If you didn't catch yesterday's post, this entire week I'll be posting off topic and about me, my interests, and fun-facts about my life. My goal with these posts is to simply provide readers with a better understanding of the kind of person I am outside of the search marketing space, and to have a little fun. Without further ado, here's my first post:

As the title above might imply, I am a cigar smoker and have been since I was 18. Well, that's not exactly true. I guess if you count those cherry flavored Swisher Sweets, than I've probably been smoking cigars since I was 17. However, even though I started fairly young, I didn't really consume that many. In the past I'd say that I smoked a cigar once every few months, and that today I am up to one a month with a few minor exceptions such as concurring birthdays, weddings, and other special gatherings.

Smoking cigars for me is a way to unwind and relax... it really is. My absolute favorite place to enjoy my smoke is on my deck especially during the fall months when our Illinois weather is perfect... that is being on the cool side and with a little breeze. I am able to sit, relax, clear my head, and enjoy the scented air.

Some of my current favorite cigars include:

1) Natural by Drew Estate
2) CAO Moontrance
3) Sancho Panza Double Maduro
4) H. Upmann No.1 Reserve
5) Cusano 18 Double Connecticut

I own my very own humidor. It's nothing to grandiose... just a simple box that holds upwards of 200 cigars. And, for the record I've never had anymore than 50 cigars in it at any one time. When I bought it, I bought it with a capacity of 200+ in the event that I found a few styles and brands that I liked and wanted to keep readily available.

As with most cigar smokers, I have a favorite beverage that I like to drink while I'm smoking. For me, there's nothing better than puffing on a corona while sipping a glass of "Jack on the Rocks" (Jack Daniels whiskey and Ice). However, after my last few outings, I'd have to say that "Captain n' Pepsis" (Captain Morgan's Private Stock Rum and Pepsi) are becoming a very close second.

Some cigars that I'd like to try, but have not gotten around to are:

1) Rocky Patel Sun Grown
2) CAO Brasilia
3) Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
4) Gurkha Special Edition
5) Makers Mark

I've tried a variety of Cuban-made cigars, but to be honest I'm not too impressed. In my opinion, they don't quite live up to the hype... although it could also be that I have haven't tried the "right" ones.

Before I wrap this post up there is one thing I really want to touch on and that is I wanted to explain the primary differences between cigarette smoking and cigar smoking... and believe me, there's a major difference between the two. For the record, I do not smoke cigarettes. Now, I don't have a problem with those who do, but cigarette smoking is not for me. In my opinion, cigarette smoking is an addiction, while cigar smoking is a hobby.

I'm sure there are a few of you readers who disagree with me (maybe some that spit on the idea), but that's my take on the two. As a cigar smoker, I invest hours of my time reading and researching the many different brands, styles, shapes, and sizes. I will almost never buy a cigar without first doing my homework on it or at least getting someone in the know to recommend it. And, I would never purchase an entire box without first sampling one. Cigars can be expensive, and I for one hate to waste money on something I'm not going to enjoy.

Once I've purchased cigars, the next step is to store them. As I mentioned above I have humidor. Cigar storing isn't just dropping them into a box and picking them out whenever you get the urge to smoke. A humidor needs to be prepped, seasoned, and then maintained so that it keeps cigars at the appropriate humidity levels. Should the humidity drop in your box, your cigars will become very dry and crack. On the flip side, if the humidity is too high, you run the risk of over-hydrating them which in turn could cause cigar beetles to hatch (not a good thing by any means). The ideal humidity level is somewhere between 65% and 75%. A 10% drop or increase in humidity could actually lead to a ruined batch of stogies... thus a waste of money.

Another element of cigar smoking is that it's actually better for cigars if they spend a few weeks, months, or even years in a humidor. Much like wine, cigars only get better with age. The oldest cigar I currently have in my box is right around 7 months old. I actually have a few of them and so by the time I get to the last one I'm guessing that it'll be somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 years old. In fact, my goal is to get to the point where every cigar I smoke is at least 5 years old... but that would take a lot of time and planning on my part.

Going back to my original statement on cigarettes vs. cigars, I've never once seen or heard of a cigarette smoker put in as much time, money, and effort into enhancing their smoking experience. A cigarette smoker will buy the very same carton of smokes every week, and light one up several times a day. I on the other hand will will buy a box of cigars today, only to prep them for an entire year just so that I can enjoy them on my deck next fall... and that my friends is why cigars are a hobby.

And that's that. If you happen to be one that enjoys cigars, please feel free to comment and recommend your favorite smoke. One of my favorite parts about the whole cigar smoking experience is trying other people's favorites.