Do you recall ever having seen seen an old movie where after dinner the men “retire” to a billiard or parlour room for cigars and brandies? I often wonder why that tradition died off with the gilded age. I think a fine cigar and stiff belt of a special liquor is a celebration of meal well enjoyed. It’s an extension of the conversation from around the dinner table transitioned to another venue. Although these men of old that I’m envisioning are wearing something along the lines of white ties and coattails, the modern man needn’t be so formal. If you are having friends over for dinner why not offer cigars after the desert course?
Of course ladies needn’t be excluded either in this day and age. For those not well versed in the world of cigars, I would suggest keeping things within the light- to slightly-medium bodied range. I prefer introducing women and novice smokers to cigar smoking with either a Cuban Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2 or some of the Davidoff offerings in a petite corona size. The key is to offer something small and not intimidating. Try pairing either of these with a nice Port and put out some roasted almonds.
I think a fine cigar and stiff belt of a special liquor is a celebration of meal well enjoyed.”
Since you have all just shared a nice meal which has been bonding experience since the beginning of time, why not share some more of life’s simple pleasures with a fine cigar and little something stronger that the wine from dinner. To the novice smoker, there is some teaching to be done in the intricacies of the cut and of the act of lighting the cigar, which also serve as excellent conversation starters, as well as an initiation rite of sorts.
Though the Georgian Men in their tails were wrong in being exclusionary to those not of their class and gender, they were right in taking the time to bond over a good smoke and a good belt.
– Sean Douglass
