The Five Commandments for Amateur Cigar Smokers

I like a good cigar. Sometimes people excitedly tell me that they also enjoy a good cigar. When I ask them their favorite brand, the typical response is:

"Oh you know, Dutch Masters are pretty good.."

And I die inside, just a little bit.

It is the same pain I feel when my palette craves a fine wine while at a dinner party and upon inquiring about the brand and vintage year, my host replies:

"I'm not sure, I'll go grab the box and see.."

But I digress, this is about cigars.

First and foremost, cigars are a tobacco product. If you have the foolish notion that cigars are healthier than cigars, then perhaps you should find a safer hobby. Smoking is not the best thing one can do for their health. However, unlike cigarette smoking, cigar smokers typically do not smoke as often and smoke for pleasure rather than addiction.

I have ushered many starry eyed friends into the cigar smoking community, casting away their packs of cigarettes in favor of a well rolled, high quality cigar. As such, I have compiled a few do's and don'ts when selecting your cigar.

The First Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Buy Cigars at the Gas Station

Don't buy them. I don't care if the clerk at the counter assures you that they are of the highest quality. Cigars can be obtained from any local smoke shop. Going to a shop which specializes in cigars and pipes which is staffed by people who know what they are doing is a great start to selecting that first stogie. Additionally, the atmosphere of a smoke shop is typically more conducive to the gentlemanly act of buying and smoking your cigar.

The Second Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Just Buy the Most Expensive Cigar

I have been to many smoke shops and I'm sad to say that some just plain aren't very honest. Telling them you are an amateur leads some to direct you to the most expensive cigar brands, such as Monte Cristo. Be aware that the most expensive cigar is not necessarily the best for you. Cigar smoking is based upon your personal tastes. If you are unsure of the cigar you are being shown, smell it and absorb its aroma. Allow the flavor to dance on your palette and ask yourself "Is this pleasurable?" If the answer is yes, then you should at least give the cigar a try.

The Third Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Bite Thine Cigar

We've all seen the movies where the guy bites off the end of his cigar and spits it out before smoking. The end of a cigar is closed and needs to be opened before you can smoke. However, biting is a very poor way of achieving this goal. Your finer cigars are wrapped well, but not so well that tearing off entire sections will not cause them to partially unravel. Aside from this, you look like a fool when among more seasoned smokers. Use a cigar cutter to clip the end or a cigar punch to puncture a hole in the end.

The Fourth Commandment - Thou Shalt Burn Evenly

So you blazed up your first cigar and noticed after a few minutes that half of your cigar is burning while the other half is fizzling out. This makes for one funny looking cigar for certain. Ensure that you are evenly burning your cigar to avoid this. When you first start out, puff your cigar while holding the end in a flame, allow the flame to be drawn into the cigar as you puff and allow the flame to touch the entire end, not just a portion. If you notice your burn is becoming uneven, take out your handy lighter and light any unlit areas as you puff.

The Fifth Commandment - Thou Shalt Store Thine Cigars Properly

When I first began smoking cigars as a senior in High School, no one told me anything about proper cigar storage. Instead of a humidor, I kept my cigars in a plastic bag in the glove box of my Mercury Sable. I couldn't understand why, after two weeks, my Romeo y Julieta (which I had been smoking on and off for the whole time) was starting to get a little funky. This brings me to two very important final points. While it is possible to stop smoking a cigar and continue it later, by starting to smoke that cigar you have dramatically decreased its shelf life. Keep in mind, not only has it been burned, but moisture has gotten inside of it and that will start to affect the taste very soon. As for new cigars that you are storing, make sure that you keep them in a humidor (with optimal humidity of 70%). This will ensure the greatest protection for your investment.

There are many great cigars out there so don't get frustrated if you don't like the very first one you try. Coupled with wine, cognac or Brandy, a cigar can also be a great way to follow a good meal or just the perfect way to gather with friends and for a good discussion and a time you will remember.