike. We stopped by this waterfall and smoked. It was a good time.
I’m looking forward to smoking my next cigar and the comments from others will help me with brand names
.
Thanks.
Cigars can be a great compliment to flavor after eating, or while drinking a good liquor or complex beer. One thing to remember is you don’t have to smoke the whole thing at once, but you don’t want it to last past one evening either.
Great contest idea.
I always ask the tobacconist how long it should take to smoke the cigar, so i can have a few around of different lengths depending on how much time i have to relax. Nothing worse than having to get somewhere and being forced to put out half a great cigar.
I have a local cigar by me in Upstate NY. Great place with dark wood everywhere and comfy leather chairs to relax in while you enjoy a fine cigar with some friends. A few of the guys I work with get together there and have a man night. It is a welcome change from the rigors of our work weeks and home lives.
The have a very well stocked humidor and I am a beginner when it comes to cigars. I usually spend between $6 – $11 on a cigar when I am there, so nothing extravagant.
The lats few times I was there I have had a Punch and last time I had a Punch Punch. It is a grand corona and was a very flavorful cigar. It went very nicely with a few heineken lights
I started out with the Acid Kuba Kuba, first cigar I ever got hooked on…wen’t great with a glass of jack on the rocks…Eventually as i started exploring I found the Camacho Triple Maduro…unreal cigar, has some real strength, it’s a long cigar so plan at least 2 hours to enjoy it…Another great one is the Gurhka Grand Reserve I think it’s dipped in aged congac or somthing…awesome…both these cigars are pricey (about $14-$18) but I think every once in a while they are worth the money for a special occasion or something. The biggest recommendation I have is to try and convince your cigar club to host a Live Rolling event…a fresh rolled cigar is a MUST for every cigar smoker, it will change the way you see/taste cigars…Smoke On and if you don’t have anywhere to be in the morning, clip the cherry and chew the butt!
I love anything that Arturo Fuente makes.
Campfire. Cedar lit Arturo Fuente. Ice cold Hefeweisen. Pull up a log and whittle with me.
I’m like a lot of the gentlemen who are commenting on this thread; I don’t smoke cigars very often, and when I do, I still haven’t found my brand. My wife doesn’t care for the smell of smoke (she’s very sensitive to it, and it gives her very bad headaches) so I try to be considerate. However, she understands my need for the “manly vices” on occasion, and I do get to enjoy a good cigar on a not-too-irregular basis. I’m finding that I do enjoy a darker wrapper more than the lighter ones, and a bit larger ring-size than some, for a nice, long, mild and relaxing smoke. I’m of the opinion, however, that cigars should not be sullied with beer, no matter how flavorful or delicious. Cigars are best appreciated with a strong, complex whisky (that’s Scotch only, please) in a crystal rocks glass (monogrammed, if you please…) while sitting in a leather chair with a good book.
Now, that’s not to say I disapprove of enjoying beer, because I GREATLY enjoy beer…but that’s an entirely other discussion…
Padron 1964 Anniversary
Philly Blunts! Hahah!
I have to say that I like several different cigars but I’m partial to A-Fuente Rothschild!
I would have to say my favorite is Ashton. I’m still fairly new to cigars, but have tried several now and keep coming back to Ashton.
On my first trip to Montreal when I was 18, I watched all my buddies pour their money into cheap beer and nachos. That wasn’t quite my scene, so as the weekend wore on, I asked everybody how much they thought they’d spent on beer, each. When they told me, I plowed the same amount into one fine Cuban R&J that a tobacconist helped me pick out. I took that, my first cigar, and enjoyed it almost all evening with my friends at the Montreal Jazz Fest, wandering outdoors amongst the various acts, taking in the scenery. With an intro like that, it goes without saying that I’m still smoking cigars, many years later.
I have yet to try a cigar, but my best cigar memory is being at dinner in college. One of my friends got a phone call to inform him that he won a Rhodes Scholarship. What better way to celebrate than a cigar?
I love the flavor of a full bodied cigar. I have two favorites in that category: The Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1979 Robusto and the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto.
I also have another favorite: The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story. Like many of us, I have to smoke outside. Winter in New England is not the best time to be outside smoking a cigar, but I need to have my weekly cigar. The short story is the perfect size that I can enjoy before hypothermia sets in.
Gispert, St. Luis Rey, Romeo y Julieta, and El Rey del Mundo are all really good, relatively inexpensive brands. I avoid most grocery store brands, because they’re typically made with a homogenized tobacco binder and/or wrapper, and short cut filler. Antonio y Cleopatra are not bad, but don’t have a lot of flavor depth.
Arturo Fuente is my favorite brand. They have a great business model, essentially they do not want to hire the children of the tobacco workers. They build schools and all children are required to attend. They want the kids to prosper and not need to work in the tobacco fields. Which is as you can imagine very hard labor.
I’ve had one Cuban cigar. The taste was not my favorite. But what was remarkable was the quality of construction. It was simply amazingly well put together. I would like to try some other Cubans but I will wait until we drop the embargo.
As always, we strive to be the great men of the past here in those men’s future.
I smoked a pipe for years. Quit when I started dating the lovely woman who became my wife, and not at her request. I haven’t smoked a pipe since then but have, on occasion, smoked a cigar. Trouble with really “getting into it” here is our remoteness. I live in a small rural, mountain community. One grocery story (don’t laugh) has the best humidor in two counties. It’s a vacation spot for folk with money but not as nuts as Tahoe or Vale have become. Anywho, the chances of getting help or advice locally is nil. I have no idea how they make their selections and the entire humidor (excepting the really pricy stuff) seems to change every three months. Just when I find one I really like, they go and change it out. And I don’t buy enough to warrant them keeping a slow moving cigar just for me.
Okay, I’m done bitching. Thanks for posting this article. I found it an interesting read.
Arturo Fuente. My favorite.
My favorite brand of cigar would have to be MonteCristo, but my all-time favorite cigar is a Drew Estate Liga Privada. It is a very dark, oily, and bold cigar. The thing is so oily its practically dripping. A Liga and a scotch is the perfect night cap after a steak dinner and night out on the town.
I’m definitely with Paul–poking a hole makes for a better smoke (with less tobacco flakes in the teeth) than a guillotine.
As for brands, I’ve never gone wrong with an Ashton, and they’re reasonably priced.
My biggest smoking tip, though, is to find a buddy (or three). Nothing enhances a good cigar like some meaningful quality time with compatriots. Some of my deepest, most meaningful conversations with my dad and brother have been with cigar in-hand (good and bad quality).
I am a pretty frequent cigar smoker. I used to smoke a few a week, but now I’m down to one every couple of weeks because (thanks to AOM) I’ve moved on to give pipe smoking a chance.
I’ll just offer this tip: If you are a casual smoker, don’t spend $2-3 on a cigar. It will taste like crap and you’ll never want to smoke again. Also, don’t spend $12-20 on a cigar either, you won’t be able to tell what makes that a pricier cigar and you’re really just wasting money.
The ideal range for casual (1-2 cigars/year) is $5-8. A cigar in this range will (usually) burn evenly and have a good flavor.
Also, I recommend a lighter cigar for the casual smokers. Usually, the darker smokes have a more spicy or tangy flavor that sticks with you pretty heavily for the next 24 hours (something most casual smokers are looking for).
Enjoy and happy smoking!
A Macanudo Portifino is hard to beat! Always keep a couple in the humidor for special celebrations.
JWM
The only brand that I have ever truly enjoyed from start to finish was Indian Tobac.
I don’t know much about cigars, save for purist don’t use a Zippo to light them. But if you have to use a Zippo, use the white tip of the flame.
My favorite cigar was my first cuban, which I purchased while in Prague. I was just beginning my study abroad in Austria and had traveled to the Czech Republic for the weekend. I happened into a small tobacco shop and suddenly remembered that cuban cigars would be available. I was blown away – a great tasting cigar that lasted to the short end of an hour. It also helped that I was with great friends exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and that I was able to sample some of the best beers in the world. It all combined for an experience I will not soon forget.
Before reading this post, I didn’t know the first thing about cigars. But that didn’t keep me from having a favorite cigar experience. When I got engaged, a good friend of mine bought me my very first cigar. Ever since then cigars have been associated in my mind with truly extraordinary occasions for celebration and, of course, manly friendship.
While I greatly enjoy reading this blog with regularity, I must protest that there is nothing whatsoever manly or otherwise commendable by smoking cigars, or any other form of tobacco consumption. And while I’m at it, I should add that I feel likewise about blood sports (such as boxing), or the military, which have also been touted on this blog as “manly” pursuits.
Favorite cigar – Santa Damiana
It’s a light, mild cigar that is really really smooth. I’ve been trying out smoking a pipe, and I gotta tell everyone – if you love smoking cigars but don’t have hours to smoke, a pipe is a great alternative.
Nothing more relaxing in the world than sitting on the back porch with a Partagas Maximo or a Montecristo No. 2 Torpedo, a good bourbon, and a guitar.
Nothing compares to the La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Chisel. Kick your feet up with a La Flor cigar and a bottle of your favorite port wine, while enjoying your favorite black and white movie.
Interesting article. My only experience with cigars was with the cheap kind, which produced a bitter taste in my mouth and lots of coughing. There is something intriguing, however, in holding fire in your fingers.
Arturo Fuente 858. Great value – bang for your buck.
Add in a good beer, an adirondack chair, a dimly lit porch and a comrade to chat with and you’re set.
I usually choose a robusto size cigar. For a mild to medium cigar I enjoy the CAO Gold and Rocky Patel American Market; for a fuller body I prefer the CAO Brazillia. If money wasn’t an object; La Aurora Preferidos or Cohibas
i haven’t had the opportunity to smoke a cigar for quite awhile. But there was one cigar that I just loved but wouldn’t you know it, i can’t remember the type or brand. I am a regular user of smokeless tobacco, which i enjoy. It is something that can be enjoyed fishing, hunting, driving, or just about anywhere. But the sheer pleasure of a cigar can’t be matched. After reading this post I think I will stop by my local cigar shop to see if I can find that particular cigar again. And then the liquior store for my favorite beer and have a nice smoke and drink by the bonfire.
As of yet, I have not found my “favorite” cigar brand or flavor there have been a couple I have enjoyed frequently. CAO seems to put out a nice variety to choose from however on occasion you will find a bad seed. My most memorable moment though was enjoying a glass of Crown XR neat with one of Saddam husseins private cigars that I aquired from a military buddy of mine.
I started smoking cigars this year, and so far my favorite has been the dark wrapper Arturo Fuente. Very good smoke. I’d like to win the gift membership.
I’m a fan of Gurkha “Ancient Warrior” cigars. I also tend to like anything by Drew Estate, particularly “Ambrosia”.
Partagas. Always partagas.
I used to live near Detroit, Michigan. My friends and I used to always cross the border into Windsor, Ontario (Canada) and buy Cubans… ah some great times were had in Windsor.
I personally enjoy camacho cigars. After only trying a few brands they are a clear favorite thus far. But like good beers, i always enjoy finding new favorites.
Cohiba Siglo VI from a friend’s girlfriend’s father’s walk in humidor. Excellent.
CAO Brazilia.
Yum.
I like the Rocky Patel Vintage 1999, personally. Smooth and flavorful, without being to involved to give to a non-smoker.
Punch Presidente. Awesome cigar and with Punch, you always get a consistant roll.
I tried a few different kinds of cigars when I was younger but I never found one that I liked. Even to my inexperienced eye I could tell that they weren’t good quality, but I could’t find anything better than was of a reasonable price.
I’m a sucker for a good Arturo Fuente. I stay away from the gorditas, though, because those often don’t burn evenly….
I have never smoked a cigar. I did purchase a cheap flavored one from a gas station a couple of years ago – it’s probably a good thing that I never got around to smoking it.
I remember reading a story in a Robert Fulghum book about “the best cigar I never smoked.” He was walking through a district of, I think, NYC, and left his freshly-lit cigar outside on a brick wall so he could buy a cup of coffee. He saw an old gentleman take his very well-made cigar and reverently smoke it all morning – making the rounds of the district, sharing a puff or two with each acquaintance he met, and finally burying the spent cigar in a flower bed with respect. Still one of my favorite Fulghum anecdotes.
Walking around the ancient ruins of Tikal with a Cuban friend, who as we reached the summit of the tallest, he ripped out a case of cubans and we puffed away as masters of the domain, awestruck by the mayan vista.
I am partial to Punch brand cigars. These Cigars are of a really high quality and they tend to have a good slow burn. Also, I have never had an issue with having to relight a Punch cigar if I have left it in the tray.
My favorite experience with a cigar took place in San Antonio. I am in law school and in the middle of my first round of finals I had a three day break. This is a rare thing and though I should have dedicated those precious moments to studying, I was completely burned out and needed a break. My friend Jett was in a similar place and we set out to find something to do to wash away the stress. We settled on a bottle of Jack Daniels Single Barrel and two cigars apiece. Jett plays guitar and I play the harmonica. After a good warm up session with many breaks for a sip and puff we balanced an Iphone against the whiskey bottle put the cigars down and recorded a cover of “Wagon Wheel” by the Old Crow Medicine Show. Little did we know that within a week our evening away from the books would be spread all over the law school along with a rough MP3…
It is moments like these that all men can relate to. A good cigar is unique, like a good glass of whiskey, a cold beer, a game of chess, and any number of other diversions that bring men closer together. There are innumerable stories of fellowship that has been facilitated by a good smoke…
B.C.
Best advise I’ve been given, take the advise of others only as a starting point. In the end its your choice and once made keep your head held high for its the right choice for you.
I once bought one of those “Cuban” cigars from a scam artist in Rosarito, Mexico. The label was printed off a dot-matrix printer. I was too far down the tequila bottle not to light it up, but it tasted like petroleum. Far, far and away the worst cigar I’ve ever smoked. But, then, the “Worst Cigar I Ever Smoked” is probably worth it for the story. I’m hoping the salesman’s still out there somewhere, hustling San Diego teenagers.
Nat Sherman VIP’s – Morgans. Just the right ring size and length. Smooth smoke w/o being to mild.
I tired cigar smoking in college. I could never get past thta horribel stale oder that clung to my body afterward. If there were some way to prevent that I might do it again but I don’t imagine it will happen anytime soon.
I am not sure if I agree on the choice of expensive not expensive cigars…. If one starts out with “cheapos” it will take significantly take longer to “discover” the joy.
I am smoking since 15+ years now and the biggest mistakes that I see people make is that they do not know HOW to smoke a cigar.
- They do not know how to light a cigar properly.
- They are smoking them to fast (big one,no problem to relight a cigar, but once you smoke it hot it’s history)
- They do not know how to cut one and what the differences are in a hole, a V-cut or a flat wide cute.
- or they are running around like “chicken without a head” on a golf course puffing away, especially in the beginning the environment should be relaxing, allowing one to really savor the experience. Dedicated some time to really enjoy yourself and relax.
The differences are similar to making a cup of “lipton” tea or having a proper Japanese tea ceremony – the whole experience changes dramatically.
Oh, and PLEASE, PLEASE stop dipping cigars in any kind of liquid for “flavoring” – it makes my toenails curl up.
My childhood best friend threw up the first time he tried smoking smoking a cigar – I did not (I like to think I’m more the manlier for it, but probably not). Still, cigars have only been an occasional indulgence for me, and its been seven years since I partook of one (that would be one of the Cohibas I purchased in Montreal and distributed on the occasion of the birth of my son). I think I’m due for a reacquaintance.
Nat Sherman VIP’s – Morgans. Just the right ring size and length. Smooth smoke w/o being too mild.
Sorry Brett, but I think you missed the mark on this one. Are Cubans “better”? No, not necessarily. There are plenty of well made non-Cubans and there are plenty of poorly made Cubans. (For example, quality standards were very spotty during the “boom” and it was very hit or miss.) Should newbies pay for the more expensive cigar? Maybe, maybe not, but I don’t think it comes down to savoring the “distinguishing elements”. This sort of mythic “cigar knowledge” that can only come to the experienced has always bothered me. A new smoker can still enjoy the more expensive cigars, because they are often better made with better quality tobacco. That said, they are often more full bodied which can be off putting.
In the end, I do agree that it is all about personal preference. You will only know what you like buy trying a variety of brands/shaves/wrappers/etc to work out exactly what you enjoy.
In my case, I love lots of cigars, but the CAO Extreme Robustos have been a top pick for me for years.Full bodied, well built and consistent from one cigar to another.
I had a wonderful Don Diego the other day. I think one of the best ways to enjoy a good cigar is with a nice, single malt Scotch. Cigar in one hand, Scotch in the other. Perfect way to end the day.
A hammock, a whiskey, a cigar. Goodnight.
I usually buy a Corona Maduro and then get something else to try. Still looking for the perfect cigar.
Back when I was in college, my roommates and I would end every week with cigars or pipes and a pint of Boulevard (of KC). We smoked what we could afford, but it wasn’t so much the refined taste we were after, but the gentlemanly fellowship.
I’ve since started smoking a pipe, but I try not to do it around my kids – they’re just too enamored with it and it kind of freaks me out. I also pick up a micro brew from time to time, but I always go back to my longtime favorite: Boulevard unfiltered wheat.
I’m a fan of Cu-Avana cigars.
My favorite cigar would have to be the Arturo Fuente Chateau. OR the Hemingway Short Story, when I can find it.
I am glad to see some pointers on cigar selection. I am still looking for my favorite brand. My wife isn’t fond of the habit either (putting it lightly), so I tend to only smoke 10 or so a year. Good article.
There are MANY good brands of cigars – my personal favorite is Romeo y Julieta – and there are enough styles, sizes and flavors out there to appease the preferences of most any man, so chosing a cigar is as personal as it gets. But something often overlooked by new cigar smokers is the importance of maintaining cigars if you don’t intend to smoke them right away.
In my opinion, the brand of a cigar is ancillary to its upkeep if you plan on buying in mass quantities and holding on to them for a while, or only for special occassions, etc. That, my friend, is where the Humidor comes in. Google around enough and you;ll find all types – from the luxe machines that can preserve the cigar longer than you’ll probably live, to the backstreet methodology of putting a moist cotton ball in a ziplock bag with the stogies. Whatever your price range, don’t forget to take of the cigar or the taste and brand are practically irrelevant.
AVO #4
Few evenings are more pleasurable than one spent with a good book, a good craft beer, and a Romeo y Julieta Corona.
My favorite would be the Cohiba Robustos. They’ve got a nice mild flavor, and they last just the correct length. I won’t smoke them if I’m looking for something strong, but they go really well with a nice cerveza.
When my wife’s uncle visits the States, he brings Cigars from his home town in Costa Rica. You really form a special bond when two men can sit on the patio, enjoy being outdoors, discuss random topics, and then look forward to the next time your paths cross.
I prefer a Maduro wrapper, and I’ve found the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur 1066 – Dark Knight to be a very good cigar at a decent price point. I agree with some of the other posters that beer isn’t the ideal drink to go with a nice cigar, instead I’d recommend a nice Cognac, Scotch, or Port – Port is especially good when enjoying a cigar after a nice meal.
My first cigar was at my best friend’s sister’s wedding. The family is very Cuban and they had a whole lot of Cuban cigars that would be dipped in various wines or liquors. It was absolutely amazing. Never had such good cigars since.
Love the site and love the podcasts. Keep em coming!
Haven’t smoked a cigar in years but when I did so on a regular basis I stuck with the Romeo & Julietas. I did however smuggle some Cubans back from Canada on a recent trip to Vancouver. If I had known it was going to be so easy I would have brought back several boxes. The trick is to fly in on the US side and drive across. The only thing lazier than a TSA employee is a US border guard at the Canadian border.
I’m entering, hoping to win for my hubby. He is a big fan of the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Maduro.
I keep a box of La Fincas in my humidor.. A great daily smoke, but it’s been more weekly lately. A cigar is a great way to relax, especially with a cup of coffee in the morning or something stronger at the end of the day!
Should you find yourself in a tight crowd at an event (say, a concert or New Year’s Eve party), I have found a nearly flawless way to make a little room for yourself. Simply fire up a Gurkha Regent Toro (or Churchill, if it’s going to be a long night) or a Partagás Presidente, enjoy a couple of deep drafts of the flavorful smoke, and watch the crowd thin out around you. I have carved out small havens of smoky bliss on many crowded dance floors or concert scenes. Added bonus for the single chaps: you will be self-selecting women who can abide (or even better: enjoy) cigars. Caveat: This tip used to work like a charm, but with the momentum today solidly in favor of non-smoking establishments, the venues that support this maneuver are getting harder and harder to find.
Swisher Sweets offer the most bang for the buck and Hurricane High Octane for the taste.
I, too, share the situation where my wife is not fond of any smoking. This limits my cigar smoking to the hunting camp and other men-only gatherings. Can’t complain much, though, since it’s extremely relaxing to puff on a good cigar while sitting in the deer blind during late November here in Pennsylvania. And it’s a very manly feeling to pull the trigger on your rifle with an 8-point buck in the scope while you grip a stogie in your teeth.
Proper lighting of a cigar can improve the burn quality and should be considered part of the art. Never use a match, which will impart a sulfur taste. Holding the flame of a cheap lighter to the cigar and puffing, producing a flare-up, is not the optimal technique either.
Use an actual cigar lighter. These produce a very hot flame, which is needed to ignite the tobacco properly in the following manner.
This is where the art comes in: hold the cigar with the foot down (at about a 45 degree angle) and feather the flame along the foot of the cigar, rolling the cigar slowly between your fingers. It will likely ignite first along the outer edges but eventually the entire surface of the foot will reach a nice, even glow. Only then do you take the first puff.
This takes time and patience, but for me, it’s the first phase of a slow, relaxing experience. And a good light is, in itself, a satisfying experience.
I really like to combine a Hemingway Short Story with an E&J VSOP – cigars and brandy are an excellent guilty pleasure. For the past 5 years I’ve spent a week on long island’s north shore with friends from college and we end each trip on the beach, smoking a Short Story, brandy in hand. My girlfriend, longtime hold-out, has even started to warm up to the combination.
It is very nice to have this cigar primer on AoM. I have been looking forward to seeing something this concise. If you find a Cuban, don’t save it for a “special” occasion. You have a Cuban…..that IS the special occasion, smoke it with joy.
My favorite cigar is the Torano Exodus 1959 Perfecto. I have probably smoked about 50 of these and only two did not draw well. The have a good flavor, they burn really well, draw really well and I can really relax while enjoying one. Plus they only cost about $8 in Illinois. I recommend trying one. Another great option is anything by Avo. I prefer the Maduros but they are all very good and about the same price as the Torano.
Back porch swing, cup of scotch, and a cigar. Doesn’t get any better.
Ashton. Churchill, maduro. Glenlivet. Good night.
Or, good morning, Ashton. Churchill, maduro. Coffee.
I used to smoke Black and Milds on a regular basis, but still try to swing in at the tobacconist and choose one at random. Personally, though, I prefer just a clean black Cavendish and my pipe.
Cheers
Arturo Fuente Hemmingway (or the Short Story) is by far my favorite, although I’ve found that Punch is quite good, as well as a new brand I came across called Acid. Fuente is always good though!
Day before moving to Washington DC to go to Georgetown Law my dad and I smoked a victory cigar(my favorite CAO Brazilia) with a bottle of homemade champaign. Best moment of my life.
I love the Ashton’s, but rarely buy cigars these days – it’s cold outside and I can’t smoke indoors. And I learned something a few years back. For the price of one cigar for an hour’s pleasure, I can buy a pouch of pipe tobacco that’ll last me weeks. I tend to smoke a pipe now (altho I never turn down a chance to smoke a cigar and golf wouldn’t be the same without one).
I would say that my favorite cigar to smoke is the Padron Londres. Cheap and an excellent, almost buttery taste.
Romeo y Julieta #3 Just big enough to smoke without taking too long and without having to refill your scotch glass. I’m heading to Cuba on the 13th so I’ll be stocking up. If RyJ isn’t available I also enjoy a Bolivar.
The smell of cigar smoke evokes very strong and pleasant memories for me. I would go to my aunt & uncle’s house to play cards with them. We would play mostly pinochle and canasta while my uncle would smoke his cigars. To this day, the smell reminds me of those times.
I love Romeo and Julietas. Since I am cuban, I do refuse to smoke the Cuban ones even when out of the country but they is some mystique to them, and they were Churchill’s favorites!
I haven’t yet found my cigar of choice but I have no doubt that a membership to a cigar of the month club could help me out!!!
It is hard to find similar-aged gentlemen (early 20’s) to enjoy a smoke with, but I find almost all of my friends are game for a good cigar on a special occassion. One particular time, my good buddy had just gotten engaged, and we enjoyed a long night of cigars, whiskey, and man-chatting. To me, this is the ideal situation for a fine cigar.
I used to smoke cigars occasionally in/around my college years, but I haven’t touched them for years now. However, I find myself lately looking at online cigar deals and spending time in my favorite tobacco store. Man, I love the way a good tobacconist smells.
In my limited cigar experience, my favorite was the widely-found Macanudo. I once had a genuine Cuban Cohiba, and that thing was way to strong for my tastes back then. Not that I’m unwilling to try again. (-:
My favorite brand or estate is Rocky Patel. Rocky hit it big a couple years ago and came out with some amazing cigars (Old World Reserve for the higher end and The Edge for the lower), however, recently his line has not enjoyed the same fame he once had. You can’t go wrong with either of those cigars however if you can get your mitts on one go and try a Fuente Opus X. You almost have to know someone on the inside to get one of these but if you do you will not be disappointed.
Beers go well with a good cigar. Being a Wisconsinite has its advantages in this area. I’d recommend a solid beer like an Amber or a bock. Lakefront Brewery (a micro brew out of Milwaukee) makes a beer called Riverwest Stein. It is a must try. Find it!
Just smoked an ashton, on a camping trip, after hearing great reviews. I wasn’t impressed. I guess I like my cigars like I like my beer, coffee, and scotch: Dark, rich, and strong. A cigar and scotch always makes for good times, as long as there is time. Nothing in more frustrating than trying to “enjoy” a cigar while rushing. Cohiba is my brand, when I can find the right one. I’ve passed on way too many fakes, but also enjoyed a couple of amazing cigars.
I have to take issue with some of the thoughts expressed about Cuban cigars. I hesitate to say that Cuban cigars are “better”, they are different. They have a unique flavor profile that you just don’t find in other Carribbean basin cigars. While there may not be that big of a delta between the mild and the strong in the Cuban range, there are milder Cuban cigars. Also, I think you will find that quality control is much better in most of the non-Cuban cigar producing countries than in Cuba. There are some great non-cuban cigars, as well as not so great Cuban cigars. Overall a good article otherwise, the only other advice I would add is to talk to a good tobacconist when buying singles, tell him what you’ve smoked and liked and disliked.
A cold beer and a cigar delivered to my doorstep?! Sounds great, I’ll have that.
Macanudo Robust and 2 fingers of Johnnie Walker Black. although a local wine distributor has his own line of cigars that are right up there – Opperman’s Cork & Ale in Michigan.
When I turned 18, i was a Black & Mild fan – but i soon learned that it’s better to spend $10 on one cigar than $10 on 10 cigars. healthier and much more enjoyable.
Macanudo Portofino is my favorite.
When I was in college, a friend and I would always skip this really boring Spanish class and would go to this cigar shop called Little Havana. The man who owned it was a cuban refugee and after we had been going there a while became a very good friend. Eventually, he invited us into the back storage area where he and his friends would sit in the back and drink beer and rum and play dominoes, checkers, and chess. I learned more from them than I ever would have in that class.
A good cigar, a Summit Extra Pale Ale, and a good meat and potatoes meal absolutely cannot be beat.
I’m just getting into cigars and wonder why you didn’t mention the range of body and range of flavor. I visited a cigar club in Hudson, WI and spent about half an hour listening to the owner talk about some of the fundamentals and his focus was on the body and flavor and how they differed and how the affected the smoke. Maybe that was just his emphasis.
Either way, it’s interesting to find out more, but humbling in the sense that once one finds out a little bit, one realizes how little one knows.
My personal favorite is Habana Reserve by Romeo y Julieta. It’s about as close to Cuban as it gets, since the tobacco leaf originally came from Cuba and is now grown in the Dominican Republic. It’s rich, smooth, and goes well with a drink of your choice (either rum or scotch for me). I’ve enjoyed a few of these while enjoying the company of my many cousins during a holiday or family birthday, most notably any given Christmas Eve (“Noche Buena”)
A Partagas Torpedo, preferably with the Spanish Rosado wrapper. This stick with the Macallan, if I can afford it, or a heavy microbrew makes for a great evening.
After throwing up the first time I smoked a cigar at the tender age of 16, I developed a love for the smoke. When I went to college, I found cigarettes to be cheaper and a quicker fix.
Slowly weaning myself off the cancer-sticks, I have begun trying to get back into the love of cigars. My favorites of my youth were Cohiba’s, but I didn’t really know any better.
Romeo y Julieta’s are my favorites. But one must be careful when buying them in touristy areas. Some of the vendors throughout Europe and in Mexico are known to take a crappy cigar and slap any brand of cuban cigars on them and call them cubans while taking your money. I reccomend getting them at department stores or real cigar shops with humidors or asking a concierge where you can get good ones.
My dad, a man of few vices, smoked his first cigar on a dare from a friend. He thought it would be amusing to watch his then-18 yr old daughter (me) try to smoke one, too. Instead of choking, we both enjoyed it immensly. Thus, a new family Thanksgiving tradition was born. After a decade I added scotch to the mix. Turkey, football, fire, smokes, and spirits = Happy Thanksgiving!
My roommate’s father is Cuban. He believes that the Dominicans are just as good as the Cubans anymore, especially since the Dominicans have had to pick up most of the slack left by the Cuban embargo. Interesting to see that that’s not a shared opinion.
I would definitely also highly recommend finding a cigar shop that you like and can trust, and start frequenting it. I’m lucky enough to live in the Tampa Bay area, which is the major cigar center of the US. Makes it easy for me!
Favorite cigars: Macanudo Maduro, Leon Jimenes; Churchills or Robustos.
Favorite smoke: Lying in a hot tub with a big cigar and a snifter of brandy, Bach or Vivaldi playing in the background.
Here is one I like:
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In my experience of smoking Cuban Cigars in Europe and Canada (I live in Washington state), is that the quality of Cuban cigars are actually inconsistent. I have had high end Cubans go out while smoking and burn unevenly.
Some cigar smokers think that Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan brands are just as good as Cuban cigars if not better in some cases. Although, I have to admit that there it feels cool to smoke a Cuban since it is verboten in the US.
Personally, I like Romeo y Julieta or CAO Italia’s, but I’m not terribly picky. Just as long as it isn’t cardboard rolled in grapevines…
One of my favorite memories is of being a Lifeguard at a week long 4-H summer camp. At when all the campers were in bed, me and the other two lifeguards would take the paddle boats out to the middle of the lake and pull out some cheap swisher sweet cigars…
We puffed away at them while talking about the day and the great questions that plagued our 18-year old minds…
Even though I live in AZ, I try to visit En Fuego Cigars in Rockwall, TX. Really nice group of guys there that will help you out in picking a cigar (or pipe tobacco). I think Jameson’s goes well with pipes or cigars. Finally cooling off enough here to sit in my rocker on the back patio and savor a nice smoke.
I don’t smoke often, but recently tried an Acid 1 by Drew Estate. The verdict: The best cigar that has touched my lips. I’ve smoked Cubans and other Caribean varieties, and agree with some other posts on this subject. There are equal, if not better cigars made outside of that region.
Of course the beer, with cigar, is a must!
My last post included a picture that doesn’t seem to be working. It was a picture of a Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic made in Nicaragua using Cuban seed tobacco.
Ahhh… I love autumn. Chilly evenings spent on my back patio, chimenea burning, a glass of Crown Reserve on the rocks, a nice Don Diego in my hand and some soft jazz in the background. Love it.
Oh… And I LOVE a good beer (even started a beer club at my office). But I find that whiskey complements a cigar better (for me, anyway).
Ah.. the best cigar I had was a Macanudo variant that came in a nice glass tube. I believe it was dipped in cognac. I was with my buddies, sitting outside on a summer night, and enjoyed the smoke. What a good time.
When choosing cigars, I avoid all machine cigars like the plague. They are poorly made with poor tobacco. When I introduce a friend to cigars, I introduce them to usually a short punch. Tasty, smokes well and all the people I have introduced them to like them.
One of my favorite cigar/beer memories is still being made. A couple of my friends and I get together on a monthly basis and brew beer on a home patio. We spend the time stirring the malty broth and enjoy a cigar. With the aromas of cigar, hops, and malt in the air we surround the pseudo-camp fire and talk about our marriages, new beers, and how we are doing as men and husbands.
My favorite is the Gurkha Grand Reserve – a Gran Reserve Churchill that’s been infused with Loius XIV Cognac then preserved in a glass test tube. Outstanding!
Favorite: CAO – Mx2 or any Macanudo
I enjoy Macanudo and Acid and Gurkha. I also enjoy the local Micro-Brewery.
Love a Macanudo with a bottle of good Port after a fat dinner. Cheers.
A group of guys used to meet once a month to watch some hockey. One the of gentlemen was a cigar enthusiast who always had a few samples on hand. He always refused compensation for them too, saying that cigars were best smoked with a group of men.
I am not a cigar enthusiast (yet) and don’t recall the brand but of all the cigars I’ve had, the one from Honduras was the best.
Always smoke a cigar with a good book.
Do yourself a favor and light your cigars with no-sulfer, wooden matches. Butane torch lighters will also work well but you won’t feel as manly. Anything else will impart a chemical flavor to your cigar.
Cheers.
preferred is Romeo and Julieta, out on the patio in late summer after a solid BBQ. don’t know if it’s just me, but i can’t seem to enjoy them on the golf course…
I had the chance to smoke several Cuban cigars thanks to traveling with the US Navy. I have to say that some of them are wonderful and hold up to their esteemed reputation and some of the ones I tried did not. In my inexperienced opinion, the best smoking cigars that I found were the Cohiba family. I found that after a good meal; a Cohiba and scotch is a nice way to end an evening.
Well being the wife and a non-cigar smoker, despite the craze for women…I always go in to the finer cigar shops and listen to those who work there. They always give me good tips, I give a price I am willing to pay and they give me something new to try for my husband, he is always thrilled. They know me…and always have something special to try…I let them know what he liked and what he wasn’t as hot on and they cater to that! That is what they get paid for to be the experts so use them!
Julie
Diamond crown #7 hands down is the best I have ever had. I don’t smoke that often so paying a little extra works out. I grew up in the Tampa Bay area so I learned quickly what a great cigar was. I went to a small college in Alabama took some cigars with me and my Frat brothers never smoked swishers again.
Cohiba Churchill (Cuban). I smoked a box of these last year on the beach during our trip to Aruba. Other cigars haven’t been the same since.
On my 21st birthday I made the mistake of not going to my usual cigar shop in New Hampshire and went to one downtown in the same town. As I was getting ready to pay for my cigar which I believe was The Edge by Rocky Patel, I began to prepare the stick by licking the outside. Despite having cash in my hand, one of the workers there lost his temper, started swearing and told me to leave the store immediately and that preparing the cigar in this way was unacceptable prior to paying. Having purchased numerous high end cigars there as well as living one block away, I certainly was no stranger to the establishment and was thoroughly surprised by his reaction. Being the gentlemen that I am however, I paid for my cigar as I originally intended to do, but also informed him that I shall never return to his store again and that if he intended to continue selling cigars, it would be in his best interest to conduct himself like a man in the presence of other men.
Upon retelling this story to the owner of my usual cigar shop, the owner, remarking at my birthday experience, opened his personal humidor and gave me a Ashton VSG Sorcerer which was and still his my favorite cigar. “Happy Birthday,” the owner said, “and stay out of that other cigar shop.”
I’ve gladly complied.
My favorite cigar brands are Arturo Fuente and Punch.
Hmmm a favorite cigar, impossible, to much variety out there to just choose one. That said I keep 3 around in my humidor all the time. Since the first time I picked up one I have loved the Royal Jamaican, way back in the 1970s I always carried around 3-5 Buccaneers as my anytime anywhere smoke. I still love the cigar and while I smoke a larger gauge now, I still come home to a Robusto. I split a box of Punch Maduro Rothschilds about twice a year with some friends as I do not smoke many maudros. I am not a super fan, but it takes one to stand up to an Isly Malt. Last, Ashton Classic Sovereigns. I like pyramids and for a good night ender I like these with just about any drink.
We all have that time, you know that we always try a recapture, where the components all conspired to to bring about one of the most complete and pleasant experiences of our lives. One of those, for me, involved good food, good people, good drink and good cigars, as it may for many of you. We were in the Ranchers Club in the Albuquerque Hilton, having just finished a fantastic meal, we moved out to the cigar lounge they used to have and we sat down and started laying out cigars so others could try one of our favorites and we could return the favor. I had Bunnahabhain and a pint of Scottish Heavy and picked up this stubby black cigar( my first Punch Maduro) we stayed there for 3-4 hours, solving all the worlds problems and cementing friendships that are still strong 30 years and thousands of miles later.
One of my fondest memories involves my best friend, Acapulco, Remy Martin XO, and a Sancho Panza.
On our annual couples trip with our wives, this year we went south of the border to Acapulco. On one of our last nights in the country, my buddy and I decided to spend an evening 1×1 and splurge on a drink and experience a quality cigar. Out under a clear evening sky, we sipped our RMXO and smoked a wonderfully bodied, FULL of flavor, Panza. Our bartender informed us that Sancho Panza was a literary figure, a servant to Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha, who personified trustworthiness and reliability. It wasn’t too much longer into the evening before my bud asked that I be his best man in his wedding this coming year…
Well I am New here to the AOM and realy have never smoked a cigar my friend gave me a Romeo y Julieta once. But besides that it has been the cheap want-a-b’s from the gas station so I have never realy hade the hole cigar exspereance I have been around them quit a bit and have always wanted to be like Churchill. Thank AOM for doing this pice on cigars and fill ing me in on the cigar tips.
AOM To be
Andrew T. Reynolds
I’ve had numerous smoking experiences over the past 30+ years that were nothing but pleasure, including some Cubans while visiting Canada on business, but for everyday smoking, I find Arturo Fuentes and H. Upmans hard to beat. A good, consistent smoke at a reasonable price. It was a sad day when I had to switch from my personal favorite, Madrigals, when their factory burned several years back. Fuentes are the closest I’ve been able to find to those lovely cigars.
I am actually a pipe man myself. I have yet to break down and spend the cash on a quality cigar. I do have a cigar story however!
I was an exchange student in Germany, and while in Munich some of my fellow class mates stumbled upon a book signing by Monica Lewinski. I found a tobacconist nearby and bought a box of cheap cigars for about five U.S. dollars. We then headed back to the signing and tossed the cigars over the crowd in direct protest of such quasi-celebrity rubbish! Immature action yielding a memorable story!
I do like beer very much though, and I am still waiting for the perfect cigar experience!
My favorite cigar experience was several years ago. My brother-in-law was visiting, and the two of us went to a local tobacconist and purchased a couple of high quality cigars. I don’t recall what they were, unfortunately, but at that time it was probably the best cigar I ever had. The two of us sat on my back deck in the summer sun and proffered our admiration of the stogies, and how we were happy to be sharing that experience together. It was one of the only few bonding experiences we ever had, and we made it a point in subsequent get-togethers to share cigars, but it was that first time that was the most memorable.
I have to say that over the years there have been few cigars that have left as much of an impression on me as those of Drew Estates Acid line of premium rolled goodness ( the Blondie being my personal favorite). Now I know what many of the cigar purists say, that the extreme variety of herbs and spices used to line the walls of the Acid store houses are just a gimmicky and flash-in-the-pan marketing technique and that the cigars that they produce are not ‘true’ cigars…. but aren’t they? What after all IS a fine cigar but a mysterious and exotic treat that one indulges in on rare occasions, simply to enjoy the experience. So to those who shy away or indeed deny themselves the experience of Acid cigars altogether, I say fine! More left for the rest of us then! But I won’t tell if you try them anyway.
My prefered brand is Romeo y Julieta. Sadly there are no premium tobacco shops here in Santa Cruz, so I must travel home to San Luis Obispo for them.
On my 18th birthday my father taught me how to smoke a cigar. A piece of advice that I continually pass on to friends is this: “if you tap the ash off and there’s a cone, you’re smoking it too fast.” It works as a fool-proof reminder to slow down and enjoy the cigar. Don’t worry if it goes out.
I got started smoking cigars when my daughter was born. I was by myself on the back porch, trying to figure out how to light a celebratory Royal Jamaica my friend had given me. To this day, I love smoking on my porch, although I prefer Hoyo De Monterey.
Avo purple label. Its a $15-$22 cigar but its a perfect balance of smooth and taste, its money…
For the big brands, CAO is a favorite. Very smooth. However, in Sacramento, CA there is a little cigar place, used to be called Casillas (i think they may have changed their name) where they roll them right there for you. I remember my first time walking in to the place and the salesman handed me one to enjoy as I walked around. Very fine cigars. They do brandy and cognac soaked, too.
My favorite cigar is a H. Upmann cuban.
I’ve tried a ton of nasty cigars, then I asked the people behind the counter what they recommend. If you approach them as someone who is willing to be a student of what they say, you will get a great cigar at a great price because they know you are coming back. This blog shared some great info, but the best comes from a one on one encounter with someone who knows their leaf. Nothing like walking your dog with a great cigar after thanksgiving dinner.
My favorite cigars these days are the Punch rare corojo torpedo, the Oliva V and the Gurkha Empire.
I have grown a small preference towards Rocky Patel’s. However, even better than a good brew to go along with a cigar is a nice whisky!
My favorite (and, well, only) experience would be visiting the now-closed scotch and cigar shop in the “old city” of Knoxville. On top of a nice selection of cigars, they carried a variety of “manly” things, such as shaving brushes, etc. The front of the store had several leather lounge chairs around a coffee table with a selection of men’s magazines and a chess board, where my friends and I spent an enjoyable evening.
Despite having some decent cigars (Macanudo, Gurkha come to mind) for many years it never was my thing. Then I tried a CAO Moontrance and I was hooked
Now that I have the hooks in I am finding more to like and even enjoy cigars I didn’t care for in the past.
I generally smoke a pipe rather than a Cigar, but I’ve only had a few cigars and they’ve not all be the highest quality. A friend of mine has a lawyer for a father, and he had a pack of Cubans. Worst ones I’ve tried! I don’t know what brand it was. Very dry and bitter!
I think I enjoyed a Sancho Panza Double Maduro Quixote, but I’m looking forward to broadening my horizons! (And I’m a father of 3 in grad-school, so luxuries are slim around these parts! )
I must agree that in recent times the Dominican and Cuban varieties can easily be compared on equal footing. I have a friend living in Germany who has been my best source of Cubans. They really are a different experience all together.
I can say I generally like Macanudo cigars but I’m generally not that picky.
Ah yes, it was my 25th birthday and I had little experience with cigars outside of my typical Monte Cristo No 4. I had decided to step outside of my comfort zone and choose something a little different. In visiting my local tobacanist I scanned the Humidor and my eyes caught the deep wrapper of the Rocky Patel Edge and I haven’t turned back. I’ve always been a “if it aint broke, don’t fix it” type of person. In fear of picking something that I truly hated just for the sake of mixing it up I’ve never been one for variety. Maybe if someone was choosing the cigars for me it would be easier.
I was never a big cigar smoker, but I had a very close group of friends in college who all decided to try cigars together. We eventually got together on a regular basis to sit outside anywhere we could find to smoke and take a break from whatever was going on during the week (one time we got chased off of the roof of a campus parking garage by an overzealous security guard, but that’s another story). Now that we’re all out on our own and separated, any time we get together we light up a good cigar and reminisce about the “good old days.” We’re all still very close friends, but nothing compares to those nights outside with a good cigar.
Big fan of Rocky Patel, Vintage ‘99. Great smooth cigar.
I’ve been fortunate enough to try many different types of cigars over the years from real cuban’s to cheap cigars and have been all over the world to try them. The best, for my preference, was found in St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). They were locally made and, of course, rum dipped. The best part about them is that they were very inexpensive (about $10 each).
I prefer the Acid cigars, always have. a close second for me are Avo No. 2
Rocky Patel Cigars are my favorite right now, but I like to enjoy the full range of moderately-priced cigars and am always open to try new ones.
Fave brand gotta be Drew estates, though Tat and Drac, were someone to offer some, could likely dislodge them!
I’ve become partial to Macanudo Hyde Park Cafe. However, that’s from sampling only about 10-15 different types.
My wife and I honeymooned in the Dominican and I bought a cigar from a local stand and there was nothing like drinking an El Presidente beer, smoking a cigar, and watching the stars come out over the Caribbean
I love a La Gloria Cubana and a good scotch.
For a Cigar tip, nothing completes the experience like enjoying one outside at night and in good company!
I like the idea of a cigar club. My dad smoked cigars; unfortunately, he passed away before he could pass his knowledge of cigars on to me. I have smoked several different cigars and enjoy them, but I still don’t really know what I am looking for when I buy them.
For my money, I can’t get a better smoke than Partegas Black. A rich, dark tobacco that seems to retain moisture better than others. It is an even smoke and comes in varieties from cigarillos for a quick smoke to massive churchhills for long philosophical discussions on the porch with a glass or five of Elmer T. Lee.
I’ve discovered La Gloria Cuban Serie R Maduros. Very tasty and smooth. I try to enjoy one every month if it’s in the budget. Well worth it.
My favorite cigar right now is the Partagas #8 Maduro. I found this cigar a couple of years ago when a friend and I were up fishing for the day and looking for a place to eat prior to camping in back of the suburban, and could only find a small restaurant that didn’t look to be promising. We ended up having two of the best steaks that I have ever eaten, followed by after dinner drinks and a couple of cigars. The perfect end to a great day. Good Friend, Good Fishing, Good Food, and a Great Smoke.
Back in high school, we got into cigars for a while right as one of our friends was getting into photography. One night we went up to a city overlook to hang out and smoke. My friend got an awesome long exposure of me with the cigar, the red tip painting squiggly lines and me looking like a ghost. I need to find that picture and set it as my profile pic.
I usually buy Dunhill and AVO seconds at my local cigar shop. The prices are very attractive and the smoke is always pleasant.
My favorite “labeled” cigars would have to be a Montecristo and an AVO.
I enjoy smoking a Corona sized cigar instead of the much larger “Churchill” or short but stocky “Robusto”. Due to the smaller ring size of a Corona, it is important that the construction and tobacco used be of a good quality otherwise the draw and taste will be a terrible experience.
How unfortunate that a website that provides such great content has chosen to promote and glorify smoking. I consider smoking “manly” in the same way I consider having sex with lots of different young women, drinking lots of hard liquor, cussing, driving recklessly and picking fights “manly.” It just isn’t.
Smoking causes cancer, heart disease and lung disease in the smoker and in those around them. It causes more deaths ANUALLY than the combined deaths of American soldiers from WW1, WW2, Korea and Viet Nam COMBINED.
If you really thinking smoking is manly take your son for a visit to any VA hospital, head out to the smoking section and gander upon those who served our country selfessly and now have a quarter of their jaw removed and are sucking cigar smoke through their tracheostomies…
My grandfather died when I was 2, but I remember putting my toy cars and rocks in his old cigar boxes at his house. There’s a nostalgic black and white photo of him with a cigar that’s permanently imprinted in my memory. I discovered cigar enjoyment when a friend offered to share one from his stash (a great way to get introduced) and we sat in the hotel lobby smoking away. That was back when you could smoke cigars in California in public without getting a rude look or comment. I’ve found that when you dress appropriately, a cigar adds to your distinction. But, if you’re dressed down, like in jeans or flip flops, you can be easily denigrated. Several years ago I researched the negative health effects of cigar smoking and discovered that smoking cigars in moderation (I smoke a few a year) has no more ill health effects than the occasional equivalent amount of cigarettes smoked if you don’t inhale the smoke. I’d like to believe enjoying cigars in moderation probably increases your health because of the sheer enjoyment! Of all the cigars I’ve enjoyed in my life, they always seem to be better when I’m dressed to the nines, out on the town in Vegas, following a great steak dinner with friends.
I need to disagree about biting off the end of the cigar. To me, that’s a much more manly approach than using a cutter. It worked for Grampa, it works for me! Great article, though!
Being a Nashville local I have to offer up our hometown heroes from CAO cigars. They offer a tremendous line of smokes and cover the gamut of styles.
My favorites are the Italia, Brazilia, and their Gold line is incredible. The Golds are smooth and flavorful and just a nice, pleasant smoke.
I love cigars for their singular ability to force a man to slow down, enjoy some conversation, and just relax for a change.
I forget what brand it was, but a friend of ours who never smokes had an authentic Cuban, brought by her sister from her mission trip to Cuba. (I enjoy the irony.) It was the smoothest and most pleasant cigar i ever had.
I prefer a good Churchill punch or Macanudo cigar with a glass of gentleman Jack Daniels on the rocks or a good crisp lager.
I go to a tobacconist in San Diego and he always helps me find a good one. I can’t overstate the importance of having a guy who knows his stuff. Last time I went in he showed me some amazingly cheap and tasty Brazilian cigars. Grab the Pisco, Let’s have a smoke!
i’m a big fan of the camacho corojo cigars sitting outside after dark staring off and thinking about absolutely nothing beyond smoking that cigar
I like the Arturo Fuente Hemmingways.
I prefer Onyx, Ashton, or Arturo Fuente. Occasionally I will smoke an Acid 1600 or Maker Mark cigar to get a favor in. My biggest tip would be to use a quality guillotine cutter and I have noticed a difference between using matches and lighter (not recomommned) and cedar strips ( no sulphur or lighter fluid taste)
Monte Cristo Platinum 1999 #3 sitting in the Humijar at work. Usually a box in the desk. Also a couple cohibas in there. Acid seconds are a good go to quickie and was teh finish to a lobster dinner last night that started with a grey goose martini and a couple Sam Adams as the food arrived. Once in a while its the little things that make you feel like you are a champagne king on a beer budget!
My favorite cigars come from the Bobalu Cigar Co. in Austin, TX. Really high quality hand made cigars at a great value. I like to smoke my cigars along with really strong cup of coffee or a glass of scotch.
I’ve always had good luck with the Romeo y Julieta and Partagas brands.
Ah, my favorite cigar / cigar moment. My brother gave me an A. Fuente Opus Opus X cigar for my birthday one year (1997 or 1998). It was a Churchill size smoke. A. Fuente cigars are probably the best handmade cigars in the world. The Opus Opus X is their premiere cigar. The one that was presented to me had the richest oily wrapper of any cigar I ever smoked (even to this day); its fragrance was so rich it was heavenly (I still have the label which still has the scent of the cigar after all this time). The experience of smoking this cigar on my front porch on that summer evening with a glass of port has been forever etched in my mind. I have had many enjoyable cigar moments for smoking a cigar is a celebration to which cannot be rushed and that particular Opus Opus X on that particular summer evening was by far the best.
A. Fuente Hemingway’s are a treat.
Montecristos are incredible
I really enjoy CAO. Tip: Try to find a J&R near you for a great selection and good deals
In my admittedly limited experience I think I’ve enjoyed Acid Blondies the most. I’ll have to keep some of the other brands mentioned here in mind for my next trip to the cigar shop.
Damian, if you’re still looking for a good shop in Knoxville check out Silo Cigars on the west end of town. It’s much like the Knox Cigar Company used to be.
Having spent time in the Army, both cigars and beer have special meaning for me. Almost all the great memories I have of the Army include good friends, beer, cigars, and usually all three. I remember a standing Friday party with some of my Army buddies. Nothing better than a cool fall evening sharing beer and cigars and telling war stories, or at least the closest thing to war stories we had at that point in time. Those nights were truly a celebration of manliness. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
I haven’t smoked too many cigars over the years but I do like the smaller Macanudos when I don’t have time for a full size cigar and I also like Romeo y Julietas (have one at home waiting for this weekend)
Experience:
I remember my friend and I, just out of high school went down to the local cigar shop and bought some Macanudo cigars. Because that is what his dad smoked.
Always consider factory seconds. Many are just as good tastewise as their high-dollar counterparts, but lack the band and intricate packaging. It’s a great way to stock your humidor and always have extras to share with friends and family.
Best cigar I ever had was the Cohiba my buddy bought for my bachelor party.
AWESOME post. My favorite cigar experience took place at Golden Leaf, a smoke shop here in St. Paul. A good friend from out of town came and we caught up over a cigar. Simple story, great memory.
Well…i haven’t been smoking cigars long, but i know that i don’t prefer the Connecticuts (little to spicy for me) but I had a Partagas Black that was quite nice, but so far the one that stands out in my mind the most is a Perdomo Lot 23, it was just a very smooth, very thick, very relaxing smoke that i will come back to after trying a few others
Best cigar experience was when one of my best friends came from from studying abroad in Germany, sharing a good cigar, scotch and stories. The things you miss and will never forget.
I haven’t enjoyed many cigars as I am more of a pipe tobacco man. I’ve always stood by pipe tobacco rolled into a cigar. Although that has always been thought of as cheap, still it is quite nice. I will vouch for the fact that Cubans have a special magic. Although a different experience that smoking pipe tobacco (all around), there is something quite nice about puffing on a Cuban while drinking a nice Belgian beer like Chimay Bleu or sipping your favorite scotch which happens to be Glenlivet.
Although sitting around a table talking about life with your friends while trying out their new batch of beer they brewed and puffing on some tobacco is a great end to my week, my favorite experience is lighting up on the side of a hill with maybe one or two other friends talking about how we’re going to change the world, and how we can be better men to our families and community.
There is a cigar shop in Chicago called Tesa Cigar Co. It is a relaxing BYOB cigar lounge. The owner chooses all of the blends of hand rolled cigars that they carry. Great Ambiance and really tasty cigars.
Absolutely nothing wrong with Cohiba; while pricey, almost always worth the money.
I’ve always enjoyed Punch and Acid brand cigars. Haven’t had one in awhile though.
My best cigar experience was when on a trip to a friend’s wedding in LA – a few of us went biking along Santa Monica Beach. In a tourist guide I found a smoke shop right near by and I bought a Monte Cristo 12. The weather was still cool in NY, but it was temperate and sunny in LA; an overall beautiful day. I stopped at a hat store in Venice Beach and got a straw fedora I still have. Spent the next while tooling around in my new hat and smoking one of the best cigars I’ve ever had while taking in the scenery.
Just a few weeks ago I enjoyed a Cohiba in the smokers’ lounge of the Union League of Philadelphia at my brother in law’s birthday celebration.
The best thing about a cigar, any cigar, is that it forces one to sit quietly for 20 to 40 minutes, enjoying an evening breeze, noticing that the bats in your back yard come out about the same time each twilight, seeing how the skyscape literally changes second to second as the sun slips over the horizen. And if you really want to intensify the experience, find yourself a dark aged sherry that tastes itself like liquid smoke to comingle with the swirling smoke on your palate. Just thinking about it yields a calm.
One of my favorite spots to find and experiment with cigars is a fantastic cigar shop in the heart of the French Quarter called the New Orleans Cigar Shop. There are two locations: one on Bourbon St which is more of a storefront that simply sells the cigars which are produced by the second shop on Decatur St. There are numerous torcedores working in the shop and they produce a great variety and style of cigars on the spot using quality Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco leaves. It truly is an experience to buy one of these handmade cigars have a beer and watch the timeless tradition on cigar making occur right in front of you in the heart of New Orleans. I highly recommend a visit if your ever in the city for a visit. Here is a link to the website for anyone interested:
http://www.cigarfactoryneworleans.com/
Right now I’m smoking a Rocky Patel Connecticut because I prefer a mild smoke.
I enjoy a variety of cigars, but an Arturo Fuentes has become my favorite, enjoyed with a glass of single malt scotch.
Hands down my favorite cigar has to be Carlos Torano Reserva Selecta. Great flavor and a really smooth draw. A must try for anyone who favors a mild-medium flavor cigar.
Personally, a Partagas Black is my default cigar. I love a good maduro, and these more than get the job done; nice full, spicy smoke and a great flavor. I don’t recommend these if you’re new to the world of cigars.
My best cigar experience: Sitting on a balcony overlooking the Mexican coast with my new wife and a Cuban Partagas Deluxe. Spectacular.
I just tried a great cigar over the weekend. It ranked number 1 on cigar afficionado’s top 25 cigars of 2008. Its called the Casa Magna. Probably a bit strong for a beginner but I don’t smoke often at all and I really liked it.
My favorite beer and cigar experience was while I was stationed in Hawaii. My friend Goose and I went to Aloha Tower Marketplace after a tough week, bought cigars on our way in; mine was a maduro, his a torpedo; headed over to the national microbrewery chain with the wonderful garlic fries, ordered large beers; mine was a pilsner, his an ale; and got seats on the patio right on the rail overlooking Pearl Harbor. We sat there, smoked our cigars, sipped our beers watching the tropical sunset, ending the evening listening to a live local jazz band and munching on some of those garlic fries. Thanks for brining that particular memory back.
I started smoking cigars when I needed to stay up for a job that required rotating shift work. Since then, I’ve bought multiple humidors and have hundreds of cigars. They are fun to collect, age, and smoke. In many ways, connoisseurs of wine and cigars are similar. For those new to the hobby, it’s hard to go wrong with Arturo Fuente. Other than the Opus X, most of the Fuente cigars are not too powerful. The Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 is a great cigar for the money (about 4-5 dollars). As you smoke more, there are other brands such as Tatuaje that produce cigars with more power, but are more enjoyable to many people.
While it is possible to get better deals online, I recommend trying to find a local cigar shop when you are getting started with the hobby. The best way is to ask a friend or co-worker that smokes cigars if he has a cigar shop that he frequents. You can also check the phone book, if necessary. Even if you are new to cigar smoking, you’ll be able to figure out quickly if the shop is reputable or not. The owner of a reputable shop can take your likes and dislikes and recommend brands that will suit your palate. You may pay a little more, but the attention you get will be worth it. Also, I’ve made some of my best friends from smoking at cigar shops. You’re there for an hour minimum, and you can strike up some great conversations.
Never smoked a cigar but the write-up sure makes it sound manly!
Swisher sweets with the wood tip (and Strawberry Hill Boonesfarm) were a favorite back in high school. Good times!!!
Smoking actual Cohibas with my closest friends for my bachelor party in Buenos Aires, sipping on a bottle of fine Cognac. Classic.
I really think there is nothing nicer then sitting outside on the deck smoking a good cigar (or pipe for that matter). Then after the smoke is complete, drinking a good microbrew. Never mixing the two of course, you don’t want clashing flavors.
They say that your first love is the one which stays with you for a lifetime. She’s the one by which all other women are ultimately judged. The same is true for cigars. For me, my first love was the Arturo Fuente Hemingway. A perfectly balanced full cigar with a very spicy tang to it, this Fuente stands as my first true love, and is the cigar by which I judge all others. Every time I am reacquainted with the brand, it is like conversing with an old friend. It conjures many memories of happy days long since past.
While studying abroad in Russia, I had the opportunity to smoke my first Cuban cigar. I purchased two: a Havana and a Montecristo. Other members of my group also purchased some Cuban cigars. Sitting in the “Mob Joint” club in St. Petersburg, drinking a rum and coke and smoking the Havana was a great memory and a bonding moment for the guys in my group. We also liked to hang out in a Georgian restaurant on Nevsky Prospekt, where I enjoyed my Montecristo during the final week of our studies. The aromas from those cigars will forever be ingrained in my mind whenever I think about my time in Russia.
I’m just starting out in the cigar universe (a few months in.)
So far my favorite (generally available) cigars are:
J&R Edicion Limitada (a $2 stick designed as a knock off of a Montecristo “C”)
Macanudo Maduro.
The Puros Huerfanos 681 Robusto (an “orphan” stick rebranded for Famous.)
That’s 2-4 of my top. (My favorite being a Fidel from the Havana House in Middletown New York. A wonderful little cigar shop where they roll their own. It’s an exquisite smoke.)
For other new people, I highly recommend signing up over at http://www.cigarasylum.com/ It’s a nice discussion group of smokers. They’ve taught me an awful lot in the last month or two.
o/
My fondest beer drinking/cigar smoking experiences have occured at the legendary and charming “El Abajeno”, a restaurant in Tlaquepaque, Mexico (just outside Guadalajara). We visited every other weekend, while living in Guadalajara, and sat in view of the fountain.
After a great meal, we would sit back and relax with a cuban H. Uppman cadete, and sip a cerveza Bohemia chased by tequila Herradura anejo. I can almost taste it now. I will go back to relive those carefree days soon.
My friends and I have a tradition known as the “Man Up.” Every so often we’ll gather outside a local college (we’re all alums), usually on a Friday or Saturday night, and we each bring a cigar. For the next couple hours we smoke, sing (badly), and hassle drunk college kids. Whoever smokes his cigar the longest, and down to the shortest stub, wins. As men, it is one of our most cherished traditions blending tobacco, competition, hecklery, and a hearty camaraderie.
I was in Toronto a few years ago for work and needed to put out a cuban before I was done and go back to work. When I returned to my room the housekeeping staff had thrown out my only 1/2 smoked cigar. To this day I have not forgiven them.
Notwithstanding the few actual Cubans a friend – ahem, mule – bestowed upon me from her trip to Mexico (an experience that cast a different light on the Dominicans with which I was more familiar), I am quite satisfied with a cognac and a Romeo y Julieta. However, after enjoying a fruity microbrew with whiffs of berry or apple, the garden variety Dirt sold by my local microbrewery holds up just fine.
I have actually never smoked a cigar, but I do enjoy a good pipe and would love to try cigars. I have many good memories of smoking a pipe on the porch and drinking a beer.
I have a great memory of driving way out in the country with 3 friends, each enjoying a cigar for the first time. We felt very manly at that point.
Montecristo No. 2. Always a good choice.
Smokes are always best when shared with com padres. My best experiences have always been sharing a good Montecristo with a premium liqueur shared while surrounded by family and friends. Now that is as close to heaven as it gets for us Regular Joes and a good enough reason to strive for heaven.
Being a Kentucky man, I tried a Henry Clay once just because he’s a hero of mine. The cigar company has nothing to do with the statesman, but his name is on the wrapper. This cigar is a smoke for a man. It has an ugly, dark wrapper with veins running through it. It is harsh and tastes of leather. The smoke is very thick and the smell will hang around until to scrub it off.
While I usually stick to H. Upmann because they are a milder, every-day sort of smoke. The cheap, nasty Henry Clay is what I go to when I want to really smoke.
I’m entering for my husband, who has yet to find his cigar of choice. He’s new to all of this, having been raised in a family that was strictly against smoking or drinking.
My father smokes cigars, though and I’ve always loved the smell of them. I hate the lingering smoke, but the cigar itself is one of the better pleasures in life. I love a good beer and a football game, so I wouldn’t mind trying one myself.
my favorite inexpensive cigar – a full flavored ‘The Edge’…favorite higher price is a padron 1964 principe (1926s are better, but way too much $$)!
I am a cigar newbie, quite honestly. This article would be the first time I’d ever been told any of this stuff. I became interested after the recent birth of my second daughter and I decided to pick up real cigars for my co-workers instead of distributing those cheesy candy/chocolate cigars they sell in the hospital gift shop. Of course, having never bought cigars before, I was at a total loss and blindly stumbled around in the humidor. One of my co-workers who does smoke cigars said that for a total ignoramus, I hadn’t done too bad at all, so I figure I must have done something right!
My go-to cigar is the Gurkha Shaggy Toro. Smokey, smooth, and cool. Leaves a peppery tingle with me for hours. And boy howdy is that shaggy foot a delight to light.
Recommend Don Diego Coronas Majores. If you haven’t had a good cigar before, this is very mild and smooth.
Since a friend of mine’s father gave me and my buddies our first cigar for our high school graduation, the cigar has been a staple at our yearly hunting expeditions here in Louisiana and our fly fishing trips in Colorado. Nothing better than a good cigar and an old scotch in my opinion.
I’ve got a few favorites that I fill my humidor with whenever I get a little extra cash:
Arturo Fuente – Short Story: These are a great smaller cigar: spicy, yet sweet in flavor, perfect with a glass of 12 year old scotch. They only roll a limited amount each year, so if you can get your hands on them, do.
Romeo Y Julieta 1875: A regular in my humidor. I love most cigars from this company (including Reserva, Vintage, and even their cigarillos), they are my go-to-guys for a great Churchill.
CAO – Cameroon: It’s a very smooth smoke, though I have read of others calling it’s flavor harsh. Not sure how quickly they were trying to suck it down.
…oh, and a pack of Backwoods can really make you feel like The Duke every once in a while.
I am certainly a novice when it comes to cigars. I have tried them every now and then over the past 10 years, even smoking them regularly for a while – about once a month.
Some years ago I was given a give of “pre-embargo” cubans. To this day I have no idea of the authenticity nor any knowhow about figuring out if they are. I don’t really care either though, as we mentioned in the article, i find them a bit strong for my taste.
My favorite has become amaretto dipped cojimar Señoras. I love the flavor and the after taste and I can enjoy my favorite scotch (glenmorangie) without one overpowering the other.
I don’t really know what is considered good or high quality, I have just randomly selected some and tried them myself. Usually selecting based on recommendation or feedback from a friend or the clerk.
The first cigar I enjoyed was in Egypt in front of the Pyramids. It was a silver tubed Montecristo. The location, time of day, and temperature were perfect. Wish I could slip back there right now…
Glad to see some posts on here about cigar and pipe smoking.
Two of my favourite cigars would be Cuaba and Por Larranaga. Both are on the light side but deliciously flavourful and heavenly aromatic. I almost always mix my cigar smoking with a drink. I find rye and scotch blend really well, but it also blends with with absinthe or death in the afternoon (Hemingway’s drink – absinthe and champagne).
Steer clear from boxed micro-cigars and anything machine wrapped, and smoking a cigar will be a delightful addition to any day.
(Glad to hear you on the radio up here in Canada, Brett.)
I really like Acid’s Krush classic cigars. They come in tins. They are small and with nice spice. It takes me about 10 minutes to smoke one and I don’t get a bad aftertaste. Maybe purists will balk at these flavored cigars as not being the real deal. Nevermind: call it a “schmigar” and enjoy them. I’m hoping the ban on flavored cigs don’t affect sales of Acid cigars.
I remember well my first smoke. It was on my grandfather’s farm and it was a rum soaked crook kind of thing. Nearly killed me. Since then I have experimented with Hav-a-Tampa and Swisher Sweets. I’d like to try again but I am afraid of what a commotion it would cause at my house. Perhaps reading this will improve my determination to give it another try.
One great cigar experience stands out:
Enjoying hand-rolled cigars while exploring Key West, Florida, with my brothers. It was a beautiful day and ocean breezes mixed with fine cigar smoke filled the air with a hint of Hemingway.
There is something about a cigar that invites adventure.
That’s some great information. I’ve smoked cigars on and off and have been looking to start up again. Thanks, AoM!
Cigar and beer? Lets not forget cigar and good scotch!! A quick dip of the cigar’s head into some good scotch after every couple of draws is a great way to smoke one.
Garo Habano from Glendale is a personal favorite, not available nationally, but from their website and from CA retailers, usually. But nothing beats a Romeo y Julieta on a beach with a cold Tecate. For Breakfast. Best Christmas of my life.
Quick Tip:
If the store also sells milk and bread. They don’t sell quality cigars.
If you think Drew Estate is a house,
you have never smoked a good cigar.
I really don’t have any experience with cigars. Thanks for the article, maybe I’ll be able to go to my local cigar shop and have a general idea what to look for.
The best cigar is one smoked in the company of friends, some of my fondest memories are of sitting around little hole-in-the-wall joints with friends. That being said, Montecristo No. 2. is always a solid choice.
There’s nothing like the gentle bitterness of a cigar with the intense, citrusy sweetness of a glass of lemonade. Mix with a cold night, great music (live stuff from The Who as of late) and you’ve got a seldom-paralleled experience.
First cigar: after first year of umdergrad, myself and two friends walked around in the middle of the night smoking. Then I got dizzy and ate some chalupas and Taco Bell. The End.
man i love romeo & juliet but i think the first cigar i fell in love with were the davidoffs damn but they got to expensive so i had to find a lil cheaper cigars to puff im going out this evening and get a few along with some nice bass ale have a good evening all
I am 24 years old, and while I smoked my first cigar before I was legally supposed to, it has remained only an occasional indulgence. My expertise on cigar makes and models, so to speak, is therefore rather limited, but I do love smoking them. The reason, though, far outweighs any sensory experience or feelings of “having made it” (I’m 24, I haven’t).
My appreciation for them stems from my father’s appreciation for them, also only occasionally, and usually only with my brother and me. He is, as a nutritional scientist, a very health-conscious person, but not so much that it keeps him from enjoying a cigar now and then. I moved out of the house six years ago, and to a different state one year ago, so naturally family vacations and my visits over the holidays are special occasions. We started a tradition of enjoying an evening smoke at these times of the year a while back now, and I have always looked forward to them as times when I feel that I can talk to my father man to man, rather than son to father. He rarely cusses, but he’ll let out a “damn” or “hell” for emphasis during one of his stories, and I know he has let his guard down and is just enjoying his time with his sons.
Most recently, we each smoked one (he a Montecristo and I a Cohiba) on the Hawaiian island of Maui, looking out over the darkened ocean. While the smoke itself was undeniably enjoyable, the conversation trumps it handily. We talked about our jobs and futures, and laughed about my brother, who, in an unlucky break, had to stay at home and study for three midterms he had that week. We’ll be the first to tell you we’re cigar novices, but we don’t care. Now that we no longer have much face time with one another, cigars have become a way of father-son bonding in my adult years, and that is something I will always cherish.
Best cigar experience: After six months of study in Warsaw, Poland I enjoyed a celebratory Montecristo atop the Marriott panorama bar.
I have only been REALLY into cigars for about a year now and still have A LOT to learn but, I have come to learn that the 1959 Cigar from Toraño is a remarkable cigar. Beer, I have shifted from beer to wine over the years but living in Italy for a while, I grew to be quite the connoisseur of beer and the Rogue brewery makes consistently great beer but my favorite has to be fresh draft Stella from Belgium. Not the old stuff you get here in the States, I am talking FRESH in Europe. Delicious!
On a roof in Baghdad, during a rocket attack, my cigar diffused the blast rattles, brilliant flashes, and turning of backs. My senior Sergeant at my side, his cigar smoke launched out like a protest to the enemy, so I followed suit. I drew in a breath, stared at the city skyline, and sent my own protest: our way is freedom, our way is bravery, our way is liberty! To this day I still remember those marvelous embers, igniting the warriors at my side.
Arturo Fuente – Hemingway. Named after a legendary man.
Great article… A good cigar, a cold drink and good conversation with friends is a wonderful evening spent. I prefer mild to medium bodied cigars. A few that I like include La Gloria Cubana, La Flor Dominicana, and Partagas. Cubans are good cigars, stronger than most Diminican cigars, and a rare treat.
I like a good Montecristo with a pint of Guiness. Sometimes I will trade the pint for Makers Mark over ice. Either way… it’s a fantastic treat.
I’m one of the lucky ones that have been to Cuba before. In fact, it was only 2 years ago. While there I went on a tour of two different cigar factories. I personally witnessed the rooms where workers were busy crafting cigars. It was an amazing site, watching them use their 40+ year old tools to make gorgeous cigars. In fact, I was even approached while walking up/down the stairs by a worker. As they walk by, they mutter, “cigars for sale” and if you follow them, they’ll give you a good deal on a few that they pocketed. Overall, this was just one of the many amazing experiences I had in Cuba. What a wonderful place.
I like the CAO Maduros. They are excellent and you don’t spend half the night smoking one.
@Chris Post#2
Now THAT sounds nice. What a great sounding memory.
Personally my cigar experience boils down to making friends with this pair of dudes one night at a drunken Halloween party. They had a fat cigar that drunkenly dubbed, “The Pimps Cigar”. They were kind enough to give me my first puff. I don’t remember much of that night but somehow I ended up with the stub and guillotine.
Its been a few years but I still have the guillotine waiting for the time to soberly enjoy a cigar.
For years I’ve been an avid pipe smoker. It wasn’t that long ago that my tobacconist turned me onto drew estate and the “acid” cigars. They were amazing for awhile but lacked a lot of the complex flavors of pipe smoke. Does anyone have a recommendation for something nice in the transition?
Excellent article. I enjoy a cigar every now and then but usually go into the store blindfolded. Now, I can see. Thanks.
Unfortunately I have never had a good cigar. Let me clarify that: I have never properly appreciated a good cigar. They have all been consumed in a rushed manner of false bravado when I was younger. My father always said that a man should not drink scotch before he is thirty because he lacks the patience and the palate to to fully appreciate what has been place before him. For me, this may be true of cigars also. Now I love a good scotch. Maybe now I can appreciate a good cigar. Time to start the search for the elusive holy grail of cigars.
I used to be a big fan of Indian Tabac cigars. They have since changed the name to Rocky Patel (the name of Indian Tabac’s founder, change happened around 2002, I think). One of the hallmarks of the line is that it’s a smooth smoke to the end, doesn’t get bitter or harsh at all. That made for a very pleasurable experience.
First day I returned from my honeymoon, I needed a vacation. I was out on the deck living it up when the phone wrung; my buddy Matt asks: “what are you doing?” Me: “I’m eating a steak, drinking a single malt, and smoking a maduro! (CAO MX2)” Matt: “Wow! is that what being married is like?” Me: “Man I sure hope so”
Good article. Been smoking cigars for few years now. My favorite sticks:
Padron – 1926 anniversary especial (to die for)
Rocky Patel – the edge, slowly aged 5 years (the usual)
Gurhka – Reserve (excellent w/ fine cognac or scotch)
Nub – Connecticut (smooth, mild; complements martini, mojito, t. collins)
Punch – Maduro (slighty more spicy than Nub)
Arturo Fuente – Torpedoes (great everyday/night smoke)
* tip – don’t use regular butane lighters (Bic’s) the gas taints the cigar flavor, use matches or torch lighters and be sure to light cigar evenly by rotating at an angle while lighting
@Reverend Jack – try any Arturo Fuente or Rocky Patel 12 yrs or the Edge
Yes, a good cigar is about as manly as it gets and yet a beautiful woman who can light one up with the boys deserves respect as well. I tend to prefer a lighter smoke (i still need to culture my palette) so I tend to prefer Ashtons and Davidoffs. Happy smoking! Whoooo!
My favorite cigar for a while now as been any of the Acid by Drew Estate. I like the Blue label the most from that line. Nothing beats a good cigar with an Old Fashioned, or a wine fortified with brandy.
Call me immature, but I just love the Acid Kuba Kuba’s
I prefer the Rocky Patel “EDGE” with a Sumatra wrap. By far the most flavorful cigar I’ve ever smoked with a smoothness that makes it a truly enjoyable smoke.
Bought a dozen or so cigars from a yard sale one time. Best cigars I’ve ever smoked, and bought them for about a dollar a pop. The kind man even taught me how to construct a makeshift humidor—using tupperware and a damp towel.
There are so many great smokes! One of my favorites is the Hoyo de Monterrey 1066. It’s just fantastic. But, like many have mentioned, you can’t go wrong with an Arturo Fuente. My favorites have been a Partagas Havana (smoked in Casablanca) and H. Uppman Havanas (in Mexico). The article above is right. . . just start trying different brands.
Some tips:
* The first few puffs are usually not that great, the real flavor comes out when the ash builds up a little bit and cools down (the size of the ash regulates the heat of the cherry)
* Try not to puff too vigorously, as it will heat the tobacco up too much
* Try not to tap off the ash unless the cigar becomes difficult to puff, if it falls off naturally that is ok
Being a Canadian and living in Canada allows me the fortunate opportunity to enjoy a cuban whenever I have the time to have a cigar. My favorite time is when I can set aside an hour and a half with a great book, a well stirred cuba libre and Hoyo de Monterray double corona. This cigar while big and powerful is an absolute delight to relish and will last with a cool easy draw right to the last inch and half.
Thank you for a great article!
I have to second what Rob said. The entire Hoyo de Monterrey line is great.
I agree. It’s nice to sit on the back patio and enjoy a cigar with a beautiful lady…my wife. She’s into tequila too!
ashton 898
I’ve had a wonderful cigar experience in the US cigar capital, Tampa, FL. It was there I got to see firsthand how cigars are rolled, and I experienced smoking a cigar rolled by one of four grandmaster rollers in the world. He explained the history behind cigar smoking and rolling, and how Cuban cigars were indeed better (he was Cuban). Sadly, he also related that handrollers were a dying breed because people are losing interest in high-quality cigars, opting instead for ready-made cigars.
Overall, an incredible experience. I highly recommend going to Ybor City in Tampa if you’re a cigar aficionado.
I’ll share my favorite (and I believe first) memory of a cigar.
I was 19 and on a trip to Nicaragua. I had been staying in Grenada for the past couple nights, and I was to move on to my next point of interest the following day. It was late, and I was about to head back to my hostel to call it a day, when I decided that I didn’t quite want to retire yet. I stumbled into a cigar shop off the central plaza and somehow managed to form a sentence in Spanish to tell the clerk that I wanted a good cigar for someone that had never had a cigar before. I received a Cuban of some variety. I headed down dimly lit streets to the shores of Lake Nicaragua. On my way, I realized I didn’t know what to do with it, so I stopped in an internet cafe to look up directions on what to do. Armed with that knowledge, a knife and a lighter, I walked to the beach.
I found a cozy place to chill, next to a statue of some Nicaraguan hero. I cut off the tip, lit it (which took some doing), and began to attempt to smoke it. At first I hated it, and struggled to keep it lit. After a half-dozen re-lights, I finally figured out how to keep it going. Though I didn’t so much enjoy the taste, I’ll never forget the scene the moonlight cast on the vast lake, the waves as they lapped the shore, the palms drifting back and forth in the wind, and the haze of cigar smoke that seemed to engulf it all.
Though I am mostly inexperienced in the world of cigars, I enjoyed an El Baton Double Torpedo after a very stressful visit with my father about a month before he passed away.
It was exactly the thing I needed at that moment, a long night of soothing enjoyment.
Another brand that I really like is H. Upmann.
Bought some supposed cuban cigars in Bosnia years ago. Not so good. I read somewhere that a lot of cuban cigars are counterfeit and are actually mexican. YMMV
I remember my first cigar, i was saving it carefully for 7 months, waiting for my survival of combat in Afghanistan. I bought a Cohíba (cuban) in costa rica before being shipped out and me and my best buddy Javier anxiously awaited to smoke it on our return to Canadian soil. However I kept in my barrack box for those hard 7 months, and by the time we returned we found the dried up flavourless cuban waiting impatiently for us. We smoked it anyway, because after 7 months of fighting in the desert a dry cigar doesnt seem so bad.
After we finished our military contracts me and my good buddy parted ways and havent seen much of each other since, and If I win the giveaway, I swear I will find him and meet with him once a month, and drink those beers and smoke those cigars and love every minute of them, and cheers to our brothers that never made it home.
I prefer a Cohiba. The Cuban production of this cigar is even known to be one of Fidel Castro’s favorites. This cigar offers a delightful flavor and great aroma.
I’ve been a cigar smoker for a few years now, but only smoke them when I have time to just sit and do nothing but enjoy the smoke. I use it as a true excuse to do nothing but relax. Occasionally I’ll drag out my little TV into the backyard and watch, but I enjoy smoking and just chatting with someone… my wife, my friends, my neighbors.
The best way to explain it is to enjoy the entire process. First you go into the shop where you are inundated with choices. A true kid in the candy store experience. See what attracts your eye, pick it up, feel it between your fingers, take a light sniff of it, check the price. If everything seems right about it, then grab it. There is no wrong cigar, just like there is no wrong candy, it all comes down to taste. And more important, don’t feel intimidated by the store clerk. He is there to help, he wants a loyal long-time customer so ask them any questions you have and they will be more then willing to help.
Back at home, prepare to have the smoke. Choose a place where you can enjoy it without much interruption for a good hour. Bring these items with you: the cigar, a cutter, a torch lighter, ashtray and a drink (be careful with this cause this will change the flavor of the cigar much the way toothpaste makes your cereal taste weird) I usually prefer a beer, or a port.
Now with the cigar and cutter in hand, cut about 1/8th” to 3/16″ of an inch off the head of the cigar. That’s about the thickness of 2 or 3 quarters. Using your torch lighter, hold it at a distance from the foot of the cigar so that the flame isn’t coming in contact with the cigar, but the heat is lighting it up. Spin the cigar around to make sure you toast the foot of the cigar evenly all around. Once that is done, then place it to your lips while still holding the torch to it. Puff and spin a few times to make sure it is fully lit. The reason you want to just toast the foot of the cigar is so you don’t get the harsh burned tobacco taste when you begin smoking it. Once it is lit well, I like to give it just one puff out to blow out any burned flavor from the cigar.
Sit back, relax and enjoy. If the cigar goes, out, then relight it just the same way you first did, but make sure you tap off any ashes.
Another tip for starting out with cigars. I would keep the bands of the cigars I smoked and would write on the back of them if I liked them or not, what color the wrapper was (light, medium, dark), size and if i should buy it again. Slowly from trying different brands, sizes, countries, strengths, I found what cigar I like. Now I can walk into a humidor and 9 out of 10 times pick a cigar I know I’ll like.
Sorry for rambling but I do like my cigars!
My absolute favorites are Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real but now am liking the new NUB cigars out.
Cigars were my first entry into manly companionship, and I didn’t even smoke.
When I was a four degree at the Air Force Academy, I joined the Mock Trial team–a collection of sharp, ambitious, fun-loving people. I met some men that were just a few years older than me, but they seemed (to an impressionable smack) to have everything I was looking for. Relative wealth. Interesting things to talk about. Cars. Civilian clothes.
After every competition, five or six of the guys and one or two of the girls would retreat to the hotel courtyard with some cigars bought at the local Class Six. We’d sit there, some of us smoking, some of us not, rehashing the days events and talking about the future, politics, whatever. It made me feel like I was human again in the long stretches of four degree year, and even in subsequent years was still my favorite memory of many tournaments. It wasn’t until the end of my third year that I actually smoked a cigar, as the men who had been so influential prepared to head out into their Air Force careers. It was a poignant moment for me.
Today, I still don’t know that much about cigars, but I do know that the ritual, the immediate atmosphere that is created when the guillotine comes out, is tied to something very important to me. Something I wish I experienced more often.
It’s been a while but my favorite cigar experience was on a warm summer evening with an ice cold beer sitting on my back porch in Olympia, WA. I might just need to revisit that.
Favorite cigar is absolutely the TTT Trinidad. Ideally enjoyed this month in Seattle or Yarmouth (wherever that is).
A short four years ago, I took to smoking cigars when a work buddy of mine offered me a Rocky Patel cigar one long night shift. I found the hobby so relaxing and enjoyable, I decided to learn more. Now, I regularly smoke cigars each week at a local cigar shop in Pasadena, MD. It’s just as relaxing, but smoking has developed into a social experience where the men of my shop come to discuss everything from the latest in politics to the most recent ‘find’ in tobacco. It’s truly a wonderful hobby that can not only provide relaxation, but companionship as well. Right now, I am enjoying the newest addition to the CAO cigar family: the “CAO La Traviata”. This cigar is full-bodied with earthy tones with a cedar note. The best part about this cigar: CAO has priced it appropriately for the current economic state- about $6 a stick and worth more in my opinion. I hope this post helps to encourage some of you to take up my hobby.
Since no one has mentioned them yet:
Top 3:
1) Oliva Serie V
2) Oliva Serie V Maduro (Limited, but new batch coming soon)
and for a solid cigar that even the worst smoke shops carry,
3) Rocky Patel Vintage ‘90 (‘92 if you want a milder smoke)
Some tips:
All three cigars listed should never be more than $10 (depending on sizes, but robusto being a standard size, this should hold true). At the local shop I go to the V is $8 the V maduro was $9 and the Vintages are both around $7.
Don’t assume higher price means better smoke, I’ve all too often heard customers arguing with tobacconists, whether to impress someone or just seem cool it’s not worth it.
The friends that I smoke with most often are the ones I had my first cigar with originally. We started with CAO Flavours, if you are new to cigars these are very light non-threatening cigars to try but once you try the good stuff any flavored cigar (especially Acids and D.E.s) will just not hit the spot.
Practical tips for beginners:
Cutting: if you have a guillotine cutter ($4 for a cheap one at most places) and can’t quite get just the edge of the cap off, place the cutter on a flat surface and put the cigar in the center to cut. This will almost always guarantee a near perfect cut.
Lighting: Torch lighter, matches are great but a slid torch lighter will make you light and burn so much easier. Also before puffing on the cigar, heat up the foot by holding your lighter just far enough away to let the flame lick it. After it appears to have a good orange glow, go ahead and give it a few puffs (should a flame arise after puffing, as calm and cool as possible blow the smoke you just puffed on it to put it out, this does nothing other than make you look like a somewhat experienced cigar smoker).
My favorite is an Arturo Fuente Short Story. Good kick and flavor, small, and lights easily.
5 Vegas Series ‘A’ Apotheosis- one of my first, still one of my favorites.
as far as humidors- you get what you pay for. research brands and buy a good one, its worth waiting for. those can also be found on craigslist used at a decent discount, just make sure you know what you are getting!
Macanudo all the way. I always come back to them, no matter how far I stray.
My first cigar was when I was seventeen in Mexico. I bought what I think was a Cuban from a black market guy in an alley. I dont know if it was actually a Cuban, but it was good.
I am new but my favorite so far is the Camacho Connecticut.
Listening to a Phillies game drinking some whiskey and smoking a cigar is probably the most relaxing thing I can do.
My favorite would be the Acid by Drew Estate and a nice glass of Macallan 15 year. I feel that they complement each other and bring the flavors of each out.
La Finca is a nice consistent mild brand. I once had a Lars Teton cigar that wasn’t bad either. Both go well with an ice cold Shiner Bock.
My favorite smoke and beer are both sold by local companies.
There’s this little cigar shop in Sayville, NY that imports smokes from their own tobacco farm in Dom. Rep. and wraps them with Connetiticut leaf wrapper. Always smooth, and never harsh.
My beer of choice- Blue Point Toasted Lager or Summer Ale. I plan on stocking this on tap once my kegerator project is complete.
Nothing beats a nice summer evening, with a cigar and scotch in hand. Period.
Rocky Patel 1992 would be my cigar of choice.
I don’t always smoke cigars, but when I do I select the well-aged and box pressed Rocky Patel. Typically something aged 10-15 years.
I started smoking cigars regularly (as opposed to occasionally) about 5 years ago when someone gave me a box as a business gift. Since then, I’ve learned a lot (Google!), acquired 5 humidors of various sizes, and built my collection towards the 1,000 stick mark.
My love for cigars has helped to create lasting friendships with other men, and provided me with countless hours of relaxation and enjoyment.
Tips: Start mild. Go to a local shop and ask questions and seek recommendations. Light a cigar slowly. Smoke it VERY slowly. Don’t suck and puff with excessive force. Be gentle with it — DON’T inhale! — and pair it with your favorite beverage (coffee, scotch, sipping rum, etc.).
For anyone in the L.A. area interested in cigars, perhaps we can get a group together?
As a young man I always smoked a Cojimar. I am now experimenting with other cigars. I’ve yet to have a favorite, but I have experienced many great cigars.
A good way to find out where your tastes lie is in sampler packages. You can get inexpensive ones or more expensive packages with more select cigars. Personally, my favorites are the 5 Vegas. Good with hoppier style beers like those offered from Stone Brewery.
Great post i enjoy a cigar on occasion but rarely due to price. It’s amazing how much cost effective / and relaxing pipe tobacco is in the long run. I will say, for me, is that cigars a great social event.
The best memory I have from my bachelor party camping trip, and my favorite cigar experience, is sitting around the campfire with my best friends, eating steak, drinking port, smoking cigars, and shooting the shit.
My second favorite cigar experience is going for evening strolls through the neighborhood with my wife and a pair of cigars.
Still trying to pick a “favorite”. May not ever be able to.
Arturo Fuente, Hemingway Classics are my favorite. I’m far from a cigar connoisseur, but when I do try other brands I always return to them. I usually purchase a box of 25 which will set me back just under two hundred bucks, and sometimes they are difficult to find, but they sure are worth it. I highly recommend them.
not a specific experience, but sharing a cigar with friends in the backyard under heavy, yet cool air.
thanks!
I love the Oliva Series G Cameroon with a nice coffee….recently was at a cigar bash where the an Ashton Heritage cigar was paired with some dark chocolate and some scotch, the chocolate and the scotch definitely enhanced the flavor of the cigar
Sitting around the night before my wedding with my 12 best friends smoking 12 Romeo and Julietas and drinking Johnny Walker Blue. A better farewell from bachelorhood the night could not have been.
I like Romeo Y Julieta’s.
I like Avo XO robusto. It has a creamy taste and aroma. I always like to have my cigars cut with a punch instead of a guiliteen. Try it. You might like it. Thanks for the contest!
I’ve actually found that my favorite cigar so far is an off-brand if you will. It is the Thompson Tusker line from Thompson Cigars. I may not have much taste in cigars, but I definitely enjoy these.
Cigar International’s brand CI Legend’s Copper Label is my every day smoke, while the Fuente Hemmingway Classics are a great cuban replacement for special occasions. My FIL lives in Canada and brings me the good stuff when he comes down to visit his little girl and granddaughter.
FIL= Father-In-Law
I am a Padron man, I like all the cigars they offer preferably in the robusto style. I enjoy drinking coca cola with a cigar especially if its in the bottle, great companion for a cigar if alcohol isn’t around.
Can’t say that I have ever enjoyed a cigar before, but I would like to get into it as a way of celebrating major events. My upcoming college graduation would be the perfect time to start. Since this is a cigar and beer club contest, why not offer up my favorite beer brand instead? When it comes to beer, I say the darker the better. Guinness Draught and Newcastle Brown Ale are my favorites, and I have discovered many very good brews at my local Trader Joe’s.
Romeo y Julieta number 2, a torpedo that consistently provides a smooth and even draw and solid flavor.
My favorite cigar experience is sitting outside my hotel the night before I got married smoking cheap cigars with 6 of my closest friends. What a great way to celebrate.
Smoking cigars with my mates out in detroit. Timeless.
The only time I’ve ever “smoked” a cigar was just after I turned 18. I didn’t yet have a car, so the day after my birthday, I rode my bike down the street to our neighborhood CVS and bought a small package of cigars and a lighter. Needless to say, I had no idea what I was doing, and I felt terribly ashamed. Still, I went outside, lit one end of the cigar and hopped on my bike. I’m not even sure I lit the right end. So there I am, an 18-year-old kid on a 10-speed, rolling through suburbia with a cigar hanging out of my mouth.
It was terrible. I nearly gagged and almost hit a tree. I tossed what was left of that cigar, which was half ash and half saliva at that point, and gave the other two to a younger friend of mine.
I admit I’m guilty of littering and giving contraband to a minor, but I haven’t had–let alone enjoyed–a cigar since, but I do believe everybody deserves a second chance–even cigars.
The best cigar I ever got was a macanudo that my wife (future wife at the time) gave me after I graduated from grad school — I’m still saving that one…
I would have to say that my favorite is Probably “la Vieja Habana” by Drew Estate as a regular smoke, or if I am in Canada, Romeo Y Julieta Churchill Cuban.
Arturo Fuentes [Seleccion Privada No .1]
I’ve been mostly doing pipe tobacco of late for the cost benefits and so I don’t need to commit to a certain amount of uninterrupted smoking time. Also from November-April in MN(with its lovely smoking ban) there are very few places that are both warm and smoke-able.
I’m a punch maduro rothchild man (punched, not cut), but I discovered early on that Arturo Fuente curly heads (the cigars that used to be given away as “It’s a boy/girl” are pretty darn good for the low price (cut, can”t punch ‘em!).
There are few things more satisfying than kicking your feet up and tuning out to really enjoy a nice cigar, either alone or with the guys.
One tip my brother-in-law turned me onto is the cigar punch. The guillotine seems to be the accepted standard for cutting the head, but I find a quality punch to be more repeatable and consistent. Since with a guillotine you’re cutting on the curved part of the cigar, tiny variations in how far up the cigar you go create large variations in the diameter (and flow) of the resulting hole. A punch is the same every time.
Favorite brand would be Gispert. I purchased half a box for a friend bachelor party and loved them. Give them a try.
CAO Brazilia
My favorite brand would be Acid by Drew Estaates. I especially like the Toast kind. Give any of the many flavors a try.
Hm I’ve only smoked a cigar when I took a few puffs of a friend’s i was with so I really don’t know much about cigars, but I’d love to learn with a 3 month membership!
Two experiences: In high school, I went on several service trips to El Salvador and each time a group of us would conspire with some of the younger El Salvadorean hosts. We would trust all our money to “the buyer” who would go with our Latino counterparts to a cigar lounge housed in the lobby of a posh hotel. Equipped with wad of cash, a crumpled paper list detailing who gave how much (including requests from certain fathers back home), the buyer would return with a bag full of Cubans. The rest of the night would be spent smoking and talking on a patio tucked away behind our hotel until we turned in due to exhaustion, or, fully knowing the next day would bring back-braking work and high temperatures, a fear of exhaustion.
Secondly, I cannot think of cigars without thinking of my father. If he is in his workshop you can be sure he has a cigar lit; if its not hanging from the corner of his mouth than it is probably smoldering in the small cast iron ash tray that once belonged to his father. Occasionally, you’ll hear the quick buzz of a power saw echo up the basement stairs. Don’t be fooled: he’s probably not working on any project. When he’s in the workshop, his preferred method for snipping the end of a cigar is to use the chop saw.
I prefer the Cohiba Toro Cigars, they are between $16-18 which might be a bit pricey (For a College Student) if you smoke often, but are nice none the less. I have been looking for a cheaper one with a similar taste, but haven’t really found any yet.
Though my cigar experience has been limited (I’ve become more of a pipe man, myself), my best cigar experience was the night before my wedding day, smoking a Romeo y Julieta on my porch with a few other good men. That was a great cigar.
I live in Bend, OR and have a great variety of good local microbrews, but I’m always looking for more options. Forget the majors – drink local!
Dear Brett and Kate,
My husband started receiving your “Art of Manliness” publications a year ago. He sent to them to me as well since we have 2 sons and felt your thoughts and advice were well worth sharing. Shortly after I started reading them, I asked my husband if he knew if there was a book available to purchase. I was interested in buying them for graduation gifts for my oldest son and his friends who will be graduating from high school this year. We were excited when we heard you were launching one this fall. Any part, albeit small, we can have in raising future gentlemen, would be quite rewarding.
In regards to the beer and cigar month club subscription, I was hoping I could win it for my brother-in-law who is an optometrist, and most of the time, a true gentleman. He is an avid beer and cigar lover. He has previously been involved in brewing his own beer with several guy friend and of course cigar smoking is usually par for the course at these events. Although I do not know his favorite cigar, I do know when we were in Playa del Carmen for his 40th birthday he was very excited to be purchasing what he thought was a “true Cuban cigar”. As money is tight this year for most everyone, I thought having this sent to his house for Christmas would be a great surprise and a much appreciated gift.
Thanks for your publication and your consideration.
Sincerely,
Marnie Proffitt
marnieproffitt@gmail.com
Well first I would like to say if I win I will likely pass on the Beer of the month, i dont drink. Maybe gift it to someone
As for Cigar, a local SF Cigar shop (now closed i hear) once set me up with Avo’s #5 which I like to this day. I just find them a prefect blend of spices and smoothness. Great for someone who is not a daily smoker like I am. Only con, price but I look at that as a plus. Stops you from becoming addicted.
The first time I tried a cigar, I was so surprised. I hate cigarettes, the smell especially, but a cigar is like having a nice treat to end a day. A good cigar can be paired tor your drink like good and wine can. In my case I add a glass of port and and some good old Bossa Nova music and just let my troubles go away in a cloud of smoke.
For a wonderful, inexpensive smoke, try a Trilogy.
My favorite cigar is a Montecristo White label #1 Especial, followed by the Ashton 898, with the Partagas Black Label getting an honorable mention. I have also recently begun to appreciate the Nub line of cigars.
As a beginner to the cigar world (1.5 years since I started), my favorites so far are: any of the Oliva line cigars, Arturo Fuente, and Rocky Patel Juniors. But if you twist my arm to chose one, I have to go with anything Oliva.
…
“This is the best f**king cigar I have ever had!” I said.
“I got them from Clark. Hey! B, what kind of stogies are these?” Mark said.
“Those are Cubans my wife picked up on her last cruise. She brought back a ton of them. Are they good?” Brian replied.
“Not really. You know they are illegal. If you want I will take ‘em off your hands. You don’t want the wife getting in any trouble.” I said.
“Thanks. I hope it is no trouble for you.”
“Nope, no trouble at all.” I exhaled.
I enjoy a cigar now and then but don’t really have a favorite. Smoking was easier back in the good ‘ol days (college/single days). But now that I have a baby on the way I would really love to get a good quality box of stogies to celebrate the birth of my baby boy in January. I know the post suggests not buying a box but if I were to buy a box – any good suggestions?
An Imperio Cubano Cameroon makes my life easier after a hard week…
Ahhhh….nothing better than a lit cigar and a glass of scotch to relax with.
Although I do not smoke a lot of cigars, I prefer to smoke shorter darker cigars with an oilier wrap. In a pinch a macanudo will do as well.
My favorites are Oliva Serie V Torpedoes. I find that tending to a humidor is a bit like feeding pet fish.
A fine Cohiba at my friend’s bachelor party. I’ll also have to throw a shout-out to the fine folks at North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock, PA. If you’re ever near the intersection of I-80 and I-79, take the few-mile detour – well worth it. I can taste the Squirrel’s Nut Brown Ale right now.
It’s a shame that it is getting harder and harder to smoke cigars outside of the home nowadays. I understand that in CA, you cannot even smoke them on golf courses. Finding a good bar where one can have a drink or two and a fine cigar with buddies is very difficult. The experience, however, always puts my mind right.
That said, Don “Pepin” Garcia is a fine cigar maker. I particularly like his black label and the Tatuajes from Miami. The best box I have ever had, however, was a box of short churchill Romeos from Cuba. It was a gift, and hard to come by. They are both expensive, and *ahem*, sort of frowned upon. Selfishly if nothing else, I hope the embargo with Cuba ends while I can still enjoy it.
I just had a Churchill Romeo + Julieta ( Cuban ). Fantastic.
There is a Romeo and Julieta that has a long cone rolled tip, what kind is that called?
I remember driving with my two buddies ( and fellow jazz band members) to Cincinnati from Dayton, Ohio while we were in high school. We smoked cigars ( when you could still smoke inside ) and listen to big band music all night.
Fantastic!
Arturo Fuente with a bottle of Newcastle, poured into a chilled glass. On a summer night. With friends. And maybe some Jack Johnson playing.
Call me cheap if you must, but after a long day, kicking back on the balcony of my apartment with a Backwoods cigar and a glass of Evan Williams watching the sun go down is absolute heaven.
My first and fondest memory of cigars was at a friend’s house. After a great steak dinner, we made drinks and sat around talking and smoking cigars until the wee hours of the morning. They were cheap vanilla cigars, but I loved the experience nonetheless. Good times!
Well, my first experience with a cigar is when I turned 18 (Not too long ago) I decided I’d do something that’ll offically make me feel like a man. So I went to a cigar shop that was near my house, Was quite the experience. I walked in to see a bunch of older men sitting on huge leather couches watching a hunting show and discussing previous hunts while having their cigars in hand. The Aroma was also very manly smelling and I felt hair grow on my chest just from going in. After taking in the main room’s smell and looks I continued into the Humidor room and there in the middle of the floor is a giant bear-like Dog. Seemed like it was a nice dog..but anyway, thats getting off topic….So I started to look around and was kind of overwhelmed/Intimidated by all the choices and the fact a lot of them weren’t wrapped in plastic or anything…So after looking around I grabbed a La Aurora…Was in a glass tube (Was less indimidating to me) So I took it to the woods and sat under a tree by the creek and smoked it..Honestly the first few puffs tasted pretty crappy but after i got into it I noticed how relaxing it was, Since then I’ve smoked maybe 1 or 2 a month..Met quite a few people just from sitting in a city park smoking an A.Feunte, and became the most classy person at a halloween party with my LJ300 church hill. Oh by the way, so far out of all the cigar’s i’ve had, The LJ300 is my favorite, Very nice flavoring…Definitly worth a try.
On our last night of college together my best friend and I smoked two cigars he had been saving since high school. These were the last two that he had brought back from Cuba. I’ve had cigars before, including a Cuban, but this cigar was different. He smoked an H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon and I had the H. Upmann Coronas Mejor. Although I was, and still am, relatively new to cigar smoking, I instantly could tell I was smoking quality tobacco. The wrapping was excellently done and made all the difference. It had nice even draws and the ash held together for a long time. The Cuban I had previously was poorly wrapped and ruined the experience for me. My friend started to get a bit jealous of mine as the wrapper on his began to unfurl, but I knew I was finally smoking a quality cigar with the most pleasant tasting and smelling tobacco. It wasn’t until I had the privilege to enjoy a quality cigar that I realized how special smoking could be and the enormous difference the type of cigar makes. Every once in a while I still take out the case and take a whiff of that amazing smell and it never fails to lift my spirits.
I much prefer Romeo Y Juliets because they are pretty decent cigars but VERY reasonably priced. I buy them from a local shop in San Diego and they have the shops logo on them. I can get the nicer ones for aabout 3 dollars a piece. Thats pretty fair!
I like Acid Toast and Java brand. Acids have a nice savory flavor and the Java’s have hints of chocolate. I love to enjoy one when I am BBQing. The smell of tobacco and meat smoke is heavenly
I love the Rocky Patel line of cigars. In my opinion, these cigars are the best value on the market right now. Start with The Edge, the are made and work your way through various types that RP offers. I recently sampled a robusto from the 2009 Autumn Collection. It was a rich, smooth, and very memorable smoke.
Two Cigar Tips:
1. Try using a punch inste
I love Rocky Patel cigars. In my opinion, these cigars are the best value on the market right now. Start with “The Edge” (basic model, made in different sizes and levels of boldness) and work your way through various types that RP offers. I recently sampled a robusto from the 2009 Autumn Collection. It was a rich, smooth, and very memorable smoke.
Two Cigar Tips:
1. Try using a punch instead of a guillotine cutter. It often makes for a smoother draw, and reduces the chances of getting loose tobacco in your mouth.
2. Keep a cigar journal so you can track your journey. It helps to remember what you like and don’t like in a cigar as your palette develops. Here is a link to get you started: http://nicetightash.com/cigar-journal/
I like the Arturo Fuentes here in the US. When I travel, if there is a Davidoff shop or other outlet for good Cubans then the Churchills. The Davidoff shop on Tverskaya avenue in Moscow has a great selection and a place to sit and smoke overlooking the boulevard.
As for Microbrews, I always try the local and my taste run toward red ales. You can get “beer” anytime, but discovering new brews is an adventure – and man was created for adventure!
My favs are Monte Cristo Jumbo’s. There’s nothing like smoking one down at the lake by a camp fire.
The best cigar experiences I have had have been with my older brother, who used to work at a tobacconist, and my dad. Two stand out: after my sister got married, I bought some Don Diego Playboys and we sat out on the deck after a long day of hard work and celebration. Her marriage didn’t last but my love for the Playboy is still there. The second: just sitting in the garage with a “Yellow Band” (embargoed) Cohiba and a glass of Hennessy. They both got sick off of the big smoky stogies. I held my own. It was on that day I felt like a man.
I prefer Honduran cigars: Punch Gran Puro, El Rey del Mundo, and Hoyo de Monterey are my favorites. When I’m in the mood for a mild smoke, I like Nat Sherman Host. But as the poster says, don’t smoke what other people like – smoke what you like!
I have a couple of tips:
1) The trend today is toward bigger and stronger cigars, and these are the cigars that tend to get all the “buzz” in cigar publications and forums. It’s as if men try to prove how tough they are by smoking enormous, stomach-churningly-strong cigars. However, those proficient at the art of manliness know that preferring a smaller, milder cigar does not make you less of a man, especially if you are just starting out. Don’t follow the crowd; choose a cigar that you like best!
2) When you find a cigar you like, it is almost always more economical (if you plan to smoke regularly) to buy a box from a tobacconist or an online retailer like JR Cigars. You can buy inexpensive, small humidification devices to put in the box itself, or you can buy – or even make – a humidor to keep the cigars from drying out.
Happy smoking!
My regular go-to brand is Fuente. I mean they are best known for the wonderfully flavorful Opus X, but for smaller occasions, I love the Fuente Hemingway Short Story. It’s just enough cigar for me, affordable, and very tasty. When I’m out of the States and I can find a Bolivar, that’s the smoothest Cuban I’ve had.
My favorite cigar series is the Ashton VSG line. They are top notch, and if you want a good cigar, try them! Also I discovered Hoyo De Monterey Exalibur Maduro’s last year and they are a fabulous $6 cigar.
If you are interested in enjoying a good beer with your cigar then you should look into homebrewing. Really!
I have been a consumer of Thomson cigars along with another firefighter friend. We have been splitting a box every other month for about ten years, but we are finding the price getting higher and higher but the quality slipping. Nothing like getting a box of dried out cigars to ruin my day. Nothing better than sitting down with a fresh cigar and a dark ale to calm my frazzled nerves and soothe out the rest of the night. Give me a dark maduro and a dark ale and you are my friend forever!!
I was intriduced to cigars via Drew Estates. I still love Drew Estates (even though I catch a lot of flack from purists), especially the Ambrosia line. I’ve tried a few other cigars that I have not liked as much. I am generally leary of blowing $6-8 to try a cigar, so I have not experimented much (but I’d like to). I am very fortunate to have a local smoke shop with a large humidor, pool tables, and an awesome man’s den with leather sofas and chairs, fish tanks and a flat screen. Smoking a fat cigar in the man’s den, shooting the shit and watching the game is the whole experience!!
I’m a fan of the Punch Elites. Nice flavor and draw for a good price.
Acid Blonde is my favorite so far. I have enjoyed several different cigars, but this is my choice. They have a sweeter taste, last a long time, and finish well. An excellent cigar overall.
My favorite cigar ever was the Cuban I had in Augsburg, Germany. It was a smooth smoke to the very end and it was quite affordable compared to average cigars in America.
I tend to always smoke a different cigar. The main exception to this is that in the past I smoked a lot of Rocky Patel Vintage. Not so much now. Most of what I’ve been smoking lately is from the Camacho line or Romeo y Julieta. Excellent smoking. Also, if any of you cigar aficionados are in the Chattanooga area, I recommend you check out Burn’s. Their website is http://www.cbcburns.com/.
I have always really enjoyed the Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduros in any size. They are modestly priced and have a smooth, even draw. However, living in Texas, I get across the border as much as possible to get my hands on some Cohibas. I love them.
My favorite cigar unfortunately doesn’t exist anymore. It was La Hoya Cubana. It was a relatively cheap (around $4) unassuming ( simple yellow band) cigar that took Cigar Afficianado by storm in the late 90’s-early 2000’s. I believe it scored consistently 96 on their charts. How I wish, WISH, I had gotten a box while I could. I left the country for a bit, and when I got back it was gone. I don’t know what happened, but it just disappeared.
And I agree that the punch or even “cat’s eye” is the better than a guillotine. I like the smaller holes because it seems to give a more concentrated draw and helps with consistency.
I did by a dozen or so Opus X Millenium series in ‘99. And I’m saving them for a very special occasion (birth of my child, child’s graduation?) But that’s a long way away.
I’m no expert, but for me, cigar smoking is all about sense memory. I only smoke a cigar on pleasant occasions, so that whenever I smell cigar tobacco burning, all those times come wafting back to me.
yes Cubans are on average a better cigar, not saying a good Dominican doesn’t match up one for one with a good Cuban, but on average Cubans are better.
I love the Cognac dipped Al Capone Cigarillos. Do they count as cigars? I think they do.
I enjoy almost any of CAO’s offerings, especially Eileen’s Dream and Bella Madagascar. those seem to match up well with a nice spiked coffee drink on the porch on Fall evenings
I’m into this wonderful cigar world just shy of three years now. For beginners may I suggest mild Dominican like Macanudo. Diamond Crown Maduro #4 is my favorite right now.Recently tried Arturo Fuente, very nice.
For the record–I wanna win this contest.
My favorite as of late is La Aurora Preferidos, particularly the Cameroon wrappers. As you try different samplers and brands, make a mental note on the wrapper and fillers leaves. Better yet, keep a cigar journal of you likes and dislikes. Don’t forget that many cigars mellow and develop with age.
At the end of a long lacrosse season, we coaches smoked a celebratory cigar. Quite good.
Funny that Ashton was mentioned here; Ashton happens to be my favorite cigar. Since most cities now have a smoking ban in most (if not all) public areas, Pittsburgh is no exception, I admit I have cut back on smoking cigars as much as I used to. However, I do still enjoy a cigar on a few occasions a month; typically Sundays.
Locally I have a fantastic store that doubles as a beer distro. and a cigar shop. The place is chalked full of top-knotch selections in both areas with a very knowledgeable staff. As a man myself I can understand how asking someone for help in such regions can feel a bit un-manly; but it was really a good expierence. The employee pointed out all of the issues this articule talked about in choosing a cigar and even set me up with an import beer to complement each other. Now initally I thought he was looking for a sucker and a sell, but I’m happy to report that was not the case as both the cigar and reccomended beer were amazing and now opened new doors for me in both worlds. If you live in, or around, the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Rt.19 Beer & Cigar is definatly worth checking out.
I agree with this article – a higher priced cigar doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better. I’ve had friends new to smoking try to impress me by snagging the darkest, most expensive one they can find (against my advice). Needless to say, most weren’t prepared for it and ended up stuck wherever they were sitting.
I’m a fan of medium flavored cigars – AVO is great (hit and miss sometimes, though), and I’ve just recently discovered Rocky Patel, which has immediately risen to my top three
.
My first cigar was with friends at the harbor the day I graduated from high school. That was a great night.
I like Davidoff cigars, generally. My favorite cigar thus far has been a Cuban Romeo y Julieta, which I smoked when my first child was born.
Personally a fan of Macanudo robust cigars. My two older brothers and I live in three different states, and every time the three of us get together, it’s over a Macanudo.
I’m newer to cigars than I am to beer. Was introduced to the practice by a Dutch friend who learned to smoke from his dad.
I still miss the late winter afternoons, sharing cigars and beers, sharing watery sunlight that felt like summer after the frozen twilight of of the winter we spent together in Sweden.
Tip: Enjoy with friends, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try something new!
I’ve got a pack of (you’ll shudder) cigarellos called cafe creme. They’re not exactly my favorites.
So far my favorite has been Romeo Y Julieta Medallas De Oro Vintage Maduro.
I grew up in Miami from a family of Cuban immigrants. My grandfather grew up on tobacco farms and appreciated cigars and cigarettes (to his own detriment). He often took my brother and I to El Credito cigar to pick up some of his favorite cigars on a regular basis. After picking them up, he would take us home and tell us stories of the homeland. I remember sitting on the front porch watching my grandfather smoke and drink his Cuban coffee as he told us how things were or just sit there listening to WQBA. These memories have always stayed fresh in my mind and at special events I always make the trip to El Credito and pick-up a couple of La Gloria Cubana’s for the wedding and birth of my sons. Cigars invoke great images in my mind of my grandfather and his essence of true-manliness.
As for beers, I have now gotten to making my own brews. The process is fun and the end result is always satisfying. I think a true man should do this at least once in his life.
Cheers!
Good post. I’ll be sure to check out that CotM club!
My favorite aspect of cigar smoking is that, for the most part, it’s an activity in which only men participate. When I smoke a cigar, it’s either with my father, or with “the guys”. For me, the enjoyment doesn’t come from the tobacco so much as it’s a great way to enforce father/son bonding, or friendship respectively. I don’t know if you have a post about this on your blog, but men have a problem women don’t have: in order to express affection for each other, we must find acceptable masculine ways to do so. Sometimes a good cigar and some sipping tequila is the equivalent of a bear hug.
So this article got the better of me and I had to go out today and buy a cigar. I bought a nice A. Fuente short and drove up to the water tower here in town, stood against the side of my truck and spent the better part of an hour thoroughly enjoying it. I do have to say that I think I still prefer a good pipe I am very impressed by the robustness of flavor.
There is nothing better than lighting up a cigar on the first tee
Good article. I personally enjoy a Monticristo #2 when i want to splurge. Macanudo’s for ‘everyday’ situations. Also I have found I cant go wrong with a JR “knockoff” smoke.
I am also a fan of using a cigar punch. And while I am a great fan of beer, to me there’s nothing better than a cigar with a good dark liquor or wine.
my favourite to this day is the cuban cohiba siglo VI but after moving to the US I need to find myself a new favourite.
It was funny to me to see Romeo y Julieta mentioned right off the bat….one of the few cigars I smoke on a regular basis! In addition, a small tobacco shop near me called “Hill and Hill” has their own line of Dominican’s that are phenomenal.
My tip for someone knew to cigars would be to look for seconds. Some shoppes will sell cigars that are visually imperfect or were not rolled up to standards. You may not have a band to collect, but you do end up with a great sense of the flavor and strength of a particular stick while spending as little as $3-$4, as opposed to the full retail price.
Great cigar experience – during a quiet dinner for two before my gal was heading off to Paris with her parents, our table was basically crowded out by the large party of a downtown business association. Aware of their overbearing presence, they invited us to join them instead of moving. For the next 4 hours we enjoyed the hospitality of the restaurant owner, his wine and beverage purchaser, the owner of the billiards room, and the gentleman who owned the cigar shop around the corner who carried his stash in an old ammo box. While you can’t sell or trade Cuban cigars, I /believe/ you can bring them in for personal use (I brought a couple back to the US from the EU), and this shop owner was glad to share his few Cuban cigars with the few who accepted his offer.
Acid Blonde’s or CAO’s are two of my favorites, I began smoking in college because of my roommate at the time, at his wedding I presented him with an engraved humidor filled with his favorite variety (a chip-in from the groomsman).
My two go-tos H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon or the Rocky Patel Decade
I love a good cigar after a long day. Have relaxed many a night away playing pitch, sipping a beer and enjoying a good cigar.
Favorites:
Rocky Patel Vintage 90 or 92 (the bigger the ring the better)
Graycliff 1666 (A fantastic cigar that produces a huge cloud of smoke and taste great)
Tips:
*I am from a small town and while the local smoke shop does have a decent size walk in humidor the selection is not good. They are also ridiculously overpriced. I quickly found that buying a humidor for my self for about $75 and stocking it with things I like was the way to go. Ordering from websites like http://www.cigarsinternational.com, http://www.cigarmonster.com, and http://www.JRcigars.com . I have had great luck getting anything I want. If you watch the sales you can get great smokes for around $2 each.
*Always use either a wooden cigar or a butane torch lighter. Start by toasting the end of the cigar without drawing just to blacken the foot. Then apply the flame and take a couple good draws rotating the cigar to evenly light all edges. After that just keep in mind that your cigar will go out if left alone for long but don’t fret just re-light it by taping to remove the ash and then blowing air out though the cigar to remove the stale smoke. Light as before.
Ah, cigars. I enjoy about one every two months. Always a well deserved indulgence and a pleasure. Often, I take a nice long walk around and slowly just… drift.
My favorites are medium thickness maduras. I like that rich, almost ‘wet’ feel of the smoke, and it combines so beautifully with bourbon or good aged rum. I’m not a label tracker, so frankly, I don’t recall names of makers very well. I go into the local humidor and pick one by direct smell. I ask questions about any rarities available, but never pay more than $15 for a cigar. I’ve found that above $15 just costs more for no good reason to my senses. I always grab a box of fresh cedar matches, and end up leaving the box at some bar or window sill.
I walk around with a flask of booze and a bright red burn. Some people get out of the way because they don’t like the smell of smoke. Most get out of the way because they know I’m am completely blissed out.
Tip: I use my house key to bore a hole in the head. I suppose this isn’t the best method, but after losing about 10 guillotines I gave up on that. A pocket knife, sometimes, but the key trick has been my way since I was 10.
Yup. I’ve been stealing Dad’s cigars since I was 10. Almost burnt down the barn one time. Too relaxed to see where the ash went and if it was hot.
Hm. I think it’s about time for my cigar walk, this evening, in fact. Time to call the boys and see who wants to get into trouble on a Wednesday night.
Although I’m pretty new to the world of cigars, my favorite that I’ve tried so far has been an Arturo Fuente.
Acid Ming Natural 6 X 60.
This cigar rocks over all others in my opinion.
A few thoughts on the subject of cigars
Golf course cigar – Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 1 7.2 x 54 Maduro large enough to get through six holes maybe nine depends on pace of play.
Lawn tractor Cigar – The CAO America 5 x 56 what is more American than cutting grass and smoking a cigar.
On the deck grilling/relaxing – Maker’s Mark Robusto 6 x 50 strikingly delicious great smell
Without a doubt, my favorite cigar is the Padron 6000 Maduro.
My most memorable cigar experience was smoking an early 1995 Lewinski. It was well aged with perfect aroma and flavor. It contained the thrilling scent of scandal.
My old college room mate, who was also the best man in my wedding, is serving in the air force now. We usually make a point to smoke a cigar whenever he visits. The sad part of the story is that he is satisfied with the “cigars” available at the gas stations. I’m going to see if I can’t break him of that the next time he visits. Surprise him with a real cigar!
Shortly after discovering the joys of a fine cigar, my sister-in-law and her husband came to visit us for Christmas. They live in Chile. The husband handed me a box of Romeo y Jullietta petite coronas, with the Habanos label affixed accross one corner. They were some of the best puros I have ever enjoyed. I have heard that they are hand rolled along the inner thighs of virgins. Truely a fine smoke.
My absolute favorite is a Red Lion Colorado Maduro. My buddies and I would enjoy these almost nightly while deployed in Iraq. It was a 30-40 minute break from the unpleasant reality around us. They are strong and spicy cigars. Like smoking a Cigar dipped in Tabasco.
I seemed to have always done well with the Punch line, specifically their Robusto Maduro cigar. Personally I enjoy a pipe a bit more.
A great tip is to be slow about smoking a pipe/cigar. It isn’t going to burn quickly like a cigarette, and the flavor will be much more appealing. It is not uncommon to have to relight a cigar/pipe a handful of times during a smoke (and is often a good indicator of conversation).
Cheers
I was “brought into manhood” with my first cigar about a year and a half ago. It was a Padron. I still remember that evening in the cigar bar with a beer in my hands and a smoky haze throughout the room. Ever since then, I have continued to go back to the Padron…sometimes I enjoy the natural, and other times I’ll enjoy the maduro.
I have also gotten a taste for the Romeo y Julieta, particularly the maduro.
Because society’s standards have changed since the Churchill days, it is not as easy to enjoy a good cigar. One now has to either build a ventilation system in the home/work office, go to a cigar bar, or enjoy a smoke on the patio at home. Option one is unpractical for most. Depending on where you live or the freedom of your time throughout the day (ie. family man), option two can be limiting. And as for smoking on the home patio, it only works when the weather isn’t freezing or scorching. Oh for the days of Churchill!
P.S. When I grow up, I want a job like Rush Limbaugh where I can work and smoke a cigar at the same time. What a gig!!!
Me and a buddy were at a fiber optic training class in Cincinnati just prior to be deployed overseas. We were setting on the Kentucky side of the river right across from the Great American Ball Park, drinking a beer, smoking a cigar, and chatting with the waitresses when we saw Ken Griffey Jr hit a home run on tv. Then the fireworks started shooting up from the ball park. pretty cool! That was the last time i have had a Helix cigar. I cant find them here in Northern Indiana. CAO is probably my favorite maker right now. Connecticut wrappers, 5″ and a 48-ish gauge. Shock top on draft, and a bon fire. Good times!
I was studying abroad in Europe last semester and decided to take a week to visit Venice. While I was there, I decided to purchase a Cuban cigar, something I had only ever imagined of doing in the United States. With two other friends in tow, I sat down along Venice’s Grand Canal with nothing but the stars overhead and smoked my first Cuban cigar.
I will never forget that night.
I would have to say that my favorite regular smoke is La Vieja Habana by Drew Estate, but in Canada I prefer Romeo y Julieta Churchill Cubans!
Rocky Patel has a great line of moderately priced cigars. I enjoy the Edge (Sumatra if you can find it) and the Vintage ’90s.
Once the fall season comes around, my favorite way to enjoy a cigar is with a complementary bourbon and a fire in the back yard. But don’t just grab any stick and any drink. Talk to your local cigar dealer and match up the two. Some cigars can’t handle a strong in-your-face bourbon like Booker’s, others (I’m thinking Padron 1926 Anniversary)…well that just a great night!!!
I love La Gloria Cubana cigars. Dominican Romeos are great too.
My favorite Cigar experience came while in undergrad at The University of Arizona (Bear Down Wildcats!) at the start of Christmas break. Being an RA, we had to stay after all the residents left for break and that meant party time in the dorms! Being the oldest dorm on campus (anybody know which I speak of?) there were only 6 of us RA’s but we invited the other small dorms over to enjoy. Needless to say, debauchery ensued and great time were had by all. The evening ended with late night pizza and cigars with my fellow RAs on the roof of the dorm. To say I was (and still am) rather ignorant as far as good cigars go, we did frequent the local humidor (Anthony’s Cigar Emporium) and took the advice of the fine gents there.
Recently, I have wanted to get back into the habit of sharing a good smoke and drink with good friends, but do not know where to start. This would be the perfect way to start!
My cigar spreadsheet that I keep a bit too meticulously will tell you that my favorite cigar when considering the taste/value relationship is an Arturo Fuente Hemingway (Churchill). I smoke too often to spend more than $10/stick on any kind of regular basis. How do I partake in said cigars? Well let me count the ways! 1. Golf … imperative. The cigar clip that clips to the steering wheel or cart is a must … considering they are under 10 bucks a pop I weep for my friends who must prop their stogie up on a tee or worse yet lay it on the ground to taint the taste with whatever the groundskeeper decided to spray that morning. 2. Though not considered proper cigar etiquette (primarily since you aren’t getting the intended message from the cigar), I will smoke the same cigar for 2-3 days in my car on the way home from work. Nothing better to lower the stress level on the highways. Get home … use the same cigar clip to clip it to the visor. Light up at 5 pm the next day! and finally … 3. I have three kids and I try to keep the smoke away from them but … stogies make me a better dad (I know it sounds like b.s. but it’s true) … I will play outside for hours more if I have a cigar on hand. I walked them for many blocks more when they were babies than I would have sans cigar. I have some proud moments but none finer than when I wheel my baby’s stroller down the street puffing away and watching the moms look out their front doors in disbelief … everyone should try this once!
For you guys at that awkward age between 18 and 21 (you can smoke but can’t drink yet) I found that a cigar pairs very well with a good root beer. Of course, after I turned 21 I moved on, but “beer” and smokes was a regular occurrence to celebrate the end of an academic semester for my friends and I.
Good info on the Cuban. Will have to try that if/when I get up to Canada. My dad smoked one once in Ireland, but he hardly smoked cigars so I couldn’t put much stock in his opinion.
As far as domestic cigars, I’ve mostly had to stick to cheaper machine manufactured brands such as Grenadiers (cuban seed tobacco) and my old standby — Backwoods. Whenever I smoke it I’m reminded of Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns. When my dad ran a tavern, Dutchmasters Panatelas were the most popular, followed by White Owls. Of course, in college guys like Black and Milds. Some would use them for alternative purposes….
Even though it is a flavored cigar, I recommend that everyone try The Drew Estates’ ACID line of cigars. they are infused with many other oils and herbs. more of a piney, cedar,floral taste. This is best accompanied with a good single-malt scotch( or cognac) in my opinion. The whole experience is meant to relax, reflect, and savor on the past, present, and future. my advice would be know your “season”;there is a time or “season” for everything. (you can smoke cigars year round), just wisely choose when and where..
Up til now, I have not had the pleasure of smoking cigars on an all-too-regular basis. I gotta say, though, that i definitely prefer cigars that either bold or spicy in flavor, most likely because I have no sense of smell to speak of :-p
We had just returned from Iraq, and – in attempting to return to my old routines -wanted to pick up a few good smokes. I usually favored a maduro and wanted to try a little variety when I picked up a cigar named Diana Silvius.. it was exceptionally well made! So that night, after most of the guys in my unit had a chance to decompress, we got together around the bonfire, and I passed out my cigars as gifts for my brothers. It was funny to watch men try to choke down a cough, but it was a great time and fantastic memories!
I’m personally a fan of CAO cigars.
I’m a big fan of the Padron Churchill Maduro, but lately to allow me to smoke more without breaking the bank I’ve found myself buying a cigar by Pepin Garcia called Benchmade. It’s much cheaper but still a great smoke if you like a full bodied spicy cigar.
I overwhelmingly agree that cigars are best enjoyed with a nice beer while sitting on the deck and conversing with friends. Try a Macanudo Hyde Park Natural paired with a Shiner Bock or a Baccarat Rothschild (slightly sweet tasting wrapper) with a Shiner Blonde.
I graduated from Black and Mild and Swisher Sweets with my first Macanudo. I’m still not terribly experienced with cigars, but seem to like all I’ve tried from the MAcnudo line.
My father inadvertently turned me on to cigars. When I was young I’d see his crinkly package of backwoods in the cup holder of the car and although he made a point of rarely smoking in front of me, I admired what he was and the cigars were part of that. Today I smoke Padron, almost exclusively. I only smoke once a month on average, so when I do, I light up an anniversario 1964 or 1926. I haven’t tried the 80 year yet. I doubt I’d be able to tell the difference… and I’d rather have two 1964’s for the same price.
I used to only smoke two different cigars by Drew Estates called the Java (like smoking a coffee:) and the acid line. However, my tastes have started to mature and I have branched out to the regular cigars. My current favorite is the Rocky Patel 1990 vintage. I did however, try a cuban that friend had “Imported” and it was quite excellent.
It’s nice to have kind of a tradition with friends where we can just sit smoke and chat once a week or so. With all of my friends getting busier with careers and school, sitting down with a nice cigar is a pleasant distraction.
I’m a big fan of Arturo Fuente cigars. They’re a little lighter than what my friends usually smoke, but I prefer them. The best times I’ve had with my friends included a cigar a bottle of scotch, and a wonderful summer evening. Because of families and careers we can only do this a few times a year, but we all look forward to it.
I wonder if anyone here would be able to help me. I love one cigar, but I have been having a hard time finding it in my local area (Hudson Valley, NY). It’s called El Hemingway. I got it while on vacation in Key West, FL, and I have been looking to find it sold in a nearby store, but cannot.
I have found the Gurkha line of cigars to be tasty and reasonably priced. However, I have not had luck with their Micro Batch offerings.
My favorite cigar smoking experience occured on my honeymoon. My wife and I went on a cruise to St. Martin and St. Thomas, while there we purchased a couple of cuban cigars. While they were very good, I wouldn’t say they are the creme de le creme of the cigar crop, but the circumstances of our smoking were outstanding. Sitting on the deck of our ship, at sunset with a couple of drinks we smoked our cigars and celebrated our new union. It was an amazing memory.
My first cigar was given to me while on a short tour with a jazz band my freshman year of college. It was a very manly experience to be given a cigar by older, well-traveled musicians and let in on discussions I had never been privy to. This was also the night I was introduced to scotch. While I found both scotch and cigars disgusting at the time I have now come to have a passion for both. I can hope only to pass a similar introduction to the round table of men to another young man someday, perhaps a son.
While I am not a particularly skilled cigar aficionado, I figure what better way to improve my tastes than the cigar of the month club. I am generally stuck smoking the discount models, relying on friends to find me a good smoke. I would be lying if I said I am not incredibly excited about beer. Beer – that’s where I’m a viking.
Anywhere that society or the wife doesn’t frown at you is a good place to smoke.
My favorite cigars are from the Romeo Y Julieta brand. They are relitively cheap, can be found in most all places cigars are sold, and reliable. My buddy and I always smoke them.
Though I don’t get to smoke cigars as often as I’d like, I have a great cigar-clipper that makes a nice V-shaped hole in the end (or “head,” I see above). I also have an ashtray with the flag of the Soviet Union on the bottom I love to use to catch my cigar remains. I call it “the ash heap of history.”
Rocky Patel and CAO are two of my favorites…whatever the size, shape, or style, these two brands always seem to deliver. For the newer smoker, I recommend AVO, I started with those, because they were much milder than most others. There is nothing more “Manly” than a stogie with your best buds and your drink of choice…port, scotch, etc. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Enjoy…
Spending a year in Japan really made me appreciate good tobacco, especially cigars. I took 4 Padron 1964 Exclusivo’s to tie me over. When those ran out, I was stuck with a limited range of bad cigars… those were sad times. Coming back to the States and having a good range of Nicaragaun tobacco has been great!
The first cigar I ever smoked was a Dunhill EMS. It was remarkably smooth and creamy. I had just turned 21 and a co-worker gave one to me. From that moment on, I was hooked.
Never smoked a cigar but love a fine beer.
Don Lucas cigards, by far the best I’ve smoked in years. Smaller, flavorful and savory.
http://www.donlucascigarsoriginal.com/
I’m a fan of the Rocky Patel Edge (toro corojo to be exact), and I seem to be in good company judging by the other comments. I find them well made, spicy/flavorful and generally a great deal for the price point. The warning on the box that they are for “serious smokers” or something like that seems a bit out of place. I’ve yet to keel over due to their strength. Still they are a full-bodied smoke.
While reading the article I was struck by the sentance “Cuban cigars are indeed better”. Then later “The cigar-smoking experience is very personal. Everyone has different tastes”.
One of my favorite cigars is Cuban (Partagas, Series D #4), but that doesn’t mean that they all are better (better being VERY subjective to personal preference).
I’ve smoked too many to count & have found many that will give a Cuban cigar good competition. A good example is Romeo & Julieta Reserve Real (drooling just thinking about it).
Don’t believe the hype; trust your experience (try at least 4-5 of a brand/size; size DOES matter) balanced with the experience of others.
I’ve never smoked a cigar but I love how they smell.
My favorite brand of cigar is Partagas. Cuban or not, I have always found them to be the most reliable no matter what kind I get.
My favorite cigar tip is to those that are trying to cut their cigars for the first time. As long as you don’t have a torpedo, you can get a perfect cut every time by laying the cutter flat on a table/counter, putting the cigar through the hole until it rests on the table. Close the cutter, and you have about as perfect of a cut as you can ask for. The best part is, even when you slip and have an Oops! moment, you can almost always recover with a second cut. The table just acts as a built-in guide.
I’m partial to anything CAO, particularly the MX2 which is dark and spicy. I also enjoy Drew Estate, including the nontraditional Acid sub-brand. Great for beginners as they are generally light and flavorful. The flat Waffes are particularly interesting, and a great conversation piece.
I have many memories of my Grandfather, who enjoyed cigars. I remember the smell of the cigar…one of my favorite. I have no idea which brand he smoked or even how often. I will tell you, I don’t remember him without one. He has been gone many years so I will have no way to really know. Now that I am 41, I remember my Grandfather and his cigars, and I have considered having my first. I don’t really know any more about cigars than what I have read on this posting, and trust the many opinions here as to it’s satisfying enjoyment. I look forward to finding one that reminds me of the aroma of my Grandfather. This would be a great way to help find what I am looking for. Who knows, maybe my children, or even grandchildren, will have some of the same fond memories of me than I do of my Grandfather.
My Go-To cigar is the Romeo and Julietta Reserva Real Robusto. I make time for one every Monday evening.
The smell of cigars makes me think of my dad. He used to smoke them when he walked his ranch. He used to smoke Swisher Sweets. By the time I got older and learned how much better cigars there were and would have gladly bought him some, he was no longer around…
One of my favorites is Don Diego Lonsdales. It is a very smooth smoke.
No matter where you go, there is nothing that beats a Rocky Patel Vintage 1990.
The best cigar I ever had was in Nassau, Bahamas in 1999. We were doing a job there for about 3 weeks and got shut down for weather for two days. Came across the island to Nassau and got rooms. It was in between cruise ships and the town was almost deserted of tourists. I walked up the stairs above some street level shops to the Casa del Habano, the Cuban government’s state owned cigar store. For about an hour and a half I was the only customer in the store. The woman who ran the place was a smaoking hot Cubana who spoke perfect English and claimed to have a degree in tobacco agriculture from the University of North Carolina. She gave me a very comprehensive lesson in Cuban cigars,counterfeits, counterfeit labels and boxes, cigar storage, wrappers and much more. I ended up splurging on my Amex Card for a 1968 Montecristo and some 20 year old dark Cuban Rum. I sat with her and talked out on the balcony over the street and watched the day fade into evening out over Nassau Harbor. Some of the best money I ever spent.
My first cigar was a Camacho cigar that I received for free. I enjoyed it, though I accidentally inhaled the first time. I felt dumb.
hey guys! Thanks for doing the article that I suggested!
Favorite experience of cigar smoking was during college visiting Detroit and smoking at a Greek restaurant in Greek Town “The Pegasus”. Just great.
Excalibur #4 are my favorites. And yes I have a source for Cubans
My first cigar experience came from a college friend who happened into a chance excursion down to Cuba. Upon his return he regaled us with tales of summertime in Havana while we lounged on our porch enjoying our smuggled Cubans and cayparenias.
My first cigar was bought at a gas station. It just tasted like burnt paper. As the article said, money isn’t everything, but I don’t think you can get a good cigar for 50 cents either!
Punch Rothschilds; Padron 3000s.
Best cutter? My experience has been good with a rolled blade cutter (sometimes found in the 45 magnum cigar cutters). Simple twist and you’re through without crushing any of the outer wrapper or wondering when to stop. Even draw, every time.
Went from smoking 2/day to smoking 1/year on my birthday…
(
Guess I’ll go light up before today’s over!
A Fuente curlyhead this year… yum.
J
My favorite cigar I’ve found through a long tobacco filled journey is the H. Upman Vintage Cameroon. My friend had suggested it to me when we were having a cigar social at my house, and I have to say that I quickly fell in love.
One of my favorite cigars was hand-rolled by master artisan Dagoberto in the Ybor City Museum in Ybor City, Florida, the former cigar capital of the United States. There’s nothing like watching a guy roll a cigar and then hand you one that’s at its peak, ready to smoke. Heaven.
MONTECRISTO WHITE LABEL #2
When I turned 18, merely 3 years ago, my best friend’s stepfather, a descendant of the late Al Capone (no exaggeration), showed me his cigar collection. Before that day, I’d never tried a cigar, or even a cigarette, not even a puff. I was treated to a sight of a beautifully kept den, complete with overstuffed leather chairs, highly lacquered tables, and a hutch cabinet with three identical humidors. The humidors were each fairly small, about the size of an average shoe box. In two of the ornate boxes were fine Dominican, Honduran, and Bahamian cigars. In the middle humidor however, were his collection of various brands and styles of authentic Cuban puros.
Opening that box yielded the most delectable odor of Spanish cedar, and fine tobacco wafting through the air. Selecting 3 cigars (one each for me, my friend, and himself) my host sat us down and over the next twenty minutes explained to me the finer points of cigar smoking and the hobby in general. I properly clipped the head of my cigar, lit the foot, expelled the first puff, then inhaled a long steady draw and kept the intense cedar flavored smoke in my mouth. By the time we had all lit out cigars and were well on our way to filling a solid glass ashtray, my host had served us a generous portion of brandy out of a decanter. The combination of flavors, smells, textures, and overall overwhelming of my senses was a very important and significant turning point for me. It was then at merely 18 that I knew that this sort of pleasure need not be reserved for those “old gray haired fellows”. A good drink, fine cigar, and better friends, is not dated, its timeless.
Now, while I am still a young man by most standards (21), I have “converted” dozens of friends and colleagues to the hobby and have enjoyed many long nights and intense debate, witty anecdotes,and thrilling stories over billowing cigar smoke.
That first cigar was a Cuban Monte Cristo #4, of which I still have the band tucked away in my humidor.
What a great giveaway. My favorite right now is a Rocky Patel.
My favorite cigar, or should I say my most memorable cigar session, was smoking a wonderful Cohiba Red Dot over a bottle of Glenfiddich Twelve Year with a good old friend who had just returned home from being overseas in the Marine Corp for more than two years. Never a better combination of cigar, scotch, and company.
having a cigar with a friend while fly-fishing, after his first child was born is a memory I’ll always cherish!
Great article!
I enjoy 5-6 cigars a year – smoking a cigar is a rare pleasure for me. I enjoy CAO, Romeo y Julieta, and Rocky Patel lines.
I’ve had many good cigar moments. My wife smoked her first cigar with me. Lots of cigars on the back porch with good friends. But my favorite cigar moment had to be as a senior in high school. Three of my best buds and I went backpacking for a week. Our “essential” gear included several stogies each! I can vividly remember sitting around a campfire on a brisk, clear spring night smoking our sticks, talking about the life we had lived, the life we hoped for in the future, and creating more memories as we went. It was a rare and memorable bonding time. To this day when I smoke a cigar on my back porch, if I close my eyes, clear my mind and listen, I can feel the warmth of the campfire, smell the smoke in the air, and hear our youthful voices of yesteryear.
Thanks for bringing me back to those memories!
I like a strong, full bodied cigar like Onyx Reserve. Trends in ring guages don’t affect me: I like a robusto.
The first Cuban I smoked was in Spain, on a trip through the country. I don’t know if it was the cigar itself, or the great Brandy that accompanied it, but it was fantastic. Oh, I know…maybe it was the sweetest because I didn’t have to pay for either one!
I have enjoyed the occasional cigar for years now. Despite trying an actual Cohiba Esplendido on a fishing trip in Canada years ago (which I found to pleasant yet overpriced), I maintain that there are numerous Dominican cigars that are fantastic and
quite reasonably priced. The best pieces of advice that I can offer any cigar smoker, both new and experienced are : 1) Do your research and talk to your tobacconist as much as possible before buying, and 2) ALWAYS put the unlit end in your mouth !!!!
My favorite brand is Romeo y Julieta. It has a strong tabacco flavor without being too overpowering. I remember my friends and I smoking this cigar off a dock one night in Montego Bay, Jamaica. With the smell of the ocean and cigar smoke in the air it felt very manly.
My favorite cigar experience was this past June two nights before my wedding. Three of my groomsmen, brothers with whom I had all shared more memorable moments over stogies than can be counted here, were all finally brought together at the same time to enjoy each other’s company and love for fine tobacco and Irish Draught.
My suggestion actually comes from one of those guys, Curt, who as we discovered over the past year that it doesn’t depend on how fine a quality cigar you purchase sometimes there are flaws in the rolling that without a cigar “poker” can ruin what otherwise would be a great smoke. A one-time investment of $20 on a cigar poker can save countless sticks that would otherwise be wasted money.
Favorite Brands include (amongst others): Fuente, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas and Olivia
Another idea for getting your hands on cubans is to travel to mexico. They easy to get there. While I have family in Costa Rica, I’ve always planned a short hop to Cuba in person, since CR doesnt have an embargo in Cuba.
My favorite cigar: Oliva Serie G. And, even though nobody asked for a favorite beer, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, from Great Lakes Brewing Company, is perhaps the best dark beer I’ve ever tasted. Check it out.
In 1992, a girl I loved broke up with up me because she felt I wasn’t ready to commit at 21 to a deep relationship. She told me then that if I’d shown some sign, given her some indication that I was in for the long haul, even a cigar band would have sufficed, that she would have stayed. Eighteen years on, both married and divorced, we connected again, and at our first in person meeting, in my pocket sat a fine Romeo and Julieta Corona, that I pulled from my pocket, knelt on one knee, removed the gaudy red and gold band, and slipped it on her finger saying “Do you have plans for the next 40 years”. She replied “No”. To which I responded, “You do now”. We’ve been married for 6 months towards that 40 years now. On my way home from that first encounter, I smoked that cigar, long and slow and it was the most memorable smoke I’ve ever had. Never underestimate a good cigar.
Nica Libre has been a recent favorite. Smooth and won’t break the bank
cant go wrong with a montecristo #3 and a Sam Adams Octoberfest… perfect for tailgating saturdays in the SEC
Cohiba Esplendidos on the honeymoon on the beach in Cozumel. No cigar will ever compare!
I started with Swisher Sweets when I was 18 and quickly moved from there to flavored cigarillos. Within a year I’d had my first real cigar, the Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight, which I still consider today to be one of my favorites. I also enjoy Partagas, Macanudo, and an occasional Ghurka. Theres nothing like a good cigar, good friends, good drink and a good game of poker.
Smoking a cigar with my buddy Keith on his deck. Our wives work together, and when we finally met and and hung out, an evening of good beer and conversation led out to the deck for a smoke and the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Cigars make great client gifts! (Love them myself.) They’re also wonderful on camping trips. Besides a great experience, cigars keep the mosquitoes at bay wonderfully well.
I do need to expand my cigar experiences – but I do love a Macanudo.
Can’t say I really knoe cigar brands well, but my fave experience was buying a legit hand rolled in mexico. Unbelievable flavor.
I bought a humidor a few years ago and invested in some decent cigars. Great investment and I have been able to enjoy a great cigar whenever I want. Just have to make sure to maintain it or it can be hard to get it back to normal.
I don’t know too much about cigars, but I do remember the best one I’d ever had was when I watched the women rolling the tobacco and then buying one fresh off the line. Smoked it that evening, watching the bay. One of the most amazing nights.
Happily partook in the celebration of a good friend’s first son birth by sharing “It’s a boy” Cohiba’s. Never looked back to see if there was another brand to consider. A little later in life a mentor helped to find the nuances of a Cohiba and a never ending bucket of Glenrothes. Ahhhh…
My personal fav is the Partagas Black. Smooth, even smoke. A tad robust but not overpowering.
Being a lover of full flavored food and drink (red wine, stouts, etc.) I have found, no big surprise, that my cigar tastes to run more to full bodied smokes. I am partial to maduro rubustos private label my local shop stocks (Nicaraguan). My best tip – don’t light your cigar with matches but use a butane (not lighter fluid) lighter. Matches (and non-butane lighters) leave an off taste to your smoke due to the chemicals used to promote longer burning (matches), and in the case of lighters, a ‘lighter fluid” taste. Both can ruin a good smoke.
At our monthly 7 card stud table, Henry Clays and Bahias are the favorites.
I have never yet smoked a Cigar, but the best memory I have associated with Cigars was when the men of my college dormitory organized a cigar party one night, and invited professors to come and join in reading and discussing poetry while smoking cigars. I partook of conversation but not of cigars. It was a bit pretentious, but it felt extremely intellectual (even a bit bohemian) to sit in the courtyard of out dormitory enjoying the smell of good cigar smoke and the sound of poetry and conversation. Fortunately, pretentious intellectualism is forgivable in college.
My first cigar was probably a Phillie unfortunately. However, over time I have progressed to enjoy some of the finer points in life. Though I must say I am a big fan of the playboy roll from JR Cigars. And my true favorites are Davidoff’s. They just have a superb flavor. I hope that I can win this contest and for luck I will go light a nice Trinidad Cigarillo now. Cheers
My favorite experience with a cigar was at my cousin’s bachelor party. We were in a casino, and I picked out a couple Dominican ones to smoke. We sat in a bar, had a few drinks and smoked for about an hour. It was a great time.
Definitely CAO Gold
Relaxing with a fine cigar and a drink after a BBQ on a warm California night with best buds around … hard to beat.
The most enlightening and enjoyable conversations I have ever had have been accompanied by the beautiful aroma of a cigar. My first experience being with a hearty flavored Monte Cristo.
My first cigar was a Romeo y Julieta. I had just turned 18 and everyone was buying cigarettes, so I decided to go big. No worries, I didn’t smoke like a chump and turn green, but I definitely didn’t enjoy it to the fullest extent.
The most embarrassing cigar experience I ever had was in Vegas. I was playing roulette and the server came by so I purchased a Romeo y Julieta. About 10 minutes later there I was smoking away when I needed both hands to play. Like a total amateur, I bit the cigar in my mouth to free up both hands, and promptly started inhaling…the coughing attack was so intense, I spill my drink everywhere!
My best cigar was a Monte Cristo bought at a small cigar shop in Nuremberg, Germany. Very smooth tasting! Thank you for this giveaway.
Favorite(s):This is such a tough choice because there are so many great cigars in the world, but if I had to choose one it probably is the Romeo and Julieta for mildness, overall consistency of flavor, and unparalleled quality. Having said that, I have grown to really enjoy and appreciate dark Cameroon wrapped cigars for there mildness, smooth draw, and even consistent burn. Brands such as Oliva, Gurhka, and Aspira also make wonderful cigars.
Tip: If you decide to smoke cigars then you need to invest in good tools: a great guillotine cutter and a strong flame throwing lighter. These two tools will add so much enjoyment to your experiences.
Experience: The best experiences I have had are hanging out at my local cigar shop in the company of other good men watching football, hanging out with friends, and enjoying an adult beverage. There is something super special for me about smoking Churchill cigars, its a bonding experience and it makes me feel good.
Cheers!
I love CAO cigars. Pretty much every product in their line is great, but my favorite is the Criollo
It would be nice if we could get that embargo to go bye-bye so that I can smoke myself those amazing Cuban cigars!
Dying to win one of these AoM giveaways!!!! Come on!
Thanks much for the fine article. I hardly EVER smoke cigars anymore except when camping. Something about sitting outdoors in front of a roaring fire.
My first cigar was a Swisher Sweet! Ye Gods!
Favorite cigar is a Punch Rare Corojo. Pairs perfectly with a Cuba Libre.
Had two boxes of Punch at my wedding recently and they were all snatched up in about 10 minutes. Nice.
Would give anything to try a REAL Punch Punch from Cuba.
Best cigar moment was shared with a few friends on an overnight canoe trip. We cooked dinner by the river and sat around the fire smoking cigars. It has been so long ago that I cannot recall the brand. Good times, though.
Tip: Don’t make your first cigar something cheap, especially when a good cigar can be had for under $5.00. How will you know if you even enjoy cigars if you’re dropping a buck-fifty for a no-name drug store brand when you could spend just a few more bucks and get something that will reward you? And don’t even think of trying your hand at a pack of Swisher Sweets or some such.
My favorite memory of cigars was an epic, four to five hour dinner while I was in the Marine Corps. Five friends sat around a table of excellent food and fine wine and afterward smoked cigars while continuing the conversation long into the night.
My first trip to the Carribean turned me on to the wonderful world of cigar smoking.
There is nothing like a good Arturo Fuente and 3 fingers of single barrel Carribean Rum-
My favorite cigar is a Macanudo Hampton Court. I first discovered this cigar while exploring downtown Anchorage while stationed there. A friend of mine stumbled into a small tobacco shop and into the humidor. We had no idea how to pick out a good cigar and only guessed when we walked to the counter with two Macanudo Hampton Courts. The store only nearly panicked when he saw us attempt to light them with a Zippo outside of his store. We were then schooled by the owner on the use of wood matches when lighting cigars.
While I have smoked better cigars and more expensive brands I still come back to this one for the memories.
Best cigar moment was on a cruise ship with my fraternity brothers. It was my first experience with cigars also.
Smoking a cigar on the balcony, porch, or deck of a house or apartment during a mild summer night is a fantastic way to prolong a great day.
I once had a Cuban Punch with a tall Erdinger on draft at a pub in Scotland. Best. thing. ever.
I don’t believe there is much better than smoking a Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Torpedo with a draft Harp on the end of a summer night.
I dont remeber the brand, but my first cigar was one I had with my old man. I will always relish that day of my manly initiation!
Cigar rolling is one of the famous art all over the world.Now a days it is considered as a part of entertainment.Most of the people enjoying the cigar rollers event as part of entertainment in parties and in marriages.
With my extremely limited cigar experience (only about 20 in my life), my favorite thus far is a Romeo y Julietta Romeo’s Court. I’ve only recently taken the plunge and began my serious attempt to become a true connoisseur. Obviously, this membership would go far in making that goal achievable.
My buddies and I get together every two weeks or so to sit around our “smoke shack” (my cleared out garage with couches and a “manly” decor), and smoke cigars and tip back a few cold ones. Our choice of cigars are generally a more mediocre type. We always gaze at the expensive cigars when we are browsing through the humidor, but we always seem to revert to the cheaper ones due to our poor college studentness. Hence, why I would love to win the beer and cigar subscription of the month.
I toured the Leon Jimenes cigar factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic years ago and thus began my love affair with cigars. A truly wonderful event that allows a tour of the hand rolling area where cigars are crafted, followed by allowing tour members to enjoy a cigar with some fine Dominican Presidente. This is a right of passage for any man and something that stirs the echos of the fine men in history. I would love to pass this along as a gift to my brother in-law who has just welcomed into the world his three week old daughter, this would be a wonderful way to celebrate his journey as a man.
I’ve always been partial to Cohiba Coronas
I remember when I turned 18 I bought my first cigar, it tasted awful but I smoked it anyway.
I enjoy the CAO Sopranos cigar. I’m sure it’s not the best, but I enjoy the branding.
My favorite cigar, thus far, is a Romeo y Julietta. Not too sweet, not too harsh… and it’s real smooth. My favorite cigar memory was when I was the best man for a friend’s wedding. After a night of shooting pool with the guys we went back to the house we were all staying at and made a bon fire. We then broke out an assortment of beer accompanied by a Romeo y Julietta and we roasted the man of the night.
I’ve been around the world. In War zones and Hot zones. When I left for Ft.Bragg in 83 my dad sent me out the door with a hand shake, some good advice “Be Good, Stay Alert” and a fist full of Partagas Padre Cigars. When I left Bragg my driver loaded my gear and I lit my cigar. “I did it dad”. My brothers and I have enjoyed a Partagas Padre Cigar in deep in the jungles of Panama, in the Euphrates river Valley in Iraq, and on the side of volcanos in Guatemala. He is with me every time I fire one up.
Recently I have been enjoying a cigar comes from Don Kiki. Its a Churchill Limited Reserve Red Label which I find the best. It is aged for three years and has a nice and smooth flavor.
Davidoff is the best of the High End cigars that I have enjoyed, great quality and consistantly good. They have marketed their apprentice roller cigars under the Private Stock label, and these are fantastic and are quite affordable. They are made from 1st quality tobacco so you are able to enjoy a high end smoke for an affordable price….sort of like champagne tastes on a beer budget.
My favorite cigar experience… a guy I knew offered me a cigar almost every time a saw him, of course I took him up on it. One day I was on the street in front of his house and he invited me in to show me where he stored them. He had turned a closet into a walk-in humidor, it was if I had walked into a cigar shop. I still have no idea where he got them all.
I had a good friend over who had always told me he loved to smoke a good cigar, so I pulled out some of my best that had been sitting in my humidor for almost a year, 2 Cohiba’s he proceeded to bypass the cutter and tried to bite off the end, and then after mutilating a fine cigar, he only smoked about a quarter of it before he left! No Shame!
By no means is it the first or the most expensive cigar that I’ve had, but for unexplained reasons its my favorite: a Don Mateo. Its a dirt-cheap cigar thats good any day of the week, described to me as “a good smoke while mowing the grass.”
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