Reports and travelogues, interviews and insider knowledge, along with many other stories, await you in the third Cigar Journal issue of 2025.
Below you’ll get a little taste of more stories that will enrich your summer feeling with many good cigars.
Once again, you can listen to audio files of four stories from this issue of the print magazine via QR code; in the digital magazine, there’s a direct link to the audio. The “Listen” symbol indicates the stories that have been recorded. Enjoy listening!
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COVER STORY – Tabacalera El Artista: Ram Rodríguez takes over the life’s work of his father
Generational change at Tabacalera El Artista: Ram Rodríguez is promoting renewable energy and setting clear standards for social justice. The handover within the company is taking place fluidly. Radhamés – called “Ram” – is actively involved in the family business. He has developed his own perspective, not only as the boss’s son but as someone who has undergone comprehensive training to take over a legacy in a responsible way and to develop it further.
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CIGAR INDUSTRY:
Manifatture Sigaro Toscano:Sustainability is more than just a duty – For Manifatture Sigaro Toscano, it’s part of the company’s DNA and a decisive step towards a responsible future.
Oliva Cigar: The cigar manufacturer takes a holistic approach to environmental protection – from robust seeds to reforestation. Even the wood for the boxes comes from certified, controlled sources.
PAIRING – Champagne & Cigars: Bubbles of Smoke
Does Champagne go with cigars? Our five-person pairing team comprehensively tested how elegant, fresh, and bubbly it can get with a cigar.
CIGAR DESTINATIONS: Colombia and Slovakia
Colombia: Colombia is known for coffee, cocoa, and rum – and now cigars are also to be included. Juan Camilo Rodríguez is working on this with his manufacturing company in Barichara.
Slovakia: Smoking enjoyment allowed: In Slovakia you can still smoke inside. Find the best addresses for lounges and bars throughout the whole country here.
CIGAR KNOWLEDGE: Wrapper leaf from Partid0
Partido is one of Cuba’s most important tobacco regions. Thanks to modern cultivation methods and proven practice, it has been producing consistently strong harvests for years.
TASTED CIGARS
An international team of over 96 cigar experts blind-tasted 60 cigars. Read the test results, including the descriptions of the cigars, here.
In this issue two cigars were awarded an outstanding 94 points: the EL PULPO THE EEL LANCERO and the PERDOMO 30TH ANNIVERSARY SUN GROWN TORPEDO. Four cigars received 93 points each: the DAVIDOFF THE CHEFS EDITION LIMITED EDITION 2025, the DUNBARTON MI QUERIDA BLACK PAPASAKA, the OLIVA SERIE V 135 ANIVERSARIO EDICIÓN REAL, and the PLASENCIA COSECHA 151 SAN DIEGO.
If you’re interested in cigars with an especially good price-performance ratio, then look out for our Best Buy seal: 17 cigars were awarded this distinction in the tastings.
Have fun tasting – and reading and listening!
