| Got a cigar-smoking father or husband? Relax, we | | | | cost less than stronger cigars and you won't lose as |
| can tell you everything you need to know to select the | | | | much money as your beloved learns how to cut the |
| perfect "super-premium" gift for any hard-to-shop-for | | | | ends appropriately, learns the best way to light them, |
| dad. | | | | and learns the best way to store them at home. You |
| Type of Cigar Based on Size | | | | will be surprised at how quickly they dry out if not |
| There are several ways of categorizing cigars: size, | | | | properly contained. It's a learned art! |
| shape, strength, their country of origin, and the way | | | | Get the Most Out of Your Cigars |
| they are made (hand-rolled vs. machine). The most | | | | Here is what long-time cigar enthusiasts recommend |
| common way to categorize a cigar is by size, which is | | | | about smoking and enjoying cigars. This is also useful |
| the cigar's length in inches and ring size (cigar diameter) | | | | stuff to relate to the profoundly happy recipient of |
| measured in 64ths of an inch. There is actually a name | | | | your gift:o There are many types of cigars. |
| associated with each length and ring size and these | | | | Experiment with new sizes and flavors.o Don't inhale |
| are the cigar names that you may be familiar with. | | | | cigar smoke when puffing and keep the smoke in your |
| Corona, Panatela, Torpedo, Toro, Churchill, Perfecto, | | | | mouth for the shortest length of time.o Unless you buy |
| Cigarillo, Lonsdale, Robusto, and the largest of them all, | | | | your cigars in single sticks that were stored in a |
| Giant. The Giant style of cigar is 9 inches in length with | | | | humidor, age your cigars by stripping off all packaging |
| a ring size of 52! | | | | and placing them in a humidor for a few months |
| Colors, Shapes, and Hand-Rolled | | | | before smoking. Do not store your cigars in the |
| After choosing a cigar based on size, you can start to | | | | refrigerator because it will dry them out.o Throw away |
| whittle down your choices by choosing the color of the | | | | partially smoked cigars--do not put a stinky used cigar |
| exterior wrapper color (there are more than 100 | | | | in your humidor!o To really enjoy your cigar smoking |
| different wrapper shades!) and the shape of the cigar. | | | | experience, choose the right drink to go with your |
| Flared, tapered, pyramid are the basic shapes. And | | | | carefully chosen indulgence. Try some strong-flavored |
| don't buy the cheapest cigar -- hand-rolled cigars | | | | drinks to enhance the flavor of your cigar, such as |
| should be your only choice. No one can ever | | | | scotch, port wine, and Kahlua drinks.o Biting the tip off |
| appreciate the true joy of cigar smoking with a | | | | a premium cigar should only be done by gangsters in |
| machine-made cigar. Don't even spend the money. | | | | movies. Don't do it. Use a sharp cigar cutter.o Do not |
| Start with Mild-Flavored Cigars | | | | use paper matches to light your cigar. Use a butane |
| If your gift is for an aspiring cigar connoisseur, start by | | | | lighter for best results. Wooden matches are OK but |
| buying one of several different sizes/styles of cigars | | | | make sure you let the sulfur burn off first.o When you |
| at your local tobacconist. Choose mild cigars at first | | | | are finished with your cigar, let it burn itself out in the |
| and work your way up to stronger flavors. Here are | | | | ashtray. Snuffing your cigar out leaves an unpleasant |
| the benefits of starting with mild cigars: they generally | | | | smell. |