| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | draw smoke through it? If it is almost too easy, then |
| If you’re new to the world of premium cigars, | | | | it’s hot. If it’s really difficult to |
| welcome to a place where long-leaf tobaccos rule | | | | draw any smoke through, it may be plugged. |
| and humidors are standard equipment. Americans | | | | This means there’s something blocking the |
| consume more cigars than any other country, | | | | passage, like a stray stem. Try rolling the cigar to |
| followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. In | | | | unplug it. |
| fact, those three countries together purchased | | | | Rate of burn: Once it’s lit, does the cigar burn |
| three-quarters of all cigars last year. | | | | too slowly, too quickly or unevenly? |
| Cigars are a matter of preference, but there are | | | | Construction: The way a cigar is assembled will affect |
| some questions you should ask to help ensure | | | | the way it smokes. It can be rolled too loose or too |
| you’re getting your money’s worth for | | | | tight. You want the wrapper and filler to burn evenly. |
| your premium cigar. | | | | Sometimes the wrapper will start unwrapping while |
| 1. How can I tell if a cigar is fresh? | | | | you’re smoking it. If this happens at the head |
| A fresh, handmade cigar starts with high-quality | | | | of the cigar, moisten it with your tongue and try to |
| ingredients. And once it’s rolled, the cigar | | | | glue it down. If the unraveling occurs at the lit end |
| needs to be stored properly while in transit. If it was | | | | — or can’t be glued down with |
| stored correctly, it should have a rich, oily sheen. If it | | | | moisture — throw the cigar away. Smoking a |
| doesn’t — and the wrapper appears | | | | cigar without the wrapper can be messy. |
| dull — it may still be a good smoke, but the | | | | Taste: How does the cigar taste? It might be |
| appearance is a good place to start your evaluation. | | | | described as smooth, light, strong, powerful or even |
| The best way to test for freshness is to pinch the | | | | bitter. Ask yourself when the taste presented itself? |
| cigar between your index finger and thumb. A fresh | | | | Was it about halfway through the smoke or |
| cigar will be firm and it will spring back after you pinch | | | | three-quarters of the way into it? Maybe you were |
| it. If it does not spring back — or it feels too | | | | able to enjoy the taste for most of the cigar |
| spongy in some spots — it’s not the | | | | — or maybe it started out with a good taste, |
| freshest cigar you can get. | | | | but ended on a bitter note. |
| 2. Is it handmade or hand-rolled? | | | | Finish: What is the flavor left in your mouth after you |
| Premium cigars can be either handmade or | | | | finish the cigar? A light cigar will have light finish, but |
| hand-rolled. Hand-rolled cigars feature high-quality | | | | those with strong filler will leave a distinct finish. |
| wrappers and long filler, but they can be | | | | 4. How will I store it? |
| machine-bunched and then rolled by hand. (Bunching is | | | | Cigars not stored in a humidor stay fresh for only |
| the combination of up to four types of filler tobacco | | | | about a week. Tubos (wood, metal or glass tubes) |
| that are blended to create the cigar and then held | | | | will protect them from damage, but they will not |
| together by a binder.) A handmade cigar is made by | | | | keep them fresh. Plan to take the cigar out of the |
| hand every step of the way, also using high-quality | | | | tube and put it in the humidor. |
| wrapper and long filler. Because there’s no | | | | Should the cigars stay in the cellophane wrapper? |
| machine involved in handmade cigars, it can be | | | | Cellophane wrappers around a cigar are designed to |
| created with a more delicate wrapper. | | | | keep the cigar’s wrapper safe from damage. |
| 3. Is it a good cigar or a great cigar? | | | | Why keep something natural like a tobacco leaf |
| When you’re selecting your cigars, you want | | | | wrapped in a chemical plastic? Once you’ve |
| the best cigar you can afford. There are five | | | | got the cigars safely home, unwrap them and store |
| categories by which you should judge cigars. Once | | | | them in a humidor where they can breathe and age. |
| you know what you like, you’ll know how to | | | | Humidors keep the environment a comfortable 65 |
| evaluate future purchases. | | | | percent to 70 percent humidity and the temperature |
| Appearance: Look at the cigar’s appearance. | | | | hovering between 63 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Does the wrapper have a consistent color? Is it | | | | On the other hand, if you’re not planning to |
| wrapped uniformly? Is the wrapper oily and does it | | | | smoke them at home — and the cigar will be |
| have sheen? | | | | traveling with you — keep the cellophane |
| Draw: When you light the cigar, how easy is it to | | | | wrapper on to keep it safe. |