Blowing Smoke

You've probably heard the saying, "Give that man a cigar!" It originated at fairgrounds and carnivals in the late 19th century and was shouted when a winner of a game was entitled to a prize.

Cigars are not only associated with winners but have typically been linked to bold, brave and clever men like Winston Churchill, who reportedly smoked eight to 10 a day; basketball star Michael Jordan; and Peter Falk's beloved TV detective Columbo, who would take a puff and solve the crime.

Although a popular pastime, cigar smoking is not a simple one to master. It's a complex hobby even for the well initiated. Before you head out to one of the following South Florida destinations to enjoy or purchase a cigar, here are a few basic tenets to consider so you can have the most enjoyable experience.

A cigar consists of a wrapper, a binder and a filler. The outer cover leaf is the wrapper. It has the most expensive tobacco leaves since the exterior should look appealing. The binder is made from what wasn't used for the exterior. It's the same tobacco as the wrapper but not as smooth. Cigar makers then add their creative touch with filler. It might include a mix of tobacco from different countries to give the cigar a unique flavor and complexity.

Good construction is mandatory, and a skilled roller will ensure your cigar has a symmetrical head (the top) and cap (which holds the wrapper in place). The end of the cigar is the foot. The neater your cigar is rolled, the easier it will burn and the better it will taste.

Keep in mind that a cigar is meant to be savored, so don't rush the experience. Unnecessary puffing will overheat your cigar, making it bitter. Puff too slowly, though, and your cigar will go out and need to be relighted. It's a fine line.

Leave the ash on as long as possible. It regulates the temperature and keeps your stick cooler by minimizing contact between the air and the lit tobacco.

Just like a fine wine or a bottle of whiskey, you're guaranteed to hear many opinions on which type of cigar is best. Some folks swear by Cubans; others don't. Here's the thing: Cigars are a personal indulgence, so each individual must decide for himself (or herself).

Luckily, for those who enjoy a fine smoke, our area is home to many cigar bars, hotel bars, steakhouses and specialty retailers who know how to honor this old-school tradition. So read on for our ultimate guide to cigar-smoking in South Florida.

Enjoy – and long ashes to you!

Cigar Destinations

Calle Ocho

Miami

Cigar culture is big in Miami, and one of the hottest spots to light one up is Calle Ocho in Little Havana. There, you’ll find cigar shops that offer comfy lounges, expert cigar rollers and all kinds of accessories as well as colorful murals, street performers and intense games of dominoes. Stop here for the experience alone as you walk along and take it all in.

Guantanamera Cigars & Café

Miami

Right in the heart of Little Havana, this family-owned shop is known for its hospitality and Cuban coffee. Of course, there are boxes of Churchills, Classic Robustos and Classic Toros for sale, too. Enjoy live music on the weekends and freshly rolled cigars. Sit outside in one of the oversized rockers, and savor your stick.

Info: guantanameracigars.com, 786-618-5142

El Titan De Bronze

Miami

This family-owned boutique has a welcoming ambiance and friendly, knowledgeable staff. You can purchase handcrafted cigars that are made in small batches by “Level 9” master rollers who worked for world-renowned factories Romeo y Julieta and Corona.

Info: eltitancigars.com, 305-860-1412

Hotel Cigar Bars

Rumbar

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

Outfitted in Old Havana style, this luxurious watering hole has its own private humidor and offers an extensive cigar selection to go with its 102 varieties of rum from 23 countries. There’s live Latin and pop music on the weekends as well as special events like cigar and rum tastings. Sink into a plush club chair while you puff away on a Hemingway Short Story, a Rocky Patel Olde World or a Padrón Anniversario.

Info: ritzcarlton.com, 305-365-4500

Bar Centro by Jose Andres

SLS South Beach,  Miami

If you want decadence, dancing and a premium stick, get yourself to Bar Centro. On Wednesdays at 9 p.m., Unplugged – a jam session featuring calypso, reggae and Latin music – is hosted by Itawe Correa of Miami band Locos Por Juana. Backing up this festive vibe are Padrón cigars for purchase, a roaming caipirinha cart and complimentary tapas. The party takes place on the outdoor patio.

Info: slshotels.com, 305-615-5859

Cigar Shops and Lounges

Deco Drive Cigars

Miami

With three locations, this 12-year-old cigar business boasts a superior selection and generous weekly promotions. Shops are open seven days a week until 12 a.m., and cigars are kept in a sealed, humidity-controlled environment. Choose a premium brand, or have one of the handcrafted Deco Drive cigars, rolled by an in-house expert. For convenience, you can order online and have your cigars shipped anywhere in the country.

Info: decodrivecigars.com, 888-559-3370

Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar

Boca Raton

This modern cigar store and lounge is ideal for those who want an upscale retreat with a relaxed atmosphere while they enjoy a smoke. The 4,600-square-foot space has multiple lounges, 10 TVs, two full bars and an outdoor patio. Not only can you buy cigars from premium brands like Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta and Arturo Fuente, but the store also carries all-important accessories like cutters and lighters. Open to the public, Casa de Montecristo offers VIP memberships so you can store your stogies in a humidified private locker.

Info: casademontecristo.com, 561-613-6130

Mancave Cigar Lounge

Fort Lauderdale

Billed as a welcoming and refined place – a living room, not a locker room, as its website proclaims – the Mancave has a walk-in humidor, and you can lease a private wood locker to stockpile your cigars. While lounging, guests enjoy a wide selection of craft beers on tap or in a bottle, including brews from Cigar City Brewery.

Info: cigarloungeftlauderdale.com 954-MANCAVE

Habano Cigar Club

Hollywood

Outfitted with leather seating, big-screen TVs and a well-stocked bar, this quaint and cozy lounge has the feel of a side-street smoke shop in Havana. Presenting regular events like its Super Bowl Sunday party as well as hosting cigar manufacturers and showcasing new products, the club is a gathering place for everyone from regulars to tourists. Major cigar brands like Padrón, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo and Rocky Patel are available. Select your stick, have a cup of coffee and duel someone at dominos.

Info: habanocigarclub.com, 954-926-2006

Cigar Republic Bar, Lounge & Grill

Fort Lauderdale

With contemporary decor, fine wines and craft beer, this is an ideal spot to drink and smoke all under one roof. The selection of cigars includes Ashton, Davidoff, Padrón, Cohiba, Rocky Patel, H. Upmann and many more. To complement your cigar, there’s also a menu of scotch, cognac and port. Flavored cigars appeal to newbie smokers.

Info: cigarrepublicusa.com, 954-610-8754

Sticks & Spirits

West Palm Beach

This family-owned lounge has a laidback ambiance and a great selection of cigars and wine. The walk-in humidor features Spanish cedar shelves and includes a wide range of brands: Arturo Fuente, Camacho, Davidoff, E. P. Carrillo, La Aurora, Tatuaje and more. Relax in the lounge (featuring an air ventilation system), or head outside to the courtyard.

Info: sticksandspirits.com, 561-805-8500

Cigar-Friendly Steakhouses

Flagler Steakhouse

The Breakers Palm Beach

Visit this old-school chophouse for a steak and a smoke. Located on the links in the clubhouse, the Flagler Steakhouse has a select menu of cigars, including the solid and tangy Romeo y Julieta Churchill or the oily, textured Arturo Fuente Opus X. Guests can purchase cigars and smoke outside by the Ocean Course. Another of the resort’s cigar spots is the glamorous HMF lounge. Done in speakeasy-era style, this lavish spot offers a custom humidor that houses a collection of premium cigars. Choose a Cohiba Red Dot or a Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle, and then head to the Mediterranean Courtyard to enjoy.

Info: thebreakers.com, 855-435-2053

StripSteak

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

StripSteak by Michael Mina serves up fine dining and an extensive cigar selection that includes some of the rarest in the world. The pre-embargo Cuban cigar collection is one of the largest in Miami and includes cigars made in Cuba in 1962 or earlier that were brought to the U.S. before the embargo against Cuba was enacted. You’ll find cigars from producers such as Montecristo, Partagas and H. Upmann (favored by JFK). StripSteak offers these cigars to patrons in their original packaging. Diners are welcome to tour the collection. Every Thursday, StripSteak hosts the Cigar Social on the terrace, and guests can enjoy a select cigar paired with a featured libation. O

Info: fontainebleau.com, 305-674-4780