Purchasing a cigar can seem like a daunting task given the vast array of specific cigar type options available out there, not to mention the countless different brands. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a confusing experience. Though there are countless variables that can factor in to choosing the right cigar, the following Etiquette 101 post will provide you with two short basic questions you can ask yourself to provide a pretty damn accurate selection for any occasion.

Having the answers to these basic questions first will prepare you before marching into a trusted tobacconist to buy yourself one of those beautiful cigars they have in their big humidor room that smells of a Spanish cedar and tobacco mélange.

• QUESTION 1: How much time do you have to smoke your cigar?

Simply put, the longer the cigar, the longer the smoking time required. Thus we are addressing the size of the cigar to choose. Are you going to enjoy one during a lunch break from work (short smoke) or at an afternoon-long backyard BBQ (long smoke, potentially a second cigar)? Another thing to consider in regards to smoking time is the thickness of the cigar. Cigar thickness is measured in terms of what’s called ring gauge, and thicker ring gauge cigars take longer to smoke than thinner ring gauge ones of comparable length. A ‘ring’ is equivalent to 1/64 of an inch in diameter, so a 50-ring gauge cigar equals 50/64 of an inch for example.

Of course, one can always choose to smoke a longer cigar and decide to put it out before getting to the bottom 3rd of the cigar (to do this, don’t butt it out like a cigarette, simply put it down and it will go out on it’s own). You can even re-light and revisit it later if you wish. However, if you intend on smoking the entire cigar down close to the nub, here are a list of common cigar types and their approximate corresponding smoking times (from longest to shortest):

Presidente (8” – 10”): about 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Double Corona, Churchill, Lonsdale (7 ½” – 8”): about 45 minutes to an hour.

Corona Grandes, Corona Extra, Rubusto, Belicoso, Pyramid (5”-7”): about 30 – 45 minutes.

Petite Corona, Culebra, Ascot: under 30 minutes.

• QUESTION 2: Mild, medium or strong?

Here we are talking about the cigar’s body. A good rule of thumb for beginners is to start out with a mild- to medium-bodied cigar as they are a solid starting point as you begin to refine your palette before attempting options with stronger, more robust flavor characteristics. Mild- to medium-bodied cigars are not as complex and full-flavored as a stronger varietals which may seem a bit overwhelming early on in the game. A few examples of mild to medium bodied cigars are: Ashton Classic, Romero e Julietta Reserva Real, Macanudo Cafe Series or La Hoya de Monteray Epicure No. 2.

Of course this isn’t to say that an intermediate or experienced cigar smoker doesn’t frequently enjoy a gentler, milder cigar every now and then.

Although cigars with lighter wrappers (Connecticut, Claro, Colorado) are typically more mild- to medium-bodied than darker wrapper cigars (Maduro, Oscuro), this is not always the case. As you grow more experienced as a cigar smoker, you’ll learn to identify those cigars with lighter colored wrappers that deceivingly pack a serious flavor punch and are surprisingly stronger than they seem (see: Cuban cigars). However despite all this, it is generally understood that lighter colored cigars can be interpreted as milder, while the darker options are commonly more robust. A few examples of fuller-bodied, more robust cigars are: CAO Flathead V660 Carb, Oliva Serie V Double Robusto, Bolivar Belicosos or My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo.

A few extra tips….

Some solid additional advice is to try and not to fall into the trap of simply pouncing on only those cigars that have been given high ratings (90+) by so-called ‘cigar experts’. A great cigar needn’t be expensive, for there are some incredible cigars out there that cost less than 10 bucks! Don’t fear a killer bargain. As Confuscius say, “A good stogie is in the hand of the cigar smoker”, meaning it truly does depend on your individual tastes and depends on finding a stogie that provides you with enjoyment first and foremost.  Today, cigars are much like beer, for although there’s always those highly-rated age-old Belgian beers brewed by monks for centuries that all the beer snobs constantly rave about, there’s equally some really incredible indie micro pilsner brewed somewhere in Wisconsin by two half-brothers in their 30’s that started brewing beer not more than but four years ago. High ratings and high sticker prices do not always a good smoke make.

Ok, now you’ve got the right cigar – time to place a cut and light that baby up!