Cigar smoking is both a personal experience as well as an experience we often enjoy sharing with others. The key to cigar smoking is: enjoy each cigar the way you know best. People will tell you this and that about the best way to enjoy a cigar, but the bottom line is: do what you like. Here are some examples:
Cutting: Some people swear by guillotines, other by punch cutters. Still, others use whatever they have in front of them, whether it be scissors, a razor blade or their finger nail. There is no required way to cut a cigar, and no way is better than the other. The style of cut that you enjoy most is what’s best for you, and that’s what counts.
Lighting: Again, some people swear by cedar matches, others by their trusty triple-flame, windproof lighter. Personally, I use whatever is available to me, as I always have soft flame lighters, torch flame lighters and matches in front of me. It is important, however, to fully light the cigar. Not doing so could lead to burn problems and will hinder the flavors intended by the blender. Also, there is nothing wrong with touching up an uneven burn with your lighter, as uneven burns can be a natural occurrence in cigars due to an oily wrapper leaf. Lastly, if you need to put down a cigar and finish it later, let it go out on its own. Then, when you’re ready to relight, knock off the ash and give it some more flame.
Smoking: Taking short puffs, long puffs, holding the smoke in your mouth, rolling it around your tongue, quickly exhaling, exhaling through your nose…it doesn’t really matter. Yes, there are tricks to experience more flavor, such as rolling the smoke around in your closed mouth and exhaling through your nose, but not everybody enjoys doing this. Puff as often as you like, however you like. I often find that, the less you think about the cigar you’re smoking, the more you actually enjoy it. Just sit back, smoke, and let your mind drift.
Admist all this useless babble, there is only one real point to take note of: enjoy your cigars the way you prefer. Consider the Romeo…somebody told you it was good, but that doesn’t make it good. The fact that you actually enjoyed it makes it good. The name on the band, the price, the ratings it receives…this all means nothing. The only thing that matters is whether or not you enjoy it. And remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
As far as cigars to try...try everything and anything. Never judge a cigar without smoking it. Cigar makers work very hard to create their handmades, and are very proud of their work. Additionally, this market is overflowing with delicious handmades that vary in strength, taste, character, blend, etc. We owe it to ourselves to try as much as possible. After all, variety is the spice of life. Also, try not to judge a cigar after just one. There are many variables that change the way a cigar tastes, including your mood, time of day, what you are eating, what you ate earlier, what you are drinking, what you drank earlier, etc. If a cigar was too mild and one-dimensional after a hearty meal, try it again some day with your morning cup of coffee. You may find a new Sunday morning gem.