Cigar Blog

Happiness is a good cigar

Homemade Humidors

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Cigars have to be stored properly for them to retain their flavor.  The traditional storage boxes of cigars are called humidors.  A quality humidor is not exactly cheap so those who think they are up to the task may consider making their own homemade humidor.

The easiest homemade humidor is made up of an airtight plastic container. Take note that the emphasis here is the word airtight.  Anything less is unacceptable.  The ideal size is one that will comfortably fit at least two wooden boxes of cigars with space to spare.  A digital thermometer must be attached inside the container through the use of Velcro and it must be positioned in such a way that it can be seen from outside the container even when it is closed.  It is necessary to consistently check that the right temperature is maintained inside.  A slightly damp sponge has to be placed on one side away from the boxes of cigars.  A plastic humidor is not recommended for long-term use since plastic tends to retain more moisture than the ideal humidor environment.

A homemade wooden humidor is a better option but will require some woodwork skills.  There area actually many do-it-yourself humidor kits available in the market.  Aside from woodwork skills, completing this project would require specific equipment.  Dimensions can be adjusted depending on personal preference.  In lieu of cedar linings which may not be readily available, linings from Spanish cigar boxes can be used.  To complete the humidor, a digital hygrometer and humidifier are also needed.

About the Author:

Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.

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How to Buy a Cigar

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To make a cigar experience worth your while, you must know how to buy the right one.  Cigar have so many variants to choose from that it is impossible to say if a person with no previous experience with cigar would like his/her first try.  It would be advisable to ask the recommendation of a local tobacconist who understands the differences in the variants.

Newbie cigar smokers can get easily overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices.  It is impossible to make the right choice just by looks since the magic of cigar lies in the flavor.  Since it is impossible to try each and every brand and variant, it would be wise to have a certain idea of taste preference.  Most tobacco flavor variants are self-explanatory and are referred to in relation to food items.  These include spicy, sweet, cinnamon, peppery, butterscotch, vanilla, apple, grape, and orange, among a very long list of cigar flavors.  There are also other terms used such as cedar, woodsy, copper, and even leather.

For the first buy, newbies are advised to do it the old-fashioned way which is through actual physical inspection.  Some of the things that can provide a clue to a cigar’s quality include freshness and color.  Wrappers should not break when pinched.  Cigars that are fresh have been properly stored in humidors which ensures maximized enjoyment.  Inconsistent coloring of cigars in  a batch may signify lack of freshness since this should not happen among cigars that have been manufactured within the same batch.

Determining the best cigar to buy requires real “tasting” .  Inhalation of smoke is not recommended in trying to establish cigar taste.  First-time cigar adventurers should try their first in a full stomach to avoid possible stomach cramps.  Online cigar stores can provide information to people interested in smoking cigar.  In buying a cigar, hand-rolled versions are considered superior over machine-made.

 
About the Author:
Teresa is a researcher-writer on a wide range of topics.

Cigar Production in the Philippines

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The Philippines has been producing cigar for quite some time and is one of the largest producing in Asia.  The introduction of tobacco in the Philippines is credited to Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who brought tobacco seeds from Cuba to Spanish missionaries staying in the Philippines.  The cultivation of these seeds paved the way for the birth of what would be a successful cigar industry.

The Spaniards chose to cultivate these seeds in the Philippine soil which was a colony during that time.  Thus it came to pass that Spaniards propagated the commercialization of tobacco production while spreading the Christian faith.  The tobacco had a ready market in Spain and other countries and was so much in demand that Filipinos had to suffer through forced production of tobacco to meet the high demand.  Filipino tobacco farmers eventually found the chance to produce tobacco voluntarily and under better conditions.

There are at least 27 tobacco-producing provinces at present offering four types of tobacco including the native variant, Virginia, Turkish, and burley.  It is the Virginia tobacco which is the most prevalent in the country.  Most are grown in the province of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and La Union.

Some of the Philippine cigar brands include the Alhambra, Calixto Lopez, Flor de Filipinas, Fighting Cock, Independencia 1898, La Tabacalera, and 1881, among others.  La Flor de la Isabela and Tabaquena de Filipinas were among the more reliable cigar producers in the Philippines.  A cheap variant was made available through local cigars manually done by individual tobacco farmers. Although they do not offer much in looks, they still offer good taste and flavor.