PDR Cigars Cafe 1878 Dark Roast Toro Review

The Best Kept Secret of Tamboril

PDR Cigars (formerly known as Pinar Del Rio Cigars under Don Leoncio Cigars) is a boutique cigar manufacturer based out of Tamboril near Santiago in the Dominican Republic. For the last ten years, PDR has risen to prominence amongst cigar industrialists and aficionados for its consistently well-constructed brands, such as the A. Flores 1975 or the PDR 1878, as well as dozens of phenomenal contract cigars, such as Gurkha and La Palina. In 2013 and 2014, PDR won awards in the Robb Report and Cigar Aficionado for having some of the best cigars in the world. Despite being a smaller manufacturer in the world of Dominican giants, PDR punches well above its weight class thanks to the leadership and vision of Abe Flores, the company’s president and master blender. As the company website suggests, PDR is the industry’s best kept secret.

This halcyon period of PDR’s manufacturing history is especially surprising given the youth of the company and the comparatively large number of hurdles Abe Flores has overcome. Founded in 2004, Flores borders on being a millennial and likely is still known as a “kid” in the cigar industry. Indeed, Flores got his foot in the door as a graphic designer for cigar retail websites during the dot-com bubble and cigar boom in 1990’s. Nevertheless, Flores has proven a superior disciple of the industry. Taking guidance from Tabacalera Palma’s master blender Jochy Blanco and his own grandfather, a tobacco farmer who lived in the mountains of Bonao in the Dominican Republic, Flores is a highly respected cigar manufacturer. Producing fewer than ten million cigars a year, Flores’s operation allows him to have greater control over the quality of his cigars. This results in phenomenal boutique cigars known for good construction, good draw (thanks to a strict entubado standard for filler bunching), and phenomenal bouquet.

Salad Days with Aged Tobacco

PDR 1878, named after the founding of the Cuban province Pinar del Rio in 1878, was Flores’s first critical success. Released in 2009, PDR 1878 moved so quickly the boutique factory scaled up to a new 40,000 ft^2 facility to accommodate more rollers. The cigar was a blend of aged Cuban-seed tobaccos (e.g., Criollo-1998 or Piloto Cubano) grown in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The wrapper leaf for the PDR 1878 is a carefully selected Connecticut Shade, Ecuadorian Habano, Mexican San Andreas, or Brazilian Arapiraca capa. Of these cigars, the Brazilian Arapiraca or Capa Madura would go on to inspire one of the most successful line extensions in the boutique cigar world: PDR 1878 Café.

The PDR 1878 Café Dark Roast is a line extension of Abe Flores’s PDR 1878 cigar brand of Dominican handmade, long-filler cigars. The cigar features a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper, similar to the original PDR 1878. However, the café’s wrapper is naturally sweetened with cane sugar to give the cigar a more pleasant aroma for cigar aficionados unaccustomed to the heavier bouquet of Arapiraca. The sweetened tip and natural coffee flavor infusion gives the aficionado an amazing smoking experience from end to end. This cigar represents a bridge for a nascent aficionado seeking to move from infused or smoother shade wrapper cigars to fuller-bodied cigars while remaining in the realm of the boutique where construction and consistency have a greater sense of urgency compared to larger-scale manufacturers. Three cigars in the toro vitola, 6×52, were smoked for the sake of this review. None of the cigars smoked for this review had any draw or burn rate issues.

From the Aging Room to the Coffee Shop

At a glance, the cigar holds great promise. The wrapper is a beautiful chocolate-brown hue with faint veins and a nicely formed pig-tail cap which can be cut or peeled off. The aroma of the cigar pre-lighting smells very strongly of dark chocolate, dark fruit, and espresso coffee. Upon touching the wrapper to your lips, the aficionado is met with the grassy taste of the tobacco married with the sugary flavor of the sweetened tip. The cold draw of the cigar conjures forth the cash crops and botanicals of Latin America: chocolate, tobacco, sugar cane, coffee, vanilla, and tamarind. This is a very rich and aromatic cigar. The cigar aficionado should take care to taste the first few puffs of the cigar as the PDM 1878 Café has an untrimmed foot, allowing the aficionado to taste the wrapper exclusively. The cigar lights evenly and takes a few puffs to toast and begin burning in earnest.

The first third of the cigar retains the rich bouquet of chocolate and sweetened coffee evident in the cold draw. However, the saliva of the cigar aficionado neutralizes the sweetened tip of the cigar as it burns towards the second and final thirds of the cigar. The flavor, as a result, transforms into something akin to the original PDR 1878, albeit with a smoother bouquet and a more palatable retrohale. The Café, then, is not an infused cigar in the sense that the infusion comes first and totally smothers the tobacco. Instead, it brings forth the best elements of that rich blend of Brazilian, Dominican, and Nicaraguan tobaccos and marries them to the flavor of café con leche while smoothing out the sharper edges inherent in the Nicaraguan terroir. Furthermore, the cigar is available on www.lmcigars.com in boxes of twenty or as part of a five cigar sampler pack.

Arturo Fuente Especiale Cazadores Natural

Fuente Especiale Ca

Arturo Fuente’s Premium Value

Arturo Fuente is one of the reigning families of the premium cigar industry and, without a doubt, the most prestigious cigar manufacturer in the Dominican Republic by virtue of its rare super premium cigars, such as the OpusX or the Anejo, as well as its commonplace premium cigars, such as the Gran Reserva line or the Especiales. The Especiales are a line of mixed-filler (“Cuban sandwich” style) cigars from Arturo Fuente’s Tabacalera Factory in the Dominican Republic. The line features three sizes in a natural Ecuadorian Habano seed wrapper: a Conquistador (Double Robusto, 5.5×56), an Emperador (Churchill, 7×52), and a Cazador (6×50). Finding their roots in the Cuban communities of Ybor City and West Tampa in the early 1900’s, Fuente borrows a complex blend of the Tampa philosophy regarding cigar sizes and marketing. One such case of this philosophy is seen in the Cazador, its size sharing more in common with the old school Tampa Cazadores (resembling Toros or Soberanos) and less with a traditional Cuban Cazadores (5.75-6.25×42-46). Regardless, the cigar represents exceptional flavor and aroma, taking the smoker back to Tampa’s golden age as the cigar city of the world. A true cigar aficionado would be remiss not to purchase a box to enjoy with friends or as an everyday smoke. The box comes with 30 cigars and sells for a mere $121.37!

Beginning in 1886 with the manufacturing of the first cigars by Messrs. Ybor and Haya, Tampa became a global powerhouse for cigar manufacturing which continued through the founding of Arturo Fuente’s cigar company in 1912 and the Cuban Embargo in 1962. However, most Tampa cigars made during the golden age from 1886 to 1962 were made from Cuban tobaccos. After the dreaded embargo began, however, Tampa manufacturers changed to other varietals of cigar tobacco. Tobacco from the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Puerto Rica, Cameroun, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Honduras became commonplace. Eventually, the allure of inexpensive labor and tobacco drew cigar manufacturers to relocate their operations from Tampa to countries where tobacco was cultivated in Latin America. Of those countries, the Dominican Republic became a cigar manufacturing colossus and the spiritual successor to Tampa.

Birthplace of a Dream

In 1980, Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. relocated its manufacturing from Tampa to the Dominican Republic and began an evolutionary process. Ecuador, while lacking the cigar manufacturing of the Dominican Republic, became the world’s preeminent tobacco wrapper grower. This is the context in which Arturo Fuente cigar company emerged as the world’s finest cigar manufacturer. Another relocated Tampa company, Oliva Tobacco Company, owns one of the largest wrapper farms in Ecuador and supplies the wrapper for the Fuente Especiales.

A couple of caveats to set the mood: (1) the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper on the ~$4.50 Cazadores is from the same farm and crop as the wrapper on a $12-25 handmade cigar and (2) the Dominican filler tobaccos for the Cazadores are a blend of aged filler tobaccos set aside for the Especiales and the scrap tobacco from premium handmade cigars, such as the Don Carlos or the Rare Pinks. This means the smoker enjoys the same flavors and aromas in the Cazadores as a cigar four times its price in retail value! This returns to the core tenets of the Fuente-Tampa philosophy: every cigar you sell should be as good as the best cigar you make, regardless of consumer base or price point. In any case, the wrapper has an attractive coffee-brown color with a slight oily sheen. The status of its relegation to mixed filler cigar is evident only in a few bumps and variegated veins. It bears a strong hay aroma from the short filler blend which is counterbalanced by the floral notes of the relatively young tobacco used for the wrapper and binder.

Light Up and Let Up with a Tampa Cigar

The cigar lights evenly and burns consistently with little evidence of canoeing or tunneling. The cigar smokes for about an hour and fifteen minutes. The initial tasting notes found in the foot aroma and cold draw (barnyard hay, vanilla, grasses, and cinnamon) are joined by a more complex symphony of chocolate, cardamom, toasted wheat, and pepper. The cigar did not build in intensity but maintained its balance with the motif of tasting notes found during the second and final third segments of the cigar. Mixed-filler cigars tend to take a slight hit in the overall construction and quality of the cigar. However, any minor blockage or burn rate issues are negligible in the consistent flavor and value of Arturo Fuente’s Dominican handmade cigars. This is not a cigar you want to sleep on as far as adding it to your humidor collection. It encapsulates the romantic and sensual environment of a summer evening in Tampa, Florida during the 1940’s. The smoker imagines oneself playing dominoes and drinking Cuban coffee with the old man Arturo Fuente while smoking this cigar.

Cigar Humidors 101: What is a Cigar Humidor?

humidor1

Cigars aren’t like cigarettes, which can be smoked and then discarded. A cigar humidor is a small chamber that can keep your cigars at the ideal level of moistness. This means they won’t dry out or become overly crisp as they age, allowing you to enjoy smoking them for many years to come!

What is a cigar humidor?

Cigar humidors are small chambers that can keep your cigars at the ideal level of moistness. It’s important to remember, however, that it doesn’t matter where you store your cigars—it’s how you store them. A good cigar humidor uses a variety of methods to ensure that humidity is kept at an appropriate level, whether it be by using distilled water or some other mechanism for regulating moisture levels inside the box. This way, even if you have a small collection of smokes and don’t want to invest in an entire cabinet (which can be quite expensive), having a small humidor will do the trick!

How long do cigars last in a humidor?

Cigars that are stored properly can last for years. However, cigars that are not stored properly can lose their flavor and become stale within days. Cigars should be stored in a dark, cool place with an ideal humidity.

Cigar humidors come in many different shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: to keep your cigars at the ideal humidity level of 65-70% so you can enjoy them for as long as possible! You should also store your cigars in an airtight container because air helps them dry out over time – keeping them sealed will ensure that they stay fresh longer. 

How To Choose The Best Cigar Humidor

To choose the best cigar humidor, you should look for one that is large enough to hold your collection but not so big that it takes up too much space. You should also look for a humidor with a Spanish cedar lining and a hygrometer and humidifier combination. In addition to these features, make sure that the lid of your chosen cigar humidor fits tightly and securely before purchasing it.

Cigars aren’t like cigarettes, which can be smoked and then discarded.

Cigars are a luxury item. They are meant to be savored, and enjoyed with friends and family for years. Cigars aren’t like cigarettes, which can be smoked and then discarded.

While cigars do take some time and patience to enjoy compared to other types of tobacco products (smokeless or chew), that doesn’t mean that you need an elaborate humidor to keep them fresh and tasty! In fact, many cigar enthusiasts prefer the simplicity of a desktop humidor as opposed to larger cabinet models—and we’ll explain why in just a moment!

It’s important to remember that it doesn’t matter where you store your cigars, but rather how you store them.

While it is true that the best cigar humidors are made by hand, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a hand-made humidor in order to keep your cigars fresh. In fact, there are plenty of great affordable models available that do an excellent job at maintaining optimal humidity levels for your cigars.

Remember: it’s not where you store your cigars that matters; it’s how you store them. If you’re looking for a place where you can keep all of your precious stogies safe and sound while they age gracefully over time, look no further than our selection 

Sometimes, when cigars have not been stored properly, they will have a musty smell to them.

The cigar will possibly be ruined if it has a musty smell. This is actually very common with cigars that are too moist or too dry.

If your cigars do not have any signs of mold and still smell musty then it means that they were stored incorrectly either in high humidity or low humidity conditions.

Cigar humidors are the best way to ensure that your cigars are always at their peak.

Cigar humidors come in many different shapes and sizes, but at the heart of each one is a simple core principle: to keep your cigars at their peak by maintaining the right temperature and humidity.

If you’re serious about your cigar collection, then investing in a humidor is essential. Not only will it keep your cigars fresh and ready to smoke, but it will also be an attractive addition to any room!

Shop LM Cigars Humidors

This is a very important topic, so we hope we’ve covered everything you need to know about cigar humidors. If anyone has any additional questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below in the comments section! We’re always happy to hear from our readers.LM Cigars offers a wide variety of cigar humidors that are affordable and high quality. They have a large selection of different styles, sizes and colors to fit any budget or preference.

Cigar Basics 101: What You Need To Know About Cigars

basic cigar

Cigars are a great way to relax, unwind and enjoy the company of friends or family. However, for many people who just started smoking cigars and might be new to this hobby, there is a lot of information that can get quite overwhelming and confusing. This article will help clarify some common questions about cigars so you can start enjoying them more!

What is the history behind cigars?

There’s a lot of history behind cigars, but it all started in Cuba. Cigars were first made in Cuba back in the 1500s, when Christopher Columbus brought tobacco seeds from Cuba to the New World. They became popular as medicine and were used during the American Revolutionary War as an alternative to smoking pipes or chewing tobacco.

During this time period, cigar smoking was associated with both men and women of all classes; however, it wasn’t until later on that men began smoking them exclusively because they didn’t want women getting involved with what they considered a masculine hobby. The popularity of cigars continued to grow throughout this era and eventually spread across America—but not before making its way through Europe first!

Types of Cigars – Cigar Shapes & Sizes

Parejo

A classic parejo is your basic cigar shape, although it may feel more Cuban than Dominican. It’s a long and thin cigar (typically between 6-8 inches long and 42 gauge), with a rounded head and a tapered foot. It’s a great option for those just getting into cigar smoking. 

Corona

The corona is kind of like the parejo’s more glamorous sister. It’s the same length as a parejo (usually around 6-8 inches), but it’s significantly fatter (typically in the 46-48 gauge range). The most significant difference between a parejo and a corona is the shape of the head. 

Coronado

The coronado is a very unique cigar shape. It has a wide foot, a very large head, and a narrow middle section. This unique shape makes it stand out from the crowd, as it’s more of an exotic and rare shape.

Belicoso

The belicoso may be the fanciest of all the cigar shapes. It’s shorter than a parejo and a corona, but it’s significantly fatter than a standard coronado. Like the coronado, it has a very large head and a very narrow middle. 

Lonsdale

The lonsdale is a very long and thin cigar. It’s 6-7 inches long and around two inches wide. It’s similar to a parejo in shape, but it’s significantly longer and skinnier. 

Panetela

The panetela is a very short cigar, which is why it feels almost like a miniature or miniature cigar. It’s usually between 3-4 inches long and 40-42 gauge. The panetela is a very unique shape that’s not as common as the other cigar shapes. 

Pyramid

The pyramid is the weirdest and most interesting of all cigar shapes. It’s a short cigar with a very large head. The foot of the pyramid is very narrow and pointed, and it gradually widens as you go up the length of the cigar. 

Some cigars are made with a different wrapper. For example, Cuban cigars are generally wrapped in a shade-grown leaf from Cuba that gives them their distinctive flavor. Other types of wrappers include Connecticut Shade and Cameroon.

There are also some cigars that have unique blends of tobacco or even a different size than traditional ones. These can be great for beginners to try as they help introduce you to new tastes and sensations!

How To Choose The Right Cigar For You

The first step to choosing the right cigar for you is to determine what kind of experience you are looking for. After all, it’s not as simple as picking out a brand and sticking with it. A good cigar will depend on your preferences, what you plan on doing with it and where you plan on smoking it. Here are some things to consider:

Taste  

If you enjoy lighter smokes that have subtle flavors like nuts or cream, then choosing one from Davidoff’s Signature Series would be a good bet. However, if dark chocolate and espresso are more up your alley then Tatuaje Pudgy Monster Petite might be right up your alley!

Overall Smoking Experience 

If this is going to be an everyday smoke or something special that will only happen once in a while then having an excellent construction is essential! It doesn’t matter how great the flavor is if it’s going to fall apart after 10 minutes of smoking because there isn’t enough filler inside… That being said; we recommend staying away from anything pressed too tightly (like machine made) because they tend not work well over time due to their lack of taper in comparison with traditional rolling methods(manual).

Cigar Etiquette Tips

Cigars are a social experience, so you should be careful not to offend your fellow cigar smokers.

Never smoke a cigar when it is too hot or too cold. This will ruin the flavor and burn of your cigar, making it unpleasant for all parties involved.

Cut Your Cigar Correctly: Cutting your cigar correctly is important for a pleasant smoking experience. If you cut too much off the end of your cigar, you could negatively affect how it burns during use. 

Conversely, if there is not enough material left on the head/foot of your lit stick after lighting up, then air flow into its chamber may be restricted as well. 

After this point has passed then remove all ash content off both ends using either one hand or two depending on preference though always ensure safety first before beginning any activity involving fire hazards such as these which should always take precedence over other activities requiring less caution than normal due to inherent risks involved when handling matches/lighters/torches etcetera.”

Shop LM Cigars

Whether you’re looking for a premium, handmade cigar or just a good, old fashioned smoke, you’ll find everything you need right here at LM Cigars. We have a wide selection of cigars and tobacco accessories, and we only carry the finest brands. Plus,all of our products are sold at affordable prices so you get more for less.We hope that you have found this article to be helpful. We are here to help you with any questions or concerns you may have, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Rough Riders Sweets Connecticut Review

Rough Rider Cigars

Premium Cigar, Sweet Value

A late arrival to the premium cigar industry, Indianhead Cigars found a niche producing a variety of value-oriented, Dominican handmade cigars. Of those Dominican brands, the Rough Riders Sweets Connecticut offers the cigar aficionado an excellent cigar with a good selection of aged Dominican tobaccos, an authentic Connecticut shade wrapper, and a sweetened tip. This sweetened tip enhances the natural aroma of the shade tobacco without overwhelming it.

Essentially, this is the smooth, everyday smoke the cigar aficionado is always seeking. A box of twenty-five robustos is available on Luis Martinez for a scant $110.00 MSRP or $93.50 with the current offering of savings. This is an excellent value cigar which satisfies the flavored cigar smoker yet maintains a quality above those in short-filler factory throwouts or Baccarats. Even for traditionalist smokers, the value represented by the box at the reduced price makes it an excellent birthday present for a friend or family member. If nothing else, it is something for your guests to smoke.

Dominican Delights

Indianhead Cigars is a Dominican cigar company. It is owned and operated by Jochy Blanco, a master cigarmaker and blender commonly associated with another company: La Galera Cigars. Indianhead Cigars are made at the same cigar factory as La Galera: Tabacalera Palma in Tamboril in the Dominican Republic. Indianhead is Jochy’s attempt at combining the seemingly contradictory terms of premium, value, and boutique. The results do not disappoint. The Rough Riders Sweets Connecticut are a line of cigars that boggle the mind as to what Jochy’s margin of profit is off each cigar. The quality of the long fillers far outstrips the quality of Baccarat sweet tips or Acid aromatic cigars.

It outstrips further still the short filler used for value bundle cigars in the $30-80 price range. Often times, the cigar smoker is left picking stray pieces of short filler off their tongue and lips after what should have been a flawless smoking experience. Additionally, many short filler cigars struggle with a proper bunch. This means that sometimes the cigars will draw too “tight” and leave the cigar smoker feeling annoyed from a plugged cigar. For a paltry premium, the cigar aficionado receives a handmade Dominican cigar with long filler and a sweetened tip: the best of both worlds.

               Some cigar aficionados view sweet tip cigars with disdain due to a perceived corruption of the natural flavor of the tobacco. However, sweet tip cigars ought to be perceived more as an inducement for the nascent cigar smoker. A newer coffee smoker cannot enjoy more robust coffee flavors without sugar or cream to soften the impact upon the palate. In the same way, a cigar with a sweetened tip allows a cigar smoker with a more sensitive palate to enjoy a wider range of tobaccos. In the case of the Rough Riders Sweets, the sweetened tip enhances the natural flavors of the Connecticut shade tobacco used for the wrapper and the blend of Dominican Cuban-seed tobaccos used for the filler.

Cigar Review: Rough Rider, Smooth Smoke

For handmade cigars at the premium value price range, the cigar aficionado often finds himself with a bruised and discolored Connecticut wrapper. The wrapper on the Rough Rider, however, looks like the type of wrapper you would find on a Montecristo Vintage White or a Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real—for a mere $3.74! The superior quality of the coloration and sorting aside, the cigar lights and smokes like a dream. Gauging the flavor profile of a sweet-tip cigar is always difficult, but the tasting notes of the Connecticut shade tobacco are quite apparent as ginger, toasted wheat, lemongrass, cedar, peanuts, and vanilla. This is further accentuated by the sweetened tip, coaxing out the flavors of ginger and vanilla.

The first two thirds of the cigar, as to be expected, were the most enjoyable. The sensual aromas of baking spices and grasses in the first third of the cigar bring the cigar smoker into the comforting embrace of the second third of the cigar where stronger cedar and woody tasting notes come to dominate the palate. The final third of the cigar burned too hot and required a cigar clip. The tasting notes of the cigar stayed consistent throughout the whole cigar with enjoyable fluctuations.

The cigar builds in intensity throughout the segments until the final third but due to the nature of the aged tobacco and the shade wrapper, it never proves overwhelming. The cigar is the best showcase of the Cibao province available to consumers for its price. The cigar struggled slightly to stay lit and required some touching up towards the middle of the smoking experience. This is a negligible issue considering the savings available compared to the value of the tobacco. Any cigar smoker looking to add to their humidor or perhaps gain some disposable cigars for their relatives would be remiss not to pick up a box of these.

How To Light a Cigar in 3 Easy Steps

lit cigar

If you’re a cigar smoker, lighting your stogie can feel like a rite of passage. The first time I lit up a cigar, I was nervous about burning my fingers and afraid that it wouldn’t smoke right. So if you’re new to smoking cigars or just want to brush up on your skills before firing up one at home, read on for our ultimate guide on how to light a cigar:

What kind of lighter should you use to light a cigar?

  • The most important thing for you to know is that whatever you’re using to light your cigar should be hot enough to make an ember.
  • If you’re using a butane torch lighter, make sure it’s filled with butane. You can also use wooden matches or paper matches (just be careful not to scorch the wrapper). When using something other than a butane torch lighter, be careful not to scorch the tobacco in any way—this will affect how long it takes for your cigar to burn properly and also cause unpleasant flavors as well!

What side of the cigar should you light?

You light your cigar on the end of the cigar called the foot, this is the end of the cigar where it is not closed off with tobacco.Just remember: always keep those fingers out of harm’s way while lighting up!

3 Steps to Lighting a Cigar

  • Cut the cigar.
  • Light the cigar.
  • Smoke and enjoy the cigar.

Now you can light up! Puff slowly at first until your body adjusts to smoking a cigar; then take longer, draws until you feel comfortable with how much smoke you allow into your mouth . Remember: slow down if needed, this is a relaxing and enjoyable moment.Step 1: Cut

The most important step in lighting a cigar is the first one: cutting. If you don’t have a quality cigar cutter at home, do yourself a favor and pick one up. Cutters tend to come in three varieties: guillotine, punch and v-cut. Each has its own pros and cons but for this guide we’ll focus on the guillotine variety as it is arguably the easiest to use.

To cut your cigar properly, use your thumb to push down on one side of the blade while placing your index finger beneath the cap with slight pressure—this will prevent it from opening too quickly when cutting through your favorite stogie’s wrapper leaf. Finally–and this cannot be stressed enough–make sure you’re using sharp blades at all times; dull ones will simply damage the cigar,so unless there are no other options available then go ahead and buy some now!

Step 2: Light

  • The use of a regular cigarette or pipe lighter will typically result in an uneven burn and poor draw, as the heat source is too small to sufficiently warm up the tobacco inside your stogie. You should use a butane torch lighter when lighting up; these are easy to find online or at your local cigar shop and will provide you with long-lasting flames that can be angled down into the foot of your cigar for the best experience. Make sure not to overdo it on this step—you don’t want to damage the cigar!

Step 3: Smoke

After you light your cigar and take a couple of puffs, you should take a moment to enjoy the sweet smoke of your well-earned stogie. Exhale slowly and smoothly so that it’s a nice steady stream of smoke. If you’re having trouble smoking smoothly or evenly, try slowing down how quickly you  puff until things start going better for you!

Now you can sit back and enjoy your cigar. Light it up, take a few puffs and really appreciate the flavor and aroma of your cigar. The taste of tobacco is usually earthy but may vary depending on the type of tobacco used in a particular blend. This is why there are so many different kinds of cigars for you to try!

While smoking your cigar, don’t forget to enjoy the feel of it as well! Enjoying your smoke also means enjoying being with friends who share this experience with you or maybe even getting together with other enthusiasts at one of our events; see what we have coming up here!

Shop LM Cigars 

This is a very important topic, so we hope we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to properly light a cigar. If anyone has any additional questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below in the comments section! We’re always happy to hear from our readers! LM Cigars offers a wide variety of cigar lighters that are affordable and high quality.

Cigars for Beginners: A Complete Guide

wrapping cigar

If you’re looking to try cigars for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll talk about what you need to know before buying your first cigar and how to light one up once it’s in hand. We’ll also share some helpful tips on how to store them properly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible! If you’re new to this world of deliciousness then we hope this guide will help make your introduction a positive experience.

What To Consider When Buying a Cigar for the First Time

The wrapper is the outer layer of your cigar. It’s usually made with a tobacco leaf or two, and the quality of your wrapper will determine how your cigar will taste. Some wrappers are smooth and silky, while others are course and oily in appearance. The best way to tell if you like a certain type of tobacco wrapper is by smoking a cigar with that kind of wrapper!

A cigar’s wrapper helps define its taste and look.

The wrapper is the outermost layer of a cigar, and it’s what you see when you hold one in your hand. The wrapper determines both the look and a good amount of the taste  for each cigar, so it’s important to know about different types and how they affect your smoking experience. It can be made from any number of various leafs—some are stronger than others, some are more flavorful than others, but all are important parts of making sure that every cigar tastes good, looks great and burns evenly.

When it comes to cigars, single origin are unique.

Single origin cigars are made from tobacco grown in one place, often for a specific blend. This means that a single country or region is responsible for the entire flavor of the cigar. Single origin tobaccos, also referred to as puros are often more expensive than blends that come from multiple places, but they’re also considered to be more complex and have more nuanced flavors.

Cigars for Beginners FAQ 

What do cigars taste like? 

Cigars can be smooth or full-bodied, but their flavor is always complex.

The flavor of a cigar is complex, but also not always the same. The flavors of a cigar can change over time and depend on the wrapper. The differences in taste might be subtle, but they’re there. In general, smoother cigars tend to have more earthy or nutty notes while stronger cigars have hints of pepper or spice. But this isn’t an iron-clad rule—some full-bodied cigars are smooth and balanced while others pack a punch with strong herbal or peppery flavor profiles.

The strength of a cigar is measured by the types of tobacco used.

Full-bodied cigars are often pricier than smoother ones because they contain more ligero tobacco leaves. The additional expense comes from the fact that ligero leaves take longer to age, which means higher production costs for producers who want to keep up with demand for high-quality leaves.

There’s no denying that a medium-to-full bodied cigar will provide more flavor than a smooth one: You’ll get notes of spice, earthiness and coffee bean flavors with an extra kick of pepper. However, these types of smokes require extra care when lighting them since they  tend to have thicker leaves compared to  smoother cigar blends. 

How to smoke your first cigar

It’s time to learn how to smoke your first cigar.

First, you’ll need the right tools. You can’t smoke a cigar without:

  1. A cigar cutter (any style cigar cutter will do)
  2. A lighter or matches (a butane lighter is preferable, but you can use matches if necessary)

Smoking a cigar is an art form. It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy yourself after a long day. But if you’re new to cigars, you might not know where to begin. This guide should have given you all the information needed to start buying and enjoying your own cigars as soon as possible!

How do you light a cigar?

Lighting a cigar is often the most intimidating step for beginners, but it’s really quite simple. All you need is a match or lighter and the patience to learn how to properly hold your cigar while lighting it.

To smoke a cigar, first cut the head (the cap  tobacco at the end) using a guillotine cutter, a bullet/punch cutter, or a V-cutter. Next, light your cigar with the flame from your lighter or match. Toast the entire foot of the cigar in a circular motion. After the foot of the cigar has been given a good amount of time to ignite, then gently puff on the cigar to ensure a good burn.

Do you inhale a cigar? 

The preferred method of smoking a cigar, is not to inhale. You are simply taking in the smoke from your cigar into you mouth and tasting the flavors and complexity of the smoke that it has to offer.Cigars are much more rich in flavor and taste to inhale them.!

Can you relight a cigar? 

Yes, it is possible to relight a cigar and every cigar smoker has had to relight his or her cigar. You might be in a conversation, or have to step away from smoking and come back to your cigar no longer burning. Simply, toast the foot of your cigar again evenly and gently puff again on the cigar to get it to relight. It is not recommended to try and relight a cigar after numerous hours or days have past since relighting it. Smoke can get trapped in the cigar, and after long periods of time this will dramatically alter the taste and cause it to have an unpleasant flavor profile.

How do you put out a cigar? 

We’ve all experienced it: you light-up a great cigar and get to enjoy it for a good few minutes, only to be suddenly interrupted with the need to put it out. Good cigars are certainly worth enjoying for as long as possible, but if you’re not careful you could be left with a smoldering cherry that no longer looks or smells quite as nice. So how do you put out a cigar in the most effective and pleasant way?

Very simple, just tap any remaining ash from your cigar into an ashtray and then simply rest your cigar on the side of the ashtray for the cigar to naturally go out on its own. That way, if you want to come back to your cigar, your cigar is in perfect condition for you to relight it.

Where should you store cigars? 

Most cigars are packed in cigar boxes that are not airtight. Once you open the cigar box, you will want to place the remaining cigars from the box into a humidor. The humidor should be stored  at room temperature, and the  ideal humidity in the humidor is to be between 65-70 degrees. If you are looking for a permanent solution and aren’t sure what the best storage method is for your cigars, buying a humidor is the best way to go.

Cigars kept in humidors, which maintain a constant humidity level, are by far the best choice for storing cigars.  Storing them in other airtight container will also work, but feature cedar that absorbs humidity to keep cigars stored properly.

Shop LM Cigars

LM Cigars is an online cigar shop that has a great selection of cigars. The prices are great, the customer service is great, and delivery is fast. The website is easy to navigate and placing orders is a cinch. Plus they have weekly promotions that helps you save money on your purchases as well as free shipping offers!

Cigar Lover Gifts: A Shopping Guide for Cigar Lovers

cigar closet

The cigar lover in your life deserves gifts of the highest quality. There are few things more satisfying than sitting back with a good cigar. Whether you smoke cigars or know someone who does, knowing how to find the best cigar gifts can be a challenge. Our list of the best cigar lover gifts will help you find the right gift for your favorite person. This is the ultimate gift guide for cigar lovers.

10 Cigar Lover Gifts They Will Love

If you’re looking for a gift for the cigar lover in your life, we’ve got some great ideas. The aficionados at LM Cigars have put together a list of 10 great gifts for your favorite cigar aficionado that will leave them feeling pampered, spoiled, and satisfied.

Iconic 9ct Cigar Sampler:

What’s the perfect cigar? It depends on who you’re talking to—and that’s why we offer our iconic 9ct cigar sampler: it has nine different cigars, each with a unique flavor profile and experience. So if you’re not sure what kind of cigar your loved one prefers, this is the perfect way to try them out without committing to an entire box. These cigars range from smooth to full-bodied and complex, with notes of spice, earthiness, and sweetness. They’re perfect for those who like flavorful Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco blends but aren’t looking for something too strong or bitter. 

Craftsman’s Bench Passport Travel Humidor: 

This beautiful travel humidor can hold up to four cigars, keeping the cigars fresh and safe. The Craftsman’s Bench Passport Travel Humidor is perfect for any cigar lover who travels frequently or wants something to store their favorite cigars on the go. This travel humidor also makes a great gift for anyone who enjoys traveling abroad and wants to bring along some of their favorite cigars!

Diamond Crown Chocolate Leather Robusto Case:

If you’re looking for a gift for the cigar lover in your life, our Diamond Crown Chocolate Leather Robusto Case is exactly what you need! This beautiful chocolate-colored cigar case is made from Spanish leather, which will make any cigar lover feel like royalty when they use it. It can hold up to three cigars. 

Nub 4ct Cigar Punch Cutter Combo:

This is an excellent gift for any cigar lover who appreciates a high quality product and appreciates the process of hand crafting cigars. This combo pack includes four premium Nub cigar blends and a Nub cigar punch cutter. The cutter is ergonomically designed so that it fits comfortably in your hand while cutting your cigars. 

Diamond Crown Humidification System:

The Diamond Crown Humidification System is one of our most popular gifts for cigar lovers, because it’s so easy to use and lasts a long time. The Diamond Crown Humidification System is a great gift for cigar lovers. It uses an ultrasonic humidifier to keep cigars at the perfect humidity, so they’re always ready to smoke. 

Craftsman’s Bench Tan/Silver Churchill Case:

This cigar case has a handcrafted, leather exterior and designed to hold three Churchiill size cigars safe and secure. This case will make any cigar lover feel like they’re in heaven!

Craftsman’s Bench Laredo Humidor Combo

With its solid wood construction, this humidor holds up to 40 cigars and features a polished brass finish that will impress any guest who sees it on your home bar or office desk. The humidor also includes an analog hygrometer for easy monitoring of humidity levels. This beautiful piece would make a wonderful addition to any collection of cigar accessories, and would be perfect for any occasion where you want to show off your love of fine cigars!

Colibri Cigar Cutters:

For decades, Colibri has been known for its high-quality cigar accessories, and this particular product is no exception. Colibri cigar cutters are the perfect gift for any level of cigar enthusiast. You can’t go wrong with a cutter crafted from stainless steel. They also come in a variety of colors, so you can find one that matches your friend’s style.

Craftsman’s Bench Boca Grande Maduro Ashtray:

For the cigar lover who loves to smoke outside, this ashtray will be a great addition to their patio set. This luxurious ashtray is the perfect addition to any cigar enthusiast’s collection. The Craftsman’s Bench Boca Grande Maduro Ashtray is hand-sculpted and finished with a high-quality lacquer that makes it waterproof and fade resistant. It’s also built to last, so you can count on it to bring your friend years of enjoyment!

The Smoke Odor Exterminator Candle:

This candle is the perfect gift for a cigar lover who wants to enjoy his smoke without worrying about the smell. The Smoke Odor Exterminator Candle features a combination of natural ingredients, including activated charcoal and pure essential oils. It will remove any smells that linger after smoking cigars. This candle has a pleasant scent and can be used in any room in the house. It is also safe to use around pets, so you won’t have to worry about your cat or dog getting sick if they breathe in the smoke smell it eliminates.
If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer or small gift that will make a big impact on your cigar-smoking friends, this candle is a great option!

Arturo Fuente Coffee:

If the cigar smoker in your life is also a fan of fine coffee, we have the perfect gift idea for them. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we don’t expect. And for cigar lovers, a good gift can be hard to come by. Arturo Fuente Coffee is a great gift for any cigar lover. This Cuban style coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans, and it’s blended with Dominican and Brazilian beans. It has a medium-roast flavor that’s smooth and rich, and it has hints of chocolate and caramel.

Craftsman’s Bench Manhattan Gift Set:

If you’re looking for a gift for a cigar lover, consider the Craftsman’s Bench Manhattan Gift Set. This set comes with all the tools they need to keep their cigars in prime condition: a double blade cutter, cigar case, humidifier, and hygrometer.
With these tools, they can cut their cigars with ease and keep them fresh until they’re ready to enjoy them. The Craftsman’s Bench Manhattan Gift Set is made from high-quality materials and has an elegant design that will look great on any table or countertop.
This gift set also makes a great addition to any cigar aficionado’s collection of accessories.

Luis Martinez Silver Selection Tres Petit:

But if you want to give them something special, make sure it’s something they haven’t tried yet. That’s why we’re recommending the Luis Martinez Silver Selection Tres Petit 6pk!
This collection of six cigars comes in a beautiful paper box that’s easy to carry around. The cigars are made with 100% premium tobacco grown in Central America. They have an incredibly smooth flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel sweetness—plus they’re hand-rolled by expert cigar rollers in Nicaragua.

Craftsman’s Bench Sonoma Gift Set :

This is a great gift if you want to get your friend something they can use in their home or office. The Craftsman’s Bench Sonoma Gift set includes a humidor that holds up to 25 cigars, along with a scissor cutter, humidifier, and hygrometer. It also comes with a wine bottle opener for that perfect cigar and wine pairing!

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company 6 x 60 Sampler:

A cigar sampler is an ideal choice: it’s something they’ll enjoy and use, and it’s a thoughtful gift that will show you put some thought into it. And with our selection of samplers, there are plenty of options to choose from. The J.C. Newman Cigar Company 6 x 60 Sampler is a great choice if you want to give someone four incredible cigar blends. The collection includes four different cigars from the prestigious J.C. Newman Cigar Company—you can’t beat that!
If you’re not sure what kind of cigar they like, this sampler offers a range of options, so you can choose something that works for them without having to guess whether they’ll like it.

Shop For Premium Gifts at LM CigarsA cigar lover’s life is all about quality, taste, and experience. We know that the perfect cigar lover gifts can be hard to find. After all, you want to choose something that is thoughtful and useful, but also luxurious and exciting. Cigars are a luxury experience. Experience the luxury of LM Cigar’s customer care and expert selection of gifts for the cigar aficionado in your life!

How To Use A Cigar Cutter 101 Guide

cigar cutter 12

Cigar cutters do exactly what they say they do – they cut cigars. Simple, right? But knowing how to use one properly can be tricky. There are several different types of cigar cutters, each with its own set of instructions and quirks. To get the most out of your cutter, you need to know how to hold it and which direction to turn it or angle it in order to get the cleanest cut possible.

Given the rich history, culture, and enjoyment that comes from smoking a fine cigar, you want to make sure your experience is everything it can possibly be. Learning how to use a cigar cutter sets you up for success. Researching the different types available and what they mean gives you an advantage as you purchase one that’s right for your preferences and style.

Types of Cigar Cutters

The first step to enjoying your cigar is to use a cigar cutter. Cigar cutters range in shape, size, style, and function. The three most important characteristics of any cigar cutter are sharpness, a clean cut, and durability. There are several different types of cigar cutters on the market, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are three primary types of cigar cutters: Guillotine, V-cut, and punch/bullet. Each tool will produce different results. Understanding how each type of cutter works is important for selecting which one best fits your needs. 

Make sure you choose wisely, as it will be one of your most important tools if you decide to start collecting cigars. 

Guillotine

 As a general rule, guillotine-style cutters have been considered standard and more affordable than other styles. Guillotine cigar cutters are typically made from stainless steel and feature a single blade or two blades that cut off the end of the cigar with a single slice. These are the most popular because they are inexpensive, easy to use and maintain, and can be found in most cigar shops or online stores.

Punch/Bullet

Punch cigar cutters, or also known as Bullet cigar cutters feature a small hole at one end through which you push out a small circular portion of tobacco until you’ve created a perfectly round opening to allow smoke through.

V- Cutter 

V-cutters work by slicing off both sides of the cap simultaneously in order to create “V” style  opening large enough for smoking purposes without damaging any part of the wrapper itself. This allows an opening larger than what a Punch/Bullet cutter can make, but a smaller opening option compared to cutting the entire cap off the cigar.Your personal preference will dictate which type of cutter you ultimately choose. All styles serve their purpose. Each cutter has its own method of cutting a cigar. With some trial and error, you’ll find what works best for you.

Steps To Using a Cigar Cutter

Cutting your cigar correctly is a key part of the smoking experience, and it’s one that can make or break your entire session.However, if you’ve never used a cigar cutter before, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Cigar cutters are an essential tool for any serious cigar enthusiast. They allow you to easily and safely cut your cigars, which means you can enjoy them in a matter of minutes.

We’ve gathered some of the best tips on how to cut your cigar correctly, so you can enjoy every last puff.

3 Steps to Cut Your Cigar Correctly: 

  1. Locate the Cap

First, locate the cap on your cigar. This will be the end of your cigar that was completely closed off with tobacco.

  1. Position Blades on Cigar

Once you’ve found the cap, position your cutter depending on the style cutter in use.. The blade should be perpendicular to the cap; this will ensure that you get a clean cut without damaging any tobacco leaves or cutting too far down, past the cap of the cigar which could cause the outer wrapper leaf to unravel.

  1. Cut Swiftly

Now that everything is in place, cut swiftly! Remember, do not cut past the cap of the cigar never cut below this mark, or else you’ll risk damaging the wrapper or the entire cigar. 

Can you cut a cigar without a cigar cutter?

Yes, it is possible to cut your cigar without using a traditional tool such as a guillotine-style cutter, but it will damage the cigar, and dampen the experience. This is not recommended, because it can leave nasty cuts on your cigars and cause pieces of tobacco to break off while smoking. 

Cigars are a rich, rewarding experience. If you want to enjoy them to their fullest, you really should take the time and care necessary to enhance your experience. Slow down, enjoy the ritual, and you will be rewarded. 

Shop LM Cigars’ Cigar Cutters

If you’re looking for a cigar cutter, or just want to learn more about smoking cigars, LM Cigars has everything you need. Our selection of cigar cutters is second to none. We carry an extensive line of high-quality but affordable cigar cutters that will make any occasion more special.

We understand that not every smoker has the same budget or level of experience with cigars, so we’ve made it easy for anyone to find the best cigar cutter for them.

Whether you’re trying out the hobby for the first time or are an experienced aficionado who needs something, LM Cigars has you covered.

Premium Cigars: How Can You Tell If a Cigar is High Quality?

Premium Cigars

At LM Cigars, we’re often asked that question. The first thing a new buyer needs to know is – there is no single indicator that tells you a cigar is high quality. The word “premium” is used to describe the top of the line. Premium Cigars are high-quality cigars that you’d be proud to smoke on any occasion or give as a gift. You’ll need to consider a number of factors.

When you’re looking to find the best and most high-quality premium cigars, you need to know what signs to look for.

What is a premium cigar?

So you’ve heard of premium cigars, but you’re not sure what they are. Premium cigars are made with high-quality tobacco that’s been expertly rolled and cured.

A premium cigar is a cigar that is made from the best quality tobacco. A premium cigar should be aged for a minimum of 2 years. At its most basic level, this means that if you see any machine parts on the production line or mass-production methods being used then it’s not going to be considered premium—it must be hand-rolled and made with great care in small batches with traditional methods.

The result? A cigar that has a smooth taste and a slow burn—and lasts for about an hour or more. Because premium cigars are made with such care and attention, you can tell if one is high quality by looking at its construction.

Features of Premium Cigars

Even if you’re new to cigars, you’ll notice the difference in taste and aroma, as well as the burn, draw, and flavor. The strength, smoothness, and consistency of the smoke are also important factors when determining quality.

As you can see, there are a lot of different things to look for when choosing a premium cigar. Some of these things are easier to judge than others. The label and band will give you some information about the brand and its quality, but they don’t tell you much about how good or bad the cigar will be.

To determine if a cigar is of high quality, you need to focus on the wrapper. A good wrapper should be smooth, oily and free of veins. The cigar should feel firm but not hard. If it’s too soft or too hard, that indicates issues with the manufacturing process. Finally, inspect the aroma of your LM purchase—a good cigar will have a pleasant and inviting aroma that doesn’t overwhelm or overpower other scents in close proximity.

If all else fails and you can’t tell whether or not a particular cigar is high quality by looking at it or smelling it directly, try doing some research on the cigar brand itself or the manufacturer of that particular cigar.Benefits of Premium Cigars

Smoking high-end cigars offers many benefits. First, You’ll have a much better smoking experience with a premium cigar than with one that’s mass-produced. The expertise and attention to detail that premium cigar makers employ leads to a more pleasurable smoking experience overall—and it’s why we recommend spending an extra dollar or two per stick when you’re buying premium cigars!

The benefits of a high-quality cigar are:

  • A perfect draw. This means that you will get a good amount of smoke, but not so much that it burns your throat, or too little where not enough smoke comes through to enjoy.
  • Refined taste profile. It should never taste harsh, the taste should be complex and smooth to perfection. Top quality construction from cutting the cap of the cigar, to taking the last puff before finishing the cigar, the construction of the entire cigar should be flawless. An even burn, the ash holds together well, and the cigar itself shows the hand rolled craftsmanship it intended to be as a work of art.Furthermore, premium cigar brands are known for their luxury attributes —the way that the filler and binder leaves are formed into a cigar shape is different from lower-quality cigars. This means that you get more consistent results from smoking these premium cigars: if one tastes great one day, it will generally taste great every other time as well! In addition to this consistency in quality, they also come in higher quality packaging than lower end cigars (such as wooden boxes) which makes them look even more appealing on display at home or in public locations like hotels or clubs where you can share them with friends while having fun conversations over drinks or food too!

Shop Premium Cigars at LM Cigars

Cigars are a premium product and they should be treated as such. If you’re looking for an online cigar store that offers a wide range of premium cigars and accessories, look no further than LM Cigars. We offer a large selection of brands and sizes to suit every smoker’s tastes.

When you buy premium cigars from LM Cigars, you know that they’re going to be high-quality. We stand by every cigar we sell because we know how much effort goes into making them. Every premium cigar on our site is hand rolled with only the finest tobacco leaves and made using traditional techniques passed down through generations of cigar makers. So next time you want a great smoke, remember that there’s no better place than LM Cigars to find your perfect match!