Cigars
Much like smoking pipe tobacco, enjoying the smoke of a cigar is often regarded as a far more rewarding experience than a regular cigarette. Expertly crafted in many regions across the world, cigars require expertise for the optimum smoke but all the effort is surely worth it.
It’s often said that cigars that are rolled by hand are better than those by machine and it would be hard to disagree. The skill of many cigar makers is hard to argue with as they are able to craft from tightly rolled, dried tobacco with far more finesse than a mechanical tool will. It also adds a personal touch to the smoke and is always suggested to those who wish to try a cigar for the first time.
Cigars have become synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood but in fact, their origins stretch back far further than that; all the way to the 10th century.
Christopher Columbus is the explorer who was responsible for discovering the Americas for Europe and it’s on one of the legs of his journeys where he first discovered tobacco. Possibly the earliest form of a cigar, Columbus witnessed locals in the Bahamas smoking “tabago”, often rolled up in a lef – not too dissimilar from modern day cigars.
After Columbus delivered the tobacco plant home to Spain, it was soon cultivated and mastered for cigars and pipe smoking. Widespread popularity for the custom was gained throughout Europe in the few years that followed.
Main Regions for Cigar Produce
There are many countries across the globe that are their cigar exports and rightly so as many of them offer a unique smoking experience when compared to the next.
Cuban cigars – most typified with the custom, Cuban cigars are seen as the alma mater for other cigar-bearing countries. The majority of all produce from this country is often said to be of the highest standard which is why they sometimes reach quite a high price.
Nicaraguan cigars – it’s widely-believed that during the Cuban Revolution, many patriots fled to other American countries which lead to the Cuban craftsmanship finding its way to Nicaragua. Nicaraguan tobacco companies saw the market opportunity and used Cuban seeds and experts for their produce.
Dominican Cigars – as the world’s largest producer of cigars, the Dominican Republic has in excess of 600,000 tobacco fields which yield distinctive and pleasing tastes. Known to be milder than Cubans, a Dominican cigar could be a great starting point for a first time smoker of cigars.
Honduran cigars – Another country which benefitted from the Cuban Revolution, cigars from Honduras have been perfectly acclimatised thanks to the country’s rich soil and they are often regarded as offering a strong taste and aroma which does not become overwhelming.
