Premium cigars stay a cut above the competition thanks to unique blends of tobacco that produce a wonderful flavor. While they may cost a little more, the quality and craftsmanship of these stogies is beyond compare. In this article, we'll look at the favorite brands of cigar aficionados.

The handmade premium cigar industry makes up less than 1% of the entire tobacco industry. The companies that make up this tiny segment include distributors, manufacturers, importers and retail tobacconists, and are mostly independent, family businesses. Most people believe that Cuba has cornered the market on premium cigars, but hand rolled, well crafted products can be found all over the world. Each manufacturer has its own style and flavor and each brand also produces various lines. Cohiba, for example, offers three tiers, from basic varieties to rare limited editions.

The Dominican Republic is a hotbed of cigar manufacturers. Arturo Fuente tobacco is one of the most well known brands in the world. Arturo Fuente's history goes back to 1912 and the product is handmade in the Dominican Republic. The mild-bodied, big-ringed Diamond Crown ones were introduced in 1996 from the distributors of Arturo Fuente cigarettes.

Also hailing from the Dominican Republic are Fonseca, Avo, Cohiba, Griffin's and Davidoff Cigars. Davidoff, a celebrated brand, dates back to 1946 in Cuba and they are aged a minimum of four years, as well as being offered in five different series. The highly celebrated Montecristo also originated in Cuba in 1935, but has been manufactured in the Dominican Republic since 1995. Opus X cigarettes are quite possibly the most sought-after on the market. The blend is vintage Dominican-grown with Cuban-seed tobaccos and a spicy, shade grown wrapper.

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 the origin. Watch out for "hecho a mano" (made by hand) and "envuelto a mano" (packed by hand), which are quite literally close, but no cigar. Both terms indicate partial machine construction.

Beyond that, which one is best will depend entirely on your personal tastes. When shopping for premium cigars, stick to the specialists. You'll find an excellent selection of individually priced cigars at tobacconists and cigar shops. Look for a store with a walk-in humidor, which replicates the temperature and humidity of the cigars' native country. Because these stores sell only smokes, you're more likely to find knowledgeable staff to make recommendations.

While some premium cigars can be exorbitantly expensive, others are very reasonably priced. However, you can't put a price on how much you enjoy the product. You can always go back to your favorites, but researching various brands and sampling a wide variety of cigars is part of the experience. Know the history of the type of cigar you're interested in and get hands-on with the product. Squeeze it, smell it and go on a date with it if you have to! A great stogie is well worth the time.

Today's Tip On Cigars Humidors are a necessary investment for any cigar aficionado. It is an expensive hobby so investing in one will protect your valuable stogies, plus regular cleaning and maintenance will keep the unit performing well. Besides preserving your cigars, it can make an ordinary one into an extraordinary treat.

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