The Wonderful World of Cigars: Choosing The Perfect Match

Smoking cigars is one of the most unique and beautiful hobbies in the world. It is a timeless tradition spanning centuries that marries flavor, diversity, ritual, and camaraderie. Whether you’re just beginning to explore cigars or a seasoned aficionado, understanding the history, flavor profiles, storage methods, and how to properly enjoy cigars can transform your appreciation and cultivate your passions.

At Trusted Home Goods, we not only offer premium humidors for sale, but we’re passionate about educating our customers on everything that goes into the cigar lifestyle including how to choose a humidor for cigars, to picking the best cigars on the market.

 

 

The Origins of Cigars and Early Storage Methods

The history of cigars begins with the indigenous people of the Caribbean and Central America. When Christopher Columbus and his crew arrived in the New World in 1492, they observed natives rolling and smoking dried tobacco leaves. These early cigars were primitive yet effective, with tobacco stored in woven baskets or clay pots to prevent drying out.

As cigars gained popularity in Europe and the rest of the world, manufacturers developed wooden cigar boxes lined with Spanish cedar, a material known for its ability to retain humidity and repel pests. While these modern humidors provide protection, they lack the precision required to maintain consistent humidity levels. 

So, the 19th century saw the rise of the traditional humidor, a specialized wooden box designed to regulate moisture levels and preserve cigar freshness. These humidors, often crafted from mahogany or Spanish cedar, used manual humidification systems, such as:

• Damp sponges or clay pots placed inside the box to maintain humidity.
• Basic hygrometers to monitor moisture levels.
• Occasional seasoning with distilled water to prevent the wood from drying out.

 

Notable Cigar Smokers

The hobby of smoking cigars has become synonymous with power, influence, and money. Some of the most famous and richest people in the world can be seen smoking cigars. What's cool about smoking a cigar is that it's a connection and bonding experience that connects you to some of the most powerful people in the world. Here's a short list of those people you might find lighting up a smoke.

• Winston Churchill
• John F Kennedy
• Michael Jordan
• Bill Cosby
• Jack Nicholson
• Bill Clinton
• Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Tom Selleck
• Robert De Niro

 

 

How to Choose the Right Cigar 🤔

Before we jump into the basics about cigars you need to be asking the right questions. Just like anything in life, the right questions will give you guidance and clarity on what you're looking for. So ask yourself these and as we go through the basics about cigars, take note about what you like and don't like so it give you clarity to pick the best cigar for you. 

How much time do I have?

• Longer/thicker cigars will take longer to smoke. Shorter/thinner cigars will take less time. This hobby isn't a content to see who finishes their cigar first. Cigars are meant to be enjoyed but its good to know how much time you have so you don't waste a good cigar. Keep in mind you don't need to finish the cigar in one outing. If you know you can come back later or the next day store your cigar in a humidor for and come back to enjoy it later.

What strength do I prefer?

• Cigars can be mellow (or mild), mellow to medium, medium, medium to full bodies, and full bodied. 

What’s the occasion?

• There are cigars that range greatly in price. Some are great for every day or regular smoking sessions but others can cost a lot and are perfect for special occasions. 

 

 

Understanding The Basics of Cigars

Cigars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each offering a unique smoking experience. Cigars are measured by two factors: Length (from end to end) and ring gauge (diameter of cigar in units of 64 where 64 is equal to 1inch). For example a Churchill cigar is 7” x 48 which reads 7 inches long and a 48/64 inch gauge/thickness. 

Most cigars are long and have a cylinder shape, this shape is typically referred to as a Parejo which is Spanish for "parallel." The majority of cigars sold today are Parejo's with an straight sides, an open foot and a slightly round head that needs to be cut with cigar cutters. 

Popular Cigar Sizes

Cigars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each offering a unique smoking experience. The thicker the gauge, the cooler the smoke. Thinner cigars burn hotter and so as you smoke it down it could lead to a more harsh flavor. Some of the most common approximate sizes are:

• Corona: 5.5” x 42 - Balanced and smooth. The Corona is the benchmark size
• Petit Corona: 4.5" x 40 - The Mini Corona
• Robusto: 5” x 50 - Short, rich, and popular among beginners in the US.
• Toro: 6” x 50 - A longer smoke with more complexity.
• Churchill: 7” x 48 - A slow, luxurious burn.
• Lancero: 7.5” x 38 - Lean and refined for flavor focused smokers.

 

Flavor Profiles

Cigars are crafted with aged tobacco from regions like Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and obviously Cuba. These flavors are referring to the traditional cigars, not infused artificially flavored cigars. The common traditional cigar flavors include:

• Earthy Notes: Wood, leather, and soil notes.
• Spicy Notes: Pepper, cinnamon, and clove.
• Sweet Notes: Cocoa, caramel, or dried fruit.
• Nutty Notes: Almond, hazelnut, or toasted flavors.
• Creamy Notes: Buttery, mild, and smooth textures.
• Coffee Notes: Roasted beans, creamy espresso

Cigars have such a wide range of flavors it will take you years to explore all the flavors. But once you start learning the ropes, you can take your passion another step and start pairing cigars with foods, alcohols, and coffee to enrich your experience.

 

Popular Cigar Brands

Here are some of the best cigars and most trusted brands in the world:

• Cohiba (Cuba/Dominican Republic): Luxury, legendary flavor.
• Padron (Nicaragua): Bold, full-bodied classics.
• Arturo Fuente (Dominican Republic): Flavorful and balanced.
• Montecristo (Cuba/DR): Iconic with smooth character.
• Oliva (Nicaragua): Excellent quality for the price.
• Rocky Patel (Nicaragua): Cigars continue to evolve every year

 

The Price of Cigars

Cigar prices vary dramatically depending on brand, origin, rarity, aging process, and craftsmanship. Whether you’re looking for a quality $5 stick or a $500+ collector item, there’s a cigar to match your taste and your wallet!

Entry-Level to Mid-Range Cigars ($5-$20 each)

These are ideal for casual smokers or newcomers who want a flavorful experience without breaking the bank. Many of the most respected brands have accessible lines, such as:

• Arturo Fuente Chateau Series ($6-$8)
• Oliva Serie G or O ($7-$9)
• Romeo y Julieta 1875 ($8-$10)

Premium Cigars ($20-$50 each)

Premium cigars offer superior aging, complex blends, and limited production. Perfect for enthusiasts who enjoy rich, layered flavors.

• Padron 1926 Serie No. 9 Maduro ($28–$32)
• Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour ($24–$30)
• My Father Le Bijou 1922 ($13–$20)

Ultra-High-End Cigars ($50-$500+ each)

For collectors, connoisseurs, or celebratory moments, high-end cigars deliver artistry, luxury, and scarcity. These cigars often come in exquisite packaging and are made from the rarest tobaccos on the planet.

 

 

Featured Cigars For Collectors

Just like fine wine or watches, premium cigars represent craftsmanship, patience, and prestige making them perfect gifts or celebratory smokes for weddings, promotions, or milestone birthdays. Luxury cigars often feature:

• Rare tobaccos aged 10–20 years
• Perfect construction and draw quality
• Limited production runs or commemorative releases
• Celebrity or historical connections
• Hand-rolled expertise by a master torcedor

The ones listed below are no different. Each special and unique in its own way. Crafted with care, precision, and love.

Cigar	Price Range	Notable Features
Cohiba Behike BHK 52, 54, 56 (Cuba)	$100-$200 per stick	Considered the pinnacle of Cuban craftsmanship. Exceptionally smooth with creamy, complex layers.
Arturo Fuente Opus X Lost City	$35-$50+	Rare Dominican tobacco grown under special conditions. A cult favorite.
Davidoff Oro Blanco	$500+ per cigar	Made with tobacco aged over 12 years, hand-crafted by a single roller. Ultimate refinement.
Gurkha His Majesty’s Reserve (HMR)	$750-$1,000+ per cigar	Cognac-infused Dominican blend, extremely limited (only a few boxes produced annually).
Padron 50th Anniversary	$40-$100+	Box-pressed Nicaraguan masterpiece with incredible balance and depth. Limited edition.

 

 

 

Cigar Storage: Why You Need a Humidor

A cigar humidor is a storage container that was created to maintain a humidity level, typically between 65% and 72%, to preserve the quality and flavor of your cigars. You might be wondering why is that important? Cigars are made from tobacco leaves therefore they need to maintain a proper level of moisture to have flavor while smoking. Too much humidity may cause the cigar to expand and crack the paper. Too dry will result in a bad smoke, uneven burn, harsh taste. So maintaining a humidity level between 65% and 72% has been proven to be the ideal storage environment for cigars. Humidors can range from small portable cases to large walk-in rooms, all serving the primary function of creating an optimal environment for cigar storage.

As we just previously mentioned, cigars are crafted from natural tobacco leaves that are sensitive to environmental conditions like humidity and temperature. So humidors have an airtight seal that create the perfect storage environment. Without proper humidity control:

• Too Dry: Cigars become brittle, burn too quickly, and lose flavor.
• Too Humid: Cigars can develop mold, burn unevenly, and taste harsh.

A humidor ensures cigars age gracefully, maintaining their intended flavor profiles and structural integrity.

Did you know? Aging cigars will bring the intended flavor profile to the front and center of the smoking experience. Some people will change aging a cigar "changes the flavor" and while that may appear to be true. Smoking a cigar the first day you have it versus 1 year from now will be a different experience. Although the flavor never changes, aging a cigar will allow more time for the flavor to be brought forward. 

What Makes A Humidor Good?

 

Pairing Luxury Cigars with Premium Humidors

If you’re investing in the best cigars, then you need the best cigar humidors. A top-tier cigar humidor not only protects your investment but enhances aging and flavor.

At Trusted Home Goods, our selection of electric humidors and large humidor cabinets provide the perfect environment for rare and valuable cigars.

Top luxury humidor picks:

1. Raching MON5800A Electric Humidor | Commercial-grade precision storage for collectors
2. Case Elegance Fridgador 288L | Sleek design, dual-zone temperature and humidity
3. Humidor Supreme Electric Humidor

You can find a wide selection of premium humidors for sale at Trusted Home Goods, including:

• Desktop humidor- Perfect for beginners or office use.
• Humidor cabinets- Great for large collections.
• Electric humidors- Ideal for precision climate control.

Each model we carry is carefully selected for design, functionality, and long-lasting cigar preservation.

 

 

Final Thoughts

The world of cigars is rich with history, tradition, and enjoyment. Whether you’re savoring your first smoke or creating a collection of the best cigars in the world, the journey starts with proper storage, great flavor, and the right accessories.

At Trusted Home Goods, we’re proud to offer a full lineup of high-quality humidor boxes, cigar humidors, and accessories to enhance your cigar lifestyle and make sure your cigars are safe. We've help hundreds of businesses and thousands of customers already. Ready to get started? Let's go! Explore our full collection of humidors for sale for your smoking journey.