Earlier this year, I was strolling the streets of New York and ended up sitting in the Carnegie Club with an Old Fashioned in one hand and a cigar in the other while My Way by Frank Sinatra played from a speaker flanking leather-bound books behind the couch I had been using as my perch. It was my first cigar, but it led to a slight obsession that recently found me on the back deck of a lodge in Kenya, staring at Mount Kilimanjaro and smoking a stick while giraffes meandered by. Admittedly, there has been no intention in my budding hobby; I am aimlessly choosing the cigars that look good (the ones that look like those smoked by Arnold or Stallone in the movies, obviously). But I have decided to approach these in a new way, with a little help from my friends over at La Aurora, who graciously decided to navigate my ignorance with some info compiled by Brand Manager John Gaglio, with input from Master Blender Manuel Ynoa, CEO Ed McKenna, and Brand Manager Elvis Batista.
What to look for in your first cigar
When you go to a cigar lounge, it is a little easier to get something that works for you through hospitality. Just like buying a new suit, you can just walk into a suit store and have a professional help you figure out what works best to cover all your wants; you can walk into a cigar lounge and give a professional a flavor profile and let them get to work. But, when you are on your own, in a cigar shop or speaking to a tobacconist, it would make a lot of sense to have a starting point. So I asked Gaglio to help me
“Size and wrapper. Those two things tell you more than any tasting note on the label. Because at the end of the day, tasting notes are just what someone else perceives. A thin, short cigar is going to have more flavor, due to the wrapper to binder/filler ratio. A Robusto burns cooler and gives the flavor room to unfold as well. A short-robusto is also a safe bet because you’re not committing to a 60-minute smoke as you find what your palate prefers. On the wrapper, look for “medium-bodied” or “mild-to-medium.” A Connecticut or Cameroon is always where I point newcomers to, because it’s where I found my footing, and also my favorite wrapper (Cameroon).
“My introduction was with our 107 Nicaragua Toro given to me by our tour guide in the factory… which I smoked way too fast… and was way too strong for me at the time… Maybe don’t start there. Now I feel like our 107 Nicaragua is a fairly medium-bodied strength, if slightly on the medium-full strength end. Which is to say that as you branch out from your first cigar, your palate and perception can shift.”
Tips from a master blender
Ok, down to the nitty-gritty. When you start talking about your favorite cigars, it is easy to overthink it. Taste is subjective, but blends aren’t. When the cigar is bourbon-infused, cherry flavored, or any of a hundred other profiles, the intent is that they come across in a way that invokes the feeling you’re looking for. For me, the bourbon-infused called to me (surprise, surprise, I lean toward more bourbon). So that is it, right? Found it. My favorite. Nope, La Aurora’s Master Blender gives us a few other things to keep in mind as we select our favorite cigar.
“What our master blender says time and time again holds because it’s science. We have four core tastes your tongue/nose work to interpret: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. That’s it. With that in mind, three things matter: construction (does it draw and burn evenly?), balance (is one flavor dominating the rest?), and finish (does it evolve, or just stop?). Regarding construction, it’s important to remember that cigars are a handmade product; each one may not come out perfectly, but quality control is what separates some of the best manufacturers. Even then, imperfections are possible, like a stem that doesn’t get removed completely and will affect both the draw and burn.”
Why should I try cigars?
But seriously though, what is the point? I am a 43-year-old man who had never smoked cigars until this year. Is it really worth getting into? Here is the thing: I tend to gravitate towards the luxurious side of life. I love the indulgences that let me kick back, unwind, and dive deep into my thoughts. That is why I love coffee, bourbon, and a good movie. That is why I drift towards the finer fabrics that feel more comfortable. The ceremonial effect of smoking a cigar is the ultimate relaxation. And a pace to the evening. Slow down, indulge.
“Time and Conversations. Cigars force you to slow down and have conversations. At a cigar lounge, oftentimes those conversations are with people from all different walks of life and beliefs, which is increasingly rare in our country. Handmade Product. Speaking of increasingly rare, the number of handmade objects that we engage with on a daily basis falls into that category. The number of hands that go into the production of a cigar is pretty amazing from seed to smoke. Each time you smoke a cigar, you are engaging with the culture and people that created it. This handmade element, I feel like, is amplified to a much greater extent as compared to spirits.”
What cigar should I try first?
Now down to brass tax. Let’s talk through what cigar I should reach for. Flavors are all well and good, but as stated above, there are different wrappers, different widths, different lengths, different everything. So what do I get? Where do I start? Well, Gaglio has a thought.
“Medium-bodied, and don’t shy from a little spice. I’m partial to Dominican Corojo because the Cibao Valley boasts some of the best Corojo— peppery, but never a punch to the face— and Cameroon, which unfolds into something nuttier and more layered the longer you sit with it. Both are welcoming without being boring. Tell your tobacconist you want a medium-bodied Dominican or Cameroon wrapper and let them take it from there!”
If you are ready to try out your first cigar, or if you are rediscovering them, La Aurora is a great place to start. Knowledge and hospitality make for an epic experience.
