How to choose your cigar?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cigar smoker, it's not always easy to choose the cigar that will give you the pleasure you're looking for. The large number of cigars on the market, and the sometimes huge price differences, make the choice difficult and can leave you feeling unsure when it's time to finalize your purchase. To facilitate your decision-making and improve your chances of finding the cigar that's right for you, it's possible to set up a decision chart that includes all the essential elements to consider before choosing your cigar. Just as when you choose a wine, it's important to take into account not only your tastes, but also the characteristics of the terroir, the reputation of the producer and your budget.

The taste and aromas of a cigar

When you buy a cigar, it's first and foremost to flatter your senses. So it's important to choose a cigar that truly matches your personal tastes. While the sensory impressions produced by a cigar may vary from one person to another, it is possible to get to know the aromatic profile of a vitola before tasting it yourself. So take the time to discover the different aromas and flavours offered by natural tobacco, and choose a cigar that offers an aromatic panel close to your appetites.

As a reminder, flavors are the gustatory impressions of a cigar. They fall into 4 main categories: sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Aromas, on the other hand, refer to the olfactory or retroolfactory impressions of a cigar. There are 6 main families of aromas:

• Spicy, herbaceous aromas: pepper, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, licorice, nutmeg.
• Natural aromas: earth, leather, salt, hay, tobacco.
• Woody, vegetal aromas: cedar, oak, hickory, tea, humus.
• Creamy aromas: chocolate, caramel, molasses, honey, maple, coffee.
• Dried fruit flavors: hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, chestnuts, peanuts.
• Toasted aromas: toast, coffee, marzipan.

Cigar size and strength

In addition to aromas, it's important to pay particular attention to the strength of your cigar. Beginner cigar smokers may prefer mild cigars, then increase their strength as they progress. Don't hesitate to consult our selection of cigars for beginners.

The time of day at which you wish to enjoy your vitola is also important. It's best to smoke milder cigars in the morning or after a light meal, and save your stronger cigars for later in the day.

Like the strength, the size of your cigar will depend not only on the time you have to devote to it, but also on the strength you're looking for. A large-diameter module will offer more pronounced flavours than a thinner cigar of the same composition.

The land of cigars

While habanos have long reigned supreme on the cigar market, aficionados now have a vast array of terroirs to satisfy their passion for cigars. Following the nationalization of Cuban factories by the Castro government, many cigar producers went into exile in countries offering geological and climatic conditions conducive to tobacco growing. Thanks to their passion and know-how, they succeeded in making top-of-the-range cigars that now rival the best Cuban cigars.

Among the most renowned terroirs are the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and, of course, Cuba. Other terroirs such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the USA and Cameroon also offer top-quality cigars. Terroir is of major importance when it comes to choosing a cigar. As a plant, tobacco grows by drawing its resources from the soil in which it was born. However, the chemical composition of soils varies from one terroir to another. The taste of your cigar will therefore inevitably reflect the richness of its terroir.

Cuban tobacco is particularly appreciated for its powerful, complex and balanced aromas. Its aromatic profile revolves around spicy, woody and earthy notes, but can also take on many nuances. Less strong than their Cuban counterparts, Dominican tobacco leaves are renowned for their aromatic richness and complexity. They give off typical aromas of cocoa, toast, leather and nuts. Finally, the tobaccos used in Honduran and Nicaraguan cigars are generally full-bodied, with strong spicy and heady flavours. There are also sweet and bitter aromas, as well as notes of pepper and leather.

Cigar producers

Cigar producers are what châteaux are to fine wines. And just as there are Bordeaux and Bordeaux, a cigar will not offer the same tasting pleasure depending on whether it has been produced by a premium manufacturer or a less reputable one. In addition to the quality of the tobacco used and its aromas, the manufacturer's know-how is therefore a fundamental factor in choosing a vitola.

Depending on the manufacturer, drying, fermenting and ageing techniques can vary considerably, thus modifying the aromatic profile of your cigar. Some producers dry their tobacco leaves in the open air in sheds or greenhouses, while others use industrial machines. Others ferment their tobaccos several times and let them age longer to improve the balance of their aromas, while others only offer cigars rolled with young, lightly fermented tobacco. All these elements considerably transform a cigar's aromas, and therefore your enjoyment of it.

By purchasing your cigars in prestigious boutiques such as La Couronne S. A., or on sites specializing in the sale of premium cigars, you can be sure of choosing your cigars from the best on the market. All our cigars are entirely hand-rolled from long filler tobacco, and combine tradition and innovation to offer you the best possible tasting experience. As experts with a passion for cigars, we can also assist you in your search by recommending top-quality cigars to suit your taste and budget.