Catch-Up / Recent Articles
Industry News
INFOTEP and PROCIGAR Inaugurate School of Tobacco Artisans to Secure the Future of Dominican Premium Cigars
The National Institute of Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP), in partnership with the Asociation of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers (PROCIGAR), has officially inaugurated the PROCIGAR–INFOTEP School of Tobacco Artisans in Tamboril, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen workforce development, employment generation, and the long-term sustainability of the Dominican premium cigar industry. [...]
Nelson Alfonso, Madrid, and a Factory.
Just last year I took a very slow boat that ended up landing on the coast of Spain. After taking in the Barcelona night life (ok, eating lots of tapas) I headed over to Madrid. One of the items on my list, spend the day with Nelson Alfonso and see [...]
La Flor Dominicana Unveils Apollonia
La Flor Dominicana proudly announces the release of Apollonia, a one-time TAA-exclusive cigar that tells a personal story of legacy, love, and craftsmanship between father and son. This release marks the first project led by Tony Gomez in his new role as Vice President of Blend Development and Product Integrity, [...]
Editorials
Plume vs Mold. Enough Already.
I can’t take it anymore. If you spend more than five minutes in a cigar group, you will see this post. Blurry photo - checkWhite stuff on the wrapper - checkCaption asks if it is plume or mold - check Then in 3…2…1…the comments explode. Half the replies say "plume." [...]
Carnival in Santiago, Dominican Republic
I grab another bottle of Brugal rum, a few more Dominican cigars and play music so loud it would make my chickens explode. Cigar ash is all over my shirt and I replaced water with Presidente beer a week ago. Carnival is almost here. It’s 7am and the early morning [...]
How to Read (or Write) a Cigar Review Without Overthinking It
I want to get a few things off my chest regarding cigar reviews. Yes, I’m probably writing this for my own benefit and to a few people in the balcony seats who are still scratching their heads over Skittles or Chunky Monkey showing up in a cigar review.* *Full Disclosure: [...]
Cigars Accessories
Hall of Fame Cigar Accessories Worth Buying
Since I decided to roast the worst accessories last week, I should remind everyone that good cigar gear actually exists in the wild. Now, before someone comes back and tells me they found the perfect lighter/cutter combo for $3 on Amazon, let me say this. I’m happy for you. That [...]
Battle of the Lighters: Torch vs. Soft Flame
Cigar smokers will debate about anything—wrappers, ring gauges, whether pineapple belongs on pizza, who will win the Super Bowl, best Batman, you name it. Aside from "Mold vs Plume*," nothing sparks a fight quite like the lighter debate: Torch or Soft flame? Let’s break it down before somebody flips a [...]
A $16 Amazon Lighter That Turns You Into a 1970s Magician?
There are cigar lighters, and then there are “ladies and gentlemen, for my next trick…” lighters. I saw this lighter pop up on social media a couple of times. It reminded me of a 1970s magician. Suddenly, I’m less “guy enjoying a cigar” and more “guy about to saw [...]
Cigars 101
Cigar Flavor Descriptors
Ah.. the wonderful world of cigar reviews and descriptions. Sometimes reading cigar reviews can be as colorful as the personalities behind them. It’s not uncommon to hear people say that they didn’t get any of the same notes from a cigar as the review they read. When someone writes a [...]
Plume vs Mold. Enough Already.
I can’t take it anymore. If you spend more than five minutes in a cigar group, you will see this post. Blurry photo - checkWhite stuff on the wrapper - checkCaption asks if it is plume or mold - check Then in 3…2…1…the comments explode. Half the replies say "plume." [...]
The Unwritten Rules of Borrowing Lighters and Cutters
Every cigar lounge has rules, even that “DILLIGAF” guy that actually does. Some rules are posted with a cool cigar logo in the bottom right corner but most are enforced through eye contact, silence, and quiet judgment. I don’t think there are any signs about borrowing a lighter or a [...]
