With the acquisition of Camacho, Davidoff has revamped this cigar line for the 21st century, still keeping the same tradition that makes a Camacho a Camacho but injecting new life into their already stellar lineup of cigars.
This medium-body smoke has Camacho written all over it. Their Criollo leaf sees extra sunrays, so it packs an extra pop of spice to complement a mellow sweetness. Camacho has always been regarded as a brand of cigars that rivals Cuban cigars, both in past and present lines.
Read our review of the impressive Camacho Criollo Robusto below and shop to enjoy this cigar for yourself.
About The Camacho Criollo Robusto Cigar
Owner: Oettinger Davidoff Group Factory: Camp Camacho Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduran Criollo 98 Binder: Corojo Filler: Honduras and Dominican Republic Strength: Medium Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
Creamy with prominent nutty and leather smoke from the start. For the majority of the first third, the smoke continued to pour off of the foot and give me a good burn on the retrohale.
The flavours developed nicely, and I also tasted some notes I normally only find in Cuban cigars. Behind everything else was a nice Cubanesque taste that I didn’t expect; the blender did a great job here.
The Middle
There were pleasant flavours coming through, and I didn’t want to be smoked out and not notice them. Creamy, salty and nutty flavours came through well. The smoke was still quite dry. Woody notes became stronger as the second third went on and added another layer to an already enjoyable cigar.
The End
Final third. Same flavours, just kept increasing from the last part of the second third to now full strength. The pepper did a good job clearing my airways.
Burn & Draw
The burn line was a tad wavy from start to finish but continually self-corrected and never needed any touch-ups or much attention.
I went for a V cut, and the draw was very good. A little easier than perfect but never too loose. The draw remained consistent for the duration of the cigar.
Overall
This Camacho Criollo sports a Honduran-grown, fourth priming wrapper, which has a unique, peppery-flavoured punch. The leaves are left on the bush for a prolonged period of time, exposing them to the sun’s rays to give it that unique kick, allowing those extra pops of spice to complement its very subtle hints of sweetness.
While this Camacho Criollo has dialled back a degree in intensity, it delivers a powerful explosion of signature Camacho taste into every draw. Make no mistake; what you hold in your hand is a Camacho Premium Criollo Cigar. Taking the Camacho Criollo to the next plateau are the Dominican-grown Piloto Cubano fillers that have been added to complement the Honduran-grown wrappers. It has a balanced and well-rounded temperament.
Ross Rating: 8/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair the Camacho Criollo Robusto Cigar with?
I am in the mood for rum, and this is an old faithful – Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (70cl, 40%). This is a fabulous Venezuelan dark golden rum, distilled from molasses in a copper pot still before 12 years of ageing – rich, sweet and fruity, just how we like ’em.
Fantastic quality for the money, Diplomatico was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2007 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition.
What soft drink would I pair the Camacho Criollo Robusto Cigar with?
Nigerian Fanta, this is the way.
Would I smoke the Camacho Criollo Robusto Cigar again?
In a yellow tube that makes it impossible to lose, this cigar is one I have gone back to many times in the past. All I need now is a Harley Davidson, and I’m good to go. This cigar is the perfect companion for a trip on Route 66 or the A1 if you’re on a budget.
Common Problems With Humidors and How to Fix Them
25 May 2023 by Ellie
Humidors are used to keep cigars safe and stored at the optimal humidity level, typically 65-70%, to ensure their longevity and to keep them tasting fresh and aromatic. However, humidors can sometimes encounter various problems that can affect the storage conditions and, thus, the quality of the cigars.
Problems with a humidor can occur due to both inferior craftsmanship and human error in storing them. Here are some of the most common issues with humidors and how to fix them.
Inconsistent Humidity
One of the most common problems with humidors is maintaining a consistent humidity level. Fluctuating humidity can lead to the cigars drying out or becoming too moist. This can be caused by a faulty or inaccurate hygrometer, poor seal on the humidor, or improper placement of the humidification device.
Improper Calibration
Hygrometers, which measure humidity levels, can sometimes become inaccurate over time. It’s essential to regularly calibrate and check the accuracy of the hygrometer using a reliable calibration kit to ensure that the readings are correct.
Poor Seal
A humidor with a poor seal can allow moisture to escape or enter the box, disrupting the humidity level inside. This can be caused by worn-out or damaged gaskets, warped or misaligned lids, or low-quality construction. A poor seal makes it difficult to maintain a consistent humidity level.
Overcrowding
Overpacking a humidor with too many cigars can hinder air circulation and impede the humidification process. It can also lead to uneven distribution of humidity, resulting in some cigars being exposed to excess moisture while others may dry out.
Insufficient Humidity Causes Dry Cigars
If the humidor fails to maintain the desired humidity level, the cigars can become dry and lose their flavour and aroma. This can happen if the humidification device is not properly filled or maintained or if the humidor is too large for the device to adequately humidify the entire space.
Cigars can become dry if the evaporation surface of the humidifier is small in relation to the humidor’s size. If this is the case, then you will need to swap out your humidifier for a larger one or one with a regulated air flow function.
Another reason for cigars becoming dry is that the wood of the humidor is too dry, so too much moisture is being taken from the air instead. It is more common for this to happen with new humidors. This is an easy fix, as you simply need to re-humidify the wood by wiping the lining with a damp cloth.
Excessive Humidity Causes Damp Cigars
Cigars can get too damp for a few reasons; because the humidity level is too high, because the cigars are being stored too close to the humidifier or because the humidifier is too big relative to the humidor’s size.
To resolve these problems, try reducing the humidity level a little. Move the cigars further away from the humidifier, or keep the cigars that are closest to the humidifier in an aluminium tube.
If your humidifier is too large for your humidor, you can either simply buy a smaller humidifier or tape up a section of your existing larger humidifier so less of it acts as a humidifier, making it more size appropriate.
Mouldy Humidor
Excessive humidity can also result in mould growth in your humidor and on cigars, making them unsmokeable. This problem may occur if the humidification device is overfilled, the humidor is not properly ventilated, or the ambient humidity is too high for a long time.
How to Remove Mould From a Humidor
A mouldy humidor is clearly not a great humidor! To resolve this issue, firstly, get your cigars out of there and into a safe spot for the duration of the cleaning stage; there’s no way to scrub out the mould around them! Throw away any cigars that have been defeated by the mould, as they cannot be salvaged and will just re-infect your humidor.
Avoid using chemical mould-killing cleaners, like bleach, in your humidor. The smell of these chemicals will infuse the cigars when you put them back, and any liquids can transfer onto the wrapper and ruin it.
Instead, opt for a natural mould remover, such as vodka, and wipe the mould away with as little liquid as you can. Then dry out the humidor using a hairdryer.
The next step is to sand down the inside of the humidor a little and remove any dust to ensure that all the mould has gone.
Humidor Has Both Damp and Dry Areas
If the humidor has patches that are too damp and others that are too dry, it means that something is stopping the moisture in the air from being evenly distributed throughout the humidor.
Most often, this will be caused by a tray or drawer. If there are trays, firstly check that any air holes above or below the humidifier are not obstructed by anything, as this could be the main cause of the problem. You can then drill some extra holes into the tray to promote better airflow throughout the humidor.
Humidor Smells Musty
There are a number of reasons for a humidor to smell musty. Firstly, the wood in the humidor may not be the best type for keeping your cigars in the best condition, so re-line the humidor with Spanish cedar, which is the optimum wood type for humidors.
Another cause is that some of the surfaces haven’t been treated; for example, any slots in the trays or strips to divide up sections may be untreated.
Using a two-component clear lacquer, carefully varnish any areas that have not yet been treated, including inside air holes.
Finally, a musty smell can be a symptom of too much humidity. Again, the only way to resolve this is to re-line the humidor with Spanish cedar wood.
Cigar Bouquet Lost
The bouquet of a cigar is the aroma the cigar gives off when burning. The smell of a cigar is one of the most enjoyable parts of the smoking experience and helps give the smoker a lot of clues as to the carefully blended mix of flavours present in the stogie, so if your cigars begin to lose this, it is important to fix it!
One reason for this is that too few cigars are being kept in too large a humidor. While this is a great excuse to buy a whole bunch of new cigars to fill in the gaps, a quick (and cheaper) fix is to place some closed boxes into the humidor to take up some of the room, reducing the amount of open-air space.
Another cause is that you are airing your humidor, which is not necessary and can cause problems, such as losing the bouquet. Instead of airing the humidor, if there is too much moisture, lower the humidifier’s evaporation surface, or get a humidifier with a regulated system.
To maintain optimal conditions for cigar storage, it’s important to address all of these issues promptly. Regular maintenance, proper calibration of instruments, and attention to ventilation and seal quality will help prevent these common problems and ensure that your cigars remain in excellent condition.
If the problems with your humidor seem bad enough that it appears to be a lost cause, then maybe it is time to upgrade your gear with a quality humidor from Havana House. It may even give you the excuse to add to your cigar collection too!
Why Is Spanish Cedar Used For Cigar Humidors and Cigar Boxes?
23 May 2023 by Ellie
Spanish cedar, also known as cedro, is a type of wood that has long been favoured for use in cigar humidors. While the name might suggest a connection to Spain, Spanish cedar is actually native to tropical regions in the Americas, particularly Central and South America, where cigar production is also popular. Its distinctive characteristics make it an excellent choice for crafting humidors, which are specially designed containers for storing and ageing cigars.
Why is Spanish Cedar Used in Humidors?
Spanish cedar wood is the top choice for cigar manufacturers when it comes to packaging and storing cigars. Spanish cedar is highly valued for cigar humidors due to its natural aroma, moisture regulation capabilities, insect-repelling properties, resistance to mould and fungus, and durability. These qualities make it an ideal wood choice for creating an environment that maintains the flavour, aroma, and overall quality of cigars over extended periods of time.
Moisture Regulation
Perhaps the main reason Spanish cedar is used in humidors and cigar storage is because of its excellent moisture regulation properties. One of the primary functions of a humidor is to maintain a stable level of humidity.
Spanish cedar wood can absorb and release moisture, helping to maintain an optimal humidity level within the humidor. This is crucial for preserving the quality and flavour of cigars, as they require a specific humidity range to prevent them from drying out or becoming overly moist.
Aroma
Spanish cedar wood has a distinct and pleasant aroma. The wood releases aromatic oils and compounds that add a distinct fragrance to the cigars stored within the humidor. This aroma can subtly influence the flavours and character of the cigars over time, enhancing their overall smoking experience.
Repelling Insects
Spanish cedar wood contains natural oils and resins that can act as a deterrent to insects that can damage cigars, such as tobacco beetles. These beetles can be a significant problem for cigar storage, as they can damage or destroy the cigars. Adding Spanish cedar to your humidor helps protect against these pests and minimises the risk of infestation.
Mould Resistance
Another advantage of Spanish cedar is its resistance to mould and fungus. The wood’s natural oils and resins make it less susceptible to these issues, which can be detrimental to the quality of cigars. The presence of Spanish cedar in a humidor helps maintain a clean and mould-free environment, ensuring the cigars remain unharmed.
Durability
Spanish cedar is a durable and sturdy wood that resists warping and cracking, even in humid conditions, making it an ideal choice for humidor construction. It is relatively easy to work with, allowing craftsmen to create intricate designs and precise fittings for cigar boxes and humidors. The wood can be shaped, finished, and sealed to create an airtight and aesthetically pleasing container for storing cigars.
Are All Humidors Made With Spanish Cedar?
Not all humidors are made completely from Spanish Cedar, but most cigar enthusiasts will choose to add a Spanish cedar lining or compartments into their humidor.
Due to the unregulated logging of Spanish cedar trees, there has been a drastic decline, which has made Spanish cedar an expensive wood to use. In many Caribbean and Central American countries, it is now considered an endangered species.
Therefore, only a handful of cigar manufacturers use solid Spanish cedar for their packaging, cigar boxes and humidors. Instead, most use plywood sheets with a thin Spanish cedar wood veneer, with even the most expensive humidors using veneers too!
Humidor makers often use other woods with similar properties, such as mahogany, okoumé, toona and guarea, which are sometimes treated with cedarwood oil to imitate the original Spanish cedar nuances.
Overall, Spanish cedar wood combines functional, practical, and aesthetic qualities that make it an ideal choice for cigar boxes and humidors. Its ability to regulate moisture, repel insects, resist mould, and enhance the overall cigar experience has solidified its reputation in the cigar industry.
Moisture and humidity play crucial roles in the proper storage and ageing of cigars. Cigars are made from aged and fermented tobacco leaves, which require specific conditions to maintain their flavour, aroma, and overall quality.
To ensure you are getting the best smoking experience from your cigars, you need to ensure that your cigars are kept at the right level of moisture and humidity. Here we will explain everything you need to know about how humidity and moisture affect cigars, why they need to be stored correctly and how to keep your cigars at their optimum humidity level.
What is the Difference Between Moisture and Humidity for Cigars?
Moisture refers to the amount of water present in the tobacco leaves. It plays a vital role in maintaining the cigar’s pliability, preventing it from becoming brittle and easily damaged. Humidity, on the other hand, relates to the moisture content of the surrounding environment.
Why Do Cigars Need to Be Kept Humid?
Cigars are hygroscopic, meaning they can absorb and release moisture, making them highly sensitive to changes in humidity levels. If the air is too humid, cigars can become spongey and damp, while too dry means your cigar will become brittle and crack.
An important thing to consider is that cigars are predominantly produced in countries with high levels of humidity and moisture, like Cuba.
When a cigar first leaves the factory it has been made in, it will have between 12-15% moisture content. If the moisture levels of your cigar are higher or lower than this when you go to smoke it, the burn can become uneven and destroy the smoke, flavour and aroma of the cigar, or it will burn too hot, creating an unpleasant taste.
Cigars need to be kept in conditions similar to this for optimum smoking results. In other countries, like the UK, the humidity levels will be different or inconsistent, and so a humidor is required to maintain a consistent level of humidity for your cigars.
What Humidity Should Cigars Be Kept At?
When we talk about humidity levels for cigars, it refers to the relative humidity in the air. By controlling the relative humidity in the air around your cigars (in your humidor), you can control the moisture content in your cigars.
The best humidity level to store cigars is a relative humidity (RH) of between 65-70%. For everyday smokers, an RH of 65-70% will keep your cigars fresh and flavourful with a decent burn.
If you wish to store your cigars longer term for ageing or collecting, you may want to adjust these levels to suit your specific cigars. The size of the cigars you are storing can have an impact on the optimal humidity. Cigars can be stored between the range of about 62% to 80% humidity. The average that is recommended is 70%.
What Happens If There Is Too Much Moisture in a Cigar?
If a cigar is kept in too humid conditions, then it will become damp. Most cigar smokers will agree that going over 70 percent humidity is too much. A cigar that is damp will become difficult to draw smoke through, as the tobacco leaves swell as they absorb moisture.
The burn of the cigar will also be affected, typically causing a tunnelling effect where one side of the stogie will burn faster than the other. The excess moisture in the cigar will also produce far more smoke than a properly-stored cigar would, and this can overload your senses, muting your ability to properly enjoy the taste of your cigar.
You can tell that a cigar is too damp if it feels spongy and soft. Excess moisture and humidity can lead to other problems, such as mould or holes from tobacco beetles, which both thrive in damp and humid conditions. If there is evidence of these issues on your cigar, then it should be thrown away, and your humidor should be thoroughly cleaned.
What Happens if a Cigar is Too Dry?
Cigars gain, retain or lose moisture from the environment depending on the conditions they are kept in. A cigar left in the sun or near a heater might dry out within a few hours.
If left for too long and the cigar dries out completely, the oils found in the cigar will have evaporated, taking much of the cigar’s flavour with it. While introducing the cigar to high levels of humidity can help the cigar to regain some moisture, the cigar will never taste as bold and delicious as it once did.
A dry cigar will also present issues with its burn, causing it to smoke fast and hot. This will again cause damage to the oils, making any flavour that remains evaporate before you get the chance to appreciate it!
A dry cigar will feel brittle and may show some cracks in the wrapper. A cigar that has been stored at the right temperature will have a smooth wrapper with a slightly oily feel.
How to Keep Cigars in the Right Condition
The best way to keep cigars in their optimum conditions is to use a humidor. A humidor is a humidity-controlled box, often made from Spanish cedar wood, that regulates the humidity levels within it, allowing you to store your cigar collection safely.
Our definitive guide to cigar humidification will explain everything you need to know about these essential cigar storage containers.
Moisture and humidity have a significant impact on the quality and enjoyment of cigars. Maintaining proper moisture levels helps preserve the flavours, aromas, burn, and draw characteristics of cigars, enhancing the overall smoking experience. By investing in a humidor, monitoring humidity levels, and following proper storage and humidification techniques, you can ensure that your cigars remain in optimal condition.
Remember, the art of cigar smoking lies not only in choosing premium cigars but also in the careful preservation of their integrity through proper moisture and humidity control. So, embrace the science behind cigars and savour the complexities they have to offer.
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel
9 May 2023 by Ellie
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel may look like just another dark, box-pressed cigar, but there’s a story behind this incredible smoke that started in 2014 when Ernesto Perez-Carrillo released another brand called La Historia.
It was a tribute to his family and one of the finest cigars he’d released up to that point. One particular size, the E-III, came very close to making Cigar of the Year and was ranked the No. 2 smoke of 2014. At the time, we didn’t know that La Historia was part one of what came to be a trilogy.
In his 50-year career, Perez-Carrillo has owned factories big and small, worked for a major corporation, and has been making cigars on his own terms for the last decade. Now a two-time Cigar of the Year recipient, the man who’s done it all in the cigar business has just done it again.
If you’re interested in trying the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel, read our review below to discover more about the smoking experience it offers.
About the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel Cigar
Owner: Dominican Republic Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: U.S.A./Conn. Habano Binder: Ecuador Filler: Nicaragua Strength: Medium – Full Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
The start of the E.P. Carrillo Prequel erupts with a bang. Large amounts of black pepper and spice on the retrohale threaten to overwhelm any flavours that might be present. Thankfully, both die down very quickly, leaving behind a dominant, creamy cedar followed by notes of coffee. There is also a noticeable caramel sweetness on the retrohale.
The Middle
As I get to the middle of the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel, the caramel sweetness on the finish begins to fade into the background. In terms of construction, both the burn and draw continue to impress, while the smoke production continues to be both copious and dense. I found the cigar to be mild to start with, but it’s definitely medium strength now.
The End
There are a few major changes to the profile during the final third of the E.P. Carrillo Pledge, the familiar combination of creamy cedar and coffee is ever present. The caramel sweetness on the retrohale seems to be increasing. In addition, both the spice and the black pepper on the retrohale seem to have gained a new life. Finally, while I am not surprised when the strength easily passes the medium mark early in the final third, it seems to stall just past that point, ultimately failing to increase even to the very last draw on the cigar.
Burn
This cigar burns for a deceptively long time. The compact shape extends past an hour before a creamy cedar, lingering finish falls into place. E.P. Carrillo Pledge is a dark and uniform cigar. It tastes the way it looks: substantial. But, its profile doesn’t vary tremendously..
Draw
E.P. Carrillo Pledge is a dense cigar. Its compressed shape mirrors a mars bar. The construction is impeccable. A stark white ash develops with no indication it will flake or fall off early. You light the cigar up and you know that no touch ups are needed, the draw has a slight resistance to it and it feels so good.
Overall
After a somewhat surprising start of aggressive spice and pepper, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel dialed its profile back enough to show off just how good the blend is. While the resulting profile was a bit more linear than I would like, both the coffee and creamy cedar notes that dominate the profile combine so well with the caramel sweetness that is also present. Throw in the construction that was just short of amazing. This is a must try cigar.
Ross Rating: 9/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel Cigar with?
As the weather is starting to improve so is my taste for exceptional beers. I am having a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale with this cigar. The two go very well together.
What soft drink would I pair the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel Cigar with?
Something sweet, something special. Regular Coca-Cola in a glass bottle.
Would I smoke the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel Cigar again?
I have smoked almost an entire box of these cigars so I would most definitely have another.
First CSWC Time Chase of the Season Begins at Havana House
20 April 2023 by Ellie
The Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC) 2023 season is off to a fantastic start, with the first Time Chase event of the season starting at Havana House Hove.
Jobey Ashcroft won the Havana House UK 2023 Time Chase in Hove, providing the first official time of the CSWC 2023 season, with a smoke time of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 32 seconds. Jobey is a novice to the competition, making this an even more impressive feat!
The first Time Chase of the season was a nail-biter, and it foreshadows what we may anticipate this season: high stakes. While Jobey was able to smoke the cigar for 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 32 seconds, the runner-up, Josh Packham, had a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 19 seconds, making this an incredibly close race! Sarah Saunders, CSWC’s official judge, provided a terrific competition.
The CSWC Top 20 list is now open and will be published soon to reveal who will be going through to the final of the Cigar Smoking World Championship, where the 2023 winner will be determined.
Speaking of the event, CSWC Founder Marko Bilic said:
“The United Kingdom has risen to the top of the CSWC rankings. Sarah Saunders performed a miracle there by promoting the CSWC and the idea behind it. She was successful in conveying the thrill of the CSWC to UK cigar enthusiasts, who enthusiastically welcomed the notion of the slow smoking challenge.”
The Cigar Smoking World Championship is an international competition in the “slow smoking” of cigars.
What is the CSWC?
Competitors compete in how slow they can smoke their cigar, with time penalties given for such things as breaking their ash or burning the competition ring (cigar band).
Since 2019, the official competition cigar is the CSWC Rocky Patel Mareva, which is 5 ⅛ inches long, with a 42 ring gauge.
CSWC Events at Havana House
Josh Cotton from Havana House says: “We are always so excited to support Sarah and the CSWC. Hove’s event was a fantastic start to our CSWC season, and everyone did fantastically, especially as they were all first-timers to the competition! Well done, Jobey, on the win.”
CSWC Qualifying Event at Havana House Windsor
We are hosting another CSWC qualifying event at our Havana House Windsor Store on the 3rd of May 2023. We will again be joined by Sarah Saunders (Official CSWC UK Judge and Founder of the Women’s International Cigar Club), who will be guiding us through the competition.
The ticket to the event includes the Rocky Patel CSWC Mareva Championship cigar, as well as a choice of either the Rocky Patel Quarter Century Robusto or La Galera Imperial Jade Robusto. There will also be a sampling of Brugal Rums from The Dominican Republic, including the Brugal Añejo Superior and Brugal 1888 Double-Aged Rum.
Can You Mix Brands in a Humidor?
19 April 2023 by Ellie
A commonly asked question in the cigar world is: can you mix cigar brands in a humidor? We take a look at some of the arguments and answers behind this question.
Can You Mix Cigar Brands in a Humidor?
Cigars absorb the aroma and taste of what is around them, so when you store cigars in a humidor together, their flavour profiles tend to mingle. The longer the cigars are stored together, the more likely they are to exchange tastes.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – a lot of cigar smokers love this effect as it adds extra complexity and interest to your smoke. However, some of the more fanatical cigar aficionados will tell you that under no circumstance should you put cigars from different brands, or of different blends, into the same humidor, as they will infuse with one another and alter the specifically crafted tastes.
Ultimately, it is down to personal preference and what you feel is right for your cigar collection.
Is Mixing Cigars in a Humidor Beneficial?
Some smokers argue that if cigars do spread their aromas when mixed, this may actually be a good thing. For one, the strongest flavoured cigars tend to be the best, the oldest, or most expensive, so adding some of that taste to the milder or cheaper cigars may actually be welcomed.
Secondly, the cigars in your humidor, which have been kicking around in there for a few years, are likely to have begun to dry out a little over time. When mixed with newer cigars in a humidor, the oils from fresher smokes can help to rejuvenate the older sticks.
Can You Put Flavoured Cigars in a Humidor?
We would not recommend storing artificially flavoured cigars in your humidor with non-flavoured cigars. If you come to be the owner of a selection of flavoured or scented cigars, then these can have an impact on the flavour of your regular cigars if they are left together in a humidor.
Flavoured cigars are infused with oils that can overwhelm the non-flavoured cigars they are kept around. Even one single flavoured cigar kept in a humidor for a short period of time can cause all of your cigars to taste like that one flavoured cigar. Further, your humidor itself can be impacted by the flavoured cigar, absorbing the taste and passing it on to any cigars you store there in the future.
One way to compromise is to separate your cigars into different sections within your humidor so that different strengths or flavours can be kept apart. Dividers can be added in either lengthways or widthways to add sections to your humidor.
If your humidor includes a tray or an interior divider, you can always separate different brands with a barrier. Or, you can organize your cigars according to their wrapper varietal or country of origin.
You can also get some cedar dividers for your humidor to keep certain cigars apart. Cedar wood is good for use as dividers in your humidor as it is absorbent and helps to maintain the right humidity.
This can be useful in differentiating between milder cigars and more full-bodied smokes so that you can easily remember which is which and won’t end up having your strongest when you only wanted a mild stogie with your morning coffee!
How to Stack Cigars in a Humidor?
Stacking cigars is also an option for those who have a fairly extensive collection (or a fairly small humidor!).
Stacking cigars can be especially useful if you are storing and ageing a full box of sticks, as this will be all the same brand, avoiding the risk of aromas and flavours mingling over time.
If you have no option other than to stack different brands in the same humidor, then adding a cedar board layer to separate the stack can prevent any potential flavour bleeds.
When stacking cigars, remember to rotate them every week or so to ensure that they are being humidified evenly. Move the cigars from the top rows to the bottom rows and vice versa.
Should Cigars in a Humidor be Wrapped or Unwrapped?
The answer to this question is mostly down to personal preference. Keeping the wrapper on your cigar shouldn’t cause any damage to the smoking experience, but it will usually slow down the ageing process.
A cellophane wrapper will reduce the amount of flavour mixing between cigars, so if you want to avoid sharing the flavour and aroma between your cigars, then keeping the cellophane wrapper on can help to prevent them from mixing over time.
In general, it is usually considered better to take the wrapper off to allow the cigars to age and exchange oils and aromas.
If you frequently travel with cigars, though, it can be better to leave the wrappers on to keep them protected.
Whether you decide to mix your cigars together in your humidor is all up to you (and the cigar space you have available!). If you are looking to upgrade your humidor now, then take a look at the range of humidors available online at Havana House.
Cigar History: Rocky Patel
13 April 2023 by Ellie
Our Cigar History series explores the origins of some of the best cigar brands in the world. Today we are looking at a brand that can trace its roots to the other side of the Pacific Ocean – Rocky Patel Cigars!
About Rocky Patel
Rocky Patel is a boutique brand – this means that every stage of the cigar-making process is overseen by Rocky Patel, from the germination of the tobacco plants to the distribution of the hand-rolled cigars.
Rocky Patel does it all; the tobacco is grown on fields owned by Rocky Patel, bunched in factories run by Rocky Patel, rolled by Torcedors employed by Rocky Patel and marketed across the globe by Rocky Patel himself! The man is truly at the heart of his craft.
We learned this ourselves, here at Havana House, when the man himself joined us on one of our annual cigar cruises down the river Thames. He is a very charismatic man and certainly knows his stuff about cigars!
When Was Rocky Patel Cigars Founded?
Rocky Patel premium cigars is a brand far younger than most, being founded in 1995 during the cigar boom. A trend common with boutique cigar brands, especially those created in the cigar boom, is that the founders were not born into the cigar-smoking community, nor did they ever plan to begin making cigars until they did.
Rakesh ‘Rocky’ Patel was born in India in 1961, but he lived and worked in Los Angeles as an entertainment and product liability lawyer, where he met and worked with numerous celebrities famous for their cigar smoking, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gene Hackman.
Rocky had never been around cigars before. Once he had, however, he was instantly bewitched by the pastime, becoming one of the original founding members of the Grand Havana Club. Rocky had always been an entrepreneurial man, often dabbling in various investment opportunities. It wasn’t until the early days of the cigar boom that he really focused his efforts on his most famous project.
Establishing a Factory in Honduras
Rocky Patel began investing in his budding cigar business by buying a factory and a patch of land in Honduras. According to Rocky himself, his friends and family all told him that he should save his money; he would never make it in the cigar industry. How wrong they were…
Now, Rocky Patel Premium Cigars are known for the unique once-in-a-life experience that they offer their customers. For a limited few, Rocky himself hosts trips to his estate on the island of Honduras so that consumers can see the passion packed into every cigar for themselves.
The trip includes a tour of the whole estate, the various stages of tobacco cultivation and maturation, as well as a chance to meet the Torcedores who roll cigars. The journey is complete with luxury accommodation nearby. It’s like the gentlemen’s version of a golden ticket to see Willy Wonka’s factory!
Indian Tabac
When Rocky Patel first started crafting cigars, he was not operating under his name – instead, the brand debuted as Indian Tabac. This name referenced the Indian Motorcycle brand for which he paid a royalty to use the name.
Rocky first shared his cigars at the 1996 RTDA in Cincinnati. Businessmen and intrigued customers crowded around his booth to purchase these new, brightly packaged cigars. Rocky’s ideology had always been that young companies held the responsibility to create fresh ideas in every industry. So he arrived into the cigar industry by storm with bold packaging and complex, full-flavoured cigars.
Rocky Patel was able to establish Indian Tabac as a premium brand by frequently visiting retailers and ensuring his products were available in the marketplace.
Becoming Rocky Patel Premium Cigars
In 2003, Rocky Patel decided to rebrand his cigar business, moving away from Indian Tabac and placing the focus for the brand on himself. The name of the company was changed from Indian Tabac Cigar Co. to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars.
Rocky produced an untold number of cigar ranges when he first began blending; some were sold, and some were discarded. These were only early-stage experiments, however.
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
It was not long before Rocky made the staple of the brand, the cigar that started it all, the Rocky Patel Vintage 1990. The cigar is nothing short of perfection, and for that reason, it is still in production all these years later. The wrapper tobaccos are the key ingredient. The twelve years aged Connecticut Broadleaf has a tame strength but is full of complexity. If you’ve never tried a Rocky Patel Premium Cigar, we suggest you start with this masterpiece.
The Rocky Patel Vintage cigar has since become the flagship of the brand. There are now five Vintage Series: 1990, 1992, 1999, 2003 and 2006.
Rocky Patel Cigar Development
Rocky Patel put a lot of effort into market research and forming strong relationships with those working in the tobacco industry. His relationships with tobacco growers, brokers and cigar factories allowed him to access some of the highest-quality tobaccos.
These relationships also led to Rocky’s values and beliefs for his cigar range. He is of the opinion that a true premium cigar can never be rushed and that a slow and steady approach is required.
In many cigar factories, a roller may roll as many as 500 cigars a day, but in doing so much, the quality and consistency of each cigar varied too much for Patel’s liking. At his factory, rollers will only craft around 250 cigars per roller per day to ensure high-quality results.
Rocky Patel Cigar Range
When he is not travelling the world, Rocky Patel is focused on production. Rocky speaks to consumers from across the globe every day, so he knows what the market desires. From his first-hand market research, Rocky has decided to sway the theme of his cigars to be more complex than the linear cigars that many brands produce. It is true that there are many brands which produce some excellent complex cigars, but they are inconsistent in taste, at least in Mr Patel’s opinion anyway.
Rocky Patel now produces a rather large range of cigars, and we couldn’t possibly name them all here. Currently, Rocky Patel Premium Cigars have produced more than 100 different lines, each of which contains several different size formats! And that is not including private labels!
Rocky Patel Cigar Recommendations
If you would like to try a cigar from Rocky Patel, here are a few suggestions that are available at Havana House.
Rocky Patel Number 6 Robusto Cigar
The Rocky Patel Number 6 Robusto Cigar is one of our top ten recommended cigars of Havana House – and we’ve tried a lot! The Number 6 Robusto features a Corojo Wrapper, binder and filler from Honduras that provides a medium-bodied profile with honey, vanilla, coffee and earthy notes.
The Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro was ranked number two in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of the Year in 2016, which is quite the accolade. This cigar is triple-capped, hand-bunched and hand-rolled with an oily Broadleaf wrapper and full-bodied Nicaraguan long-filler. You’ll be rewarded with spice and a caramel finish.
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Robusto Cigar
The Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Robusto Cigar is an iconic smoke that is always highly rated. Wrapped with a 12-year-old Honduran Broadleaf, which has dulled in strength but grown in flavour and complexity during the ageing process, the Vintage 1990 is milder than other smokes from Rocky Patel, but you won’t be disappointed by the flavour. Packing in a nutty and caramel taste, this Robusto offers an excellent draw and balances flavour.
Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto Cigar
Crafted from the finest tobacco in Nicaragua, the Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto Cigar showcases a signature Mexican San Andrés wrapper. This exquisite composition has come together to create a medium to full-bodied profile filled with smooth notes of wood, earth, and a subtle hint of pepper.
If you want to find out more about the different Rocky Patel cigars, then have a look at our vast catalogue of his cigars!
Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto Cigar
5 April 2023 by Ellie
“In all of our years creating world-class cigars, we’ve never produced anything that more rigorously adheres to our high standards and dedication to quality,” reads the Rocky Patel website. “We call it: The Disciple, and it’s anything but a follower.” – Rocky Patel
Owner: Rocky Patel Factory: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico (San Andrés) Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: Medium Size: Robusto – 5 by 50 ring gauge
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
The cigar begins with oak, earth and spice. The spice then transitions to balanced black pepper. At three-quarters of an inch in, a toasted cedar note appears. At an inch, the black pepper has lightened up a fair amount, and cedar appears. The strength was right at medium.
The Middle
The overall profile has become quite dry, while the black pepper has increased a bit. The retrohale is a mirror image of the mouth draw. As the third wraps up, the toasted cedar and dry earth are even, with the black pepper being not too far behind. The strength in this part remained at medium.
The End
As the final third begins, the toasted cedar has a slight lead over oak and dry earth. The retrohale is now just oak, toasted cedar and dry earth. As the cigar wraps up, all of the components were even, aside from the dull black pepper being light in the background. The strength remained at medium to the very end.
Burn
I had a very good draw, an even burn line, and solid ash throughout.
Draw
As for the draw, it was pretty open. This cigar gives out decent smoke volume, so all you need is one puff at a time.
Overall
The Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto lives up to Rocky’s statement. The San Andres wrapper is oily and enrobes Nicaraguan fillers and a Nicaraguan binder. It’s medium-bodied, dark, with delicious aromas of oak, cedar and spice. This is another masterpiece from Rocky Patel.
Ross Rating: 9/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair the Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto Cigar with?
What soft drink would I pair the Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto with?
Coca Cola Zero.
Would I smoke the Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto Cigar again?
Rocky Patel delivers with a San Andres wrapper. Flavour is the most important factor when assessing a cigar, and the Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto excels in this category – especially during the start and middle of the smoke. This is a cigar I would recommend to an experienced cigar smoker. I would not discourage the novice from trying this cigar, but prepare yourself for an intense experience. I could smoke this cigar again and again.
How to Taste a Cigar
29 March 2023 by Ellie
One of the reasons you may choose to smoke a cigar over a cigarette or pipe is because of the world of flavour that awaits you with each puff. Cigars are renowned for their taste, which can be complex and exciting.
Some cigars have flavours that are bold and instantly identifiable, whereas others may be filled with subtle hints of something less familiar that you may well miss if your attention is otherwise occupied. While it can take years to fully develop the skills required to discern one flavour from the next, this guide may get you on the way to experiencing more from your cigars.
Tips for Tasting Cigars
Cigar Tasting Notes
How to Taste Cigars
Cigar Size and Flavour
Tips for Tasting Your Cigar
The following tips can be used to enhance the tasting experience and flavour enjoyment of your cigars.
Taste the Cigar Before You Light
Holding the cigar in your mouth before you light it up can be a great indicator of the type of smoke you’re about to enjoy. If there is a sweet or bitter flavour present in your cigar, then this suggests it will be a good smoke, whereas if there is a hint of acidity, then it could mean the tobacco used in the cigar is of poorer quality than it could be.
Smoke Your Cigar Slowly
This is the golden rule for all areas of cigar smoking. However, it can be particularly important if you are looking to expand your flavour experiences.
Leave time between each draw, letting the smoke linger in your mouth a little longer than you usually would. Doing this makes the aftertaste more prominent, allowing you more of a chance to explore the flavours in full.
Slowing down the smoking process also ensures that the cigar does not overheat, which may cause the tobacco to taste burnt.
Protect Your Palate
You will never achieve the full flavour of your cigar if your palate has been contaminated by the foods you’ve been eating all day. Read our guide on how to cleanse your palate for some top tips in this area.
If you are looking to determine the different flavour profiles present in your cigar then only drink water alongside it if you need a sip of something, as other drinks will bring in a whole new bunch of tastes to the mix.
Also, if you are planning on smoking multiple cigars, always go with the mildest one first, as the flavours and aromas of stronger cigars tend to linger for longer, making it difficult for you to detect the more subtle notes in a milder cigar.
Keep the Cigar Tasting Notes in Mind
When you smoke a cigar a variety of flavours can express themselves with each puff. These flavours can include sweet, spicy, floral, nutty and earthy. Flavours might develop and change throughout the smoking experience, or they may be apparent all at once.
For example, a cigar might open with earthy notes, that develop into espresso and cocoa hints, that finish with a caramelised sweetness.
You can take a look at our cigar tasting notes guide and flavour wheel to discover the different flavours you might experience in your smoke.
How to Taste a Cigar
To properly taste a cigar, there are three areas which work together to build up this flavourful profile. First is the use of the tongue to taste; second is the use of your nose to smell all of the flavour notes present in the cigar; and finally is the finish, which is the aftertaste.
The Tongue
The tongue, when picking up taste notes, picks up on five elements;
Bitter
While you may associate the word ‘bitter’ with something unpleasant in taste, when it comes to cigars, a bitter taste can work very well when in combination with other flavours. Tastes which are considered to be bitter include coffee, citrus and dark chocolate.
Sour
Sourness is different to bitterness in that it only refers to acidity. Sour certainly isn’t a flavour profile that cigar makers strive for, but cigars can taste sour if they have been aged incorrectly.
Sweet
While sweet tastes are often considered the most enjoyable, two taste receptors have to be activated for the tongue to detect sweet flavours, making it a difficult flavour to successfully replicate in a cigar. Some primings or fermentation methods may make certain tobacco taste sweeter when burned.
Flavoured cigars, particularly cigarillos, do exist though, which have sugar artificially added to the end of the cigar for flavour.
Examples of sweet flavours in cigars include caramel, chocolate, honey or fruit.
Salt
Many Cuban cigars have a slightly salty taste, due to the fact that Cuban soil contains a high concentration of lithium, which is close to Sodium.
Umami
Umami is a meaty or savoury taste. This receptor is activated by amino acids, which are things high in protein like meats and cheeses.
Smell
Olfaction, or the sense of smell, is the 2nd aspect when it comes to tasting your cigar. Although you may think that flavour is all in the taste, we actually have more flavour detectors in our noses than we do on our tongues. While our tongue can detect only five distinct qualities, the olfactory system can detect hundreds. Therefore, the smell of a cigar should be of great importance.
When we talk about ‘smell’, we do not mean the aroma in the air from the smoke you exhale, or that wafts off the stogie as it rests between puffs. Rather, the smell is gained in the time at which the smoke is in your mouth, entering your nose in this way.
To enhance this smell, the smoke can be introduced more to your sinuses, by exhaling some smoke through the nose in a process known as retrohaling. Some cigar smokers choose to ‘retro-hale’ to gain the full flavour experience.
To do this, after taking a puff, release around three-quarters of the smoke out of your mouth before pushing the remaining smoke back with your tongue whilst you exhale through your nose. If you have never attempted this, then you have been missing out on the full extent of your cigars complex flavours!
The Finish
The final key aspect of fully enjoying a cigar is the finish; essentially a fancy term used to describe the aftertaste. It refers to the flavours that persist long after you have exhaled.
When it comes to cigars, the finish should be enjoyable and the longer the flavours remain, the better. Certain flavours are more likely to remain for longer, or give off more prominent tastes at the finish, in particular cigars with cocoa, coffee or liquorice notes.
To really “taste” a cigar, you incorporate the initial tastes from your tongue and sinuses as well as the finish, it’s a function of the sensory organs and time.
Consider the Cigar Size
Did you know the size and shape of a cigar can affect its taste?! This is because the length of your cigar affects how quickly heat reaches your palate. The shorter the cigar, the closer the lit end is to your palate, which means you’ll experience the flavours of the smoke faster and more intensely.
Therefore, a longer cigar can offer more subtle tasting notes as they emerge and reveal themselves as the smoke develops, while a shorter cigar may give you a bold smoking experience from the first puff.
What are your top tips for enjoying all of the flavours your cigar has to offer? If you’re looking for a top-quality cigar to start your flavour exploration journey, be sure to check out the range available at Havana House!
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