WHISKEY AND CIGARS
Let us help you through a daunting task
Making the choice
Choosing the perfect cigar isn’t always an easy task. Maybe you are new to cigars, or maybe you are looking for a particular cigar flavor profile. No matter the occasion, your local tobacconist can help. “A tobacconist is always going to guide you in a way that is going to open you up to new experiences,” says Liquor Barn tobacco merchant, Jason Lois. “If you are new to cigars it’s important to allow the tobacconist to help guide you.”
Newer cigar smokers can be put off by strong flavor profiles found in medium to full bodied cigars, and it’s important to note that you can’t always tell what you are getting by the color of the wrapper. Some blends can be deceiving, and it’s the job of the tobacconist to know the flavor profile of each and every cigar in the humidor.
Lois likes to liken the flavor categories to breakfast, lunch, and dinner – light, medium and full, respectively.
Walking into a humidor as an occasional cigar smoker can be daunting. There are so many different cigars from which to choose, and there are new releases coming out all the time. If you had a go-to cigar that you liked 20 years ago it may or may not still be around.
“There are so many different variances within a cigar lounge or retail center, and it’s easy to get intimidated when walking into a humidor,” says Lois. “Often when someone is new to cigars they can feel overwhelmed.
There are so many different vitolas, so many different color variations. For someone new to cigars I would direct them to something more mild, like a Connecticut wrapper.
Steering them toward the Connecticut wrapper or Dominican manufacturer, those usually have lighter, less strong nuances, so I feel that someone less accustomed to smoking cigars would find that more approachable.”
But even if you are a seasoned cigar smoker, the rate of new releases coming out can still be overwhelming.
Lois says, “Someone who has more experience is generally going to want more flavor. Some people misunderstand full bodied to mean full strength, but it really means full flavored. There are so many variances between medium to full bodied cigars, options range from Nicaraguan to Brazilian and more.”
Talking things out with the customer is the best way to ensure thatthey enjoy the cigar smoking experience.
“Often when you ask someone what their favorite cigar is they will tell you the brand almost instantly, but if you dig a little deeper you will hear why that cigar was so special. More often than not, it is a story of the experience. A story of the smell of their grandfather whom had passed, a celebratory event, a beautiful destination trip. All of the experiences and more that were made even better by an amazing cigar.”
“I want them to experience whatever the master blender wanted them to experience with that cigar,” says Lois. “We smoke cigars for the experience, and you want something to compliment that.”
After all, nothing ruins your day like the wrong cigar. To avoid this, no matter whether you are a beginner, novice, or a pro, always trust your local tobacconist.