They are genuine enthusiasts and great adventurers. In the middle of the sub-Saharan jungle the brothers Meerapfel grow tobacco for premium wrappers.
Doomed Heritage – The H. Upmann Factory
Rise and fall: the building, commonly known as “La Madama”, that once housed the manufacture of H. Upmann’s world-famous cigars was lost after the Hupmann family went bankrupt.
Ashes to Ashes
At first sight merely the waste after enjoyment, ash performs an important function and reveals a lot about the cigar. White or light grey ash for example is a sign for high potassium content in the soil and the ash’s structure reflects the quantity of tobacco used and the rolling technique.
Comparative Test: One Vitola – Three Types of Storage
What are the effects of storage on a cigar? Our humidor expert Marc André presented three identical but completely differently stored cigars to 45 testers.
El Laguito – Havana’s Most Beautiful Cigar Factory
Who’s the fairest one of all? Snow White’s evil stepmother had to look into a mirror for reassurance that she was the fairest in the land. There’s no question, however, which cigar factory is Havana’s most beautiful: without a doubt, it’s El Laguito.
Tasting: A Decade of Ediciónes Limitadas
We know them. We see them in every cigar store. But now, there have been ten years of Ediciónes Limitadas. It is time to review the past decade with a tasting.
Current Humidor Concepts: The Cabinet Humidor
From cases to the walk-in humidor: Some guidance on the current humidor concepts. In this article Marc André addresses the concept of the cabinet humidor.
Unmortal Love: Don Pepin & Romeo Y Julieta
Is it possible to be hopelessly romantically inclined and still run an efficient, profitable business? Well, yes – if you are Don Pepin, maybe Shakespeare’s biggest fan and infamous owner of the brand Romeo y Julieta.
Sharp Things: Wolfertz Cigar Cutters
Professional chefs, hobby cooks and knife freaks know that knives not only need to be sharp, but they must also be of a high quality. As cigar friends, we also assert this claim for cigar cutters.
Nicotiana Exhibition Vienna: The Cultural History of Tobacco
The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Vienna’s Art History Museum, is marking the occasion of two anniversaries – 10 years of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and 225 years of the Austria Tabak company (which has been part of JTI since 2007) – with an impressive exhibition organized in collaboration with JTI showing the evolution of tobacco consumption.
Blending: Behind the Scenes
Blending is the key to making satiating cigars that are smooth on the tongue, aromatic in the air and comforting o the nerves. Superstar blenders are improving the quality of cigars and the credibility of brands around the world.