Even if cigars aren’t your cup of tea, there are some occasions in life where you’ll inevitably find yourself lighting up a victory stick or needing to buy one for someone else. We’ve assembled a guide to those milestones, with some helpful tips along the way.

(We started writing this piece with the speed and confidence of a paint-by-numbers blog post, but it turned into a nostalgic and sobering roadmap of a life well-lived. Enjoy the read while we work feverishly to invent a time machine.)

Your First Cigar

Regardless of your views on tobacco, once you’re finally old enough to make the purchase yourself, there’s an undeniable urge to celebrate the big day by walking proudly to the counter, showing your ID, and buying your own cigar. This used to be as simple as reaching the ripe old age of 18, but the past few years, hundreds of cities (as well as a few states) have changed the laws and raised the legal age to 21. In any case, it’s a rite of passage, best enjoyed with a few older friends who can show you the ropes and help you choose something on the milder side. 

Graduation

Cigars are a symbol of celebration and accomplishment, and when you finally get that diploma - be it from high school, college, or beyond -  it’s likely to be the biggest accomplishment of your life so far. Few things require such persistent dedication than earning a degree, and nothing comes close to creating so many memories and lasting relationships. Graduations also herald a new life ahead, and new opportunities you’ve just earned. Light up a cigar with your fellow graduates, take pictures, and savor those memories forever.

Wedding

It may happen at the engagement celebration, the bachelor party, or the wedding ceremony itself, but there are few things in life better than lighting up a cigar with your friends, family, or the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with.

If it’s at the bachelor party, bring the same cigar for every guy in the group, and try to choose something unique. Light up and share the stories you can’t share in front of the grandparents. If you’re at the wedding, choose a smaller size like a petit robusto or panatela size. There’s an old custom to gift one to the Father of the bride, but feel free to blaze your own trail. Cigars are totems of celebration, strength, and courage - all of which come in handy at the altar.

Your First Child

Every major event in this list also marks a turning point that separates the life before and after it. None are so life-changing as the birth of your first child. If you only choose one of these milestones to mark with a cigar, let it be this one. It’s the final farewell to your own childhood, a celebration of new life, and a solemn commitment to the biggest responsibility you’ll ever have.

It’s a tradition for a reason, and in nearly every cigar store you’ll find sticks with pink and blue labels carrying the message “It’s a Boy!” or “It’s a Girl!”. Do yourself a favor and take the time to find a cigar worthy of the occasion. (Our personal pick: the God of Fire by Arturo Fuente. Two distinct blends originally developed through a competition between father and son to see who could create the perfect cigar. A rare treasure if you can find it.)

Lifelong Achievement

Everyone is climbing their own mountain, but one thing remains true for every person - victory deserves celebration. For some, it’s starting your own company, finally receiving that well-deserved promotion, or landing a major client. Maybe it’s running a marathon, taking a dream vacation, buying your first home, losing 100 pounds, or winning a championship. Maybe it’s climbing an actual mountain. But no matter the victory, this is the time to really treat yourself. Surround yourself with the people who helped you get there and spare no expense.

Retirement Party

By now, you’ve enjoyed a few cigars and cherished a lifetime of sweet victories. Time to say farewell to the 9-to-5 life, and dedicate the rest of your life to… whatever you want. We trust this won’t be your last big celebration, but you’ve established a fresh line the sand. From this moment on, if you want, every other cigar can be enjoyed in pure, unchecked leisure.

Now that the checkpoints are set, you may still need a guide on How to Properly Smoke a Cigar, a quick refresher on cigar etiquette, or even a few go-to jokes. Stay tuned for future pieces on those subjects, but if you need help finding a good cigar for the next milestone in your life, look no further than Good Cigar Co. We’ll be here every step of the way.