Archive for April, 2009
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Chart
You may just be getting into the cigar scene and you’re wondering how to choose your very first cigar. Walking in to a cigar store for the first time can be pretty intimidating, especially because everyone working there is a pseudo-expert. Here are a few tips to choosing the right handmade cigar.
First, you want to prepare yourself to buy at least a half dozen cigars. When you begin, you’ll have an idea of what you’re looking for but you won’t really be able to assess the various cigar styles, lengths and color until after you smoke a few.
For starters, it’s always good to start in the middle. Choose a cigar that is medium in color, middle of the road in size and diameter. Once you smoke a few different cigars in this category, talk with friends who smoke cigars regularly and let them what aspects you want more or less of. They can advise you on a better choice the next time.
If you were looking for more intense flavor and more smoke you would want to try a darker and thicker cigar. If you wanted less flavor and not as much smoke you may want to try a cigar that is lighter in color and has less in diameter.
Getting started with cigars is completely trial and error. You will learn the best by trying the different styles, brands, origins, colors, length and thickness. Find a local cigar bar where you can learn from other people and have company when you choose to smoke.
Tags: cigar, cigar accessories, cigar smoking, Cigars, quality cigars, smoking, smoking cigars
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Humidor
If you’re just getting started in the world of
cigars you may be wondering exactly what you need to begin building a successful collection. There are some basic accessories that are essential to enjoying and building your cigar collection. There are some items that are more essential than others but accumulating as many as possible is the way to go.
The first accessories you should invest in go together; a lighter and cigar cutter. Both of these items will be the first step in making sure that you have the best smoking experience possible. When shopping for a cigar lighter stay away from paper matches or liquid lighters. You want to buy either wood match sticks or a butane filled lighter. As far as a cigar cutter, there are many options available but start with one that is priced somewhere in the middle. Once you see how well it works for you, you can adjust your preference.
Next, you will want to buy a cigar tube and holder. These two items will help ensure the best quality and preservation for your basic cigar needs. After these you will want to buy a cigar ash tray that is suitable for your needs. You can find a lot of variations, but make sure you buy one that looks nice and can hold a minimum of four cigars.
Another item you may consider buying is a travel case. If you become a regular cigar smoker and you travel often, a travel case would be one essential you would want to have with you. Travel cases come with a built in humidor to keep your cigars fresh and preserved.
Tags: cigar, cigar accessories, cigar cutter, cigar humidor, cigar lighter, Cigars, humidor
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Handmade cigars are the cream of the crop. They have a longer filler which means the entire length of the cigar is one leaf. The leaf is cut in half down the center of the vein to provide two separate sheets to roll with. This provides incredible consistency, superb quality and unprecedented taste.
The binder of a handmade cigar is flexible and smooth with just enough durability to hold the filler. Because these are handmade each cigar will have a slightly different variation based on who rolled it.
The wrapper is typically very high quality with just the right elements ensuring a consistent and quality burn with a smooth and satisfying texture. The wrapper should posses a slightly oily body when touched.
Many people confuse handmade cigars with hand rolled. They are very different and the wording is used to deceive consumers. Hand rolled cigars are part rolled by hand and parted machine rolled. There are plenty of counterfeit cigar makers out there who want ignorant people to buy hand rolled cigars for the same price as handmade ones.
Hand made cigars are the finest quality you can buy. They are made the way cigars were produced over a hundred years ago. They will provide you with the highest quality, best taste and overall satisfaction.
Before you go shopping for a handmade cigar do a little homework and educate yourself on exactly what you’re looking for so you can overcome any marketing techniques. Being an aggressive learner will save you a lot of time, money and frustration.
Tags: Cigars, fine cigars, handmade cigars, quality cigars
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Ashtray
There are many unwritten rules when it comes to smoking a cigar. Some you may know and others may be a surprise to you. Let’s take a quick look at some of the basics:
First, always observe your surroundings. Take note of the people and the atmosphere. The last thing you want to do is light up in front of someone who would be offended. Typically people with children would prefer if you didn’t smoke around them, so be courteous and look for a designated smoking area.
Secondly, only use a cigar cutter to make incisions into your cigar. Don’t ever use a knife, your teeth, scissors or any other sharp device. You can greatly decrease the full potential of the handmade cigar by doing so.
Always use wooden matches or a butane lighter. Do not use a liquid lighter or other matches when lighting up. If you’re going to be an aficionado you should only use a cedar match.
When you light the cigar, you want to hold the cigar at a ninety degree angle above the flame. Gently rotate the cigar until it is evenly lit. As it burns, place the cigar in your mouth and take a few puffs to ensure the heat makes its way up the cigar. Then blow it out.
As you smoke, take time to enjoy. A cigar is not intended to be smoked quickly. Its intention is to promote a relaxing experience. Also if the wrapper begins to come unwrapped, do not remove it as it will cheapen the look of it and its taste.
Tags: cigar, cigar smoking, cigar wrapper, Cigars, smoking, smoking cigars
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Humidor
With so many humidors available on the market it is important to choose the right one for your needs. A humidor is vital to your cigar collection as it can either preserve or ruin your prized possessions. Purchasing a humidor that is both efficient and in your price range is essential to building your cigar collection.
If you smoke a few cigars once in a while the best investment for you should be a basic cigar box humidor. These can typically hold up to 20 cigars and will preserve them for a good period of time. They are fairly inexpensive but a priceless investment.
If you’re planning on traveling in the near future you may want to consider purchasing a travel humidor. Travel humidors are similar to a box humidor except they are more compact and durable for travel.
If you’re a cigar collector you may want to consider buying a cigar cabinet humidor which can range in size and price. You can browse online for a wide selection that will fit in your interests and price range.
After you purchase your humidor be sure to understand the maintenance requirements and how to maintain the hygrometer calibration. If you fail to do so, your humidor may not last as long as it was intended.
No matter what type of humidor you’re purchasing always be sure that it is made from 100% Spanish cedar to ensure the best preserved and best tasting handmade cigars. Don’t settle for cheap imitations because they can’t compare. Always ask questions to the person selling you the humidor so that you are properly educated and informed.
Tags: cigar, cigar humidor, Cigars, fine cigars, humidor, humidors, quality cigars
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Monday, April 20th, 2009
Cigar Tobacco
Cuban cigars are in a category of their own. Maybe it’s the embargo against Cuba that’s made them so appealing or maybe it truly is their incomparable quality. Whatever the reason is, each Cuban cigar is specially made and designed with specific qualifications. Here are the qualities that make an authentic quality Cuban cigar.
The wrapper.
A fine Cuban cigar’s wrapper will be grown under a cheese cloth canopy, cutting out about a third of the sunlight giving the leaf a very fine texture. A true Cuban wrapper will be created with a large tobacco leaf, less visible vein patterns, leaves that are more fine, no visual evidence of damage, highly oily that allows the leaf to be rolled and perfect and consistent color throughout. These qualities will provide one of the best Cuban’s you can buy.
The filling.
The cigar wrapper is mainly for visual appeal but the real test is in the filler. Of course the filling should be made of 100% Cuban tobacco; no blends or mixtures of various tobaccos. The filling should be high in nicotine, full flavors, the appropriate characteristics of region it was grown, a perfect balance of oils and resins and flexibility.
The binding.
In order to get the most of a Cuban the binding of the handmade cigar must have porous leaves, the perfect amount of nitrogen, a wonderful aroma, immature vein patterns and durability and flexibility.
Always make sure you are purchasing an authentic 100% Cuban cigar. There are many imitations that attempt to sell a blended cigar made with less than 10% of Cuban tobacco.
Tags: Cigars, cuban, cuban cigar, hand rolled cigars, quality cigars
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Monday, April 20th, 2009
Choosing the right cigar for you is based on preference. Some people prefer a short smoke while others want a long lasting handmade cigar. There are those that like a dark and full flavor and others who would rather have a light and timid taste. The best way to get to know the myriad of cigar possibilities and which ones suite you the best is to experiment. You’ll want to try variations, sizes, brands, origins and so to get a good handle of what’s available on the market and which you prefer.
The first step in choosing the best cigar for you is talk to the workers at the tobacco shop or cigar parlor you frequent. Most cigar aficionados are over joyed to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. They take great pride in their product and will be able to answer any questions and assist you in discovering the best fit for you. Who knows maybe the shop owner will give you few to try!
Next purchase a few cigars that are different diameters to see which size suites you. The larger the diameter of the cigar, the more complex and full bodied the taste will be. Also, the larger the cigar the more smoke it will produce. For those who prefer a light and simple cigar a small to medium diameter will work best.
One last factor you should notice is the shape and color of the cigar. It’s difficult to know exactly how different shapes affect the taste so you may need to try a few to get a good handle on them. The color is obvious. If you like to drink your coffee dark and strong then give a fairly dark colored cigar a try. The lighter the cigar, the less intense the taste will be.
The bottom line is to experiment and have fun learning the incredible world of cigars.
Tags: best cigars, don conti, fine cigars, hand made cigars, hand rolled cigars, handmade cigars
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Monday, April 20th, 2009
Handmade Cigars
The manufacturing of cigars is centuries old and has bee perfected tremendously in the last fifty years. It is a simple process but requires perfect precision to manufacture a quality cigar.
First the tobacco leaves are grown and harvested. Once harvested, they then undergo a process called curing for about a month. During curing the leaves are aged with a combination of shade and heat to rid the tobacco of water and sugar. Without this first step in the process, the leaves would simply rot. Based on the climate, temperature and type of tobacco this process can greatly differ in varies places around the world.
After the curing stage the leaves are then fermented under very specific conditions. The purpose of this process is to aid the leaves in dying slowing so they don’t decay or rot. It is this part of the process that produces the aroma, color and flavor of the cigar. The fermentation process is very sensitive and crucial to producing a rich and flavorful cigar.
Once the leaves are properly fermented the manufacturer will inspect the tobacco until it is matured to the proper requirements. Once it is approved to be made into a cigar, it is still inspected to decide whether it should be the filler or wrapper of the cigar. Leaves rich in color and texture are reserved for the wrapper and those not as aesthetically pleasing will be used as the filler.
The tobacco is then hand rolled, if it is a quality cigar, shipped to the retailer and stored in a humidor at 70 degrees with a relative humidity of 70%. The cigars are then laid on display and wait for a buyer to enjoy!
Tags: cigar manufacturer, Cigars, fine cigars, hand made cigars, hand rolled, handmade cigars
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Monday, April 20th, 2009
Ybor City in Tampa, FL
Ybor city is located in the heart of Tampa, FL and is regarded as one of the earliest cigar producing cities in the United States. In the early 1880’s Tampa was nothing more than a small village of around a thousand people. Due to the creation of a good port and a new railroad line directly to Tampa, a well known Spaniard, Vicente Martinez Ybor, decided to make this his new home.
Ybor was a very well to do cigar manufacturer who was looking for a new place to establish his cigar operation. The humid weather and the newly established railroad made the small village the perfect location for both production and distribution. As Ybor established his operation in 1885, people began to flock to his 40 acres of purchased land for jobs. The success of the cigar industry in the newly developing Tampa helped establish Tampa as a growing city.
During the 20th Century Ybor City grew by leaps and bounds. People from Spain, Cuba, Italy and Isreal all immigrated to this growing city. In 1929 Ybor city hit its peak of cigar manufacturing. It rolled a total of over a half trillion cigars. This was the same year that the Great Depression hit the US and sent the cigar industry into a huge decline.
After World War 2 the cigar industry had a rebirth but Ybor was still a distant thought of the past. In the late 1980’s local artists and urban individuals were in search for a place of expression. They found one another in Ybor City where today the streets are lined with cigar bars and high fashion and the local arts.
Tags: cigar, Cigars, fine cigars, handmade cigars, history, tampa, ybor
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Monday, April 20th, 2009
Everyone knows that smoking tobacco in any form on a regular basis can lead to various types of cancer. Although many argue that there is no health benefit to smoking cigars, research has shown that smoking a cigar less than five times a week may have both physical and psychological benefits.
Tobacco traditionally has been used for medicinal purposes since the 10th Century and is still used today in some ancient Chinese medicine. Tobacco is essentially an herb and can provide some benefit if used moderately.
Smoking an occasional cigar has been shown to reduce blood pressure by relaxing the body. The blood cells open and allow more oxygen to flow in and out allowing the physical body to relax. This also provides great relief for those suffering from mental stress, depression and anxiety. Smoking a cigar can aid the mind in mental relaxation and peace of mind.
Some use smoking cigars to help aid weight gain. Tobacco is able to curve the appetite making it popular among men and women attempting to diet. For people who struggle with eating too much, replacing those high calorie snacks with a few puffs on a cigar may do just the trick.
The health effects of smoking cigars remain a huge debate that will continue on for years to come. Research continues to unveil the benefits both physically and mentally. The bottom line – enjoy your fine cigars. Use them to relax, unwind and to find peace of mind. Whatever you do, do it in moderation.
Tags: hand made, hand made cigars, handmade, handmade cigars, health, health effects, smoking, smoking cigars, smoking health
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