Chew on this

Guide to Cigars




I gave up smoking (pretty much, apart from the odd puff) a few years back but I still hanker after a smoke now and then. So I bought myself a nice cigar yesterday from my local Oddbins.

They had a very good selection, all properly stored in a temperature and humidity controlled cabinet - as well they should at their prices - and the guy was very knowledgable and interesting. We discussed the band, leave it on or not? And why the band is there in the first place. He leaves it on (I prefer to remove it). The band, he said, was to indicate the 'best side' of the cigar for packing. Cigars are not uniform and when the roller places the band on the finished cigar it allows the cigars to be displayed in their box to their best advantage. The cigars are also ranged from darkest to lightest in their box, again to show them at their best.

I chose a MonteCristo No2 from the best selling Havana range. I think I'll wait until the boys get here later in the week and enjoy it with a glass or two of port. Fuck me, I'll be growing a handlebar moustache and wearing a monocle next. Toodlepip!