By Timothy Long

The mountain won. But we still smoked victory cigars like pros.

We’re on the 14^th tee on the Mountain Course at Lakeview Golf Resort in Morgantown, WV. My college fraternity brothers and I were in town for our annual golf outing. Two days of old guys trying to act like college kids again.

I lined up my tee shot. The fairway is narrow. They’re all frigging narrow. All of the greens are crowned, small, and today, they’re rock hard. Most shots that hit the green bounce right off. Not really a problem since our group rarely hits the green.

We’re on top of the mountain at this point, probably about 1500 feet above sea level. Some of the cart paths seemed to go straight up. And soon, they’ll go straight down. The views from each hole are dazzling. This course is beautiful, but challenging.

I’m smoking a La Aroma De Cuba Connecticut Robusto. It’s a perfect golf cigar, mild but flavorful. The cashew, almond, honey, and melon flavors are great for a hot summer day. I put my cigar down and tee off. The shot goes right and lands just off the fairway. It’s playable. Playing golf ad smoking cigars are a natural pair. This piece will offer a bit of advice on the particulars of cigar smoking.

You should always ask before firing up a cigar. That’s the proper etiquette. But I didn’t need to ask this time. I’ve known these guys for longer than any of us would like to admit. We were smoking cigars together back when we had no idea what a good cigar was. We all lit our cigars to start the back nine. My fraternity brother Dave took a picture when we did. It was probably the last time we smiled. The back nine is tough.

Cigars are about enjoyment. They’re not for everyone, I get that. Neither is beer nor bourbon. But for those who are delighted by smoking a good cigar, it’s a beautiful experience. Enjoying a hand rolled premium cigar is about more than simply lighting it. It’s an experience rooted in tradition, patience, and respect for the craftsmanship that goes into each and every one. Proper cigar knowledge begins with selecting a cigar appropriate for the occasion. It’s summer, and even though we’re up in the mountains, the afternoon was going to be warm.  So, a milder cigar, for me, would be appropriate. The ring gauge, or thickness of the cigar, also makes a huge difference. I chose a robusto, which has a ring gauge of 50, it’s a thicker cigar. Cigars are produced in a variety of shapes and sizes, known as vitolas. Larger ring gauges generally offer a cooler, slower smoke. So, they’re perfect for a hot day on the course.

Before lighting a cigar, inspect the wrapper for imperfections and cut only enough of the cap to create a clean draw without damaging the cigar. Light the foot slowly using a butane lighter or wooden match, avoiding candles or fluid lighters that can impart unwanted flavors. Rotate the cigar while toasting the foot to ensure an even burn before taking your first puff.

Two golf carts drive up behind us; it’s four of our fraternity brothers. They look exasperated and have given up. These guys don’t play a whole lot of golf.

“We’re heading to Mario’s Fishbowl.” Murphy says, “You guys want to join us?”

“No thanks. We’ll see you guys at the fraternity house.” I replied

There was a cookout planned at the fraternity house after we finished golfing. Where I knew we would be drinking. Mario’s Fishbowl is one of those classic college bars.

It’s been in Morgantown since the 1950s. They serve giant 20-ounce fish bowls of beer! While quite impressive, they aren’t quite up to the caliber of our very own Old Town Fish Market 32-ounce schooners. I do love the place. But it’s probably not the best idea after drinking during a round of golf. Plus, we wanted to finish our round.

After a couple of holes, we pull up to the 17^th.  A smile crosses my face. This one’s a par 3, and the green is at the bottom of a cliff. I had seen holes like this on television and in social media videos, but I had never played one. Hitting the balls off the cliff was a blast. The cart slid a couple of times on the way down to the green. We were never in danger. But the trip down was a bit disconcerting, nonetheless. The cart path isn’t as steep as the cliff, which had a slope of 170 degrees.

We finish the seventeenth hole and plow through the brutal par five eighteenth hole before we head to the fraternity house. My fraternity little brother, Miguel, always handles the cookout and makes a mean brisket. After eating, it’s time for us to light up a victory cigar. We didn’t actually win anything, the mountain won, but we made it through the course. I fired up one of my favorite cigars, My Father Le Bijou. It’s peppery and earthy with a steak-like taste, a perfect post BBQ cigar.

Unlike cigarettes, cigars are not to be inhaled. Cigarette smokers often find it hard to switch to cigars for this reason.  Instead of inhaling, the smoke is gently drawn into the mouth, allowing the palate to appreciate the complex flavors. A premium cigar should be smoked slowly, typically one puff every 30 to 60 seconds. This prevents overheating, which can create a harsh, bitter taste.

As we stood on the patio of our fraternity house, the stories from our glory days began to flow.  The laughter roared as we ribbed each other with memories from our college days. The actives, current members of the fraternity, and a few of the recently graduated alumni chuckle and giggle as they told us the story of how they accidentally flipped over one of the carts while we were golfing. Thankfully, no one was hurt.  And I’m sure drinking wasn’t involved. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) Knowing that they were fine did make the story more enjoyable. And we all smiled again knowing that, decades from now, they’ll be sharing that story with future active members. Friendship and brotherhood are wonderful things, as are great cigars. Cheers!

About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com

Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

Green River Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

I love good rye whiskey, and this is a great one. It’s made with a high rye mash bill, 95% rye and 5% malted barley. The nose has black pepper, caramel, and cinnamon. On the palate you get classic rye flavors of baking spices, mint, and citrus, with hints of honey, vanilla, and butterscotch. Toasted nuts and oak begin to emerge as you drink it. The finish is long, warm, and satisfying, with flavors of pepper and oak. It delivers the bold character rye lovers cherish. At $40 a bottle and 95 Proof, it’s worth keeping on the shelf.

La Fontana Vintage Robusto Cigar

The natural sweetness of this cigar will blend well with the flavors of the Green River Kentucky Rye you will be drinking. The opening delivers notes of cedar, toasted nuts, and light earth. As you get further in, hints of coffee, leather, and white pepper begin to emerge. Richer earthiness and cocoa come out during the long medium-bodied finish. This is another great golf cigar. It’ll pair perfectly with the full belly laugh you’ll get from watching your buddy four putt. Enjoy.

This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.