Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle.
George Burns
In recent weeks, you have asked me about my particular love for cigars. I realize there's a certain degree of confusion regarding this subject, (and that's compounded by your lack of understanding as to why I enjoy them), so it seems to me that a few basics should be covered in regards to this subject.
The basics begin with the construction of a cigar: It starts with the filler, which is then secured in place with the binder, and is finished off with the wrapper. Long filler cigars are just what the name would suggest: it's long sections of the leaf, cut on the bias, (following the main stem), and rolled together to be held in place with another section of tobacco leaf. (The binder, obviously.) Short filler cigars may be cut on or against the bias, then wrapped in the binder. In some American cigars, these could include machine pulverized pieces of leaf, (such as you might find with White Owl and HavaTampas), which tends to provide a good, uniform smoke, but also a much cheaper one. (Just a suggestion: Stay away from Swisher Sweets, and this would include the Blunts. They're dry, and they're nasty tasting. I have no idea what their filler is.)
As I said, the binder is usually a part of a tobacco leaf, though it should also be pointed out that there's Nuway binder, which is made from tobacco, and is a sheet binder. It tends to be flavor neutral, though whether or not this is a plus in your book, I can't tell. To me, I'd just as soon have a natural binder, ideally one which complements the flavor of the filler.
The wrapper, naturally, is simply a tobacco leaf which is wrapped around the whole package. There are a variety of wrappers, but the primary ones are Natural, (a light colored tan wrapper), Maduro, (dark, with a sweet taste and a nice bite to it), Corojo, (tends towards a reddish color), and Candela, (a light green, also rather sweet.) There's also the Camaroon, which is dark, like the Maduro, native to Africa. Personally, I like it, but it's not for everyone. (No, I don't know why.)
Much of what I buy is from the Dominican Republic, and tends to be a bit stronger than what some people prefer. While I've had a Havana, (still the standard), it's simply not available here in the US. Frankly, I doubt the Dominicans will fade away once that idiotic embargo is lifted; the Dominicans have risen to the occasion and created a good product. I prefer the handmades: the torcedores who roll the cigars have better control over the flavor and draw of the final product than any machine. Is it worth the extra money? To my mind, yes, though I've noticed in at least one of the cigar catalogs I get, there's an El Cheapo machine produced cigar for those who will burn anything. They seem to be popular. (Frankly, I'm not that desperate.)
While, yes, there are Dominicans and Cubans, there are superb cigars from Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, oddly enough, and here in the States. Only you can decide which you like, but I've often found it worth the effort to sample the wares over time, and see what tastes the best. Assuming you'd like to take the time to see what works for you, I'm willing to help you in that regard. (Strictly as a service, you understand...) The best thing to do is once you find a dealer who understands cigars, the intricacies of them, what gives them the flavors and textures you find desireable, take your business to them on a regular basis. In the end, they'll help you find what it is you like, and be able to recommend the best smokes for your money.
This is one of the fallacies regarding cigars, that they must be expensive. Nothing could be further from the truth. While, yes, Cohibas, whether they're from the Domincan Republic or Cuba, will be excellent cigars, there are others which are well worth the money, and a lot less. I've enjoyed those produced by CAO, (made by the Ozgener family), as well as the Carlos Torano, and the Punch brand. Oliva cigars are exceptional, though you might find the Puros from Honduras a bit strong at first. (Worth it, though, once you have come to appreciate them.) Of course, a Puro, which has a filler, binder and wrapper from one country, and in some cases, from one field, is going to be more expensive, but there are blends which can be wonderful.
(I've also found that a number of the house brands of some cigar sellers, such as Thompson and Finck, can even be better than the name brand smokes. If you can pick up a sampler, do it. You'll be surprised.)
Sizes are another matter. Length, of course, is in inches, but it's the ring gauge you need to pay attention to. A thin cigar, around a 30 r.g., might burn quicker, but what you'll get is going to lack some of the complexities of a 50 r.g. cigar. A bigger ring gauge allows not only more tobacco, but as in the case of some blended sticks, a broader variety of tobaccos. It makes for a nice combination, very flavorful, and very complex.
Shapes are another consideration. Oddly enough, cigars like Perfectos, Cheroots, and Torpedoes, with their pointed ends, can concentrate the flavors. Personally, I think it tends to add more bite than is necessary, though I've learned that there are those who think that concentration is worth it. I enjoy the debate, and like it even better when we can sample them and see for ourselves what works or not. If a lot of what goes into cigars and cigar smoking seems to be very subjective, trust me, it is. But that's part of the joy.
I used to enjoy them with a good brandy, or even a single malt. That's expensive, (though worth doing once in a while), and I've learned I enjoy them as much with a good cup of coffee, or even mineral water. To my way of thinking, what you drink with a particular cigar can either enhance the experience, or detract. Water tends to leave you with the cigar, and only the cigar. At risk of offending, I like some of the domestic brandies, as opposed to Cognac, given that the Napa Valley is now producing some superb examples. I've also enjoyed it with strong beers like Arrogant Bastard Ale. Others will disagree. I look forward to experimentation to determine the preferred libation. (Volunteers are more than welcome to contact me.)
Once you find what you like, you'll need to stock up. I have a 150 count humidor, which does a nice job of keep them smokeable. Ideally, you want them kept around 70% humidity, which will allow them to burn properly, neither too fast or too slow. A good cigar will be firm to the touch, neither mushy or rock-solid. When you bite down on it, once you've made the appropriate cut in the end, it shouldn't crunch. This is a cigar, not a spoonful of dry corn flakes. It should feel comfortable between your teeth and lips.
Ideally, once you've made your cut in the end, puff on it a couple of times to get a feel for the draw. If you're needing to do any more than a gentle draw of it, try to remember what it was you bought, and don't buy it again. Someone doesn't know what they're doing, and it's going to be a miserable experience. Don't waste your time or money.
I prefer a cat's eye cut on the end of mine. Some prefer to use a punch, while others go for slicing off the end. There's no "right" way to do this, so try several different methods. When you find one that works, stick with it, until your experience or the cigar itself suggests a better way.
And having said this, there's one more thing I should say:
Never, ever, smoke it alone.
I realize this sounds like an odd thing to say, given how often I'm outside the house, enjoying my cigar in solitude. However, this is ideally not the preferred way to enjoy them.
Cigars are, and always will be, a luxury item. Most cigar dealers have long fought the notion of a "good five cent cigar." It should be savored at special occasions, and done so in the midst of friends. Whether they smoke them or not, (ideally, they should be tolerant of the practice), you want to enjoy a good cigar with your friends and family, at times of joy. Personally, I find being able to get together with friends and family a joy at just about any time, (unless, of course, we're discussing "certain" in-laws), but ideally, it should not be a solitary practice.
Don't buy just one. Buy two. Share one with someone special. It's worth the money and the time. And for that matter, take your time. A good cigar will take you over an hour to enjoy, as it should. Don't rush the experience. (If you have to smoke something in a hurry, I would suggest you wait until you can take the time to properly enjoy it. Rush it, and you miss out.) I enjoy a good Churchill, a 7"+ x 50 r.g. cigar, ideally a Maduro. And I've found that to smoke it with good friends is nothing short of sublime.
I realize this will all sound so odd to you, given you prefer to not smoke. That's okay. I'm just as happy to have you here with me as I smoke it, along with other family and friends. I can easily enjoy it downwind. I'd just like to have you here when I do. Cigars are a communal pleasure, and they should be enjoyed among those we love.
I hope you understand that.
Love,
Dad.
Sites to See:
I get my smokes from
Thompson Cigar Company of Tampa, FL. Not only are they reasonably priced, but they have got some incredible humidors. Some of the deals will just make you cry. GO HERE!
Finck Cigar Company is where you can find Charles The Great cigars, which was one of my dad's favorites. Great prices, great people, and from what they say, the Largest Humidor in Texas. Might be worth a trip to find out.
