For the beginning cigar smoker, it would be best to try buying one piece instead of the usual box which would not be light on the pocket of any person. Brands have their say as far as cigars are concerned, but for beginning smokers, this is not yet important.

The essence of what people get from smoke that they have in their mouth is something that no one can really explain. Most people are simply for the acknowledging their curiosity while some are in it because of the things they hear around them.

The Gurkha, as popular and sought after as it is now, was not always considered so highly. It hails from India, where it was once looked down on – if you can believe that. But one man changed that perception. Kaizad Hansotia, an entrepreneur based in Miami, bought the brand many years ago simply because he liked what he tasted. His gamble has paid off.

Gurkhas are now considered way up there in the cigar world. To give you an idea of just how highly regarded they are, one cigar goes for $750! Thus, it is not a surprise that you normally find high profile Hollywood personalities puffing on one of them babies.

More on the Gurkha from The Courant:

They are cased in “frosted glass tubes in which Gurkhas are individually packaged, the gold caps on the tubes, and the unique design of each new line of Gurkha boxes, from hand-carved wood in one line, to boxes covered with leather and lined with suede for another.

As for the celebrity interest in Gurkha, Torano said, “Go into any humidor in any good cigar shop in the country, and you can’t help but notice the Gurkha, because of their look. Then you smoke one and find you like them, too.”

Anyone here who has tried a Gurkha?

If you are having problems finding the money to enjoy your favorite cigar, I have an alternative for you – Greek cigars. I actually read about these cigars from a report by the Associated Press, which talks about Domenico Cigars.

This company is based in Greece but their seeds are from Cuba. The people behind the company also have gotten their knowledge and other cigar making secrets from Cuba itself. As a result, their cigar quality is almost comparable to some of the best and most expensive cigars to be found these days.

Truth be told, the cigar industry in Greece is very young, a mere babe so to speak. The industry only started about 5 years ago in an area northwest of Athens. The climate in this area is hot and damp, making it similar to the Pinar del Rio region in Cuba. As such, it is not that surprising that the cigars produced in Domenico are garnering considerable attention.

Experts state that Domenico cigars do not really match the level of “real” Cubans. Despite the seeds being the same, the soil and weather conditions are not exactly alike. Still, people seem to like them and keep buying them. Maybe you should try one and see for yourself.

Now what if I were to tell you that you have an alternative? I just heard of a new product from USACIG, Inc. and Hop-on, Inc. dubbed “The Electric Cuban Cigar(TM).” I am sure you’re heard of similar products before – we have even featured electric cigars in the past. The big difference that this new product offers is that it is supposed to taste just like Havana Hand Rolled Cigars.

To be honest, I am not quite convinced about that promise. It is hard enough to copy the authentic Cuban cigar experience with a “real” cigar – the one that you actually smoke till only ashes remain – how much more for an electric cigar? Still, the companies seem to be pretty confident. The president of Hop-on, Peter Michaels, says:

“We are working with a couple of sources in Latin America that who have access to the authentic plants used in the making of the famous Havana Cigars. These plants were taken on a boat out of Cuba to another foreign country, carried by mules over hundreds of miles through treacherous mountains and ended up in the fields where we have access to. We will use the natural nicotine from the tobacco plants and capture the flavors of the world famous cigars. Because the US has a trade embargo with Cuba, we are forced to take these steps in order to provide the most authentic flavors. The Electric Cuban Cigar will come in a collector’s wooden box with 5 Cuban flavored cartridges. Smokers can enjoy the real Cuban cigar taste!”

For $199, I am not sure I am willing to chance it and get disappointed. Would you give this a try?

Naturally, being a Montecristo, you already have an inkling of the high quality of the cigar. On the outside, the White Especial No. 1 is firm to the touch, without a doubt packaged excellently. But what about the flavor and the smoking experience itself?

The initial draw will give you a very light tobacco flavor. That’s about it, really. You do not get any hint of woodsy flavors or anything else. It’s pure tobacco, albeit very mild. As you continue smoking the cigar, you might find yourself expecting the flavor to develop or perhaps intensify. To be honest, though, the mild tobacco flavor stays consistent down to the last draw. Now this is not a bad thing if that is what you are looking for. However, if you want something stronger, then you might not be satisfied with this cigar. On the upside, the cigar burns very well all throughout.

There are also other variations of the white cigar at Altadis USA. Check them out and tell me what you think.

Habanos SA and Cubatabaco are known to be the leading groups that handle the manufacturing and distribution of their finest roles produced. Such produced cigars are usually known to be hand made although there are some who also use machines to be able to produce bulk cigars bundles.

Ironically, Cuban cigars where introduced in Europe by the very same person who discovered America, Christopher Columbus. He is credited with this distinction from his numerous voyages, something that people are familiar with today. It is amazing that he too is responsible for making cigars known in Europe.

Cigars would come in different flavors such as natural and chocolate flavors. While no one would really understand what the bearing of flavored tobacco would be, the cigar experts would be the best people to ask why. All they get is smoke, but aside from the relaxation, this has become normal for people who have made it a habit to combine both.

Cigar brands such as Tabaqueria de Filipinas, Blue Label, Don Mateo and Don Diego would depend on the avid cigar smoker. With many brands to choose from, everything would seem to be the same. But don’t tell that to the cigar experts who have preference for their own brand to smoke.

After the proper curing time for quality tobacco leaves has been derived, it would all depend on the person tasked to roll and produce the cigar products. The person assigned to do such rolling and packing of cigars can make multiple cigars in a day after which they are finely cut to size to fit in the usual carton cases we see today. The length of time to which they are stored is not a factor to be worried about, but on the contrary is better if they are stored lengthily under proper levels of temperature for more premium taste once they are lit.

Preference for quality smoked cigars is a given and it is no mystery why people would prefer buying cigars as individual sticks rather than in bulk. The bundled or second cigars will still possess the same smoke and tobacco, but for the experts, identifying the difference can be determined in the taste that these cigars would have.

Cigars are usually tagged depending on their point of origin such as Nicaraguan Bundles, or brands such as National, Baitoa and La Floridita. Building brand awareness in the category of cigars takes time, ironically similar to smoking quality cigars which would preferably take 6 to 8 weeks of aging before they are offered for sale to the cigar enthusiasts today.

In February of this year, the Cohiba Behike was launched in Havana, and the tag line “setting a new standard among smokers worldwide” was used. Naturally, the interest of cigar aficionados was caught, and the fact that supplies of the cigar will be limited has only helped fuel the flames. Law of supply and demand at work here!

Where there is smoke, there must be fire, right? While the cigar has not yet been released for sale, privileged people have already tried it. Mitchell Orchant is one example. He is a cigar merchant operating out of London, and he was one of the select individuals who was able to smoke a Cohiba Behike during its launch. He swears by the cigar, and is proud to declare that he as 1,000 people on his waiting list for the cigar.

What makes this particular cigar that great? Orchant says that “this is perfection in a Cuban cigar… the Cubans have got every aspect of this cigar right – the brand, the size, the taste. And of course it’s unique because a rare leaf is being used in its blend, the first time such a leaf has been used in a cigar.”

It will be for sale in June – I suggest you go find your source as early as now.