Book excerpt: When it comes to a handcrafted product such as cigars it’s important to recognize key factors to enjoy them, no matter if you’re an aficionado or new to the cigar smoking experience. Mentality is essential to the cigar smoking experience because in order to experience its quality one must be free of stress, worry and the anticipation of things. Rather, be in the moment seeking a complementary pairing with a fine cigar. Environment is also key to enhancing the smoking experience. Rather a lounge, home, or outdoors, whatever makes your experience comfortable is what’s best, just as taste differs when selecting and smoking a cigar. In this guide are fundamentals of selecting cigars but also how to cut, light and store them for future use. Not to mention some history and terminology to get even the most novice smoker familiar in selection as well as conversation.