Travel to Cuba – A Cigar Aficionado’s Paradise

Explore a world apart from the bustling beach resorts in the province of Pinar del Rio, located west of Havana. Here, amidst the lush landscapes, Cuba’s tobacco and coffee plantations thrive in the rich, fertile soil. This picturesque region, adorned with serene rivers and natural springs, is designated as an ecological biosphere, carefully conserved for…

Buy the Best Cuban Cigars for Under £20 in 2023

Cuban cigars are renowned for their quality and flavour but can also be expensive. Finding a Cuban cigar under £20 in 2023 may be challenging due to rising prices, but some options are still available. Remember that prices vary based on location, taxes, and other factors. Here are five Cuban cigars that are relatively affordable,…

The Art of Pairing Cigars and Spirits

The timeless ritual of enjoying spirits and cigars in tandem has witnessed a resurgence in popularity in the UK over the past few years. An array of events now grace the British social calendar, focusing on harmonising specific whiskies with particular cigars, all while delving into the delightful world of flavour combinations. If you’ve ever…

Can you Pair Cigars with Champagne?

This largely depends on personal preference. For some, cigars and champagne can be a luxurious and indulgent treat, while for others, it may not be the best combination. However, the notes of the cigar will affect the taste of the champagne, so it is important to consider the flavours of both items before making a…

Cigars: New Global Pricing

Many of you may wonder why all the retailers stocking Havana cigars have increased their prices so significantly in recent days, so here is an explanation. Last week Habanos S.A. announced a new global pricing strategy for their portfolio of handmade cigars. These new prices have been implemented upon global markets with immediate effect. There are…

Should Cigars Wrapped in Cellophane be Unwrapped for Storage?

A clear, protective material that is put around many premium cigars. Cellophane was created in 1912. True cellophane is a natural substance made of cellulose, the main component in the cell wall of a plant. A machine makes tubes of cellophane, and workers in a cigar factory slip individual cigars within the tubes. The cellophane…

The most common questions we get asked about Cuban cigars

Here are a list of some of the most common questions we get asked by people about Cuban cigars, we hope you find them useful. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly. What is a Habano? The official Denominacion de Origen Protegida (D.O.P) or Protected Denomination…

A Guide to Pairing Cigars & Beers

Beer is a beloved beverage that captivates our palates and hearts. From Stouts to Indian Pale Ales, Lagers to Bitters, and even Real Ales boasting flavours resembling banana bread, the world of beer offers endless variety. Craft breweries have surged in popularity recently, leading to a newfound fervour in the cigar world. Enthusiasts now seek…

The global shortage of Cuban cigars

Strong demand brought on by the “lockdown effect”, combined with a slowdown of production in Cuba and logistic problems caused by Covid-19 mean that tobacconists’ shelves are looking bare. Habanos S.A. calls for patience. The first to sound the alarm was 5th Avenue Trading, the exclusive importer of Cuban cigars for Germany, Austria, and Poland….

Stains on cigar wrappers: Green, yellow, black and white spots explained.

Over the years, I have put together an entire collection of cigars with wrappers of various discolouration. I’m not talking about cigar bloom, an effect that can be removed from the wrapper. Discolouration of the wrapper cannot be removed since it is usually a pigment fault in the leaf. Green or greyish green stains, yellow…

The Magic Behind Maduro Cigars

Cigars come in many colours. From green to midnight black, cigar colour is the result of fermentation or so we are led to believe. In order to fully understand how a maduro wrapper is made, we have to look into the dark side of cigar making. Although it is generally true that fermentation determines tobacco…