I’ve read on a lot a forum discussions about the notion of a “breakfast” or “morning” or “morning coffee” cigar. It seems that the convention is that it’s a lighter cigar, mild or mild-plus to medium-minus. I see the sense in this. It’s your first cigar of the day and you don’t want to kill your tastebuds or assault your senses right off the bat. But just because I see the sense in it doesn’t mean I necessarily agree. So, here I am writing this post and thoroughly enjoying a Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro cigar, my favorite. And I’m loving it!
I’m a mood smoker; that is, I smoke what I’m in the mood for. If I’m in the mood for a bright, spicy Connie, I’ll smoke that. If I’m in the mood for a dark, brooding maduro, that’s what I’ll smoke. I think it’s that way for most folks.
But for some odd reason, there seems to be a proliferation – especially online – of what’s appropriate at what time. Mind you, most folks say this as a guideline. But I was in an in-person discussion once with a fellow BOTL who flat out said, “You should always start out your day with a mild to medium mild smoke.” I told him that I agreed to that as a general rule of thumb, especially for newbies, but most of the time, I just want to smoke what I want to smoke without worrying about some fictitious convention.
I suppose I could retitle this post, “You do you.” Smoke what you want to smoke. You don’t need anyone else’s approval to enjoy a cigar. Want to enjoy a Meerapfel and it’s not a special occasion? Fuckin’ go for it! Want to have an LFD DL-700 with your morning coffee? No one’s stopping you. The point is that there is no right way or wrong way of enjoying cigars. It’s an inherently and implicitly personal experience.
As I mentioned above, suggestions like what’s appropriate at a certain time and others are useful as guidelines. Follow them if they make sense to you. But don’t make them laws. Life is too fucking short to limit your enjoyment because of some convention. Dare to be unconventional!
Unco B's Stogie Diary 