Cigars are integral motifs in many rituals among men. The stag party, children’s births, a poker game, and sporting events are all associated with the boys enjoying a good stick. The association with women and cigars is not quite so clear and is more shrouded in a cloud of smoke.
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A couple of years ago I was working as a tobacconist at a bar and lounge in downtown Huntsville. Several of the bartenders on the staff smoked cigars with varying levels of experience. One day, at the instigation of a couple of regulars, I participated in a blind tasting competition against one of the bartenders who boasted having the most knowledge (even above myself). We blindly tasted 5 cigars from the selection of over 200 in the humidor, eyes closed for extra difficulty. The owner of the bar lit the cigars and carefully passed them to us because for some reason I was worried about playing with my eyes closed. In the end, I was able to identify all 5 based off of taste while my competitor identified 1.5.
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We’ve all been there. You walk into the humidor, bar, liquor store, etc. You look around. And you are utterly lost. Maybe you’re on a special date, or you are getting ready for a party Whatever the occasion, you’re looking to impress.
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Think about lighting your cigar or pipe like lighting your grill. Everyone tends to have a different opinion of what is best, but at the end of the day it all comes down to different conditions and personal preference. So let’s hit on the different ways to light up and how they may affect your cigar.
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Even if you have never smoked a cigar, you have likely seen others cut off a small piece of the cigar before they smoke it. Or maybe you’ve watched a movie where the tough S.O.B. hero bites off a chunk of his cigar and spits it out before lighting up his choice stick, like a boss. This is likely confusing to you if you’ve never taken a close look at a cigar.
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There is only one true answer to what is the best beginner cigar: whatever the hell you want it to be. Just like with your first alcoholic drink, there is no hard-fast rule to what you can or cannot try for the first few smokes. However there is a rule of thumb for the easiest transition into this exciting new world.
Why smoke cigars? This is a common question for non-smokers and cigarette smokers alike. In particular cigarette smokers have a hard time processing what’s the point of it all when you don’t even inhale! What could someone get from it? Who has that much time? Seriously, what is the big deal?
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Drawn That Way 