The Ritual
How to approach a cigar with intention.
Tasting with Confidence
A cigar is not consumed in one moment. It evolves. The first third introduces. The second third deepens. The final third reveals. Patience is required. Attention is rewarded.
Wrapper Education
The wrapper is the soul of the cigar. Look for oil—natural sheen that catches light. Examine color uniformity. Run your fingers along the leaf; it should be smooth, free of major veins, and slightly elastic. A great wrapper does not announce itself. It simply performs.
The Pairing
Pair by weight, not by strength. A mellow cigar with cream and vanilla pairs with champagne or wheated bourbon. A medium cigar with spice and leather calls for rye or cognac. A full-bodied maduro demands XO spirits, sherry cask whisky, or amaro. The pairing should echo, not compete.
Pairing Matrix
Pair by weight, not by strength
1997 Reserve Connecticut
La Fiera
Habano Edición No. 2
Maduro Especial Series D
Master the ritual in person
Join us in Balboa Island for a complimentary master-class. Learn wrapper education, cutting and lighting technique, and tasting notes with confidence.
Reserve Master-Class