Guides

Guides and Resources

Straight answers to the questions people ask before they buy, schedule or sign.

GuideHow to cut a cigar without ruining itAlmost every cigar is sealed at the head, and the way you open it shapes the whole smoke. This guide explains where to cut, how much to take off and which cutter to choose, for adults 21 and older who enjoy cigars.Read more GuideHow to light a cigar so it burns evenlyLighting a cigar is closer to toasting bread than to lighting a cigarette: gentle, patient and even. Here is how to do it well, what fuel to use, and how to fix a burn that runs crooked.Read more GuideHow to store cigars and keep humidity steadyCigars are made of leaf, and leaf reacts to the air around it. Store a cigar well and it stays supple and flavorful. Store it badly and it dries out, swells or gets invaded. Here are the ranges smokers rely on and how to hold them.Read more GuideHow to season a new humidor, step by stepA brand-new wooden humidor is dry, and dry wood will pull moisture from any cigar you put inside. Seasoning fixes that. This guide covers what to gather, the order of the steps and the signs that your humidor is ready.Read more GuideCigar wrapper types, explained plainlyThe wrapper is the outer leaf you see, feel and taste first. This guide explains the common wrapper types, what they usually taste like, and why color is a clue to flavor but a poor guide to strength.Read more GuideCigar sizes and shapes (vitolas) explainedA cigar's name often tells you its size before it tells you anything about taste. Learn how ring gauge and length work, and how to read the common vitola names, and the cigar counter gets much easier to read.Read more GuideCigar strength: mild vs full, and what it really meansMild, medium and full are among the most-used and most-misused words in cigars. This guide separates strength from body and flavor, explains what drives each, and offers a sensible way to find your level.Read more GuideHow long cigars last, and what aging really doesThere is no fixed expiry date on a cigar. How long one lasts depends on how it is kept, and whether it improves with age depends on the cigar. Here is how to think about freshness, resting and aging.Read more GuideCigar and drink pairing basicsA good pairing makes both the cigar and the drink taste better. A poor one makes them fight. Start with a few simple principles, then experiment. This guide is for adults 21 and older.Read more GuideCuban cigars and U.S. law: what you should knowCuban cigars carry a mystique, and a tangle of rules. This guide summarizes how the U.S. embargo treats them, what changed for travelers, and where to confirm today's rules. It is general information and not legal advice.Read more

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