Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1547352
42 tobaccoasia Issue 6, 2026 November / December Azar emphasizes the importance of a comfortable and pleasurable experience. That means looking beyond a headline description such as "mild" or "full-bodied" and considering how the cigar actually performs. Consumers may be more will- ing to experiment when a product is presented in terms of its character and sensory qualities rather than strength alone. Women and the changing face of cigar smoking The traditional image of the cigar smoker can discourage po- tential consumers before they have tried a premium cigar. Azar recalls seeing women enter a cigar lounge in Chicago to explore the category, and he describes another venue in the United States where women and men were represented in roughly equal numbers. These experiences suggest that interest can extend beyond the category's conventional audience when consumers feel wel- come and have opportunities to discover products suited to their preferences. They do not, by themselves, establish the size of a wider market shift, but they illustrate the importance of making cigar culture less restrictive. Manufacturers and retailers can help by presenting cigars as a matter of personal taste rather than a test of smoking ex- perience or tolerance for strength. An approachable blend can provide an entry point, while knowledgeable staff can explain the differences among products without assuming that every newcomer wants the same thing. Azar believes this broader approach should extend be- yond the United States to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Local habits and regulations differ, but the underlying principle remains relevant: consumers should be able to explore the cat- egory without feeling that they must conform to a traditional stereotype. The sensory experience Azar encourages consumers to approach cigars as a sensory experience. Just as people learn to recognize flavors in coffee, chocolate, or wine, cigar enthusiasts can develop a vocabulary for identifying different aromas and tastes. Vanilla, coffee, chocolate, and peanuts are among the impressions that may help a smoker describe what they perceive. Such descriptions do not, of course, mean that a cigar contains those ingredients, but they are ways of communicating sensory impressions produced by the tobacco and its processing. Two people may describe the same cigar dif- ferently, and that variation is part of the experience. For newcomers, the process can begin with simple ques- tions: Is the cigar smooth or sharp? Does it seem woody, creamy, earthy or sweet? Does the flavor change as the cigar progresses? These observations can help consumers identify what they en- joy and make better-informed choices next time. The approach also gives retailers a more useful way to discuss their products. Rather than relying exclusively on strength ratings, they can de- scribe flavor, aroma, construction, and the overall character of a cigar. This makes the conversation more accessible to someone who has not yet developed a detailed knowledge of tobacco. Getting the blend right The dimensions of a cigar can influence how a blend is expe- rienced. Azar points to the work of renowned blender Klaas Kelner, who adjusts the ingredients according to cigar size. Five Brands to Watch The following examples illustrate different approaches to "mod- ernized" blends. They are not an exhaustive list, nor does a milder profile automatically make a cigar suitable for every smoker. Individual preferences differ, and product availability varies by market. Perdomo: Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Connecticut This brand offers a blend built around smoothness and balance. Its Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is paired with Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The company describes the cigar as mild to medium-bodied, with hints of cream and honey from the wrapper and richer spice and oak notes from the Nicaraguan leaves. The result aims to combine an approach- able profile with enough complexity to hold the interest of expe- rienced smokers. More info at: perdomocigars.com Ferio Tego: Metropolitan Connecticut Ferio Tego's Metropolitan Connecticut follows a classic, under- stated approach. It uses a Connecticut wrapper over Dominican binder and filler, with the company describing its character as woody, mellow and smooth. Rather than relying on an unusu- ally complex or forceful profile, the blend emphasizes familiarity and balance. It provides an example of how a traditional com- bination of wrapper and filler tobaccos can remain relevant to consumers looking for a measured introduction to premium ci- gars. More info at: feriotego.com Tatuaje: Cabaiguan Tatuaje's Cabaiguan is made in Nicaragua by Jaime Garcia at My Father Cigars, using an Ecuadorian wrapper with Nicara- guan binder and filler. The brand describes it as an Old World, Cuban-style cigar with a medium-bodied character. Its appeal lies in combining recognizable tobacco flavor with a format that does not depend solely on high strength. It illustrates how a cigar can draw on traditional blending influences while offering a more measured profile than products designed primarily for intensity. More info at: tatuajecigars.com La Flor Dominicana: Reserva Especial La Flor Dominicana's Reserva Especial demonstrates that a Connecticut wrapper does not necessarily mean a bland cigar. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with binder and filler tobaccos grown on the company's Dominican farm. While the wrapper may suggest a gentler starting point, the overall character retains the distinctive flavor associated with the producer. It is a useful reminder that consumers should con- sider the complete blend rather than judging a cigar by wrapper type alone. More info at: laflordominicana.com Maya Selva: Flor de Selva Toro Maya Selva's Flor de Selva Toro offers another approach to balance, using a Honduran Connecticut wrapper over Hondu- ran binder and filler tobaccos. The company's tasting descrip- tion highlights creamy character, subtle sweetness and notes that can include coffee, cinnamon and spice. This combination offers a way to explore layered flavors without beginning with a profile defined by sheer strength. The cigar also reflects the distinctive character that Honduran tobacco can bring to a pre- mium blend. More info at: mayaselva.com