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The Cigar Adviser
Published in: March 1, 1995
Published Spring 1995
The Cigar Adviser
Q: I have recently been enjoying smaller-sized cigars: Partagas, Ramon Allones, Montecruz and Macanudo in the four-inch Chico/Ascot size. Am I sacrificing anything in taste or quality compared with the larger types?
Kevin Mustill
Atlanta, Georgia
A: You don't necessarily sacrifice anything in terms of quality. Well-made small cigars are just that, well made. But you almost certainly will sacrifice something in terms of taste. Cigars are a blend of up to four tobaccos, and the smaller the ring gauge, the harder it is to have sufficient quantities of different tobacco to create complex flavors. In fact, in some small cigars, you may have only one or two types of tobacco in the blend.
Q: I usually buy my cigars in cedar boxes of 25. In some cases the cigars are boxed unwrapped. The boxes sometimes have spots of resin on the inside of the wood. Does this harm the cigars or detract from their taste?
N. N.
Honolulu, Hawaii
A: Temperature changes during shipping cause the young cedar to bleed sap. If your cigar wrapper comes in contact with the sap, it can tear. On the other hand, the aroma and flavor of a cigar are enhanced by a cedar environment. Carefully remove the cigars and place them in your humidor and you will avoid this problem.
Q: While smoking a fine cigar, I felt the brittle Cuban tobacco surrender in my grasp. My highly resuscitative mission was accomplished by wrapping the parched specimen in a paper napkin and then surrounding it with a wet paper towel. Then, I nuked the dried-out cigar wrapped in a wet napkin, and it became moist.
Victor Consoli
New York, New York
A: By nuked, I assume you put it in the microwave. Definitely unconventional, and not something I'd recommend. Too much heat too quickly will hurt a cigar. Even if you kept it for only a few days like that, you are lucky the cigar was smokable. A paper napkin wrapped in a wet paper towel is a very moist environment. It is almost impossible to control the humidity being absorbed by a cigar under such conditions. It is just as likely that the cigar filler will absorb too much humidity too quickly, and that will burst the wrapper instantly upon lighting it.
Q: I have been storing my cigars in my wine cellar, which maintains a constant 55 degree temperature and 72 percent humidity. I was recently advised that this temperature will damage my cigars. Is that true? If so, how seriously and over what period of time?
Robert Bookman
Los Angeles, California
A: If you store your cigars at 55 degrees for a long period of time, plan on leaving them in a tabletop humidor for at least two weeks to restore them to a properly humidified level.
Q: My father handed me a box of cigars, proudly noting that they were Cuban. I quickly scanned the box for markings that are characteristic of genuine Cuban cigars. But I didn't find any. Instead of Cubatabaco and Hecho en Cuba, it read "Cuban Tobacco Company, Inc." I thought they were counterfeit, but when I looked at my Winter 1993/94 Cigar Aficionado, page 84 had a picture of a box of Henry Clay Coronas, and I was holding the same kind of cigar in my hands. The bottom of the box is imprinted with the number 1138. Do you have any idea what year my Henry Clays were made? Do the Cubans still make this brand of cigar? Do you know what each cigar is worth?
Mario "Bob" Emiliani
Wethersfield, Connecticut
A: It sounds like you have a box of pre-Castro Cuban cigars. Prior to 1959, Cuban cigars were in fact stamped in English rather than in Spanish, and the Cuban Tobacco Company was the manufacturer of several brands owned by American Tobacco, including Henry Clay. Henry Clay is no longer manufactured in Cuba but is available today from the Consolidated Cigar Corporation; the cigars are manufactured in the Dominican Republic. The records explaining the codes stamped on the bottom of the boxes apparently have been lost, so it is almost impossible to identify when they were manufactured. Their worth depends greatly on how well they have been stored and whether they are still in good condition.
Q: I have been fortunate enough to receive from a friend some cigars from Havana. It seems that these cigars are extra dry, and a light mold develops as I humidify them. Other cigars made outside of Cuba do not develop mold. Is there a difference in the tobacco that causes the Cubans to mold?
Robert Littlefield III
Lubbock, Texas
A: The presence of "blume," as it is called, is an indicator that your cigars are continuing to age and improve. What you see is the oil that these cigars have exuded as they go through a sweat, usually the first summer after they are manufactured. Many fine cigars will sweat these oils, although your Cubans are perhaps younger.
Q: A friend recently returned from Paris and brought me a box of cigars, and I don't quite know what I have. The cigars are "Backgammon Coronas Especiales." Each cigar is cedar-wrapped and encased in an aluminum tube. The tube proclaims the cigar to be "clear Havana filler" and "100 percent Havana Einlage." What do I have here? Are these Cuban cigars? What is the filler?
John Kroger
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
A: You have a machine-made cigar that contains some tobacco exported from Cuba. It is made in Europe. As such, you can't properly call it a Havana, which is a term generally reserved for cigars made in Cuba.
Q: Where can I get the Credo humidification system?
Frank Fanto
Mendocino, California
A: The Credo system can be obtained through your local tobacconist. It is currently the best stand-alone humidity regulator available on the market.
Q: I just bought a box each of H. Upmann and Partagas cigars, and on each box was printed: "Warning, this product contains/produces chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer." They are from the Dominican Republic. Where can I get a good-quality cigar unadulterated by pesticides?
J. Norman Stone
Honolulu, Hawaii
A: Mr. Stone, you are being warned about tobacco by the state of California; to date, it is the only state to require that warning on cigars, but because most manufacturers distribute their products there, all boxes imported into the United States carry that warning. The ingredient that government officials are advising you to beware is the only ingredient in cigars: 100 percent tobacco. Pesticides and herbicides are used in tobacco farming at levels no different from most mass agricultural and food-growing operations in the world.
Q: I have just flung another Havana cigar on the ground in disgust! The problem is I get a strong shot of bitter, dark tobacco juice while smoking a Partagas cigar. Does this happen to all of you or only to me?
Sam Little
Bozeman, Montana
A: Where did you buy the cigar? it may very well be that you weren't smoking a real Cuban Partagas, but a counterfeit or second-quality cigar. Unfortunately, there has been an explosion in the production and sales of counterfeit Cuban cigars. The only way to protect yourself is to buy from a reputable tobacconist, not off the street or from stores who keep their cigars "under the counter."
Q: I have recently purchased a Davidoff humidifier, which I replenish with distilled water every 30 to 60 days, as directed. On occa-sion, I have discovered my H. Upmann Corona Majors and No. 2 Pyramids becoming soft and changing texture. Unfortunately, this destroys the character, taste and consistency of my cigars. I have attempted to remedy the situation by opening the lid of the humidor on a daily basis to allow fresh-air penetration. Do you have any other suggestions? Am I correct in removing any plastic and/or tube covers before placing my cigars in the humidor?
Michael Griffin
Westwood, New Jersey
A: It would seem that the humidity level in your humidor is excessive. Given your frequency of replenishing the humidification system, that shouldn't be true. Where exactly do you keep your humidor? If it is in a humid environment, opening it daily may actually be harming the cigars. If, however, the outside environment is dry, our recommendation is to replenish your system less frequently. You can also place sheets of cedar as dividers in many boxes of cigars. The cedar will absorb excess humidity.
If you are keeping your cigars in a humidor, there's no reason to leave them in the cellophane or metal tubes. While a tube will keep a cigar humidified, it may also slow down the aging process.
Q: A few months ago I received a box of Montecristos with the words Hecho en Mexico stamped on the box. I know these cigars were made in Mexico, but I know nothing about the type of tobacco used in the manufacturing process. Can you tell me what type of tobacco the filler, binder and wrapper consist of?
Vincenzo Scarduzio
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A: These are definitely counterfeits. In the past, Mexican law has allowed for the registration of a brand to someone other than its rightful owner. This explains how both Partagas and Montecristo can be manufactured in Mexico using Mexican tobacco including San Andrés wrappers. Currently there are just two legitimate Montecristos being made--one in Cuba and one in the Dominican Republic.
Q: What is the correct way to smoke a culebra-style cigar? How would American Eastern red cedar wood affect cigars? If it should not be used, where can I purchase Spanish cedar?
Vincent Amoia
Hunter, New York
A: One at a time. That means, remove the band or, in some cases, bands, split up the three parts and smoke them individually.
American red cedar is too sappy and pronounced an aroma, and it will overwhelm the subtle fragrance of a fine premium cigar. Ask your local lumberyard for Spanish cedar; if they don't have any, they may be able to refer you to a lumber importer.
Q: I would like to hold a smoker night but have no idea how to do it. What is the format? Should cigar retailers be invited to attend or asked to sponsor the event? How much should be charged for the event? Is there a pamphlet or something to help me get started?
Andrew Finkelstein
Upton, Massachusetts
A: We are about to publish a comprehensive guide to putting on a cigar dinner or smoker night. Please fax requests for the guide to (212) 684-5424.
Q: Do the metal tubes that some cigars come packaged in really provide the proper storage conditions for any length of time? They do provide a handy method of carrying cigars in my pocket, but it would seem that once the cigars leave the store's humidor, they would tend to dry out like any others. What is the proper way to store this type of cigar in my humidor? Should I keep them in the tubes or take them out?
Brian Beck
Mount Clemens, Michigan
A: Yes, a metal tube can maintain a cigar in a properly humidified condition for years if it has not been opened. If you are keeping cigars in a humidor, however, it is recommended that you remove them from the tubes.
Q: If I wish to build a room-sized humidor in my home, where can I obtain Spanish cedar? What is an acceptable second choice? What is the difference between full-bodied and strong cigars? What are the strongest cigars available with a very full draw? (I like about a 50 ring.)
Dick Seibert
Martinez, California
A: Go to your local lumber supplier. If he doesn't carry Spanish cedar, he may be able to supply the name of a wood importer who can sell to you directly.
When we use the words full-bodied or strong, they refer to the presence on your palate of pronounced flavors; there is often a mouth-filling sensation when you are smoking a full-bodied, strong cigar. Many Cuban brands are full-bodied. In the United States, La Gloria Cubana makes a full-flavored, full-bodied cigar. Many Honduran cigars, such as Punch and Hoyo Excalibur, also have full-bodied flavors. And Dominican brands that tend toward full flavors include Arturo Fuente.
Q: I would like your suggestions on various cigars. I prefer a 6 to 6 1/2 inch cigar in a ring size of 46 or slightly larger. The qualities I am looking for are medium- to mild- bodied, a nutty, creamy flavor and a smooth draw.
Wayne Anderson
Sidney, Nebraska
A: Cigar Aficionado rates cigars, and in most tasting notes we highlight how strong or mild a cigar tastes. The magazine also has published the Cigar Aficionado Buying Guide to Premium Cigars ($9.95 U.S., $12.95 Canada), which summarizes all the cigars rated by the tasting panel of senior editors. We believe another good source for information is your local tobacconist. He can ask you questions about your smoking habits that will enable him to guide you and then follow up, based on your reactions to his recommendations.
Q: In the Winter 1993/94 issue, your staff gave the Licenciados Toro an 83. In the Summer 1994 issue, the Licenciados Toro was given a rating of 93. Are these two different cigars? Or is there something I'm missing?
Stephen A. Allison
Chicago, Illinois
A: No, you're right. One Licenciados had a maduro wrapper; the other had a natural wrapper. The change in wrapper can have an impact on the overall flavor.
Q: Can you advise me as to what are considered to be the mildest cigars by brand?
R.M. Gallagher
Haddonfield, New Jersey
A: Macanudos, by reputation, are considered some of the mildest cigars on the market. Ashton, Cuesta-Rey, Dunhill-Dominican, Santa Damiana and Pleiades also make some mild cigars. If they don't suit your tastes, ask your tobacconist for a cigar with a light Connecticut shade wrapper and a mild blend of tobaccos.
Q: I have smoked Connecticut broadleaf brands--Topper, Muniemaker, Blackstone--all very strong, all with black wrappers, breva leaf. When I travel from Connecticut, I cannot find these cigars. What imported cigar has the strong broadleaf, 100 percent no-junk filler and strong black wrapper like a Topper?
Vincent Shaheen
Vernon, Connecticut
A: There are many maduro cigars that use the dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. Look for them in maduro-style cigars from Fonseca, Ashton, Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur, Henry Clay and Don Diego. If you have any doubts, ask your tobacconist. However, premium hand-rolled cigars do use the dry-cured tobacco. But two of the brands you mention, Muniemaker and Topper, are nationally distributed.
Q: I maintain that it is legal for an American citizen to bring Cuban cigars that are obtained in Cuba into the United States. This is (or at least was) the U.S. Customs rule. Could you clarify this issue.
Daniel Lovegren
Sacramento, California
A: You are absolutely right. If you travel legally to Cuba, which is to say with a visa that can be obtained if you qualify under the exemptions for journalists or academics, and you return directly to U.S. soil from Cuba, you are allowed to bring up to 100 cigars into the country, supposedly with no questions asked. However, if your plane stops in a third country in transit to the United States, technically U.S. Customs can doubt the origin of your cigars and confiscate them.
Q: When will Cigar Aficionado ties be offered for sale? Will a Big Smoke be scheduled for Atlanta? I read in Cigar Aficionado about someone who had received a shipment of five boxes of Havana cigars. How do these cigars get by customs?
David Morgan
Cordele, Georgia
A: 1) Our ties are advertised already; see the Winter 1994/95 issue, page 298.
2) The Big Smoke schedule has been established. There are currently no plans to hold a Big Smoke in Atlanta.
3) Customs admits that it finds it impossible to intercept every package of Cuban cigars mailed into this country. I guess the person with five boxes got lucky.
Q: Where can I purchase a digital hydrometer?
Stephen Boyarsky
Dania, Florida
A: I think the device you are asking about is a hygrometer, which measures relative humidity. The best one on the market also registers temperature. It is called an Air Guide 2208 and is available from Ashton Products in Philadelphia at (800) 523-1641 or from your local tobacconist.
Q: Often on packages of inexpensive drugstore cigars, the label states that these cigars are primarily tobacco with nontobacco ingredients added. What exactly are these nontobacco ingredients?
Mark Simendinger
Lodi, New Jersey
A: This designation refers to "HTL," which means homogenized tobacco leaf, which is a slurry of tobacco scrap reconstituted into rolls to sheet-feed machines that automatically roll cigars. There is a nontoxic binder added to that scrap mixture.
Q: How should someone store a variety of cigars? I am concerned that storing them together will influence the characteristics of each cigar. Should I be concerned with this? If so, could you suggest something other than using several humidors? What building material and humidification system do you prefer for a small humidor?
Arlon Webster
Clinton, Wisconsin
A: The usual solution to this dilemma is to build a small walk-in humidor or convert a cabinet with a large capacity. This enables you to age a variety of cigars separately by leaving them in their original boxes. The traditional choice for shelving is Spanish cedar, for its ability to retain moisture and enhance a cigar's aroma and taste. Humidification systems must be designed to match a specific environment. No one system is universally appropriate.
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