7/14/2008 - Exploring Granada, Nicaragua
Traveling through Central America every month, you meet a lot of interesting people. Most of the Americans I come across on my flights are tourists he... read more

6/10/2008 - A Dark Continent: Cameroon Leaf
Ramón Cifuentes, Carlos Fuente Sr., and Stanford Newman were some of the most recognizable names in the cigar world during the 20th century – all of w... read more

5/8/2008 - Tobacco's Hidden Paradise
When I received my invitation to see Ometepe this past February, I was ecstatic. I have been writing about brands that use tobacco grown on this myste... read more

4/1/2008 - The Next Big Name In Cigars
Five years ago, if you had asked any aficionado who Don Pepin Garcia was, you would have been met with a blank stare. Ask that same question today and... read more

3/4/2008 - Preparing Your Humidor for Summer
With spring just around the corner, it is important to take a few minutes and make sure your cigars are ready for the summer months. Premium cigars ar... read more

2/11/2008 - Visiting CAO
As my plane touched down in Nashville, I was reminded of my last visit to CAO headquarters nearly 4 years ago. At the time, the growing company had ju... read more

1/23/2008 - Cigar Bands: An Emblem of Status
Every cigar smoker has wondered about his cigar’s band at one time or another. For those that smoke “Cuban” cigars, they wonder if t... read more

12/17/2007 - Cigar Counterfeiting: An Issue
Counterfeiting has always been a serious problem in the cigar industry. Manufacturers put in countless hours blending, aging, and marketing their ciga... read more

12/11/2007 - Rocky Patel - Blending the Decade
Landing at the Tegucigalpa Airport of Honduras is anything but boring. After
making a steep descent through jagged terrain, the plane makes a swi... read more

12/6/2007 - Gift Giving: The Perfect Cigar
Christmas is just around the corner and many are beginning to scramble to get all of their shopping completed. With the holiday season being so hectic... read more

12/3/2007 - Nicaraguan Cigars: The Next Cubans?
Still recovering from a ten-year civil war, Nicaragua has been quickly
making its way back onto center stage in the cigar industry. In fact, it i... read more

8/20/2007 - S-CHIPping Away at the Cigar Industry
Perspectives on the largest single excise tax in the history of the Internal Revenue Code.

As you know - but in case you’ve ... read more

8/15/2007 - Review: RTDA 2007
This August, 800 of the world’s top retailers gathered in Houston, Texas for the annual RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers of America) Tradeshow. With every... read more

8/5/2007 - The Plasencias - True Tobacco Men
As my plane pulled into the hangar in Managua, one of Nicaraguan's most enterprising cities, a familiar excitement filled the air. In just a few short... read more

5/14/2007 - The Unofficial Cigar Season
Ladies and gentleman, start your humidors. The unofficial cigar season is upon us, and after a cold winter we have been longing for warm weather and a... read more

5/7/2007 - Visiting Tabadom - Cusano Cigars
I readied myself for a trip to a cigar factory I had been dreaming about since I was fourteen years old, Tabadom (Tobaccos Dominicanos). Tabadom is th... read more

4/18/2007 - Coming Soon: CigarFest
It’s that time of year again; the grass is getting longer, trees are growing leaves, and the flowers have begun to bloom. Yes, spring has finall... read more

3/27/2007 - Orange Bowl Could Be Scene for Post
Lately, there has been some controversy regarding Fidel Castro. Gee, no surprise therem, eh? As most of you already know, Castro has not been an &lsqu... read more

3/26/2007 - Rocky Patel - A Man on the Move
The cigar industry is not a place for the faint of heart. Manufacturers work incredibly hard to not only create a successful, well blended brand but t... read more

3/13/2007 - To Cello or Not to Cello?
You recently purchased a plethora of cigars and then rushed home to put your new smokes in the humidor.  Now the age-old question: do you or do y... read more

3/12/2007 - Pepin Garcia - A Living Legend
The tobacco industry is bubbling over with hundreds of cigar makers and manufacturers. Some are extremely well known, thanks to countless hours spent ... read more

3/12/2007 - C.A.O. is sold, but at what cost?
Recently, there have been some very important historic changes taking place in the cigar industry. One notable change involves C.A.O. International In... read more

2/16/2007 - Wrapper Selection by Seed
Finding the perfect cigar can be a lengthy process. Cigar Aficionados are always working to identify new qualities they find appealing in their everyd... read more

2/10/2007 - The Cigar Industry: Growing Strong
The past few years has seen an onslaught of new laws and regulations either banning smoking or taxing cigar smoking. At least twenty-two states have i... read more

2/7/2007 - Is It legal to buy Cuban cigars?
Only Cuban cigars or cigars made with Cuban tobacco that were imported into the United States prior to trade embargo that went into effect on July 8, ... read more

1/22/2007 - Ybor City: The Original Little Hav
Florida is known for its sunny beaches, beautiful weather, amusement parks, retirees, Everglades, and of course, "hanging chads." However, ... read more

1/5/2007 - Danli - Honduran Cigar Capital
Danli is Honduras’ cigar capitol. Most of the countries finest cigar manufacturers are located in and around the city. Company’s such as T... read more

12/23/2006 - Industry Gains Strength
Despite all of the anti-smoking legislation sweeping across the nation, the cigar industry is stronger than ever. The demand for cigars has been slow... read more

12/19/2006 - Importance of Wrappers
The wrapper is the most integral part of a cigar. The wrapper adds the majority of flavor in a blend, and can be considered the crowning glory of a ci... read more

12/13/2006 - Cuban Cigars
It’s natural for any cigar smoker to want to try Cuban cigars. They are the epitome of excellence in the cigar world, and have become mystified due t... read more

12/7/2006 - Santiago
The Dominican Republic has quickly become one of the largest exports of Premium cigars to the United States market. The cigars that are produced on t... read more

11/30/2006 - Cigar Books
When someone finds a hobby they enjoy it can easily become an obsession. As cigar collections and humidors start to pile up, we learn more and more a... read more

11/26/2006 - Las Vegas - Where are you going?
It’s hard to believe that about fifty years ago Las Vegas roads were still made out of dirt - the good ‘ol days that nicknamed the city “sin city.” T... read more

11/20/2006 - 06 Panel - Anniversary Cigars
The Las Vegas Big Smoke 2006 kicked off on a Friday night with a bang suitable for any Vegas party. Many cigar enthusiasts pulled themselves out of b... read more

11/18/2006 - Unusual Tobacco Leaves
The Unusual Tobacco Leaves panel consisted of Jose Blanco of La Aurora, Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley, Tim Ozgener of CAO International, and Charlie Tora... read more

11/16/2006 - Cigar Art and Charity
The cigar maker has long been an artisan, much like a painter, sculptor, musician, or chef. At first, to many of you, the comparison may seem absurd.... read more

11/15/2006 - Alec Bradley's Master Blenders
At the 2006 Las Vegas Big Smoke, Alan Rubin (of Alec Bradley Cigars) was speaking on the Unusual Tobacco Leaves panel with Tim Ozgener, Jose ... read more

11/12/2006 - Las Vegas Big Smoke - 2006
The crowd stood in line like they were waiting for a rock concert. As big as the Venetian is, you could easily find your way through its labyrinth li... read more

11/9/2006 - Dominican Tobacco
Dominican tobacco had developed a reputation over the years for having mild, subtle tobaccos, and or being a country that can’t yield quality wr... read more

11/6/2006 - Rising Stars - Vegas Big Smoke 06
At the 2006 Las Vegas Big Smoke the highlights of the weekend may not have been the actual big Smoke event itself – but rather weekend panels that too... read more

11/3/2006 - Samplers and Clubs
Believe it or not, buying cigar lovers a gift is easier than you may think. Whether you know what your cigar lover likes or not, samplers and cigar c... read more

10/12/2006 - God of Fire 2006 - Bel Air CA
This year the 2006 God of Fire dinner was held at the luxurious Hotel Bel Air in Bel Air, California. This year was a special event commemorating the... read more

10/11/2006 - The New Face of Oliva
Oliva has become one of the cigar industries top cigar manufacturers. We all know who they are and have probably smoked some of their cigars. Chance... read more

9/20/2006 - Musky Fishing
Early fall in the Midwest has meant one thing since I was a small child, musky fishing. Musky fishing isn’t like any other fishing. The locals c... read more

8/31/2006 - Limited Edition Cigars
Cigars come in many shapes, sizes, brands and editions. Within each brand there are certain cigars that can stand out over others. Sometimes it is a... read more

8/18/2006 - Pairing Cigars with Ashton
As cigar enthusiasts we love really love cigars, and nothing is better than a good cigar with a nice pairing. Whether it’s scotch, beer, port, coffee... read more

8/4/2006 - CAO Party Like a Rock Star 2006
This years CAO party, "Party Like a Rock Star" at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was nothing less than one of the biggest and most anticipat... read more

7/26/2006 - The Future of Cigars
Due to the political conditions of Cuba, only one kind of cigar is currently made on the island, Cuban puros. As cigar enthusiasts wait for the day t... read more

7/23/2006 - Cusano - Tabadom Factory Trip 06
Late June, 2006, I readied myself for a trip to a cigar factory I had been dreaming about since I was fourteen years old, Tabadom. Packed nearly a wee... read more

7/20/2006 - RTDA 2006 - Las Vegas
The 2006 RTDA in Las Vegas was scorching. Not only because of the extreme desert heat, but the events, venue, and, as usual, lots of excellent cigars.... read more

7/10/2006 - La Aurora - Santiago, Dominican Rep
Set in the heart of Santiago, La Aurora is one of the Dominican Republic's oldest cigar manufacturers and are producing some of the most intriguing ci... read more

6/28/2006 - A Dark Continent: Cameroon Leaf
Ramón Cifuentes, Carlos Fuente Sr., and Stanford Newman were some of the most recognizable names in the cigar world during the 20th century – all of w... read more

6/21/2006 - CigarBQ 2006 - Sonoma County CA
Held at Saralee’s Vinyard, Sonoma County, California, the 2006 Cigar BQ was another success. For $150 you may think the price of admission is a ... read more

6/15/2006 - Organic Farming
The term Organic has referred to a string of products more familiar with health foods and grocery stores. Today, organic products stretch beyond the ... read more

6/7/2006 - RTDA 2006 Preview - Las Vegas
The RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers of America) is right around the corner. This year it is being held in one of America's favorite cities, Las Vegas. ... read more

5/24/2006 - Honduras May '06 - Rocky Patel Cigars
Landing into Tegucigalpa isn’t one of the most soothing experiences you’ll have in life. Only the most experienced pilots are allowed to l... read more

5/11/2006 - Chicago Big Smoke 2006
Another big turn out at this year's Chicago Big Smoke with over 2000 guests that piled into the Hyatt O’hare’s ball room like water f... read more

5/9/2006 - Cigar Fest 06
Cigar Fest 06, put on by Cigars International, was the first opportunity Cigaradvocate.org had to make a public appearance. Fresh off of the first dev... read more

4/17/2006 - Good Use for Cheap Things
Xikar, Dupont, Porsche, Prometheus, Cohiba, all of these names are exact antonyms for what the title of this article implies. But there is a time and... read more

3/26/2006 - Chicago - Still Smoking
Chicago is undoubtedly one of the country's last great cigar cities. It is of the same caliber as New Orleans and Las Vegas, each offering a unique sm... read more

3/22/2006 - Buying Gifts for the Cigar Enthusiast
The most important thing to remember about buying or receiving cigars as a gift is that it is the gesture that counts. A perfect example is when I ha... read more

3/21/2006 - Notes of a Cigar Junkie
Cigar smoking has evolved from a hobby into a world wide culture. Knowledge, behaviors, and even mode of thought have been handed down from one cigar... read more

3/18/2006 - Moving Cigars Across Country
Once in a while a cigar smoker is faced with certain complications. Whether it is smoking bans, or tobacco beetles among many others one not so common... read more

3/15/2006 - Dear Anti-Smoking Activists
Dear Anti-Smoking Activists,

Smoking bans are a great thing for the non-smoker. But this propaganda for anti-tobacco has the country closing ... read more

3/10/2006 - Texas Holdem and Cigars
Texas Holdem has spread across the nation like an epidemic spreading the fever into millions of homes. With dreams of ending up on the World Poker To... read more

3/1/2006 - The Fine Life At 12,000 Feet
Skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports are a passion for many, just like cigars. Just as Cuba is home to some of the worlds most coveted tobacco,... read more

2/21/2006 - The Nature of Maduro
Before reading through this, stop for a moment and think about what you consider a maduro wrapper. The word maduro literally means mature or to ripen... read more

1/23/2006 - Wrapper Tobacco Part III - Connecticut
Connecticut’s roots in tobacco are as deep as any other growing region today. Perhaps the geography isn’t as extraordinary as Cameroon or Sumatra, but... read more

1/18/2006 - Wrapper Tobacco Part II - Sumatra
During the 19th century, Sumatra was known for having some of the richest wrapper tobacco flavor available. It is also one of the oldest tobacco prod... read more

1/12/2006 - Cigars in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Jamaica’s Ocho Rios is like most island retreats, the shore lines and towns neighboring large resorts are riddled with street hustlers and two dollar ... read more

1/9/2006 - Wrapper Tobacco Part I - Cameroon
Cameroon tobacco is almost always used for wrappers. It has a very distinct flavor that is sweet with smooth characteristics. It is often veiny and ro... read more

11/27/2005 - RTDA - 2005
The 2005 RTDA was held at the Convention Center in New Orleans; not a typical August tourist destination due to high humidity, extreme heat and n... read more

11/26/2005 - Chicago Big Smoke - 2005
The air was thick and hazy with the smoke pouring from hundreds of cigars. It was a small piece of cigar heaven coming down casting its hand over our... read more

11/25/2005 - Trip to Camp Camacho
A two and a half hour car ride from the rustic, old world airport gave me a chance to see a good portion of South-Eastern Honduras, through Danli and ... read more

11/24/2005 - Cigar Etiquette
Cigar smoking is an ultimate experience when it is enjoyed to the exact preference of any smoker. Whether someone only smokes rare and expensive stic... read more

11/21/2005 - Counterfeit Cigars
When I think of the counterfeit cigar industry, I am always reminded of something someone once said to me “A cigar is just a cigar, there can&rs... read more

11/20/2005 - Boutique Cigars
When someone walks into a butcher shop there is a sole purpose, to obtain the highest quality cuts available. It’s much easier and more convenie... read more

11/16/2005 - US Customs and Border Protection
As soon as people find out what I do for a living, it’s amazing how the first thing they say to me is “Once when I was on a cruise I had s... read more