“You like cigars?” This is probably the most common question you will encounter in Cuba when walking through Old Havana. The official prices for Cohibas and Montecristos appear to be high for many tourists visiting the country for the first time, so they seek different channels to fulfill their desire for fine tobacco.
International Women’s Cigar Society. The Network.
Back in 2009 a hub was set up especially for women in the branch – the International Women’s Cigar Society (IWCS). The platform not only unites the distribution, the manufacturing and supplier side, but also the cigar smokers themselves, and women’s cigar clubs have found their point of contact in IWCS.
One Day in the Life of Emmanuel Martinez
A job at the Panama Caribbean Cigar factory changed the life of Emmanuel Martinez four years ago. The 24-year-old started working as a cigar roller and since cigar culture in Panama is nowhere near as prominent as in many of its neighboring countries, Emmanuel knew nothing about cigars before he started there.
Upswing across the swedish tobacco market: Malmö & Stockholm
According to Peter Zimmermann, owner of Den anspråkslösa cigarraffären in Malmö, Gothenburg has been at the forefront of the Swedish tobacco market for a long time, but he also says things are changing.
It’s a Lifestyle: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars
Cigars bearing the name Rocky Patel are expected to be something special. And they are. Since founding the company, Rocky Patel has created and approved every single cigar blend. Each one served a unique purpose at the time. Over the decades, this is how Rocky Patel cigars have developed a broad portfolio.
Monte Pascoal builds Factory in Fields in Brazil
Brazilian tobacco is well loved around the world. Just when it seemed like there was no more room in the market for a new Brazilian cigar, Lorenzo Orsi decided to take his passion for Brazil and cigars and created a new Brazilian cigar.
One Day in the Life of Francisca del Rosario González Aguirre
After 44 years of working almost every job available at Joya de Nicaragua, Francisca del Rosario González Aguirre is still learning.
Job: Test Smoker at Partagás
Cuban manufacturers rely on test smokers, called catadores, to perform quality control. We spoke with Gerardo Álamo Gómez, usually responsible for machines and electronics at Partagás and one of twelve Partagás test smokers, and we were able to take part in a tasting session.
Keep Smiling, No Matter What!
Simon Chase is not sure about it – for one reason or another it has fallen to him to conduct the auction of humidors at the Gala Dinner on the last night of the Festival del Habano in Havana for 13 out of the last 14 years. If all goes well, by the time you read this article it will be 14 out of the last 15 years.
Estelí – The Cigar City
A thriving tobacco industry transformed the former Nicaraguan farming town of Estelí into a Mecca for cigar smokers.
Tabacalera Incorporada – The Filipino Tabacalera
With the recent launch of the Gran Reserva and a new USA distribution deal, the Philippines’ oldest cigar manufacturer, Tabacalera Incorporada, is intent on returning to global prominence.
Fake Cigars and Fake Wines
Don’t you hate it? The guys next to you are smoking fake Cohibas and it’s so obvious. Yet, some people smoke them. A large part of them knows damned well they are smoking fakes, but it’s the same thing with fake wines: they don’t want to pay the price for the real deal.
