Cigars 101 – A Complete Guide to the Basics – (Part 1)

So, you have been seeing stuff on the internet, movies, magazines, or even on the street with people smoking cigars and you think, “Ooooh how cool and mysterious. I would have to be famous or a rich oil tycoon to do that. I wonder what it would be like to be THAT COOL!” Well believe it or not, you don’t have to be any of those things to smoke cigars. All you need is a few bucks, a good tobacconist/cigar shop, and a sense of adventure.

Kicking back at your local cigar lounge is a great way to relax and enjoy your down time in a hassle and judgement free zone. As my favorite cigar lounge owner says, and I have found to be true is, “Cigars are the great equalizer” When you are in cigar lounge enjoying a smoke (and possibly a drink), everyone there is there for one reason; to enjoy their smoke and relax. It is a great way to meet new people, network, and engage in interesting conversation with those from all walks of life. There, it doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you make, what your political, or religious affiliation is. You are there for the cigars. That common thread alone builds friendships and families you would have never expected.

But you are still thinking to yourself “I don’t want to go in and look like a moron. I am afraid they will laugh at me. I don’t know anything about cigars and how to cut them, light them, cigar etiquette, or even smoke them.” You tell yourself it is just too scary and hard! Well believe it or not, everyone has been in that spot and we did get laughed at…but we also met some of the best people in the world and built relationships with others who enjoy cigars just like you. They don’t laugh at you, but laugh with you, and help you learn more about the great art of smoking cigars and cigar culture.

To help you out, here is a complete Cigar 101 on the basics of cigars, cigar culture and etiquette. Learn how to not only find a good cigar, and to smoke it, but how to hang at the lounge and look THAT COOL.

What the heck are cigars? (the 101 version)

Cigars we know and love are hand rolled tobacco made of 3 main parts, the filler, binder, and wrapper. Different tobaccos are combined to create unique flavor, by master blenders, just like a sous chef, a wine maker, or chocolatier. Depending on the tobacco used, the blender can create a cigar to appeal to different people’s flavor pallets. Each part of the cigar adds something to the flavor of a cigar just like different spices and ingredients change the taste of your favorite dish. Let’s take a look at each part and what they might offer.

• Filler

The filler goes on the inside of the cigar and is folded/bunched to add flavor and strength to the cigar. Different tobaccos can be arranged in different densities and orders to blend the flavor the master blender is looking for. They can also be arranged to change the flavor as the cigar is smoked, adding complexities the blender is looking for.

• Binder

The binder gives the cigar flavor, but also give the cigar structure and combustion. The binder holds the filler together and makes sure the cigar burns properly and evenly. The flavor of the binder can be smoother/softer flavor-wise to offset over powering strength of the filler if needed.

• Wrapper

The wrapper can contribute to around 40% of a cigars flavor as well as adding aesthetics to the look of the cigar. A great wrapper can really make a cigar a hit out of the ball park, or a grounder to first base. The wrapper goes on last and is tied down with the cap mentioned earlier.

Let’s now look at the entire cigar. From the diagram below, you can see the parts of the cigar. We have talked about the tobacco parts, but the rest are important for the makeup of the cigar. A picture is truly worth a thousand words and this one speaks volumes. We see all the parts and how simple it might seem, but a lot of hard work and artisanship go into creating each one.

Cigars are made up of 3 main sections. The Head, Body, and Foot. Those 3 parts together make up what is called the “Barril” of the cigar. The mid-point is called the “Caliber”. The Head has a “Cap” which is where the wrapper if secured. It is made up of 2-3 pieces of tobacco that are glued on top of the end of the wrapper. That is what you cut through to smoke. The foot has a “Tuck” where the wrapper is started and held in by the binder.

What is up with all the different shapes and sizes? (or what women keep telling me, “Size Matters”)

Cigars come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. I am not going to spend a lot of time here, because let’s be honest, some are just crazy. Here is a chart of a lot of sizes and shapes. There is a lot here, but I don’t think even this is a complete list. The reason for different sizes is about flavor and aesthetics, but mostly flavor. Changing the shape and size can drastically change a cigars flavor. It is all about changing the proportions of the different tobacco leaves in a cigar compared to the whole. Check out this crazy list.

As you can see there are a lot of shapes and sizes. Here is a short list of the most popular shapes.

• Corona Gorda
• Robusto
• Toro
• Churchill
• Lancero
• Pyramid
• Torpedo
• Figarardo
• Box Pressed

Ring Gauge – Is this what I use to check the air in my tire?

Once you see the all the shapes, lets now look at “Ring Gauge”. Ring gauge is measured in 1/64th of an inch. Cigars range from a smaller 30 ring gauge to 60+. A 64-ring gauge cigar would be one inch in diameter. The smaller the ring gauge, the more flavorful it will be because it will get a lot of its flavor from the wrapper.

The larger the cigar is, the more it relies on filler and binder for its flavor and can offer more strength and a longer burn time. I have seen some crazy size cigars (novelty I am sure) that I would not take on. See this one. LOL!

Choosing a cigar

Ok, you now know a bit about cigars, their shapes, sizes, the parts of a cigar, and which end to cut and which to light. But now you must go into a humidor and pick out a stick to smoke. You walk in and see this…

AHHH!!!!…Don’t panic. This is where your local shop can make or break their business and your smoking experience. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Let them know you don’t know a lot and are looking for their help and recommendations. If they don’t seem helpful, thank them for their time and leave. There are plenty of other shops who would be happy to help you. They should ask you questions to help you decide. To help you help them, here are some questions they may ask and what you need to know about how to answer…

Stop interrogating me!! Oh wait, you are just trying to help.

• Do you drink coffee and if you do, how do you take it?

This might seem like a weird question, but the first time I heard it asked, I understood what they were looking for. If you drink your coffee black, your palette is already ready for a stronger, bolder cigar. With cream and/or sugar, you might want something milder on the tongue. This will help the guys at the shop to gauge what you might like.

• How long do you have to smoke/enjoy it?

This will help them determine a size that would suite your time frame.

• When and what are you going to be doing when you have the cigar?

They are not trying to be nosey about your home life, so don’t get defensive. What they are looking for are simple things to help make sure you have a good experience with your smoke. Some examples would be “I am going to smoke it first thing in the morning with my first cup of coffee.” Then they might have in mind something that compliments a good cup of joe. “I am going to have it out on the golf course with my homies.” They might recommend a stick with more oil on the wrapper that will stay lit out on the windy course. Also, pay attention to what they recommend if you pick one out because you like the band or box label. I asked for a recommendation once and they recommended a very nice cigar. He advised, “Smoke that after a good meal or steak dinner. The strength and flavor will go good with it and might be a bit strong on an empty stomach.”

• What is your budget?

This also isn’t a personal judgment question. Hand rolled cigars have a varying cost. They can range from a few bucks to the $10-$20 and even the $30+ depending on a lot of factors. Do not go in and say “Give me you BEST cigar!” You will look cool for about 2 seconds…then you will look silly. Start out with something for a few bucks till you get used to cutting, lighting, and smoking your cigars. Once you have the basics down, then go in and ask about a recommendation for a higher end stick. I often go in to my local shop and ask, “What am I smoking today?” They ask me a few questions about my time and mood and then recommend a solid smoke for the day.

I want into my local shop one day and said my usual “What am I smoking today?” to one of the owners. Dave asked “What are you in the mood for.” I stated “Surprise me.” He smiled and said, “I am going to make you hate me…That is when I knew I was in trouble. He recommended a superb cigar. It was something a little pricier than my everyday smoke, but worth every dime. He stated it would be the cigars I compared all others too. And he was right. I hate you Dave.