Sosua Cigars Cafe Cubano

Each cigar manufacturer has its own style and flavor. Big names like Padr n, Partagas, Macanudo, Davidoff of Geneva and Cohiba, among others, are known for their consistently well-crafted cigars with complex flavors. Each brand also produces various lines. Cohiba, for example, offers three tiers, from basic varieties to rare limited editions

Cuban tobacco, particularly that from the Vuelta Abajo region, is widely considered the best in the world. If you can't get your hands on a Cuban cigar, one from the Dominican Republic which uses plants grown from Cuban seeds is the next best thing. Nicaragua and Honduras also produce excellent cigar tobacco. These countries are each known for producing strong, flavorful tobacco that lends itself well to blending. Other quality smokes come from Ecuador, Mexico, Cameroon, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United States

A cigar's shape affects the heat of its smoke. A straight cigar smokes progressively hotter; while one with say, a bulge in the middle, will stay cooler longer because its girth increases as the length decreases.

Cigars come in two basic shapes. So-called straight cigars, with a classic, tubular shape, are the most widely available. Because they are harder to make, it's less common to encounter cigars of othershapes, lumped together in one category as figurados, or irregulars. These cigars may be tapered at one end, braided, or have a thick bulge in the middle, to name a few common shapes. Whether your cigar is straight or figurado, some will be rounded; others have a squarish shape from being pressed together in a box. The ends may be rounded, flat or pointed.

Here, vintage refers to the year of the tobacco harvest, rather than the year the cigar was crafted. Manufacturers only make vintages in select years, says Seise; the rest are non vintage blends containing two to five tobaccos of different varieties and harvest years. The idea is to create a cigar that is consistent from year to year. Because vintage cigars are limited in quantity. They are also pricier.

Stored properly, a cigar can keep for decades. The older the cigar, the richer its taste and the heftier its price tag.

A cigar's outermost leaf, or wrapper, accounts for most of the finished product's flavour, says Seise. The six color grades range from Claro claro, a light green, to Oscuro, nearly black. The darker the wrapper, the more full-bodied the cigar. Any color is fine so long as it's uniform. A cigar with swirls or shading color won't impart good flavour.

Unlike wines, there are no chocolate or red fruit notes here cigars are usually described in basic tastes like sweet, smooth, heavy and rich. Figuring out what you like takes some trial and error. You'll easily know if you like mild or full. If it's too mild for you, you won't be getting any flavor. Too full, and it'll feel like you're blasting your mouth out.

President John F. Kennedy was such a fan of Cuban cigars that he held off on signing the 1962 Cuban trade embargo until his press secretary had rounded up his favorite Petit Upmann cigars 1,200 in all. Today, Cubans are still the undisputed kings of the cigar world, and they're still illegal in the U.S.

Black market goods abound, but they're not worth your money. "Odds are it's not from Cuba, and you're not going to get a good smoke.

Get hands on. A quality cigar will have a lustrous sheen and slightly oily texture. It'll feel firm between your fingers, and give off a strong aroma of tobacco. A cigar that's been stored improperly, on the other hand, will be dull, with a dry, cracked wrapper. It'll crumble in your hand, just like a cracker. A bad cigar won't have much of a scent.

Stick to specialists. You'll find an excellent selection of individually priced cigars at tobacconists and cigar shops, says Bettridge. Look for a store with a walk-in humidor, which replicates the temperature and humidity of the cigars' native country. Bonus: Because these stores sell only smokes, you're more likely to find knowledgeable staff to make recommendations.

Avoid buying online. There's no way to know in advance if cigars have been stored properly, says Bettridge, or if you're getting the real deal (counterfeit cigars cheap, poor-quality tobacco dressed up with a ring band similar to a legit brand abound). And even the most reputable online retailers sell cigars primarily in boxes a costly proposition if you're trying new brands.

Go late. Unless you have a humidor, any cigar you buy as a gift (or to smoke yourself) should be smoked within a day or two of purchase. The exception: Cigars packaged in tubes. They put them in the tubes when they're freshly rolled, so the moisture is locked in. So long as you don't open the tube, these cigars can be kept for a week or so.