| lor: #ffffff;" /> | | | | best way to light them, and learns the best way to |
| Got a cigar-smoking father or husband? Stuck for a | | | | store them at home. You will be surprised at how |
| gift for Father’s Day? Relax, we can tell you | | | | quickly they dry out if not properly contained. |
| everything you need to know to select the perfect | | | | It’s a learned art! |
| “super-premium” gift for any | | | | Get the Most Out of Your Cigars |
| hard-to-shop-for dad. | | | | Here is what long-time cigar enthusiasts recommend |
| Choosing a cigar may seem like an overwhelming | | | | about smoking and enjoying cigars. This is also useful |
| task but read this short article and you will become a | | | | stuff to relate to the profoundly happy recipient of |
| quasi-expert on cigars with respectable bragging | | | | your gift: |
| rights AND, you’ll be able to tell him exactly | | | | • There are many types of cigars. |
| why you thought he’d like the | | | | Experiment with new sizes and flavors. |
| Dominican-grown Robusto with a Maduro wrapper. | | | | • Don't inhale cigar smoke when puffing and |
| Type of Cigar Based on Size | | | | keep the smoke in your mouth for the shortest |
| There are several ways of categorizing cigars: size, | | | | length of time. |
| shape, strength, their country of origin, and the way | | | | • Unless you buy your cigars in single sticks |
| they are made (hand-rolled vs. machine). The most | | | | that were stored in a humidor, age your cigars by |
| common way to categorize a cigar is by size, which | | | | stripping off all packaging and placing them in a |
| is the cigar’s length in inches and ring size | | | | humidor for a few months before smoking. Do not |
| (cigar diameter) measured in 64ths of an inch. There | | | | store your cigars in the refrigerator because it will dry |
| is actually a name associated with each length and | | | | them out. |
| ring size and these are the cigar names that you may | | | | • Throw away partially smoked |
| be familiar with. Corona, Panatela, Torpedo, Toro, | | | | cigars—do not put a stinky used cigar in your |
| Churchill, Perfecto, Cigarillo, Lonsdale, Robusto, and | | | | humidor! |
| the largest of them all, Giant. The Giant style of cigar | | | | • To really enjoy your cigar smoking |
| is 9 inches in length with a ring size of 52! | | | | experience, choose the right drink to go with your |
| Colors, Shapes, and Hand-Rolled | | | | carefully chosen indulgence. Try some strong-flavored |
| After choosing a cigar based on size, you can start | | | | drinks to enhance the flavor of your cigar, such as |
| to whittle down your choices by choosing the color | | | | scotch, port wine, and Kahlua drinks. |
| of the exterior wrapper color (there are more than | | | | • Biting the tip off a premium cigar should |
| 100 different wrapper shades!) and the shape of the | | | | only be done by gangsters in movies. Don’t |
| cigar. Flared, tapered, pyramid are the basic shapes. | | | | do it. Use a sharp cigar cutter. |
| And don’t buy the cheapest cigar -- | | | | • Do not use paper matches to light your |
| hand-rolled cigars should be your only choice. No one | | | | cigar. Use a butane lighter for best results. Wooden |
| can ever appreciate the true joy of cigar smoking | | | | matches are OK but make sure you let the sulfur |
| with a machine-made cigar. Don’t even spend | | | | burn off first. |
| the money. | | | | • When you are finished with your cigar, let it |
| Start with Mild-Flavored Cigars | | | | burn itself out in the ashtray. Snuffing your cigar out |
| If your gift is for an aspiring cigar connoisseur, start | | | | leaves an unpleasant smell. |
| by buying one of several different sizes/styles of | | | | Get That Man a Cigar for Father’s Day! |
| cigars at your local tobacconist. Choose mild cigars at | | | | If the thought of choosing a cigar for a |
| first and work your way up to stronger flavors. Here | | | | Father’s Day gift is overwhelming, never fear. |
| are the benefits of starting with mild cigars: they | | | | Cigar accessories, such as cutters, humidors, lighters, |
| generally cost less than stronger cigars and you | | | | cigar cases, and ashtrays, will also make a cigar |
| won’t lose as much money as your beloved | | | | smoker happy. You need not travel to your local |
| learns how to cut the ends appropriately, learns the | | | | tobacconist to find the best Father’s Day gift. |