RELISH YOUR CIGAR

When we think about cigarettes being smoked, we usually get the image of rugged cowboys and masculine men. However, such image cannot be associated with this modern age of cigar connoisseurs.

The earliest cigars were probably those rolled by native Cubans. Later on cigars were associated with aristocracy. Cigars were and by the end of the nineteenth century, they had become a mark of luxury. Smoking cigars was for men only and special smoking clubs called divans sprang up where men could enjoy their habit. In the twentieth century, cigars were associated with notable public figures…ranging from presidents to gangsters to entertainers.

In today’s day and age, it is not rare to witness women smoking cigars or going to cigar shops. In spite of this, it is a given fact that cigar shops will always be frequented by men. These men are from every aspect of life, from any age bracket or belonging to any financial bracket. Therefore no cigar smoker is alike. Nor are all cigars alike. The notion and generalization that non cigar smokers may have that all cigar smokers and cigars are alike would offend and outrage the affluent and wealthy cigar smokers belonging to an affluent circle.

Cigars, being handmade or machine made or hand rolled can be found in classic cigar shops or even convenience stores (for machine made cigars). Cigar connoisseurs do not typically smoke mass produced cigars that are made by machines, but opt for premium handmade cigars that are made by professional cigar rollers in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Most cigars are named and classified according to their size, shape and color. Since cigars range from a variety of different sizes, shapes and colors, it is often difficult for a novice cigar smoker to understand the cigar jargon used by cigar aficionados. Cigars may be Pantelas, Coronas, Lonsdales, Robustos, Churchills or Figurados and the flavor of these cigars may range from ‘mild’ to ‘full-bodied’.

The brands of cigars that cigar aficionados and connoisseurs sought after are those that have a unique and delightful taste, bouquet and aroma. Some aficionados have described the production of cigars to be analogous to wine production.

A cigar requires three kinds of tobacco leaf as its primary raw material. Small or broken tobacco leaves are used for the filler. Whole leaves are used for an inside wrapper called the binder. The binder leaf can be of second quality or imperfect and its appearance is not important. A large finely textured leaf of uniform appearance is used for the outside wrapper. Secondary raw materials include a tasteless gum to stick the end of the wrapper together, flavoring agents that are sometimes sprayed on the filler leaves and paper used for the band placed around each cigar.

The manufacturing process of cigars includes the cultivation of tobacco, the curing wherein the tobacco leaves must be cured in order to develop their characteristic aroma. This must be done in the right temperature and sometimes such temperate is monitored. The next step is fermentation of the leaves so that they change color and the aroma and taste of the leaves develop. And the last step is stripping of the leaves before they are rolled.

The level of humidity in which cigars are kept greatly varies their taste and aftertaste. An ideal rate of humidity allows an even burning of the cigar whereas dry cigars become fragile and burn faster, while damp cigars burn unevenly and take on a heavy acidic flavor. Therefore, every cigar connoisseur needs a humidor to properly store, protect and age cigars.

Cigar smoking, like wine, is a please that improves with age. Therefore, it is for you to decided whether you want to develop your own individual taste and move from being a cigar smoking novice to a cigar aficionado. As being a cigar aficionado goes beyond the cigar itself. It is an entire lifestyle!


Andrew Wright

Chief Marketing Officer

AJ’S CIGAR

(www.ajscigar.com)

1-866-244-2792