The Connoisseur – Expert of the Cigar
In addition to the cigar lover, the "Aficionado", there is also the knowledgeable expert in the world of tobacco and cigars: the "Connoisseur." He approaches cigars not only from the perspective of a stylish enthusiast but also considers the craftsmanship, technical, and almost "scientific" aspects of a cigar. While most terms in the world of tobacco have Spanish origins, "Connoisseur" comes from the French verb "connaître" (meaning "to know" in English). Connoisseurs are not limited to cigars; the term is also used for experts in wine, coffee, and other culinary delights.
How Does One Become a Connoisseur?
Connoisseur is neither an academic title nor a formal profession – that would be nearly impossible given the sheer number of different cigars from various origins, each boasting countless different nuances of flavors. Just consider how many different opinions you get on the same cigar within your own circle of friends, and you can easily imagine how chaotic a lecture for aspiring cigar connoisseurs would be.
The Connoisseur has acquired his knowledge largely through years of personal experience. He knows the land and people in key production regions, has smoked countless cigars himself, and knows exactly what makes a true premium cigar. He can detect the subtlest aromas in a cigar and is often able to identify its origin and the types of tobacco used. Considering how many high-priced cigars are released on the market today, it quickly becomes clear how important connoisseurs and their expertise are to the cigar world.
With their high standards for the quality of a long-filler, they can instantly determine whether an expensive cigar truly meets the criteria of a premium cigar.
A connoisseur closely examines and inspects his cigar before lighting it. He checks its cold aroma and draws on it – because if a cigar shows any manufacturing flaws from the outset, it’s immediately disqualified for the connoisseur. Of course, the draw is also carefully monitored during the actual smoking process, as is the ash. A connoisseur would never carelessly "flick away" the ash, as a long, stable ash is always a sign of good craftsmanship.
High-Quality Cigars
It’s rare to catch a connoisseur smoking a machine-made short-filler. His world is one of handcrafted long-fillers, particularly the more elaborately crafted ones. A Cohiba Behike with triple-fermented tobacco is just as much to his taste as a My Father Cigars Le Bijou 1922 with its dark Habano Oscuro wrapper, brought to market by Jaime Garcia in memory of the birth year of his father, the legendary Don Pepin Garcia.
Limited editions, or "Limitadas," which are released in strictly regulated quantities, automatically pique his interest. A Perdomo Double Aged (Vintage 12 Years) , for example, made from twelve-year-old tobacco aged in charred bourbon barrels, would be something a connoisseur would never pass up. After all, these premium cigars are sold by only 250 retailers worldwide – just five in Germany. As the trend in recent years has shifted back to releasing exclusive, limited cigars crafted from exquisite tobaccos, we can safely say that we are living in golden times for true connoisseurs.
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