Cigar Smokers Heaven

Cuban cigars in a humidor

I have never smoked cigarettes (unless you count the handmade roll up my cousin persuaded me to try in my teens, upon which I was violently sick and vowed never to try again),
but I must admit to having the odd cigar. Firstly in my opinion the experience is totally different to cigarettes and secondly I absolutely love the smell of cigar smoke.
So if I am on a night out with friends and we have had good food and good wine, I am more than likely to finish the evening with a large cigar, the more expensive the better.

Nothing like a cigar and a drink

Many like me will smoke cigars while enjoying the friendship of other Cigar Smokers. other people might smoke a cigar whilst playing golf, or just as a means to relax whilst reading a paper. I prefer the company of  others when I smoke, but many prefer to smoke them in their own company. Maybe just relaxing can become a bore without a cigar in your hand and with one you wont get bored as you actually have something to do
and also the smoke can be hypnotic.

History of cigars is a bit of a mystery, as it is not known where it was first grown, however evidence points to the fact that inhabitants of Europe were unaware of tobacco until after 1492 with the voyage of Columbus.
It is alleged that several of his crew made a report of Indians who smoked a simple form of Cigar Made from twisted dried tobacco leaves that were rolled in a palm.

After Columbus smoking spread throughout Europe and across the water to Britain, thanks to Sir Walter Raleigh

One hundred and fifty years later smoking was common throughout Britain and Europe and tobacco was being grown commercially in America.

Cigar is an Indian word (Sikar) for smoking and translates to cigarro in spanish. By the late 1800's the Dutch, the British, Germany and France were all producing "Segars" and in Britain Parliament set out legislation for import  tax and were regarded as a luxury item.

The demand for higher quality cigars grew and Cuba a then spanish colony were regarded as the best. This is known because they ended up in the US after the American War of Independence when generals returned from Cuba  bringing the fine cigars with them. Cigars were fast becoming a status symbol.

My after-dinner cigar, normally accompanied by a glass of port or brandy became a tradition where the females in the party left the men to their cigars and drinks.

Whilst the negative effects of smoking have become heavily promoted, cigars are still seen as a status symbol, thanks to American films stars and celebrities being filmed smoking them and cigars are as popular as ever.

Today lots of cigars are machine made, but I strongly believe that hand rolled cigars taste and smell the best, especially as it is not easy to roll a cigar and takes years and years of practice, hence the heavy prices.
If a cigar is rolled too loose or too tight the filler leaves will not allow the cigar to draw correctly.

There are lots of methods to folding the filler leaves together and often they are pressed in a mold before being wrapped in the outer
layers. Just like a fine malt whiskey, it takes a lot of experimenting with blends to achieve a quality flavour.

Quality cigars should always be stored in a humidor (a wooden box designed to store cigars with optimal humidity) Therefore a humidor containts a humidifications device to maintain or subtract moisture in the cigars. Most humidors
are made of wood and the inside from Spanish Cedar. Humidors are an art form in themselves and can be very expensive. I love the time and care taken to make these boxes as I do with all the other cigar paraphernalia.

I hope you enjoy the site and find the large selection of humidors, cutting and grinding tools, labels, and accessory kits as exciting as I do. If you do have one for me!!