Women & Cigars
For centuries, few women smoked cigars, and even when they did, it was primarily out of sight from the public. As gender roles have become less stringent and women are making great strides on the road to social equality, more and more have been enjoying cigars. But cigar smoking was more or less, an art. And for those who used to take up this pastime, here are a few great tips:
Anatomy of a Cigar
Cigars are not simply large, brown cigarettes. There are three main parts of a cigar— the wrapper, the binder, and the filler. The wrapper is the tobacco leaf that burns well and comes from the bottom of the plant. As the outermost part, the wrapper largely determines the way a cigar looks and feels. The binder is made up of coarser tobacco leaves that are harvested from the middle of the tobacco stock, and it keeps the wrapper and filler held together. The filler itself (the middle portion of the cigar) can consist of leaves from almost any level of the plant, depending on the desired flavor and strength. This portion can also be long or short, with lengthier leaves being uncut when handmade, and smaller alternatives being cut up when machine-made.
Cigar Shape
If you are brand new to cigar smoking, you may not have known that cigars come in rather varied shapes with their own names. The most traditional (and most common) cigar shape is the “parejo”, which is even in thickness and shape throughout the body and has rather blunt edges. The other four “irregular” shapes of cigars are called “figurados”, although each does have its own specific names. For example, the “torpedo” is blunt on one end but suddenly tapered off into a point at the other (creating a torpedo shape”). The “pyramid” is very similar to the torpedo at a glance, but its sides merge inwards more gradually, resulting in a skinny pyramid. The “presidente” also resembles a torpedo or parejo, but it is much larger and often has a small foot on the non-rounded off end. The “perfecto” is typically much fatter in the middle and narrow on either end. For an added visual check out Wikipedia’s cigar shape chart found here.
There is also the “Culebras” cigar, which is just three long, straight cigars braided together into one, and the “Tuscanian”, which is thin and long with a thicker middle (this is also an Italian cigar rather than a Latin American one).
Cigar Size
Cigars come in many different sizes, assessed by both the length and what is called the “ring gauge”. The first measurement is quantified by how many inches fall between one end and the other, while the second reflects the diameter as determined in 64ths of an inch. The lengths and ring gauges of cigars vary greatly, from very skinny ones of about 3 inches in length and a x18 ring gauge, to much fatter ones of 7 inches in length and a x78 ring gauge. Very small versions often resemble cigarettes and may even come with filters. Nevertheless, it is the flavor and strength that really matters.
Cigar Flavors
The real flavor of a cigar is in its filler. Like coffees, these fillers come in “blends”. The tobacco used in each blend range from the more lightly flavored “volado” leaves from the bottom of the plant and the slightly stronger “seco” leaves from the middle, to the stronger and oilier “ligero” leaves from the top. Darker mixes tend to be sweeter, while the lighter ones tend to be drier and stiffer. Each brand’s style tastes unique, and they can range from spicy and harsh to creamy and smooth. The best way to find what flavors you enjoy is to try at least 25 different cigars, repeating the ones that pique your interest. It’s like exploring different wines.
Famous Cigar Brands
There are literally hundreds of cigar brands, but of course some are better known than others. For example, one of the most famous cigar manufacturers in the world is Altadis U.S.A., responsible for brands like Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Trinidad, and H. Upmann. Though many of these brands started in Cuba, they later moved to the Dominican Republic and have other production facilities in Puerto Rico, Florida, Virginia, and Honduras. Nevertheless, each cigar typically has components from different places around the Americas. For example, the iconic “Montecristo Classic” has a wrapper from Connecticut’s “Tobacco Valley”, a select Dominican binder, and Dominican filler. Other cigars may include combinations of wrappers, binders, and fillers from countries like Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, and other places.
That being said, the Altadis U.S.A. brands are often very rich in body and flavor and are for those who already have smoking experience. Some great “starter” cigars are Gispert, Montecristo Double Corona, Upmann 1844 Reserve Belicoso, and Romeo Y Julietta 1875 Delux No. 2 While also made with ingredients from places like the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, these particular cigars are mild to medium in body and flavor and are less intense options for the amateur cigar smoker. You can cheaply buy all these smokes from online cigar shops like JR Cigars and Burning Leaf Cigar, allowing you to explore your preferences without breaking the bank.
Cutting a Cigar
As you probably already know by this point, you need to cut a cigar in order to smoke it. And this is just part of the art form. To perform this properly, you first need to identify the correct end to cut. What you are looking for is the part you put in your mouth, which is the rounded end, also called the “cap” or the “head.” Although you may occasionally see people bite the ends off cigars or even tear it off with their nails, what you really want is to cut it off neatly with a clean, sharp tool. There are cigar cutters made for this purpose but, if you can cut cleanly without leaving jagged edges, you can use a knife. The snip should be performed just above the actual cap line, which is just before the curved part starts to straighten out into the body of the cigar (yes, it’s a very small piece).
Lighting a Cigar
This too may seem very simple, but there is still a science to it. Hold the cigar at about a 45-degree angle, just above the flame (do not put it directly in the flame because this can burn too much of it too quickly). Place it in your mouth and “puff” on it, drawing in from the flame until the end is fully lit and ready to go.
Now, cigar smoking is meant to be a relaxing and pleasurable activity. Don’t overthink your options or feel overwhelmed by them. As you develop into more of an aficionado, you’ll become more adept at realizing which flavors and styles you prefer. Many people enjoy trying new kinds of cigars for years rather than just picking one or two types and sticking with them. Take your time, and above all, enjoy your new hobby.
