Choosing a cigar is NOT like choosing a packet of cigarettes or a bag of chips.
It’s more like… choosing fresh bread.
Here are some essential points to guarantee a good cigar purchase:
How to choose a cigar
1. The environment
Is the cigar in a closed humidor? If it’s open to the elements, the cigar won’t have been kept at a constant relative humidity of between 65 – 75%. This is pretty important.
2. Relative humidity
What is the relative humidity where the cigar is being kept? All humidors in shops should have the hygrometer, which measures the relative humidity inside, on display somewhere. If you can’t see this, be cautious. Ask where the hygrometer is.
3. The cigar’s wrapper
What is its wrapper like? The wrapper – the ‘skin’ of the cigar – shouldn’t be loose where it’s rolled, there shouldn’t be any damage to the wrapper either. If there are any cracks, back away. The cigar’s too dry. A dry cigar isn’t the end of the world, but it can take a long time to get it back to prime smoking fitness.
Cracks will cause an uneven draw, or leave bits of wrapper in your mouth, or worst case, make the cigar impossible to smoke. They’re also a sign that the cigar hasn’t been well looked after.
These five Cuabas are from a box of ten I ordered. I sent this picture to my supplier and – to their credit – they refunded the value of five sticks to my account. This kind of damage can happen in transit, especially if the cigars aren’t in their own tubes.
These Partagas Serie D No.4s all come in their own tubes, so they’re always in good condition. You can store your cigar in its tube without worrying about relative humidity for up to three weeks.
4. The sound of the cigar
How does it sound when you roll it between your fingers? This is sometimes seen as poor form to ‘listen’ to the cigar, but as long as you’re discreet, you should be okay. If the cigar sounds very crunchy as you roll it between your index finger and thumb, it’s probably too dry to smoke right away. If it doesn’t make any noise at all, it might be too moist; in which case, don’t buy it. There should be a little bit of noise – like a soft rustling sound.
5. The firmness of the cigar
How does it squeeze? When you pinch it, there should be a bit of give in the cigar. If it’s really hard and there’s no give, the cigar is either very dry or it’s been too tightly rolled. If the roll is too tight and the tobacco is all compacted, you’ll never be able to smoke it.
However, the cigar I bought in San Francisco from Stogies Inc. was really tight, but the shopkeeper warned me saying this was how they rolled them. This cigar was unusual as it was very tight but still smoked really well. Here’s my review of the Stogies Inc.’s Robusto Maduro.
Another test is to try gently (very gently) bending it. If it flexes a little, that’s great. Don’t bend it too hard though – obviously. Don’t want to snap it!
6. The cigar’s bouquet
How does it smell? Different cigars will smell different, just like different bread does. Most cigars will have an earthy musty smell to them. Some will even smell a bit like poo. This is okay. If there is no smell and it’s an expensive cigar, you’re either about to buy a fake or a very dry smoke.
7. The cigar’s colour
Is its wrapper a consistent colour? Look very carefully for strange discolourations on the wrapper. If there are any white patches, this could be mould. Mould is an aficionado’s worst nightmare and can be very difficult to get rid of from your humidor. If there is a slight white dust to the cigar, that should be okay. This is probably just the hairs from the tobacco leaf.
If there are any small light green or dark patches, this is probably okay too. These are likely to be just imperfections in the leaf when it was fermenting. If there are too many or the patches are big, reject it and look at the next one.
8. Check out its friends
What do the other cigars it’s with look like? Don’t be afraid to reject a cigar. It’s your prerogative to choose which cigar you buy. The vendor shouldn’t refuse to open a box for you to inspect.
Check the other cigars to see if there are any mould spots, damage or weird markings on the wrappers. If you see something, don’t be afraid to ask the vendor about it. If it is mould, the vendor will be happy you spotted it so they can take action and reduce the spread.
9. Check its foot and cap
Look at either end of the cigar. If it’s damaged, it won’t hurt the smoke –you’re cutting one end off and setting fire to the other anyway, but again it’s your choice. You’re paying premium prices, why get substandard goods?
What do you look for when you buy a cigar? Any smart questions to ask before you buy? Pop ‘em in the comments.
Sonia
Have just forwarded this to my husband and his mates. They are going to think this is the best post I’ve ever shared with them!
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Dean
Fantastic guide. This is perfect for those new to cigar smoking. Bookmarking this page to reference in the future. Wonderful resource!
Mr Romance
Thanks Dean. Glad you like our guide.
Cheers – Jim
larissa
Great tips! This guide is especially perfect for beginners! Thanks so much for sharing, I definitely cannot wait to use this as a stepping stone to learning about more cigars!
Mr Romance
Thanks Larissa! Really glad you liked the post. Let me know if you want to know any more. 🙂
Jxx
Christina
This is a very informative article, specifically the part about the smell. Your cigars look delectable.
Mr Romance
Hi Christina. Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated. And thank you for your kind words about my cigars. I do love them! 😉
Jxx
Christina
You make a very significant point about the wrapper. Avoiding mold is a necessary task.
Mr Romance
Thanks Christina. Yes, mould is the absolute worst when it comes to cigar quality and care. Even thinking about it makes me nervous!
Jxx
Abby
This is such an informative post for anyone who is new to buying cigars. The smell has always been my favorite part about cigars. Thanks for sharing!
Mr Romance
Thanks Abbey! Yes, there’s nothing better than the smell of a well-kept fine cigar!
Cheers – Jim
Marcus
I had no idea that if a cigar sounded crunchy when you rolled it between your fingers it is too dry to smoke. It is important to remember that taking the time to know how to spot the best tobacco items can help you get the quality you want. My brother was talking about how he needed to find a good tobacco shop so he can get quality cigars, so I wanted to know more about it.
Mr Romance
Hi Marcus. Yes, a little crunch is ok – if the cigar is too squishy it might be damp, which means it won’t light or smoke at all. But if the cigar sounds like dry paper rustling between your fingers, it’s probably too dry. You can bring the cigar back to health though in your humidor, but it might take a little while. It’s also seen as bad manners to ‘listen’ to your cigar, so be discrete when you do it. Cheers – and happy smoking. Jim
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Charlotte Fleet
I appreciate your suggestion to check the wrapper of a cigar to make sure it isn’t damaged before you purchase it. I think that it would also be smart to look into the reputation of the smoke shop you are buying it from. Thanks for your tips on choosing the best cigar.
Mr Romance
Hi Charlotte. Absolutely – making sure you’re buying from a reputable shop is always a good place to start. Though sometimes you don’t have the chance to check online reviews etc. In those situations I’m always doubly cautious. Glad you liked the story though. Hope it helped. 🙂