You know, being in the travel industry in any shape or form really isn’t a lot of fun at the moment. Of course, being in Sydney is a better place to be (for now) than many other places in the world with regards to Covid outbreaks, closed borders, travel bans and outright lockdown, but it … Read more
Cuba’s cigars, along with cool ‘50s cars, amazing music and tantalising architecture, are an icon of the nation. But there’s more to the often elaborately patterned, brightly coloured bands that ring each cigar than just decoration… Cuba has been heralded as making the finest cigars in the world for centuries. Its rich, dark volcanic soil, … Read more
Riding a horse through Cuba’s revered tobacco fields whilst smoking a cigar has to be one of my all-time best travel memories. But there’s more to it than that. Seeing these parts of Cuba you can only get to on horseback is truly a great experience. There’s so much more to Cuba than the populous … Read more
Everyone knows that Cuba’s most famous product is its cigars. But not many know how Cuban cigars are made. Crafting a perfect cigar is an artform, but to see it done, you have to visit a cigar factory in Cuba. The words ‘Cuban’ and ‘cigar’ go together so naturally, don’t they? It’s the perfect collocation. … Read more
Buying a real Cuban cigar should be a lot of fun – especially when you’re in Cuba. But it’s so important to know how to spot a fake cigar. Here are our tips on spotting fake cigars. Cuban cigars are the best cigars in the world. To quote a Cuban cigar expert we talked to … Read more
Knowing whether you have a mouldy cigar or if it’s just bloom is so important. If you spot a bit of mould on your cigar, all may not be lost. Here are some tips on what to do if you think your cigar is mouldy. As I sat at the bar nearest my gate at … Read more
Choosing a cigar is NOT like choosing a packet of cigarettes or a bag of chips. It’s more like… choosing fresh bread. Here are some essential points to guarantee a good cigar purchase: How to choose a cigar 1. The environment Is the cigar in a closed humidor? If it’s open to the elements, the … Read more
I first heard of Partagas from my boss, who had lived for a long time in Spain. He had been given a box of Partagas by a doctor he had become friends with while teaching him technical English. Until recently, I couldn’t go past a Montecristo No.2, which is very similar to the Partagas Serie … Read more
Hands up who wants a big wet, soggy cigar? No one? Who wants a crispy fragile crust of a cigar? Still no hands? That’s why getting your humidor to that sought-after 65-75% relative humidity is essential. However, there are so many tips, tricks, techniques and cheats out there, it can be very confusing. Let me … Read more
I went to my favourite cigar shop today to pick up a few ‘supplies’. My football team Christmas party is on Wednesday and there are a few of us who enjoy a good smoke after our obligatory curry. Norman Stein of the Bogart’s House of Fine Cigars and Tobacco* is a lovely chap and he … Read more