Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with smoking and cigars

What to drink with a Cuban cigar?

jklaiho — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:46:32 -0800

(I'm asking this question on behalf of someone I know with no MeFi account—I'll mark any helpful or solved answers as he relays them to me). "I've become a proud father of a little boy recently, and my wife got me a huge Cuban cigar to celebrate it with. Specifically a Partagas Lusitania. Instead of smoking it all by myself (that would be boring), I'm going to invite some of my mates over for a drink and a smoke. The problem is, I don't know what to drink with it. Any suggestions?" "Now, I don't usually smoke, but then again, I don't usually have babies either. It's a man thing.

I have very little experience with cigars, even less with this particular one, and not much desire to start a proper research project on the perfect pairing.

I can invest in some alternatives, but 2-3 different kinds is where I draw the line.

So far I've found the following advice: Armagnac with more robust cigars (but is the Lusitania robust?), or a non-smoky single-malt Scotch whisky. Not much to go on.

Any hints and pointers are greatly appreciated. If possible, it'd be great if you could give general hints on the properties of the liquor in question instead of just naming a particular brand. The selection out here isn't the best possible, so that way I can at least ask for something "spicy with a note of leather".

Bonus points: I was thinking of getting Partagas Series D no. 4 for my mates; if you can suggest a drink that goes well with that AND Lusitania, that'd be awesome. Or if you can recommend another cigar that's cheaper and shorter (size does matter) than Lusitania but otherwise matches, that'd be great too."

Why would someone even smoke these things? It can't be the taste.

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:39:05 -0800

Are Cigarillos used as a way to smoke drugs stronger than weed? There are wrappers from cigarillos or other small cigars behind my house. Are they just a smoking fad or is there something more nefarious going on?

I'm a Cigar Virgin! Help

goalyeehah — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:33:14 -0800

How do I prepare good cigars for maximum delight? I purchased some cigars in New Orleans last week and have never smoked one before. I know that you do some preparation with them before smoking (poking hole in the tip?) What do I need to know to prep and smoke these for maximum delight?

Where to buy cigars in Granada, Spain?

tkbarbarian — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:53:57 -0800

Where to buy cigars in Granada, Spain? Hi All,

Any recommendations for cigar shops in Granada, Spain - preferably a place with a good selection selling by the box.

Thanks!

tk

Where to buy good cigars in Lisbon?

tkbarbarian — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:01:30 -0800

Where can one buy good cigars in Lisbon? I'm going to Portugal next week for a few weeks. I'm from the UK and enjoy Cuban cigars (Cohiba, Upmann, Bolivar, Hoyo etc.)

I'll be staying near Lisbon and would like to pick some up for while I'm out there.

Thanks for any pointers!

Cheap cigars?

lustra — Fri, 10 Jun 2005 14:22:46 -0800

Can anyone recommend a reasonably good (or even decent) cigar that costs a dollar or less? This is a "settle-a-bet" question. Many thanks in advance. Lustra