Modern cigar smokers are one hell of a niche crowd, and they aren't afraid to admit it. While the popularity of cigar smoking in the United States has ebbed and flowed since its widespread emergence in the late 19th and early 20th century, cigar culture is stronger than ever.
For nearly two centuries, connoisseurs, collectors, and manufacturers dedicated to keeping humidor shelves stocked and fresh blends rolling out have kept this form of relaxation and olfactory-oriented enjoyment alive. From legacy brands and family dynasties to the recent surge in interest in boutique and small-batch artisanal cigars, there has never been a better time to be a cigar smoker.
The reason why we say this is because there’s just so much out there to keep folks interested. Furthermore, the advent of online cigar retailers and the resources that come with a quick online search is not only convenient as all hell, but encouraging as well. There’s more reason than ever to learn, engage, appreciate, and explore cigar smoking together, both here at Case Elegance, and over at our cigar-exclusive sister site, Klaro Cigars.
May it be the act of walking a new cigar smoker through the cigar humidor maintenance process or sharing some long-term cigar aging tips we've found to work well with experienced cigar collectors, we are all here to savor this fascinating tobacco culture together. That is why today, we think it might be worth investigating the benefits of cigar smoking. For contrary to common belief, cigar smoking isn't just about flavor and collecting cool points.
Exploring & Understanding Cigars
A key benefit of cigar smoking is exploring the combinations of different wrappers, binders, and fillers, as well as the various shapes, blends, and sizes that can affect the smoking experience. This provides almost limitless possibilities for cigar makers and smokers to experience over a lifetime.
Perhaps the allure of cigars begins at the craft level, for this is a centuries-old artisanal process. While the crop year, or "cosecha," matters a ton, so too does the region where a certain strain of tobacco is grown, the curing and fermentation processes utilized, and the rarity of the blend itself. Premium cigars are also hand-rolled, and the size of the cigar, as well as its shape, blend ingredients, and aging time, all can influence a cigar smoking experience.
As cigar smokers, we learn to appreciate the nuances of these differentiations between various blends and sizes, or "vitolas." As we go, we learn from our own preferences and determine whether we favor a full-bodied blend over a mild one, a spicy stick over something sweeter, and so forth. This experimentation and exploration is one of the key benefits of smoking and learning about cigars, and is the primary reason why people like to puff around a purchase cigar sample packs.
But this is the low-hanging fruit when discussing cigars and why we love them. Let's delve a bit deeper and discuss some of the science behind cigar smoking, as well as the ritualistic rewards involved with this hedonistic hobby.
Benefits of Cigar Smoking
One of the primary benefits of smoking cigars is that it brings people together.
While the hobby can be solitary, cigar smoking tends to be a social activity. Bonding over a couple of tasty smokes can lead to new friendships, valuable conversations, previously unknown knowledge, and even fresh business ventures. Don’t have a pack of pals who prefer to puff stogies in their free time? Join an online cigar enthusiast page like the Klaro Members Facebook Group. There's always something going on over there, and it provides a great space for those looking to learn about what other people are pairing with their cigars, as well as cigar storage and aging techniques, cigar accessory advice, humidor troubleshooting, and much, much more.
Secondly, there is nothing quite like a good cigar at the end of a long and stressful day. Cigars offer a form of stress reduction and relaxation that’s hard to beat. Just an hour or two of quiet, contemplative time alone is a natural way for you to process the day’s events, meditate, and reduce your overall stress. Nicotine may be habit-forming, but studies show there are also some seriously beneficial neurological perks to this natural stimulant as well.
Thirdly, the experience of smoking a cigar is reason enough to smoke cigars. Appreciating the craftsmanship and cultural significance of this multi-century-old artisanal art form leads to learning about how new blends are formed, leading to fresh flavors, unique aromas, and deeply layered textures. The more you smoke, the better you will get at recognizing the subtle differences between blends, and the nuances that can make an aged cigar taste different than a fresh stick.
Embracing Cigar Smoking Rituals
Now, as for the cigar experience itself, that begins long before a cut and a flame are applied to a specific stick. The process actually starts when you begin to research a blend, hear about new cigars coming to market, visit a tobacco shop, or hop online to read a few cigar reviews. The research and the pleasure taken from finding a new cigar that seems to suit your personal preferences are all part of the ritual.
Then, there's the entire act of filling your humidor. For a seasoned smoker, this typically involves keeping a few EDC faves in plentiful supply, setting some stronger sticks aside for a bit of additional cigar aging action, procuring new experimental blends, and keeping specific smokes on hand for certain occasions or pairings. Essentially, the stocking options are endless, and so too are the cigar humidor maintenance routines that follow.
Now, as for the actual ritual of smoking a cigar, prepping a stogie can be a ton of fun, especially if you plan on dry boxing your cigars to get that humidity level just right. Deciding whether a straight, V, or punch cut is appropriate brings with it some serious consideration, as does selecting a torch lighter, cedar spill, or some other form of cigar lighting methodology. Few things are more satisfying than a decisive, well-placed cut on a perfectly seasoned cigar, followed by a clean and even light that produces a plethora of lush smoke.
The more cigars you smoke, the more pleasurable these rituals will become, as you begin to experiment with pairing food and drink with your cigars, further enhancing the complexity and rewards earned from the entire cigar-smoking ritual.
Enhancing the Experience
Similar to eating and drinking, cigars are an olfactory-oriented, flavor-filled experience. Just like you would pair certain foods with wine, smoking cigars invites unique pairings, and the combinations are absolutely endless.
Traditionally, the pairing of cigars with alcohol was considered the norm, with whiskey and rum being the top two preferred beverages by far. But there are plenty of non-alcoholic drink pairings that work really well with cigars, with coffee being the most prominent. Whatever kind of drink you choose, exploring and discovering new cigars and the beverages that complement and contrast with them is one of the most enjoyable aspects of smoking stogies.
For pairing drinks with cigars, there are a few common strategies one can take:
- Explore what is tried and true. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, and you may develop a solid base by trying common favorites like a sweet bourbon with a creamy Honduran habano cigar blend.
- Try to match the intensity of the cigar with your drink. Full-bodied with full-bodied, mild with mild, and so forth.
- Consider contrasting flavors that also complement. A creamy stout may pair well with a malty oscuro cigar, but so too would something like a White Russian.
- Experiment with pairing cigars and beverages at different times of the day. A strong cup of coffee with a light Connecticut brunch cigar, a tropical IPA with a spicy corojo in the afternoon, or a glass of port wine alongside an oily Sumatran smoke all work really well together.
Speaking of brunch, food pairings open a world of new possibilities for cigar smokers. While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend eating a double bacon cheeseburger while smoking a Nicaraguan puro, certain cigars do pair well with desserts like chocolate, tiramisu, and even ice cream. Talk about a great way to conclude steak dinner night!
Cigar Accessories
Like any hobby, cigar smoking requires a certain amount of gear in order to get going. While sourcing the right cigar humidor for your specific needs is an essential accessory for keeping cigars in peak condition, there's a lot more to it than just sticking some stogies in a Spanish cedar-lined box.
While functionality matters most, aesthetics are equally important, as they can change the entire feel and look of a room. Ranging from basic wooden desktop boxes to ornately crafted pieces of art, here at Case Elegance, we believe that designing high-quality humidors that look just as good as they perform is crucial. That's why we offer a broad humidor selection that ranges from small cigar travel cases to glass top military stogie foot lockers, and onward to large-scale electric Fridgador cigar cabinets. If you’re looking for a slick-looking, safe place for your smokes, Case Elegance has a patented option for you.
But there's way more to cigar smoking gear than just humidors. The act of upgrading one's collection of ashtrays, cutters, torch lighters, and travel accessories brings with it immeasurable amounts of enjoyment and exploration. For instance, have you ever considered building a cigar accessory Everyday Carry (EDC) loadout? If not, you may want to check out that link we just embedded in that last sentence.
Exploring Cigar Culture
Cigar smoking, much like fine wine, has a vibrant culture surrounding it, with various clubs, communities, events, and festivals bringing smokers together.
From frequenting local cigar clubs and smoking lounges to being a member of an online community based around shared cigar subscriptions, stogie smokers have a plethora of ways of connecting with one another, as well as brand reps and even master blenders.
Cigar-related events, tobacco trade shows, and festivals are also quite commonplace, and provide a large format way of learning about cigar culture, as you try new blends, meet fellow smokers, and grow your understanding of all things fermented tobacco. Cigar tasting events, dinner pairings, and factory tours are all up for grabs, and allow you to discuss all manner of cigar-related topics.
But for those of you out there who are trivia buffs, exploring the history behind modern cigar culture is arguably one of the most fascinating aspects of this hobby we all share. Cigars have been around for a very long time, so learning about the way in which indigenous tribes used this sacred plant is just as fascinating as the modern blending methods used today. There is an endless amount of knowledge and history tied to cigar culture, and exploring it with an open mind is one of the greatest benefits of cigar smoking, especially when you have a stogie nearby to keep you company while you read.
Cigar Smoking and Business
There is a sense of connection when you meet a fellow cigar smoker. A common interest in a niche premium adult product requires a defined interest in the finer things in life. In business scenarios, finding a fellow cigar enthusiast that you can connect with is just as important as impressing the boss at the boardroom meeting.
While the stereotype of bigwig businessmen in suits smoking cigars has permeated mass media for over a century, it is the working man or woman's ability to connect and network over a cigar with colleagues that is one of the most beneficial aspects of cigar smoking. In fact, cigar smoking and networking are so intertwined that offering cigars or a cigar accessory gift set as a hospitality gift to a new client or business partner who smokes is something that is rarely frowned upon. Furthermore, if you happen to know what type of blends they prefer to puff, then that means it is your time to shine.
Cigar Collecting and Investment
Like wine, whiskey, watches, cars, comic books, rare coins, or any other form of potentially valuable material possession, cigar collecting comes with some serious rewards. While not something that the average novice cigar smoker will ever consider in their life, the practice of collecting cigars and the enjoyment that comes with the accessibility to a valuable collection is immeasurable.
Since most cigars improve with age, a hardcore collector can maintain a cigar cache that for much of a decade may increase in value. Limited edition runs, trade show exclusive releases, discontinued brand lines, rare vitolas, and small batch boutique blends all contribute to exclusivity and, potentially, increased value.
But like baseball cards, the act of trading cigars is also quite commonplace. Have a few extra limited-run smokes you wouldn't mind swapping out for one really expensive vintage release from a few years back? Collecting cigars allows you the ability to capitalize upon the contents of your humidor, and not just the funds in your bank account.
Parting Puffs
Cigar smoking offers much more than just a puff of smoke. There’s a rich history, craftsmanship, and community wrapped up inside every stick, with dozens of side quests along the way just begging to be explored.
Whether you are delving into the complexities of cigar flavor profiles, building a collection, or simply enjoying the camaraderie found within time spent with fellow stogie smokers, cigar smoking provides a unique, multi-faceted list of benefits unlike any other.
It’s not just the taste and experience that draw us to cigar smoking. The act of relaxing after a long day with a vintage blend pulled from your personalized humidor, and then pairing it with a tasty beverage and some choice smoking accessories, makes for a multi-faceted experience that cannot be summed up in a series of sentences. It is something that has to be experienced first-hand to be fully understood and appreciated, and only then will you be able to fully embrace the many benefits of smoking cigars.
