Cuban cigars are renowned worldwide for their unique and distinct flavour profile. However, those premium cigars’ price has been rising rapidly. While not all of us have money to burn, several New World cigars offer a flavour profile similar to Cuban. For Cuban cigar lovers, why not broaden your horizon by trying these affordable, high-quality New World cigars?

For mild-bodied Cuban cigar lovers

Camacho Criollo 

The Camacho Criollo is a spin on the taste profile of modern-day Cuban cigars. The Honduran-grown wrapper is packed with a unique, peppery flavour. Dominican-grown Piloto Cubano fillers ignite the sweetness receptors, giving you that smooth yet noticeable taste in every draw. Delivers a powerful burst of signature Camacho taste. 

Oliva Serie V Melanio 

Oliva cigars are a great alternative to Cuban cigars. The founder, Gilberto Oliva, travelled from country to country in search of the conditions to recreate that distinctive Cuban taste. Today the family are Nicaragua’s second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco. This cigar is made in Nicaragua with an Ecuador wrapper, which provides a sweet and spicy flavour similar to Cuban cigars. 

For medium-bodied Cuban cigar lovers 

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Serie

A unique blend consisting of aged Dominican filler tobaccos, bound with a Dominican binder and dressed in a delicate West African Cameroon wrapper, results in a sweet flavour and a slight spice reminiscent of Cuban cigars. The Hemingway is also known for its excellent construction, perfecting your cigar journey with even burn and a smooth draw.

Plasencia Alma del Campo

One of the best Cuban cigar alternatives due to its medium-plus strength and rich flavour. Introduced in 2017, Alma del Campo is a Nicaraguan puro incorporating tobacco exclusively sourced from Plasencia’s fields. This series of cigars drastically improves with age - best to age for the finest enjoyment. 

For full-bodied Cuban cigar lovers

Davidoff Late Hour 

With tobacco aged for six months in the finest Scotch single malt whisky casks, a feat no one has attempted before. As a result, the Davidoff Late Hour’s robust and complex flavour has successfully won the heart of global aficionados. 

Ashton Virgin Sun Grown (VSG)

Launched in 1999, this premium cigar line lives up to its price. Most formats featured in this series are presented in the box-pressed method to deliver a robust and condensed flavor, with dark and stunning Ecuadoran Sumatra-seed wrapper leaf aged at least 4 years. Surrounded by sweet cedar and nutmeg flavours, with surging strength and remarkable complexity backing it all up.

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Serie

Finally, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series is often compared to Cuban cigars. Handmade in Nicaragua and features a blend of Nicaraguan fillers and a Maduro wrapper. The dark brown wrapper provides a rich, complex flavour similar to Cuban. This series is always on the bestseller list. 

Long weekends and holidays are right on our doorsteps. Time to get dressed, stretch our bodies and bathe in the sunshine. Never journey without your favourite smoke! Bringing your prized cigars on business trips, outings, meetings, or vacations is simple if done correctly.

Selection and Quantity

When deciding the number of cigars to pack for travelling, check the restricted amount for your onboarding city first. Some countries measure by sticks, some by weight. If you are facing strict restrictions, why not leave your premium cigar at home and discover the fantastic local cigar lounge or store?

Pack the number of cigars according to your planned schedule, and don’t just pack for yourself. Pack for your friends or even strangers in the bar! No harm in bringing extra sticks to share your cigars with others. It is best to take cigars stored in a humidor for some time, as they will have stabilised at the perfect humidity. Make sure you bring only enough cigars for the excursion.

The storage

After deciding the number to bring on travel, you must get the storage device. We suggest choosing the proper storage device base on the travel duration.

If you are not a regular traveller and planning for a short trip for less than a week, a simple leather cigar holder or zip-lock bag is your ideal storage device. An airtight zip-lock bag with two bags of Boveda will keep your sticks fresh for at least a week. Then, add extra protection for the cigars; wrap some clothes around your zip-lock bag to avoid the cigars getting crushed during the flight.

If you are travelling for more than a week or are keen to travel, invest in a specially designed travel humidor that protects and humidifies your cigars for a long time.

Sharp changes in temperature and humidity are the biggest enemy of cigars. So keep your cigars in the carry-on to prevent the hump and bump in the baggage. And the temperature is more regulated in the cabin. Also, avoid direct sunlight and harsh environment on the trip. 

Cutter & Lighter

Best to put your cutter and lighter in your checked luggage to avoid customs confiscating your deluxe accessory. If you wish to enjoy your last smoke before onboarding, we suggest you bring a cheap punch cut and torch lighter for quick enjoyment. Be aware that matches are banned on most flights in your carry-on.

“Alma del Campo” means “soul of the field”.Plasencia successfully captures the essence of the Nicaragua tobacco field to global connoisseurs. This series contains 5 formats of Nicaraguan puro, highly rated by several International Cigar magazines.

Dressed in milk chocolate brown wrappers and decorated with 3 ring bands. The cigars have a chocolate and earthy aroma and a light sweetness. The previous edition of Plasencia included a lid as an ashtray. But we can see that the current production has already removed this feature. 

Format: Robusto Gordo

Size: 5½" x 54 RG

Enjoyment Time: 80-100 mins

TASTING EXPERIENCE 

We have aged this box of cigars for half year before tasting, as all Plasencia cigars tend to improve and reduce the nicotine content after a few months of patience. 

This cigar shows good construction with even burn. This medium to strong cigar has a very smooth and creamy draw, featuring a lingering finish. Beautiful to pair with single malt whisky to bring out the yeastiness. Or pair it with an Ice Americano to harmonise with the coffee aroma throughout the cigar enjoyment. 

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS CIGAR?

This cigar’s size and complex aroma might be a bit overwhelming for novices. But for seasoned aficionados, this huge cigar would fill your evening with its rich, complex character. This is an excellent daily cigar with an ideal price. All of our team agreed would be coming back for more. 

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This month Davidoff invited us to the tour of "Viaje Al Origen" to the Dominican Republic, which means the journey to the origin. As the official partner of Davidoff Asia, this fantastic journey allows us to experience Davidoff's “Crop to Shop” philosophy by participating in the processes from planting to selling.

Here’s a wrap to our week-long trip led by those legendary aficionados.

On the first day, we visited the greenhouse and experienced Davidoff’s Swiss precision with seeding.

From 225,000 seeds per plant, only 10% of seeds make it through quality control. Follow by the pollination is done by hand with a small brush. Davidoff even imports Canadian earth just for seedlings. Because the soil is easier to grow in, which gives the plant consistency and more flavour. 

Davidoff has 15 different cultivation terroirs in the Dominican Republic. On the second day, we took a trip to one of the tobacco fields and enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the middle of the field (served with cigars, of course). We were then given a tour to experience how to plant and harvest tobacco ourselves and that tobacco would be used for future production.

After harvest, tobacco leaves are hand-sewn onto a bamboo stick (called the “cuje”). This allows them to dry evenly without touching each other.

Then the tobacco would be hanging in a temperature and humidity-regulated environment. This process is called “Curing”. It allows the chemical composition of the leaves to change. The leaves change their colour from green to yellow to brown. And start to develop flavour and aroma.

We headed to the Davidoff Estate on day 3. Here we witnessed cigar production, from ageing to sorting to rolling.

Davidoff sorts tobacco leaves in 50 different colour options, sizes and textures. The detailed sorting procedure guarantees the perfect consistency in intensity and appearance for our favourite blends, which sets them apart from competitors.

Time is the finest ingredient in Davidoff cigars. Davidoff ages the tobacco two times. The second ageing refines the tobacco and adds to its complexity in taste and aroma. The average White Band cigar is aged for a minimum of 4.5 to let the aromas mingle for a perfect taste sensation. 

Davidoff requests torcedores to have 10 years of experience to roll a Davidoff cigar. The roller supervisor and the inspector would then check the cigar. The diameter and weight of the cigars are strictly under control. We are deeply impressed by the commitment of Davidoff, which results in perfect taste, combustion and draw. We have tried to roll our own cigars, trust me, that is not easy.

The quality which we can taste in Davidoff cigars begins at birth. 

Every stage is carefully monitored, from cultivation in the greenhouse to the presentation in the store. In-depth knowledge, detailed consideration and commitment are the essence that made Davidoff cigars fill our time beautifully. 

It is how Davidoff put them together that set them apart.

Experience Davidoff White Band Collection

Not every day you feel like or could go to a cigar lounge to enjoy quality cigar time. Sometimes you need to enjoy your cigar at home. The cigar smells like heaven to us, but sometimes not to your non-smoking partner. It is best to enjoy your cigar outside of the house so it won’t irritate your partner. Such as on the rooftop or balcony. Put out your camping table and chair, and lay down to enjoy the breeze and smoke. But there are always days with bad weather; you might need to sneak inside the house for the smoke. So how do you secretly enjoy a cigar at home without upsetting your wife or significant other?  We’re here to help.

1. Be aware of your clothing

Most of the smell comes from your clothing. Clothing is porous. It will smell like whatever it’s exposed to. Therefore, try to remove your coat and sweater before your enjoyment. Or wear thin and light clothing such as a linen polo, cotton t-shirt or sports attire. These kinds of natural materials are more odour resistant. But if you have to wear formal wear, go with silk material as it won’t absorb much smell. 

Remember to take a bath and wash your hair & beard afterwards (we know they absorb lots of smell). Most importantly, change your clothes and throw them into the washing machine before entering the bedroom. Also, wash your clothes separately from your family members’ ones. 

2. Remove all the fabric inside the room

Choose a room with furniture that has hard surfaces, such as leather sofas, venetian blinds and glass tables. These kinds of materials won’t hold onto smells. And remember to remove pillows and carpets before you smoke! Avoid dropping ashes on your wife’s favourite pillows could save your life! 

3. Air purifiers and fans

Opening up all the windows in the room and turning on the fans and air purifier could increase the room’s ventilation, which reduces the smoke and improves the air quality. However, close the door before you light up. This could stop the smell from travelling to the rest of your home.

4. Spray, spray, spray

Spray the air freshener & deodoriser after the smoke, and add an extra scent to the room to cover the trait. If you don’t have one, go to the kitchen to grab some vinegar and mix it with water. Then, spray this natural deodorise on your furniture and carpet. This could help to reduce the smell.

5. Watch your breath! 

Drinking a carbonated beverage, such as Cola or sparkling water, could help to cleanse your palate during the smoke. Using mouthwash and having gums after smoke could help erase the smell. Remember to drink plenty of water to wash down the scent throughout the day. 

Cuban cigar price increases, again

That’s not a surprise to most of us. Apart from Covid-19 and the rising demand for cigars, Cuba is also facing trauma from several disasters. Two massive fires were reported in early 2022 in the Cuba tobacco warehouse. A total of 31.5 tons of tobacco leaves were lost during the accident.  From this, we may foresee that the supply of Cuban cigars will also be under tight control in the coming years. 

Then, in late September, Hurricane Ian severely hit the Cuban tobacco fields. The flooding brutally damaged Pinar del Rio, the rural tobacco province that held 65% of Cuban tobacco crops, leaving 3.2 million citizens affected and countless fields destroyed. 

Not only facing the loss of existing stocks and the entire growing season, Cuba also had to devote extra energy and resources to rebuild the damage from the several accidents, which left the cigar industry falling further behind in the following years. 

Cohiba price will increase by 50%

Allied Cigar Corp.(ACC), a Hong Kong-based investment group, investing in Habanos, decided to unite the price of the Cuban cigar over the globe with Hong Kong’s price. Hong Kong is not only the benchmark for luxury products but also one of the city with the highest tobacco tax (with about 63% of the retail price). 

The most notable increase will be the Cohiba. There will be a 50% increment for the Behike line and about 15% for other products. Remember back in the good old days (just four years ago), the selling price of the Cohiba Media Siglo per stick was $33, and now it is $60 and above. So whoever got the stock of Cohiba, hold tight and wait for good fortune. 

With New World following Cuban footsteps…

Since the Cuban price soared with limited supply these few years, cigar smokers have no choice but to extend their hands to New World cigars. As predicted in our past article, with the dramatically increased demand for New World cigars, several brands have also announced there will be a price increase. 

Alec Bradley, Arturo Fuente, Drew Estate and E.P. Carillo have already announced the price adjustment percentage. One significate price increase would be Davidoff. With an average 7% price increase and a 20% increase in the Winston Churchill Late Hour series.  The Late Hour series is well-known for its strong and robust flavour, a similar substitution for Cuban cigars. Even with such price increment,  The Late Hour series is still very popular among aficionados. 

Lastly, let’s have some good news! 

On the bright side, Habanos S.A. is bringing back the Habanos Festival after two years of suspension! The Habanos Festival is held yearly but has been forced to stop due to the global pandemic. Nevertheless, the festival is the biggest moment to open up the normally closed Cuban cigar factories and tobacco farms to tourists and foreigners. 

As has been already announced the 23rd Habano Festival will take place from February 26th to March 3rd, 2023. If you haven’t planned your holiday, now is the time to explore the country of the finest cigars, with a total price of US$3,250 to access all activities, including field trips, dinners and auctions. We can expect nothing but numerous exciting events and releases to surprise us!

The festive season is around the corner! Christmas, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day… Time to celebrate countless memorable moments with the perfect gifts. 

Wait…you’d like to surprise your loved one but unsure about their favourite cigars? Sit back and read on to this ultimate gift guide. We're here to guide you through a solid list of gift recommendations for cigar lovers this holiday season. 

It’s simple to pick a gift for your loved one, even if you have never tried a stick! 

1. Find the perfect sticks according to their eating habits

The taste of cigars is often described as the food aroma and taste. For example, spicy, coffee, caramel etc. If you know your loved one’s eating and drinking habits, you may choose a smoke catering to their tastes. 

If they prefer spicy food, you might want to pick a strong, robust cigar with a spicy and pepper aroma. Davidoff Yamasa Robusto may pair perfectly with their dinner.  Do they prefer an espresso for a relaxing afternoon? They will probably enjoy a Montecristo Edmundos. And our pick would be Oliva Serie V Melanio Torpedo for the aficionados with a sweet tooth.

2. Simplest way: Go for the assortments!

Cigar merchants know your struggle deep well. They have been prepared for this situation with different cigar assortments. The gift assortment makes perfect gifts for any occasion, they includes various sizes and styles. Brands such as Habanos, Davidoff, and Plascencia are well known for their excellent quality and flavours. Maybe your loved one would love to explore and find their new favourite stick in their assortment. 

3. Looking for something other than cigars? Cigar accessories.

Accessories are always a great choice when you are in doubt, whether it is a humidor, ashtray or lighter. You can add a personal touch by customising the memorable date or the short form of their name on the accessories to make the pieces one of a kind in the world. Make sure to go for the highest quality available; if you are uncertain, you could consider purchasing from renowned cigar accessories manufacturers, such as Elie Bleu, S.T. Dupont, Fallon etc. 

4. Think about the pairing and environment

Another great option would be to consider their smoking habits and preferred environment. 

If your loved one would like to enjoy a stick while playing golf, consider getting him a cigar case and whisky flask. Or they prefer to enjoy the cigar indoors. A classy record player would add music and vibe to the whole smoking experience. 

No matter what you pick, your loved one will be grateful for that perfect gift. 

Lighting a cigar properly is one of the many essential skills any cigar aficionado must have. Cutting and lighting the cigar is the beginning of the cigar-tasting ritual. To light a cigar, make sure to cut your cigar first to allow airflow within. Then we can step onto the lighting process.

How to light a cigar?

1. Hold your cigar at a 45-degree angle close to the flame. But not to put the flame directly into the cigar. 
2. Toast the cigar by turning it slowly as the flame starts to burn around the foot of the cigar until the edges of the foot are blackened. 
3. If the filler turns black, that means it is not lightened yet. Point the filler to the flame and toast it until the filler turns grey.
4. Lastly, puff your cigar 2-3 times while slowly rotating the flame. You should be able to see that the cigar is lit properly. Now you can place the cigar between your lips, kick back, and start puffing.

How to choose a cigar lighter?

Now that you know how to light a cigar, then is time to choose the perfect lighter. The type of flame you are using to light up your cigar is essential to consider. Certain flames come with different chemicals, like sulfur, which the cigar can absorb. 

Flames to avoid would be benzine lighters, petrol lighters, paper matches, or candles. However, if chemical-inducing flames are your only option, ensure you keep the flame about 1/2 inch from the cigar to reduce as many chemicals from being absorbed by the cigar as possible. 

Different lighting tools:

Soft flame

A good option for beginners and suitable to use in an indoor environment. Comparatively, it has a lower temperature than jet flame, allowing you to slowly toast the cigar without overheating. Thus, require more time and patience to light up your cigar. 

Jet flame

The jet flame comes with a condensed flame that could quickly torch up the cigar in a windy or outdoor environment, suitable for aficionados that are on the move. However, we do not suggest it for the novice as the high temperature of jet flame might quickly burn up the cigar. 

Matches 

A classy traditional way to light your cigar with. Using matches made of odourless materials, such as populus, pinewood, etc., allow you to prepare the cigar rather than burning it—the perfect tool to complete your cigar ritual. 

Cedar spill

A sheet of cedar wood comes with most of the Cuban cigar; wondering how to utilise it? Apart from putting it in your humidor to add extra flavour, you can also cut it into a spill and light your cigar with it. Be extra careful of the ash and flame residue from the cedar spill. Make sure you have an ashtray nearby.

nextCIGAR is honoured to present the “The Complete Cigar Guide” video collection with Davidoff. In this collaboration, we will demonstrate essential, advanced knowledge of cigars.

In this last episode, our beloved hosts, Mr Edward & Eddie Sahakian, will share crucial insights on how to step up your connoisseurship of tasting a cigar. Last but not least, with tips to best capture the cigar’s aroma and taste, watch now to improve your critical sensibility!

In this episode, our gentlemen, Mr Edward & Eddie Sahakian, will walk you through different types of cigar cutters and the ways of lighting a cigar. The entire experience is an art, and even the smallest error can change the way the cigar tastes and smokes. Watch the video to admire the ritual of lighting a cigar demonstrated by Mr Edward Sahakian.