Cigars for the Uninitiated

Cigars have long been associated with the rich andwell as the skill of the country's cigar makers. Other
powerful, with relaxation and rich flavor. Cigarcountries that produce significant amounts of
aficionados have created a culture around the art oftobacco and cigars include Brazil, Mexico, Honduras,
smoking, assembling various theories and accessoriesEcuador, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Indonesia,
to debate and facilitate smoking. Much like wineand the United States. Why have cigars long caught
tasting, cigar smoking has been seen as a diversionthe attention of so many? Many speculate that the
of the upper echelons of society.cigar's main attraction is in the way it is
It is believed that cigars were probably first producedmanufactured. High quality cigars are always wrapped
in Spain, and then quickly caught on in other Europeanby hand. Unlike cigarettes, cigars undergo a lengthy
countries. Although many different countriesprocess of fermentation and aging (much like wine),
manufacture cigars, Cuban cigars have long beenresulting in subtle flavors and textures. They are
highly regarded as one of the most flavorful and richhighly individual and the best cigars will provide no
of all cigars. This is due to regional microclimates thatsmoky aftertaste at all.
are said to produce the highest quality tobacco, as