What Should I Know When Choosing A Cigar?        

 Since cigars are somewhat different from other kinds of tobacco, some knowledge can be very beneficial. Since there are so many brands and sizes to choose, sometimes the selection process can become overwhelming. That is why it is important to find a good cigar store with a knowledgeable person working the store.  You can get good advice about flavors and strengths, fillers and wrappers, and over time, will find a lot of pleasure choosing and sampling different cigars, and usually make a friend at the same time.

 The first thing you should determine is the size and strength of the cigar. If you don't have a long time to smoke and enjoy a cigar, then perhaps you should choose a smaller size. If you have the time, then try a larger size, where in many instances, you will experience a more complex taste and a better burning cigar.

 The other big factor in your choice is the how mild or strong you want the smoke to be.  A lighter bodied cigar can be enjoyed at any time of day by seasoned smokers, and is especially recommended for novices or occasional smokers. A mild or medium bodied cigar appeals to the broadest range of smokers, and usually comprises of an assortment of tobaccos, or is made with a slightly darker leaf. The fuller bodied cigar, in many cases, will be reserved for the latter part of the day, and smoked by a more experienced smoker.  Longer aged tobacco, a darker leaf, or a tobacco from a region of the world, which grows a more robust leaf, in most cases will constitute a fuller bodied cigar.     

 An interesting question often posed by the customer is - "what's in this thing"?  Well, to begin with, handmade cigars are made entirely of tobacco and rolled by experienced rollers from around the world. A cigar has three main components – the filler, the binder and the wrapper. The largest of amount of tobacco in a cigar is the filler. It may be
long or whole leaf tobacco, or it can be made from mixed or short pieces of leaf. A whole leaf will burn better and slower, a short filler will usually burn faster, have a shorter ash, and cost less. The filler normally is grown in one country, however some cigars may have more than one. The filler, after being bunched, is bound together by a leaf called the binder. In many instances the binder is from the same region as the filler, although some have a binder from another country, which makes the cigar flavorings a little more interesting. The final element used in making a cigar is the wrapper. Even though it constitutes only a small amount of the tobacco used, it is by far the most important ingredient. The wrapper in most cases comes from a different country than the rest of the cigar. The wrapper in large part gives the cigar its unique flavor and certainly its look and feel.

 Now you have a little bit of background, so when you go to choose a cigar, or if you are talking about different cigars with a good cigar shop proprietor, and you are told what it is comprised of, you have some basic information to use in deciding what you like and what you may try next!

Information provided as a complimentary FYI