One of the exciting parts about getting into cigars is realizing how much there is to learn about them.  It’s unassuming at first.  Most people don’t understand the process from seed to aging room but as you get more into this hobby a whole universe of information unveils itself.  The cigar geek inside of us thirsts for that knowledge.  We want to learn everything there is about cigars, the process, the different tobaccos – everything.  As we dive down that rabbit hole sometimes is easy to forget what cigars are all about.

The Cigar Geek in us Getting in the Way

Sometimes I’m happy to light up cigars that I don’t know the specific details to.  I get to light it up, smoke it, experience it and taste it for what it is without worrying or concentrating on specific details of a cigars blend. After all, a cigar is just meant to be enjoyed. Sometimes a cigar experience can be lost by trying to know everything about it instead of just enjoying it for what it is. It won’t taste any different by knowing exactly what the wrapper is or what the blend is. It simply comes down to if it tastes good to me or not.

Obviously when you learn more about the tobaccos you pick up characteristics that you like personally and that can be of great value when trying new cigars. For me it’s San Andrés Maduro, Connecticut Broadleaf, African Cameroon and so many more. But when I sit down to enjoy a cigar the most important thing is the experience it will give me, the taste, the balance of the blend, the texture of the smoke and the aroma.

Knowledge as a Guide

Learning about all aspects of cigars, though, is a lot of fun. Understanding what makes up a cigar and the blend of tobaccos can guide you and lead you to things that you like based on your own tastes.  If you bog yourself down with trying to know everything there is about cigars and tobacco you will soon realize that it will take a lifetime.  I’ve found myself not trying certain cigars because I think I may not like it based on the tobaccos in it or even the way the cigar smells on the pre-light nose.  The knowledge learned overtime is a great guide when navigating through all of the cigars available today, but I won’t let it restrict me from trying things over again. Tastes change and develop over time.  So you never know, what you didn’t appreciate at one point in time could be a new favorite.

Enjoy the learning process, smoke what you like, smoke what’s available and enjoy every part for what it’s worth.  Even If you don’t like it, you’re still learning along the way. Just don’t forget that sometimes a cigar should just be something to enjoy.