How to become a cigar expert in 10 steps?
Are you looking to start a career in the cigar industry, or simply deepen your knowledge? Before you can call yourself a cigar expert, it is important to do things in the right order and absorb certain essential fundamentals for mastering this art of living.
1. Understanding the cigar-making process
A cigar is the result of a specific process of cultivation, processing, assembly, and aging of tobacco. It is this process that determines its aromatic profile and the quality of its construction. Before lighting your first cigar, it is therefore essential to discover the different elements that make up a cigar and how these elements are shaped and assembled by human hands. From growing tobacco plants to assembling the leaves, including drying and fermenting the tobacco, no step should be overlooked in your learning process.
2. Acquiring cigar-specific terminology
Just like oenology, cigars are a discipline in their own right. They therefore have precise codes and a specific vocabulary that it is important to know if you want to deepen your knowledge of the subject. Because of its history, many cigar-related terms are in Spanish. This is the case, for example, with the expressions « vitola de salida », « vitola de galera », « Totalmente a mano » and « Hecho a mano ». These terms are often used as-is by aficionados.
3. Discovering the specificities of different terroirs
To become a true cigar expert, it is important to know the characteristics of the different terroirs. While Cuba remains the world benchmark for premium cigars today, other terroirs such as Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras are also recognized for the quality of their production. However, a cigar will not have the same organoleptic characteristics depending on whether it was made in Cuba or in the Dominican Republic. As a plant, tobacco develops by drawing its resources from the soil, and not all soils have the same chemical composition. Cigars therefore reflect the specific qualities of their terroir, and a true aficionado must be able to recognize these differences during a tasting.
4. Learning how to choose your cigar
Not all cigars offer the same characteristics in terms of flavor, strength, and smoking time. Before choosing your cigar, it is therefore important to learn about its aromatic profile so you can turn to a vitola that will delight your senses. If you are a beginner, it is also advisable to begin your introduction with a mild-to-medium cigar. Because of their high nicotine content, full-bodied cigars can indeed cause headaches and nausea. It is therefore important to give your body time to get used to nicotine before trying stronger cigars. Finally, choose your cigar according to the time you have to devote to it. There is no point, for example, in lighting up a Double Corona if you only have an hour to spare.
5. Knowing how to prepare and light a cigar
Before you can fully enjoy your tasting, it is important to learn how to master certain gestures such as cutting and lighting your cigar. When you buy a cigar, only its foot is cut. You must therefore cut its cap before you can light it. This step can be done using different types of cigar cutters such as the double-blade guillotine or the V-cut cigar cutter. Each cigar cutter makes a specific cut, which will affect the quality of your tasting experience. Once this cut has been made, you can light your cigar. Here again, you must follow certain gestures so as not to damage your cigar. It is also important to choose a suitable lighter so as not to overheat the tobacco.
6. Putting the Tasting into Practice
You’ve finally made it! After the theory, it is finally time to put it into practice. As a cigar expert, the first thing to do before lighting your cigar is to carry out a visual and tactile analysis of it. Then proceed with a cold draw by puffing on your cigar without lighting it. These steps will give you an initial idea of your cigar, both in terms of its aromatic bouquet and its construction. Once this step is complete, you can light your cigar. The tasting of a cigar takes place in 3 stages, which correspond to the 3 thirds of a cigar: the hay, the divine, and the manure. Each of these stages coincides with a particular combustion dynamic, which will influence how the aromas come through.
7. Conducting an In-Depth Sensory Analysis of Cigars
To enjoy a cigar like an expert, it is important to take the time to analyze the taste and aroma impressions perceived during your tasting. These perceptions often vary from one smoker to another, as they draw on your sensory memory. Even so, there are certain aromas and flavors that are frequently found in premium cigars. For example, you may detect earthy, herbal, spicy, woody, creamy, or even toasted notes. Take the time to examine this aromatic range in detail and keep a tasting journal to preserve a record of your impressions over time. When you feel ready, do not hesitate to try blind tastings to sharpen your senses and test your knowledge.
8. Learning how to pair cigars with beverages
Pairing a cigar with a beverage helps improve and amplify your tasting experience. Far from distorting its bouquet, this type of pairing can elevate a cigar and enhance its aromas. But it is still necessary to find a balanced match. The art of pairing therefore lies in seeking the perfect alliance between two distinct worlds. While certain rules can help you avoid making major mistakes, nothing beats experience. Take the time to explore different pairings in order to find the one that suits you best.
9. Attending training sessions and conferences
If you want to become a true cigar expert, you need to get closer to other aficionados. Listening to the advice of other experts and attending certain conferences and training sessions will allow you to acquire much more in-depth knowledge. For example, you can take part in the industry’s flagship events such as the Festival del Habano and the ProCigar Festival. At these events, many conferences and workshops are organized on a wide variety of topics such as cigar rolling or the industry’s challenges. There are also cigar smokers’ clubs that will allow you to meet many enthusiasts and share your experiences. If you are considering a career in the industry, you will also find certain well-known training programs such as the Habanos Academy.
10. Stay informed
Just like the plant it comes from, cigars are a field that is constantly evolving. Between new releases, technological innovations that are transforming manufacturing methods, and industry news, a cigar expert must be able to keep their knowledge up to date by staying informed. So do not hesitate to subscribe to specialist magazines, follow your favorite cigar makers on social media, and read the blogs and press articles dedicated to cigars.