Blog & Cigar News | Mardo Cigars

Hi, and welcome to another episode of Mondays with Mardos. I'm Gerard and this week, we're going to talk about how to choose a cigar if you are a beginner. But before we get going, I need you to click on that subscribe button, click on the bell to be notified every single week of new episodes on Mondays with Mardos.

All Right. So you would like to start smoking cigars, but you're not sure how to get started, Today, I'm going to share with you three pieces of advice that can help you select the correct cigar for you, even though you are a beginner.

All right. So tip number one. Within our industry, we have print publication. Two magazines that come to mind is Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Snob. Cigar Snob calls the section where do the ratings is called ratings. Cigar Aficionado is called cigars. It's a section where they have pictures of the cigar, the name of it, and also the description of how it can taste and the kind of hints that you can notice. Now, one of my biggest things is that I stay away from the rating because it's subjective. So I don't look at the rating whatsoever. That could be something that rates 93 and I believe it doesn't deserve it. So what I suggest is just look at the name, get to know what the name of the cigar is and read the hints and the notes. And also take a look at the size. It may not be a size that you want.

So this one is Plasencia Alma del Campo. It's Travesia box press. That's the size name. Now the actual size is a 6 1/2 inch by 54 ring gauge. It's made in Nicaragua and the filler binder and wrapper are all Nicaraguans. Now this is the cool part right here, where I think you should pay attention. This large box press tour is floor and muted at first, but eventually intensifies to develop notes of leather, cedar, graham cracker and slight pecan before the finish of cedar and herbs. It burns and draws evenly. Voila. So that's the Plasencia Alma del Campo, Travesia box press.

Next, we'll take a look at Cigar Snob. They have the Highclere Castle Victorian, which is made by Foundation Cigar also from Nicaragua. It is a 5 by 50 and the wrappers Ecuadorian. The binders Brazil and the fillers from Nicaragua. And this is what they have to say. Covered with a dark reddish-brown wrapper with excellent oils. It's medium strength robusto is well balanced and smooth with a core of earth, pepper and oak accompanied by creamy notes of butterscotch and almond. Wow, that's really, really nice. So I highly advise you can get these at any new stands or Barnes and Noble, or you can even subscribe to them and you can get them to your mailbox.

All right. So tip number two. We all pretty much have a smartphone and Google is your friend. And in order to find some things about cigars, I'll give you a couple of tips. One would be halfwheel.com. It's a blog system where they rate cigars, but they do a very good job on breaking down the hints and notes. Again, stay away from the rating. Just focus on the name of the cigar, the size, where it comes from and the hints and the notes.

Another one is Cigar Coop. That's another one that is also a blog that they do all sorts of ratings, as well. As you're going through Google, you're going to find many, many different cigar rating or reviewers, and you can pick the one you like. But again, focus on the flavors and the hints that they're describing. And that way you can go ahead and choose your favorite cigar to start with.

All right. So the last piece of advice that I have to share with you is a quite simple one. If you want to start smoking a cigar and you're very curious, it's a lot of fun. Visit your local tobacconist. Don't be shy to ask for help. And the best thing you can do, be very, very specific about what you want to find in a cigar when it comes to flavors. If you want something strong, bold, and peppery, say that. If you say you want something very mild and creamy, express that. So therefore the tobacconist can assist you in pointing you in the right direction.

This is a lot of fun. If you guys have any questions, please hit us up in the comments. Other than that, I'll see you guys next week. But remember to follow us on Instagram, like us on Facebook and tell your friends to subscribe to your YouTube channel. I'll see you guys later.