One of the most common questions I get concerning cigars is "how do I select a good cigar?" To me, that is really two questions. The first version is asked by someone who is a beginner and knows nothing about cigars. The second is from someone who has some familiarity with cigars, knows what they like, and just wants to make sure the cigar they pick is of good quality.

Let me start by tackling the question from the novice smoker. I consider what I’m about to share with you an unlikely situation, but worst case scenario, nonetheless. Let’s say a guest walks into a humidor, they have never smoked a cigar in their life, and there is no one there to help them pick out their first smoke. As highly unlikely as this is, especially where I work, there are a few things the consumer can do to make sure they walk away with something they are going to enjoy.

First of all, if you are new to the cigar world, don't get enamored with cigar ratings or prices. Highly rated or expensive cigars are usually that way because they are full of complex flavor profiles and rich, creamy smoke, which is something that would be wasted on an undeveloped palate. Just imagine your first glass of wine being a first growth Bordeaux. I hardly think that you will truly be able to appreciate the wine, especially if you are the one paying for it. Secondly, you want to go mild. If you smoke a cigar to
celebrate Thanksgiving and it turns you green, you taste it for another four weeks, and it makes you too sick to eat Christmas dinner, then I can safely bet that your cigar smoking days are behind you.

So how do you find that mild cigar? Well, when selecting a cigar it is important to understand the three major components that it is made up of. There is the filler tobacco, the binder leaf and the wrapper leaf.
The filler is what makes up a majority of the cigar; it gives the cigar its body, its strength and most of its character. The binder leaf is what holds the filler together. A premium hand-rolled cigar isn't just a bunch of finely chopped, burley tobacco that is treated with chemicals and then wrapped in paper like a cigarette. The filler is made up of actual leaves of tobacco that are rolled and placed together in the hands of the torcedor. The binder leaf is then wrapped around the filler to give its shape and hold everything together. The binder does impart some flavor, but in most cigars, its primary role is to keep the cigar from unraveling.  The final piece of the cigar puzzle is the wrapper. The wrapper leaf is often the most important leaf and is almost always the most expensive. It not only has to be very durable and strong, but it also has to flawless in appearance, as it is the finished coat on the work of art you will soon light up. The wrapper, since it is the only one making contact with your mouth, is also going to provide
most of the taste.

It is important to understand these components because where they come from and their shade of color will almost always tell you what the strength of the cigar will be. Most will say that if you pick a light cigar
over a dark one then you will be getting a more mild smoke. This is correct more often than not, but just because a cigar is lighter in color doesn't mean you won't end up smoking that Thanksgiving cigar I mentioned earlier. More important than the color of the cigar is the region in which the tobacco came from. Tobacco from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the United States tend to be on the milder side, while Nicaragua and Honduras tend to be stronger and are used in the more full-bodied smokes. I used the word tend twice not because I am lazy and have a grudge against synonyms, but I wanted to point out that, like the English language, there are always exceptions to the rules. You can increase the strength of these usually mild tobaccos in several different ways but, 9 times out of 10, these cigars will live up to their regions’ reputation.

So if you pick up a cigar that has a Connecticut (USA) wrapper, with a Dominican Binder, and Dominican Filler, then I can not only almost guarantee that you have a mild cigar and you are also the proud owner of a Macanudo. Many people's first cigars were Macanudos and although I enjoy smoking those "Turkey Day" sticks, I still have a fond appreciation for a good Mac. Almost all tobacco shops have labels or descriptions that will let you know the makeup of the cigar. Many cigar boxes have this information actually printed on the box itself.

Now that you have a basic idea on what the mild tobaccos are, you can take one step lower on the “mild ladder” by buying the smaller ring gauge. Ring gauge describes the thickness or diameter of the cigar and I urge the novice smoker to stay away from the big 6x60's in the beginning. Start down and work your way up. It is amazing how much differently a cigar will smoke based on just the slightest change of size or shape. Of course, as you develop your palate, then you can move up the ladder in size, then eventually start experimenting with stronger cigars. Just be patient and take your time. The terms “rush” and “hurry” should never be used when discussing or smoking cigars.

Now for the second version of the original question. You are someone who loves a great cigar, has a favorite, but wants to make sure that the stick you grab isn't a dud. The answer to this isn't as complicated as the quest of the novice. The first thing you want to do is visually inspect the cigar. Does it have discoloration, cracks, blemishes, blotches, etc. Cracks mean the cigar is dried out and hasn't been humidified correctly. This could have happened to the particular box in shipping. Blotches or discoloration could mean a bad wrapper leaf or it could be a sign of mold. Look around the room -- if you see these same traits in other boxes of cigars, then the proprietor of the shop is probably having some issues with his humidifier. If you notice little holes or tunnels in the cigars, not only do you not want to buy those cigars, but should immediately earn your Good Samaritan badge and bring it to the attention of the shopkeeper. It could be the start of a beetle problem and if doesn't get addressed quickly it could
lead to a beetle party, and not the kind with Ringo and Paul.

Once you have visually inspected the cigar, gently squeeze it. Now, please remember you are not buying melons so don't thump it or squeeze it too hard. Just a gentle squeeze will provide all the feedback you will need. The cigar should be firm, but with enough give so it doesn't crumble in your hands. Please don't roll it in your fingers. You may have seen people do this on TV or in the movies but it can damage the wrapper, so be careful.

Now that you have found a cigar that passes your visual and physical inspection you are ready to enjoy it. The only thing missing is a few good friends to share your cigar experience with. I don't suggest using the same test above to determine your friends’ smoke worthiness; you'll just have figure that one out on your own. I do know that a great cigar can relax you and reduce stress, no matter who you decide to share the moment with.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits regional manager in Jacksonville. Follow him on Twitter @chrisgnole