CIGAR CORNER

Tips on Buying a Cigar

King Edward VII, President Ulysses S. Grant, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx… these are names, but names that resonate in history. Do you know the common habit shared by these men? Well, the fact is, they were all heavy cigar smokers.

It is fun to hear lines like: "Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar." This is according to Sir Sigmund Freud. "A woman is only a woman: but a good cigar is a smoke." from Sir Rudyard Kipling in his poetry. This only shows how cigar smoking has been regarded by men.

Cigars and men, what is with this pairing? In the past, there was the stereotype that only rich males would smoke cigars. Nowadays, there are no definite lines that separate the wealthy from the middle class based with cigar smoking; nor men from women. Today any man or woman can buy and enjoy a cigar.

There is only definite thing. There is a difference between an excellent and poor cigar. Before spending your money find out it the cigar is worth it.

Here are some things to look at when buying one:

Observe if the wrapper is smooth and has a bit of shine. Refrain from picking cigars that have wrapper discoloration.

 Make sure that the cigar does not have blemishes and it must not be too firm. Don't buy a cigar that is lumpy. You can check for lumps and bumps by stroking along the outside.

Give the cigar a gentle squeeze. It should be resilient enough to hold its shape when you press it.

Refrain from choosing a cigar with soft or hard spots because it is a sign of poor construction.

Inhale the aroma. It should be pleasant, with various undertones such as cocoa, wood or herbs depending on the type and brand. If it smells musty, damp, or rotten leave it alone.

Look at the tobacco in the exposed end. Some deviation of color is normal, as most cigars are made from a blend of tobaccos. You are looking for extreme or abrupt color changes. This sometimes means an inferior leaf was used, or the leaves weren't laid together properly in the bunching process. Off tastes and uneven burns will often be the result.

Follow these tips and get your money's worth.