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How to Choose a Cigar!

When you're ready to take the plunge and join the millions of people who regularly enjoy cigars you have to know how to choose a cigar. This isn't difficult as there are only a few things to remember.

Start with a mild cigar

This goes especially to the beginners. Smoking cigars is something of an acquired taste. Cigars can be mild to quite strong. Mild cigars cost less and they are much easier on your mouth and throat, so start with a mild smoke.

Inspect the cigar

Squeeze the cigar gently to feel if there are these soft spots. A well-made cigar shouldn't have any. The cigar should have some give, but not be too soft. Rolling it between your fingers can damage the wrapper; just squeeze gently.

The wrapper should be smooth and tight and the ends should not be damaged. Also check the size of the veins - smaller veins usually smoke smoother. Check the tobacco in the exposed end. Most cigars are made from a blend of tobaccos, so some color variation is normal, but extreme or abrupt color changes could indicate an inferior quality leaf, or that the leaves weren't laid together properly in the bunching process.

While other things are best served when fresh, with fine cigars and wine it is true that “the older, the tastier”. The cigars must undergo the necessary process of fermentation before it could really be of “good taste”.

What are the qualities of a good cigar that is worth your money?

• It burns evenly all the way down when lit; it is of good quality because if it does not, it means that it does not have a proper roll.
• The cigar produces a firm ash while smoking; it is another sign of good quality. If the cigar has a firm end, it also makes it a good one.
• the cigar is of good quality and that it is made of one hundred percent tobacco. Some cigars are more of the non-tobacco components like paper, glycerine or saltpete
• No to lumpy cigars. You could check out if its lumpy or not by giving it a gentle squeeze. Also check the wrapper. Refrain from picking cigars that have wrapper discoloration.

The general, several criteria must be used in determining if it is good or bad: body, flavor and aroma. In choosing the cigar for you, these three are the elements of gauge. Cigars also come in varied flavors like Spice, Cocoa or chocolate, coffee, not or wood. They also come in different wrappers, fillers and binders.

Tip #1 - Where the tobacco was grown makes a difference in the way cigars taste

When you're just starting out the tobacco that goes into it won't make a lot of difference. As you get some experience you should make a point of trying cigars from different countries. The holy grail of course is a Cuban cigar. These are somewhat difficult to get in the US but cigars from the Dominican Republic and other Central and South American countries are excellent alternatives.

Tip #2 -The same is true of the wrapper

Cigars with light brown (natural) wrappers taste much difference than cigars with very dark brown (maduro) wrappers. This is true even if the cigars are identical in all other ways. Try one or two of each to taste and appreciate the difference.

Tip #3 - Store your cigars properly

There is nothing that can turn a fine cigar into a hot, harsh smoking experience better that letting the cigar dry out. If you leave the cigar in the pack or plastic wrap but exposed to the air then it will dry out. Serious cigar smokers invest in a humidor. You don't have to spend the money on a humidor, especially when you're just starting out. I use a couple large glass jars with tight fitting lids. I blow a couple of hot, humid breaths into the jar before I close it and this works great.

Cigar smoking is a relaxing and enjoyable experience when you have the right cigar.

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