How to Select a Fine Cigar

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, David Letterman, Justice Clarence Thomas… these are some of the most recognizable names of our times, names that will be huge in history. All of these men share one similarity with the each other, they are all regular cigar smokers.

Powerful men and cigars what is with this pair? Until recently, there was a prevailing stereotype that only rich men are the ones who smoke cigars. These days, there really is no line that separates the rich men from the not-so-rich men with regard to cigar smoking. Almost any person today can afford a stick or two of their favorite smoke.

There is one thing for certain though, and that is there’s a difference between a premium cigar and cheap cigar. You're going to want determine if that cigar is worth buying. There are certain tips to follow when buying one.

First thing is find your local tobacconist specialty store that carries a large selection of cigars including those of the highest quality and finest tobacco. The store owner will also have the knowledge and expertise to direct to the best of the best.

Only choose cigars of good quality and ensure that it is made of one hundred percent tobacco. Some lower quality cigars can contain non-tobacco components like paper, glycerin or saltpeter.

Visually check that the wrapper is smooth with a slight shine feature and that is free of any blemishes or discoloration.

You don't want a lumpy cigar, so give it a gentle squeeze, it should be resilient enough to hold its shape when you press it. Watch also for hard or soft spots within the cigar as that can be a sign of poor quality and cheap construction.

Take a good smell of the cigar, it should have a deep, rich aroma that you should have no trouble detecting. Cigars that have hard to detect smells may be dry due to age or improper storage, stale, or just of low quality and should be avoided.

Follow these few simple tips when selecting your next premium cigar and you will have a pleasant experience and the best value for your money.

The Importance of Storing Your Cigars in a Humidor

A cigar box is attractive, but it provides little protection for its contents. To keep your favorite cigars rich and flavorful, humidors are your best storage option. In this article, we'll show you how one works and how it improves the taste of your cigars.

A humidor is any kind of box or room with constant humidity and is used to store cigars or pipe tobacco. For private use, small wooden or acrylic glass boxes that can store a few dozen cigars are used. Cigar shops may have massive walk-in, humidity controlled rooms that can cover an entire whole floor. Whatever the size, they use hygrometers to keep track of the humidity levels. The ideal humidity inside one is around 65-75%. The more empty space, the more readily the humidity will drop.

Cigar humidors are typically made of wood board with an interior veneer of Spanish-cedar wood or mahogany. Spanish-cedar is the most frequently used wood for the interior veneer because it holds more moisture than most woods, so it helps maintain humidity. As a bonus, it imparts its aroma to cigars if they are stored in it long enough. For the same reason, some cigars are wrapped in Spanish-cedar sheets before they are sold. Spanish-cedar wood can also repel tobacco beetles.

These pinhead-sized beetles can ruin entire stocks. They eat the tobacco and lay eggs which causes further infestation. They can also be discouraged by ensuring the unit does not get hotter than 20 °C, but putting cigars in one that is too dry can ruin good smokes, so the unit has to be seasoned after being bought, or if it has been dry for some time.

To enhance the body of cigars, humidors provide the correct environment. Keep in mind that you have to start with a relatively good cigar to end up with a great product. Inexpensive bundled cigars may require more initial aging than premium boxed cigars, while fuller bodied cigars will continue to mellow and improve with aging.

Cigars purchased from tobacconists' shops were likely stored in a large, humidity controlled room, so they will be ready to smoke right away. Cigars purchased online or via mail order will need to spend more time in a humidor and if using one for aging purposes, never mix flavored cigars with other cigars as taste transfer and contamination can occur.

Humidors are a necessary investment for any cigar aficionado. It is an expensive hobby so investing in one will protect your valuable stogies, plus regular cleaning and maintenance will keep the unit performing well. Besides preserving your cigars, it can make an ordinary one into an extraordinary treat.

Why Cuban Cigars Are Prized Above All Others

Cuban cigars set the standard for all cigars worldwide. Their inimitable rich flavor and unexcelled craftsmanship makes them pricey, but stogie aficionados believe them to be worth every penny. In this article, we'll distinguish between the different types of Cuban cigars available and find out how the cheaper brands compare.

Each cigar brand has its own specialized blend of tobacco that makes it famous, but the reputation of Cuban cigars is beyond compare. Also known as Havanas, this type has a very strong flavor and aroma. The body and strength of Cuban cigars vary among the many brands and range from lighter colored to medium-bodied cigars to the high end popular brands for which Cuba is famous.

The mild Guantanamera brand is popular among inexperienced stogie smokers because of its light body and moderate price. Other mild favorites include the extremely popular Jose L. Piedra brand and. These flavorful, mild to medium cigars are machine bunched, hand finished and are very competitively priced.

The Montecristo No. 4 is the most popular cigar in the world and is the standard by which other Cuban cigars are judged. They have a unique spicy flavor and cost about $13 US each. It's more expensive cousin, the Montecristo 'A', is a very high end variety that sells for about $48 US. The Hoyo de Monterey line comes in a variety of sizes and has a very unique flavor. The most popular are the mild and nutty Churchill, The Corona, Le Hoyo des Dieux and Le Hoyo du Prince.

Partagas is another top brand available in a number of shapes and sizes. Most of the larger cigars are quite full-flavored and mimic the characteristics of Partagas coffee and chocolate. Romeo y Julieta's are one of the most famous and delicious Cuban cigars and feature many different shapes, sizes and blends. These cigars are handmade but are very inexpensive. Comparable in taste and price is the Rafael Gonzalez Panatela Extra. Another inexpensive but good choice is the Los Statos De Luxe Selectos. Individually wrapped in cedar, these cigars have their own unique blend of toast and light spice flavors. One retails for about $6.50 US.

Cuban cigars are costly, but they're expensive for a number of reasons. The Cuban cigar industry has flourished since the fifteenth century when Spaniards landed on the island. Growing locations, soil conditions, processing practices, regions and blending techniques all contribute to the flavor. Each brand has its own characteristics and trademark flavors that can be distinguished by experienced cigar smokers.

Growing techniques are strictly controlled and traditional methods that have been used for hundreds of years, like organic crop production and hand tilling the earth, are still used by growers today. Cheap knock offs of Cuban cigars are available but they fall significantly short of the real thing. Although these imitations are made from Cuban tobacco, they lack the quality and craftsmanship of the major brands.

Peek into the humidor of a discriminating aficionado and you're sure to find a Cuban cigar. Regardless of the brand, Havanas set the standards for flavor and craftsmanship for manufacturers worldwide. No other can compare to the tradition and craftsmanship that goes into every Havana. Despite the competitive market, Cuban cigars continue to be the top choice.