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May 9, 2008 |
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Few things conjure up an image of Hollywood glamour and look more elegant than a well-dressed gentleman or lady smoking a cigar. Cigars are distinguished by their brand, color, shape, size, and, of course, by their taste. Historically, Cuba was once synonymous with the world’s most magnificent cigars, but they haven’t been available for import into America for nearly fifty years since the U.S. put in place a trade embargo against Cuba. Here’s what you need to know. BRAND: The best-known cigar brands are Arturo Fuente, Ashton, Davidoff, Macanudo, Montecristo, Partagas, and Punch. COLOR: Lighter-colored cigars usually taste milder than darker ones, though there are exceptions to this rule. A better indication of a cigar’s taste and potency is its country of origin. SHAPE: Cigars are divided further, either as Parejos—which are linear, and straight-sided—and Figurados; which are known for their atypical shapes. STORAGE: Serious cigar smokers should invest in a humidor, a special box that keeps cigars at an optimum temperature and humidity. By definition, a humidor should maintain a consistently tropical environment of somewhere between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, over a long period of time. If you don’t have a humidor, store your cigars in a box, but make sure you keep the box airtight. Sometimes it helps to keep a damp sponge in the box to keep the tobacco moist, though you should make sure the sponge avoids actual contact with the cigars. | 
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