Cigar Certified

On this episode of Smoke Rings University, we're going to discuss how best to cut a cigar by exploring three different methods. This may be routine knowledge for most cigar smokers, but it's never a bad thing to have a refresher course every now and again. You may even find some new tricks to add to your repertoire. ... Read More

On this episode of Smoke Rings, I sit down with Kyle Gellis, founder of Warped Cigars, to discuss the company's origins, philosophy, and plans for the future. ... Read More

On this episode of Smoke Rings, our cigar specialist Tim Vanderpool sits down with Aganorsa rep Robert Morris to discuss the Aganorsa Leaf brand in general, as well as some of the renowned farm and blender's most recent offerings. ... Read More

Hand-rolled at Black Label Trading Company's Oveja Negra factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, Salvation cigars boast an Ecuadorian Sun-grown Habano wrapper encasing a Honduran binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. The line comes in three vitolas, with two offered on site now: the 5" x 54 Robusto and 6" x 52 Toro. ... Read More

With an entire vitola being named in his honor, Sir Winston Churchill is one of history's most iconic cigar smokers, enjoying between eight and 10 sticks a day. Recently, we decided to smoke a Churchill from one of Winston's favorite brands, Romeo y Julieta, to see exactly what drew the former Prime Minister to these particular sticks. ... Read More

A company built "by friends for friends," Caldwell Cigars is not your typical cigar brand. Drawing inspiration from hip hop imagery and aesthetics, the company and its founder Robert Caldwell seek to circumvent the typical hype and pomp commonly seen amongst makers of fine vitolas. ... Read More

Tune in as Shane and Kaz take a closer look at Caldwell's limited edition Mad Mofo, a special maduro production run of the popular Long Live The King line. In addition to a full review of the stick, the guys also take the time to compare it to some of their favorite pipe tobacco blends and offer some recommendations for pairings. ... Read More

Celebrated as one of the finest blenders in the world, Jose Pepin Garcia rolled his first cigar when we was just 11 years old. Working in a factory alongside other torcedores, he learned the basics of cigar making the Cuban way, following age-old techniques and discovering through practice what makes a cigar truly great. ... Read More

Nat Sherman has remained an American staple in the luxury cigar market since the 1930s, when eponymous founder Nat Sherman acquired the rights to an old Havana brand, Epoca. Over the following 85+ years, the family-run business continued to expand their portfolio with excellent additions ... Read More

Produced at the boutique Oveja Negra factory in Nicaragua, Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studios are the brainchildren of American visual artist and adventure traveler James Brown. From cultivation and blending to artwork and marketing, James controls the entire cigarmaking process for each of his brands, ensuring 100% quality from seed to ash. ... Read More