Cigar Terms: Booking

Booking describes a method of rolling a cigar that is common in Honduras.

The cigar maker lays the filler leaves on top of each other and then rolls them as you
would a scroll...hence the terms "Book Style" or "Booking".

Old Cigar Bands

Here is a small gallery of old cigar bands- just because they are so very cool.

Old Cuban Bands

Cigar Terms: Burros

Burros- The term refers to the piles of tobacco as they are being fermented.  As fermentation takes place, the heat rises inside the burro.  The size is regulated to regulate the heat. Careful monitoring is therefore essential.

Cigar Heritage: The Cigar Lector (Lectores)

Lectors (Lectores) is a Latin term given to individuals who read aloud to others. In the cigar world, Cuban lectors (lectores) were mainly women who read, from an elevated platform, to workers in Cuban cigar factories to ease the boredom and repetitiveness of the job.  In the 19th Century, lectors would read classic novels (The Count of Monte Cristo, etc) to the workers. Oftentimes, the books were chosen by the rollers themselves.

Cigar Tasting Wheel

Wine and whisk(e)y connoisseurs/reviewers have long had rubrics for assessing the
flavors/aromas/textures they encounter when tasting or judging. Shortcut Cigar has
created a cigar tasting wheel.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story Review

I have been meaning to post my review of the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story 

(4 x 49 Perfecto) for a few weeks.  Firstly, I have been a fan of A. Fuente for years. One 

of the first cigars I smoked was a Fuente, and the brand holds a special place in my heart.  

I am also a great advocate of the perfecto shape. I only wish more of the top shelf brands

would concentrate on producing perfectos.

Montecristo Reserva Negra Review

The Montecristo label is so storied and renowned, that to even give an abbreviated
history of it would fill this page. Suffice it to say that I just purchased a box of
Montecristo Reserva Negras Robustos.  After hearing so many good reviews, I am
anxious to crack it open.

 More to come...

Brick House Robusto Review

Brick House cigars are consistently rated 90+ by the majority of cigar bloggers and critics. 

After smoking the Brick House Robusto (5 x 54), I see (and taste) why! The cigar is 

beautifully crafted, draws and burns perfectly, and smells and tastes wonderfully.  

I immediately tasted notes of mild leather, nuts, some sweetness, and a hint of cedar. 

The overall impression of this cigar is smoothness and balance. I was so impressed I 

bought a box of these a mere two hours after finishing this lovely cigar!  I would 

definitely recommend this to a friend.  I think pairing this with a single-barrel, 

aged bourbon would be great. Some of my favorites are Woodford Reserve, 

Blanton's, and Elija Craig (12 year).

You will most definitely enjoy this one!