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You’ll no doubt be familiar with the Davidoff brand name through their incredibly popular range of men’s fragrances, which includes the classic “Cool Water”. However, in addition to manufacturing fragrances and other luxury goods, this Swiss company also manufactures a line of high quality cigars in the Dominican Republic. Davidoff cigars are one of the most recognizable and widely available high quality cigar brands, and are sold in almost every country in the world. They are noted for their exquisite taste, which captivates smokers the world over.

The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 4 is one of the most popular cigars in the range, and it’s a great one to start off with. While Davidoff have a wide range of strengths in their arsenal, this particular cigar has a delicious medium bodied sweetness which is very forgiving to novice cigar smokers.  It’s a particularly nice looking cigar, with a smooth wrapper, and the construction is perfect.  The flavor is mostly very sweet, and it also has a delightful creaminess behind it. The sweetness is reminiscent of honey, and the smoke has a really smooth texture. As the flavor develops, the sweetness moves into the background and is replaced with a complex grassy flavor. While the sweetness is always apparent, the grass plays a much bigger part in the final third of the cigar. It’s not unlike Agio Meharia cigars, or even one of the Palma Cigars range.

If you’re a more experienced smoker who prefers stronger cigars with slightly more character, you might find the Davidoff Double R more to your liking. As soon as you take this beautiful cigar out of the box, you can already tell it’s a masterpiece. It’s just a fantastically constructed cigar with no flaws whatsoever. The flavor of the Davidoff Double R isn’t particularly complex, but that doesn’t make it any less pleasant. It’s a good bit stronger than the Grand Cru No 4, and the sweetness that defined it is replaced with soft, woody notes.  A nutty flavor also becomes apparent towards the end of the cigar. As the cigar finishes, the flavors don’t change, but become more defined. By the end, you can define the flavor exactly, it’s like hazelnuts and cedar wood woven together.

If you’re an absolute beginner to smoking cigars, and you’re looking for a first cigar, then you’d be wise to choose the Davidoff 2000. It’s also a fantastic present for weddings, the birth of a new baby, and all those other special occasions where those who don’t normally smoke cigars choose to indulge. It’s soft, gentle and elegant with no harshness or spice at all. While the flavor is very mild, it is absolutely exquisite. It’s a blend of cream and butter, and even an extreme novice will be able to detect that they are smoking a very fine cigar. It’s one of the few cigars that is really suitable for smoking while drinking a fine wine. I’d recommend in particular a Chateux Neuf du Pape, which the Davidoff 2000 would compliment nicely. Davidoff cigars aren’t cheap by any means, but if you go to online cigars stores, then you can often find a good deal.

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Arturo Fuente is a name with some renown in the cigar world. Known for producing a superior quality range of cigar products, the Arturo Fuente family has been in the business since 1912.  Their century of experience is evident in every puff of their cigars. Arturo Fuente has a wide and varied range of cigars to fit every budget and taste, from their diminutive cigarillo to the monolithic Presidente.

The undoubted jewel in their crown though is the superlative Fuente Fuente Opus X.  This super-premium cigar is the flagship of their range, and there is a universal consensus in the cigar world on the smoothness, boldness and intensity inherent in this fine cigar.  The Opus X is quite possibly the finest cigar to come out of the Dominican Republic, and the acclaim is universal.

The flavor can be described as a honey sweetness meeting an intensely smooth pepper. The spice is apparent, but it never moves beyond a slight pepper flavor and never interrupts the smoothness of the cigar.  The Arturo Fuente cigars are never lacking in strength or taste, but the Opus X outclasses them all on both grounds.  It’s not one of those cigars that take time for the complexity of flavor to develop. This one is complex right from the first puff. The flavor does change however, from the initial sweet pepper of the first to the leathery tones that dominate the rest of the cigar. It builds power, and adds a touch of earthy, woody notes gradually towards the end, not unlike an Optimo Cigar. It’s a truly spectacular cigar, and it improves well with age. After a year or two in the humidor, you’ll be thrilled with how the flavor has developed and mellowed into a well-balanced masterpiece. Remember, the best way to maximize your cigar enjoyment is to buy cigars, and then smoke them much later.

It’s true to say that the Fuente Fuente Opus X isn’t the cheapest cigar on the market, but it’s worth remembering that online cigars stores often offer the Fuente Fuente Opus X for much cheaper than traditional tobacconists.

The Arturo Fuente Hemmingway is another one of the stand out cigars from their line. It’s nowhere near as heavy a smoke as the Fuente Fuente Opus X, but it still has a distinct and delightful flavor profile.  It’s almost like smoking a delicious caramel coffee. It’s never too heavy, and the smoke is always stunningly complex, with flavors of toast, earthy notes, and chocolate also present through the dominant caramel coffee sweetness.  By the end of the cigar, you’ll have detected just a hint of spice, some minerals and a faint hint of vanilla. This is truly a cigar that doesn’t disappoint with it’s deep, satisfying flavor. It’s one of a kind.

Arturo Fuente are the manufacturers of many more exceptional cigars, and every one of them is reputed to meet the exacting standards of discerning smokers.  Whether you like a sweet, mild smoke or a more robust peppery flavor, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect cigar in the Arturo Fuente cigar range. The two cigars I mentioned are some of the more expensive ones in the range, and they are spectacular examples of the cigar-maker’s craft, but that same craftsmanship and quality extends right down the line to even their cheapest cigars. Whether you want to splash out or you’re on a budget, Arturo Fuente cigars are a fine choice.

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I’ve always been a fan of the very finest things in life, and the very finest cigars are no different.  Ideally, I’d smoke only the best every day. I’d love to be able to smoke a delicious Cao Cigar or a fine Hoyo De Monterrey every single day, but with the recession hitting many, the only option is often to go to the local convenience store (or buy cigars online) and pick up a packet of cheaper machine made cigars.

There is a common misconception among cigar lovers that “machine made cigar” is a synonym for “disgusting”, but the thrifty smoker will realize that not all cheap cigars are made equal. Some brands offer a great value experience when the price is considered, and the best one is Captain Black.

Captain Blacks are different because, unlike most of their competitors, they are made with pipe tobacco. That gives them a depth of flavor that is incredibly rare to find in cheaper cigars. The flavor that comes out of Captain Black cigars is far above the standard at this price point.

Captain Blacks come in five different flavors, plain filtered, vanilla, sweets, sweet cherry, and peach rum. If you’re used to a more premium smoke but you’re downgrading due to budget, then I suggest you start off with the plain filtered variety. As the name suggests, these cigars have a filter. Admittedly this is a little unusual, but if you don’t like it you can easily remove it without degrading the construction of the cigar significantly.

The flavors, while incomparable to high quality handmade cigars online, are still present and they are more than satisfying. While you’re not doing to get the delicate complexity of flavor you might be used to, you’ll still get a rich, spicy and satisfying flavor that will defy your expectations.  They are so satisfying and so inexpensive that it would be impossible to feel that it wasn’t money well spent.

Captain Blacks also manufacture Captain Black tobacco, a rich and delicious blend of aromatic pipe tobacco. Captain Black tobacco occupies a very special place in the hearts of many pipe smokers, due to it’s fantastic smell and spectacular taste.

Captain Black tobacco fills a room with a delicate aroma of fine whiskey. It’s almost hypnotic, and Captain Blacks comes highly praised as one of the nicest smelling smokes of all the most common pipe tobaccos. The taste is equally delightful. It has a sweet hint of vanilla, with a small nutty effect in the background. The mild whiskey of the room-note is carried over into the flavor of the smoke, with an addition of a delicious sweetness.

Whether you’re smoking a pipe or one of Captain Black’s cigars, you’ll find it to be a consistently excellent experience. Captain Blacks have taken the experience of making high quality pipe tobacco, and created an equally high quality (yet very well priced) cigar product. If you’re in the market for either, they are both definitely worth trying, especially if you buy cigars online.

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Macanudo cigars are one of the most popular cigar brands in the USA, and for good reason. Made in the Dominican Republic, Mancanudos are known for their high quality, rich sweetness, and distinctive taste that is always a pleasure on the palate. They manufacture many different varieties, each with slightly different sizes and flavor profiles. The thing that ties them all together is their superior construction, high quality fill, and superb flavor that delights both novice and experienced cigar smokers.

If you’re a beginner to the fine art of cigar smoking, then I suggest you start off with the Macanudo Hyde Park. The flavor is delicate and mild enough to be enjoyed by beginners, but complex enough to be interesting to even the most seasoned cigar appreciators. It might be slightly too full bodied for absolute novices, but this is a fine choice if you’ve got even just a couple of cigars behind you. The sweetness of the smoke is very subtle, and has faint echoes of a delicious dark coffee.  After you enjoy the sweetness of the first few puffs, the coffee flavor dies down into a complex and light blend of almonds, cashews and fresh herbs.

As the Macanudo Hyde Park develops, it becomes slightly spicier but stays far away from being overpowering. The spicy notes develop slowly in the background, and the delicious nutty flavor maintains prominence right to the stub. As this is a thick cigar, you’ll find it smokes cool until the end, which is one of the greatest advantages of smoking slightly larger cigars.

If you’re a more experienced cigar smoker, then you might like to try a Macanudo cigar that offers a slightly more intense flavor. That’s where the full bodied Macanudo 1968 really comes into it’s own. This rich, dark cigar is marketed towards more experienced smokers, who demand the richest and most powerful smoking experiences.  The Macanudo 1968, like the rest of the Macanudo range, is of a truly phenomenal construction. It’s as solid as it is even, and it has an exceptionally perfect draw. The burn line is always perfectly straight, which is a quality that even the most expensive cigars sometimes lack.

The taste is a delicious cocktail of sweetness, bitterness and spice. It features a deep spicy flavor throughout, which is attenuated by notes of cedar and earthy tones.  The Macanudo 1968 has a taste that is incredibly powerful without being overpowering. It sits in that difficult to find sweet spot, where the cigar lacks nothing in intensity, but doesn’t assault the palate. It’s an impressive achievement. The 1968 has a full bodied flavour slightly reminiscent of Hoyo De Monterrey Cigars but with the light sweetness of Cao Cigars.

There are many other fine cigars in the Macanudo range, and they all share the fine qualities inherent in the above. This is a brand that has been manufacturing cigars of the highest quality for many years, and will no doubt continue for many years more. Macanudo cigars come highly recommended, and for good reason. It’s definitely worth your time to investigate the entire range if you’re looking to purchase cigars.

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Romeo Y Julieta is one of the most famous hand made cigar brands in the world, and has become a benchmark for exceptional quality and taste. Romeo Y Julieta is actually the name of two brands, one based in Cuba and one based in the Dominican Republic which chiefly supplies cigars to the American market. While the Cubans have slightly more cachet and prestige, most cigar smokers agree that the two brands both consistently produce cigars of the very top quality, and they are a handsome addition to any humidor.

The most popular smoke that Romeo Y Julieta produce are their Coronas. Like most Romeo Y Julieta cigars, their Coronas are dominated by a flavor of cedar and sweetness. The Coronas are a truly fine cigar and a fantastic way to not only begin exploring the large range of Romeo Y Julieta cigars, but to explore the hobby of cigar smoking it’s self. Unlike most of the big Cuban brands (Montecristo, H. Upmanns etc.), Romeo Y Julietta cigars tend to be mild enough for inexperienced cigar smokers, and the Corona is no exception.

Like most handmade cigars, the Corona will improve with age. If it’s over five years old, it will be at it’s best, and the flavor will have developed into a creamy sweetness.  One of the few weaknesses found in the Corona is the fact the flavor deteriorates slightly towards the end of the cigar. The final third can often be slightly bitterer, rather than building in strength or showing complexity as the cigar develops.  It is, however, still an excellent premium cigar.

The other very popular Romeo Y Julieta cigar is the Short Churchill. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was rarely seen without a cigar in his mouth, and he was reportedly particularly fond of Romeo Y Julieta.  The Short Churchill handmade cigar was named in his honor.

This cigar is also notable in the range because of the departure from the usual cedar and sweetness flavors typically dominant in a Romeo Y Julieta cigar. The first third of the cigar is very grassy with a slightly herbaceous flavor. There is a slightly cedar undertone, but it’s nowhere near as dominant as it is in the rest of the range. Towards the middle of the cigar the flavor develops into a far more spicy flavor, which is incredibly satisfying even if it can be slightly overwhelming. As the cigar draws into the final third, the spicy flavor is replaced with a delicate earthy taste. It really is a truly outstanding smoke, with a perfect hand made construction and lots of flavor and body. It smokes very smoothly, with an enormous amount of thick smoke.

It should be noted that the storage of a fine cigar like those produced by Romeo Y Julieta is incredibly important. The cigars shouldn’t be stored too long in the box, and should really be protected in a humidor as soon as possible after purchasing. If a Romeo Y Julieta is allowed to dry out, even slightly, it will have a catastrophic effect on the delicate flavors. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find room in your humidor for such a fine cigar.

All in all, every cigar that is made by Romeo Y Julieta (whether it be the Cuban variety, or from the Dominican Republic) is an exceptional smoking experience. If you’re buying cigars , then I suggest you pick up a box.