A lot of times folks come into the store and they are new to cigar smoking. Sometimes they have a pretty good idea of what they want to smoke, but there are times they need a little help. All of us try very hard to make it an easy and relaxed experience. I mean, there are over 2000 cigars to choose from! That alone can be overwhelming. Now add in all the 'technical' mumbo jumbo and it can be head spinning. So let's make it a bit easier. First off, everything about smoking a cigar is going to be a preference. You and only you will be able to decide if the cigar is right for YOU. We can guide you through with suggestions and descriptions of cigars, but in the end it's going to be your choice.
A few things to keep in mind are :
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What type of smoke do you want to try? Perhaps something mild and sweet like a Baccarat. Something more medium bodied in the form of a cameroon wrapper. Maybe make that jump and try your tastes on a Camacho Black (coyolar) that has put even the most experienced aficionado on the couch. One good suggestion is to hold on to the label of the cigar you pick. This way you can either come in again and purchase more, or you know to stay away from it! Jotting down a few words about it on the backside helps you remember the pros and cons of it as well. Keep in mind that these are hand made, natural products. There can be differences, so always try the smoke at least 2 times to really get the feel of it.
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How much time do you have to smoke? There's no sense in buying a chuchill sized smoke when you have 20 minutes to puff on. Even if you are a hotboxer (fast smoker) - that head rush that will follow won't be worth it! Every cigar manufacture produces cigars in various shapes and sizes. As you gain experience you may notice how that affects the cigar and your tastes, but off the bat chances are it's not going to be much difference to you. The key is matching your time to a comfortable size. To keep it simple - if it looks big to you, it's going to take you longer to smoke it. If you've just eaten a steak dinner with a 5lb baked potato and you're feeling like sitting down with a good Scotch - go ahead and get a nice long, enjoyable smoke! But if you are killing time waiting for traffic to die down, snag a toro.
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How much do you want to spend? It's easy to get sucked into the black hole of the humidor after about 5 minutes. The cigars all start looking alike and you have no idea what's what. Before you step in have a good idea of what you want to spend. 5 bucks on one, 20 bucks on a couple, or even decide to try a premium smoke (those $15 or more). Call it treating yourself because you survived a workweek, or you're just wanting to see if there is a difference between a $5 cigar and a $20 one. While $5 to $9 is probably the largest price range of very smokeable cigars, there are a few exceptions that fall above and below those prices. You don't always have to spend a lot for a great smoke, but know what you want to spend before hand. It cuts down the time in selecting which lets you have more time for the smoke!
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The rest falls into what you feel comfortable with. Lighter or matches - Punch, clip, or V Cut. You choose. There are differences in them, but there's no right or wrong. With over 2000 cigars out there, you'll have plenty of chances to try each way. No matter what you hear or read, the final word will come from YOU. Everything AND everyone else can only be a guide to help you decide. The best part about cigars is you get to experience something new almost every time! So come in, let's pick you out a good smoke, sit a spell, and get on the road to being a true aficionado!