Tobacco Haven- Worth the Drive

I make a good deal of my cigar purchases online, however I take a chance each time I make an internet purchase due to the fact that I cannot examine the product before buying.  This is a luxury offered by the  B&M shops, and there is a great shop located in Brookline, New Hampshire, Tobacco Haven. 

Tobacco Haven is a modern store front with old world cigar shop class and charm.  Nearly every tobacco need can be met by the large inventory that the shop carries.  The front of the shop offers numerous humidors in all shapes and sizes, a great selection of lighters, ashtrays, pipes and other implements of the hobby, and an impressive collection of machine rolled cigars and pipe tobaccos.

The back of the shop contains a smoking room complete with leather  couches and chairs, a large poker table, and a nice television for the patrons viewing pleasure.  Right along side this great relaxation space is one of the largest walk-in humidors I have visited.  Inside is nearly every selection of cigars one could ask for.  All of the major names are represented, in singles and in box form, and the shop even boasts a section devoted to budget friendly bundles of lesser known hand rolled productions.

The shop is smoke friendly, allowing patrons to enjoy their purchase in complete comfort.  The staff is highly knowledgeable about the products that are offered, and are willing to stop and chat about the  products at length with any patron.  The prices are surprisingly reasonable given it is a B&M, and I was able to find some sticks that had been eluding me at that point, at a price point that may not be quite as inexpensive as an online purchase but is as close as one can get from a traditional retail site.

If you find yourself in the area, stop in and have a cigar.  You will not be disappointed.

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Obelisco

The team at La Gloria Cubana has produced a great new series of cigars in the Artesanos, and thanks to my Tobacconist Cullen Burke at Vigilant Smoke Shop in Julio's Liquors, Westborough, Massachusetts, I am able  to review their newest release in the Obelisco.

Size: 5 x 57, taper to 44
Shape: Obelisk
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan
Binder: Connecticut Broad leaf
Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $9 retail

The cigar is one of the more interesting I have smoke in regards to shape.  The obelisk shape is an homage  to the Monument to Heroes of the Restoration in Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic, and the cigar is a 57 ring at the foot tapering to a 44 ring at the cap.  To add to the tapered roll, the cigar is also a box press, which gives it even more character.  The pre-light inspection reveals a good wrapper with nice veins, and a consistent feel along the entire length.

Cutting the cap is quick given the small ring gauge, and the foot toasts quickly with my torch.  The draw is smooth with only a little resistance, and the initial flavors are of leather, toasted nut, and a hit of mint that was unexpected.  The first 3rd of the cigar settles quickly into the leather and nut with the mint disappearing, and a distinct stream of cinnamon appears remaining through the entire smoke.  The small ring gauge at the head directs a tight stream of smoke to the pallet, which keeps the strength of the cigar bouncing between medium and full. 

The second 3rd opens up the dominant flavors of the first 3rd, but with additions to the complexity of cocoa and a sweetness on the finish of maple syrup.  The burn is crisp and straight requiring no touch ups or relights, and the cigar produces good amounts of smoke and a very tight ash that needed to be coerced of the cigar at the end of the second 3rd.  As the  final 3rd is entered, the strength builds toward the full range, and the cinnamon begins to build on the tip of the tongue.  The complexity continues through to the end, leaving a strong finish on the pallet.

This is a good cigar for the winter months, taking under an hour from start to finish.  Due to the higher strength of this cigar I would not recommend this to a new smoker, but is more fitting for the seasoned smoker.

La Gloria Cubana Serie N

I have heard a bit of buzz that this new addition to the La Gloria Cubana family existed, but I have not been able to find any around.  My luck was with me last weekend, and I was able to pick one up.

Size: 5.5 x 54
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $6.25 retail

The first highlight of this cigar is the construction.  A nearly black wrapper with a good amount of veins and no imperfections is tapped in the center of the stick with an "N", which is cut from a natural leaf and stuck on the cigar.  When I first started seeing pictures of  this stick around, I was concerned that the stick may be dyed to the deep blackness, but that appears not to be the case.

A clean cut of the cap, and a toasting of the foot get the cigar off to a good start.  The aroma is earthy and pleasant, inviting you to sit and start to draw.  The first draw is easy and stays smooth through to the end.  The first 3rd displays flavors of leather and wood, with a creamy molasses streaming through.  The flavors begin to develop more as the second 3rd is transitioned.  Notes of dark roast coffee appear, and are complimented by touches of mocha and a floral sweetness on the  finish.  As the second 3rd gives way to the final 3rd, these flavors erupt into an orchestrated symphony of enjoyment.  The strength of the cigar builds a bit more at this point adding to the full complexity of the cigar. 

The Serie N ends wonderfully leaving me wishing I had purchased a few more sticks.  The cigar did not require any relights, however I did need to touch it up a few times to bring the burn back in line.  This requirement was a small price to pay for such a wonderful smoke.

Oliva Serie V Torpedo

 Last weekend I wanted to pick up a torpedo, as I have not smoked many of these shaped cigars.  My choice was the Oliva Serie V.

Size: 6 x 56
Shape: Torpedo
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Sun Grown

Filler: Nicaragua Jalapa Valley Ligero

Binder: Nicaragua

Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $6.25 retail


This is a beautiful cigar.  It has a nice sheen to the wrapper, and has no noticeable imperfections.  The cigar takes a sharp cut, and the foot toasts evenly and quickly with little effort.  At this point, I take the first draw, and notice that it is very tight.  This appears as though it is going to be a difficult smoke.  There are no overly hard spots on the cigar, which leads me to believe that it is just very tightly rolled rather than plugged.  Even with the tight draw, the cigar produces large amounts of smoke and a tight gray ash.


The first 3rd of the smoke is a blend of developing flavors.  Coffee and leather dominate, with a creamy sweetness on the edge.  There is no pepper noticed in the smoke at all, a trait that carries through the entire stick.  These flavors build further in the second 3rd, developing some additional flavors of chocolate, and a bit of peat on the finish.  The cigar through the second 3rd is a solid medium strength, and the flavors are full.

The final 3rd goes nicely, with the flavors remaining consistent from the second 3rd.  My initial thought was that the cigar would take about and hour to smoke, but to my surprise the end did not arrive until a full 90 minutes had been completed.  The burn on the cigar is razor sharp throughout requiring no touch ups.  The cigar produces a fragrant aroma, adding nicely to the entire experience.  The cigar feels great in your hand from beginning to end, having a good heft to it.  This is a nice cigar that can be found at a reasonable price point in any B&M.

Macanudo Cru Royale- The New Macanudo

Macanudo has recently launched a new cigar, the Cru Royal, that appears to be a move in the right direction for the cigar line.

Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuador
Filler:  Brazil, Domincan Republic, Nicaragua
Binder: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Price: $5.60 online

My choice of test cigars is the robusto sized cigar.  The pre-light inspection shows some variation in the coloring of the wrapper, but with out any imperfections and with a good firmness to the stick.  The cap takes a clean cut and the toast takes a good coal quickly.

The first draw on the stick is a blast of pepper with some wood undertones.  This powerful pepper flavor stays through the initial 3rd as the dominant flavor, at times threatening to be a bit overpowering.  As the stick transitions from the first 3rd to the second 3rd, this powerful pepper diminishes to an afterthought, and a blend of creamy wood and leather begins to prevail.  Moving further through the second 3rd, some notes of chocolate appear, and a bit of toasted nut hit on the fringes of the pallet.

Noted at this point is that the burn starts to move a bit off track, requiring a touch up from my torch to bring it back in line.  The burn begins to become a problem from the second 3rd until the very end, and adds a bit of frustration to the enjoyment of the cigar.  Since I am enjoying this smoke at the Macanudo Cru Royal launch party, I query the other smokers and the tobacconists about this burn problem.  It would seem that the problem exists only with the robusto and toro sizes, and it is quickly attributed to the cigars arriving late for the launch party giving them a less than ideal rest time from shipping.  The lonsdale and gigante sizes did not have the same problem.

The second 3rd transitions to the final 3rd smoothly, and with very little change in the flavor profile retaining a nice complexity.  The pepper remains on the edges of the smoke, and the earth tones remain dominant with the threads of sweetness.  The cigar has an easy draw which produces beautiful clouds of creamy white smoke and a tight gray ash.  The final tally reveals the Cru Royal to be a great break from the norm for Macanudo.  It is a solid medium strength cigar that hits a reasonable price point for the average smoker.

VUDU Cigars- Dark Secret Revealed

In my search online for a cigar that is new and relatively unknown I came across the dark art of Voodoo- or as Rocky Patel's Tabacalera Villa Cuba, S.A. calls it "VUDU".

Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Mexican Maduro
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium to Full
Price: $5.00 online

Using a dark Mexican Maduro wrapper and Nicaraguan filler and binder, Amilcar P. Castro has designed a beautiful cigar brimming with flavor. The pre-light inspection of the VUDU reveals a nice maduro wrapper with only a few noticeable veins and no flaws. The cap takes a clean cut, and the toasting of the foot releases an inviting aroma. The first few draws deliver an earthy base with streams of peppery spice and sweetness that blend smoothly on the pallet.

The second 3rd of the cigar develops these flavors more. The cigar burns nicely through, producing huge clouds of gray smoke. The strength sits at a medium- to full-body, and the cigar produces a nice ash that drops easily on demand. Moving into the final 3rd of the cigar the complexity of the flavored begins to build. Still with the dominant earthy flavor and the threads of spice and sweetness that have been present from the  begining, the cigar begins to add a smoked almond tone and a rich, deep coffee flavor that lingers on the pallet. The conclusion of the cigar adds some faint tastes of coco to the mix, leaving me fully satisfied and pleased with the purchase.

The VUDU is a great cigar that sits nicely in the $5 range, making this an affordable smoke to stock in any humidor.

CAO Gold

After the full strength of the CAO Gol!, I was ready for something a little more tame to smoke.  The next cigar I tried from a recent sampler purchase is another high quality stick from CAO, the CAO Gold.

Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuador, Connecticut Shade
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Mild to Medium
Price: $5.00 online

A blend of Nicaraguan filler and binder, and an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, the gold is a presentation of the milder side of CAO.  The construction of the cigar is nice, with a reasonable amount of veins present and no noticeable defects.  The cigar is firm, but gives a little when pressed springing quickly back into shape.  The natural wrapper has good color and a light sheen inviting the smoker to enjoy.

The cap takes a smooth cut and the  foot toasts quickly and evenly.  The initial draw is light, with a thread of sweetness on the pallet.  As the cigar develops the wood notes become stronger, and the sweetness builds into a caramelized vanilla flavor.  Through the second 3rd the strength remains mild and the flavors full, and there is large amounts of the smooth  gray smoke.  Nut flavors begin to arrive at this point, mixing with the creamy sweetness and the wood into a nice complexity.

The final 3rd provides consistancy with the progression of the smoke.  The  cigar remains mild to medium in strength through to the final draw, and the flavors are full on the pallet.  The draw is easy, and the smoke smooth with a great burn throughout requiring no touch ups.

The CAO Gold is a mild to medium strength cigar with great flavors.  And at around $5 a stick, it is as easy on the wallet as on the pallet.

CAO Gol!

Size: 5 x 56
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
Price: $6.80 online

This week I purchased some nice cigars produced by CAO.  The first stick in the of the group that I enjoyed is the Brazilian Gol!.

The stick has a wonderful sheen emanating from the dark maduro wrapper.  There are a few veins on the cigar adding to the it's beauty, and after cutting the cap the quality of the construction remains true.  The prelight draw is silky smooth, and delivers flavors of wood, leather, and nut.   The foot toasts quickly and evenly, and the first draw delivers a pleasant smoke laced with peppery spice.  The spice remains one of the dominant flavors for the first few draws, lending some strength to the mild flavors at the start.  As the first 3rd nears completion, the spice fades to the background and a more powerful smoke quickly develops moving it well into the full flavor realm.  I come quickly to the realization that this is one of the strongest cigars I have ever smoked.

Moving through the second 3rd the complexity of the flavors begin to build.  Heavy wood and leather flavors are accented by a mild mocha note and the beginning of some coffee on the outer edge.  These strong flavors and deep complexity develop further during the final 3rd, but with a substantial increase in the coffee to that of a dark roast.  The spice continues its presence on the pallet, and deep toasted malt builds in to the blend.  As the end of the cigar nears I become fully aware of the definition of a full strength maduro cigar.

Being that I am still fairly new to cigars, this one tested my will to the end.  It is a fabulous smoke on occasion if you frequent cigars, but it may not be a good choice for lighter smokers.  CAO makes some great cigars, and this full flavor maduro hits the quality standards dead center.

Romeo y Julieta Bully

Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Indonesian Natural
Filler:  Dominican Long
Binder: Dominican
Strength: Medium
Price: $4 online

I purchased a mixed 5-pack of cigars online, and one of the sticks in the set was a Romeo y Julieta Bully.  Aftger resting in my humidor for a few weeks, I have decided that this would be a good night to give the stick a try.

The pre-light inspection reveals a pleasant amount of veins in the wrapper, which also presents a nice natural tobacco color.  The stick gives a little when pressed, but is not overly spongy.  As I cut the cap to prepare the cigar, I am impressed with how clean the cut goes leaving a clean cap.  The cigar takes a nice coal when toasted, and releases a delicious aroma into the air.

The draw is smooth, producing nice clouds of smoke with each puff.  There is an initial spice in the smoke, but the dominant flavors of smooth tobacco quickly push the spice to the  background.  The cigar starts out mild, but working through the first 3rd into the second 3rd the smoke builds into a medium strength.  The flavors at this point are fairly simple, but as the second 3rd transitions into the final 3rd some sweeter notes develop, with a bit of creamy coffee and a touch of coffee on the finish.  As the cigar comes to an end, the stick begins to burn hot, requiring care in the last few draws to avoid a bite.

The burn remains sharp through the entire smoke, and no touch ups are needed.  The Romeo y Julieta Bully is a good daily smoke that will not break your budget. 

Vigilant Smoke Shop at Julio's Liquors

Ten times today I looked at an offer to purchase cigars online, and ten times I found myself side tracked to a work project that kept me from making the purchase.  At the end of the day I needed the instant gratification of a purchase, and pulled into Julio's Liquors, and more specifically the Vigilant Smoke Shop.

I have been spending some time in brick and mortar shops lately trying to identify good from bad, and by far Julio's Vigilant Smoke Shop is one of the good.  Located on Route 9 in Westborough, Massachusetts, Julio's Liquors is a full service beer, wine and liquor store with one of the best smoke shops in Metro West.  Inside the liquor store, and placed prominently at the front, Vigilant Smoke Shop boasts a great selection of cigars in their counter humidors, and has the bonus of a decent walk in humidor packed strategically with some of the best sticks available.  The prices for these cigars are far from unreasonable, and those prices are accompanied by a great tobacconist in Cullen Burke.

Upon approaching the counter I am greeted warmly by Cullen.  His simple question of "can I help you?" quickly flows into a great conversation about cigars, cigar accessories, and local shops that leaves me feeling absolute confidence in his skills as a tobacconists.  We discuss the true value of the Xikar travel humidor, with it's ability to preserve cigars for the short time one is away from home. We delved into the new technology in cigar humidification, discussing the DryMistat Tube and the Boveda humi packs.  He introduced to me the My Father Limited Edition Toro cigar in it's individual cedar box, and the special honor of this My Father being hand rolled by the master Jose Don Pepin Garcia himself.  And after admitting to Cullen my discomfort in the box pressed shape of cigars that have become so popular over the last few years, the adept tobacconists recommended a wonderful box pressed Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto that felt as comfortable in my hand as a traditional cylindrical cigar.

I purchased both the Alec Bradley Prensado ( my review of this splendid stick will be along shortly), and the My Father Limited Edition Toro (a gift that I will be giving as a Secret Santa on Ward B).  The cost of the purchase was more than I would have spent online, but had I made my purchase online I would not have discovered these great new cigars and I would have missed out on what makes the brick and mortar shops so valuable: the knowledge of a great tobacconist.  You can enjoy the same experience at the Vigilant Smoke Shop Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 10 PM, and on Sunday noon to 6 PM.

L.J. Paretti Company- Great Selection

Boston is a great city, where a person can find almost everything they may need.  For me, that extends to finding a good selection of cigars, and I found it at L.J. Paretti Company.

Located at 2 1/2 Park Square in Boston, the L.J. Paretti Company has been a part of the city for the last 140 years.  As you walk through the door, you feel all those years of history open up around you.  On nearly every wall is a humidor, and the store has two walk in humidors in the back for the storage of tobacco and cigars (sorry, not open to patrons).  Only one wall is not lined with a humidor, and that one contains an impressive display of pipes and smoking accessories for sale to the public.  Above the humidors on the  high walls are the decor from years of selling tobacco, tastefully displayed and lightly aged from years of tobacco exposure.

As I browse through the humidors, one thing becomes clear; the proprietors of this shop take very good care of their products.  Their is not a dry cigar in the shop, and I was even able to note some bloom on more than a few.  Bloom is the result the essential oils of the cigar rising to the surface, which often appear as tiny crystals making the cigar look dusty.  More advanced bloom gives the cigar an opaque white look.  This is not harmful to the cigar, but is an indication that the cigars have  been maintained at 70+ RH for a long period of time.

I have already decided on a Brick House Churchill and potentially a Hemingway, when one of the tobacconists asks me if he can help me out.  Deciding that this would be a good opportunity to try something new, I tell the tobacconist my cigar mood, and he recommends an Ashton VSG.  I pay for the Brick House and the Ashton, and the tobacconist asks me if I want it cut.  The answer of course is yes, and I remove the cello and toast the foot.  A master of his trade, he has chosen for me just what I wanted.

There are benches out front of the shop, but I decide to take one of the comfortable chairs inside.  There are ashtrays around within easy reach, and a few other patrons have decided to rest a bit with their own purchases.  Relaxing with my cigar, this is the first time I notice the light jazz music playing softly in the shop, a nice touch that adds beautifully to the afternoon in the city.

If you find yourself in Boston and are looking for a good selection of cigars, stop by L.J. Paretti Company.  They are open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and on Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.

Rocky Patel Edge Lite

It is a cool, overcast, fall afternoon in Massachusetts.  Kick-off of the Pats/Chargers game is about an hour away.  A good time to plug in the radio for a little pre-game banter, and of course some time for a cigar.  Today I have chosen the Rocky Patel Edge Lite Robusto.

As with most RP cigars, the pre-light inspection reveals quality.  The wrapper is natural, and glows with nice a nice sheen and very few noticeable veins.  The cigar is soft to the feel, but springs back when pressed.  The cut goes well, and the cigar takes a good coal from the toast.

The draw on the cigar is very smooth, with little effort needed to produce huge clouds of smoke.  The initial flavors are very light with some wood notes and a slight creamy smoothness attributed to the natural wrapper.  As the cigar burns through the first 3rd into the second 3rd, the burn remains sharp and a tight gray ash develops.  The flavors build a bit at this point, with strong wood and toasted nut dominating with a bit of a charcoal on the finish.

At the final 3rd of the cigar, the charcoal builds to be the dominant flavor; a bit unpleasent.  This can be mitigated a bit if you purge the cigar (to purge: blow out through the cigar to remove the standing smoke rather than continue to draw in), and after purging the cigar develops sweet threads in the wood and nut flavors making for a more complex pallet. 

Every RP cigar I have smoked needs to be drawn carefully during the final 3rd to avoid producing bitter flavors on both the flavor and finish, and this cigar is no different.  Having this knowledge has improved my experience with Rocky's cigars, and will help your experience as well.  As for this stick; a good smoke with strong flavors, and one I would recommend to both the amateur and aficionado.

Churchill's Lounge at David P. Ehrlich Co.- A Place to Relax

While wondering around Boston, MA on a warm fall afternoon, I decided that it would be nice to find a nice cigar bar for a little break.  Standing in Quincy Market, my choice was to visit Churchill's Lounge at David P. Ehrlich Co. at 40 North Street.

Upon entering the door, patrons find themselves facing a large walk-in humidor.  I checked the door, and it was locked.  Before I could even turn to ask for help, the proprietor, Barry Macdonald, was there with the key.  He unlocked the door with a smile and offered a hello, then returned to his place behind the bar.  I went in and viewed the selection, not entirely sure what I was looking for.  The selection was not the largest I had seen, but after browsing through and assessing the inventory I found it to be of high quality with selections for nearly every smoker.

I picked out a cigar, and head to the bar to pay for the stick.  Greeted with a smile, Barry process my purchase quickly.  He tells me that Churchill's has been in business for about 11 years, and judging by the look of the establishment it has been a successful 11 years.  A comfortable half-moon bar with tall high back stools is the start of the location.  The room then opens up and is filled with an array of comfortable leather furniture, and inviting cafe tables.  In the back is a set of humidor lockers, though shamefully I admit I did not get around to inquiring about rental.

I did not get to stay long, as I was in town for a training and only had an hour for lunch.  If you find yourself in town, and looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy a beer and a cigar, stop down to Churchill's Lounge- you will not be disappointed.  They are open from 9 AM to midnight on Monday and Tuesday, 9 AM to 1 AM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 AM to 1 AM on Saturday, and noon to midnight on Sunday.

Davidoff Special "R"

One of the most important aspects of any cigar is the quality of the construction.  Manufacturers that miss this important step can leave the customer frustrated when the stick unravels and loses the edge.  Davidoff proves proves that they are above all a producer of quality in the focus on construction.

The Davidoff Special "R" is a beautiful cigar.  The Connecticut wrapper is bright and inviting, and the simple white band sets off the color wonderfully.  The stick cuts perfectly with no evidence of shredding.  The foot toasts smoothly taking a solid coal very quickly.  The draw is smooth, and the edge remains razor sharp from begging to end.

The cigar is mild to medium in strength, and displays notes of wood throughout the smoke.  As I move into the second 3rd of the smoke, the ash is tight and uniform in color, again a solid statement on the quality of Davidoff's construction.  The smoke starts to develop hints of sweetness on the fringes of the pallet, a trait that I enjoy in many cigars but one that fails to fully develop in the Special "R".  This finish on the smoke is still quite strong in wood flavors, remaining at this one dimension through to the end of the smoke.

The superb construction of this cigar, matched with the mild strength and low complexity make this cigar a great choice for those who smoke infrequently.  It is also a fitting choice for anytime a seasoned aficionado is seeking something a bit more simple but still of high quality.

Fonseca Cubano Limitado Belicoso Corto

Sometimes when you walk into a cigar shop, you look around at all there is to offer, and you take a chance. I found myself in such a position this week, and I quickly grabbed a Fonseca Cubano Limitado Belicoso Corto.

The cigar is Cuban seed, from the Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers to the Honduran wrapper. This is not to say it is a Cuban cigar, but it does provide a set of flavors that I have not yet experienced in a cigar. Toasting the foot goes quickly, and the draw is smooth and easy, producing nice clouds of smoke. The initial flavors are light leather with a strong hit of spice. The spice fades out quickly, long before the first 3rd is finished, and what is left is a building leather on the pallet with a faint sweetness on the edges of the finish.

The smoke produces a nice tight ash that holds on through the first half of the cigar, with only a second ash occurring during the smoke. As I move from the second 3rd into the final 3rd, the flavors begin to intensify with the smoke moving from a medium strength into something much more full. The stick finishes out nicely, having provided a very enjoyable hour.

The Fonseca Cubano Limitado is an attractive stick providing a smooth smoke, without any hint of harshness at all. A definite must smoke for any enthusiast.

Let's Talk About Cigar Size

I was asked the question a few weeks ago on Ward B at Cigar World "what size cigar do you prefer?" A valid question, but before I could truly answer the question I had to figure out what cigar sizes existed.

Surprisingly there are many different cigar sizes. First, the basics: A cigar is measured by the length, often in inches, and by the ring gauge which is a measurement of how many 64ths of an inch the cigar measures in it's diameter. For example, the Punch Gran Cru is a 5 1/4 x 50, meaning it is 5 1/4 inches long and 50/64 inches in diameter.

Roughly, cigar sizes range as follows:

-Half Corona: 4 1/4 x 42
-Rothschild: 4 1/2 x 50
-Robusto: 5 x 50
-Corona: 5 1/2 x 42
-Toro: 6 x 50
-Torpedo: 6 1/4 x 52
-Lonsdale: 6 1/2 x 44
-Churchill: 7 x 48
-Double Corona: 7 1/2 x 54
-President: 8 1/2 x 52

Please remember that this list is very basic and not all inclusive. There are numerous custom sizes for individual cigar producers, and there is also some variance around the measurements listed above (for example, a Brick House Churchill measures 7 1/4 x 50, and a Rocky Patel 1990 Vintage Churchill measures 7 x 48, while a Padron Maduro Churchill comes in at 6 x 46). One must remember that this is the Cigar Amateur, and therefore we are only aiming to approach proficiency, not to define the complete boundaries of the cigar world.

As you venture through the numerous offerings of the cigar world, try different sizes to find what you like. Understand the time needed for each individual size, and allow yourself that time to enjoy the smoke. If you do not, it is not fair to you or the stick.

Punch Gran Cru Natural- Complex and Mellow

I was able to purchase 4 pounds of London Broil today for $6, which really has nothing to do with this post except that it seemed a great reason to reward myself with a cigar. My choice of the day is the Punch Gran Cru Natural Robusto.

Punch cigars, often known for their full flavored sticks, has broken the mold a bit by producing the medium strength Gran Cru for our enjoyment. The cigar is a blend of Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan leaves with an Ecuadorian binder and a 3 - 5 year aged Connecticut wrapper. The stick measures 5 1/4 x 50, a great fit for the evening.

The cigar cuts well and takes a nice toast, but I begin the smoke on a down note in that the draw is quite tight. The pre-light inspection revealed some hard and soft spots, but I felt that I wanted to attempt to smoke the stick regardless. Most likely not the best choice, but I hate to throw a stick away.

With the hard draw aside, the cigar starts out slowly, with notes of wood and leather, a subtle stream of cinnamon, and wonderful cream and butter blend lingering in the finish. This mild complexity builds through the first 3rd and drives into the second 3rd, where happily the plug seems to have resided. Once this trouble spot clears itself, the cigar produces wonderful amounts of smoke, and a more relaxing approach takes hold as the easy draw settles me in.

The final 3rd of the smoke starts to burn a bit hot and provides a nasty bite, but with a bit of self control this is kept in check. The flavors remain smooth and mellow straight to the finish, providing a satisfactory ending. This is a medium strength cigar without question.

The plug issue is one I have encountered in the past, and can truly ruin the enjoyment of a cigar. Even with the plug, this cigar was quite enjoyable, and is worth trying again in the future.

Victory Cigar- Great Selection

It is Friday night and I am heading home after a long week at work when my wife calls and tells me that the traffic on 495 is at a stand still. Time to find another way home. I venture south on 126, picking up Route 20, and the traffic appears almost as bad on this route as well. I slowly plod down Route 20 when I notice on the side of the road in Sudbury, MA the sign for Victory Cigar. I decide that I have no other choice but to stop and pick up a little something nice to help me relax when I get home.

The nice little shop and bar has been under the current ownership of Gino Allia (and partners) for the past nine years. Upon approaching the site, the first thing that greets visitors is the wonderful smell of cigars, and a nice outdoor seating area. As you walk through the door, laid out in front of you are comfortable couches, and to the right there is a beautiful walk-in humidor. As I step in to browse the vast selection, one quickly notices that there is no one standing over your shoulder monitoring your progress. Patrons are free to browse, with the staff occasionally popping in to restock the shelves without being intrusive, yet offering advice upon request.

The layout is quite cozy, and very inviting. There are 4 plasma televisions located throughout the location, and a well stocked bar for you pairing pleasure. If you find yourself needing to work, the Wi-Fi is complimentary for the patrons. And you can smoke freely without the glaring looks of those who do not approve.

I select three cigars that are ready to smoke immediately. The prices are in line with most of the shops in the area, with the bonus of being able to smoke them in relative comfort inside (or out on a nice day). The staff quickly checks me out, even though they are just getting rolling for the night. My luck is with me, and there is a discount at the register as they are running a special on the cigars I have chosen.

A great experience at a great location.

Perdomo Lot 23- A Good Daily Smoke

Another great shipment arrived at my door last week, and I am excited to review each of the cigars in this new shipment. The first that I will be tackling is the Perdomo Lot 23 Robusto.

The Perdomo Lot 23 cigar came to me from a sampler purchase made at Famous Smoke Shop that contained a variety of 10 single cigars. The prelight inspection shows a cigar with good color, and a uniformed feel that is consistent through the entire stick. The natural wrapper and Nicaraguan filler hint at a great smoke, and the 5 X 50 Robusto size are becoming common in my humidor.

The cigar lights well, and the burn remains fairly sharp throughout the smoke. The flavors are a bit uncertain at the start, but are strong in spice and wood. This evens out quickly with the wood flavor becoming more dominant, the spice fading well to the background, and a delicious sweetness caressing the pallet. As the second 3rd is consumed, notes of leather begin to appear, and a buttery smoothness blends into the smoke. The final 3rd continues these blended flavors, with the creamy smoothness never relenting.

This is a great daily smoke, and a delightful choice at anytime of the day.

DryMistat Tube- Humidifying the Future

Proper humidity is a key component to preserving cigars. Many humidifiers are sponge like in construction, and can be charged simply using distilled water. But technology improves our lives, and it has not stopped at the humidor. Enter the DryMistat Tube.

Made by DryMistat, Inc, the DryMistat Tube is a patent pending technology that keeps your humidity level at a stable 70%. The system is made up first of crystal that have the capability of soaking up to 100 times there own weight in liquid. According to DryMistat, the charge lasts 4 to 12 weeks. During that time the crystals release moisture and shrink as they lose liquid, giving an excellent visual cue as to when they need a recharge. When you do recharge, they can be recharged with tap water.

Using tap water is generally avoided as the substance for recharging a humidifier, as it can contain minerals that can damage a cigar (distilled water is the base liquid of choice). This is the where the second part of the system comes into play. The tube is the delivery system for the water vapor, and is a special grade of space age clear plastic that has microscopic pores in the wall. These pores allow the water vapor through, but they do not allow water to seep out or the minerals in the water, making it safe to store your cigars directly in contact with the DryMistat Tube. Each DryMistat Tube will humidify approximately 30 to 50 cigars, depending on the environmental conditions of your local, the number of times you open and close your humidor in a day, etc.

I live in Massachusetts and have been using one DryMistat Tube in my 5-stick travel case, which I open about every other day. My cigars have been in perfect preservation when I pull them out for a smoke, and the fact that it is a tube helps it fit perfectly along side the cigars. There has been no damage to the cigars from the contact, which is in line with the specification given by DryMistat, Inc. I will be testing the product in my 40 to 50 count humidor next to see if it can handle the stated cigars.

There are many users of humidors out there that are settled on the traditional method of humidification for there cigars. For those that are looking for technology to aid them in the battle, the DryMistat Tube is just the thing. The company guarantees the product for a full year, a testament to the quality of the product.