How to Fix Under Humidified or Over Humidified Cigars
8 January 2023 by Ellie
Have you ever tried to light up a cigar that just refuses to light? Or maybe you’ve started to smoke a cigar and found that it burns unevenly or produces far too much smoke? Has the cap cracked off when you tried to cut it? If any of these things happen, then the answer could be in its humidification, either too much or too little.
What Causes Humidification Issues in Cigars?
Humidification issues can be down to your own humidor or the shipping process. One of these you can fix, so check your humidor to see if it has too much or too little humidity. Recalibrate your hygrometer and refresh your humidification system if necessary. You may need to upgrade your humidification system or move your cigar selection to a bigger box.
Unfortunately, something you don’t have much control over is damage caused during the shipping process. Most cigars are being transported from factories in South America. Cigars that get shipped over quickly will be over-humidified, while those that take ages to clear customs will be a little dried up. If your cigar retailer sells these cigars on before they have had a chance to adjust in a humidity-controlled environment, then the cigars may not be at their best for smoking.
If your cigars show signs of being over or under-humidified when they arrive, then let them rest in your humidor to try and acclimate them to the right levels.
How to Fix Under Humidified Cigars
If a cigar is under humidified, that means it will be dry, without enough moisture content. It will feel brittle, and if you give it a squeeze, it will be hard. Because the cigar is dry and brittle, when you try and cut into the cap, it may crack, cause the wrapper to unravel, or break during the smoke. As well as this, the dryness means that the cigar will burn far quicker than it should do, which can cause bitterness and a very unsatisfying smoke.
If your cigars are under humidified, then you need to pop them back into your humidor, ensuring it is at around 70 percent humidity. Unfortunately, you’ll have to rehumidify your cigars for about a week or so.
How to Fix Over Humidified Cigars
Over-humidified cigars will be too wet, making lighting hard and presenting a range of burn issues. Heated moisture produces steam, so burning an overly wet cigar can cause it to expand, which can break the wrapper and ruin the cigar.
To fix this, you’ll need to make your cigars drier, but there are definitely right and wrong ways to go about this. If you were to simply leave your cigar out in the sun for a few hours, then the wrapper will dry up, but the filler of the cigar will remain damp, causing the exterior of the cigar to burn faster than the core when it is lit.
Like with under-humidified cigars, the best way to rectify an over-humidified stogie is to put it in your humidor, at the right humidity level, for a couple of weeks. This will allow the whole cigar to be equally humid. To speed up the drying-out process a little, you can add some extra stripes of Spanish cedar lining to your humidor, as this works best to soak up excess moisture.
With both under and over-humidified cigars, the key is patience, focusing on a gradual alteration of the humidity level in the cigar. This is because gaining or losing moisture too quickly can cause the cigar to expand or contract too fast, which can affect the construction of the cigar. Damage to the cigar’s structure will, again, affect the way it burns, and can destroy the cigar even more!
If you need to better your humidification system, then why not try a Boveda humidor pack?
Perez-Carrillo, as a name, has been known in the Cigar Industry for years. Ernesto, his father before him, and the family before that, have all been integrally involved in making cigars for generations.
This is what was the inspiration for the Family Series of Cigars. These cigars are generations of know-how, poured into unique blends and culminate as the creations of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo himself. Only these cigars are allowed to bear the name Perez-Carrillo and each vitola is an homage to someone within the family. Cigars that are the pride and joy of the Perez-Carrillo family history.
About the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic
Owner: E.P. Carrillo Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: Medium Size: Robusto – 5 3/8 by 52 ring gauge
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
The cigar enticed me with cedar, sweet cream and spice. The cedar and sweet cream are up front and then the spice kicks in and has a very long finish. The strength in this third was slightly below medium.
The Middle
At the middle some sweetness returns to the cream and levels with the cedar and spice. The retrohale is very much the same profile. The strength remained at slightly below medium.
The End
As the cigar reaches its finale, charred wood appears and cream continues along with the now faint spice. There is a slight pine note that has become a bit fuller and is still paired with the cream. The strength is now all medium.
Burn
No touch ups needed on this cigar, burn rate was quite fast at times but even all the way through.
Draw
The draw on the Encore Majestic is slightly open but not a loose draw. Delivers the flavour very well.
Overall
The flavour profile of the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic consisted of cedar, sweet cream and spice later transitioning to charred wood and then a pine note. Construction was great and allowed me to focus everything on the great flavours of this cigar. The strength never built up past medium.
This was a very nice cigar from E.P. Carrillo. It’s a cigar approachable to any level smoker and could be enjoyable at any time of day. I would suggest this cigar to everyone, it’s a fantastic example of a great smoke.
Ross Rating: 9/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic with?
What soft drink would I pair E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic with?
Mexican Coca Cola from a glass bottle.
Would I smoke E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic again?
The Encore Majestic is a cigar I would recommend to the experienced and novice cigar enthusiast. As for myself, it’s a cigar I’d smoke again and is most definitely a box worthy consideration.
Cigar Review: Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega Robusto
5 December 2022 by Ellie
Plasencia Cigars announced their new line, Plasencia Cosecha 149, back at the 2021 PCA trade show and began shipping it in November. This is the second cigar in their “Cosecha” series. The word “cosecha” translates to “harvest” in Spanish and refers to the 149th harvest of the field that this tobacco came from, which took place in 2014.
About the Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega Robusto
Owner: Plasencia Factory: Tabacos de Oriente S.A. Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduran Olancho San Agustin Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduran Jamastran Valley, Olancho San Agustín and Talanga Strength: Medium – Full Size: Robusto – 5 by 52 ring gauge
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
The cigar starts with autumnal spices that soon gives way to spicy wood. Pepper flake hints sit on my lips between each draw. Espresso pipes up in the centre of the profile. As the cigar progressed the spices became more defined. The espresso moved up to medium intensity not long after. Approaching the halfway point there is a raisin sweetness that comes through at the end of each draw.
The Middle
Golden syrup sweetness greets you in the second third along, with medium intensity spices and wood to finish. The spices also sit in the middle of each draw at medium intensity.
The End
Spices lead the profile into the last third, with light wood to finish. Creaminess comes into the retrohale as it settles in, with earthy delights hitting on the post draw. That earth moves into the centre of the profile as it progresses, with faint espresso joining at the halfway point.
Burn
Construction was very good with no visible flaws. It had a well applied cap and seams that were very tight and held throughout the smoking experience. The cigar felt very nice in my hand and draws straight at a steady rate.
Draw
A little tight at the start but opened up early. Great smoke volume all the way to the nub.
Overall
The Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega is a fantastic cigar. It shows some diversity in Honduran tobacco in terms of flavours delivered. It smokes like a Honduran, but it does not deliver that Honduran flavour profile that we are used to. It has a long finish, very filling, and it is a medium to full cigar in terms of body and strength. This cigar is a great showcase of the potential of Honduran tobacco and a must try.
Ross Rating: 9/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega Robusto with?
I discovered an amazing orange rum recently and the Companero Elixir Orange Rum (70cl / 40%) turns this smoking experience in to a Terry’s chocolate orange bonanza.
What soft drink would I pair Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega Robusto with?
Sprite works well with robust cigar flavours, so this was a no brainer for me.
Would I smoke Plasencia Cosecha 149 La Vega Robusto again?
Easily one of the best cigars to come back to over and over again, the Plasencia 149 is a shop favourite with lots of our customers. A constant in my humidor at home and at work. Yes please, I’ll have another one.
Secret Santa Gifts For Cigar Smokers
9 November 2022 by Ellie
Soon it will be Christmas, and in the run-up to that are a whole host of fun festive activities, meeting up with close friends for a Christmas drink, late-night shopping and the work Christmas party! The latter also means the dreaded Secret Santa presents, which could mean you snare the guy from accounting that you know absolutely nothing about.
There is no need to fret! Here at Havana House, we have a great selection of cigar gifts to suit all budgets; from £5 to £15, there is something for everybody. Below you will find some of our favourite gifts to treat one of your colleagues to this Christmas:
Henri Wintermans Tubed Coronas Deluxe Sumatra Cigar
The point of Secret Santa tends to be cheap and cheerful gifts, so this affordable cigar option from Henri Wintermans is the perfect choice for cigar lovers or those who want to experience a Christmas smoke.
Henri Wintermans Tubed Coronas Deluxe Sumatra is a small cigar made from a blend of the finest tobacco leaves from Cuba, Colombia, and Indonesia. A well-constructed machine-made cigar with a balanced flavour, delicious aroma, and smooth draw, the Coronas Deluxe Sumatra offers a sweet but mild smoke, ideal for a quick and relaxing experience.
Mr Stanley’s Gentlemen’s Club Milk Chocolate Cigars
For those with a sweet tooth, there’s nothing better than a chocolatey treat for Christmas. If you don’t know your Secret Santa’s cigar preferences, beyond knowing that they like cigars, this can be a safe bet. So, if the cigar lover in your life likes things sweet, these cigar-shaped milk chocolates from Mr Stanley’s Gentlemen’s Clubare the ideal choice!
Mellow and moreish, these foil-wrapped chocolate cigars make the perfect gift for sweet-toothed smokers or those who want a more sophisticated and refined after-dinner treat to relax with, without lighting up.
Romeo y Julieta Petit Julieta Cigar
Cuban cigars are known for being pricey, but luckily there are some affordable options that would make ideal Secret Santa presents. Romeo y Julieta is a premium cigar brand that is very popular, so you’re getting great value for money.
The Petit Julieta offers a complex mix of flavours that stays light in strength, with a mild and smooth smoking experience. As you puff, subtle notes of earthy flavours and smoked leather present themselves, with hints of spiciness appearing towards the end.
Perfect for novices and enthusiasts alike, this cigar is a great choice for Secret Santa as it can be enjoyed by those who have never smoked a cigar before, as well as by those who are aficionados already.
Cigar Minder All-Purpose Cigar Clip
Cigars notoriously take a long time to smoke – some even require hours dedicated to smoking them. Sometimes you’ll need to put them down to do something else, whether that’s while working in the garden or when taking a swing on the golf course. The Cigar Minder clip is a handy bit of kit that can help out cigar smokers.
La Invicta Honduran Robusto Tubed Cigar
A great value cigar from La Invicta, the Honduran Robusto was made from the finest tobacco from Honduras, presenting a light-medium strength smoke with a spicy, yet mild, sweet taste.
The Robusto is a great size, measuring 5 inches with a 50 ring gauge. The light flavour, milder strength and manageable size makes this a fantastic cigar for both cigar newbies and experienced smokers. The tubed packaging of this cigar makes it an ideal gift, as it adds a sleek touch to the cigar, while providing protection, allowing it to be taken out to parties and on the go.
Haven’t found the perfect gift yet? Take a look at our recommended cigar gift sets for every type of smoker. While you’re at it, why not buy cigars online or in-store from us and light one up after the boss picks up the dinner cheque?!
How to Buy a Cigar as a Gift
7 November 2022 by Ellie
Choosing a cigar as a gift can be a daunting task, to say the least. Similar to trying to pick out the perfect bottle of wine for a loved one, choosing a cigar may require the knowledge of the smoker’s preferences when it comes to strength and flavour.
But thanks to our insightful guide, you don’t have to endure this experience alone, so you can make an informed purchase that is sure to be the best cigar gift the recipient will ever receive.
When to Buy a Cigar as a Gift
Giving a cigar as a gift originates from Native American culture, where they were used to mark important occasions, particularly when a baby was born. Now it is customary to gift a cigar for a range of events, such as the birth of a new child, weddings and graduation, as well as for annual events like birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas.
How to Choose a Cigar as a Gift
While some cigar smokers will be happy with any cigar gift, others have more concrete preferences around brand, size, strength and tasting notes. We share a few ways to find the ideal gift for the cigar lovers in your life.
Look at the Cigars They Love
If you’re buying for someone who loves their cigars, you can take a look at the ones they buy themselves for inspiration. Take a look at the bands to discover the brands they prefer – this can give you a good starting place and can help narrow down whether they prefer Cuban or New World cigars.
Look at the colour of the wrapper – the outermost leaf of the cigar – as well as the length and width of the cigar to have more of an idea of what they like. You could even snap a few pictures of their cigar collection if you are able to get access.
Take this information to your local cigar shop, or get in touch online, and the cigar vendor should be able to point you in the direction of the perfect cigar for the person you are buying for.
Explore Cigar Selection Packs
When shopping for a present, a cigar selection pack can be an ideal gift, as it will include a handful of different cigars. Chances are at least a couple will go down a treat for your recipient!
Here at Havana House, we have a wide range of cigar selections to choose from, including brand collections, starter packs, bestsellers, and pairing gift sets.
Top Cigars
Another way to choose a gift is to look at the top-rated cigars – there’s a good reason why they’ve been so well-reviewed! Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Journal both offer annual rankings for the top 25 cigars of each year, while here at Havana House, we recommend our own Havana House Top 10 Cigars.
Tips For Buying Cigars
There are a few things to keep in mind when buying a cigar.
Choose a Trusted Vendor
Make sure you are purchasing cigars from a trusted seller. Cigars need to be kept in the right conditions, which an experienced cigar retailer like Havana House will be able to ensure, but a seller on eBay might not. A legitimate retailer will also check to ensure that the cigars imported into the UK are genuine, well-constructed and suitable for smoking.
Feel the Cigar
When buying a cigar in a shop or after purchasing online, it is always worth checking the cigar. While Havana House will always offer a premium service, we urge people to inspect the cigar they are considering purchasing.
Pick up the cigar and give it a gentle pinch up and down. This is to carry out a routine check that can help discover any imperfections or small tears that may have occurred. And while this is uncommon, we feel it’s best to carry out the checks anyway; after all, you don’t want the receiver of your beautiful gift to have any problems smoking your present once lit.
You may also want to feel over the cigar for the feeling of an irregular dip. While this may well be even more uncommon than the aforementioned imperfections, it has the potential to affect the way in which the cigar smokes in terms of its evenness. You are best off feeling a few and opting for the one that feels best to you.
Our Quality Guarantee
At Havana House, we want to make sure that the cigars you receive are in the best possible condition. We open and check every humidor, box, pack and tubos to check that the cigar is to our very high standards. If the cigar passes inspection, we are proud to apply our seal of approval.
What to Buy a Cigar Lover
4 November 2022 by Ellie
Choosing a gift for a loved one can be a challenge, and with Christmas just around the corner, you’re undoubtedly trying to decide what to buy for that special cigar lover in your life.
Lucky for you, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you find the perfect gift for a cigar lover this holiday season.
Cigar Cases
If you know a cigar lover who’s often on the go, then no gift would be better than a brand new cigar case like the Dunhill White Spot Highland Limited Edition Brown Cigar Case. Made from brown leather, with a wool Houndstooth pattern, the case is able to fit two Robusto cigars inside, and is the ultimate accessory for the sophisticated and classy cigar aficionado in your life.
Cigar Accessories
If you’re looking to give a gift that’s definitely going to get some use, then why not go for a more functional option. From quality cigar cutters like thisXikar Enso Cigar Cutter to premium grade cigar lighters like this Xikar HP4 Quad Jet Cigar Lighter.
Cigar Collection
Perhaps the most obvious gift choice for a cigar lover is, well, cigars. However, we understand that if you’re not an aficionado yourself, it’s difficult to know where to start. That’s where we come in!
If you’re looking for a good all-round cigar gift, we’ve put together some Havana House gift boxes, filled with cigars that we think every aficionado should try! Our Havana Merry Christmas Gift Box is full of amazing Cuban cigars from some of the top brands on the market, including Romeo y Julieta, Hoyo De Monterrey, and Montecristo.
A ready-made present can be found for fans of Rocky Patel cigars in the form of our Merry Christmas with Rocky Havana House Gift Box. Featuring five exclusive Rocky Patel cigars, plus a cigar cutter and cedar spills, the cigar lover in your life will have everything they need to have a very Merry Christmas!
Make sure that the cigar lover in your life knows you love them this Christmas with any one of these great gift ideas. For more gift choices, take a peek at our gift guide for cigar and whisky lovers perfect for the festive season!
How to Light Different Shaped Cigars
10 October 2022 by Ellie
While there are plenty of guides on how to light a cigar, standard cigar lighting practices may not always work when you are smoking a cigar of an unusual shape!
Whether your cigar has a tapered end, is wider in certain areas, or is square rather than round, your usual cigar lighting method may not provide the intended results, causing your cigar to burn unevenly.
To avoid this issue, follow our guide and adapt your lighting style to get the best from your smoke.
How to Light Standard Cigars
Regular-sized cigars, or parejos, that feature straight sides and an open foot, will be the easiest to light and get an even burn throughout.
Using a torch lighter, match or cedar spill, roast the foot of the cigar, without letting the flame directly touch the tobacco.
If the tobacco does come into contact with the fire, it can make your cigar burn too fast and taste bitter. Puff on the cigar and turn it slowly to ensure that the cigar is lit evenly across the foot, and so will burn uniformly.
How to Light Perfecto Cigars
Perfecto cigars have a tapered head and closed foot, with a bulge in the middle. The exact length and ring gauge of such cigars vary greatly, but the fact that the cigar tapers and is not straight in the centre means that several issues with the burn may present themselves.
In theory, if the cigar is lit accurately, the burn will correct itself and spread evenly as it works its way down the tobacco from the taper to the widest point.
To light correctly, you should treat a perfecto as you would a standard cigar, but ensure that you are holding the lighter straight and applying the heat directly to the tapered area of the foot. Many people mistakenly attempt to light their perfecto at an angle; however, this will cause your cigar to canoe, burning very unevenly.
You will also not need to puff as much on a perfecto as you would on a regular cigar, as the tip of the perfecto is far smaller and only needs a light draw.
How to Light Pyramid Cigars
Pyramid cigars have a large foot and then get progressively smaller as you smoke it, ending in a tapered cap.
This makes for a lot of potential burn issues, as there is more tobacco to burn at one end than throughout the rest of the cigar, which may cause it to canoe as parts of the stogie will burn faster. This is particularly the case for the tobacco on the edge of the cigar, which will burn a lot faster than the rest if it is introduced to the flame.
Therefore, when lighting a pyramid cigar, the flame should be kept more centralised as you begin, and then slowly work the lighter out towards the edges. The outer tobacco may burn a little slower than the centre to start, but this will quickly balance out as the pyramid tapers in!
How to Light Box Pressed Cigars
While box pressed cigars are fairly similar to a standard stogie, their square shape can make lighting a little trickier. With corners to take into consideration, holding the lighter in the wrong places can cause a canoe-effect, as one side burns before the others.
Ensure that the flame is kept only on the foot of the cigar, avoiding any of the corner areas. Due to the square shape, it can also be harder to rotate the cigar well as you puff on it to ensure an even burn.
To get around this, the cigar should be rotated a quarter at a time while puffing to be sure it is fully lit without singeing the corners!
How to Light Culebra Cigars
When presented with a culebra cigar you may think: ‘how am I going to light all of this evenly?!’ Yet, if you have ever attempted to light all three at once, then we’re afraid to say that you have been smoking these very wrong!
Before smoking, the culebra must be disassembled, unravelling the three cigars from each other. You can then light and smoke each of these cigars individually as you would a standard cigar.
Regardless of the type of cigar you choose to enjoy, ensure that you are using only the best cigar lighter for your smoke. Here at Havana House, we offer a wide selection of top quality cigar accessories, including Xikar lighters, so if you’re looking to upgrade your collection then check out our range!
Does the Size and Shape of a Cigar Affect Its Taste?
9 October 2022 by Ellie
As you browse for cigars online, you’ll notice that there are a vast range of different vitolas available. Vitolas are the descriptive name for a particular size and shape of a cigar.
For example, a Churchill cigar is a cigar with dimensions of around 7 inches in length with a ring gauge of 47.
If you’ve already tried your fair share of cigars, you may have a good idea about which sizes and shapes you prefer for your smokes. However, novice cigar smokers may find the variety of options a bit overwhelming.
You may have a lot of questions about cigar vitolas, and how the size and shape of a cigar can affect the flavour experience. Here, we will explain how size can impact taste!
Cigar Shapes
Cigars come in two categories; Parejos and Figurados. The difference between the two is down to their shape.
A Parejo cigar is the more traditional style, and the most common. It features a flat head and is consistent in size from head to foot. Vitolas like Churchill, Corona and Robusto are all Parejo cigars.
A Figurado cigar features slightly more unique dimensions. They may have a pointed head, leading to a bulge in the middle of the cigar, before tapering in at the bottom. Examples of Figurado cigars include Torpedo, Piramide and Perfecto.
Cigar Vitolas
The shape, length and ring gauge of your cigar is identified by its vitola. A vitola is like a standard size descriptor for cigars.
Cigars are measured in length in inches, and by their ring gauge, the diameter measured in units of 1/64th of an inch. This means that a 64 ring gauge cigar would be an inch in diameter – although most are smaller than this!
Each cigar labelled with a particular vitola will have a very similar length, ring gauge and shape, so you will know what size the cigar is by its name alone. For example, the Montecristo No 3, the Davidoff Chateau Latour and the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi are all Coronas.
See some of the most popular cigar vitolas available in our graphic below:
Why Are Cigars Rolled in Different Sizes?
The main reason for having different sizes of cigars is down to the time it takes for it to be smoked. A long and thick cigar is simply going to take a longer time to burn than a short and thin cigar.
Sometimes you want to sit back, relax and savour a cigar over an evening, whereas other times you may only have time for a quick smoke on the go!
Plus, having different sizes and shapes of cigars adds a bit of variety to our humidors and can be very interesting for those who appreciate cigars!
How Does a Cigar’s Thickness Impact Flavour?
There are a few ways in which the thickness of the cigar can impact its flavour.
How Hot the Cigar Burns
The thickness of a cigar often has an impact on how hot it burns.
A thick cigar will burn slow and cool, while a thin cigar will be faster and hotter. This is one of the reasons that a bigger cigar takes longer to smoke than a thinner cigar.
Be careful when smoking a thinner cigar. If you’ve picked a smaller smoke, then you may be in a rush, but this shouldn’t mean you puff faster. By smoking faster, you are likely to make the cigar overheat, which can contribute to burn issues and bitter tastes.
Leaf Ratios
A cigar is made up of filler, binder and wrapper leaves of tobacco. The outermost layer, the wrapper leaf, is the most flavourful part of the cigar, contributing to around 80% of the flavour of the whole cigar!
When a cigar is thicker, there is proportionally more filler and binder tobacco than in a thinner cigar. When you smoke a thicker cigar, the flavourful wrapper leaf may get a little diluted by the cheaper filler and binder tobacco.
Of course, cigars are always designed, rolled and tested for years to create what is considered to be the perfect blend, so you are still going to get an excellent smoke either way. But if you are after a punch of flavour, then sometimes, smaller ring gauges, which are made up of more wrapper leaf, can offer a more concentrated flavour.
How Does a Cigar’s Length Impact Flavour?
The length of a cigar determines how quickly the heat reaches your palate.
The shorter a cigar, the closer the lit end is to your palate, so you’ll experience the flavours of the smoke faster, and more intensely.
As such, a longer cigar may allow you to enjoy more subtle tasting notes as they emerge throughout the smoke, whereas a shorter cigar may give you an immediate, bold smoking experience.
Trendy Sizes
There isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to which cigar size is best. It is completely down to personal preference and the flavour experience that each cigar offers you.
What we do see though is clear trends in which cigar sizes are in vogue.
The most notable change comes from ring gauge preferences. During much of the 20th-Century, thin ring gauge cigars were the most popular. Ring gauges between 28 and 38 were commonly enjoyed.
However, since the 1990s, there has been a growing trend for larger cigars, with brands pushing the boundaries on width! In fact, some cigars nowadays are so large that they don’t even fit within a guillotine cigar cutter!
What is your favourite cigar vitola or size to smoke?
Guide to Panetela Cigars
7 October 2022 by Ellie
Panetela (or Panatela) cigars are long and thin smokes, offering a ring gauge on the smaller end of the cigar size spectrum, but a longer length. This creates a cigar with more wrapper than filler, creating an intensely flavourful smoking experience.
We take a look at what Panetela cigars are, who makes them, and which you should smoke.
Panatela Cigar Size
Panetelas are typically characterised by being a long, thin cigar, ranging 5 to 7.5 inches in length with a ring gaugethat measures from between 34 to 38.
Much like many other Cuban cigars that we see on the market, they are styled in the classic Parejo styling – a straight, even body shape, a rounded top and a flat foot.
In production, these almost exclusively-handmade sticks require some extra care, due to the size and the lesser use of filler inside the cigar, requiring a particular skill to make.
Something immediately noticeable after lighting up a panetela is that the flavour is most prominent from the wrapper tobacco, rather than the binder or filler which is normally the case. This provides the cigar with a slightly longer burn time for the size, and a strong, tasty flavour.
The Best Panetela Cigars to Smoke
Although it’s easy to be drawn to the wider ring gauge cigars, which typically offer a better draw and a quicker, more satisfying smoke, panetelas should not be cast aside. Here, we’ve pulled out some of the best panatela cigars for you to smoke.
Cohiba Panetelas Cigar
A slightly shorter cigar than the one above, measuring just four and a half inches, the Cohiba is a reliable and robust option for those who like a shorter smoke. A ring gauge of 26 makes this cigar seem almost pencil-like to hold, and the smaller ring gauge and shorter length contribute to a smoking time of roughly 15 minutes.
However, what this cigar loses in size, it more than makes up for in flavour and strength. With a medium to full profile, the common flavours experienced are fresh spice, wet grass, liquorice and chocolate. Although some people have experienced issues with the draw, if you can get past this, then you can expect to have a great little smoke for a respectable price.
Quintero Panetelas
Much like the others on the list, this Quintero provides a perfect, if not swift, smoking experience. This five-inch stick comes in a 37 ring gauge, one of the wider smoked on the list, and is stocked with short filler tobacco. Although this can be seen as a slightly inferior choice, the woody and grassy aromas should be enough to win you over. If not, then pairing the cigar with a coffee should definitely do the trick, delivering smooth, medium-strength flavours.
Por Larrañaga Panetelas
Measuring five inches in length with a ring gauge of 36, these cigars are towards the more budget end of the market, but you certainly couldn’t tell from smoking them. Well constructed and a strong flavour, these are perfect for a day to day smoke. These smokes are a blend of long and short filler, which is a way that producers are able to use long filler while still keeping the cost of the cigar to a minimum.
When it comes to smoking, typical aromas can be clay, cedar and sea salt. Lighting up the cigar, expect these aromas to pass into the flavours, with clay, straw and a not too overpowering salty note. There is a good evolution of flavours in the cigar and generally provides a 35 minute burn time.
La Invicta Nicaraguan Panetela
These hand made beauties come in at the more reasonably priced end of the spectrum and measure five and a quarter inches long, with a 29 ring gauge. Constructed with Nicaraguan filler and wrapper, the cigar is an ideal entry point for less experienced or novice smokers.
Like with all panetelas, the draw can be a little tight, but the smoke is worth it, with flavours of rich, nutty cedar. There is also a rich, earthy flavour that comes with these sticks, while still retaining a mild to medium strength.
Which of these panetelas are you interested in trying? No matter which you opt for, make sure that you have all the cigar accessories you need by checking out our range online. From Xikar cutters to lighters and humidors, we have everything you need for a perfect smoking experience.
Cigar Review: La Galera Imperial Jade Corona Cigar
3 October 2022 by Ellie
For the La Galera Imperial Jade Corona cigar’s blend, José “Jochy” Blanco and the team at Tabacalera Palma pair the wrapper with a Dominican-grown Criollo binder from Tabacalera Palma’s Jacagua farm, along with Piloto Cubano filler from that same farm and Dominican Criollo 98 from the company’s La Canela farm.
About the La Galera Imperial Jade Corona Cigar
Owner: La Galera Factory: Tabacalera Palma Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Cameroon Binder: Dominican Republic Filler: Dominican Republic Strength: Medium – Full Size: Corona – 5 1/2 by 44 ring gauge
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
The La Galera Imperial Jade Corona starts off with a nice hit of black pepper before showing some herbal tea notes and more of the soft textured body. Not an explosive start but a vibrant one.
Retrohaling gives a much more vibrant taste with a nose-tingling pepper that seems accented by a red chilli pepper aroma. There isn’t heat attached to it, but that flavour is really there. Very interesting.
The Middle
The pepper notes that had been destined for the palate at the start seem to have detoured, yet the retrohales still get plenty of it. While puffs are initially subtle in flavour, they begin to unpack on the finish, revealing a bit of cedar and a nice tang that is reminiscent of my baseline flavours of Cameroon tobacco. That means a sweet and spicy flavour.
The End
As the La Galera Imperial Jade Corona comes to an end, the body of the smoke is a hearty medium-full. Pepper seems to still be largely on hiatus but the sweet and spicy flavours are still there. A bit more cedar comes out of the profile, though with a bit sharper sensation. Earthiness then emerges and brings with it a somewhat hearty black pepper.
Burn
Construction is absolutely fantastic, particularly the razor sharp burn line or the seemingly rock solid ash.
Draw
The draw on this cigar is perfect for me, resistance is there but always gives you the right amount of smoke you need.
Overall
The La Galera Imperial Jade is a real flavour bomb. After the early pepper receded there was mostly cedar and sweet notes that dominated the flavour. It doesn’t give too much variant on taste, but what it does give is strong and delicious.
Ross Rating: 8/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair La Galera Imperial Jade with?
After recently visiting America I loved drinking Modelo beer. So much so we now stock it. This type of beer goes very will with cigars with a strong flavour profile.
What soft drink would I pair La Galera Imperial Jade with?
Traditional Lemonade – Waitrose does a very good one.
Would I smoke La Galera Imperial Jade again?
There aren’t too many Cameroon wrappers on the market. This offers something so different, it’s great to break up the flavour profiles of most Dominican-made cigars. Yes please, I’ll have another.
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