Answer: The strength of the cigar is mostly determined by the blend of long filler used as well as the types and grades used. The wrapper used for the maduro cigars is darkened in color as it goes from one stage to another in the curing process. Each stage of the curing or fermentation process causes the wrapper to darken and changes its taste. Some wrappers have a natural bitterness that this process removes. The word "Maduro" means ripe or ripen which some people believe that the wrapper becomes sweeter as it would with fruit that is ripe. It is not totally true that all maduro cigars are stronger just because they are dark in color. However, the taste of these cigars are different then your Natural or Candela (Green) wrappers.

Answer: The reason for the large variety of sizes is to accommodate the smokers personal preference. Note the larger the ring gauge of the cigar the more taste you will have. The length will determine how long you will have to enjoy the cigar. For example Rothschilds size 4 1/2', X 50 or 52 is made for the person who wants a full flavored cigar, but does not have the time to enjoy a 7" cigar. As a rule the thinner ring gauge cigars are milder in taste because they have less filler, wrapper and binder per cigar.

Most manufacturers all produce the four most popular sizes: 5-1/2 X 44, 6-1/2 X 44, 6 X 50 and 7 X 48

Answer: This is a total misconception, from the beginning cigars were sold in "Mitad Ruedas" meaning 50 cigars tied with a ribbon or piece of cloth. Not until the late 1800's were boxes and colorful labels used to package the cigars. The purpose for selling cigars in bundles is simple cost effective. Boxes, labels and cigar bands as well as the cost of labor to band each cigar raises the price considerably. Bundles are made for the person who wants a quality cigar, but has no interest in paying for the box, labels and bands. All manufacturers will clearly label those bundles that are considered "Seconds".

Answer: If the same materials (tobacco) are used to produce both cigars there are only two differences. Hand Made cigars are more expensive because of the labor involved to produce and the Machine Made cigar will burn faster. The taste or flavor of both cigars will be the same. Also, you are limited on the shapes and sizes that can be made on a machine.

Answer: Absolutely not! There are four basic types of machine made cigars. The first type being the closest to a hand made cigar at a much lower price.

Type A: Using natural leaf tobacco for the wrapper, binder and long filler.
Type B: Using natural leaf tobacco for the wrapper, binder and short filler ( a blend of small pieces of leaf tobacco).
Type C: Using natural leaf tobacco for the wrapper and a homogenize tobacco by-product for the binder with short filler.
Type D: Using a homogenize tobacco by-product for the wrapper and binder with short filler.

Answer: These two problems are common with a product that is totally depended on the human element to produce a perfect cigar every time. Perfect and every time are words that are almost impossible to achieve in any industry.

When a cigar burns uneven the problem could be that it was not lit properly. You must make sure when lighting that the entire end of the cigar is lit all the way around to insure an even burn from the start. If properly lit and the cigar starts to burn uneven or is hard to draw the following could be the problem.

(A) In making the bunch the cigar maker did not tube the filler to allow air to pass through the cigar properly. This will cause a hard draw.

(B) The term empalmado or booked means that the cigar maker placed the long filler leaves one on top of the other with no air channels. Consequentially one side of the cigar will have more filler leaves then the other causing it to take longer to burn on one side.

(C) To help with the uneven burning problem you can trim the unburned part of the cigar off and light it again. This is not a cure but will help even out the burn.

(D) As far as the hard draw there is not much that can be done. Unfortunately, this is a common problem with all hand made cigars no matter what brand you smoke.

Answer: Where the cigar is produced or manufactured has absolutely no bearing on the quality of the cigar. The only two determining factors in producing a quality cigar is "Tobacco and Experienced Cigar makers". If you have the finest tobacco available in today's market and an experienced cigar maker you could produce the finest cigar in the world in your own home.

Answer: According to the Cuban government they do and that is what they want you to believe. However, over the last 20 years the quality of the Cuban tobacco has greatly deteriorated from its glory days. The lack of pesticides and fertilizers as well as the knowledge of how to grow quality tobacco has greatly affected it. Keep in mind that the families who for generations grew the finest tobacco in Cuba passing their knowledge from father to son have all fled Cuba because of Fidel Castro. These once great Vegas or plantations were taken from these families and given to people who had little or no knowledge about growing tobacco just because they were of the communist party.

Answer: Lets use wrapper leaves as an example. Just because the wrapper is from Connecticut or Ecuador does not mean that it is the same. You have many different grades and qualities of wrapper as well as all the other tobaccos used. The origin of the seeds as well as the region of the country they were planted in is an important factor. The same seeds planted in one region will yield a tobacco leaf that is different from those planted in another region as well as from one plantation to another has its affects on quality. Soil and weather conditions greatly affect the quality of any tobacco from year to year. Other very important factors are the curing and fermentation processes in the beginning stages after harvesting the tobacco. All of these conditions can affect the texture, flavor and aroma of the tobacco. Each type of tobacco such as wrapper, binder and long filler demand different periods of time to age and properly ferment. The fermentation process for each is extremely important to enhance the flavor and aroma as well as to eliminate any remaining impurities the tobacco has.

Keeping all this in mind you can see how different brands can use basically the same tobaccos and have a totally different taste.

Answer: Don't confuse an unknown brand with the new brands developed during the cigar boom. There are many brands of cigars that have been around for 50 or more years that were unknown to the public before the cigar boom. These so-called "New No Name Brands" came about really overnight developed by people who wanted to cash in on the cigar boom. Hundreds of these no name brands were pushed out into the market. The two biggest problems were that most of these cigars were being made with inferior tobacco not properly cured or fermented and made by inexperienced cigar makers. These brands affected the entire industry and thank god most of them are no longer around.

So why should you try an unknown brand, in many cases the only difference between the nationally known brands and the unknown is advertisement. The small manufacturer cannot spend the great amount of money needed to advertise their brands on a national scale. However, the only advantage they have is that they can sell a quality cigar at a much lower price. The larger companies have to incorporate the cost of advertising onto the price of every cigar sold. Stop and think for a moment, how bad can these unknown brands be if these small manufacturers have continued to produce these cigars for 50 or so years. After all, who is going to stay in business selling a product that no one is buying?

If you think that maybe your spending too much on your cigar enjoyment you might want to try one of the unknown brands. You might be very surprised at what you might find and save at the same time.