How to choose a Cuban cigar?
The first step to a successful tasting is undeniably choosing the cigar.
However, it is easy to feel lost among the many different brands and vitolas of Cuban cigars. In truth, among so many varieties, only aficionados would be able to recognize a quality vitola.
This article should be of particular interest to those who are just discovering the world of cigars, or who are still looking for the best tips on how to choose a cigar well.
The retailer
The first thing to check, and probably the most important of all! Do not buy your cigars from unrecognized shops. They are not supplied through authorised channels. These cigars have often traveled the world, have been poorly stored, and their composition and quality do not come close to a real Cuban cigar.
Before buying your cigars, be sure to check the source of supply and the authenticity of the products. For all Cuban cigars, you can easily verify the authenticity of the products directly on the Habanos website, the official supplier.
The visual and tactile appearance
To recognize a good cigar, you need to see it and feel it. In this way, you will learn a great deal about the cigar, its storage, and its composition.
The wrapper is the first thing you will see, and it contains a lot of information! It should not be dry, peeling, or cracked. Indeed, that is a sign that the cigar has been stored at too low a humidity level. The wrapper should be slightly oily to indicate a sufficient level of humidity.
Using your fingers, pick up the cigar and apply gentle pressure. If the cigar gives way, it is too dry. On the contrary, if it feels like a sponge, it is too humid. Ideally, your cigar should be firm without being hard.
There are wrappers in different colors, but this will have only a very slight impact on the taste of your cigar. You may also notice variations in the color of the wrapper; this indicates that the cigars have been, to a greater or lesser extent, exposed to direct sunlight, but that does not necessarily affect the taste of the cigar. The key words of quality control are: temperature and humidity level.
Size
The first mistake beginners make is thinking that you need to choose a short cigar to “get started.” Short cigars are very often more concentrated and stronger than long cigars, which is why you should not fall into that trap. For the same cigar in different formats, the size of the cigar directly affects its intensity. Thinner cigars burn hotter and faster than thicker ones, and longer cigars are milder at first, but become more intense toward the end.
With this information in mind, the ideal approach is to choose your cigar based on how much time you want to spend smoking. Depending on what motivates you, you can choose the size that suits you best. Want a quick break? Go for a half-corona. Want to enjoy your cigar in about forty minutes? Go for a Robusto. If you have a business meeting lasting more than an hour, go for a Churchill!
There are many cigar formats, so you can find the perfect one for any situation.
Strength
Do you like your cigar mild, medium, or strong? That is a matter of personal preference.
Mild cigars are perfect for beginner cigar lovers or for aficionados starting the day. We strongly advise against smoking a cigar that is too strong if you are new to the world of cigars. Indeed, cigars are pure tobacco products, and strong cigars contain a very high nicotine charge. If you smoke one too quickly, or if you are not used to it, you risk feeling the aftereffects of too much nicotine.
Taste
If you don’t like the taste of your cigar, you won’t want to smoke it. And that would be a shame! Take the time to identify the flavors you enjoy and start by smoking the blends that seem most appealing to you, or follow the recommendations of the sellers. Also think about drawing parallels with the cuisine you like; cigars often feature many flavors similar to those found in food.
If you’re short on ideas, we recommend turning to the most widely smoked Cuban cigars in the world: the Partagas D No.4 and the Montecristo No.4.
The price
Before buying your cigars, you should define the budget you want to set aside.
If you are a beginner, we advise you not to buy cigars that are too expensive. Your palate is not developed enough to perceive the different nuances that justify their price.
However, be careful to always choose quality over quantity! It would be a shame to end up having to smoke cigars with a “bad” taste for the sake of saving money. Keep in mind that a high price does not always guarantee a good tasting experience, but that a very low price often reflects a lack of quality.
Conclusion
These tips and tricks should help and guide you in choosing your Cuban cigars for your tastings. However, we strongly recommend getting advice from an experienced seller. A good seller will know how to guide you toward what suits you best based on the information you provide.
If you are passing through Madrid, stop by our HABANO & ALMA shop in Usera — we will be happy to advise you.