How do I become a cigar aficionado?

I suggest joining a forum, its a great place to sound off and ask questions. You are exposed to a variety of opinions, and many experienced cigar smokers who love to discuss cigars and pass along their knowledge. Also, many members are willing to meet you at a local shop and help you choose out cigars. When I first started many of them were overly generous and sent me cigars to try.

Some forums worth a look:
CIgar Asylum
BOTL.org

Also, be wary of Cigar Aficionado the magazine. Although it is a great resource, there are rumors of bias and a faulty rating system.

Its tough to go into a local shop alone because most shops will just try to steer you towards expensive cigars for a higher profit assuming you're just a neophyte. However, a good shop is invaluable to the experience and once you find one you trust, you can develop a good relationship with the staff.

Hi, you probably just want the basics, so here they are:

Origin: Dominican cigars tend to be more mild. Good place to start. Honduran's have a bit more bite/flavor, i.e., they're stronger. Great next step up. Cubans tend to be more complex, but not necessarily stronger. If you enjoy and don't turn green when you smoke a Cuban, congratulations, you're an aficionado. Don't choose a cigar because its strong, choose it because you like it.

Size: Used to be that cigars were mostly long and thin. Now, a shorter, fatter, "robusto" size seems to be the mainstream norm. Good for everday. Cigars with a point on the end (a "pyramide" or "perfecto" [if the point is on both ends] are good for variety. However, they tend to be a bit more money than the robusto, so I'd stick with them most of the time.

Brands: The Dominican or Honduran version of any famous brand that originated in Cuba, i.e., a Dominican Montecristo, Cohiba, etc., is typically crap. It's for people who just want the name. On the other hand, Nestor Miranda is a master cigar maker who makes cigars sold under many names, are typically all great -- just ranging in strength.

Color: Stay away from green cigars. Brown ones are great. Darker brown ones are called "maduro" and they are a bit sweeter. Great way to mix it up.

Sorry if I've offended anyone. Hope you enjoy.

The best thing to do is read cigar magazines, speak with cigar shop owners near you as well. They may have clubs or events which help familiarize you with your interest.

Very simple answer...Start Smoking! An "aficionado" is someone who admires, has an affection, and is a fan of, in this case cigars. To learn to love them, you must smoke them, and a lot of them to really get to know them and love them. As a cigar smoker and aficionado for over 25 years myself, my advice to you is simply...start smoking and enjoy. If you don't enjoy them, your not a "Cigar" aficionado. Hope to get you on our team.

Get the book "The complete idiot's guide to cigars."

I've been smoking cigars at a frequency of about 1 a month for the last 4+ years. I'm by no means an expert but had picked up a few things here and there.

This book tells you every single detail about cigars from where they come from, how they're made, why they're make the way they are, different cutting techniques (pros and cons), how to smoke, how to choose the right cigar, and on and on and on.

Great book. Check it out.