What sorts of occasions do you enjoy a smoke the most?

[Chitmo]

I’m a fan of celebrating as much as the next person, but I don’t tend to reach for my favourites when everything is going well for some reason. I have a terrible tendency to take good days for granted and I’ll always short change myself and reach for a RGPE or a HUHC or something in the cheap and cheerful category. Not that they’re bad smokes, I actually quite enjoy them. But they’re not exactly a complex thing to get sucked into. For whatever reason I always seem to reach for my good stuff as a pick me up, when I’m having a bad day. I’m not usually one to vent publicly or at all. But for some context I always drove used vehicles, 10+ years old. My last car was a Nissan versa that ran on 3/4 cylinders. It was a total POS! 😂 Like all young men I always wanted a nice car, but I didn’t even have a license until I was 24 and when I got one all I could afford was nearly dead vehicles. And to be fair, being in the navy I was gone most of the time anyway so having anything nice seemed like a waste after a while and I just got used to driving bad cars even when I could afford better. So in 2021 when I was medically released I splurged, and got myself a brand new Audi. I never considered myself to be a car guy, but this thing made me one. Anyways, fast forward to now and I found myself a patch of black ice coming home from taking my kiddos out to a Pokemon event. Wasn’t going all that fast, maybe 20-25 km per hr. But I slide right at the worst possible part of a turn and basically used the car to hip check a pole. The damage was only cosmetic, pushed in the rear quarter panel and cracked the lights. But holy (insert swear words here), was it a more of a problem than I thought it would be. Car is a write off according to insurance, and I’m totally bummed. So I’m having a smoke and a pint. 😊 

[CuriousObserver]

That sucks. Glad everyone is okay! Hopefully you are finding some comfort in a good cigar and your pint!

[chasy]

Backed a Range Rover Velar into a pole at 5 mph. Cracked back tail light. Apparently the wiring all runs through that area. Insurance totaled it!

[El Presidente]

Great to hear you are safe! 

I celebrate my bad days more than I celebrate my good ones. 

Bad days have a beautiful way of putting things into perspective. They test my adherence to one of my core practices of "equanimity". 

I smoke my better cigars on those days. Normally accompanied by some better glasses of something nice. Always with Diana. We discuss, laugh, commiserate and then move on. Generally with a hangover and a smile. 

[barrygoodvibes]

I started smoking cigars when becoming overwhelmed with my mother being chronically ill. The most anxiety inducing and tiring days were always followed by whatever cigar my heart desired.

[Lucas Buck]

Sorry for the loss of your beloved first new car! Had a similar loss of a truck I loved as a young lad. Broke my friggin' heart. You know I never thought about smoking one of my best to soothe my soul. I mostly smoke them in celebration or at a herf. Think I’ll try that next time and see how it goes. Makes so much sense and I’m surprised it never occurred to me before. 

[MadridPuros]

I’ve learned cars come and go. As long as you and your kids come out of it unharmed, that’s all that matters.

When I was 19, I bought a brand new Mercedes AMG. I probably couldn’t afford the repayment but I thought I was making money hand over fist; mainly because I had no expenses living with Mom and Dad, lol. Fast forward a few months and I hit a light post just being an idiot on a rainy day. My simple car now has made for a simpler overall life and less stress but gosh on some days it still gets me missing that car. 

To answer your original question though, I save my best for when I’m with Dad. I’ve smoked some special stuff on my own and every time I think to myself, man I bet my Dad would love this cigar.

[ha_banos]

Sorry about the car!

Those occasions where it's not too cold or windy! I miss enough of those days when I'm working. I don't wait for events to have a cigar. I just need the time. Because cigars alone are contemplative I get the cigars on not so good times. I do this too. But I guess I'm a fairweather, optimistic cigar smoker.

[david9985]

Same as Banos. I won't smoke my best sticks unless I have a good setup (i.e. a comfortable environment) and plenty of time. Occasions/events don't come into it.

[dicko]

I do have celebration/commemoration cigars and herfs but my favourite sticks are on a random Tuesday night when I dont have too much exciting on either way and I can really focus on enjoying the cigar itself!

Sent from my SM-S938B using Tapatalk

[JPark3]

Honestly, if I want one and I have the time, that's the occasion. Like everyone else has mentioned, the environment/mood plays a role in what I smoke, but I look at it like this: I never know when I'll have another opportunity to have a cigar, and there is someone else in the world who would love a moment to have one but does not. Not "smoking one if I've got em" would be me doing a disservice. 

Now, my favorite occasion is walking around outside with my dog. If I could only smoke a cigar one way, that'd be it.

[Chibearsv]

That post is both "liked it" and "sad about it". I believe you are handling a situation that you had little or no control over very well. Everyone's ok, insurance can handle the replacement cost, and stress level is going down. Perfect time for a nice smoke and a wind down.  

As for the original question, there are moments in life that are better than others, but the best enjoyment of a smoke for me is every day. Good day or bad day, they fit the bill. That is, unless the cigar is unenjoyable, which happens on very rare occasions.

[Joeyjojo]

I like planning a day out in the city and mapping out a cigar lounge and then somewhere to have have a drink afterwards. Something about a good cigar shop and the ability to smoke indoors, but in public seems so civilised. Other than that, coming home three-parts pissed and smoking a cigar that's been dry boxed all day have been some of my finest smokes! 

[Boss Hog]

2 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

…but the best enjoyment of a smoke for me is every day.

You and me both, my fellow brother. Waking up still breathing is enough of a reason for me to reach into the stash and grab whatever cigar.

Life is simply way too short.

[joeypots]

Bummer on the car...I like best the cigars I smoke with friends. Celebration or not, gathering with a good cigar is always enjoyable. Next best is a very good cigar in my chair by myself. For a two or three a week guy like me when there is something very special on the menu, I like to wait until conditions are optimal to savor the experience, celebration day or not. 

[helix]

Get togethers with the lads drinks and 'gars.

[Havanaaddict]

Anytime is a good time to smoke a good cigar😉 But I do tend to smoke some of my special stuff at herfs or just getting together with some of my friends. Also I do break out the good S**T for any holiday, birthday! Sometimes it feels good to smoke something nice when I finish a task (building something or fixing something).

 

[JDoughty]

First I want physical comfort. If it's cold, my couch by the fireplace is perfect. Somewhere quiet and peaceful with a comfortable temperature, good ventilation, no wind. A comfortable spot outdoors works with the right weather. I don't mind intelligent company to discuss the cigar, but I like to stay focused on the sensory experience so I usually prefer less noise and extraneous conversation. Though of course in a lounge I will be courteous and pleasant to the staff and other patrons, I generally put myself in a quiet corner and focus on the smoke rather than the socializing. If it's loud, I'll use headphones or go home and smoke so I don't look like an a***ole who is ignoring people. Which I kinda am. I do appreciate the amenities of a good lounge, but I just don't people very well. For me a cigar occasion is primarily about finding the time to make peaceful personal space for myself and focus deeply on sensory experience. 

[chasy]

18 hours ago, chasy said:

Backed a Range Rover Velar into a pole at 5 mph. Cracked back tail light. Apparently the wiring all runs through that area. Insurance totaled it!

This got a bunch of Sad Face emojis. I should clarify - this happened during Covid. The car was assessed to be worth $30,000 more than the note on it. So it was actually quite lucrative! But those days are over!

[El Hoze]

I have definitely lit up cigars or popped great bottles of wine because I was feeling sorry for myself. I am someone who bounces back very quickly shortly thereafter so any excuse to consume the good stuff.

I lived in NYC and San Francisco for about 10 years after college and never drove or owned anything other than a city beater, if anything. In my early 30s I got a place in Miami, started to make some coin, and decided to make up for lost time on the cars. I cycled through some very fun cars that unfortunately came with a number of head spinning repair bills for what were optically minor dings. The combo of an exotic car, tight parking lots, and a 33 year old driving it…recipe for trouble, I am surprised I never got dropped by my insurance co.  

[Chas.Alpha]

I like to burn a fine CC every time the Minnesota Vikings win! That way, I only smoke 3 or 4 cigars a year. 👿

[griller]

I don't really smoke in lounges (none around here are nearby or fit my personality) so my cigars are mainly enjoyed on my backyard deck. My favorite time of year is Spring and Fall (as I hate the cold & I live in a very hot and humid city from May thru September) when the air is crisp & pleasant, there isn't a strong breeze, and I can enjoy 2-3 hours of a Spotify playlist jamming southern rock, country/outlaw country, etc. Smoking ribs, tenderloin, or chicken breasts/wings is another passion of mine & it's the perfect time to light up a Lancero, Churchill, or other large format cigar & "tend to the fire" with some ice cold adult beverages so to speak.

Away from home, I love a sunset/early evening cigar with a cocktail. I'm usually able to decompress a bit during a vacation & this ritual is great to recharge the soul. 

[thehat484]

Sorry about the car! Hopefully the insurance gets you in something better.

For me, I enjoy smoking on a quiet evening or early morning. I don't like smoking at events because there's always interruptions. I enjoy having a cigar when I have quiet time for myself and I can watch some dumb dinosaur documentary or something. 

[ha_banos]

8 hours ago, thehat484 said:

... some dumb dinosaur documentary or something. 

That's no way to refer to the Lizards' pod.

[JDoughty]

8 hours ago, ha_banos said:

That's no way to refer to the Lizards' pod.

Candid image taken of @LizardGizmo in the lounge.