I know the subject of “what is a cigar” may be obvious to those that have been smoking for a long time, but in an effort to include the people who are looking to get into cigar smoking and lounges let’s just brush over it quickly. A cigar is made of one thing and one thing only, tobacco.
Different cigars will use different parts of the plant to provide different flavors and strengths of said flavors. Inside of it is filler, then a layer of binder, then a wrapper on top. The wrapper is the best looking leaf, which is carefully selected to give off the best appearance for the optimal impression on the customer.
This blend of a cigar can tell you a lot about what to expect flavor wise when smoking. The Ashton Connecticut cigar with a Dominican filler and Cameroon binder, will provide a soft tobacco flavor, which is good for making it your first cigar of the day, since it is not going to knock you down the way an obscuro might. It is important to properly research the cigar you are choosing to smoke to make sure you are up for the experience it will provide.
There is more than just tobacco to the taste of cigars, the same that there is more than just “whiskey” to the taste in whiskey. As I am sure connoisseurs, or those who frequent whiskey may know, there are a vast number of tasting notes you will get when enjoying the experience of smoking a cigar or having a glass of whiskey.
The key word there – enjoying. It is imperative to have a good atmosphere around you where you can truly enjoy and open yourself up to the cigar you’re smoking. Which is exactly why I will be writing about the lounges of South Jersey; in order to provide you with the knowledge that will help guide you to the best place for your cigar enjoying experience.
It is also important to properly manage your cigar smoking venture. There are plenty of factors that go into getting the most out of a cigar. The first being, properly cutting the cigar; it is important to not cut off too much or too little. Next is lighting the cigar; you have to use a butane lighter or odorless matches, as using a flame with an odor will completely change and hinder the true flavors you should be tasting. After that, properly managing how often you take a draw from the cigar to moderate the temperature is equally as important. This can be intimidating when just getting into cigars, but it is an art that over time you can develop the skills for.
When you’re choosing the place to enjoy your first cigar or even your 5,000th cigar, a great place to look to is a cigar lounge. Going to one you are bound to encounter at the very least the store manager, who will have a good deal of general knowledge to help you select the right cigar. You’ll also get to meet the other ] members of that lounge who can help create a positive atmosphere for you, and give you some tips on their favorites and cigars you should try. They can also help you to properly take care of your cigar if you are new to it, the lighting and cutting process we just talked about. Although, it is important to know some matters of proper etiquette.
Now, if you look up what other people deem to be “proper etiquette” you will find quite extensive lists on the do’s and don’ts, but it will really depend on the crowd at the lounge that you go to. Most will be very lenient unless you go to some hardcore gentleman’s cigar lounge. Those won’t be the type of lounges I’ll be covering. For the ones you will be reading about I’d only have a few tips on how you should approach them.
First and foremost, if you do a bit of research before hand or you have a base knowledge of cigars, DO NOT speak badly on what the others are smoking. It’s common courtesy, but it doesn’t hurt to give a reminder. Secondly, when smoking DO NOT blow smoke into the face of anyone around you. They don’t need a reminder that you’re smoking, everyone there is, so a cloud of smoke blown into their eyes and nose is unneeded. Lastly, make sure that when you are done with your cigar you let it go out you DO NOT put it out. Putting it out shows a lack of respect for the cigar and also releases a foul odor so it isn’t nice for the people sitting by you.
Now, some of what you should do; if a manager asks for your opinion or help with advertising, you give it! Not that I know anything about that… It’s also important to not be afraid to talk to everyone else that’s there. The cigar you’re smoking is a great conversation piece alone! You are all there for the same reason, to enjoy your smoke, so strike up a conversation on why each of you chose the cigar you’re smoking, what got you into cigars, what other lounges you go to, etc. Be sure to treat your smoke with care while doing so; keeping it lit, having your next one ready for when this one goes out!
~Connor Coles
Beforetheash 