Every Good Cigar Needs One Of These

You’ve researched. You’ve experimented. Maybe you’ve even asked your friends and acquaintances.

Finally, you’ve found a match made in heaven. What it is? Your perfect cigar.

Perhaps it goes well with your favorite alcoholic beverage. Or, maybe you like the taste. It could be that it suits who you are, what you do, and the lifestyle you live.

Whatever the case, you’ve found it.

Now, what? Aren’t you forgetting something?

Well, if you have the kind of cigar accessory collection the local cigar lounge would be envious of, maybe not.

But otherwise, you’re going to need a…

Humidor

A humidor will keep your stogies fresh, so it’s essential that you get one if you don’t have one already.

There are a few different types of humidors you should be aware of:

• Personal humidors. Most people just getting into smoking cigars opt for a personal humidor that allows them to hold a few dozen cigars. These humidors are lightweight and portable, and if your cigar collection is small, it should prove to be more than sufficient.
• Portable humidors. Portable humidors are even smaller than personal humidors and are most useful when traveling. They generally carry about a dozen cigars.
• Table humidors. Table humidors are heavy and can generally hold thousands of cigars. Beginners usually do not opt for table humidors or anything larger (see below).
• Cabinet humidors. As with table humidors, cabinet humidors can hold thousands of cigars. Just as the name would suggest, it’s essentially a piece of furniture.
• Room and walk-in humidors. Unless you’re in the business of cigars, or you’re a serious collector, you probably won’t require a room humidor,

Humidors tend to come in a variety of shapes and sizes. So, if you’re looking for something specific that matches your furniture, don’t worry – you can probably find one with a design you like.

The best material for an inside of a humidor is typically Spanish Cedar, so keep this in mind when you’re shopping for a humidor.

Is that all? Well, that depends. Do you have a…

Cutter

To smoke a cigar, you’ll need to cut off one of its ends.

Certainly, you can use scissors or a knife or whatever’s handy, but ideally you should be using a cigar cutter, which has been designed for this exact purpose.

Many aficionados will tell you that you’re not a real enthusiast unless you own a cutter. A proper cut will allow you to enjoy the aroma and flavor of a cigar and help achieve a smooth draw. The stogie will also burn more evenly.

There are a few types of cutters out there. Here’s an explanation of each:

• Table top cutter. This is the most popular type of cutter available, and it offers a clean cut. It is, however, designed for use at home, and isn’t something you’re going to be stuffing into your pocket.
• Straight cutter. Also known as a guillotine cutter, this is among the most commonly used cutters available. You can carry a straight cutter in your pocket, and it’s easy to use.
• Punch cutter. This type of cutter punches a hole in the end of the cigar. There are basically three types of punch cutters: Bullet, Havana, and Multi-punch. Punch cutters don’t necessarily allow for a smooth draw.
• V-cutter. The v-cutter is a lot like the straight cutter, but it does not give you a straight cut. Rather, it cuts a wedge into the end of the cigar. Since it cuts deeper into the filler, it can be handy when dealing with thicker gauge cigars.

Does that about cover the basics? Nope, there’s still more. More than likely, you’re going to need a…

Lighter

Granted, you might have a standard disposable lighter sitting around at home. But there’s no denying that you need a way to light your stogies if you’re going to smoke them.

Again, there are many types of lighters, and it is not essential that you invest in anything fancy, but just so you are aware, here are the options available to you:

• Disposable lighter. Disposable lighters are handy and easy to carry. You can also find them just about anywhere, though they aren’t necessarily ideal for cigar smoking.
• Zippo lighter. Zippo and Zippo style lighters are well-recognized and are a popular choice among smokers. These days, they come with a double flame torch, making them much more effective than in times past.
• Torch or jet flame lighters. Cigar smokers generally prefer torch flame lighters, as they are wind resistant, and work quickly. If you have bigger cigars, you might consider the double torch lighter style.

As finicky as this might sound, a lighter can affect the flavor of your cigars. Be sure to use a highly refined and odorless (or filtered) liquid fluid.

What Else?

There are a few other essentials that are good for every cigar smoker to have. One is a hygrometer, which will allow you to measure the humidity/moisture inside your humidor.

A cigar clip can come in handy when you want to enjoy your cigars until there’s nothing left but a nub.

Cigar rests are great for outdoor smoking, as they allow your cigar to rest and burn evenly when you need to set it down.

An ashtray is always a good accessory to have on hand, especially if you’re planning to smoke inside your house.

You may not require all the above items immediately, but now you know what accessories you should have, especially if you’re planning to expand your cigar collection and engage in smoking more regularly.

Final Thoughts

What does every good cigar need?

Well, that depends on who you ask.

A beginner might say something obvious, like a lighter or a match.

A connoisseur might be looking to pair their Arturo Fuente Opus X BBMF with the right cognac, so their answer might be, “the perfect drink”.

There isn’t necessarily a right and a wrong answer here, as it’s all about enjoying a good smoke, and whatever helps you achieve that goal is a worthy consideration.