Cigars

Cuban cigars are tobacco leaves rolled by hand and meant to be smoked slowly, often over an hour or more. This category is for the host who wants something to close a long dinner, the enthusiast who keeps a humidor at home, and the buyer who needs a gift that is not another bottle. The cigars come from Habanos SA, the company that markets Cuban cigars around the world, and they sit here beside the wines and spirits they are usually enjoyed with.

What makes a cigar Cuban

A cigar is made of three parts: the filler, which carries most of the flavour; the binder, which holds the filler together; and the wrapper, the visible outer leaf. A Cuban cigar is one whose tobacco is grown on the island and rolled there by hand. Its best-known growing zone, Vuelta Abajo, lies in the province of Pinar del Río in the west of the country. You will find the whole range of Havana cigars in the Cuba section, which is currently the only origin in this category.

Reading the size: vitola and ring gauge

Every cigar has a vitola, the name for its shape and size, and the vitola tells you more about the smoke than the label does. Two measurements matter. Length is given in inches or centimetres. The ring gauge, the diameter, is given in sixty-fourths of an inch, so a gauge of 50 means a cigar about three quarters of an inch across.

• Short and slim formats, such as a petit corona, take around twenty to forty minutes and suit a coffee or an aperitif.
• Medium formats, such as a robusto, last roughly forty-five minutes to an hour and are the easiest place to start.
• Long or thick formats demand an evening. Plan the time before you light one, because a good cigar should never be rushed.

A thicker cigar usually smokes cooler and slower, while a thin one concentrates the flavour of the wrapper. Every listing gives the brand, the vitola and the pack format, so you can compare before you choose.

Choosing Cuban cigars as a gift

A box or a single cigar is a thoughtful present for someone who already smokes, and a harder one for someone who does not. If you know the person, think about their habits first. A regular smoker will enjoy a classic format from a maker they know. Someone who smokes a few times a year is better served by a medium cigar of mild to medium body than by the strongest one on the shelf.

Pair it with a bottle and the gift feels complete. A fine Cognac or a single malt from the Whisky range is the natural companion for a full cigar, and the packaging is easy to carry. For a celebration, a few cigars and a bottle from Champagne make a lighter, more festive gift.

Strength and flavour

Strength and body are not the same thing. Strength is the nicotine kick; body is how much flavour and weight the smoke carries on the palate. A mild cigar can be elegant and creamy, with notes of cedar, hay or light toast. A fuller one brings pepper, leather, dark chocolate, coffee and earth. Beginners do well with mild to medium cigars, and with a shorter format, so the first experience is pleasant rather than overwhelming. Never inhale: a cigar is tasted in the mouth, like a wine.

Pairing cigars with wine and spirits

The old rule works: the fuller the cigar, the more structure the drink needs. A powerful cigar stands up to an aged spirit, such as the Cognac or Whisky mentioned above, where the oak and the dried fruit meet the tobacco. A lighter cigar is better with something fresher, and a glass of Champagne or a dry white wine will not flatten its subtler flavours. Sweet fortified wines and well-aged reds from the Wine section also have their place at the end of a meal. Choose a drink at least as rich as the cigar, never lighter.

Storing and lighting a cigar

Cigars are a living product and dry out quickly. The usual advice is to keep them in a humidor at around 16 to 20 degrees Celsius and roughly 65 to 70 per cent humidity, away from sunlight and strong smells. If you only own one or two, keep them in their original tube or box until the evening.

To light a cigar, cut the cap with a sharp cutter, just above the shoulder, then toast the foot with a long match or a butane lighter, turning it slowly until the end glows evenly. Draw gently, take your time between puffs, and let it go out by itself when you are done. If you are unsure which format to take, start with the Cuban cigars and read each description.