Casa Ejemplo Discovery Sampler (5)

The problem it solves

Buying a box of one cigar before knowing your preference is how people end up with twenty cigars they do not enjoy. A sampler removes that risk: you smoke five different things and learn more in a fortnight than any amount of reading achieves.

What to pay attention to

Wrapper first. It is the single biggest influence on taste, and after five cigars most people can tell whether they prefer a mild Connecticut, a spicy Habano or a sweet Maduro. Format second: whether you want 45 minutes or 90 matters more than it sounds.

How to compare properly

Smoke them in separate sessions, not back to back, and write down what you thought. Palates reset slowly, and a second cigar in one evening never tastes like the first.

As a gift

It works better than a single expensive cigar, because the recipient discovers something rather than simply smoking something. Pair it with a cutter or a travel case.

Storage

If you are smoking them over several weeks, they need a humidor at 65 to 70%. Over a few days, the sealed packaging is adequate.

Afterwards

Once you know the wrapper and format you prefer, the Gift Box of ten or a single vitola becomes the sensible purchase.