The renowned Irish writer Oscar Wilde once famously said, "The only way to be rid of temptation is to give in to it." Surely that is a clever quip, but it's not entirely practical in real life.

Maybe a more apt way of living is by the ancient Greek maxim of "Everything in moderation." In other words, it is important to indulge one's vices from time to time, just so long as you don't go overboard.

This can be a difficult line to walk, but it is also an inherent part of the human existence. Living a life of staunch sobriety and discipline can be just as dangerous as a life of excess. The occasional indulgence is the spiritual equivalent of releasing the pressure valve of stress from your daily life. Let it build up too long and you might explode.

Cigar smokers know this and that is why they do what they do. Here are a few decadent cigars that are made precisely for indulgence. They are made to release that pressure valve, even if it is just for a little while.

1. Macanudo Hyde Park

This is one of the most sought-after premium cigars in America. They are constructed in the Dominican Republic from ultra-silky Connecticut shade wrappers. They have a mild and aromatic taste with a smooth and easy draw. These cigars go best with a slow and easy walk through the park, hence the name.

2. Acid Cold Infusion Tea

The real treat of this cigar is the rich combination of herbal infusions. It has the occasional hint of peach cobbler and a fresh cut pine aroma. They are rolled into a Lonsdale size using Connecticut shade wrappers. The dynamic flavor of this cigar is so exciting that they are best enjoyed in the company of a friend, at least so you have someone to talk to about it.

3. Rocky Patel American Market Selection Robusto

Though mild in strength, these cigars have a great flavor thanks to the long-aged Honduran and Nicaraguan longfiller tobacco. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper does a lot to tone it down though. This cigar is best smoked outdoors. If you can work it into your next golf outing, that is all the better.

4. Montecristo White Rothchilde

This medium strength cigar is made from Dominican and Nicaraguan longfillers, an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper, and a Nicaraguan binder. It is a well-rounded and satisfying smoke that is great after a long day of work.

5. Carlos Torano Signature Robusto

These cigars are made from only the finest ingredients. The oily, sun-grown Brazilian Maduro wrapper is exceptionally noteworthy. There is a hint of spices and leather that arouses all the senses. When you are thinking long and hard about an important decision, this cigar is a great help in mulling it over.

6. Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso

This cigar is spicy, rich, and exciting. The wrapper comes all the way from Cameroon and you will see why it was worth being shipped across an ocean when you taste its distinctive flavor. In honor of the distance the elements of this cigar had to travel to get to you, it should be enjoyed while on a great journey. The journey, of course, can be literal or metaphorical.

7. Padron Executive

The Padron Executive is a large and full-strength cigar. The Cuban seeds are grown in Nicaragua and the cigar has a dark, oily appearance with a strong flavor. It has a distinctive essence of cocoa and coffee. Really live it up by having this cigar before noon while on vacation.

8. Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Robusto

This cigar is at the pinnacle of the Ashton cigar family. It is made with only the finest long aged fillers and is pressed into an oily Ecuadorian wrapper. In honor of the sun grown tobaccos used to create it, this cigar is meant to be smoked out in the sun. Have one on the beach or by the pool this summer.

9. Natural Dirt Torpedo

The tobaccos from this cigar are grown in South America and blended with other tobaccos from Spain, Turkey, Louisiana, and around the world. The wrapper leaves come from Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, and the United States. It has a strong and complicated flavor. To fully appreciate it you might consider trying one on a long car ride, maybe taking the long way, just to see where it leads.

10. Nub Habano 460

The beauty of this cigar is that instead of having a "sweet spot", the whole cigar is a sweet spot! Despite being just four inches long it routinely smokes for over an hour. This cigar is short, stocky, and strong. It is just the right size and flavor to enjoy while tearing across the Gulf of Mexico in a speedboat.

There is another famous quote out there that is a variation on the old Greek maxim. It goes, "Everything in moderation…including moderation." This may sound like a witty throwaway line like the Wilde quote, but there is real truth to it. Without the occasional indulgence, life simply is not worth living.


Artruro Fuente

Rocky Patel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

I thought this was about an outsourced spring raccoon.