Aficionado Wine and Cigar can educate
those new to cigar smoking

At Aficionado Wine and Cigars in Perrysburg we want to educate the novice cigar smoker to make your experience enjoyable.

The first thing you should know is cigars come in various shapes and sizes. They are categorized by their length and ring gauge (diameter). Although each cigar manufacturer's product may differ, below are some of the most common names and sizes.

• Panatela 5 x 38
  
• Perfecto 5 x 44
  
• Petit Corona 4 ½ - 5 x 40-42
  
• Robusto 5 x 48 - 52
  
• Corona 5 ½ x 42
  
• Toro 7 x 47 - 52
  
• Belicoso 5 ½ x 52
  
• Torpedo 6 x 50
  
• Pyramid 6 x 52
  
• Lonsdale 6 ½ x 42
  
• Churchill 7 x 47 - 52
  
• Double Corona 7 ½ x 49

The first thing we tell people to get used to smoking a cigar is to try a mild one first. Your first premium cigar should be a mild one, with a tan or light-brown wrapper and medium-sized. Expect to pay at least $5 and maybe even more than $10 for the single cigar, because you want your first experience to be a good one. Ask the knowledgeable smoke shop staff at Aficionado’s for help in choosing. Do not be afraid to ask. If no one is around to give you a recommendation, stay with name brands like Macanudo, Cohiba or Montecristo. Enjoy the cigar in a place where you can smoke it with pleasure, and taste the premium tobacco for the first time.

One of the major factors in the taste of cigars is the wrapper. There are six different types of cigar wrappers, from light to dark:

If your serious about wanting to try cigar smoking then do not buy a cigar from a gas station, they are cheap and made with inferior tobacco. A good cigar has been kept in a humidor at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 percent humidity. It should be somewhat moist and pliable: squeeze it gently to see if it has any flexibility. Look for uniform color and no odd discolorations or cracks. The wrapper should be tight and not frayed. The best single cigars often come from boxes that have been open and left in the humidor for a few weeks, where they can properly age. If the cigar doesn't look or smell fresh, don't buy it.

Our advice to the beginner would be to consider what type of experience you are looking for. Cigars come in different tastes, shapes and sizes. The most sensible step to take would be to try different cigars within the mild to medium-bodied category. A vanilla cigar is a good starter as well.

Before you can begin to enjoy your premium cigar you must first clip the end off. In old movies, cigar smokers would bite the tips off. We do not recommend this because it can fray the wrapper and loosen the cigar. Cigar clipping is as personal as the brand of cigars you choose. Some like to cut the top off the cigar, others simply punch a hole in the tip and start smoking. To start, you'll probably use a knife or guillotine cutter, but try to cut evenly and don't take off too much. After getting used to smoking premium cigars, you might want to try a cigar punch instead, which takes off less of the cigar.

If you have any questions about cigars and smoking cigars you should check out our frequently asked questions page or feel free to e-mail us at aficionado123@sbcglobal.net or you can visit our Perrysburg cigar store located at the Shoppe’s at River Place.