Ok, new to cigars and have a few questions...?

Question

Ok, so I smoked my first cigar. It was a White Owl Grape Blunt Xtra. (I know, a terrible gas station cigar). But I wanted to learn more about the different sizes and shapes of the cigars and in so doing I was wondering how the White Owls would be categorized. First off, how is the length of a cigar measured: after it is cut or before? The White Owls are about 5 inches long and precut, with about a 38 ring gauge. What type of cigar is that? I'm just looking to have these questions answered as well as to be directed to a good cigar source. Thank you so much!

Answer 1

Here's a few links to help you.  The size you referred to would fit in or near a panatella, near as I can tell.  The best thing I can tell you to get to know cigars is STOP SMOKING THAT GAS STATION GARBAGE!  You might as well sweep the floor of your garage and roll that up and smoke it.  After the four info links I'm gonna post a couple of on line retailer links, or you can just go into your local cigar store.  Yes, you'll pay a little more, but if the tobacconist is worth a d**n, they'll be able to help you find something you like and experiment.  The good thing about the on line retailers is sampler packs, but of course you can do the same thing at the local store just putting together your own sampler.  MAKE SURE YOU GET A HUMIDOR (or a bag/humi-pouch if you only buy a few to start) to keep them in.  Dry cigars are horrible.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Gra...

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Gra...

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Gra...

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_...

http://www.cigar.com

http://www.cigarsinternational.com  (My favorite)