Cigars come in various sizes, shapes, strengths, and flavor profiles (yes flavor profiles). If you don’t know how to buy your first cigar or are just curious, consider this a buying guide for beginners.
With the information you get in this blog, you will learn;
- Factors that determine a cigar’s quality.
- How a cigar tastes.
- How to choose a cigar
What affects a cigar’s quality?
One criterion that affects tobacco’s taste ad quality is the region where it was cultivated. Some popular countries that produce cigars are Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Nicaragua. Many cigar aficionados swear by one region because of the taste and flavor profile, and they are right in believing so.
Different regions have different soil structures and characteristics that affect tobacco’s quality. These factors include the quality of the seeds, the cultivation process, and the climate.
Processing
Another factor that affects the quality of tobacco is the processing method-This is what distinguishes one brand from another. The curing and fermentation phases largely determine the flavor of the cigar. During the manufacturing process, tobacco leaves are left to ferment for six months to 5 years, and the longer the fermentation, the better.
Premium quality cigars ferment anywhere from 2-5 years. The size and how tightly packed the cigar is will affect the smoking time.
How to choose your cigar.
There are five things you should consider when choosing your first cigar. Note that it is only when you smoke it that you will be able to tell the one that best suits your palate.
- Size
- Shape
- Strength.
- Composition.
- Brand.
Size.
Cigars come in different sizes ranging from the petit corona to the gran corona- Because the industry is not well standardized, cigars also come in different shapes. You can find cigars with a stubby appearance (short and thick) or more elegantly shaped ones (long with medium thickness).
Cigars are measured using two parameters, the length, and the ring gauge or diameter. The length and ring gauge can range from 3 “ -8” and 20-60, respectively.
Strength.
The strength of the cigar depends on the level of nicotine present in it. Also note that if you smoke longer or larger cigars, you will consume more nicotine. You can group cigar strengths into light, medium, and full-body. As you would expect, a beginner shouldn’t start with a full-body cigar like Don Pepin Garcia Cigar. Start with light cigars, then you can transition to others as you get used to smoking.
Shape.
Cigars mainly come in 2 shapes, and many sommeliers believe it affects taste. Most shapes of cigars fall under Parejos and Figurados. Parejo cigars have straight ( except the Culebra) cylindrical bodies, with a cap at the end. Figurados have one or two tapered ends. Common examples of Figurados include Torpedos, Belicoso, Piramide, and Chisel.
Composition.
The composition of the cigar refers to the three layers of the cigar, the filler, binder, and wrapper. The quality of the tobacco leaves will affect the final output.
The wrapper (outermost leaf) plays a significant part in the smoking experience and is treated differently than other parts.
The leaves that make the wrapper receive more attention during the curing and fermentation process. It accounts for nearly 80% of the flavor you perceive when you smoke. Some manufacturers import wrappers from other countries to give their cigars a more premium experience.
How does a cigar taste?
The taste of a cigar is largely due to its flavor profile- This will vary across different brands. You may pick up a cigar with a sweet note, while another might have an earthy taste.
Other cigars may have hints of cocoa, dark chocolate, caramel, or maple. For instance, Brick house cigars have a sweet earthy taste with hints of cedar, pepper, and coffee. The taste can also be a subjective experience, so until you smoke one, you can’t tell for sure.
What brand of the cigar should you buy?
There are many great brands of Cigars, and you may have to try different ones out before you find the right one for you. As always, start with a light cigar, then slowly transition to brands like My Father’s cigars and Ashton Symmetry.