Ask most novice cigar smokers what the steepest learning curve is, and they’ll probably tell you the same thing: starting their collection. Cigars are a vastly diverse category of products. Understanding how to choose cigars, what to look for as indications of quality, how to diversify a collection, etc., are challenging concepts. There’s a lot to learn.
In this article, let’s cut through the noise to offer actionable advice for starting your cigar collection. The goal here is to elicit some “oohs and ahhs” at your next gathering – even from the cigar enthusiasts in your friend circle.
Make Friends with Your Local Cigar Merchant
The best place to start your journey is at a quality, reputable cigar store. And that’s not just because a cigar store is… well, where you buy cigars. It’s because a quality cigar store will staff tobacconists who understand their products intimately. They can coach you through various styles and sizes, steer you in the direction of quality producers, and even point you toward cheaper cigars that punch above their weight. Make friends, get to know them, and tell them you’re interested in starting a collection.
Opt for Variety
As mentioned, variety abounds in the cigar world. But to help demystify the wide range of cigars on the market, know that the essential differentiating features are: size, shape and color.
Cigar sizes are expressed in length and gauge (diameter), ranging from short and slender options like the petit corona, to thick options like the Gordo and long cigars like Churchill. Cigar shapes, meanwhile, come in Parejo style (the classic straight-sided cigar) or Figurado (anything that isn’t a perfect cylinder, like conical or sloped-edge cigars). Lastly, cigars vary according to color, ranging from light “claro” wrappers to dark “oscuro” wrappers.
As you begin your collection, opt for a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
Buy a Humidor and Moisture Control Packs
Once you start collecting rather than smoking right after purchasing, you’ll need a proper storage setup. Talk to your cigar merchant about humidors, which range in size and capacity from small desktop humidors to grand furniture-style humidors.
Next, buy cigar humidor packs to dial in the RH (relative humidity) of your humidor. The sweet spot is between 65% and 84% RH, depending on your home climate and type of cigars. The industry leader in humidity packs in Boveda, and that’s likely the brand your cigar merchant will carry. Boveda has several resources on its website for determining the best RH for your needs.
Hunt for Rare Cigars
Once you’ve established a baseline roster of various standard cigars, you can splash out. Research rare and vintage cigars to add some intrigue to your collection. Rare cigars are expensive, so ensure that you save these for a special occasion, taking care to humidify them properly with a two-way moisture pack. (Most reputable online purveyors of rare cigars will ship their product with a humidity pack). For examples of the best rare cigars on the market, read this article from Holt’s, a trusted resource in the cigar world.
With various standards, a few rare cigars, a knowledgeable merchant in your corner, and a proper storage setup, you’ll have the beginnings of an impressive cigar collection.
