The Right Cigar

Cigars are like wine. Choosing the right one depends on the occasion, the partakers and the accompanying faire. Here are some suggestions to help you make a great choice for a great occasion.

dinner party

If you’re hosting or attending a private dinner party, make sure your cigar choices match the effort put into wine selection, menu planning and table settings. Pre-dining cocktails should be a accompanied by rich-but-smooth cigars. They should be strong enough to taste against strong liquor, but smooth enough to leave palates ready to taste every nuance of the meal to come. Some ideal choices include Arturo Fuente Black Label, AVO XO Series and Davidoff Millenium.  After a great meal, have a selection of cigars that are a bit spicier, as taste buds will be tired after a flavorful meal, and a spicy cigar makes a delicious compliment to a sweet dessert, port or after dinner cordial.

And one more note … We often get asked if cigar bands should be removed or left on while smoking. We recommend leaving them on. A fine cigar shouldn’t be smoked past the band. And the bands add an elegance to the look and a nice place for your fingers.

gift for a host

A gift for a host is just that, a gift. Cigars purchased for this purpose are separate from cigars purchased to enjoy at an affair. Give your host a cigar you know they love, and give it at the end of the night as a “thank you” they can enjoy alone another day. You may even consider having a host gift cigar (or cigars) wrapped, or even purchase a box set or a sampler selection. If you don’t know what brands your host prefers, let us suggest some special cigars that will make any discerning cigar lover feel “thanked.” CAO Vision, Rocky Patel and La Flor de Dominicana are classic premium brands noted to be in high in quality and very recognizable. If you like the idea of telling a story along with your gift, give a Bahia Icon, made with a wonderfully aged cache of pre-embargo Cuban seed tobacco. (And, yes, they are completely legal in the United States.) For an even more rare and pricy selection, let us recommend Ghurkha Beauty, Partagas 160 and Fuente Fuente Opus X. Follow these tips, and your host will remember your thoughtfulness with every puff.

on the golf course

Don’t be afraid of large sized cigars. A cigar that lasts longer will save you from having to clip and light up too many times. In fact, you might try making your shots with your big cigar between your teeth. It’ll help you keep your head down and swing more smoothly. Go with cigars 7” in length or so. And since there’s no need to impress, we don’t recommend overspending on golf cigars. CAO MX2, JFR, Drew Estate La Vieja Cubana or our own FG La Cremas are mild enough not to taint your game. If your game sucks, have some Camacho Corojos in reserve.

outdoor gathering

It’s BBQ time! BYOB. And remember to BYOFCR (Fontana Cubana Real), any size you prefer. A bigger size is perfect for that game of horseshoes or Bocce to counterbalance your throwing hand. Ghurka Ancient Warrior is a great brand to smoke before a burger, dog, or perfectly grilled steak. After you chow down, pull out a Rocky Patel Old World Reserve, sit back and watch the kids play.