Cigar Articles

How To Choose A Good Cigar

Is there a cigar lover on your gift list? Or are you simply curious about how to choose a decent cigar for one of your friends or loved ones? The good news is that even those who know nothing about cigars or about choosing a great cigar can learn these few simple tips on how to sniff out (sometimes literally) a good cigar for your friend or relative.

In case you haven’t noticed, cigars have now entered mainstream culture. While the use of cigars was once the symbol of the rich and powerful, it's now completely acceptable and affordable for just about anyone to purchase a good cigar. This doesn’t mean, however, that you will be able to buy your friend a box of top-tier Cuban cigars. Instead, you can feel comfortable that you are buying a good quality cigar that will put a smile on your friend’s face.

The first tip involves visiting your local tobacconist or specialty smoke shop for the highest quality and widest selection of cigars. Avoid buying cigars from the drugstore or grocery store. While they may be inexpensive and convenient to purchase, these cigars are usually filled with preservatives and are generally of poorer quality than those you’ll find at a specialty shop. Drugstore cigars may contain saltpeter, paper, glycerin, and other preservatives and irritants. When you visit the tobacco shop, you should ask to purchase only those cigars that are made of 100% tobacco. If you’re inexperienced about the ingredients in cigars, feel free to ask the salesperson. An experienced and knowledgeable sales clerk will understand the merchandise and will be able to tell you whatever you need to know about a cigar’s ingredients.

The best place to look for cigars is at your local tobacco shop. At these places, you will generally be allowed to smell and touch the cigars. Begin by squeezing the cigar gently. If the cigar gives a little when squeezed, it is a sign you’re handling a good quality cigar. The cigar should be firm and should contain no spots which are excessively soft or hard, avoid buying a lumpy cigar.

Make sure you look at the wrapper. If you notice any drying or discoloration of the cigar, it would be best not to purchase that one. Ideally, the wrapper should be smooth and wrapped tightly around the cigar. Inspect the color of the tobacco. Make sure that the color is even throughout the length of the cigar. You can do this by inspecting the end of the cigar. Some variability in color is acceptable; however, if the color changes widely, it is likely that the cigar wasn’t rolled correctly. When you smoke a cigar has not been rolled correctly, you may end up with uneven burning and an unpleasant smell.

If you're not sure if your friend is a heavy or light cigar smoker, it’s best to choose a longer cigar. Longer cigars often have a 'cooler' taste and are an excellent choice for beginners. If your friend is an expert on cigars and regular smoker, choose a cigar that is of a thicker diameter. Thicker cigars often display richer flavor which is greatly appreciated by the most experienced smokers.

About the Author - For more tips and advice on shopping, finding and choosing gifts and presents visit our collection of articles and resources at gifts-tips.com

Cigar Basics For Non-Smokers

Cigars are made from special varieties of tobacco that require careful tending. Tobacco leaves intended to be used as cigar wrappers must be carefully grown and harvested to keep the leaves free of blemishes.

Cigar tobacco is grown in Central American countries, West Africa and Indonesia and the Connecticut River Valley in USA. Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaraguan, Cameroon, Mexico and United States tobaccos all have their characteristic flavours and give particular properties to a cigar. Check out cigars-now.info

Cuban tobacco is the best. It is usually strong and full bodied, and gives a spicy and aromatic flavor to a cigar.

Dominican tobacco is quite full flavored and is useful in the making of complex blends.

Ecuadorian tobacco is milder.

Honduras and Nicaragua produce a full bodied tobacco with a strong spicy flavor.

Mexican leaves are widely used as binder and filler in cigars. Mexican tobacco leaves are commonly used as wrappers in dark Maduro cigars.

The Connecticut River Valley, in USA, produces some of the best wrapper leaf tobacco. The fine brown to brownish yellow leaf is used to make mild and medium bodied cigars. It is widely used on premium cigars. Find the cigars you are looking for at cigars-now.info

Cameroon and the Central African Republic produces a high quality wrapper leaf. It has fairly neutral characteristics and is used as a wrapper for full flavored filler tobaccos.

Indonesian tobacco wrapper leaves are often dark brown and have neutral flavors.
Philippine tobacco is mild but aromatic

Cigars may be hand-made or machine-made. Hand-made cigars will naturally be more expensive and the leaf used to fill the cigars will often run the length of the cigar, rather than the shredded filler used in machine-made cigars.

Tobacco leaves grown for wrapping cigars are usually shade-grown under cheese-cloth tents because this gives a finer grained and more supple leaf. Sun grown tobacco used as filler in cigars will be thicker leaved with more prominent veins.

Cigar smokers usually have a range of favorite cigars that they smoke on different occasions. You will find current recommendations on websites and in magazines. If you have only recently discovered cigars then your best bet is to experiment. Be aware of the blend and type of cigars you smoke and buy more of the ones you like.

Cigars should be kept in a humidor. This will maintain the cigar at the correct temperature and humidity to ensure continued aging.

Cigar smoking fashions change, so you may find some types of cigar easier to find than others. If you are prepared to look hard enough and experiment widely you will find cigars that suit your palate

About the Author - Sebastian Romero works in the security industry and loves cigars. Find more articles here. Check out Cigars or Humidors.

An Interesting Look At The Cuban Cigar

Even most non-cigar smokers have heard some of the lore surrounding the Cuban cigar. Long revered as the finest and best tasting brands in the world, they have traditionally been extremely difficult to procure. Consequently there exists a very profitable market for importing and distributing Cuban cigars to cigar-lovers worldwide. There are many brands of Cuban cigars available, but some of the most well known include Coronas Especiales (rumored to be one of Fidel Castro’s favorites) and Montecristos.

Many people assume that the distribution of Cuban cigars on U.S. soil is illegal. The truth of the matter is, although there are certain restrictions placed on the importing of cigars from Cuba, there is no outright law forbidding their presence. Recently the Department of Justice altered the original embargo on Cuban products, allowing limited amounts of cigars to be brought back from licensed trips to Cuba. That law has since been expanded to include personal quantities, up to two boxes, for personal use.

Although there is actually no law governing the importation of Cuban cigars for personal use, large business have been fined, at times, for the selling or distributing of large volumes of Cuban cigars to the pubic. Fines are a rare occurrence, however. Many private settings that sell Cuban cigars, such as hotels or casinos, have experienced little or no problems over the years.

In recent years there has been a growing black market for fake Cuban cigars. Most of the time, they are easy to spot because of their poor quality and appearance, but occasionally there have been Cuban imitations that are more difficult to regulate. The only way to ensure the quality and authenticity of a purchase is to take proper care to go to a reputable, reliable dealer of Cuban cigar products.

For any concerned individuals who hope to purchase Cuban cigars, but are worried about legal ramifications, there is little cause for concern. Purchasing Cuban cigars for private, non-commercial use has been going on for years among the most high-profile cigar aficionados, including politicians and movie stars.

About the Author - Cigars provides comprehensive information on cigar smoking, Cuban cigars, discount cigars, humidors, lighters, boxes, and more. For more information go to cigars-web.com and/or visit its sister site at e-humidors.com for related information.

Cigar Basics

Long associated with the rich and powerful, cigars evoke images of relaxation and rich flavor. A culture around the art of smoking, created and debated by cigar aficionados, assembles various theories and accessories to facilitate or enhance smoking. Cigar smoking, much like wine tasting, has for many years been viewed as a diversion of the elite of society.

The general consensus is that Spain is where cigars were first produced, catching on quickly in the other European countries. Although manufactured in many different countries, Cuban cigars have been considered one of the most flavorful and rich of all cigars for an appreciable period of time. This is due to the regional microclimates Cuba is blessed with, which are said to produce the highest quality tobacco. Combined with the skill of the country's cigar makers, the result is a world standard in cigars. Other countries that produce sizeable amounts of tobacco and cigars include Brazil, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico, Cameroon, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, and the United States. Many speculate that the reason cigars have long caught the attention of so many lies in the way it is manufactured. Hand wrapping is the basis of all high quality cigars. Unlike cigarettes, which are mass-produced by enormous machines, cigars undergo a lengthy process of fermentation and aging (much like wine), creating subtle flavors and textures before they are individually wrapped by craftsmen working with their own hands. This makes cigars highly individual, each with a subtle unique character, the best of which provide no smoky aftertaste at all.

The taste of cigars is also much more complex than the flavor of cigarettes. Most cigars are created by wrapping three distinct and different layers of tobacco leaves together, yielding a depth of flavor impossible from a cigarette. Long leaves of tobacco are typically used as the filler in high quality cigars, though a combination of scraps may also be used. This creates complex flavors subtle variations, and different textures. Cigarettes, on the other hand, are mass-produced, filled from gargantuan hoppers containing generally only one type of tobacco. Cigar flavor variation is further diversified by the addition of non-tobacco flavorings. If desired, a cigar aficionado can find chocolate, apple, vanilla, or even coffee-flavored cigars! Most common, however, are cigars flavored with expensive liquors.

Despite the fact that cigars have long been enjoyed for their smooth and complex flavors, smoking them does pose a considerable health risk. All tobacco products contain the addictive substance nicotine. Everyone has heard about the negative health risks of nicotine, but not everyone is familiar with how it causes them.. As even the casual smoker can attest, nicotine is a stimulant that produces a mild sense of euphoria. It is extremely addictive and cigar smoke contains a multitude of toxins, carcinogens, and irritants. There is still a significant risk of developing various types of oral and larynx cancers even though most connoisseurs of cigars will avoid inhaling the smoke.

About the Author - Robert Williams enjoys writing for several web sites, on product information and shopping and products subjects.

Cigar Etiquette

The courteous smoker knows that even though smoking cigars may be a great source of pleasure in their life, not everyone enjoys the taste or smell of a quality cigar. The importance of not offending others while enjoying a good stogie cannot be stressed enough, particularly considering that the fervor of anti-smoking campaigns is still in full swing. It is therefore especially important remember that while smoking a cigar it can be very difficult to gauge the smell or discomfort that others may be experiencing. Also keep in mind that clothing, furniture, and even the walls will build up a respectable residue from cigar smoke. For these reasons it is exceptionally important to learn to become a considerate and courteous cigar smoker, so that each cigar may be enjoyed with a clean conscience.

When living with non-smokers find a well-ventilated area of the residence where both smoker and non-smoker accommodated. It may be tempting for a smoker to lock himself or herself away in an office or bedroom, but this is not likely to a good idea unless it has a window. Not only is the smoker more likely to inhale dangerous levels of the toxic air from his or her own cigar, but ultimately this is not likely to separate the non-smokers from the smoke adequately to provide for their comfort. If at all possible, go outside to smoke. Put a comfortable chair to relax in on the porch, or make arrangements in any other open area where smoking can be comfortably enjoyed. It is important, particularly in the case of children and the elderly, to get as far away as possible from non-smokers. Remember that cigar smoke contains many carcinogens and irritants that non-smokers have no protection against.

The courteous and respectful smoker will only light up where legally permitted when it is necessary to smoke a cigar away from home. Any bar, restaurant, or hotel where smoking is prohibited should be maintained by both smoker and non-smoker alike as a smoke-free zone. The courteous cigar smoker will also make sure of the preference of those around when he or she is planning to light up in a designated smoking section. When with someone who does not smoke, or whom might dislike cigar smoke, ask his or her permission. Try to be as considerate as possible about smoking, such as striving to make sure the smoke isn't wafting in the direction of someone who is bothered by it. If possible, sit near an open window or space, if air is being drawn away from the crowd by it. Pay attention to whether the air conditioner or other air currents are moving the smoke in the direction of other people. It's also polite to check to see whether anyone around is eating. Secondhand smoke from a discourteous smoker is guaranteed to ruin the meal of a non-smoker.

The cigar ash is also a concern of the courteous cigar smoker. When smoking away from home, make certain to dispose of ashes in a safe manner, such as an appropriate container. Always keep in mind that ashes can easily blow away--lower quality cigars are especially prone to this. Safeguard against ash blowing near or onto other people, and don't litter with ashes.

About the Author - Richard Brown is an author for several well-known online magazines, on shopping and products and product tips topics.

Finding The Right Cigar

You've decided that you want to try smoking a cigar. You're intrigued by them, and by the people that smoke them. To some, cigars are a status symbol, a symbol of wealth and class. People describe them like they would a fine wine. A cigar can have full to medium body or a smooth and creamy medium bodied taste or they talk about the exceptional construction and cool smoke. What does all this mean and how do you go about choosing a cigar?

Before we go any further, know the health risks. Cigars are bad for you. They contain nicotine which we know is addictive, which is bad for you. People can get cancer from smoking cigars. According to the National Institutes of Health "people smoking as few as one to two cigars per day have much higher risk of oral, lung, and esophageal cancer, and cancer of the larynx, as compared to non-smokers." But, you're an adult and you've made your decision. Also here we'll mention that cigar smoke is much heavier and smellier than cigarette smoke, which some find offensive.

So, back to choosing. There are man-made cigars and machine made cigars. Needless to say, most things hand made are superior to machine made, and that goes for cigars. A handmade cigar is made from leaves picked, sorted and bundled by an individual cigar maker. A premium hand rolled cigar will have leaves of the same length carefully rolled. It's the skill of the hand roller that insures a smooth and even burn.

Machine made cigars often use ends and smaller pieces of tobacco leaves, called short filler. Cigar aficionados say that this short filler draws and burns inferiorly. A well made cigar should have a full and smooth draw.

A cigar is rated on it's length and ring gauge. The length of cigars runs between 4 inches to 8 inches, with the most common cigar length being 5 to 6 inches. The ring gauge refers to the diameter of the cigar. This ring gauge is measured in 64th of an inch. The largest ring gauge of a cigar is 52, therefore it would be 52/64ths of an inch in diameter. Generally the larger the ring gauge the more fuller flavored the cigar will be.

Cigar colors are referred to as claro and oscuro. Claro being light brown and oscuro being almost black. The darker the cigar the more full bodied and sweeter it will be. The darker the tobacco the more mature it is. Some tobacco is aged up to three years before it is rolled. A lighter colored cigar will be lighter in flavor.

Is is suggested that for a beginning cigar smoker that they choose a smaller and milder gauge cigar, such as a petit corona or panatela, then move up to a bigger size, and more robust flavor as they are comfortable.

Don't be afraid to try different brands. You'll notice your tastes will mature and change. The final choice of the right cigar depends on your own taste preference.

About the Author - Article courtesy of cigars-shopper.com

A Look At Cigar Humidors

Cigar humidors are storage units designed to hold, preserve and display a collection of cigars. They come in varying shapes and sizes, and can typically be custom made to suit the tastes of the owner. Cigar humidors are an essential appliance for any serious cigar aficionado, and can be priced anywhere from $50 for a simple wood box made to hold a few cigars, up into the thousands for an elegant, handcrafted display case providing maximum preservation and elegance.

The most important aspect of a cigar humidor is its climate control system. This is what keeps the product fresh, preserving both the look and the taste of the cigars over long periods of time. Humidity and temperature are carefully controlled and monitored in the most advanced systems. For example, in the Climatech model by Vigilant, a maker of custom humidors and cabinets, the system automatically heats, cool, humidifies or dehumidifies the unit in response to outside conditions. It features digital controls and can operate maintenance-free for up to 90 days, holding up to 2600 cigars in the largest model.

In addition to the ready-made humidors available, a person can also turn almost any chest or cabinet into a climate controlled space for storing cigars with the purchase of a separate humidification system. These devices are designed to automatically monitor and control the climate of any room, thus keeping the conditions at an optimal level for the preservation of cigars.

Cigar shops and stores typically have a system called a walk-in humidor. These are full-sized rooms where inventory is stored and can be displayed for customers. The entire area is under the same kind of climate control system used for the smaller containers or display cases, optimizing the humidity and temperature to keep cigars looking, smelling and tasting as fresh as the day they were produced.

For both the casual cigar smoker and the serious aficionado, a cigar humidor is the key to longer lasting, better cigars, as well as an aesthetically pleasing way to show off a collection.

About the Author - Cigars provides comprehensive information on cigar smoking, Cuban cigars, discount cigars, humidors, lighters, boxes, and more. For more information go to cigars-web.com and/or visit its sister site at e-humidors.com for related information.