The cigars at the annual trade show of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association are not the packaged stogies found in an isolated corner of a convenience store. These are hand-rolled smokes — sometimes with Cuban seed tobacco grown in a non-embargoed country — that can go from a couple of bucks to $30 each…

Cigar Anatomy

There are various parts of a cigar; do you know what they are? There are many cigar smokers out there who have never taken the time to learn the basic parts of their stogies. It’s true, you don’t have to know the different parts of the cigar to enjoy smoking it, but taking some time out to learn how they are put together can be extremely helpful when you go to pick out high quality cigars.
The first thing you should notice when you look at your cigar is the wrapper, which is actually a layer of tobacco wrapped around the outside of the cigar. The wrapper is one of the most important parts of the cigar because it gives the cigar most of its flavor. The wrapper is usually made of the best quality tobacco leaves. The color can vary between very clear (claro) and very dark (oscuro).

The binders’ job is to hold all the tobacco filler together and is commonly known as intermediate leaves. Binders vary depending on the cigar.

The final thing you should know is about the filler that makes up most of the cigar. Filler is basically tobacco. The filler can be made long or short. Long filler is made up of whole tobacco leaves, and short filler is made of scraps of leaves.

cigar tasting

Cigar quality and taste — The Fine Art Of Cigar Tasting

Cigars are meant to be savored.  They are a luxury.  As with any luxury one should strive to extend the pleasure for as long as possible.  Take your time to really enjoy all that stogie has to offer.

Cigar Tasting Tip 1: Some connoisseurs recommend rinsing your mouth or even brushing your teeth before indulging.  This is so you are able to taste the full flavor of the cigar.  Remember that this entire time in your life is about you and your cigar.  Make the moment count.  Light up in a place and at a time that you can devote yourself entirely to the stogie.

The first step in appreciating and enjoying a cigar to its fullest is to learn to evaluate the look and feel of the cigar. For now forget about the taste and smell.  Instead you should learn what you can by inspecting the cigar’s appearance.  Experience pays off of course.  You will eventually come to recognize visible characteristics that can indicate a really good cigar.  Many people actually take notes (keeping a cigar journal or diary) that can assist them in making wise decisions later.

Cigar Tasting Tip 2: Next you should consider the pre-light aroma and flavor.  Initially you may only smell wrapper and tobacco but eventually you will be able to discern different fragrances.  Some may be sweet like cocoa, some may be more like a spice and still others may have a woodsy aroma.

You are now ready to actually draw on the cigar.  It shouldn’t be too loose or too tight.  Like ‘momma bear’s’ possessions, your cigar should be just right.  Next you’ll want to actually taste the cigar.

Cigar Tasting Tip 3: You are now ready to light your smoke.  Hold your flame slightly below the cigar.  Roll the cigar in order to achieve an even burn.  The first few puffs will in most cases not be the best.  Many people blow out through the cigar in order to clear the charred light-up smoke.

Cigar Tasting Tip 4: As you enjoy your smoke see if you can distinguish any recognizable flavors.  Consider the aroma. Better cigars seem to have distinct points at which the flavor changes.  Remember these cigars.  You will generally want to smoke your cigar about ¾ the way down before snubbing it out.

Take the time to enjoy and savor your cigar.  As you puff on your cigar relax – don’t waste the moment.  The real “art” of cigar tasting comes from the enjoyment one receives from the refined skills they develop.  This art provides one with a way to truly appreciate the cigar while taking a break from the rest of the world.  The smoker becomes one with the cigar at least for a moment.

Although it takes some practice to completely grasp the details of this fine art learning to appreciate a good cigar is not difficult.  Remember, practice makes perfect!  Enjoy!

Cigar Beetle aka Tobacco Beetle

Cigar Beetles…nasty.

You may love your new cigar box, but did you know it could harbor a secret predator? Many cigar enthusiasts have opened their cigar box and been shocked and mortified to find their precious cigars destroyed by the Lasioderma Serricorne, the tobacco beetle. These beetles love eating your prized cigars. They don’t have a preference to where you purchased your cigar, they can be packaged or imported and they will feast either way.

So what is the cigar beetle and where did it come from? The cigar beetle, better known as a tobacco beetle, lives in any country that produces tobacco. This beetle lives on tobacco plants, swarming over the leaves and destroying them like the plague. Tobacco beetles live in hot climates and are especially prominent in Caribbean countries that just so happen to be the largest producers of tobacco. The larvae of the tobacco beetles are white and about 4 mm long. Once the larvae hatch, they begin eating their way through tobacco leaves. The tobacco beetle is a survivor and has been known to live through the cigar’s fermentation and production process.  Many tobacco farmers have tried to kill off the tobacco beetles using gases and repellents; however, the beetles are strong and resistant.

Some tobacco beetles make it all the way through to the finished product. In this case, cigar lover would open their boxes and find their beloved cigars have holes all over them. You can often detect the presence of this pest by the small punctures wounds in the wrapper. The holes left by the tobacco beetles can turn a beautiful cigar into something that looks like a flute.

There is hope; you can save your cigars even if they have been attacked by the relentless cigar beetle. The best method is to use your microwave as a way to fight back and kill the lingering larvae. Before you start killing off larvae, throw out the cigars that have been destroyed; the remaining cigars can still be saved. Place the remaining cigars in the microwave, all together for the best results, and cook for around three minutes. After they have been heated up, move them immediately to the freezer and leave them there for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw completely at room temperature. Once thawed, place them in a humidor. Research has shown this method works to remove any remaining beetles from your collection. When you are ready to smoke, open your humidor and look closely at each individual cigar. If there is no further evidence of infestation, it is safe to light one up.