Cigar Craft

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Super-Premium Cigars—A Father’s Day Gift He Really Wants

Got a cigar-smoking father or husband? Stuck for a gift for Father’s Day? Relax, we can tell you everything you need to know to select the perfect “super-premium” gift for any hard-to-shop-for dad.

Choosing a cigar may seem like an overwhelming task but read this short article and you will become a quasi-expert on cigars with respectable bragging rights AND, you’ll be able to tell him exactly why you thought he’d like the Dominican-grown Robusto with a Maduro wrapper.

Type of Cigar Based on Size

There are several ways of categorizing cigars: size, shape, strength, their country of origin, and the way they are made (hand-rolled vs. machine). The most common way to categorize a cigar is by size, which is the cigar’s length in inches and ring size (cigar diameter) measured in 64ths of an inch. There is actually a name associated with each length and ring size and these are the cigar names that you may be familiar with. Corona, Panatela, Torpedo, Toro, Churchill, Perfecto, Cigarillo, Lonsdale, Robusto, and the largest of them all, Giant. The Giant style of cigar is 9 inches in length with a ring size of 52!

Colors, Shapes, and Hand-Rolled

After choosing a cigar based on size, you can start to whittle down your choices by choosing the color of the exterior wrapper color (there are more than 100 different wrapper shades!) and the shape of the cigar. Flared, tapered, pyramid are the basic shapes. And don’t buy the cheapest cigar -- hand-rolled cigars should be your only choice. No one can ever appreciate the true joy of cigar smoking with a machine-made cigar. Don’t even spend the money.

Start with Mild-Flavored Cigars

If your gift is for an aspiring cigar connoisseur, start by buying one of several different sizes/styles of cigars at your local tobacconist. Choose mild cigars at first and work your way up to stronger flavors. Here are the benefits of starting with mild cigars: they generally cost less than stronger cigars and you won’t lose as much money as your beloved learns how to cut the ends appropriately, learns the best way to light them, and learns the best way to store them at home. You will be surprised at how quickly they dry out if not properly contained. It’s a learned art!

Get the Most Out of Your Cigars

Here is what long-time cigar enthusiasts recommend about smoking and enjoying cigars. This is also useful stuff to relate to the profoundly happy recipient of your gift:

• There are many types of cigars. Experiment with new sizes and flavors.

• Don't inhale cigar smoke when puffing and keep the smoke in your mouth for the shortest length of time.

• Unless you buy your cigars in single sticks that were stored in a humidor, age your cigars by stripping off all packaging and placing them in a humidor for a few months before smoking. Do not store your cigars in the refrigerator because it will dry them out.

• Throw away partially smoked cigars—do not put a stinky used cigar in your humidor!

• To really enjoy your cigar smoking experience, choose the right drink to go with your carefully chosen indulgence. Try some strong-flavored drinks to enhance the flavor of your cigar, such as scotch, port wine, and Kahlua drinks.

• Biting the tip off a premium cigar should only be done by gangsters in movies. Don’t do it. Use a sharp cigar cutter.

• Do not use paper matches to light your cigar. Use a butane lighter for best results. Wooden matches are OK but make sure you let the sulfur burn off first.

• When you are finished with your cigar, let it burn itself out in the ashtray. Snuffing your cigar out leaves an unpleasant smell.

Get That Man a Cigar for Father’s Day!

If the thought of choosing a cigar for a Father’s Day gift is overwhelming, never fear. Cigar accessories, such as cutters, humidors, lighters, cigar cases, and ashtrays, will also make a cigar smoker happy. You need not travel to your local tobacconist to find the best Father’s Day gift.

Find the right cigar and purchase online at Heroes and Legacies at heroesandlegacies.com/index.shtml. Their easy-to-use online Cigar Finder will help you find just the right cigar.

About the Author - Jayne Miller is a freelance writer and marketing consultant from Austin, Texas. She has been associated with Heroes and Legacies for several years. Visit their website at heroesandlegacies.com/index.shtml.

How To Shop For A High Quality Cigar

Are you shopping for a gift for someone in your company or a business associate? If you have someone on your gift list who is a cigar aficionado you may want to consider buying them a high quality cigar. You don't have to be the world's foremost authority on the subject to be able to choose a good cigar. Below I have compiled a few tips to help you be successful in your search.

Cigars are now more popular than ever before which makes it much easier to find them. Though they used to be considered only for people of influence but now the general public is getting into the act and with the plethora of smoke shops available it is easier than ever to find what you are looking for. Finding high quality Cuban cigars is still tough and will be until the embargo is listed, but that won't stop you from finding a top quality cigar that will please the person you are giving it to.

The first step to finding a high quality stogie is to go to a local smoke shop that specializes in cigars. Stay away from the so-called "drugstore cigars", they maybe cheaper but the reason they are cheaper is because they are filled with inferior fillers, preservatives, and irritants. The product you are seeking should be composed on pure, 100% tobacco only. If you are in doubt or have some questions about the ingredients, ask the clerk or salesperson on duty. In most shops these people are highly experienced and knowledgeable and will be able to provide you with any and all information you may need to make a decision.

Even though you may want to shop online to find better bargains, the local tobacco shop is the place to start because you can smell and touch the products which will help you make a good choice. A tip that will help you here is this, when you squeeze a good quality stogie it will compress just a little. It should also be uniform in shape, firm, and not have sections that are soft or hard. The wrapper should be very tight and not rough at all and should not be dry or discolored. If you see a wrapper that has any of those features you shouldn't buy it. The color of the tobacco inside of the product should be even and this can be inspected by looking at the end of the cigar. There will be some slight color differences but sharp changes in contrast of the tobacco indicate that the product was not rolled correctly which greatly affects the burning and can also put off unwanted odors.

The best choice of length when you are unsure how much the person smokes is to go with the longer cigars. These will have a better taste and are great for novices as well. For people who are regular smokers, buy them one that has a larger diameter which will have the richer flavor that they will like.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a corporate gifts at expresscorporategifts.com

Preventing Tobacco Beetles In Cigars

I hate cigar termites as I call them, commonly refered to as tobacco beetles. I'll never forget my first glimpse into a box of Cuban Montecristo that these heartless monsters shredded. It looked as if the cigars had been shot from a short distance with bird shot sized pellets. All of the care and hard work involved in growing the tobacco, and then handrolling the cigars, all of the endless months and years of aging, and the eventual painful purchase price was all a big waste of time and money. What an absolute disapointment opening this box of cigars on a special occasion would be. It would surely dampen the mood, and probably make it somewhat somber, especially if there are other serious cigar smokers around that understand what has happened.

The 2-3 millimeter adult tobacco beetle and his sibling clones can gash their way through a box of precious Monte's just as quick as a box of el cheapo's because they do not discriminate. If you experience repeated infestations, my advice is to deep freeze every cigar that comes into your possession. The process is quite simple: Make a spot in your freezer large enough to accommodate your smokes. Put the cigars, boxes and all, into the freezer for 3 days. Remove them from the freezer after the 72 hour wait and transport them to the lowest shelf in your refrigerator, the crisper it's called on some models. Leave them there for 24 hours. Don't take them directly back into the room atmosphere as this will cause rapid thawing resulting in swelling, which will result in a tear soaked funeral for the smokes.

During the wait it's a good idea to clean your humidor with a damp cloth in hopes of catching any of the stray larva which may be resting on the boxes floor. Never use any cleaners or pesticides inside your humidor or it will forever smell of the chemicals applied which will render it useless for the storage of your cigars. Clean, preferably distilled water is the only moisture source you should use when cleaning the walls of your spanish cedar built humidor.

Lift the box onto it's side and brush downward with the cloth, cleaning the floor and sending the "no-see-ems" down to the side panel of the box. Pay close attention to the final wipe down in this area, cleaning into the corners and wiping toward the top of the box, or "out" of the open lid, hence sending any loose particles away from your humidors interior surfaces. If it is small enough, lift the humidor overhead with the lid open and the box upside down. Have an assistant reach in with the cloth and wipe the box out. Another great idea is to use compressed air to thoroughly blast away all of the future bugs. Either way you decide to do it, this is an important step towards beetle annihilation so wipe and wipe and then wipe some more. If even one larva is left inside your box, the freezer treated cigars or any other cigars that you add, will probably become re infested.

Since beetles prefer a temperature of 74F and above, you should try to keep your humidor at a lower range of around 68F-70F, even a touch cooler is preferable as opposed to warmer.

Finally, if all else has failed and your supply has been ravaged by the insatiable muncher of puros, there is one last course of action. Take the entire infested box, cigars and all, and toss it onto a burn pile, douse it with kerosene and throw a match onto it. This method is of course expensive, but the tiny little cries of those notorious devils, and the fact that they can never reproduce and spread their evil seeds to another smokers stash can become a tempting fix for someone frustrated with tobacco beetles.

About the Author - Ed Brown owns and operates Tarheel Cigars Discount Smoke Shop located tarheelcigars.com

The Best Cigars In The World

Like a fine glass of wine, a cigar also tastes fine. Cigars are subject to taste as is wine. Cigars have companies that try to copy them just like cigars. When you find something that meets your taste, you will wan to continue to have that taste. That does not mean you cannot taste others, but some connoisseurs are stuck famous cigars that they will only smoke.

Some of the famous cigars that top the list when people are asked about what cigar they prefer are by far disturbing to some:

Trinidad
Romeo Y Julieta
Bolivar
Cohiba
H. Upman
Montecristo
Ramon Allones

Cuban cigars are famous cigars and still make their way into the country, but they are contraband. The only reason they are famous is because of the controversy. Because it was banned, everyone labels them as famous cigars and ignore the rest. Because of the embargo against the Habanas, the United States have made the cigar more popular than before. Most new smokers do not have the opportunity to smoke famous cigars like the Cuban cigar, but that does not detour them from coming connoisseurs of cigars.

Cuban cigars many feel need to be enjoyed and have a slow burn to last for the full advantage of tasting the cigar. The older cigar smokers realize that two things make cigars truly famous cigars, the quality of the filler and the brand name. Because Cuba has the reputation of excellence in cigars because of the training that goes into producing these cigars, the reputation surpasses them. Cuban cigars are also made by hand as some other famous cigars are made by machine.

Many people display these famous cigars as a way of showing what kind of taste they have in excellence. It is not uncommon for top executives to hand these out after a finalized business deal or at an after dinner party. Although when asked the first thing that people say when asked what famous cigars do you know, they repeat the same thing every time. The Cuban Cigars are the famous cigars. For more info see onlinecigarsource.com/Cuban_Cigars_2 on Cuban Cigars.

Now that you do not have a Cuban cigar, try these famous cigars listed here and you will have just as much taste and flavor needed without the uppity Cuban cigars. Some believe smoking famous cigars bring prestige; they need to smoke famous cigars for taste not prestige, even at men’s clubs, you find other cigars than the Cuban Habanas.

About the Author - You can also find more info on Online Cigars and Buying Cigars Online. Onlinecigarsource.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about Cigars.

How To Store Cigars

Cuban cigars originate from the Caribbean, which has a tropical climate very different to Europe. As a natural product, your Havana cigars need to be kept carefully. They are used to being in a warm climate with a relatively high humidity.

Therefore they will need to be protected from extremes of temperature and humidity (particularly low humidity). This is particularly difficult to achieve in air conditioned and centrally heated buildings, where the air tends to get de-humidified and cigars can dry out very quickly. Some cigars come in aluminum tubes which can help preserve them in dry climates, however they tend to mature at a much slower rate than 'naked' boxed cigars.

Maintain a temperature of 16 C to 20 C and a relative humidity of 65% - 70%.

Humidity

At the least, keep your cigars in a tight fitting cupboard, drawer or box, away from radiators and other sources of heat. Pick the coolest indoor spot in your house. Leave the cigars in their original boxes as this will help preserve them, stop them from being damaged, and prevent any cross-tainting of flavours between different varieties of cigars stored in the same area. If the humidity in your make-shift humidor is low, a damp sponge in a cup will serve as a basic provider of humidity.

When you purchase your cigars they should be packed in an airtight zip-loc bag, which will maintain the humidity of your cigars while you transport them from the shop to your humidor. These bags are a very efficient short term humidor, however we would not recommend that you leave your cigars sealed in these bags for more than one month. Although humidity will be maintained, cigars also need to be exposed to some fresh air to allow them to 'breathe' and age correctly.

A variety of desk-top and travel humidors can be purchased (see 'Accessories') and are an essential item for the dedicated cigar smoker (more information below).

Temperature

The danger of excessive temperature (combined with too much humidity) is that the cigars can either go moldy or be damaged by weevil attack. If cigars go moldy, this is generally not a problem, as long as it is spotted reasonably soon and the mold (or bloom) only appears on the wrapper leaf. The mold can be removed with a soft brush (e.g. a badger shaving brush) and then the cigar can be returned to store in the correct conditions. If mold gets into the end of the cigar, we recommend that you do not smoke it. Weevil, or tobacco beetle, is a more serious problem. If you see any small holes in your cigar, you should take immediate action.

Desk-Top Humidors

There is a very wide selection of these humidors on the market. The basic design requirements are that they are sealable (and generally lockable!), but allow the cigars to breathe. This is normally achieved by leaving the base of the box unvarnished: and no portion of the inner cedar box should be laminated. The box contains a fitting, which provides the humidity: this is normally a pad containing a sponge or chalk, which can be dampened. The box may also contain a dial showing humidity and temperature.

As a rule of thumb, the smaller the box, the harder it is to maintain a steady level of humidity within its confines. These humidors do not regulate temperature. The price range starts from about 125 for a plexy glass humidor, which will hold approximately 50 cigars to 2000 and above. A comprehensive selection is shown on our accessory page. Fabulous humidors can also be created out of antique boxes which many families have inherited as writing slopes or medal cases and which have since become redundant. This is a very cost-effective way of storing your cigars in a unique and personal humidor.

Travel Humidors

Ranging in price from 100 upwards. These are not suitable for long-term storage of cigars, however they are essential if you are moving about: the wrapper leaf on a handmade cigar is very thin and delicate and will easily damage. The safest way to prevent this is to keep the cigars in their original box, in tubes or in a purpose-built travel humidor.

Cigar Cases

Generally these do not offer humidification systems built in, but will protect your cigars if you take them in your pocket for the day. There are some metal tubes with hermetically sealed screw tops that will act in the same way as a cigar tube and seal in moisture. The majority are made from leather and offer protection from damage as well as limited protection from fluctuations in humidity and temperature.

Reviving Dried-Out Cigars

This is not an exact science and not always successful. Dry cigars need to be re humidified very slowly and with care. We suggest you speak to us

Footnote
We do NOT recommend that cigars are kept in a refrigerator for storage. It is likely that the cigars will be dried out by this process and irretrievably damaged.

About the Author - Mike Keesling is a freelance writer and cigar aficionado. His favorite cigar emporium is Ceniza Lounge in Pasadena, California.

Cigar Travel Cases

It is said that smoking pleasure comes with a fine cigar, freshly kept and protected its original charm. That’s what cigar travel cases are for when you are on a trip and enjoy your favorite cigar. Cigar travel cases keep your cigars from getting crushed by clumsy bag handlers. They maintain the perfect smoking condition for your cigars. That’s why; they have become most used cases while you are on a traveling.

Cigar Travel Cases
Coming in almost all size, cigar travel cases are a comfortable travel kit that stores your cigars protecting them from getting crushed. In fact, Portable cigar cases keep your smokes fresh and moist for months. But, before you carry your cigars with you, make sure your cigars are legal. Store them in a small, airtight, crushproof cigar travel cases protect your smokes.

Online Cigar Travel Cases
If you want to buy a quality cigar travel case, check the different varieties online. Online cigar stores provide some good cigar travel cases in very affordable range. You can also get discounted travel cases on recommended sites as they generally have lower overheads. So, just click the mouse and choose your cigar travel case that truly explains your needs and style and secure the safety of your classic cigars. No doubt, your smoking pleasures will be on heights.

About the Author: Rachana Agarwal is a famous Cigar Industry Expert.

Different types of Cigars

The Origin

Cigars have generated much interest and passion, not only in their countries of origin but even more so in Europe and the United States. However, available historical references indicate that inhabitants of Europe were pretty much unaware of tobacco until after Columbus's epic voyage of 1492.

Cigars, as we know them today, were first made in Spain in the early 18th century, using Cuban tobacco. By 1790, cigar manufacture had spread substantially and small factories were being set up in France and Germany. However, cigar smoking became a recognized, widespread custom in France and Britain only after the Peninsular War that ended in 1814, when returning British and French veterans made cigar smoking, a habit they had acquired while serving in Spain, something of a fashion statement.

The cigar arrived in North America a little earlier than Europe, around 1762, when Israel Putnam, later a general in the American War of Independence, returned from Cuba, where he had served in the British army. He came back to his home in Connecticut with a selection of Havana cigars and large amounts of Cuban tobacco seed. Cigar factories were later set up in the area, processing the tobacco grown from the Cuban seed.

A Closer Look at the Cigar and its Different Types

Just like wine, there is much curiosity about cigars even amongst those who don't smoke. An important lifestyle product, the cigar has grown from being merely a smoking option to a true statement of style.

This article talks about all you need to know about the different types of cigars and the components that make a cigar and decide its quality.

The Structure of the Cigar
A Cigar has its three different parts that make it up: Filler, Binder and Wrapper.

The Filler: It is the filler that provides a cigar its essential flavor. There are three different types of leaves that are popularly used as fillers for cigars. These are Ligero, Seco and Volado.

The Binder: The binder is what encloses the filler and gives the cigar its proper shape and size. The bottom part of the plant where the leaves are thicker and have more strength is used as a binder for cigars.

The Wrapper: As the name suggests, the wrapper is the outermost covering of a cigar. Because its appearance is especially important, the quality of the wrapper is considered crucial and generally, can account for up to 70 percent of the value of the tobacco. It is said that a good wrapper should have the requisite flavor and steady-burning qualities essential for a truly great cigar smoking experience. Smokers examine a cigar for appealing appearance, texture and aroma, and this is where a good, painstakingly grown wrapper justifies the high cost of the cigar.

Different Types of Cigars

From a few local brands to tens of premium brands, cigars today, offer a number of options to choose from. Have a look at some of the best known cigar brands:

Cuban Cigars: Cuban cigars, considered to be one of the best cigars in the world, are also the most popular. It is said that their production is rarely ever able to match up to their demand! Also called Habanos, Cuban cigars are controlled by a government corporation, and demand much attention to detail from the cigar maker. Habanos need to be handled very carefully and call for a high level of monitoring for quality.

Macanudo Cigars: Macanudo was introduced in 1971 by the General Cigar Company and quickly became a leading premium cigar. Every Macanudo cigar is made with the finest Connecticut Shade wrapper, a flavorful blend of Dominican tobaccos and a select binder grown in the rich St. Andres Tuxtla Valley of Mexico. Each Macanudo can be relied on for consistency in smoothness and the same superior smooth taste and quality of experience.

Cohiba Cigars: The Cohiba came into into existence in 1966, but it was only in 1969 that it became famous. The tobacco used for manufacturing Cohiba Cigars is grown at full length in certain selected plantations in the province of Penar del Rio, and is considered quite special.

Padron Cigars: The manufacturing of Padron Cigars started in 1964 in Florida, the man behind the brand being Jose O. Padron. Padron Cigars use only sun-grown habano aged for a minimum of two and half years, and are available in natural and maduro wrappers. One of the finest cigars, Padrons are known as full-bodied and well-aged cigars.

Partagas Cigars: Though Don Jaime Partagas is the founder of Partagas cigars, it is the efforts of sons Ramon Cifuentes and Jaime Partagas Jr. that made Partagas cigars the leading Cuban Cigar. Partagas Cigars, known for their rich flavor, use high quality wrappers from Cameroon, known for its perfectly suitable climate for growing superb wrapper leaves.

Ashton Cigars: Ashton Cigars are produced using 3 to 4 year old Dominician tobacco, and get their rich taste from the golden Connecticut shade wrapper.

Acid Cigars: Made in Nicargua in Drew Estate by Jonathan Drew, Acid Cigars have a completely natural composition. They are prepared using the finest tobaccos and over 140 botanicals, herbs and essential oils. Acid Cigars are known to be the leader in the herbal and Botanical Aromatic Cigar Market.

Montecristo Cigars: Montecristo cigars, the famous Havana brands started becoming popular around the late 1930's. Popularized also by the Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel Le Comte de Monte Cristo, the cigar is a medium to full bodied one with a sweet aroma and impeccable construction.

Arturo Fuente Cigars: Arturo Fuente learned the art of making premium, handmade cigars in Cuba at the end of the 19th century, and started producing his own line in 1912. The highest quality vintage tobacco is used for Arturo Fuente Cigars. The leaves are carefully selected from a private reserve and set aside for making these cigars. These are also known as one of the famous aromatic cigars.

About the Author - The author, A. "Mac" Levitt, is a well- known cigar enthusiast, distributor, and wholesaler who has been lending his expertise and experience to the Internet cigar industry since 1998. Having studied the scope and potential of secure online cigar shopping, Mac has been instrumental in providing advice and supplies to a number of secure online cigar shops like cigars-now.com

Cigar Cutters

Cigarette smokers usually puff away during breaks at work, drives to the grocery store, or yard work at home. Whereas cigarette smoking is typically a pastime, cigar smoking is a culture. People usually smoke cigars during special occasions, whether it is to celebrate a first child, seal a business deal, or enjoy a night of poker with one's buddies. Further proof of how firmly entrenched cigar smoking is in the American culture is the fact that Red Auerbach lighted a ceremonial cigar after his Boston Celtics won yet another basketball championship. Then, there's the wide circulation of cigar magazines like "Cigar Aficionado" in newsstands. These periodicals include features such as cigar ratings, international tobacconists, and cigar-friendly restaurants. Considering how popular cigar smoking is, it is, thus, only fitting to pay homage to cigar cutters in much the same way tobacco aficionados pay their respects to the almighty Cuban. After all, cigar smoking begins with a cigar cutter's snip of the tobacco product.

Cigar Hall of Fame

One reason cigar smoking has become more popular than ever could be the possibility that compared to cigarette smoking, cigar smoking is less dangerous to one's health. The reason is that when one smokes cigar, one does not inhale its smoke. Perhaps this explains how comedian George Burns, a lifetime cigar smoker, reached the ripe old age of 100 years! Other famous personalities who have become icons due in part to their cigar smoking include:

* Larger-than-life British leader Winston Churchill, after whom a cigar size was named.
* Austrian Psychiatrist Sigmund Freud, who often smoked during sessions with his patients.
* American author Mark Twain, who claimed that he smoked whenever he was awake.
* Comedy actor Groucho Marx, who often smoked a short, thick cigar.

Cigars Have a Past (And a Future)

Comedian George Burns, who used cigars to time his routine, served as the unofficial face of cigar smokers. While that face has become much more diverse in recent times, the essence of cigar smoking has remained unchanged. Cigars are often linked to celebrations of good luck and little triumphs. While they have historically been considered as a rich person's pastime, cigars have increasingly become more common in modern culture. Also, you have probably heard of the phrase, "close, but no cigar." Do you know where this expression comes from? The origin of the saying is the practice of saving a cigar as a good luck charm, in hopes of winning a bet made.

Cigar Characters

Other cigar legends involve people rather than activities. For example, English King Edward VII loved smoking cigars despite opposition from his mother. One story reveals that after his mother passed away, King Edward regally announced to his male guests, "Gentleman, you may smoke." It should be noted that they probably used knives rather than cigar cutters. In King Edward's honor, an American brand of cigars was named after him.

Another cigar legend is shown in the American sitcom show "Seinfeld." A character, Kramer, is frequently shown smoking a cigar. In the 1992 movie "Scent of a Woman," Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade orders his assistant to purchase a particular brand of cigars, which he knows will be hard as nails to find.

Making the Cut

The variety of cigar cutters available creates a legend of its own. Cigar cutters vary in size and color, ranging from portable to desktop, and from red to blue. Other cutters have multiple functions, and are paired with other tools such as key rings, portable knife sets, or money clips. When choosing cigar cutters, it is wise to first consider your needs.

In many respects, cigars have become as common in modern culture as the Internet and reality TV. Choosing the right cigar cutters further adds to the style and experience of cigar smoking.

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