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Cigar Basics Appealing Brands for New Smokers

Cigar Basics: Appealing Brands for New Smokers


It may surprise you to learn that cigars were once far more popular than cigarettes, even though the cigarette was invented first. That's right! The first cigarette factory was established in London in 1856. But cigarettes were viewed as a habit for the riffraff, while cigar and pipe smoking was a popular pastime of gentlemen.

At its apex in the early nineteenth century, over 6 billion cigars were sold annually, compared to 3.5 billion cigarettes. Even though they were cheaper and easier to produce with the advent of the cigarette-rolling machine in 1880, the cigarette did not surpass the cigar in popularity until the First World War. At one time, four out of five American men enjoyed at least one cigar a day.

In modern times, cigar smoking is considered a refined habit, much like drinking wine. Devotees often know the terminology, habits, and cigar smoking rituals like the back of their hands. They even read popular, high-end magazines like Cigar Aficionado in their spare time. This tells us that cigar smoking is not only a habit, but also a hobby.

By comparison, what does the average cigarette smoker know about the brand he buys every day? Does he know about the size, the blend, the wrapper, the filler and what effect they have on the taste and flavor? No, of course not. And that is why cigar smoking can be a little intimidating for new smokers. It is both hobby and habit and its participants are expected to know what they're talking about when enter their local cigar shop. In this article we will review a few of the best cigars for beginners. These cigars not only taste great, but they will also help educate the tyro.

But before we begin, we want to briefly discuss some general rules for new smokers. When looking for an early cigar, it is always a good idea to choose one with a mild to medium blend. Stronger cigars are typically too much for a new smoker and smoking is no longer considered a rite of passage. It is a completely voluntary activity that only about four percent of men engage in, so there is no reason to do it if you don't enjoy it.

Size is also extremely important since cigars take a lot longer to smoke than cigarettes. The beginner should choose a popular size like the robust, which is five inches long with a 50 ring gauge. This size will provide about forty-five minutes to an hour of smoking pleasure. By comparison, a Gran Corona is more than 9 inches long and will take at least an hour and a half to finish. Most new smokers don't have that kind of stamina and they might even get sick if they try to smoke a giant stogie right out of the gate. With that said, let us move on to a few of the best cigars for beginners.

Macanudo Hampton Court

The Macanudo is an exception cigar for new smokers. Not only is it available in mild to medium blends, but it is also one of the top-selling premium brands in the United States, which means that they are stocked in most cigar shops. A truly international effort, the Hampton Court is assembled in the Dominican Republic with local filler, Mexican binders, and wrappers from the U.S. At 5 ½ inches long with a slender ring gauge of 42, it is classified as a corona, a great size for beginners.

The flavor of the Macanudo Hampton court is incredibly mild and smooth. Since the flavor and strength are not overpowering, it can be enjoyed with most beverages. On average, a corona cigar takes around 35 to 40 minutes to finish. Again, this is the perfect time range for the neophyte. Not to mention the fact that they are extremely inexpensive. Even in pricey urban cigar shops, the Macanudo Hampton Court should cost no more than five dollars each.

Carlos Torano Casa Torano Robusto

At 4 ¾ inches long and with a ring gauge (circumference) of 52, the Robusto from Casa Torano lasts about at long as the aforementioned Macanudo Hampton Court. The filler is a mild-to-medium blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. Unlike the Macanudo, however, the Carlos Torano goes best with a port wine, especially a chocolate port.

Its flavor is far more complex that the Macanudo, but it is not overpowering. The taste is rich and smooth and there are plenty of subtle flavors that even experienced smokers may have difficulty identifying. However, it is not the least bit spicy, which is why it is a favorite of new smokers. Best of all, these cigars are ridiculously cheap. At 80-90 dollars for a box of 25, that's only around 3.50 each! Because they are slightly harder to find than the Macanudos, you should expect to pay a bit more for a single stick.

Gispert Corona

The Gispert Corona is one of the most popular cigars for beginners for two simple reasons. First, it is an incredible value at just 2 dollars per cigar. Second, it is the perfect learning cigar. That is, even the greenest of the green can identify its obvious earthy outdoor flavors with a hint of leather. The aroma of the Gispert Corona is natural and invigorating and it can be smoked with almost any beverage. We recommend enjoying one of these Honduran treats in the dead of winter in front of an open fireplace to complete the experience.

Joshua Correia is a freelance writer who writes about shopping and buying tobacco products such as cigars

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com