Welcome to the wonderful world of cigars. If this is your first time purchasing cigars, this guide will give you the basics on how to choose cigars, from type to flavour to price. If you're already into this popular pastime, this guide can help you become a true connoisseur. If you're looking for more specific information regarding cigars, scroll down to the bottom of this page. These related buying guides are more focused articles on the same general topic share with us!
Things to Consider
Do you want a long fillers" when looking for premium cigars. These are cigars which have been diligently rolled by hand using only full leaves.
You may also wonder about the different shapes and sizes of cigars. The typical shapes are categorized by length, girth (aka ring gauge), the barrel shape, as well as the smoking time. Length is measured in inches, and typical lengths go from 3cigar'>larga (longer cigars tend to last longer and give a "cooler" smoke. The diameter of a cigar is measured by a ring gauge. As a rule, a ring gauge of 64 means a 1" diameter. So, gauge is determined by 1/64ths of an inch. Typical gauges go from 32 to 52.
The wrapper is the outer leaf of the cigar and it can range from a greenish hue to a dark brown, nearly black colour. It is important to consider the wrapper because it influences the immediate taste of the cigar in your mouth. However, it is less influential on the smoke itself. Another way of reading a cigar's strength is on a rating scale from 1-5, where 1 is mild and 5 is full bodied.
Types of Cigars
Below are the most common cigar types. Other types include Culebra. If you would like a lengthy, but comprehensive explanation of types, sizes, and more, please see this cigar FAQ.
Country of Origin
Tobacco for cigars is grown all over the world. Likewise, cigars are produced in several countries. Here are just a few of the most common. For an in depth breakdown of the various flavours, please see this cigar FAQ (section 2.7 and 2.7a).
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