cigar tips and tricks
The ABCs of Cigars
From amatista to zafadores, we define 26 cigar-industry terms every aficionado needs to know.
Why is There a Stem in My Cigar?
While veins may not be pretty to look at, they can be full of flavor. The stems, too. At the center of each tobacco leaf is a thick, linear structure known as a midrib, i.e. a …
10 Things To Know About Fuente Fuente OpusX
The mystique behind Fuente Fuente OpusX has endured for 25 years since its birth in 1995. We compiled a list of 10 facts that will shed some light on the cigar brand that became a …
How Cigar Aficionado Tastes Cigars
Every cigar that appears in the tasting section of Cigar Aficionado or Cigar Insider is rated blind, removing any prejudice or brand familiarity a taster might have.
A Curious Collection of Cult Cigars
Some of the industry’s offbeat cigars have gained a serious cult following over the years in much the same way cult movies attract a small, yet passionate fan base.
What's a Cuban Cigar Factory Name?
Cuban cigars vitolas are referenced in two terms, the factory name and also the market name.
counterfeit cigars
8 Things To Know About Counterfeit Cuban Cigars
Save your money (and your palates) by following these eight key tips to avoid getting burned by a fake Cuban cigar.
How To Spot A Fake Hoyo De Monterrey
Learn how to tell whether the Hoyo De Monterrey you're smoking is authentic or fake.
How To Spot A Fake Partagás
Learn how to tell whether the Partagás you're smoking is authentic or fake.
How To Spot A Fake Cohiba Behike BHK
Find out if your Cuban Cohiba Behike BHK is real or fake.
How To Spot A Fake Romeo y Julieta
Find out if your Cuban Romeo y Julieta is real or fake.
Cigar 101 Videos
Cigar Brands
Fonseca (Non-Cuban)
The non-Cuban version of this popular brand is produced by My Father Cigars at its factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Originally crafted by the Quesada family for 45 years, the Garcia …
Partagás
Don Jaime Partagás created the Partagás brand in Cuba in 1845, and he constructed the majestic Partagás cigar factory as a proud symbol of his brand, which later was run by Ramón …
Tatuaje
Tatuaje smokes, known for their Cubanesque flavor, include such popular lines such as Seleccion de Cazador, or Cabinet, (or as fans call it "brown label"), 10th Anniversary, Black …
Flor de las Antillas
Nicaragua’s venerable Garcia family released the Flor de Las Antillas brand in May 2012 using a variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos, their trademark double binders and a wrapper leaf …
Surrogates
One of the debut brands from L'Atelier imports Inc., Surrogates is the brainchild of Dan Welsh and Pete Johnson. The brand differs from traditional cigar brands in that each …
Avo
During his playing days in Puerto Rico, cigar icon and jazz musician Avo Uvezian said that he would purchase a few local cigars each night and place them on top of the piano for …
tobacco
Hail Destroys Acres Of Fuente Fuente OpusX Wrapper Leaf
An intense and long-lived hailstorm destroyed several acres of cigar tobacco at Chateau de la Fuente in El Caribe, Dominican Republic on May 6.
The Mystique of Medio Tempo
The newest buzzword in the cigar-blending world is medio tiempo: a high-primed leaf that packs a big punch. Despite being a darling to some makers, its enigmatic qualities (even …
Tobacco Seeds Discovered Among Stone Age Ruins
The use of tobacco by humans goes back much farther in history than previously thought.
Crop Report: Nicaragua’s Tobacco Season Extends into June
The season is extending an extra month, to mid-June.
Black Gold
The San Andrés Valley on Mexico’s Gulf Coast produces some of the most sought-after tobaccos in the world.
Shade in the Dusk
The once-dominant wrapper leaf grown under cloth in the Connecticut River Valley now needs protection from encroaching development.