Cigar SensibilitiesLittle did Mark Twain realize when he coined the phrase, "If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go," that it would become the battle hymn of this decade’s most vogue fashion statement—cigar smoking. It’s been hard to ignore the phenomenon. A dormant industry up until a few years ago, cigars have made an incredible comeback. Manufacturers are reporting record sales and can’t keep up with the orders. Investors have been snatching up public offerings from cigar companies. A humidor previously owned by John F. Kennedy fetched a whopping half million dollars at an auction last year.
Why the sudden resurgence in popularity? Most industry experts attribute the growth to a number of factors. Certainly, the 1992 debut of Cigar Aficionado, an upscale magazine produced by Wine Spectator publisher Marvin Shanken, played a large part in elevating the awareness and status of cigar smoking. It introduced a new generation of consumers to cigar events, cigar clubs, and terms like "cigar-friendly establishment." No longer looked upon as a symbol of vulgarity or pomposity, the cigar’s association with the entertainment industry has helped propel it to downright respectability. Hollywood stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson, among others, have adorned the cover of leading magazines, brandishing their favorite "stogie." George Hamilton successfully launched a line of cigars under the H. Upmann label, and recently opened a cigar bar in the New York, New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas bearing his name. Even women, who in the past were derided for the practice, have developed a passion for cigars and are consuming them in record numbers.
Statistics aside, what is it about cigars that makes them so darned appealing? Quite frankly, they taste good. Like a fine wine, the flavor characteristics vary from cigar to cigar, and even within a particular brand. Cigars can range from smooth and creamy in flavor, all the way up to spicy and peppery, as with Cuban cigars. And quite frankly, there is simply no better way to finish a meal than by enjoying a fine cigar with a glass of cognac or port.
The aura, the ritual of cigar smoking has created a whole new setting for social interaction. It is quite common today for strangers to begin a conversation by sharing thoughts about the brand of cigars they’re enjoying. It is not surprising, therefore, that cigar bars have been opening up across the country in astonishing numbers. In years past, one would simply purchase a cigar for home consumption. Nowadays, cigar lounges with names like Club Macanudo, The Cuba Club, and The Grand Havana Room are catering to young professionals who can enjoy the comforts in a living room-type setting, but with cocktail service, big screen television, and even the rental of private humidor lockers. Chiropractor and entrepreneur Dr. Craig Berko has even developed a successful nationwide networking event called, aptly, "The Cigar Schmooze."
A PRIMER TO CIGAR SMOKING
Cigars are currently manufactured in several countries, including Cuba, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Brazil, and the Philippines. Cuban cigars, illegal in the United States, are considered to be the world’s finest. However, the quality from other countries has improved dramatically in recent years and, in many cases, rival their Cuban counterparts.
When selecting a cigar, there are certain pre-smoking characteristics one should look for, such as construction and aroma. A well-constructed cigar will be smoothly rolled, but should not be too tight. Don’t be afraid to ask your tobacconist for assistance or advice. A full-flavored cigar should be consumed with a big meal, not on an empty stomach. A beginner might wish to start off with a mild cigar, such as a Macanudo, before progressing to more complex flavors. Whatever you do, just remember one thing: do not inhale. Simply take a puff, letting the flavor circulate within your mouth, and then blow out the smoke.
Once you’ve made your cigar selection, it is important that they remain properly humidified. A cigar that has been allowed to dry will burn unevenly and too fast; a cigar that is over-humidified will be tough to draw from. A humidor (a humidified storage receptacle) will maintain your cigars for months, and sometimes even years, to come. Humidors vary in size and price, and are an excellent investment for anyone who truly enjoys the pleasure, and not the fad, of cigar smoking.
Exactly how long the current craze will last is anyone’s guess, but most industry experts agree that there are at least another three or four years before popular interest wanes. Expect prices to increase as more-and-more consumers jump on the cigar bandwagon. Nevertheless, it’s well worth taking advantage of the increased popularity, both in terms of the numerous, new smoking venues and the vast array of cigars available to the general public. Keep an open mind to new and different brands. You just might find a brand that stays with you a lifetime.
Why the sudden resurgence in popularity? Most industry experts attribute the growth to a number of factors. Certainly, the 1992 debut of Cigar Aficionado, an upscale magazine produced by Wine Spectator publisher Marvin Shanken, played a large part in elevating the awareness and status of cigar smoking. It introduced a new generation of consumers to cigar events, cigar clubs, and terms like "cigar-friendly establishment." No longer looked upon as a symbol of vulgarity or pomposity, the cigar’s association with the entertainment industry has helped propel it to downright respectability. Hollywood stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson, among others, have adorned the cover of leading magazines, brandishing their favorite "stogie." George Hamilton successfully launched a line of cigars under the H. Upmann label, and recently opened a cigar bar in the New York, New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas bearing his name. Even women, who in the past were derided for the practice, have developed a passion for cigars and are consuming them in record numbers.
Statistics aside, what is it about cigars that makes them so darned appealing? Quite frankly, they taste good. Like a fine wine, the flavor characteristics vary from cigar to cigar, and even within a particular brand. Cigars can range from smooth and creamy in flavor, all the way up to spicy and peppery, as with Cuban cigars. And quite frankly, there is simply no better way to finish a meal than by enjoying a fine cigar with a glass of cognac or port.
The aura, the ritual of cigar smoking has created a whole new setting for social interaction. It is quite common today for strangers to begin a conversation by sharing thoughts about the brand of cigars they’re enjoying. It is not surprising, therefore, that cigar bars have been opening up across the country in astonishing numbers. In years past, one would simply purchase a cigar for home consumption. Nowadays, cigar lounges with names like Club Macanudo, The Cuba Club, and The Grand Havana Room are catering to young professionals who can enjoy the comforts in a living room-type setting, but with cocktail service, big screen television, and even the rental of private humidor lockers. Chiropractor and entrepreneur Dr. Craig Berko has even developed a successful nationwide networking event called, aptly, "The Cigar Schmooze."
A PRIMER TO CIGAR SMOKING
Cigars are currently manufactured in several countries, including Cuba, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Brazil, and the Philippines. Cuban cigars, illegal in the United States, are considered to be the world’s finest. However, the quality from other countries has improved dramatically in recent years and, in many cases, rival their Cuban counterparts.
When selecting a cigar, there are certain pre-smoking characteristics one should look for, such as construction and aroma. A well-constructed cigar will be smoothly rolled, but should not be too tight. Don’t be afraid to ask your tobacconist for assistance or advice. A full-flavored cigar should be consumed with a big meal, not on an empty stomach. A beginner might wish to start off with a mild cigar, such as a Macanudo, before progressing to more complex flavors. Whatever you do, just remember one thing: do not inhale. Simply take a puff, letting the flavor circulate within your mouth, and then blow out the smoke.
Once you’ve made your cigar selection, it is important that they remain properly humidified. A cigar that has been allowed to dry will burn unevenly and too fast; a cigar that is over-humidified will be tough to draw from. A humidor (a humidified storage receptacle) will maintain your cigars for months, and sometimes even years, to come. Humidors vary in size and price, and are an excellent investment for anyone who truly enjoys the pleasure, and not the fad, of cigar smoking.
Exactly how long the current craze will last is anyone’s guess, but most industry experts agree that there are at least another three or four years before popular interest wanes. Expect prices to increase as more-and-more consumers jump on the cigar bandwagon. Nevertheless, it’s well worth taking advantage of the increased popularity, both in terms of the numerous, new smoking venues and the vast array of cigars available to the general public. Keep an open mind to new and different brands. You just might find a brand that stays with you a lifetime.
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