Building Your First Cigar Collection: A Beginner’s Guide
Starting a cigar collection can be an exciting journey. Whether you’re a newcomer or looking to build something meaningful, a well-curated collection can enhance your appreciation of cigars and their history. This guide will help you build your first cigar collection step by step, from choosing your cigars to proper storage. For further inspiration, check out this video.
Start Small and Build Gradually
When you begin collecting cigars, it’s easy to get carried away. Instead of rushing into purchasing a large variety of cigars, start small and focus on quality over quantity. This approach allows you to learn about different blends, strengths, and flavors without overwhelming yourself.
Begin with a selection of cigars that offer a variety of experiences:
- Mild to Medium Cigars: Ideal for beginners to ease into smoking without overpowering their palate. Brands like Macanudo Cafe and Montecristo White Series are popular options.
- Medium to Full-Bodied Cigars: Once you develop a taste for cigars, try something bolder, like the Oliva Serie V, or Padron 2000 Maduro.
- Different Sizes and Shapes: Experiment with Robustos, Torpedoes, and Churchills to discover which size you prefer.
Building slowly gives you the opportunity to find out what you enjoy, and you can start to branch out from there.
Know How to Properly Store Your Cigars
Once you have cigars in your collection, proper storage is key to maintaining their quality. Cigars are delicate and need the right conditions to stay fresh and enjoyable.
Invest in a Humidor: A humidor is a storage container that keeps cigars at the proper humidity and temperature. For beginners, a small humidor that holds 20-50 cigars is a perfect starting point. You can always upgrade to a larger humidor as your collection grows.
Key Humidor Tips:
- Maintain a relative humidity of 65-72%.
- Keep the temperature around 70°F (21°C) to prevent mold or tobacco beetles.
- Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity and a humidifier to maintain it.
- Season your humidor before placing cigars inside to ensure the wood holds proper moisture.
If you’re not ready to invest in a humidor yet, consider a **travel humidor** or a sealed airtight container with humidity packs. These temporary solutions work great for a smaller number of cigars.
Diversify Your Selection
A diverse collection makes cigar smoking more enjoyable and educates you on the subtle differences between regions, blends, and brands. Here are ways to diversify:
- Blend Variety: Cigars use different types of tobacco from various countries, like Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, or Honduras. Each country has a unique flavor profile—for instance, Nicaraguan cigars often deliver bold, spicy notes.
- Brands and Price Points: Mix premium brands like Cohiba and Davidoff with more affordable options like Romeo y Julieta or Arturo Fuente to balance your collection.
- Aging Potential: Some cigars improve with age. Start aging cigars in your humidor to experience how flavors develop over time. Maduro-wrapped cigars, for example, tend to mature beautifully.
- Occasion Cigars: Keep a few cigars for special occasions—perhaps a limited edition or a celebratory smoke.
By carefully selecting cigars with varying strengths, regions, and styles, you’ll create a collection that keeps things exciting every time you light up.
Track Your Favorites
As you build your collection, it’s important to keep track of what you like. Whether you use a notebook, an app, or digital tools, documenting your cigar journey helps you refine your tastes over time.
Write down details such as:
- Brand and name of the cigar
- Wrapper, binder, and filler types
- Flavor notes: Sweet, spicy, earthy, or nutty
- Strength: Mild, medium, or full-bodied
- Your personal rating or overall impression
Having this record helps you remember which cigars you want to keep in rotation and which ones to avoid.
Find a Community
Collecting cigars is not just about the cigars—it’s about the experience and the community that comes with it. At Monte’s Cigar Shop, we pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming space for cigar enthusiasts of all levels. Our comfortable lounge is the perfect place to relax, connect, and share experiences with great people. Best of all, lounge access is included with a $25 purchase.
Visit our lounge to meet fellow cigar smokers and unwind in a friendly atmosphere. Share tips, recommendations, and discover new favorites with a like-minded community. Whether you’re new to cigars or a seasoned collector, our space makes every visit enjoyable.
Cigar smoking is more than a hobby—it’s about connection and camaraderie. At Monte’s, you’ll find a community that enhances your journey, one cigar at a time.
Enjoy the Process
Building a cigar collection is about savoring the journey, not just the destination. Take your time to appreciate every cigar you try, whether it’s your first mild smoke or a full-bodied masterpiece. Remember, every collector started somewhere, and there’s no need to rush.
Start with small purchases, focus on proper storage, and slowly build a collection that represents your unique tastes. Before long, you’ll have a humidor full of cigars you love, ready for any occasion. And when you’re ready to light up, savor every puff and the memories that come with it.
For more tips and inspiration, don’t forget to watch this helpful video. Cheers to building your perfect cigar collection!
