Any cigar aficionado worth his salt will recommend hand rolled cigars above all others. Many of the premium cigars are painstakingly crafted using the best tobacco in the world and are an expensive luxury. However, they can be found with a price tag that no one will complain about. In this article, we'll explain why machine made cigars fall short and how you can avoid being burned by counterfeiters.
The most basic means of categorizing cigars is by the method in which they are made. Cigars are either rolled by hand or manufactured by machines. If you're looking for quality, limit your search to those cigars crafted and rolled by hand. These bear the label of either "totalmente a mano" or "totally by hand," depending on it's origin, which is printed on the cigar box. Watch out for "hecho a mano" (made by hand) and "envuelto a mano" (packed by hand). This is deceiving because both terms indicate partial machine construction.
The filler is what gives fine cigars their flavor and aroma. The filler in machine made cigars can contain paper, preservatives and chemicals that impact the final taste of the product. On the other hand, a hand made stogie is comprised of filler, a binder to hold the filler, and an outer wrapper which is made of 100% tobacco. Most of the tobacco in hand rolled cigars is imported from other countries famed for their tobacco products, like the Dominican Republic. For the most part, such tobacco has a much better flavor and bouquet than what is used in machine made cigars.
Although hand rolled cigars are more expensive than those mass produced by machines, there are many inexpensive hand rolled cigars that retail for a buck or less. It is not unusual for a tobacconist's shop to have grab bags or bins of single cigars priced as low as one dollar. It is also possible to purchase boxes or bundles of inexpensive hand rolled cigars online.
Every cigar smoker has his own unique tastes and budget, but he doesn't have to compromise quality to reduce costs. Those who enjoy smoking several cigars per day may need to purchase an inexpensive "every day" variety. The taste and cost of machine made cigars can be very attractive, but one can find cigars that are rolled by hand which are not only better in quality, but comparable in price.
A great deal of time, skill and tradition goes into producing hand rolled cigars. The handmade premium cigar industry makes up less than 1% of the entire tobacco industry and these manufacturers are mostly family establishments that have been in business for generations. When all these factors are taken into account, it's easy to understand why most cigar smokers happily pay higher prices for cigars that has been rolled by hand. Machine made cigars can be quite good, but they simply cannot compare with the craftsmanship and quality of a hand rolled stogie.
Today's Tip On Cigars
For craftsmanship, flavor and bouquet, you can't beat hand rolled cigars. While these items are typically more expensive than their mass produced competitors, you can purchase hand rolled cigars that are affordable enough to smoke every day. In this article, we'll find out why selective cigar smokers gladly spend more money for stogies that are rolled by hand.
|
Technorati Tags: Cigars, Hand Rolled Cigars Get a Thumbs Up