On Sunday afternoon I took advantage of a bright crisp fall day to have a
seat in the garden, share a glass of single malt with my daughter and light
up a wonderful cigar-the Perdomo Habano with a Corojo wrapper in a 6X60
gordo size.

The cigar is wonderful to look at, a light sheen lets it almost
glow. This Nicaraguan puro is well constructed, firm in the hand with a
great cedar-y smell in the pre-light.

I paired it with an 11 year old Balblair Highland single malt that my daughter just brought back from
Scotland, The citrus notes of the scotch were perfect with the rich
full-bodied Perdomo. It’s burn was consistent-no relights or touch ups.

The flavor was cedar and leather with a spicy retro-hale. This cigar’s flavor
was tasty throughout.

The size and construction of the gordo is just great. You really feel
special with the creamy smoke and great draw.

I smoked it down to the nub. It took about an hour and I was in no hurry. I only really have one
criticism: the ash was a little flakey and fell off sooner than I wanted.

The price was right too at $8 or so from my local B & M. There are a few
more of these in my humidor…I am already looking forward to them.

Guest Reviewer is: J Bebb is a 52 year old cigar enthusiast that has been enjoying smoking for
30 years. Along with cigars he enjoys fine dining, cooking, beer, rare and
unusual whisky and outdoor activities. A father of three he is proud to say
that his children echo his enthusiasm. J lives with his wife of 25 years and
family in upstate New York.

Sure, you can use a razor blade, an x-acto knife or a pocket blade; you can even just bite and tear to remove the uncut end of a cigar.  Probably uncouth, but not without it’s value when you’re far from home with an unclipped cigar and a powerful urge to smoke.

But you already know (if you read the How to Cut a Cigar post) that a cigar cutter is one of the four essential tools an experienced cigar smoking aficionado needs.  Simply stated, the object of the cut is to create an ample, smooth opening for smoking.  This will allow you to draw more easily on your stogie and will also ensure that your cigar burns evenly without damaging its structure.

Here are some of your Cigar Cutter options:

• Cigar Knife
• Single Cutter
• Double Cutter
• Straight Blade
• Double Blade
• Bullet Cutter
• Bullet Punch
• Eagle Scissors
• Credit Card Cutter
• Punch

And my personal favorite (shown in picture)…

• The Guillotine Cigar Cutter

But once you get over the fun idea of executing the tip of your smoke, the real question is this:  ‘What’s the right tool for the job?”  What’s the recommended way to trim a smoke?

What you use to clip your cigar is a matter of personal preference.  Cigar smokers are known (and respected!) for their independent minds and spirits.  So do a little hunting and pecking, a little nipping and clipping, and see which manufacturer has a product that fits your hand, your sense of style – and your budget.

And keep it clean, boys and girls!  If your formerly wonderful cutter suddenly stops working well, YOU may be the culprit – having let a build-up of moist tobacco accumulate and dull the edge.  If your cutter is in less than optimal condition, you might as well just use your teeth, so wipe off the blade of your cutter frequently and be sure to keep any cutter well sharpened.

The latest in ‘cutting edge’ cutters?  For the golfer that wants to be smokin’ on the fairway, Dunhill has created an all-in-one cutter and divot repair tool.  And nobody offers more combination cutting instruments than Colibiri, including a refillable pen with integrated bullet-style cigar cutter (available in a variety of smart colors and finishes) and a large selection of combination cigar cutters and lighters.

Even before you know what you’re doing, you can ‘look the part’ of an accomplished cigar smoker.  These are the four essential items you will want to have.

1. CIGAR CUTTERS

There are just some things a cigar smoker can’t do without. This is one of ‘em.  Sure you can chew off the end of your cigar (like they do in the movies) and just spit it out, but nothing says you’re a true connoisseur better than pulling out your own personal cigar cutter.  (Also see How to Cut a Cigar).

2. CIGAR LIGHTERS

If you’re spending a goodly sum on your cigar, don’t let your investment go up in smoke (the wrong way) because you didn’t invest in a decent cigar lighter.  With all due respect to the little plastic wonder, a disposable Bic from the drugstore really doesn’t make the grade.  Proper lighting is a key factor in ensuring that your cigar will taste its best!

Avoid a regular gas lighter as the fumes will be passed on to the cigar itself, and spoil the more delicate flavors.  The best implements are odorless butane lighters and good old wooden matches (Our chapter on lighting your cigar gives you some special tips about matches).

Smokin’ Product: Colibri offers a huge range of high-tech pocket lighters, including many combination types with integrated tools and cigar cutters.

3. CIGAR TUBE or CARRYING CASE

Not to be confused with the humidor, a carrying case is a home-away-from-home for a cigar ‘on the go’.  Tubes help seal in moisture, allowing you to keep a well-conditioned cigar fresh for up to 2 days outside a humidor.  Tubes come in glass or metal, and there are beautiful leather cases available, too. (One caution on the leather cases, they seem to have a tendency to dry our your cigar rather quickly).

Also, don’t continually open your tube to smell the tobacco.  You’ll be letting in dry air, which will contribute to their deterioration.  And try to avoid tubes with cork stoppers since they slowly exchange moisture with the “outside” air.

Some companies make great “Traveldors”. These are small but efficient travel cases that have a humidification device inside. If you are taking a small number of cigars for a period of time this may be your best route. I use one in my golf bag – the cigars are kept fresh between rounds.

4. CIGAR ASHTRAY

What makes a cigar ashtray different from a normal ashtray? Most importantly, cigar ashtrays make it possible to rest the cigar without disrupting the ash, which can definitely improve the way the cigar burns

An excellent (and growing) range of cigar trays in a variety of materials and styles are being offering from well-known cigar brands including Dunhill and Perolo.  Some ashtrays feature famous cigar logos such as Cohiba, H. Upmann and others.

Many of the Hillwood ashtrays match their wood and leather humidors, making an attractive ‘smoking bar’ at home. Dunhill’s crystal ashtrays are also popular and come equipped with up to four cigar rests.

New to smoking cigars?

Don’t worry.  Even Winston Churchill had to start somewhere!

Cigar Secrets is filled with lots of information about choosing cigars, lighting  smoking them, accessories, etc.  But this page is devoted to answering the questions many ‘virgins’ ask.  A Cigar Newbie’s FAQ, if you like.  (And don’t be too hard on yourself – some of the, shall we say, more ‘experienced’ cigar smokers who are reading this site could do with a refresher in these basics too.)

So start here and keep on reading.  And why not enjoy a good smoke while you do?

What’s a ‘premium’ cigar?

Only cigars handmade by experts from a choice blend of top-quality tobaccos and aged to perfection may truly be referred to as premium.

If I can pick up a cigar at my local drugstore, why should I spend all that money at the fancy cigar stores?

I can buy a Twinkie at MY local drugstore for a lot less money than a muffin at the French bakery down the street, but do you really think the quality is the same?  Come on.  Don’t be coy.  You know better.

Pre-packaged cigars often include non-tobacco ingredients like paper, PG (Propylene Glycol) or Glycerin (to prevent drying) and even saltpeter!  Quality cigars, the ones that you’ll purchase from reliable cigar stores, contain only tobacco.  Further, better cigars are rolled with top of the line leaves and are made with leaves that run from end to end.

Is the price of a cigar indicative of its quality or its consistency?

High prices do not guarantee good cigars. It’s the smoker’s dilemma to judge their relative worth.  This is one situation where trial and error can be fun.

Is it ok to buy “machine made” cigars?

There a lot of things a machine can do, making cigars is not really one of them. An experienced roller will know when to add more or less filler to help with the perfect smoke – a machine will not. How will you know? Well, if there is a plastic tip on the end that will be one dead giveaway. Secondly, most reputable brands do not make them with machines – if you are worried, stick to the larger cigars.

What’s the story with ordering cigars by mail or off the Internet?

Mail order cigar distributors – and there are a wealth of them on the Internet – offer the advantage of a good product and great prices, usually highly discounted over what your local merchant will charge.  The downside is an occasional “quality” issue and the minimum purchase requirement – Don Diego’s Casa de Cigars wants you to spend $100 for a box, not $5 for a single.

You should also remember that your local tobacconist is a source of information and advice, as well as selling cigars and accessories.  Once you have established a relationship with your local tobacconist (and they understand your tastes) he/she can recommend new brands for you – brands that you may have easily missed in the “catalog”.

Are cigars supposed to be aged or fresh?

The word ‘fresh’ is probably not the best adjective to apply to a cigar.  Premium cigar rollers utilize tobacco that has been (hopefully) aged for several months before rolling and then the manufacturer may age them an additional year before releasing them to distribution outlets.

So any way you smoke it, your stogie is hardly ‘fresh.’  Many people still savor the flavor of pre-Castro Cubans, and we’ve even read about cigars from the 1940’s, which still taste great.  In fact, some people have such a preference for ‘vintage’ cigars that they age their stogies themselves.

Can I figure out how a cigar will taste just by knowing what country it was made in?

Cigars are a global industry and each country’s cigars have textures and flavors that reflect different rolling techniques, unique curing or aging processes, even the difference in soils from one region to another.   You could spend a lifetime getting to know the subtleties and nuances of each.

It’s likely that the first cigars you choose will be from the Caribbean.

Of course there are always exceptions but it you’re looking to start out with a mild smoke, go Jamaican.  On the other end of the scale are cigars from Nicaragua and Honduras, which are considered more full-bodied.  In between are cigars from the Dominican Republic.  And, at the top of the list – cigars from Cuba, the richest and most prized in the world.

So, are Cuban cigars the best or what?

Some people believe they are the best others feel that they are overrated. I think it is just a matter of individual taste (ie: California Cabernet vs. French Bordeaux). Cuban cigars are typically more of a full-bodied cigar (they have milder versions as well), so if that is what you like than you may enjoy them. Cuban Cigars are made exclusively of Cuban tobacco. The likelihood of coming across a fake Cuban cigar is also pretty strong (it is big business creating fakes). Keep in mind that some Cuban cigars are machine made  – if you want to avoid the chance of this, stick to the larger sizes. (Also see the Top Cuban Cigars list for more information).

How do I know if I want a “strong” cigar?

First, lets lose the term “strong”. In the industry we prefer to refer to them as “full bodied” (although occasionally even I will say something is strong). Secondly, sometimes this will be due to inefficient aging of the tobacco. If you find a cigar line that you like, you may want to slowly move up into more full bodied cigars.

Of the three major cigar components – wrapper, binder and filler – it’s the wrapper leaves that readily present themselves for inspection when you’re making your purchase.  Some industry experts claim that up to 75% of the flavor of a cigar comes from the wrapper – so be sure to get to know them well.  “Kick the tires” so to speak of each new stogie you buy.

To pass muster, wrapper leaves should be thick and have an oily feeling.  They should possess a smooth and uniform color, with small veining running throughout the leaf.  The veins should be subtle, not prominent, and no blemishes should mar the leaf.

With all these tests to pass, it’s no wonder that wrapper leaves are carefully grown, aged and selected…and often a place where ‘unscrupulous’ manufacturers will try and skimp.

Wrappers are actually categorized by country of origin, but for most cigar smokers it’s easier to identify wrappers (and their flavor) by color than by country.

Quick Cigar Smoking Tip:

The darker the color, the greater the oil and sugar content of the wrapper

and the sweeter and stronger the flavor is likely to be.

Shade Grown Vs. Sun Grown Cigar Wrappers

What influences the color of wrappers?  Cigar leaves that have no shading during growing develop a richer reddish hue with more robust flavors.  Tobacco grown in the shade, often utilizing cheesecloth, produces pale brown/khaki-colored leaves.

Darker wrappers often come from high altitudes where exposure to the sun causes the leaves to produce oil as a form of self-protection.  The sun also promotes the production of sugar through photosynthesis.  Other dark wrappers may have spent more time at the tobacco plant and aged naturally, or they may have been fermented longer.

Types of Cigar Wrappers

Here’s what you should know:

• CLARO

Shade grown tobacco – protected from harsh light by large canopies — is usually light tan in color (claro).  It offers a smooth smoke with a neutral flavor.

• CONNECTICUT BROADLEAF

From the Connecticut River Valley, this leaf is grown in the sun, which results in a coarser, darker, sweeter wrapper.

• CONNECTICUT SHADE

This wrapper leaf developed its distinctive golden hue under the protective shade of huge tents in the Connecticut River Valley.  It is a direct descendent of the Hazelwood strain of Cuban seed.

• COLORADO

A reddish dark brown wrapper with an aromatic smell and rich, robust taste.

• COLORADO CLARO

Brands including Dominican Partagas use this medium brown wrapper.

• COLORADO MADURO

Slightly more aromatic than Maduro, the dark brown leaves of Colorado Maduro are found in many of the fine Honduran cigars, giving them a rich, deep flavor.

• DOUBLE CLARO (aka CANDELA  or AMERICAN MARKET SELECT

Double Claro’s distinctive green/greenish brown color is achieved by picking the leaves early, before they reach full maturity.  A rapid drying processreadies the leaf which has very little oil and a mild, almost bland flavor.

• ENGLISH MARKET SELECTION (EMS)/NATURAL
This term refers to a natural color wrapper usually light brown to brown in hue.  It is different than claro or lighter shades, and maduro or darker shades.  Most often sun grown, EMS leaves offer a smooth, but full-bodied flavor.

• HABANA 2000™

A relatively new wrapper made from Cuban Seed tobacco grown in Nicaragua.

• MADURO

Mexican wrappers are often Maduro, with more texture and veining than the lighter wrappers, with its deep dark brown leaves.  They are often described as oily looking, with a stronger taste – sweet on the palate with a unique aroma.

• OSCURO

The strongest tasting of all wrappers, Oscuros tend to hail from Brazil, Mexico and Nicaragua.  With a dark brown, almost black appearance, these leaves offer a potent flavor.

So the next time you smoke cigars, pay close attention to the wrapper and start finding your personal preference!

Where were YOU in ’92?  Not 1992…1492!

Before you grandfather’s grandfather was even a sparkle in HIS grandfather’s eye, Christopher Columbus was out discovering America and something else, too – tobacco!  From lowly tobacco came the most elevated of pleasures – the fine smoking cigar.

It really was the beginning of a whole New World!  Cigar popularity burned a path back to the continent, setting Europe afire before finding its way back to America again.

When Victoria was queen, cigars were king in England, but their enjoyment was limited to private clubs and residences.  Cigars were kept behind closed doors until the ‘enlightened’ time of King Edward.

In 1901, the new monarch ascended to the throne and his first words as King were,

“Gentlemen, you may smoke!”

In America in 1901, it’s believed that 4 out of 5 men in the U.S. were cigar smokers!  The stogie was prized by statesmen, royals, gentlemen and generals.  Its popularity has never stopped growing.

Today, men and women freely share the myriad pleasures of a good premium cigar.  A renaissance of cigar stores and a renewed interest in ‘cigar culture’ is a worldwide phenomenon…a phenomenon that you’re about to join.

You’ll be in great company.  Cigar aficionados are known around the globe as connoisseurs of the finer things in life; men and women who appreciate the best food, wine and liqueurs.  There’s no better time to enjoy a cigar than after a meal with dessert and coffee, or perhaps with cognac or a glass of port.

Of course, cigars aren’t just for after dinner.  Kick back after a day at work with a smooth corona.  Take your pooch out for a walk and enjoy a mild panatella.  Enjoy a walk along the shore with…well, you get the idea!  The best time to have a cigar is ANY time you want to relax and enjoy being yourself.

There’s no question that cigars were made in heaven – aromatic, flavorful, a perfect end to a perfect day.  Although cigars may PHILOSOPHICALLY be heaven-sent, they come to your tobacco store by far more earthbound means.

Growing tobacco requires exceptional artistry and experience. Plants are lovingly nurtured in strictly controlled conditions until the little seedlings are ready to be transported to fields.

Let’s start at the beginning…

Fun fact:  Two tablespoons of seed can produce 10 acres of cigar tobacco!

First comes the harvesting of the leaves, in itself a thoughtful and careful process.  Leaves that are harvested from the bottom of plants (Valdo) have the mildest flavor.  Middle level leaves (Seco) which are the largest leaves and some say best tasting, deliver milder flavor, while the top leaves (Corona) have the greatest exposure to the sun, and therefore the most pronounced taste.

Fun Fact: Valdo, Seco, and Corona only apply to Sun Grown tobacco. In Cuba, wrapper tobacco that is grown in the shade (under cloth) is called Ligero (light), Seco (dry), Amarillo (yellow), and Viso (Glossy).

These pre-sorted leaves are re-sorted according to size and texture.  They’re bundled and hung to dry (cure) for 6-8 weeks.  During curing, the tobacco leaves must be able to release moisture and (sweat or ferment) rid themselves of toxins like ammonia and other chemicals that develop during the process.  If proper fermentation has not occurred during curing, the resulting tobacco will not burn steadily and will have a harsh, bitter taste.

In preparing premium cigars, the blender will carefully sort and strip the three components of a smoke – the filler, the binder and the wrapper.  All this must be completed prior to the creation of the unique combination (recipe) of tobacco and wrapper that will result in a perfect smoke.

The blender assembles a special combination of tobacco leaves to make the filler.  Depending on the type of cigar, its size and ring gauge, there may be as few as two and as many of four tobacco leaves in the mix.  Blending is an art unto itself.

The next art is shaping, and the ‘hand’ of the expert is revealed in a consistent shape and texture.  A buncher forms the filler leaves into a neat cylindrical shape.  A binder leaf comes next.  Then, the entire cigar is placed into a mold to gently and slowly ‘massage’ it into a perfect cigar shape.

When the shape has been achieved, a roller applies the outer wrapper leaf of tobacco and voila – cigar perfection…almost.

After the cigar maker has ‘introduced’ the elements of the cigar to one another, the stogies are placed in the “marrying room” for a 3-week (minimum) honeymoon together.  The ‘marrying room’ is actually a tobacco aging room, usually made of cedar, in which temperature and humidity are carefully controlled. During this time, Nature brings the various tobacco components together to synthesize their best qualities into the richly layered taste of a fine cigar.  Lots of things go into how cigars smoke with this being an important step! It is not uncommon for some growers to skip this process – a serious mistake to true cigar connoisseurs.

At a private party at an undisclosed location, I was honored to gather with friends to celebrate Avo’s 85th birthday.

If you don’t know Avo’s cigars, you are missing out. If you don’t know the man, you are truly missing out.

I have known Avo for some time. Although most people know him as one of the world’s premier cigar makers, he is also a world renown pianist.

Maybe you have heard Frank Sinatra’s, Strangers in the Night. Yeah, that was written by Avo.

But the depth of Avo goes well behind the cigars, music, and signature hat.

If you ever see Avo at your local cigar bar, stop and say “hello.” You will be glad you did.

Happy Birthday Avo. May you live to 100 and beyond!

*As for the photo. After dinner we adjourned to a small deck with little light. An employee came and put a small spotlight on a bench to try and give us some luminescence while we enjoyed our cigars. Out of random chance, the light projected a silhouette of Avo on the wall. It some ways, it sums up the man perfectly.

It takes only a few weeks for a cigar to become dry in adverse conditions, but it takes a few months to restore them.  And although dry cigars could be brought back to an acceptable smoking condition, they will probably never be as good as they originally were.

So an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Don’t let a good cigar go bad.  Read up on humidors and storage options on this website.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

There are several ways of treating dry cigars, depending on their condition. If a cigar has become dry and the wrapper has not cracked and unraveled, then it can be restored. But this must be done slowly and patiently.

If the wrapper has actually broken, then the cigar should be discarded. And if it has completely dried out, it will fall apart between your fingers regardless of how gentle and careful you are, so restoration would be impossible.

Your first step is to remove your dry stogies from their cellophane wrappers, or cedar/aluminum tubes.  If they’re not super-dry, the entire cigar box (with its lid open) may be placed inside a large walk-in humidor or any location where they can slowly be reintroduced to dampness – ideally 70% humidity.  (After two or three days the top and bottom rows should be interchanged and should remain in that position for another two or three days)

In 4-6 days, you can remove the cigars from their box and expose them to the full humidity of the humidor.  To combat small water bubbles that may appear under the wrapper, rotate the cigars a quarter-turn every 2 days.  Continue this process for as long as necessary – possibly up to three weeks.

When the wrappers look even and the body feels smooth, and when there is only a gentle crackling sound when you press your cigars between your fingers, it’s time to return your cigars to their original box.  After treatment it is best to let cigars rest for 6-12 months to allow the three components (filler, binder and wrapper) to re-equilibrate before smoking. Just check on their condition every three months.

Quick tip:  For cigars that aren’t too dried-out, restoration can sometimes be achieved by simply wrapping the closed box in a damp (not wet) towel for about two weeks.

The Top Ten Cuban Cigars? Well look no further, the votes are IN!

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on any of these, find a nice quiet area – or a loud one with friends – and enjoy!

1. Cohiba Esplindidos

2. Cohiba Robusto

3. Maneda De Cuba

4. H Uphmann Number 2

5. Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos

6. H Uphmann Magnum 50

7. Hoya Monterrey Epicure Especial

8. San Miguel y Ramirez

9. Trinidad Fundadoras

10. Trinidad Extra Robusto

Compare this list to 2009