I'm a fourth generation cigar maker and have spent 25+ years operating our factory as well as a mail order cigar company. I belong to cigar manufacturers associations as well as retail cigar associations so I'm usually up to date with current events relating to cigars. I've smoked the majority of brands on the market and would be happy to share my opinions of them with you. Since I live in the U.S. I have very little experience with Cuban cigars, but other than that I know a least a little bit about almost every brand of cigars on the market.
In addition to growing up in and now managing our cigar factory for 25+ years, I've spent time in many factories in Honduras, Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic and Mexico. BR>
Organizations
Cigar Association of America, Retail Tobacco Dealers Association
Cigar Association of America, Retail Tobacco Dealers Association
BS Texas A&M University
Cigar are my life - I've made them and sold them since I was a kid. I just enjoy talking cigars and giving a little guidance.
We are the oldest manufacturer in America - I'd just like to continue making cigars here as long as I can.
Cigars are not that different than food - everyone has different tastes and enjoys different things. Just because an "expert" says a cigar is good doesn't mean you're going to like it. The best way to judge a cigar is after you've smoked it, if you want to pick up another right away then it was probably pretty good...
I don't believe that cigars cause health problems. I'm not saying they are safe - I just know I've been in the business a long time and I've seen very few claims of health issues from cigars.
| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl | 11/22/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Addison | 10/31/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Charles | 10/26/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Joe | 10/21/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| LUC | 10/07/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Quick great response |
Karl, That'll work, but you'd be safer spending a few dollars on a a humidifier that is designed to hold plenty of solution and that won't leak/spill on your cigars. You can put the cigars in anything
Ray, Between the Acts was made by Altadis USA, an has apparently been taken off the market as it does not appear on their price list any longer. The massive federal excise tax increase on little cigars
Louis, Sorry about the late answer. I was on vacation and forgot to set my vacation dates on this site. Freeze all of the cigars, including the aluminum tubes just to be safe. If they are sealed
Addison, The truth is, lighting a cigar with a cedar match does not add anything to the taste of the cigar. Cedar matched are preferred by some because they smell nice, but you won't taste anything
Josh, Start with something mild, and if you like them you may want to start trying others. here are some suggestions: Macanudo Cafe Avo Classic Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real Ashton Classic These

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.