7/3/2008 - What are Clear Havanas?
Clear Havanas are a specific type of cigar made by machine prior to 1962. These cigars all contain 100% authentic Cuban tobacco, and were rolled in fa... read more

5/12/2008 - Connecticut vs. Ecuadorian Seed
Connecticut Grown Connecticut Seed vs. Ecuadorian Grown Connecticut Seed

Many have asked, "What exactly is the difference between Connecticut s... read more

4/2/2008 - How Packaging Affects Pricing
Some cigar brands have extravagant packaging. How much does that affect the cost of a cigar?

When developing a price structure to sell a parti... read more

3/12/2008 - The Importance of a Torcedor
In a plugged cigar, if the tobacco was properly handled, cured and fermented, the problem lies in the construction. The skill and craft of a Torcedor ... read more

3/5/2008 - Fermentation Process: Time Length?
How long does it take to ferment tobacco?

First, let’s define fermentation. Fermentation is the act of releasing ammonia from tobacco l... read more

2/7/2008 - Curing vs. Fermentation
Curing and fermentation are related because they are two important steps in preparing the tobacco before it is ready to be rolled. However, the proces... read more

1/22/2008 - Body, Flavor, and Strength
When describing a cigar’s characteristics, body, flavor and strength there are three common terms used. It is important to be able to tell the d... read more

12/27/2007 - Properly Extinguishing a Cigar
Most enthusiasts who enjoy cigars consider the act to be an art form, and it is. As with other forms of art, there are certain rules to be followed, w... read more

1/15/2007 - Ryan Johnson - Armored Humidors
With all of the different humidors on the market, making a decision on which one to buy isn’t always the easiest task. Recently, Cigar Advocate spoke... read more

1/15/2007 - Can you Tell - Machine or Hand Made
There are two worlds of cigars – machine made, and hand made. There is a lot to know about the two. There are a few giveaways to tell which one is w... read more

1/8/2007 - Over Humidified Humidors
Monitoring the RH (relative humidity) levels in a humidor is one of the pivotal actions when keeping cigars. Usually a humidor owner will find that i... read more

12/14/2006 - Sun Spots
Throughout the cigar manufacturing process and farming there are a couple of variables that result in light or dark spots on a wrapper. Light spots o... read more

12/11/2006 - Humidity Too Low?
When people first get interested in cigars and make the plunge by buying their own humidor, many questions come up. One of the most important questio... read more

12/4/2006 - Coolerdor
Humidors can more often than not be one of the most expensive parts of this hobby. As cigar enthusiasts become more and more involved in their hobby,... read more

11/24/2006 - Cigar Characteristic -What and Why
In this second installment of a cigars characteristics – we dive deeper into the three basic parts of a cigar – the wrapper, the binder, and the fille... read more

11/22/2006 - Cigar Storage Tools
Cigar storage is one of the most vital parts that a cigar enthusiast will need to learn how to do properly. Only a few years ago, it was a task that ... read more

10/27/2006 - Nicaraguan Tobacco
Nicaragua has proven that it is can provide the market with some of the highest quality cigar tobacco in the world. As with Nicaragua, it is importan... read more

10/19/2006 - Cigar Ash
There are two schools of thought that need to be considered when talking about the color of a cigar ash. First, the chemical composition of the soil ... read more

10/7/2006 - Aging Properly Treated Tobacco
Aging cigars is a way for cigar enthusiasts to appreciate and track the process of their cigars much like vintage wines. Cigars are always changing a... read more

9/29/2006 - Combustion
“You want to cook tobacco, not burn it.” Those were the words of Henke Kelner. Once, while in the Dominican Republic, I had the opportunity to sit wi... read more

9/20/2006 - Taste According to Size
Cigars of the same brand and blend can taste different according to size. The reasons are debated by many cigar enthusiasts. There are a couple thin... read more

9/15/2006 - Humidity and Wrapper Types
We all have our favorite cigars. Whether they come from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras or Nicaragua (among other growing regions), it is all ... read more

8/29/2006 - Seasoning a Humidor
Humidors are meant to keep cigars in a stable environment that will preserve them at an optimum smoking level while allowing them to age. Regardless ... read more

8/23/2006 - Bleeding and Shrinking Wrappers
The wrapper is one of the last steps in constructing a cigar. It is what brings it all together and provides a majority of the flavor and aroma that ... read more

8/14/2006 - Understanding Vitolas
Vitolas can represent the name or shape of a cigar, depending how it is used. The word Vitola comes from Cuban cigar factories. Every cigar, specifi... read more

8/10/2006 - Drug Store vs Premium
Cigars will always be classified in different groups amongst cigar fans. Common catagories include drug store, premium, and super premium. Drug stor... read more

7/27/2006 - Consistency
If you have been smoking cigars for a while and have a few favorites, then you may have noticed that they may, depending on the cigars, change from ti... read more

7/19/2006 - Crop Rotation
Tobacco is no different than any other plant in regards to taking nutrients from the soil. If you have a vegetable or flower garden, then you are awa... read more

7/14/2006 - In Good Hands
From farming, fermenting, aging and blending tobacco, a lot of time and care goes into the creation of a cigar. A cigar is constructed, or physically ... read more

7/6/2006 - Tasting - Diagram of the Tongue
To understand why some cigars taste the way they do, it is important to understand the different parts of the tongue. Cigar smoke affects the tongue ... read more

6/22/2006 - Cuba’s Growing Season
Every cigar growing region is unique. The tobacco produced in each part of the world provides a unique flavor and aroma that is indigenous to that ar... read more

5/23/2006 - The Process of Making Candela Wrappers
Candela wrappers (also known as claro, double claro, AMS or American market standard) can easily be picked out of a lineup due to their distinct green... read more

5/18/2006 - Propane in Curing Barns
A new method has recently been implemented by some manufacturers in the way tobacco is treated in the curing barns. The tradition of how tobacco is g... read more

5/18/2006 - Bloom Ploom or Mold
Bloom, also called plume refers to the slow rising of essential oils to the surface of a cigar. It is first seen as a white powdery coat that almost ... read more

5/13/2006 - Fermenting Tobacco in Pilones
After tobacco comes from the curing barns it is sorted according to thickness, size and eventually color. The wrappers and binders are separated from... read more

5/12/2006 - The Parts That Make A Cigar
There are a few basic components that make up a cigar and there are also different types of tobacco that are used for each part. A cigar is made up of... read more

3/22/2006 - What To Buy What To Smoke
Cigar smoking is a personal experience. Not to sound cliché but one mans garbage is another’s treasure, it is no doubt subjective. One person’s spec... read more

3/16/2006 - How Tobacco is Made into a Blend
Growing, curing, fermenting, and aging tobacco aren’t the only things that are done to make a cigar taste a certain way. The tobacco leaves are... read more

3/9/2006 - Water Pillows
Humidification is one of the most important factors to think about when keeping cigars. Water pillows are relatively new on the market and are alread... read more

3/6/2006 - Aging and Storing Cigars
Cigars can greatly improve with age much like fine wines become exceptional with time. There are a few precautions and conditions that one should obs... read more

3/3/2006 - How a Cigar is Rolled by a Torcedor
A torcedor is a person who sits at a work station making cigars. Torcedores who have more experience than others roll more complicated cigars such as... read more

2/28/2006 - Quick History on the Discovery of Cuban Tobacco
In 1492 Christopher Columbus not only discovered a new world, but something that has been delighting connoisseurs throughout the entire world to this ... read more

2/27/2006 - Tubed Cigars
Tubes are a lot like removing the band off of a cigar. It really comes down to what you prefer. There are certain things to be aware of when decidin... read more

2/23/2006 - Cellophane - On or Off?
Is it better to take off the cellophane, or leave it on? The simple explanation to this question is that there is no single answer. Looking at the d... read more

2/22/2006 - Cigar Advocate Rating System – With Categories Explained
Our rating system is based on 4 cigar characteristics:

Construction and Appearance - 0-20
Flavor and Body - 0-20
Impression - 0-20
Val... read more

2/17/2006 - Flavor, Body and Strength
When describing cigars characteristics, body, flavor and strength are three common terms used. Its important to be able to tell the difference, know h... read more

2/16/2006 - Characteristics of a Premium Cigar
Construction, consistency and quality; these three traits are staples that premium cigars stand for, and isn’t easy to accomplish time and time again.... read more

2/15/2006 - Restoring Dry Cigars
One of the most important steps in restoring dry cigars in patience, and lots of it. It is always good to remember that if moisture can escape from a... read more

2/14/2006 - Popular Growing Regions for Cigar Tobacco
Each country’s cigar tobacco has a unique taste and character. Cigars are made all over the world, with tobacco grown in different soils, cured by di... read more

2/13/2006 - Plant Primings
A tobacco plant doesn’t just grow anywhere and all taste the same. Cigar tobacco is treated much differently than cigarette or pipe tobacco where the... read more

2/10/2006 - Uneven Burn/Types of
When someone gets the chance to unwind with a favorite cigar, a couple occurrences can turn a relaxing moment into a frustrating, teeth gritting nuisa... read more

2/8/2006 - Removing the Band
In terms of Etiquette, and practiced mostly in Europe it is proper to remove the band before it is smoked. But there are always going to be people wh... read more

2/7/2006 - Young and Wet Cigars
When I walked into the Camacho aging room the aroma knocked me to my knees. It was filled with strong ammonia and it was rich and earthy. It smelled... read more

2/3/2006 - Cutting a Cigar and the Tools Used
Cutting the cap of a cigar isn’t as simple as hacking an inch off of the end (head). A cut can affect the burn and even the flavor of a cigar, ... read more

1/30/2006 - Plugged or Blocked Cigars
A plug in a cigar is a blockage that can sometimes occur and keeps it from drawing properly. Most plugs occur near the head which makes the cigar ver... read more

1/30/2006 - Boxed Pressed Cigars
Boxed pressed, or square pressed cigars are rolled the traditional way that all hand made cigars are. The difference with box pressed is the process ... read more

1/27/2006 - Wrapper Colors
Wrapper tobaccos come in a large variety of shades. Terms used to to describe the various shades that wrapper tobaccos can have are as following:
... read more

1/27/2006 - Lighting a Cigar by warming the foot
The proper lighting of a cigar is imperative when sampling a cigar, improper lighting can affect the burn, and that can effect the taste. Never light... read more

1/27/2006 - What Determines a Cigars Characteristic
There are three different parts of a cigar that affect the characteristic (flavor, body and aroma) of any cigar. Each part contributes a major role i... read more

1/27/2006 - Tobacco Beetle (Lasioderma Serricorne)
Lasioderma Serricorne, infamously known as the dreaded Tobacco Beetle, said to eat like a pig and breed like a bunny, it lives for tobacco and heat. ... read more

1/27/2006 - Calibrating an Analog Hygrometer
Most analog hygrometers are manufactured with a tolerance of +/- 4 to 5%, so it is a good idea to do this when first receiving the hydrometer from the... read more