“Cigars? Jack, You Have Some ‘eh-splaining to Do!”

One evening, as I was perusing my weekly email from my trusted and favorite cigar distributor, Cigars International, Jill leaned over, snuggled real close, and asked me several questions regarding this, one of favorite vices.

“Why do you enjoy smoking cigars? What’s the attraction?”

“Is it like smoking a cigarette?”

“Is smoking cigars a big thing among Cuban women?”

Hmmm?

First, the why. Quite simply, it’s a celebration. It’s a celebration of my heritage, of moments/events, of life. Unlike many others I know, I am quite selective of when I smoke a cigar, perhaps lighting up 4-6 times a year, at most. So indeed, for me, it is a celebration.

What’s the attraction? Well, it feels good to draw on a stick and let the flavors of the various tobacco leaves swirl through your mouth, creating a gustatory sensation like few others. And the release of this savory cloud is just as gratifying, perhaps comparable to a mild orgasm.

Jill: “Say whaaaaat???”

Is it like smoking a cigarette? No, not at all. To begin, one is not really supposed to inhale when smoking a cigar as the smoke is rather concentrated. And even if you get past a coughing fit, it will most likely impair you greatly. Further, cigars do not contain any of the chemicals that cigarettes do; to my understanding, addiction is not possible though habit surely is. That might lead someone to conclude, there is no health hazard to smoking cigars. I would be the first to vehemently disagree. After all, one is taking in smoke so whether it makes its way down to the lungs or not, it could have an adverse effect over time (and that concludes my Public Service Announcement).

Ah, and now for the intriguing question; is it big among Cuban women or women in general? Though it certainly is a very small sample pool, I would have to say, no, it is not. Have I seen women smoking cigars? Yes. Additionally, is it sexy? YES! Perhaps, it’s a phallic symbol?

Jill: “Yeah, ba-baby, yeah!”

She and I reviewed some of the ‘basics’ associated with cigars and from that, a blog post was born!

There are basically two types of cigars; parejos (straight barrel) and figurados (figures). Within these two you have different lengths, diameters and shapes.  And within all of THIS, you have different intensities; mild to full-bodied. And don’t kid yourself; there are some full-bodied cigars which will knock a grown man on his arse!

The parts of a cigar are divided into four basics: the cap (or the tip), the head, the body (hmmm, Jill seems more attentive) and the foot. The foot is the part that you light and the cap is the part that you cut off, or that you draw from (ouch!). A cigar is made up of three components: the filler, the binder and the wrapper. The filler is the ‘stuffing’.

There are generally two types of fillers; short and long.

Lower end cigars (not that I’m one to judge) tend to contain bits of tobacco leaf (short-filler), which are crammed together and shaped to create a specific cigar size. Think of this as, say, a hot dog. In the same way a hot dog contains left over ‘parts’, short-filler cigars are made from the scraps of premium fillers. See, just like a hot dog.

Higher end cigars, on the other hand, use long-filler tobaccos. This is where the inner leaves are rolled into a tube and run the entire length of the cigar. A cigar maker will blend various filler leaves in order to create unique tastes and flavors, much like a winemaker crafts wine. Whether a cigar is made of short or long-filler tobaccos, the filler leaves are always secured within a leaf called the binder, which sits just beneath the wrapper. The tobacco is typically then placed into a wooden mold and pressed into shape. All premium cigars are labeled “hecho a mano.”

Finally, the roller then wraps the bunch in a wrapper leaf which is supple, very elastic and visibly pleasing. The cigar is then capped and trimmed to uniform size. The finished product is aged a minimum of three weeks but many more are aged up to 24 months. A well-made cigar is one that’s firm but not tight and allows a person to draw the smoke easily and consistently.

The wrapper is what you see on the outside of the cigar. I also see it as the most important element as it gives a cigar not only its appearance and smell, but provides much of the taste as well. When you look at a cigar and run it under your nose, the wrapper is what you’re appreciating.

While there are many factors that go into selecting a cigar, it is ultimately a subjective choice, with all of the above contributing to the unique taste of each. And with that….

La Aurora Preferidos Emerald is a perfecto housed in a beautiful aluminum tube. The cigar features a dark tan Ecuador Sumatra wrapper that is very smooth and oily. Specially aged Dominican binder and filler tobaccos complete the blend. Medium in strength, the Emerald exhibits ample amounts of earthy flavors with a subtle sweetness that remains constant throughout the smoke. Beautifully built, even burning, and highly aromatic, this is a gorgeous stick destined to please.

Ave Maria Divinia, a divine new blend (get it???). Only by holding one in your hand (I believe I said the same thing to Jill) will you truly appreciate the magnitude of this creation. By now, it is no secret that the Ave Maria portfolio is composed of some of the finest and most enticing blends known. With this offering, a lush Habano, sun-grown wrapper encases a bold, refined core of Cuban-seed long fillers. It holds a very ‘Cuban’ flavor profile dominated by notes of black pepper, cocoa, coffee, earth as well as a nutty sweetness. All this delivered in a silky medium to full-bodied smoke. Oh. My.

Ave Maria Reconquista is quite simply, a work of art, both in smoke and packaging. Each cigar is individually encased in cedar coffin boxes then laid neatly over a bed of tobacco leaves. We’re talking, IMPRESSIVE! As good as this presents, the magic is in the delivery of the smoke. Reconquista is made in one size only, a 7”x54 Torpedo! This big, yet manageable, stick (again, this sounds familiar) optimizes the rich blend of aged tobaccos. The wrapper is a dark HabanoOscuro variety grown in Brazil; thick and oily with great character. Its fillers combine rich and well-aged Cuban seed along with other tasty choices. This concoction explodes with uniquely rich and dense, smooth flavors (ok, this is bordering on soft porn). Hearty notes of espresso, pepper, oak and cocoa dust the palate leading to that toasty-sweet finish. It is simply a phenomenal full-bodied cigar.

Torano Exodus Gold 1959 is a very fine offering delivered by Carlos Torano, someone known to consistently produce some of the tastiest cigars around. It’s also a favorite of mine. With a focus on quality, this blend is one of their finest. From the aesthetically appealing cigar band to the luscious wrapper that hugs the filler like a river of chocolate, this stick explodes with a flavor upon lighting; creamy and spicy (ok, THAT may have crossed the line), with chocolate notes trailing. You’ll also catch the black cherry note along with a hint of cedar. Medium to full-bodied, this cigar is composed of an Habana 2000 wrapper and filled with all Latin America has to offer- Dominican, Honduran, Mexican, Nicaraguan and Costa Rican tobaccos.

Yes, smoking a cigar is indeed a celebration; a display of one’s lust and love for life. And that, my friends, ‘eh-splain’s how I feel about Jill!