This is my grandfather sailing into New York Harbor on board the Queen Mary (flying a captured Nazi flag.) He was an avid cigar smoker - that's a Cuban in the photo - from his WWII days up to the 1990s. I tend to enjoy a cigar every few weeks myself. It won't make you a fan of the ladies, but there are certain times and places when it is appropriate. I laugh when people tell me how bad smoking is for you, because I did plenty of research before adding 'cigar aficionado' to my list of hobbies. If you look closely - all of the studies published online that label cigar smoking as a health risk similar to cigarette smoking are based on subjects who have at least one a day and inhale the smoke. Of course that is going to be unhealthy.
While my grandfather was a fan of Dutch Masters, I have drawn some of my own conclusions as to the best label per occasion.
- For drinking with bourbon (I recommend Maker's Mark) - [Davidoff] Demi Tasse
- For getting a buzz with no alcohol required - [Montecristo] Platinum Robusto
- For a flavorful after dinner dessert - [Kahlua] Torpedo
- For the lady who wants something feminine - [Cao] Moontrance
- For all other times; a manly yet tasteful smoke - [Drew Estate] "Natural" Root