As with most branding situations, creating your own cigar brand finds it starting point at product research and manufacturing considerations. Finding a balance between production quality and cost of the final product (including transport, tax and storage costs) should be one of the foremost considerations at this point.

A cigar consists of a wrapper, binder and filler - each built from elements of the tobacco leaf. A good cigar manufacturer should be able to provide you with samples and advice on blending processes. Many cigar enthusiasts are divided over hand-rolled cigars versus machine-made cigars. The crux of the matter is that either production method can create high or low quality goods depending on the cigar manufacturer.

Cigar Sizes and their relation to Smoking time for a Cigar

Cigar shape, size and taste are the main aspects behind choosing the perfect cigar for an occasion. Most cigars are designed to be savoured but the size that you choose could mean anything from 15 minutes to 90 minutes of cigar smoking. Experts tout a strong case for matching the type of cigar with the atmosphere rather than lighting up the same cigar indiscriminately regardless of time of day or type of event.

Smaller sizes such as the Petite Corona and Rothschild are indicated as more appropriate as a quick after-dinner smoke whilst larger cigars such as the Gigante and Presidente are suitable for lengthy events. Researching how you want your product to be enjoyed will help you to choose the right sizes to start with.

Cigar Packaging

Whether you opt to package at the manufacturer or directly after production the packaging needs to exude the right 'personality' for your cigar brand. Are you going to opt for wooden boxes, tins, tubes, plastics or carton boxes? What quantities will you require and how far will you be shipping the packaged cigars? Your destination country will also affect legal labelling requirements.

There are a lot of considerations. Generally the most cost effective solution is to find a manufacturer that sources the tobacco for you and then both produces and packages the cigars for you complete with legal labels.

As for brand awareness free samples are the most effective way to encourage memory retention in today's fickle consumer environment. If you sourced your manufacturer correctly and the end product exceeds quality expectations you should have a good foot in the door with launching your own Cigar Brand.