The First Step: Your Guide to the World of Cigars
Welcome. Step into a world that is more than just smoke. A world of ritual, taste, deceleration, and culture. Enjoying a cigar is not a quick act, but a conscious decision for a timeout, a dialogue with yourself and one of the noblest natural products in the world.
If you are reading this text, you have already taken the first and most important step: you are curious. You are ready to open a door. This guide will be your key. It will help you take the first steps safely and with joy, avoid common mistakes, and understand from the beginning why this passion has fascinated people all over the world for centuries.
Who is this "Aficionado"?
In the world of cigars, you will repeatedly come across this term: Aficionado. The Spanish word simply means "enthusiast". But it describes more than just a casual smoker. An aficionado is someone who celebrates the enjoyment. He (or she, the Aficionada) is interested in the origin, the craftsmanship, and the culture behind the cigar. He respects the product and the time it takes to enjoy it.
Don't worry, you don't have to be an expert to enjoy your first cigar. But with the attitude of an aficionado – with respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn – your journey will be infinitely richer.
Choosing Your First Weapon: Your First Cigar
The wall of a humidor at a dealer can be intimidating. Hundreds of boxes, unknown names, different colors and shapes. How do you find the right start here?
The golden rule for starting out is: Start gentle. Your palate first needs to get used to the complex aromas. A cigar that is too strong or too spicy could overwhelm you and spoil the enjoyment. Stick to these three simple criteria:
- Strength: Mild. Look for cigars described as "mild" or "gentle". They often offer creamy, earthy, or slightly sweet notes that do not overload the palate. Cigars with a light, golden-brown wrapper (a so-called Connecticut Shade) are often a good choice.
- Origin: Dominican Republic. Cigars from the Dominican Republic are famous for their elegance and their generally milder, balanced blends. They are often the perfect choice for beginners. Some cigars from Honduras can also be suitable. Save stronger calibers from Cuba or Nicaragua for later.
- Format: Robusto or Corona. Don't go for the biggest and thickest cigar. A small to medium format is ideal.
- - Robusto: A relatively short but thick format. It burns coolly and evenly and offers a smoking time of approx. 45-60 minutes – perfect for the start.
- - Corona: A classic, elegant format, slightly thinner and longer than the Robusto. Smoking time also around 45-60 minutes.
Beginner's Checklist:
- Ask the dealer! Say openly that you are a beginner and are looking for a mild, good beginner's cigar. A good dealer will be happy to advise you.
- Buy individually. You don't have to buy a whole box. Buy one or two different individual cigars to find out what you like.
- The price is not everything. A good beginner's cigar does not have to be expensive. There are excellent options in the range of 5 to 8 euros.
The Most Important Thing: Take Your Time
The biggest mistake a beginner can make is to treat a cigar like a cigarette. You don't smoke a cigar "quickly during a break". Plan at least an hour for your first cigar, during which you will not be disturbed.
Find a quiet place. Sit back. Maybe with a glass of water, a coffee, or a mild rum. Turn off the phone. It's just about you and the cigar.
You are now ready. You have chosen your first cigar, you have created a moment of peace. In the next chapter we will learn together what exactly you are holding in your hands – the fascinating anatomy of a cigar.