There isn’t a more exciting time of year than late August. Fall weather is just around the corner and the sound of football pads popping fills the air. It would be an understatement to say that I am a football fan. I spent last Saturday evening watching my Florida State Seminoles get off to a sluggish start to the 2014 season. This weekend we welcome the National Football League to the party. As a season ticket holder to the Jacksonville Jaguars, I anxiously await our first tailgate of the season. Sadly, I will have to wait another two weeks for our first home game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Food and beer are the two obvious centerpieces of any tailgate experience, but let me remind you to not forget the cigars. You can bet that I will never partake in any pregame activities that don’t include a cigar or two. So let me take this opportunity to provide you with a few tailgating tips.

For those who have read my previous blog about cigars on the golf course, many of the same principles apply to the tailgate experience. Bring enough to share, a variety of sizes, strengths, and flavors, and don’t forget all the tools of the trade.

It is very important to bring enough to share. It is quite possible that not everyone who enjoys smoking cigars remembered to bring one, so this gives you the chance to be the hero. I have given many sticks to cigar lovers who didn’t think to bring one because they didn’t think anyone else would be partaking. I also make it a point to bring a wide range of strengths and flavors. I don’t normally smoke infused cigars, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t encounter someone who does. If you tailgate in my parking lot and you want to smoke a cigar, I have you covered.

The great thing about sharing cigars with folks is that they will remember next time to bring their own and NFL Sundays often become not only a tailgate party—but also a time for cigar swap.

As far as tools go, it is quite simple. You will need a cutter, a few lighters, and something to store your cigars in. A large cigar ashtray is also a cool thing because it gives everyone a place to rest their cigars while they grab another beverage or toss around the pigskin for a few minutes.

As far as what specific cigars make for good tailgating sticks, well that just depends on your tastes really. I would consider the time of day and weather conditions. Since most of our games are 1 p.m. kickoffs, I usually start with a milder cigar to start with. A Connecticut Shade or Ecuadorian Connecticut often make for a nice pre-meal smoke. After consuming some food and an adult beverage or two, I transition into an after dinner cigar. There is nothing more relaxing than smoking a full-bodied cigar after you have devoured a huge chunk of red meat.

I have chosen my home opener tailgate stick already. Thanks to Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox, I will kick things off with an Asylum Ogre. If you didn’t catch HBO’s Hard Knocks series this year, let me just say that Mr. Cox’s cigar smoking was featured almost as much as the team itself. It was refreshing to see such a popular show not afraid to show coaches enjoying premium cigars. Coach Cox was first shown smoking an Asylum Ogre, a monstrous 80 ring gauge stick with a double wrapper which includes a bright green candela leaf. I am hoping that this massive cigar will help usher in what I am hoping will be a largely successful season.

That's an 80 ring gauge on the right!

So whether you go big or small, serve burgers or brats, don’t forget the cigars. They will definitely enhance your tailgate. Oh, and if you team loses will make the walk back to your car a little less painful.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida regional manager, Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server

Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris.