| cigar smoker why they do it and they will pontificate | | | | off-the-beaten-path into the mix then you should try |
| for as long as you will let them about the sublime and | | | | the Villiger Original Krumme 4/6. They are mild |
| meditative act of enjoying a good cigar. They will go | | | | Swiss-made culebra-style cigars. A culebra is actually |
| on and on about their personal cigar-smoking | | | | 3 small cigars twirled together. |
| experience, never once admitting to the fact that they | | | | Variety is important, but you should also be careful not |
| take great pride in their knowledge of cigars and in the | | | | to get too carried away. Don’t buy cigars you |
| collection they have accumulated. | | | | don’t think you will actually enjoy just for the |
| The fact is that every serious cigar smoker wants a | | | | sake of mixing up your collection. |
| collection that will be the envy of his friends. Even | | | | 3. The Holy Grails |
| though most cigar aficionados would never admit it, | | | | Every cigar collection should have a few premium |
| there is a social and almost club-like bond between | | | | cigars. Price doesn’t always determine quality, |
| cigar smokers. | | | | but having a few expensive cigars will add a sense of |
| Sure, there is the image of a man sitting in his study | | | | exclusivity to your collection. |
| quietly enjoying a smoke and a great novel. Solitary | | | | The CAO America Anthem is a great all-American |
| enjoyment is a big part of cigar smoking. But half the | | | | presidente-style cigar. It is made from two Connecticut |
| fun of smoking cigars is talking with your friends about | | | | wrapper leaves that encircle longfiller tobaccos from |
| the brands you have experienced and the ones that | | | | Nicaragua, Italy, the Dominican Republic, and the United |
| you would like to try. | | | | States. It is a great showpiece cigar and would make |
| Building an enviable cigar collection requires tact, | | | | a fine centerpiece to any collection. |
| variety, and daring choices. Here are a few tips | | | | 4. The Liquid Collection |
| toward making your collection the talk of the town. | | | | A cigar collection should be like the menu of your |
| 1. Proper Storage | | | | favorite restaurant. There are the old standbys that |
| First off, any serious collection of cigars is going to be | | | | made you fall in love with the cooking in the first place, |
| stored in a proper humidor. If you don’t have | | | | but you keep coming back to see what new specials |
| one, it is time to get one. Beyond just keeping your | | | | they might have. |
| cigars at the proper temperature and humidity, a | | | | Collecting cigars works the same way. You can |
| humidor will add that subtle cedar flavor that is | | | | amass the greatest collection of cigars that the world |
| otherwise unobtainable. | | | | has ever seen, but unless you keep adding and trying |
| The Neo Classic I Humidor is small (it only holds about | | | | new brands and styles then it will get boring in a hurry. |
| 25 cigars), but it is a great starter humidor and what it | | | | Don’t be afraid to get out there and try |
| lacks in size it makes up in style. It has a black lacquer | | | | something new every once in a while. This applies not |
| finish and the corners are accented with Greek-style | | | | just to cigars, but to your whole life. The strong and |
| columns. Piano hinges support the lid and it even | | | | almost spicy aroma of the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos |
| comes with a lock and key to keep the kids out. | | | | Belicoso might initially turn off someone who is used to |
| On the opposite end of the size spectrum is the | | | | a more mild smoke. Give it a whirl though and its blend |
| Montegue End Table Humidor. Yes, it is a humidor so | | | | of rare tobaccos might change your tune. |
| large that it actually functions as an end table. Behind | | | | 5. The Shared Collection |
| two doors and in one drawer you can store a | | | | There isn’t much point in collecting cigars if you |
| whopping 1,500 cigars. With a humidor this size it | | | | are just going to just let them sit there. And there is no |
| becomes less like collecting cigars and more like | | | | fun in showing off your collection if you aren’t |
| stockpiling them. | | | | willing to share it. You might amass a variety of cigars |
| Don’t worry though; there are plenty of | | | | that would turn the most experienced aficionado into a |
| humidors of every size in between so it should be | | | | jealous maniac, but unless you are willing to offer him a |
| easy enough to find one that will house your collection | | | | cigar from your collection he will deny your tastes until |
| without going too overboard. | | | | his dying day. |
| 2. Variety | | | | There is a sense of devilish delight that can be |
| The first step towards building a respectable collection | | | | obtained from building a collection of cigars that will |
| is variety. This doesn’t mean you have to have | | | | make your friends jealous. But the real joy in collecting |
| every obscure shape, style, and brand of cigar, but | | | | cigars comes from the enjoyment you get in having a |
| you should at least make an attempt to try and have | | | | cigar with a good friend. It is fun to try new cigars and |
| a decent mix on hand. This isn’t just for | | | | discussing your hobby with others is a great way to |
| presentation’s sake, but it will also grow your | | | | increase your cigar knowledge. |
| own tastes and experience. | | | | However, it is the other discussions that you have |
| A nice corona is always at home in any collection and | | | | over a cigar that matter the most. It is the talks you |
| the Cruz Real Corono Sumatra is a terrific example. | | | | and your friends have about your families. About your |
| The Connecticut wrapper version has a great | | | | troubles and your dreams. About your place in the |
| medium-bodied smoke that will make these a staple of | | | | universe and in each other’s lives. A collection |
| your collection. | | | | of cigars is really just material. |
| If you are looking to throw something a little | | | | |