| ke a fine wine, the flavor and aroma of a cigar is | | | | shade-grown brownish yellow cigars. Called |
| directly impacted by its country of origin. Variations in | | | | Connecticut Shade, these medium-bodied, premium |
| soil conditions, temperature, humidity, sunlight and a | | | | cigars are some of the priciest on the market. |
| myriad of other unique factors all come into play to | | | | Connecticut Valley also prides itself on the Connecticut |
| create distinct characteristics in tobacco leaves. | | | | Broadleaf. This dark leaf is usually found in Maduro |
| Whether you are a green novice who is new to the | | | | style cigars, which have a distinctly heavier flavor. |
| world of cigars, or you are a connoisseur with a | | | | Generally less expensive and a bit milder, Mexican |
| refined palate, it is helpful to understand the factors | | | | Cigars provide a flavorful taste and a sweet smell. |
| that make a particular smoking experience unique. This | | | | Mexico’s best cigars are produced in San |
| brief overview provides a glimpse into some of the | | | | Andres Tuxtla, a prime tobacco growing location near |
| finest regions for cigars around the world. | | | | the Gulf of Mexico. The San Andres Tuxtla |
| It is widely understood that cigars are mostly | | | | region’s mild and humid climate allow for |
| manufactured in South and Central America. A large | | | | tobacco to reach its ultimate quality. The cigar industry |
| number of the world’s leading cigar brands are | | | | also plays a large part in Mexico’s employment |
| based in Cuba, Mexico and Southern and Central | | | | ratio, with several medium-sized cigar companies in |
| America. Cuba, of course, is the most famous cigar | | | | surrounding areas. Two of their top-quality cigars are |
| producing country. | | | | Santa Clara and Aromas de San Andres. |
| Cuba produces some of the finest and most diverse | | | | With ideal climate and soil conditions, Honduras is also |
| forms of cigars with premium quality. Its cigar industry | | | | one of the world’s best regions for cigars. |
| has even overcome the aftermaths of the Cold War | | | | However, the Honduran Cigar industry did not start |
| and Cuban Missile Crisis. This includes the ongoing | | | | overnight. It increased in size and popularity after the |
| trade embargo that the United States enforces on the | | | | 1960s, when Cuban tobacco connoisseurs moved to |
| country, yet Cuban cigars have been able to increase | | | | the country and shared their expertise with locals, |
| in reputation over the years and smoke the | | | | causing the industry to grow and succeed. |
| competition. | | | | Similarly, after the Cuban Revolution, many Cuban cigar |
| When it comes to value and variety, the Dominican | | | | experts fled the country and moved to Nicaragua. A |
| Republic is the leading producer of cigars worldwide, | | | | country well known for its cigarette tobacco |
| often dubbed as the cigar country. Its production | | | | production, Nicaragua had not yet cultivated a cigar |
| is based on the central islands of Cibao Valley and | | | | crop. When the Anastasio Somoza Debayle |
| Santiago, with 600,000 acres of plant fields. These | | | | dictatorship took advantage of Fidel Castro’s |
| regions offer the ultimate environment for growing | | | | revolution, they funded the new cigar industry with the |
| premium tobacco. The cigar industry thrives in the | | | | knowledge of the Cuban cigar experts and their |
| Dominican Republic, while the fields are maintained to | | | | tobacco seeds. |
| perfection to produce top quality cigars. | | | | A country more recognized for the production of |
| Famous for a variety of flavors, Indonesia is another | | | | tobacco, Brazil plays an important role in other |
| one of the world’s best regions for cigars. The | | | | countries’ production of cigars. The majority of |
| majority of its cigars are produced using the Besuki | | | | countries purchase Brazilian tobacco to use in their |
| TBN shade-grown leaf, which adds the unique flavor | | | | cigar production. Although at this time, Brazil is still more |
| you notice during your moment of relaxation. The term | | | | popular for its tobacco alone, its cigar industry is striving |
| shade-grown, refers to a technique that limits | | | | to make a name for itself globally. |
| the amount of sunlight to which the leaves are | | | | Whether it is the delicious taste or the sweet smell of |
| exposed. In this case, Indonesia uses special muslin | | | | pure, distinguished cigars, the industry continues to |
| nets that act as a safe haven for the plants, protecting | | | | grow, year after year. True connoisseurs enjoy a rare |
| them from direct sunlight. The Indonesian cigar industry | | | | insight into their preferred cigar’s country of |
| also uses plants that are grown from the Sumatran | | | | origin. Cigar flavors, aromas and textures all come |
| seed. The Sumatran seed contains full flavor and adds | | | | together to represent unique cultures and histories |
| emphasis to the filler, or the contents of the cigar. | | | | from around the world. |
| Connecticut Valley is also renowned for using | | | | |