The nature of life is demanding. It can be a grind getting from point A in our world to point B. Before we know it, days, weeks and even years can get behind us. We must remember that we have a choice in how we go through life and few things are as important as stopping to enjoy small pleasures. For those interested in cigars, understanding Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics can be a delightful first step.
Cigar Basics for Beginners
One specific pleasure that is growing in popularity is fine cigars. We are not talking about the 25 cent version that could fumigate a barn. We are talking about well made, hand crafted sticks designed to allow you to enjoy a quiet moment of flavor and peace. With that, it’s time for the basics of Stogies 101, where we will cover some cigar basics.
The world of cigars can be a bit intimidating to the uninitiated so let me take you on a short trip through a summary of what the heck this is all about. When we are done I am sure you will understand just what the fuss is about and you too will be counting yourself as one of our new cigar brothers or sisters. Without further ado, I present “The Cigar Questions you Have but Didn’t Know it,” another installment of Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics.
The Cigar Questions you Have but Didn’t Know it
While Columbus is credited with the introduction of tobacco to Europe, the Mayan Indians of Central America had been smoking tobacco long before Columbus’ parents even thought about little Christopher. This historical tidbit is part of the larger narrative explored in Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics.
The word the Indians used was sikar which would be morphed by the Spanish into cigarro and then to cigar. Tobacco soon became a massive cash crop and it flourished from Virginia throughout the Caribbean. By the 19th century there were cigar factories scattered around the United States as the popularity of the cigar began to grow.
Cultural icons of the time such as Mark Twain were rarely without a cigar which further fueled its growth. Cigar smoking continued to expand over time and more makers entered the market. Considered some of the best, Cuban cigars ran into an issue in 1962 when President Kennedy imposed an embargo on Cuba and its’ new leader Fidel Castro. What you probably don’t know is that Kennedy sent his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, on a mission to find as many Cuban H. Upmann petit corona cigars he could find in Washington. Once he had secured around 1200 of the cigars, Kennedy put the embargo in place.
Fast forward to today and the cigar is as if not more popular than it has been in modern history. Premium cigars are made in several different countries, including Nicaragua, Brazil, Cuba, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Philippines. Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics will help you navigate this variety.
From Cuba with Love
Following a recent change in relations with Cuba, people are once again being allowed to get their very own hand wrapped Havana. While considered a premier cigar, the quality of cigars from other countries has improved dramatically in recent years and in many cases, rivals their Cuban counterparts, as discussed in Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics.
We have our history lesson out of the way, now we need to begin to understand just what is what with different cigars. And because this is Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics, you need to know that cigars come in a variety of shapes and sizes and is one of the primary ways cigars are classified. Cigars are measured using two specific factors – length and diameter.
Measure That
While length is measured in inches, the diameter of the cigar is measured in something called “ring gauge.” The diameter is broken into 64ths of an inch. As an example, a cigar with a ring size of 44 is 44/64ths of an inch in diameter. Sorry, I should have warned you that there would be math involved. Don’t fret over it though. This is just a guide to give us an idea of how close to an inch in diameter the cigar is.
Cigars also vary in length from something called Nubs which are short cigars in the 4” range to Cohiba Lanceros which can reach the 7” area. Contrary to what some believe, there is no connection between the size of a cigar and its strength. It all comes down to tobacco used.
TThere are two specific classes regarding shape. Straight-sided cigars with rounded heads and an open foot are called aparejos, and cigars with irregular sides are called figurados. A good example of this style is the torpedo, whose name describes its shape quite well. For Stogies 101, basics like these are essential as we dive deeper into various styles.
Know the Parts
The cigar has four parts: the cap, or tip, the head, the body, and the foot. More simply, the foot is what you light, and the cap is where you cut the cigar. The insides of a cigar can be complex and based on unique formulas created by the makers. Suffice it to say the filler, binder, and wrapper are topics worthy of an article by themselves. In the end, a cigar maker wraps everything together, caps, and trims the stick to a uniform size. At a minimum, cigars age 21 days, with some aging them up to 24 months.
Let’s Do This
Well you have all of the fundamentals of history and nomenclature so let’s move forward a bit for Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics. When it comes time to choose your first cigar you should visit with a professional tobacconist or good friend who is extremely knowledgeable about the topic. A buddy smoking whatever is on sale does not count.
Your tobacconist will also have a cutter to trim the cigar for you. Next up we need to put flame to it. Simply hold it in your hand and put flame to the foot. Rotate it gently until it is glowing a bit, then take a few puffs on it to get it rolling.
Now for the most important thing you must know about smoking a cigar. Do not inhale. Yes, let the President Clinton jokes roll freely now, but this is no joke. Inhaling can be overwhelming and even lead to nausea. Cigars are like exceptional Scotch or wine. You should puff on the cigar, allows the smoke into your mouth to enjoy the flavor, and then blow it out. Take your time and enjoy it.
We smoke a cigar as a pleasurable break from the hectic nature of life. I hope you have enjoyed the basics of Stogies 101 – Cigar Basics. Remember, everyone has ultimately the same destiny. We might as well take some time and enjoy the ride.
For more information visit: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/
