Nothing beats kicking back with a hand-rolled artisan cigar and a beverage of your choosing. This is a lifestyle item that brings so many people together, and is a deep and nuanced hobby like wine collecting or spirit tasting. If you're new to the cigar hobby, you're about to step into a world of new flavors and styles to experience. Keep reading to learn more about cigar tobacco so that you can start your collection. 

What is it that you enjoy about cigars?

When trying to figure out what cigars you like, it's helpful to find out why you like cigars. Many people like the taste once they smoke a few and learn how to notice the subtle notes and aromatic qualities. These hand-rolled tobacco products are great for relaxation and celebration. Smoking a cigar can be a meditative experience, because it puts you in the present moment and involves ritual and positive emotions. Think about what you like in a good smoke, and then find a cigar maker that sells what you love. 

What kind of cigars do you enjoy?

If you don't already know what cigars you like, grab a sample pack or box and try a few to see what speaks to your palate. Notice the differences in flavor and effect between mild, medium, and bold flavored cigars. Think about the length and shape of the cigars you like, and get to know the characteristics of Gordito, Corona, Churchill,  Torpedo, Belicoso, Diadema, and several other styles. Familiarize yourself with the cutting process, and decide whether you like to smoke with matches or a torch lighter. 

When possible, plan a visit to the estate so that you can learn and witness how the tobacco is harvested in fields, dried, and cured in multiple barns, fermented and sorted out, hand rolled, checked for quality control, and aged to perfection. Growing tobacco and making cigars is an art that dates back to the Ancient Mayans and has lived on as a tradition, past time, and luxury in many cultures and civilizations around the world. 

Are you prepared to add new cigars to your collection?

Prepare to store your cigars after you make some purchases. At the cigar shop, buy something to smoke now and a few keepsakes to pull out for the right evening or a special occasion. A humidor is the best storage option for  your most prized cigars. You can set these humidors to varying temperatures and humidity levels to preserve the freshness and consistency of your cigar. 

All is not lost if you don't currently have a humidor. You can store your cigars in a sealed bag for a while to preserve it. You will notice that most cigar shops, such as Rocky Patel Cigars, will bag your products up in sealable bags at checkout for this reason. 

Use these tips to get you started with your cigar hobby.