One of the most attractive cigars I’ve smoked this year is the Viaje Oro (the j is pronounced like an h).  Viaje is a smaller company focusing on making quality hand made Nicaraguan puros, the Oro being the fullest bodied smoke in their line-up. Holding this cigar in your hand and smelling the wrapper is a real pleasure, with a seemingly veinless, lumpless, chocolate scented cigar promising an interesting smoke. Also, the Viaje band is one of the most thoughtfully designed that I’ve come across.
Origin: Nicaragua
Build: Nicaraguan binder and filler with Corojo 99′ …

When I open my humidor to look for an easy, quick smoke, I often think that I should be reaching for a Por Larrañaga Panetela. The problem is the 3 of them I have left are from my stag 4 years ago and I have stubbornly assigned them a sentimental value. I say stubbornly because aging these cigars really has no noble purpose; a young Panetela will give just as much pleasure as an old one. Note to self: stock up already, they’re only 5 bucks a pop and they …

I can vividly recall walking into City Cigar in Vancouver for the first time – the sights, the smells, the people. I remember being hesitant, not because I was fearful, but because I wasn’t sure of the norms in a cigar shop or lounge.  While I’ve made more than a few visits to cigar stores since, it still can be a bit tricky to feel out the vibe in a given place.  Add to that difficulties with some states and provinces allowing smoking in cigar lounges and others not.  …

During a recent visit to my local cigar shop, I picked up a 5 pack of JLP Petit Cetros. With a price tag of under $5 a stick, I wasn’t sure what to expect.