Which Cigar Should I Smoke?

Let's start with the basics:  Look for premium hand-rolled cigars made with long leaf tobacco.  Many cigars are advertised as "Cuban Sandwich" style which is often a mixture of long leaf tobacco and short fillers.  You'll find short filler in cigars labeled as "tortas" or "fumas" as well.  Depending on the manufacturer, some of these are pretty darn good.  Others, however, taste like they were rolled with whatever scraps were swept from the factory floor.  I prefer long fillers because I

Proper Storage of Your Cigars

Many people ask me how long they can store their cigars before they "go bad".  Well, if stored properly, your cigars will remain in optimal smoking condition for a lifetime.  There are accounts of pre-embargo cigars being rediscovered after 50-60 years that, I'm told, are just terrific.  The cigars in my humidor will never be old enough to drive, much less collect a pension.  Here's how you keep them just right. First, buy a quality humidor.  Preferably, from me.  Keep it well stocked (I'll

Cellophane: On or Off?

As someone's cigar collection is expanding, one of the first questions I get asked is whether or not cigars should be stored with the cellophane wrappers on or off.  Basically this comes down to personal preference.  Personally, I leave them on but here are a few facts to help you decide. Many cigars are packaged and shipped from the factory with cellophane on them.  This helps protect the cigar's delicate leaf wrapper, especially if they are handled by nasty strangers at your local shop.  The