Cigar & Lifestyle Interests for the Discerning Smoker
How to Revive a Dried-Out Cigar
There are few disappointments quite like reaching for a favorite cigar, only to find it dry, cracked, and lifeless. Whether it’s a forgotten stick from the back of the humidor or one you left in your jacket pocket after a night out, a dried-out cigar doesn’t have to...
How to Revive a Dried-Out Cigar
There are few disappointments quite like reaching for a favorite cigar, only to find it dry, cracked, and lifeless. Whether it’s a forgotten stick from the back of the humidor or one you left in your jacket pocket after a night out, a dried-out cigar doesn’t have to be a lost cause. With a little patience, the right environment, and some understanding of tobacco’s natural properties, you can often bring that cigar back to life. Understanding What Happens When a Cigar Dries Out A cigar is, at its core, a carefully balanced organic product. It’s made of fermented and aged tobacco leaves that have been rolled and conditioned to hold a specific moisture content, typically around 12–14%. This...
The Rise of Boutique Cigar Brands in the Post-Cuban Era
For more than a century, the world of premium cigars has revolved around one mythic name - Cuba. The island’s fertile soil, perfect humidity, and storied factories became synonymous with quality, mystique, and craftsmanship. But as history and politics reshaped the global tobacco trade, a quiet revolution began taking place. From the hills of Nicaragua to the valleys of the Dominican Republic and the volcanic soils of Honduras, new brands - small, independent, fiercely passionate - began challenging the old guard. These are the boutique cigar makers, and in the post-Cuban era, they’re not just filling the void, they’re defining the future of the smoke. FTC Disclosure: This article may...
The Truth About Humidity: What 65%, 69%, and 72% Really Mean
Step into any cigar lounge or scroll through any cigar forum, and sooner or later, the topic of humidity comes up. It’s usually followed by a flurry of opinions that sound more like gospel than guidance: “Keep it at 65% or you’ll drown your cigars!” or “69% is the sweet spot - trust me.” Then there’s the die-hard traditionalist who swears by 72% and a cedar humidor that smells like Havana in July. So what’s the truth? Why do some cigars smoke better at 65%, while others demand that extra bit of moisture? To answer that, we have to go beyond the numbers, and understand what humidity really means for your cigars. FTC Disclosure: Cigar Informer is a reader-supported publication. Some articles...
Why the Cigar Lounge Is the Last True Social Club
There was a time, not so long ago, when men and women gathered in true fellowship. Not on screens, not through swipes, but face to face, with laughter, debate, and the aroma of tobacco in the air. From the corner tavern to the country club, the art of in-person conversation once held court. Today, that court has mostly crumbled. We’ve traded mahogany bars for glowing rectangles and handshakes for emojis. Yet, amid the noise and speed of modern life, one place still stands as a bastion of real connection: the cigar lounge. To the uninitiated, the cigar lounge might seem like just another indulgence - a dimly lit retreat where smoke curls lazily toward the ceiling while a group of...
Cigar Reviews
Cigar Review – CAO Columbia
This is a good middle of the road, second shelf cigar, it’s not top shelf or something that I would classify as a celebration cigar, but if you want something with good flavor, a mild to medium body and affordable then this would be a good cigar to consider. I think if the cigar didn’t have the burn issues it had that it would have been a more enjoyable experience, and based on the ashing issues, it would be suited for an outdoor activity like the golf course or fishing.
Cigar Review: Ortega Serie D Habano
I would classify this as a second shelf cigar, this isn’t a world class cigar you want to save for a special occasion, but it isn’t exactly an everyday smoke you would want to waste on mowing the grass either. This is a cigar that is best enjoyed after a good dinner, as the power of the cigar does ramp up pretty high and the nicotine hit it provides in conjunction with the intense flavor could be a little much for a middle of the day cigar or a smoke on an empty stomach. Overall, this is a nice cigar to have in the humidor and one that deserves a place in any smoker’s lineup, even if its not on regular rotation.
Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Edge A-10 The Sixty
I would classify this cigar as a top shelf smoke, this is a cigar you want in your humidor for those times when you want to sit back and relax with a nice drink and be able to pay proper attention to the flavors of the cigar you are smoking. I enjoyed this cigar so much that I put through an order before writing up this review so I can get more in the humidor. This cigar is a pleasure to smoke, a pleasure to be around when smoked and gets our recommendation for being added to anyone’s lineup.
Cigar Review: Eiroa The First 20 Years
This is a cigar that we would classify as a top shelf smoke, and is something you want to keep around for when a good smoke is desired that not only tastes and smokes great, but is a pleasure to be in company of as well. While the price point of the stick might turn some smokers in the opposite direction, we would encourage you to give these Eiroa cigars a try. Fully impressed with this offering, we can tell that the makers of this cigar have a history in the business.
Cigar Review: Petrus Oscuro Gordo
This is one of those cigars that you throw in the humidor for when you have buddies over that don’t know a good smoke from a horrible smoke – it looks great, smells great and to a less experienced smoker it might even taste great to them. Now don’t get me wrong, the flavors in the cigar were good, however they didn’t mix well, didn’t transition well. This might be a good smoke for those days your running the mower and don’t really care what you’re smoking, because its definitely better than a gas station cigar, but just not one that I would keep in my rotation.
Review: Rocky Patel Dark Dominion
I would put this a second shelf cigar – while the appearance and construction of the cigar meet the standards I would expect from a Rocky Patel the overall flavor and body of the cigar don’t match my expectations of a Maduro. Don’t get me wrong, the cigar is a pleasurable smoke and I enjoyed smoking it – it’s not something I would classify as a celebration or special occasion cigar, nor would I put it as a low as an everyday smoker. If you are looking for a medium bodied cigar that has a tendency towards spice, then this is right for you. I’m anxious to see what some time in the humidor will do to this particular stick because I think it has more potential given the time to rest and age properly. In the end, you can’t go wrong adding a box of these to your humidor for the occasional smoke.
Review: Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2012
This is a complex cigar that requires the time to sit back and relax with in order to appreciate the flavors which are produced. If you’re looking for a run of the mill cigar than this isn’t it, but if you are looking for a relaxing smoke and want to experience a diverse flavor profile than this would fit the bill. My biggest concerns about this particular cigar were the construction and burn issues, which are in my experience uncommon with Rocky Patel. I wouldn’t rate this as RP’s best, and it is nowhere near the quality of a Vintage ’90 or Vintage ’92, for this reason I would put it as a second shelf cigar.
Review: Oliva Hellion Habano
I would rate this cigar as a second shelf cigar – not Oliva’s best and certainly nowhere near a Serie V, but for a cigar store exclusive, this cigar was blended and rolled quite well. The flavor profile and strength of the cigar make me think that it would be paired well with a bourbon or whiskey on a nice afternoon. If you are looking for a full flavor stick, this won’t quite wet your appetite, however if you’re looking for a relaxing smoke with a medium body than this cigar fits the bill. Overall, this is a cigar that I would keep in my rotation and I look forward to seeing how much this cigar can improve with a little more time to rest in the humidor.
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