How to buy a good cigar
The smoking culture has been existent for ages and it has been one of the consistently growing market. Tobacco is the major product related to the smoking industry. Tobacco is the source of cigar which is one of the must-haves of males and even females especially in this modern times.History tells that cigar smoking was common in the Latin American region which includes countries such as Brazil, Mexico,… more
Making the Perfect Cut on Your Cigar
How to clip a cigar properly? Although every cigar aficionado has their own proven method, here are some basic guidelines to get you started. First, examine the head, or closed end, of the cigar. This is the part of the cigar that will need to be clipped. Determine where the 'cap' is. The cap refers to the part of the cigar where the tobacco leaf was used to close the cigar. Once you've found… more
Choosing The Right Humidor Humidifier
Those who smoke cigars, take their cigars seriously. For many, it is an indulgence in which they relish; a time to relax or reflect, celebrate or seal the deal. Whatever times or occasions one chooses to celebrate with a cigar, there is one thing they all have in common; their cigars must be fresh or the experience just isn't worth it.Keeping Cigars Fresh Humidity control is the primary way to ensure… more
How to Spot Fake Cuban Cigars
Everyone knows that Cuban cigars are the most coveted cigars, renown worldwide for their smoothness and rich flavors. Indeed, Cuban cigars are so prized that many illegitimate dealers have been known to sell fake Cubans to unsuspecting cigar smokers. How do you tell if what you have is a fake or the real thing? First, make certain that you purchase your cigars from a legitimate dealer. Buying from… more
Cigar Smoking 101
What are the basics of cigar smoking? How do you light a cigar? How do you draw on the cigar properly? Do you inhale? What are the dos and don'ts of cigar smoking? If you have ever pondered any of these questions, read on. Here is a simple and accessible primer designed to help you gain familiarity with the sometimes confusing, always enigmatic world of cigar smoking. First Step: Lighting Up… more
Top 5 Cigars For Beginners
Buying Beginner Cigars
New cigar smokers should start with the best mild and mild-to-medium cigars that are available in the market today. Experienced cigar smokers should enjoy all of the cigars on this latest and greatest list of top cigars for beginners, too.
Here are my top 5 for now 
1. Casa Torano
Casa Torano cigars are made by the Torano family in Honduras. The Casa Torano is a mild-to-medium cigar that is packed with flavor. This cigar is mild enough for a beginner, but has a complex flavor that will satisfy most seasoned smokers, also. The taste is rich and smooth, and very enjoyable all the way down to the last two inches of the cigar. You can’t go wrong with a Casa Torano!
2. Macanudo
Macanudo is one of the top selling premium cigar brands in the United States. These cigars are made by the General Cigar Company in the Dominican Republic. The Macanudo Hyde Park Café is a real pleasure to smoke, as it produces lighter tastes of almonds, cashews and fresh herbs. A great choice for beginners, and can be used as a benchmark to evaluate other cigars. Also, see our review of the Macanudo Hampton Court.
3. The Gran Habano Connecticut #1
This cigar is mild-to-medium bodied, but closer to the upper end of that range. Gran Habano cigars are made by Guillermo Rico in Honduras. The Connecticut #1 blend is made with Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrappers and a blend of filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. This would make a great cigar for beginners, as well as for mainstream cigar smokers who enjoy a flavorful cigar that is not a power bomb.
4. Gispert
This one is a mild-to-medium bodied cigar made in Honduras. This is a very easy smoking cigar. It has an earthy and woodsy flavor with hints of leather. The aroma is quite pleasing also, with wood and leather undertones. And for only about $2 per stick, the price is very reasonable.
5. The Helix Blue Tubular
This cigar has a very enjoyable mild flavor, and is also mild in strength. This cigar would be a great choice for a beginner cigar smoker, or for an experienced smoker who enjoys an occasional mild cigar. The cigar is made by the General Cigar Company in Honduras, and has some similarities to their more expensive and popular line of Macanudo cigars. Helix cigars are also available as artificially flavored cigars called Helix Remix, which are also prescribed for new cigar smokers.
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How to Purchase Cigars from Cuba
Every cigar aficionado knows that the very best cigars come from Cuba. Unfortunately, buying the best can often be a risky proposition. But many cigar enthusiasts are willing to take the risk to get a taste of the very best. If you’re wondering just how one would get their hands on a box of Cubans, read on. Because of the relationship between the United States and Cuba, know that there are a lot of people looking to take advantage of cigar aficionados. Purchasing Cuban cigars should be done with great caution in order to avoid getting duped.
First, know that importing cigars from Cuba is considered illegal. The United States placed economic sanctions on the Cuban government in 1963. Ever since then, Cuban cigars have become the holy grail of cigar enthusiasts. There is, however, one loophole: visitors to Cuba who return from a sanctioned and licensed visit are allowed to bring back cigars. However, visitors are not able to bring back more than $100 worth of cigars, and they must be intended for personal use, and not for resale. Read the rest of this entry »
The Secret Components of Cigars
Cigars are comprised of surprisingly few component parts. Unlike cigarettes, which usually have filters, two different kinds and colors of paper, and filler ingredients other than tobacco, cigars are all tobacco. What makes one cigar so different from another is the type of tobacco, where it’s grown, when the leaves are picked, how the picked leaves are cured and fermented, and how the finished leaves are cut and rolled. Because cigars are made in so many parts of the world, there is a diverse range of product, as you’d expect.
Wrappers
The outermost layer of cigars is called the wrapper. It is made from the widest part of the tobacco leaves, and it has a big impact on the cigar’s flavor and aroma. Cigar wrappers vary in color, and because the wrapper color is what is most visible, cigars are often described by the wrapper color. Here is a list, from lightest to darkest:
* Double Claro: very light color (sometimes with a green tinge); color comes from leaves that are picked while still immature and cured quickly. Read the rest of this entry »