A compact roll of tobacco leaves prepared for smoking. Inhabitants of Europe were unaware of tobacco until after Christopher Columbus returned to Spain from his epic voyage of 1492. The word cigar originated from sikar, the Mayan-Indian word for smoking, which became cigarro in Spanish, although the word itself, and variations on it, did not come into general use until the mid-18th century. The Cigar, in the form that we know it today,was first made in Spain in the early 18th century. Today there are numerous manufacturers throughout the world.
History
Cigar smoking first took hold in the Americas—exactly where and when remains uncertain. A ceramic pot discovered in Guatemala that dates at least as far back as the 10th century depicts a Mayan puffing on tobacco leaves bound up with string. The first modern observation of the cigar occurred with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. On October 28, 1492 Columbus noted in his log reports that the natives of San Salvador burned and inhaled the leaves of a local plant. Cigars, more or less in the form that we know them today, were first made in Spain in the early 18th century, using Cuban tobacco.
Buying Guide
The first thing anyone should do when buying a cigar is make sure it's fresh. Cigars tend to dry up in less than 24 hours after their removal from the humidor. A fresh cigar should have a rich aroma of tobacco when smelled.With experince you will become familiar with the various aromas of different varities of tobacco. An easy way to know if a cigar is fresh is to pinch it with two fingers; the wrapper and the binder should be tender. If the cigar is hard and the wrapper cracks, it's a sure sign of its poor condition. While looking in a cigar box, you should notice the color of all the cigars, not just one. Since quality cigars come in the same shade, discoloration is another sign of a bad stogie. http://www.askmen.com/money/successful/success16b.html
A good beginner's guide can be found here Beginner’s Guide to Buying and Selecting Cigars http://www.stogieguys.com/2007/02/02262007-stogie-tip-beginners-guide-to-buying-and-selecting-cigars.html
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References
Fast Facts
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Introduced in
Early 18th century Spain
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Developed by
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Made from
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Price range
Variable
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Common uses
Consumption via inhaling the smoke
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definition
The word cigar originated from sikar, the Mayan word for smoking.
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Humidor
For a good smoke, storing cigars properly is a necessity!
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Cigar Bands
Some cigar aficionados feel it's pretentious to keep the band on. They feel it's showing off
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Categorization
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Composition
