Cigars and Spirits: A Winter Pairing Guide

Cigar and spirits

Whether it is the chilly weather, the limited sunlight, or the visiting in-laws, the holiday season is a time when we all could use a little extra cheer. For the cigar smoker, adding a thoughtfully-paired beverage to your next smoke is a sure-fire way to increase your jolliness factor while also elevating the sensory experience. […]

The Cigar Habits of J.P. Morgan

J.P. Morgan, the Zeus of Wall Street, posing with a cigar.

When it comes to cigar habits of the most famous cigar aficionados in American history, John Pierpont Morgan is among the best. Known as the ‘Zeus of Wall Street’ due to his considerable wealth and power, J.P. Morgan also had a rabid appetite for cigars. More specifically, it was the 8” Maduro Meridiana Kohinoor that […]

Tobacco Plant Anatomy: A Crash Course

Leaves of the tobacco plant

Three Different Leaves Create the Perfect Cigar We might as well come right out and say it. You really don’t need to know anything about the tobacco plant to enjoy smoking a well-made cigar. But some of us can’t help but admire the layered craftsmanship of a good stogie. For us, cigar knowledge, knowing more […]

Tough Conversations Over Holiday Cigars

A couple enjoying holiday cigars amid tough conversations

This holiday season will be full of lots of cigars and for most of us also a great deal of family time. Unless you’re related to cousin Eddie, family time is usually a positive thing. It means quality time with loved ones. It’s a great time to finally have those tough conversations you’ve been putting […]

John F Kennedy and the H. Upmann Petit

John F. Kennedy reading while smoking a cigar.

The Strange Legacy of JFK’s Favorite Cigar John F Kennedy had a love for cigars, but not just any cigar. For him, the H. Upmann cigar was the cigar to have. If you have spent any amount of time perusing the shelves at your local tobacconist, then you have likely crossed paths with an H. […]

The Top Four Cigar Rituals and Traditions

A man smoking during a cigar ritual

There are many good reasons to fire up a stogie in the yard. Yet, folks like me would argue that a real enthusiast doesn’t need a reason at all. Why can’t the cigar be the reason? Still, there are some occasions that demand a good smoke. Take cigar rituals and traditions, for example. They have carried […]

Cigar Lounge Etiquette: 5 Pointers For Newbies

Image of a cigar lounge

If you’re like me, then you are more likely to enjoy that fine cigar sitting outside or perched atop a lawnmower than in the plush leather chairs in an upscale smoking lounge. But even the most introverted smokers enjoy occasional socialization. More so, when it involves gathering around a shared passion for a well-crafted cigar […]

How to Choose the Right Cigar Shapes and Sizes

Different cigars makes choosing the right cigar size and shape matter.

Have you ever perused the humidor at your local cigar lounge? The experience can be overwhelming. The number of cigars to choose from is in all their different shapes, sizes, and colors create a dizzying effect. These factors tie into the experience you get when you select the right cigar for your smoking pleasure. But, […]

The Victory Cigars of NBA Coach Red Auerbach

Red Auerbach enjoys a victory cigar post game.

Arnold “Red” Auerbach was well-known as the coach and later the general manager of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His teams, featuring the likes of Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and several more hands full of Hall of Famers, were the most dominant of his era, the 1950s and 1960s, winning nine […]

The Alabama Cigar Tradition: Rules Be Damned

University of Alabama team celebrates win with victory cigars as part of their Alabama cigar tradition.

The third Saturday in October means Tennessee vs. Alabama football…and the Alabama cigar tradition. Until Tennessee’s program slipped below mediocrity, this was among the best rivalries in college football. Then, two programs, rich in history, often rose to the top of the Southeastern Conference. A conference game holds specific title implications: the winner gets to light […]