Choosing a Great Cigar

Choosing cigars is a subjective art. Here are a few simple tips to help make your search a successful one!

Hecho a mano ~ Spanish for “made by hand,” which denotes a premium cigar. Look for this on the box the cigars are packaged in, and usually on the cigar band as well.

Country of Origin ~ The best legal cigars today are made in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Dominicans are known to be mild, Hondurans medium-bodied, and Nicaraguans full-bodied, though these stereotypes are less and less accurate because it is common for cigar manufacturers to share tobacco.

Cigar Characteristics ~ When you pick up a cigar, gently squeeze it with your fingers to test its firmness. It should be supple, neither soft nor hard. The outer wrapper should not crack at all when you do this test. When you run your fingers along the wrapper, it should feel slightly oily.

Tobacco Strength ~ The blending of tobaccos from different regions and countries and the choice of wrapper tobacco is most responsible for the character and the strength of the cigar. The simplest classification system for cigar strength is mild, medium, or full-bodied. Most beginning smokers start with mild cigars and, as smokers’ palates develop, they often favor more full-bodied selections.

Brand-name is Best ~ If you are a novice, start with the well-known brands, such as Macanudo, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta. There is a reason why they have been around for so long. Once you are familiar with these cigars, then you can start experimenting a bit more with other brands.

Brand Consistency ~ Regardless of size or shape, all cigars of one brand taste the same and are made with the same tobacco. Smokers choose different cigars based on personal smoking preferences such as how long they like the cigar experience to last.

Buy from a Trusted Source ~ Quality tobacconists can give you great suggestions, and you can trust that their cigars have been properly maintained. On the other hand, tobacconists can turn a good cigar bad. Trust in someone like Coastal Cigars to provide you with consistent products every time!