Image retrieved from William Henry: https://www.williamhenry.com/wh-insider/how-to-smoke-a-cigar/
By: David Street
Anybody who knows me understands that cigar smoking is one of the great joys of my life. I’ve been smoking cigars for three years now. My brother introduced me to them at his bachelor party, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Now, I can’t imagine my life without them. Will I take occasional breaks from time to time? Of course. In fact, I took a break not too long ago when I went through a period of being unable to afford them. But overall, this is a hobby that will stick with me for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Why do I enjoy smoking cigars? After all, if you enjoy something that much, there must be a reason. Before I reveal mine, let me state the obvious: smoking cigars isn’t particularly good for you, and I would never force anyone to partake against their will. This is a hobby that comes with health risks. However, much like alcohol—which isn’t great for you either but can be enjoyed in moderation—the same applies to cigars. It doesn’t eliminate the health risks, but it minimizes them. If you’re seriously interested in the hobby of smoking cigars, I welcome you with open arms. Just make sure that if you do decide to take it up, you do so wisely and with an understanding of the risks involved.
Now, with that out of the way, here are my four primary reasons for why I enjoy smoking cigars:
1. It’s relaxing: There’s nothing like unwinding after a long day or week of work and lighting up a cigar to put your stresses aside. Smoking a cigar essentially forces you to be present because it puts you into a routine. You should take puffs every 15 to 20 seconds to keep the cigar lit (this is just a general rule, not set in stone). That rhythm makes it easy to forget about your responsibilities for a while because your focus is on the cigar. Does that mean you can’t enjoy other activities while smoking? Of course not. Personally, I enjoy listening to podcasts or reading while I smoke. Others might like to smoke while grilling or golfing. The point is, smoking cigars is meant to be enjoyable and stress-free.
2. It comes with variety: I enjoy smoking cigars, but that doesn’t mean I like every cigar I try. There have been cigars I didn’t care for, and that’s part of the appeal. What I might not enjoy, someone else will. That variety builds a strong customer base. Think of it like sports. If you saw my name at the top of this article, you probably know I’m one of the co-hosts of “Total Sports Talk: Beyond the Lights.” I’m a big Gators fan, but I know not everyone feels the same. There’s a reason we have so many different teams. Imagine how boring it would be if we all rooted for the same one—there’d be no rivalries, no banter, and no bragging rights. It’s the same with cigars. Not everyone will like every cigar, but we all share a love for smoking.
3. It elicits great conversations: Some people prefer smoking cigars alone, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I enjoy it, too. But smoking in the company of good people is truly a meditative experience. Some of the best conversations I’ve had were with fellow cigar smokers. We’ve talked about our jobs, families, politics, and more. Cigars make it easy to have meaningful discussions. Think about it: you’re sitting there for an hour or more, and you’re not just going to sit in awkward silence. You might as well talk about something, even if it’s just the cigar you’re smoking.
4. The culture is second to none: If cigar culture isn’t the best, it’s certainly among the best. After three years in this world, I can confidently say that cigar enthusiasts are some of the kindest, most down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet. I’ve had the honor of meeting Carlito Fuente Jr., Chairman of Arturo Fuente Cigars and a giant in the industry, and he couldn’t have been kinder. One of my closest friendships started over cigars. We all come from different walks of life, but in the cigar world, we’re all brothers and sisters of the leaf.
If you’re thinking about becoming a cigar smoker, let me point you to some valuable people in the industry. I am by no means an expert, but these guys certainly are:
- Holt’s Cigar Company: (https://www.youtube.com/@holtscigars)
- This is, hands down, my favorite cigar content. While I enjoy many cigar channels, Anthony Mazzola and Anthony Micali are in a class of their own. The chemistry between the two is superb.
- Cigars Daily: (https://www.youtube.com/@CigarsDaily)
- Tim was actually the first cigar guy I watched on YouTube when I began my cigar smoking journey. His over-the-top personality is definitely not for everyone, but his knowledge of cigars is incredible and if you’re just getting started on your journey, he’s truly a valuable source.
- Zeal Cigars (https://www.youtube.com/@zealcigars196)
- This used to be a duo. Sadly, however, one of the co-hosts, Bradley, passed away. Despite Bradley no longer being with us, the other co-host, JB, has been doing an amazing job of continuing to post cigar reviews and other cigar content.
- Michael Knowles (https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKnowles)
- Come on. Admit it. You knew Michael Knowles was going to be on this list. After all, he has become arguably the most famous cigar salesman in the past year with the booming sale of his Mayflower Cigars. You may not agree with Michael on everything, but one thing that cannot be denied is that the man knows his cigars.