Preference for quality smoked cigars is a given and it is no mystery why people would prefer buying cigars as individual sticks rather than in bulk. The bundled or second cigars will still possess the same smoke and tobacco, but for the experts, identifying the difference can be determined in the taste that these cigars would have.

Cigars are usually tagged depending on their point of origin such as Nicaraguan Bundles, or brands such as National, Baitoa and La Floridita. Building brand awareness in the category of cigars takes time, ironically similar to smoking quality cigars which would preferably take 6 to 8 weeks of aging before they are offered for sale to the cigar enthusiasts today.

Some have resorted to trying to quit the habit. Using alternatives such as gum or applying filters to lower the nicotine intake has not done much to alter the demand for tobacco manufacturers today. The efforts made are totally unexplainable and despite the hazard warnings and medical inclinations placed on them, people still continue to patronize and look for them.

Whatever the case may be, it all boils down to really sheer will power to kick the smoking habit and nothing else. Perhaps when the mortality rate of people dying from lung cancer would drop, then it can be said that people are doing something to really kick the habit of smoking.

For one, the tobacco leaves used for some cigars are traced towards medicinal herbs that may be good for the body. This was done in ancient times and has been forgotten ever since.

Cigars are also associated with aid in weight loss. While such may be considered an unorthodox way of putting up with it, some people have found it effective although there may be hitches with regards to health as the inhaled smoke may be bad for the body as smoking has been known for.

Either way, health or health risk, the ultimate decision on passing judgment towards cigars and tobacco leaves will still fall on the hands of the person who smokes them. The final word will always be theirs.

For the beginning cigar smoker, it would be best to try buying one piece instead of the usual box which would not be light on the pocket of any person. Brands have their say as far as cigars are concerned, but for beginning smokers, this is not yet important.

The essence of what people get from smoke that they have in their mouth is something that no one can really explain. Most people are simply for the acknowledging their curiosity while some are in it because of the things they hear around them.

When your mobile phone rings, where do you take the call?
A better question might be, do you take the call at all? Sometimes, the cigar lounge is just like the movie theater. People hate interruptions such as mobile phone sounds. Even worse, people hate it when guys talk on the phone inside the lounge, especially if they can’t keep their voices down. My suggestion is to put your phone on silent mode (just leave the vibrate option on) and take only important calls. When you do take the call, step outside – it won’t kill you and it will do wonders for your reputation.

Where do you get the cigar that you smoke?
The common sense answer would be from the accompanying shop of the cigar lounge you smoke at, right? You might be surprised at how many people bring their own cigars (purchased elsewhere) to cigar lounges. Courtesy and respect requires that you buy the cigars where you smoke. That’s pretty much self-explanatory.

How long do you keep the shop employees busy?
What I mean is, let’s say you are unsure as to which cigar to buy for the day. How long do you engage the staff to find the cigar that you want? It is not really a problem, especially if there aren’t too many people waiting their turn. But if you are not sure as to what you want to buy and there is a long line behind you, you might want to step aside and browse through their selection first. There is no point in holding other people up, is there?

Have fun the next time you go to the cigar lounge. Remember, that’s what matters!

If a conversation is going on when you enter the lounge, what do you do?
Some people would probably sit down and observe for a while, maybe join in when they feel like it. Others might immediately jump into the fray and make an unrelated remark about some other topic he is interested in. Obviously, the first one is acceptable, the second one rude.

Do you compare your cigar to other people’s cigar?
There is nothing wrong in comparing right? True; that is, unless you keep insisting that yours is better. Think about it though, what cigar you smoke is a matter of preference. Just because yours is “better” does not mean that the other person would like your cigar as well.

If you see someone smoking a cigar the “wrong” way, what do you do?
Would you plow right ahead and tell that person he is going it wrong or would you keep quiet? Again, keep your opinions to yourself. Some people like to smoke cigars a certain way. Who are you to tell them how to smoke THEIR cigar?

These are only some questions that can help you check your lounge etiquette. Let’s look at some more next time.

To some people, it would be best to check out the labels that they come with. The years specified in each box or label have a purpose and this is to show how long the cigar has been preserved thus for people to expect a higher quality taste for them.

Aging cigars may draw negative conclusions. But this would depend entirely on how educated the person who will be lighting the cigar is. There is no basis for waste when one talks about the length of storage a cigar has. The longer a cigar is kept, the better the taste it will provide once it is lit and smoked.

Cigar smoking is a very old world pursuit. Whenever I light up my favorite cigar I am always reminded of my father puffing away on one at the end of a long and tiring day at work. With cigar on one hand and a glass of his favorite whiskey on the other, that image has been indelibly printed in my mind along with images of my dad and his brothers having a fun time while partaking of my father’s cigar stash.

I am now an adult and have acquired (some say inherited) my father’s passion for cigars. I actually welcome this as it gives me a chance to reconnect with my father even though he has already passed away. Who would’ve thought that our shared love for cigars would serve as an instrument in reconnecting with my dad? Sometimes when I really miss him I just light up a cigar, get a glass of whiskey and toast to him – “Here’s to you dad.”

If you do buy cigars individually and you live in Prince George County, then you are crap out of luck as the County Council just passed a bill which disallows the sale of individual cigars. The rationale behind this move is to lessen the use of marijuana. Where is the connection?

Apparently, the youth in the area buy individual cigars not to smoke them but to use the wrapper to roll joints. This is the relatively cheap alternative to wrappers for joints. So, in an effort to make it more expensive for the young people, individual cigar sales are not allowed anymore. Another implication of t his bill is that cigars can fall under the legal definition of drug paraphernalia if used in the method described above.

I understand the rationale in theory but do they think that the measure will actually deter the youth from using marijuana? Come on now, let’s not fool ourselves…

Scotch
I heard this from an old cigar enthusiast – scotch is the best drink EVER that you can have while smoking a cigar. It could be true but the problem is that I am not a scotch drinker. If you like scotch, however, then I suppose that you know exactly why this would be the perfect match for a cigar. Thinking more about it, scotch is such a strong drink that even the most powerful and flavorful of cigars will not overpower the drink.

Martini
Now this is something more to my taste. A really dry martini is a very good drink to have at any time. Now imagine sipping one with an excellent cigar. The good thing about martinis – no matter what the flavor may be – is that they have lots of alcohol content. This means that they will go well with strong flavored cigars.

Beer
Any beer can be drunk with cigar. However, in order to get the best experience with beer and cigar, you should choose a mild cigar to go with draft beer. There are some beers out there, however, that could pair well most cigars. Experts suggest Indian Pale Ale for most cigars.

Here’s to a good drink and a flavorful cigar!