Archive for September, 2009

Top 10 Cigars Part 2

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar5Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro ranked third and maybe for a good reason. This particular smoke has some distinct qualities but the main element of it popularity is its chisel shaped feature. This product is not much different to other hand made cigars and only its minor adjustment in blending its flavor makes it more prominent than other smokes. It also comes in different flavors which give customers variety to choose from.

Gaining fourth place is the La Aroma De Cuba Edicion Especial No. 5 Belicoso which is often claimed to Winston Churchill’s favorite brand. This is one of smokers’ favorite because of its different selection of quality cigars and flavors. This brand is described as a combination and hodgepodge of spices, whiffs of coffee flavor with a chocolate blend. This can be very expensive with the price tag of almost $7 a piece.

Placing fifth is the Don Carlos Edicion De Aniversario Double Robusto. It comes in a very unique Opus X Fuente X wrapper and is deemed to be a very intricate kind. No one is really sure how its wrappers are made but aside from its magnificent tobacco components, its wrapper could perform enough spell to make smokers beg for more.

The remaining lucky brands to be included in these top ten lists are the Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill, H. Upmann Sir Winston, DPG Lancero, LGC Artesanos Elegante, and Ashton Heritage Robusto.

Top 10 Cigars Part 1

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar4For years, cigars dedicated magazines and online sites have been announcing top 10 cigars of the year. These particular hand made cigars have been rated and reviewed by connoisseurs and aficionados for their different categories and attraction to the cigar- loving market. Those who managed to be included in the top 10 list are the most popular and sought after cigars because of the scores and reviews they get from the aficionados. These top ten lists can be your ultimate guide as you look out for that elusive brand you really prefer.

One of the most popular is the Casa Magna Robusto. This particular brand sets hype in the industry. It got its rank because of the unique flavor and affordable price for such quality cigars. Although the company producing this kind of smokes is fairly new in the industry, Fonseca was able to capture the taste of their customers thru perfect blending and aging of their tobacco.

The Padron 80th Maduro placed second on the ratings. This is just another streak in a series of handmade cigars produced by this company and although the price can be considered by others to be costly and dear, some aficionado who never look at price tags regard this brand to be one among the most smoked brands in the world. The secret for this kind is its seasoned tobacco which is properly grown and aged over the years.

Cigars and Size

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar3There are about a hundred shades of different wrappers you can choose from that are now available in the market. Shapes also matter because they give a distinct appeal to smokers. You can try the tapered ones, flared or even pyramid types which are the most common shapes of cigars in the market.

For those who are yet to enjoy the pleasures of smoking their first quality cigars, you can read about it here. For you to get pleasure from their flavors, try smoking them gently and leisurely. Savor each inhalation you take and relish the wonderful aroma that they emit. Avoid inhaling the smoke when you puff them and keep them inside your mouth for a short time only. This way you do not get overwhelmed by their strong essence. You can also buy humidors to protect them from losing their flavor and aroma. The last thing is to avoid buying second-rate cheap cigars. Machine-made cigars do not have the unique and distinct flavor and aroma of a true hand–rolled cigars ones which may not come cheap but are also worth the money you will ever spend on them.

If you like a long smoke, it is recommended that you purchase very long cigars. For the occasional short smoke, buy smaller handmade cigars with a shorter burn time. The size comes down to personal preference.

Some Cigar Basics

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar2Quality cigars have been enjoyed in the past by people who belong to the elite class. Ordinary fellows who love smoking have to make the best out of smoking ordinary, home-made tobaccos. But not today, almost all classes of people from different walks of life can now enjoy the unique flavor and wonderful aroma of quality ones. There are many varieties and trademarks of cigars to choose from. But there are also different ways to sort them out. You can start from their shape, size or where they were made and from what country they came from or whether they are hand-rolled cigars or machine-made.

The most frequently used sorting method is through their size. Cigars vary in length and diameter. Standard length is from 7 to 8 inches with a diameter of 64ths of an inch. Each length and ring size is associated to certain popular brands. The biggest of them is called the Giant. It measures 9 inches in length and had an incredible diameter size of 52. Some cigars that are related in sizes are Toro, Churchill, Cigarillo, Robusto, Corona, Torpedo, Panatela and the biggest, the Giant.

If sizes are not enough yet for you to chose your particular brand, you can narrow down your search to their shape and outside coloring.

Cigars & Autumn Part 2

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

autumn2To achieve that wonderful autumn encounter, you have to follow several unspoken etiquette about smoking cigars in order for you to get the best out of them. Most quality cigars do not come cheap in the market. You would not want to waste those precious dollars without savoring their flavor and aroma. You might think that it is only a matter of lighting up and puffing away smokes. Smoking the like can be very tricky.

The simplest advice is to avoid inhaling the smoke. They are not designed to be inhaled. You have to puff a few times and gently exhale the smoke. Always remember that smoking such is not a rushed job. Always consider it as relaxing pursuit so there is no need to rush. Avoid tapping your cigars in the ashtray to avoid upsetting the fillers inside them as this will result to sporadic burn out. Just allow the ashes to fall by themselves. And do not forget that before you start lighting them, you need to clip them at the other end. Always use clipper and do not bite them if you do not want to have loose tobacco leaves dangling at their ends.

There are a lot to follow but you will always be you own critic whether you smoke it correctly or not. The most important thing is for you to have enjoyed every bit of experience smoking your handmade cigars.

Cigars & Autumn

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

autumn1Autumn is one among the four fair seasons and it marks the change from summer to winter on the later days of the third month which is March if you are in the southern hemisphere or late September if you are in the northern hemisphere. But what has autumn got to do with smoking a cigar? If you would notice, autumn is constantly related to a lot of poignant association. Autumn is always related to heartwarming works of arts and poetries.

So is the cigar.

How wonderful it would be to imagine yourself holding the finest and quality cigars and puffing them during the autumn months? Cigar smoking is much more like an art than the ordinary puffing you do on regular cigarettes. Cigars are made from the finest ingredients available and are made by the best manufacturers in the trade. It is more like an art to create a masterpiece such as the Cohitos, Robustos, Panatelas and other tobacco products. It takes a lot of experience from the producer to be able to come up with the likes that would exceed expectation from their buyers and aficionados.

And when you do experience the pleasure of smoking cigars, you do not just light them or clip them at the end then puff away incessantly.

Cigars & Chocolate

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

chocolatreIf smoking handmade cigars is included in the list of addiction to most people, eating chocolates can be counted in the same too. They have different compositions and bring varied effects to takers though. Chocolate is made up of a number of raw and processed foods excreted from the seed of the tropical cacao tree. It further contains chemicals such as alkaloids that create physiological effects on the body. It too affects the levels of serotonin in the brain that is believed to regulate mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction and some cognitive related functions. When eaten in moderation, chocolate is affirmed by scientists to lower blood pressure. It too is further tested to be helpful in lessening the risk of cancer, dementia and heart attack. Aside from all of these, chocolates are one of the main reasons for obesity and it is very addicting once you start your first nibble.

Compared to chocolates, handmade cigars are unlikely to fatten up smokers since this have an appetite controlling elements that reduce your desire for food. Depending on who made and where they came from, tobacco smoking can be very enjoyable and pleasurable activity without you feeling guilty afterwards.

On a more positive note, many smokers claim that puffing one lessens tensions and stress and may make a difference in their social status. Some also affirm that it satisfies their pleasure and whims as well. Studies, however, show that smoking cigars does bring harmful effects to human body. These include the increase of risk for respiratory and other infections; problems in the immune system and lung cancer.

Risky are the effects it does bring, many are still into smoking such.

Like the chocolates, handmade cigars are made from the finest ingredients and other spices giving them a flavorful blend that attracts buyer and connoisseurs alike. Some companies even go to extreme lengths in order for them to achieve the best blend ever in cigars. Most  handmade cigars differ in taste and aroma. Different makers have various and unique ways of creating their own masterpieces. You cannot blame it all on nicotine alone why others become hooked up in smoking cigars. There are a lot of factors to consider also. Some would claim that they smoke only because they love the pleasure and enjoyment they get out of every puff and that would prove to be correct because if you have to understand cigar smoking, it is all about enjoyment and personal satisfaction.

Lighting a Cigar

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

lighterCigar smoking has reached a different level of recognition from different walks of life. Some claims that smoking relieves them from stress and tensions brought about by their jobs and others just want to experience the pleasure of it. These smokers can be found in the parks, cafes, al frescos, and bars but for whatever reasons they have regarding cigars, it is still a simple luxury to enjoy and one cannot miss it.

But to those who are not yet familiar with the unspoken etiquette of smoking handmade cigars, this article may be able to help you light your first. The most basic way of enjoying it is to light the same correctly. The first that you will need is to have a clipper which you will use when cutting the other end of the cigar which you will place in your mouth. Avoid cutting them with your teeth since it will leave a jagged edge and loose tobaccos dangling at the end. Others prefer using the most ideal lighter to use when lighting one which are butane fueled. Some would even say that using wood matches is better and would prefer using matches made from cedar wood. But if you would prefer to use wood match, let the sulfuric end of the match burn out before placing it near the tip of your cigar to avoid tainting the flavor with sulfuric aftertaste.

Also, ordinary lighters leave unpleasant taste and smell at its tip which can entirely ruin your much anticipated experience of the smoking pleasures. After it is clipped, you can now light your cigar and carefully place its tip over the flame puffing in at the same for it to catch spark. Avoid your cigar to have a direct contact with the flame. Once all is done, you are now ready to enjoy the pleasures and simple gratification of smoking the same.

Some simple customs to observe when smoking your cigar is to avoid tapping off the ashes in your ashtray. This disrupts the bonding of the tobacco inside and leaves unwanted spaces inside it. Simply lay it down on the ashtray and let the ashes fall naturally. You can also knock off the glowing tip and have to relight again. Take note that it sometimes changes its flavor and aroma when lighted again. And do not consume it to the very end. This will become bitter tasting no matter what its class is. Lastly, you have to hold it in between your thumb and forefinger. Most related aficionados smoke this way and if you do not, you will certainly be very obvious that you are just starting out and have no class and finesse when it come to appreciation of the same.

How a Humidor Works

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

humidorHumidors are specially made to protect your cigars, especially first-class ones. These can come in any shapes and sizes but their main function is to basically prevent cigars from dehydrating. Moreover, humidors shelter the latter from other elements that can spoil their distinctive flavor. Some humidors are designed to be showed off with their intricate patterns and lavish stone embellishments while some come in gold and silver. Others are more concerned about their functionality and may come in plain designs but with the same purpose to serve.

First class quality cigars come with an instruction that humidors should be placed in a dry storage area with at least 72% humidity which means the warmness should be just about a normal room temperature. Without following this instruction and exposing your favorite cigars to elements will cause the loss of their flavor and aroma. Also, the cigars will become very dry which will result to unpeeling of their wrapping. Further, without humidors, the original quality of the same is not maintained.

Using humidors is very easy. But first when you buy one you must consider some tips in order for you to be able to choose which are best for your handmade cigars. You have to know first the size and quantity of cigars you want to place in your humidor. Seven to eight inches is better as it gives you two sizes to fit into. Structural formation is also of vital importance and its insides should be made out of Spanish cedar because of its strength and the quality of its humidification. A good space is needed when you have to install the humidifying device. Thus, better be in the look out also for the space in between the humidor itself and the device. Be sure too that when you close it, it does not come in contact to your smoking paraphernalia.

Collecting Cigars Part 2

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar11Selected tobacco leaves from Vuelta Abaajo area are the most important components of the Cuban cigar which made it very popular. This consumes a lot of time to make because the leaves are separately picked and the selected aged leaves are then hand rolled into customary Montecristo wrapper. Handmade cigars mean high quality and expensive which guarantee smokers to have that pleasurable enjoyment when puffing some of these wonderful smokes.

Another is the cohiba. It is another Cuban brand which was especially made for Fidel Castro himself in 1966 by the famous El Laguito factory. The name is derived from the Taino Indians vocabulary which means bunches of leaves which were smoked by Columbus’ men when they disembarked in Cuba during one of his explorations. The tobacco used for Cohiba, similar to Montecristo, is separately chosen for the best flavor and scent from San Luis and San Juan y Martinez, also areas of the Vuelta Abajo region. Not like other common Habanos smokes, the Cohiba stuffing leaves - the seco and ligero undergo a third stage of fermentation process done in wooden casks to produce its distinctive flavor.

Most habanos or Cuban cigars or are very hard to find in the states thus they have to be personally imported. But for a truly cigar enthusiast, ways are easily find no matter what the price is just to complete his related collection.