Elegance, sophistication and debonair. These words can be used to define a cigar. Daniel Watkins, sophomore in aviation management, said he usually smokes a cigar with a group of friends since it is a social activity. "I tend to smoke with a group of people, but I will go smoke a cigar by myself depending on if I feel like a cigar and no one is around," Watkins said. Chase Henderson, undeclared junior in math and sciences, said smoking a cigar can sometimes help with his school work. "I mainly smoke with a group of friends, but also every once in a while when I'm studying," Henderson said. Both Watkins and Henderson said smoking cigars is nothing like smoking cigarettes. "Generally when smoking a cigar it's more about the atmosphere rather than feeling a buzz from it," Henderson said. Watkins also said cigar smokers don't have an addiction like cigarette smokers do.
"A cigar and a cigarette are two completely different experiences," Watkins said. "I am yet to meet a person who is addicted to cigars, but have known plenty who can't stop smoking a cigarette." Auburn students buy their cigars online or at Little Anthony's cigar shop on Magnolia Avenue. "In Auburn the only place to get quality cigars is Little Anthony's Cigar Shop," Henderson said. "Other than that, online at Thompson Cigar Co." Little Anthony's manager Matt Wild said the shop has at least 20 different brands of cigars. "Each brand has five to six different cigars," said Wild, senior in history and Spanish. "They come in different sizes, different shapes and different blends."
A cigar's size is measured two ways--length and ring size. Cigar lengths can range from 4 1/2-8 inches. "First, the length that can range from longest being Presidente to the shortest being Robusto," Henderson said. "In between are sizes like Toro and the most popular Churchill." Ring size is gauged in 64ths of an inch. "Second, the ring gauge which tells you how big around it is," Henderson said. "Generally a ring gauge of 50 is a good sized cigar, and they can go down to even 20 for cigarillos."
The cigars can be made two different ways. "You have hand made and machine made," Wild said Each brand has three levels of intensity similar to wine or alcohol. "You have mild, medium and full-bodied cigars," Wild said. "Milds are going to be smooth and they increase from there. A full body is going to be really strong, something you'd really feel and make you cough." Those brands are protected by a humidor. Little Anthony's is kept in the same regulations as a humidor. "We keep the temperature at 70 degrees and keep the humidity at 70 percent," Wild said.
Every cigar smoker has his or her favorite brand. "My favorite brand and that is Rocky Patel," Watkins said. "I'm particularly fond of the World Reserve. It's spicy, but with a great flavor and without much of an aftertaste." Henderson said he doesn't have one particular favorite. "My favorite would have to be the Romeo and Juliet brand," Henderson said. "No matter what size they're always a good bet. Smooth flavor and even burn."
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