The internet has placed the previously elite world of fine cigar enjoyment at the fingertips of a much larger, diverse public.
The mere mention of cigar aficionados brings an image to mind for most people of wealthy, well dressed businessmen. That stereotype is an image of the past. Many factors have caused the price of good cigars to come within the reach of the more "common man" and in addition, cigars are no longer only appreciated by men. While use of cigarettes has dropped significantly, appreciation of a fine cigar appears to have risen and the typical buyer has changed vastly. One no longer has to drive to a specialty store to purchase their favorite cigar, simply typing the word into a search engine on the internet will produce a list of thousands of wholesale and mail order sources. Cigars are now appreciated by a much larger portion of the general public, and quality cigars are now easily accessed by anyone with a credit card.
It is true that there are very exclusive cigar producers around the world, but the most sought after are the Cuban products. Possibly because of the climate, the tobacco and the aging process Cuban cigars are known for the superior taste and aroma. Although the Cuban quality is undisputed, there are many other producers of fine quality in this arena, and at a much lower price for the common consumer. The advent of the internet, and of internet commerce, has placed a vast array of choices before the public, making the access to virtually any cigar a simple matter of typing your credit card numbers and delivery address into a form, waiting a few days, and then enjoying your new purchase. If you can afford to purchase a humidor, and to stock pile your purchases, you can order larger quantities and save even more. Local tobacconists often carry a sampling but rarely will you find a full selection in a shop of this type outside of a major city. In an internet store, you can view, research, order samples, and place large wholesale orders all in the span of a few minutes, from your living room. It isn't yet common, but the technology is on the horizon to allow you to actually preview the aroma of a wine or cigar before ordering. Technology has, indeed, brought some of the more illusive facets of a fine lifestyle into the reach of the middle class.
If you happen to be interested in learning the basics of cigar manufacturing or you want to know the meaning of the various phrases used in the advertising, a simple web search will give you as much of an education as you can handle. The good news is that you can learn as much or as little as you please. Unlike asking these questions of a professional tobacconist who may regale you for hours in answer to one simple question, you can limit or expand your understanding to your heart's content. The history of the various growing regions, the many different methods of wrapping or rolling a cigar, the methods of choosing the blend which most entices you, the value of various methods of aging and storage, how to properly preserve a cellophane bundle once it is opened; these are just a few of the many subjects easily found in any web search. You can truly become an authority in short order.
There is a certain amount of caution necessary to use the internet stores as your source. It is only good business sense to search and find the sites where you feel your needs are met, and then to go to various usenet groups to read what others have to say about the service and quality they have found when using that source. Here again, a simple search engine will render the results you seek. Simply type in the name of the site, and read on. It may take ordering small quantities from several sources to ascertain which will be your provider of choice. Pricing will also be a major consideration, a cursory check of the top sites will show that the price of a single brand and type of cigar can vary tremendously from one source to the next. Some sites run special sales and if you are on the mailing list, they will send you notices of their specials. So, turn on the computer, bring up your favorite search engine, and enjoy learning to supply your home with quality cigars. In a very short time, you will be able to offer a friend a truly fine cigar after dinner, for pennies compared to the dollars you currently spend. Bon Appetite!
