Cigar smokers are not a rambunctious bunch, more a respectable group of enthusiasts who have an elegant taste for tightly rolled tobacco. But being one of these enthusiasts does not come easy, cigar smoking is accompanied with some unwritten rules that if not abided by, can be accountable for giving all cigar smokers a bad name.
To start from the beginning when holding a cigar, the proper grasp is between the thumb and index finger. Most people try to put the cigar between their index and middle finger, like a cigarette, but that right off the bat will be the telltale sign of a cigarette smoker, not a cigar enthusiast.

When lighting your cigar, never let anyone else light it for you. You probably paid a good amount for it, or at least want people to think you did, so you might as well light it properly and enjoy the full experience. If someone else lights your cigar you can inhale too hard and intake too much smoke, which could leave you feeling too light-headed and woozy to take a second hit.

In regards to the label, which is glued on the cigar’s outer leaf, some people like to leave them on to show off the brand, but others have no problem taking off their label. This is really up to the smoker and if you do decide to take off the label, wait until the cigar becomes warm enough for the glue to soften and peel it off. This process should take no more than four hits so about five minutes of smoking. If you find yourself smoking an exotic cigar, such as a Cuban, my advice is to leave the label on and show off your style.

Smoking cigars isn’t a race. During your process you should be taking no more than a hit a minute. Rushing through a cigar will leave you feeling sick because it is tightly packed with freshly grown tobacco; it is meant to be enjoyed. Specifically if your cigar has a heavy flavor, feel free to take your time.

Don’t let ash build up too much on the butt of the cigar. I know it looks really cool to have a four inch trail of ash clinging to the end of your cigar, but that just leaves your clothes in the danger zone for ash stains. A giant trail of ash will also make you immobile and cigars are very social, I doubt you’ll want to sit in a corner just so you can accumulate a significant amount of ash to brag to your friends about. Ashtrays were made for a reason, once about half an inch of ash accumulates, brush it off and start smoking again.

Upon the cigars completion, dispose it discretely and don’t light another for 15 minutes. Any less than 15 minutes gives off the impression that smoking cigars are impulsive or a habit not an activity for pleasure.

Cigar enthusiasts should be considerate to non-smokers when lighting up their cigars. If people don’t want you to smoke inside, just head into the backyard or the front porch to get your fix. Smoking cigars is like being in a cult, it is worth the extra effort in order to give all other cigar smokers and yourself a good name.

The Bourbon and Anisette flavor is packed with fresh tobacco grown strictly in Kentucky and Tennessee because the nutrients in the soil help create a heavy flavor that is bound to leave a warm feeling in your stomach and a little light headedness as well. After the 100% real tobacco is machine-rolled, an Avanti is dry-cured in hickory smoke and aged four months to reach maximum flavor.

The mellow process of smoking an Avanti is very relaxing and because the cigar is a little bit smaller than most (4.2×32), it makes it a great bet for any new smoker. The Scranton, Pennsylvania product’s flavor also makes it the perfect choice for occasional smokers. Avantis have a nearly identical taste to licorice and are light enough for any morning commute or night out on the town.

Avanti cigars aren’t expensive, a single is a little over a buck and a box of 50 is about 35-dollars. Don’t let the price fool you, these cigars’ unique flavor is often referred to as one of the best in the world and can give any 20-dollar stogie a run for its money. Whether trying to keep your buzz going on the way to next bar or just trying to kill time on your walk to the gym, Avantis’ light flavor is a great way to kill time while inhaling something comparable to Twizzlers.

$80.75 Box of 8 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Macanudo Cafe

• Size/Shape:

  3.75 x 24

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Mild

• Country of Origin:

  Dominican Republic

Now crafted exclusively in the Dominican Republic, every Macanudo Cafe cigar is made with the finest Connecticut Shade wrapper, a flavorful blend of Dominican tobaccos and a select binder grown in the rich St. Andres Tuxtla Valley of Mexico. And to assure you of the same smoothness in cigar after cigar, the makers of Macanudo use only the most thoroughly aged tobaccos. Every time you light up a Macanudo, you can count on enjoying the same relaxing experience, for this is the cigar that always delivers the same distinctively Macanudo-smooth taste.

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$71 Box of 20 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Arturo Fuente

• Size/Shape:

  6.75 x 50

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Medium

• Country of Origin:

  Dominican Republic

Arturo Fuente is more than just the finest smoking enjoyment a cigar lover can experience, it represents Four Generations of family tradition, that include love, pride, and personal sacrifices. Blended with the finest “Fuente Tobaccos” internationally recognized for their superiority, the Gran Reserva is then skillfully rolled with African Cameroon, Connecticut Shade or the most recent addition to the Gran Reserva line, Ecuadorian Sun Grown, these wrapper tobaccos are the most expensive and sought after wrapper tobacco in the world. A Fuente cigars are then aged in Spanish Cedar vaults to a peak of perfection to create a marriage of the blends producing an excellent “individualistic” heavyweight cigar to be counted among the worlds finest.

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$122 Box of 24 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Nub

• Size/Shape:

  4 x 60

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Medium

• Country of Origin:

  Nicaraguan

Oliva Cigar Co., the makers of the Oliva Serie V – “Rated 94” and “The Top Cigar of the Year” by Cigar Aficionado – have introduced a new cigar innovation that is creating tremendous buzz. “Nub”, is a genius concept that seeks to deliver only that most enjoyable part of the cigar. The idea for the nubs came from cigar enthusiast Sam Leccia’s theory that a cigar finds its “sweet spot” at the 3 ½- 4 inch point. All “nub” cigars must exist within this window. No “nub” is longer than 4 inches. The cigar starts at the sweet spot and gets better from there. The large ring gauge allows for a dense ash which insulates the cigar keeping it cool as you smoke. The large amount of smoke also allows you to really enjoy the complex flavors.

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$162 Box of 25 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Macanudo Maduro

• Size/Shape:

  5.5 x 49

• Wrapper:

  Maduro

• Strength:

  Medium

• Country of Origin:

  Dominican Republic

Today, Macanudo Maduro cigars are crafted in the Dominican Republic with the very best Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers. Even grainier, oilier and more flavorful than the Maduro wrapper leaves that were grown for Macanudo in the San Andres Tuxtla Valley, the Maduro wrappers now used by Macanudo are truly exceptional. In fact, only two of the many tobacco farms in the Connecticut River Valley yield Broadleaf tobacco leaves that meet the high standards for Macanudo Maduro. Like a rare port wine, a Macanudo Maduro has a lingering, rich flavor that lends itself to moments of the most tasteful relaxation.

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$252 Box of 25 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Montecristo

• Size/Shape:

  7 x 50

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Medium

• Country of Origin:

  Dominican Republic

Montecristo is the world’s most famous cigar trademark. Originating in Cuba, and distributed in the United States, these cigars are now manufactured by hand in the Dominican Republic. Considered one of the finest cigars on the market, the Montecristo is blended for the true connoisseur. A Connecticut Shade wrapper surrounds an all Dominican blend to create a truly rich, complex flavor. It is a medium to full bodied cigar with a sweet aroma and impeccable construction.

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$125 Box of 25 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real

• Size/Shape:

  5.5 x 44

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Mild

• Country of Origin:

  Dominican Republic

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real received the outstanding rating of ’91′ by Cigar Insider. Since 1875 cigar smokers have had a serious love affair with the legendary Romeo Y Julieta cigars. Now, the love story has a new cast member. With a beautiful, hand selected Connecticut Shade Ecuadorian wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long fillers, the new Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real makes for a rich and aromatic smoke that will arouse the desires of even the most demanding cigar connoisseur.

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$129.95 Box of 40 At Gotham Cigars

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• Brand:

  Acid

• Size/Shape:

  4 x 38

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Medium

• Country of Origin:

  Nicaraguan

Drew Estate’s Acid Remi line holds within it the cigars most widely desired by Acid aficionados, including the renowned Blondie. Ringed in metallic blue, this line is the careful combination of mild cigar tobaccos deliciously infused with all natural herbs, essential oils and an extra touch of their floral botanicals. These cigars are the smokes of choice for those seeking total relaxation from the daily rigors of life.

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$225 Box of 25 At Thompson Cigar

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• Brand:

  Montecristo

• Size/Shape:

  5 x 50

• Wrapper:

  Natural

• Strength:

  Medium

• Country of Origin:

  Dominican Republic

Montecristo is the world’s most famous cigar trademark. Originating in Cuba, and distributed in the United States, these cigars are now manufactured by hand in the Dominican Republic. Considered one of the finest cigars on the market, the Montecristo is blended for the true connoisseur. A Connecticut Shade wrapper surrounds an all Dominican blend to create a truly rich, complex flavor. It is a medium to full bodied cigar with a sweet aroma and impeccable construction.

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