In the early 1990s, premium Dominican wrappers were unheard of. This is as every cigar manufacturer that attempted to grow them had met with failure. The volcanic soil is so thick with minerals. That’s why the cigar world had deemed it impossible to grow quality plants needed for these wrappers.
In 1991, visionary cigar maker Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. planted 37 acres of Cuban Corojo seeds in the Dominican Republic. Inspired by the perfectionist character of his father, he discovered the keys to cultivating the Corojo seeds. He is good at bringing out their best qualities.
His industry peers dismissed his idea as a waste of time and resources. However, Fuente Jr. successfully produced the first-ever Dominican wrapper leaf. He made it the basis of the Fuente Fuente OpusX line of cigars. Today, the OpusX is one of the most prized and sought-after cigars in the world.
Let us take a deep dive into this coveted line. Let’s see what sets it apart from the other premium cigars on the market.
Ciigar preferences come down to personal taste in the end. However, there are a few specifications that any high-quality cigar should meet. A premium cigar is more than some cheap, machine-rolled $2 tobacco leaf.
Any cigar that is truly premium was undoubtedly rolled by a skilled hand. Many of the highest quality cigars are produced and rolled by artisans across the Dominican, Nicaragua. Moreover on other parts of Central America.
Similarly, the tobacco used within should be long-filler, allowing a smooth and controlled burn from one end to another. The tobacco leaf and filler can have varying tastes depending on its environment and the skill of the grower.
This is one of the reasons that certain cigars and wrappers are highly coveted, such as the namesake of this article: The Arturo Fuente Fuente OpusX. A combination of special growing techniques, low supply, and high demand have made this one of the most revered cigars on the market.
You have to examine the rich history behind the creation of the OpusX to appreciate both its fame and its fanatic fans. Let’s dig in.
The award-winning OpusX family of cigars comes from the well-known Arturo Fuente cigar brand. Founded in 1912 by Arturo Fuente, Sr. in West Tampa, Florida, the Arturo Fuente brand is a family-owned business in the Dominican Republic.
What is now a revered brand has to prove itself in its early days. Quickly, enthusiasts around the globe began to recognize the special mixing and care put into Arturo Fuente cigars. The brand became an international standard for the cigar industry with a focus on quality tobacco and expert craftsmanship. Its OpusX line is a shining example of the best they have to offer.
When the OpusX was first launched in 1995, most cigar smokers were used to mild, light-bodied cigars. The OpusX was to change the world’s taste for premium cigars and heavy wrappers overnight. By this time Dominican wrappers were not used for any premium cigars on the market.
To create the dark, oily wrapper, Fuente sought the help of his family friend, Angel Oliva Sr., who was a tobacco grower and the founder of Oliva Tobacco Co. He brought Fuente to a plot of land in Bonao in the town of El Caribe in the Dominican Republic.
Here, Fuente planted Corojo seeds and grew the crop under shade. A mesh netting filtering out the sun’s rays ensured that the tobacco leaves did not grow too thick or turn overly dark. The crop was harvested between 1991 and 1992, and the rest is history.
The full-flavored, full-bodied Dominican puros in the OpusX collection changed the game—cigar enthusiasts experienced something stronger and with a bolder flavor. It became such a hot commodity that shops that stocked it had to limit sales to two cigars per person.
It has been 27 years since the Arturo Fuente Fuente OpusX was launched, and it remains a highly popular premium cigar with rare complexity, great power, and a distinct flavor. Demand is as high as ever, making it an exciting purchase for even the most dedicated cigar smokers.
The OpusX is often scarcely available. Nonetheless, it remains a symbol of luxury, exclusivity, and connoisseurship.
The unique-flavored wrapper leaves are exclusive to the OpusX line. Its maker Fuente does not sell tobacco from the Chateau de la Fuente farm where OpusX’s wrappers are produced. This is to keep the bold, strong, and complex flavors of the leaves unique and limited to Fuente’s cigars.
The family has worked hard to earn their reputation for masterful quality in both flavor and construction. The OpusX is unsurpassed, and is a cherished accomplishment of the Dominican tobacco culture. This has amassed quite a following of cigar connoisseurs.
To make sure that no other cigar uses the same wrappers, Fuente destroys all unused tobacco leaves from the Chateau fields. Only the brand’s cigar blends feature the wrapper leaves from the farm, including the Ashton ESG and Diamond Crown Black Diamond.
This manufactured scarcity—combined with the skills and knowledge staying within the family—has only increased the acclaim of Arturo Fuente’s OpusX. No other competitors have been able to recreate anything quite like it.
Father Time knows best; That’s why the wait for a limited-edition cigar is always worth it! Between the time required to craft these special cigar lines and the limited quantities produced, these Arturo Fuente lines are revered for a reason.
In fact many of them are not around the majority of the year, so if you are looking for different varietals of the Opus X, please email our contact page at R&R Cigars or text OpusX to 2057222741 to get notified when these become available.
Each of the cigars in the OpusX line has its own merits and fan following. Here we delve into the limited-edition cigars in the collection. Check them out below:
The Fuente Fuente OpusX The Lost City is an exceptional and rare cigar blend. It is made entirely of Dominican tobacco grown on the Fuente family’s Chateau de la Fuente estate.
The well-aged cigar boasts a rich and oily Dominican wrapper paired with Dominican binder and filler tobaccos for a complex, bold, and balanced flavor. It has notes of leather, oak, cedar, and spices with a creamy finish and an intriguing depth.
Its history is as interesting as the cigar itself. In July 2004, American actor-director Andy Garcia began shooting his film “The Lost City” and wished to film one of the movie’s most memorable scenes at Chateau de la Fuente. Sadly, it did not have any tobacco plants growing at the time as the plants were harvested in March.
Fuente stepped in and immediately planted a few acres of tobacco. Once the filming ended at Chateau de la Fuente, the plants were harvested and aged. Fuente Fuente OpusX The Lost City was created from this group of tobacco.
The Fuente Fuente OpusX Series “Heaven and Earth” Purple Rain is a rare vintage cigar handcrafted by Fuente at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia, the Fuente Factory in Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Highly sought after by cigar connoisseurs, it is only released two times a year: once in the spring and the second time in the fall.
It is sold in limited edition travel humidors by Prometheus. Part of the sales proceeds goes to the Fuente Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which works to uplift the lives of underprivileged children in Bonao, Dominican Republic.
The Fuente family leaned particularly hard into the dark finish popular with many of their cigars. The name “Oro Oscuro” truly conveys just how characteristic this balanced but robust flavor is.
Like many of the limited edition OpusX cigars, the Oro Oscuro is grown specifically in the soils at the Chateau de la Fuente estate. The cigar masters pamper this wrapper to be extra aged and fermented, further bringing out the dark finish.
Arturo Fuente Fuente OpusX Forbidden X is a rare release from the brand. Its maker Carlito Fuente ages the blend in Forbidden barrels in a secret area of the Tabacalera factory.
This cigar is known for its incredible flavor and offers a unique combination of body and sweetness. It features a black band and the cigar is made of the rarest selections of 100% Chateau de la Fuente tobacco. This is as pure as Fuente products come!
Production of this edition largely depends on the availability of the rare and vintage Opus leaves that go into a Forbidden X cigar. It is distributed in very small releases in limited edition humidors and samplers. A portion of the sales proceeds goes to the Fuente Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.
Make R&R Cigars your go-to destination to find Fuente Fuente Opus X cigars. The team of experts at R&R Cigars will help you select the best variant of OpusX based on your preferences and pair it with the perfect liquor. This will elevate your cigar smoking experience and give you a taste of refined luxury.
R&R Cigars is committed to providing the best smoking session possible—and that means providing the best smoking options on the market. From cigars, to accessories, to the historic lounge, this is the spot for amateurs and aficionados alike.
Visit R&R Cigars – The Cigar Mansion at 2703 6th St., Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401. Browse the website to check out its extensive offerings and learn more about the cigar lounge.
With so many boutique cigars and legacy cigars to choose from in terms of types, sizes, and brands, finding a good stick is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Allow us to take the guesswork out of the equation. Whether you’re a cigar enthusiast or a cigar noob, this guide will help you understand the difference between boutique cigars and legacy cigars. So, instead of taking a long shot and trying something that’s a strong “maybe,” you can get one that gives you the richness in taste and relaxation you’ve been looking for.
There are a variety of cigars available. They range from expensive sticks from mainstay manufacturers to budget sticks from newcomers.
Boutique cigars are manufactured and distributed by the underdogs, aka up-and-coming and small cigar companies. Some have superior products that can match the quality of their premium branded counterparts. These offer a welcome change to the line-ups you know and love. However, they can be hard to come by.
Boutique cigar brands only use a limited quantity of cigar company tobacco to make a stick with more attention to detail than popular cigars. Since their success depends on the quality and character of the tobacco leaf, there often isn’t enough available to facilitate mass production and distribution. However, because you get more choice and quality from boutique brands than legacy brands, it’s easy to find a new stick you’ll love.
Here are our top favorites:
Illusione cigars, the brainchild of creator Dion Giolito, are uniquely designed cigars with impressive ratings.
Their cigars are based on the idea of doing “the opposite from everyone else in the industry.” The brand’s standout approach is reflected in its introduction of “full flavor, medium-bodied” cigars that have given the company consistent above 90 ratings.
Manufactured by Glen Case, Kristoff cigars are some of the finest boutique cigars in the world. Aside from their aesthetic appeal, they’re known for pigtailed cigars with uncut feet that employ an old bunching technique that’s referred to as “entubar.”
With its impressive portfolio of cigars that are crafted with premium tobacco, the brand delivers top-tier quality with consistency. To top it off, they also draw-test every cigar to ensure a well-constructed body — one that delivers the perfect draw puff after puff for a powerful smoking experience.
Created by Pete Johnson, Tatuaje cigars are known for their Cubanesque flavor.
The brand churns out one small-batch cigar line after another to give connoisseurs a taste to remember. Their boutique cigars have consistent construction, are crafted in several formats and finishes, and have deep flavors across a variety of wrappers.
The cigar brands expert does not shy away from experimentation with the La Verite line. La Verite cigars feature exclusively Nicaraguan tobacco from a single farm for a specific year.
Legacy cigars are manufactured by mainstream brands. They are distinctive creations from well-known names in the cigar industry. These manufacturers have a track record for making reliable, high-quality cigars that consistently receive 90+ ratings even when faced with unforeseen changes in the type of material, distribution, and techniques used to create the perfect stick.
They’re popular with anyone who has some experience in the world of cigars and are so good that they’ll convert even seasonal smokers into cigar enthusiasts. They are also widely available so you can easily find them in any reputable cigar shop.
Below, you’ll find some of our top-quality picks from R&R.
Arturo Fuente is the gold standard in the legacy cigar world. They have a century of experience that they use to deliver a top-tier sensation with every puff.
Their legendary blend is used to produce an award-winning portfolio of premium cigars. They’re revered in the industry and have a reputation for manufacturing cigars with unsurpassed quality, flavor, and construction. This simply goes to show why many of their cigars are constantly highly rated by cigar connoisseurs around the world.
Padron cigars have an elegant portfolio of highly-rated and sought-after blends. Their legendary status among legacy cigar connoisseurs is well-earned.
The brand produces unique full-flavored blends. Their cigars’ delightful balance of creamy smoothness and complexity appeal to knowledgeable smokers who embrace a luxurious lifestyle. They also offer a range of samplers to delight your palate.
Founded by Nick Perdomo, Perdomo cigars offer a distinct blend for every palate and preference.
They have an extensive portfolio of well-made blends available in several wrapper varieties that are exceptionally popular among their clients. The brand has exceedingly high-quality control standards, ensuring you get consistent flavors and strengths regardless of the price.
Whether it’s boutique cigars or legacy cigars, there are hundreds if not thousands of different cigars available on the market. This can make finding the right stick for the right moment an overwhelming task.
Wondering how to choose the right cigar for you?
Well, all cigar types feature a different quality, strength, body, and rating among other criteria. That said, here are some factors you should consider before purchasing one.
For some, the cost is also a factor. However, the price should not majorly influence your selection. A high price doesn’t mean that a cigar has good quality and a lower-than-normal price does not mean that the quality is subpar. Trust your palate, be open to trying out new flavors, and go from there.
The world of boutique cigars and legacy cigars is huge but if you want to try something you’ll love off the bat, head to the R&R Cigars. At R&R, you’ll find an impressive collection of high-quality cigars from award-winning manufacturers. They’re available in a range of blends, allowing you to enjoy complex flavors as you develop your palate and enjoy life’s finer pleasures.You can also purchase blind samplers at R&R to explore different types of cigars. If you’re local, come see us at 2703 Fitts Street in Tuscaloosa.
Have you heard the buzz? Nicaraguan cigars have taken the cigar world by storm, offering impeccable construction, a full-bodied flavor, and an unforgettable taste that rivals the most exquisite Cuban cigars. Every day, more and more cigar enthusiasts are discovering that Nicaraguan cigars are not just on par with the most famous Cuban cigars, but for many, they outshine them in every aspect.
But what exactly makes Nicaraguan cigars so exceptional? Are you wondering what the top Nicaraguan cigars are? How do they stack up against their Cuban counterparts? Fear not, we have all the answers and more! We’ll guide you through the best Nicaraguan cigars on the market so that you can find the perfect one for you. So, get ready to embark on a Nicaraguan cigar journey like no other.
Unlike many premium cigar-producing countries, Nicaragua is a comparative newcomer to cigars. The first Nicaraguan cigars didn’t arrive on the scene until the launch of Joya de Nicaragua cigars in the late 1960s. However, a few short years later, civil war rocked the Central American nation and nearly destroyed its fledgling cigar industry.
Nicaragua’s cigar makers were forced to seek refuge from the political and social turmoil throughout the late 1970s. However, many returned in the following years to use Nicaragua’s lush volcanic soil and climate to plant various Cuban-seed tobaccos. Four regions emerged as ideal for cultivating fine tobaccos: Esteli, Condega, Jalapa, and Lake Nicaragua’s island of Ometepe. By the 1990s, Nicaragua’s cigar production was revving up, and soon Nicaragua would take its place alongside Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras as the top premium cigar producers.
At the heart of Nicaragua’s success is the Nicaraguan people’s persevering spirit. As it has become known, this “Nica Spirit” is crucial to every step of creating a Nicaraguan cigar, from seed to factory and beyond. With the unforgettable Nicaraguan character infused into every smoke, it is no wonder that today Nicaraguan cigars rank amongst the world’s best-selling and highest-rated premium cigars.
Run down a list of today’s cigar manufacturers, and you’ll find more offerings than ever that contain Nicaraguan tobacco, regardless of where the manufacturers are located. It’s a testament to the quality and versatility Nicaraguan tobacco provides cigar makers.
However, the best Nicaraguan cigars are those blended and rolled within Nicaragua. The very best Nicaraguan cigars showcase the rich complexity of the tobacco while celebrating the Nica Spirit and the people of Nicaragua to deliver unforgettable cigar-smoking experiences. At the top of the best Nicaraguan cigars are three of the most respected and popular cigar brands today: Padron, Oliva, and Drew Estate.
With roots in cigars and tobacco that date back to Cuba in the 1800s, the Padron family is amongst Nicaragua’s most respected cigar makers. After Jose Orlando Padron and his family were forced to leave Cuba during Fidel Castro’s nationalization program, the family eventually settled in Miami, where the Padron brand was born in 1964.
By 1970, the Padron operation had moved to Esteli, Nicaragua. However, civil war found its way to Padron’s doorstep and the family’s cigar factory was burned to the ground. Padron temporarily moved production to Honduras until production could safely return to Nicaragua.
Spearheaded by Jose Orlando’s son Jorge, Padron Cigars emerged from the 1990s cigar boom as one of the most revered brands. Rather than increasing production to meet demand, the family focused on maintaining quality and value. This commitment continues to endear the brand to cigar lovers everywhere.
Today you can select any line of Padron cigars, and you’ll be introduced to a long list of 90+ rated, always dependable Nicaraguan Puros. Padron favorites include:
The original Padron Series is an everyday crowd-pleaser with velvety Sun Grown tobaccos available in either Natural or Maduro wrappers. Ranking as one of the world’s top cigar lines, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series is a box-pressed legend with a lavish blend of 4-year-old Nicaraguan tobaccos. No matter your choice of Padron, you can rest assured you’re getting one of the best Nicaraguan cigars.
Oliva cigars have climbed to the top of the cigar world, offering cigar fans a broad selection of cigars that display the rich and savory character of the best Nicaraguan cigars. Like the Padron family and many others, the Oliva family has a cigar and tobacco lineage dating back to 19th-century Cuba. Yet, they also were forced to flee Cuba during Castro’s regime.
After briefly growing tobacco in Nicaragua before war broke out, Gilberto F. Oliva, Sr. explored tobacco-growing regions all over the world. Upon his return to Nicaragua in 1995, the cigar boom was in full swing, and so Oliva knew the time was right to launch what would evolve into today’s Oliva cigar brand.
Oliva cigar production is a true family affair, with family members overseeing all production aspects, from growing tobacco to rolling and marketing. By combining luxurious Nicaraguan tobaccos with expert construction and great value, Oliva cigars have helped to grow Nicaragua’s prestige worldwide.
Many Oliva cigars feature luxury tobaccos from around the world, yet at the heart of every Oliva cigar is a savory Nicaraguan core. Top examples of Oliva’s best include:
Amongst Oliva’s most prized creations, the luxurious Serie V Melanio combines an Ecuadorian wrapper with Nicaraguan tobaccos. The resulting blend has converted many Cuban cigar enthusiasts with its complexity, richness, balance, and flavor. The Oliva Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc shows off Nicaraguan tobacco’s smoother, more sophisticated side with bright Ecuadorian leaves surrounding a balanced Nicaraguan filler blend. No matter your taste or budget, you’ll find that the best Nicaraguan cigars will always feature Oliva’s finest.
Drew Estate is a unique Nicaraguan success story in that the brand came not by way of Cuba yet New York City. Here Jonathan Drew joined Marvin Samel in 1996 to launch Drew Estate. One of their first successes was the game-changing infused cigar brand ACID, which helped revolutionize the cigar business.
Drew Estate’s outside-the-box business model initially ruffled some feathers within the industry, yet the cigars’ quality and popularity began to win over the harshest critics. Drew Estate began traditional cigar production in the late 2000s, with each line garnering more acclaim than the last.
Today Drew Estate maintains a diverse cigar portfolio handcrafted at the state-of-the-art La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate factory in Esteli. Drew Estate is now one of the largest cigar makers in Nicaragua, crafting cigars for many other brands in addition to their expansive offerings.
Drew Estate cigars perhaps embody the Nica Spirit more than any other, combining the best construction techniques, deeply pleasing taste, and an unmistakable Nicaraguan personality. Top Drew Estate cigars to explore include:
Liga Privada cigars are full-bodied connoisseur delights that helped to convert Drew Estate’s doubters into believers with a multi-country blend built around hearty Nicaraguan leaves. Herrera Esteli is a sweet, nutty, and spicy smoke with a Nicaraguan filler blend covered by Honduran and Ecuadorian leaves. Whichever your choice of Drew Estate cigar, you can expect a captivating adventure of pure cigar-smoking bliss.
It’s no coincidence that so many of Cuba’s exiled tobacco growers and cigar makers settled in Nicaragua. For cigar makers, nowhere on earth better matches Cuba’s rich soil and climate than Nicaragua. Moreover, with so many 90+ ratings and “Cigar of the Year ” winners, more and more are discovering that Nicaraguan cigars not only equal Cuban cigars yet just might surpass Cubans altogether, especially considering value and variety.
The earth, leather, coffee, oak, pepper, toffee, nut, berry, and other flavors for which Cuban cigars are noted can be found in various Nicaraguan cigars. Padron, Oliva, Drew Estate, Rocky Patel, AJ Fernandez, Perdomo, and others are giving Cohiba, Montecristo, and other top Cuban brands a run for their money. So, one taste and it is hard to deny Nicaraguan cigars’ place amongst the world’s greatest.
R&R Cigars is the perfect place to explore the best Nicaraguan cigars. Since 2012 our founders, Reagan and Randy, have welcomed cigar lovers in the Tuscaloosa area looking to enjoy the world’s finest cigars in a safe and relaxing environment.
So, lose yourself in one of the nation’s top humidors and savor our extensive collection of whiskies as you reap the rewards Nicaraguan cigars offer. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you match the perfect drink to your choice of Nicaraguan cigar. So, come on down to R&R, where we’re always glad to see you. We are located at 2703 Fitts Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Searching for a cigar that’ll throw a party for your senses? Then top Dominican cigars are your ideal landing spot. Dominican cigars blend quality, versatility, and tradition with an unforgettable Dominican character that keeps cigar lovers coming back for more. So, let’s pull back the curtain and get a better look at Dominican cigar brands so that you can kickstart your Dominican cigar celebration.
The Dominican Republic sits just southeast of Cuba, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. The warm Caribbean climate and fertile Dominican soil are ideal for growing tobacco. However, while historians agree tobacco cultivation on Hispaniola was around long before Christopher Columbus landed there, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that viable Dominican cigar factories emerged. Dominican cigars wouldn’t receive much fanfare until much later.
After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, many of Cuba’s top tobacco growers and cigar makers moved to the Dominican Republic. They infused new life into the cigar industry with their Cuban cigar-making techniques and traditions. They also capitalized on the void left by Cuban cigars after the subsequent US trade embargo. Then, after the cigar boom of the 1990s, Dominican cigar brands grew in stature and today rank amongst the highest-rated cigars worldwide.
Top cigar brands include Dominican-made favorites, including Ashton, Avo, Davidoff, Macanudo, and La Gloria Cubana. In addition, La Aurora, the oldest Dominican brand, has been in production since 1903. You also might have noticed that numerous Dominican brands feature the same names as Cuban brands, including Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas, and others. While this can be confusing, these Dominican versions often equal or surpass their Cuban counterparts in quality and consistency.
Some Dominican brands have profoundly affected not only the Dominican cigar industry but cigar-making worldwide. Two of these brands include Arturo Fuente and La Flor Dominicana.
Arturo Fuente cigars are amongst the most revered Dominican cigars, with a catalog of captivating smokes ranging from everyday classics to luxurious limited editions. The brand was launched in 1912 by Arturo Fuente at a factory in West Tampa. The brand flourished under the guidance of Arturo’s son, Carlos, who took the reins in 1956 and moved production to Ybor City. After briefly shifting production to Nicaragua and Honduras in the 1970s, a new factory was unveiled in the Dominican Republic in 1980, and the Fuente-Dominican connection has thrived ever since.
Carlos Fuente’s son Carlos, Jr. or “Carlito,” now captains the good ship Fuente and has made his enduring mark on the cigar industry with numerous game-changing projects such as the Opus X series. His efforts helped showcase the diversity and quality Dominican cigars offer while proving Cuban cigars were no longer the only game in town.
Arturo Fuente offers an expansive range of best-sellers to fit every occasion and budget, including these top picks:
Fuente Fuente Opus X cigars were launched in 1995 as the first Dominican Puro, instantly becoming the standard by which all other premium cigars are judged. Annual picks for “Best of the Year” lists, these iconic cigars are Cigar Mansion favorites. Opus X cigars consistently rate in the 90s, including the 97-rated Opus X Double Robusto.
The Arturo Fuente Anejo series features exquisite Maduro wrapper leaf aged in Cognac barrels. The sophisticated smoke is velvety rich, refined, and flavorful. The 94-rated Anejo Reserva No. 55 is a rewarding Figurado favorite.
Great taste, value and unique cedar-wrapped packaging make the Chateau Fuente series a crowd-pleaser, including the sweet and spicy 89-rated Robusto, Chateau Fuente Sun Grown, and its buttery Natural Shade Grown counterpart.
Today La Flor Dominicana cigars are best-sellers renowned for pushing the limits of size, body, and taste. Owner Litto Gomez, a jeweler by trade, acquired the boutique label just as the 90s cigar boom showed the first flickers of life. Early offerings were classic Dominicans of the time: smooth, mild, and straightforward. However, that was about to change.
During and after the boom years, Litto Gomez had a hand in the major industry shifts towards bolder, more powerful smokes, larger diameters, and shaped cigars. Today Gomez and his family continue to think outside the box to create La Flor Dominicana cigars for those wanting richly exciting yet smooth cigar experiences.
From classic to thrilling, you’ll find a great option within the La Flor Dominicana range, including these modern classics:
The Ligero and Double Ligero series upped the ante on the size and strength that Dominican cigars could bring to a cigar-smoking experience. The Double Ligero Chisel is a 93-rated bucket list legend.
Air Bender cigars feature plush estate-grown Dominican tobaccos that strike a balance between refinement and strength, making them prized after-dinner favorites. The 5″ x 50 Air Bender Matatan is a 92-rated flavor bomb.
The limited production Andalusian Bull Figurado marries powerful character, sweet and spicy flavor, and deep complexity into a beautifully sophisticated, 96-rated dream of a smoke. It pairs nicely with our LFD Andalusian Bull Ashtray.
Dominican cigars have come a long way in recent years to offer experiences equal to or superior to traditional Cuban cigars. In particular, Dominican tobaccos from the Cibao Valley are often compared to the best leaves from Cuba’s famous Vuelta Abajo region. While Cuban cigars are noted for their singular character and richness, today’s Dominican cigars offer incredible variety and value.
In addition, Dominican cigar makers can pair Dominican leaves with tobacco from all over the world to create the optimal blend. This provides for greater flexibility in quality, style, and taste. Cuba’s cigar industry just doesn’t have that capability. So, top Dominican cigars are the winning option when selecting a cigar that best suits your taste, experience, and budget.
Now that you are ready to kick off your Dominican cigar party, it’s time to stock up with top Dominican cigars at Tuscaloosa’s own R&R Cigars. Our founders, Reagan and Randy, invite you to drop by and enjoy one of the best humidors in the nation, where you can relax with a Dominican cigar while sipping on a whiskey from our world-class collection.
We are always happy to share our passion for great Dominican cigars, fine whiskey, and good old relaxation, so join us at The Cigar Mansion – located at 2703 Fitts Street in Tuscaloosa – your home away from home.
A humidor is the cigar aficionado’s best friend. Nothing lends itself to a better smoking experience than a well-seasoned humidor. This is a must-have for those storing high-quality cigars for later use.
This article will cover what exactly a humidor is, what it does, and how to perfectly “season” it for ideal cigar storage. Let’s get learning!
Humidors are the key to keeping your premium cigars in the right condition. This is because high-quality tobacco and cigar wraps require tender love and care to maintain the characteristics they’re known for — namely the slightest oil texture on the outside, a slow, even burn, and the right balance of firm and soft.
If you have a circle of cigar-smoking acquaintances, you might wonder why not everyone owns a humidor. If you are buying one single cigar at a time and smoking it that same day, there isn’t much of a need. That being said, cigars can only last about 3 days without a humidor before losing their quality. Why? Because humidors are used to maintain the proper relative humidity, or “RH.”
If you store cigars without proper humidity control, things can go south quickly. Cigars that become too dried out from lack of humidity will begin to lose their sweet aroma and natural flavor. Likewise, a cigar that is in too humid of an environment will begin to rot, grow mold, and in the worst possible case, attract tobacco beetles.
A humidor allows you to let cigars age without declining in quality. The defining characteristic of a humidor is its ability to control the airflow into and out of the box itself. More importantly, it can maintain a certain level of humidity inside the case, which is incredibly important for storing cigars over time.
Humidors are built with laser focus on maintaining that perfect relative humidity, but sometimes it takes a little bit of extra work to get them up to speed. In the case of cigar humidors, the practice of “seasoning” them can guarantee you the quality storage needed to keep your premium tobacco fresh and ready to smoke.
Let’s break down the essential steps to seasoning your humidor to perfection.
Each humidor has its own humidification unit, which usually takes the form of a small rectangular box. Remove this and fill it with a 50/50 solution (a mix of distilled water and propylene glycol). You can generally squirt it into the unit or submerge it in the solution.
At the very least, you can get away with using distilled water. This is a perfectly fine alternative, but do NOT use tap water. The lack of proper purification in tap water can lead to mold in your humidifier, or on your cigars.
Now comes the real deal — beginning the humidification. This is the lengthiest part of the process, but the most vital. Take a sponge and soak it in distilled water (once again, NOT tap water). Ring it out to the point where it is no longer dripping but still contains plenty of moisture.
Place this on a small plastic bag to keep it from coming in direct contact with the wood surface. This sponge will release its moisture over time and the wood walls of your humidor will then soak it up evenly. This process will take somewhere between 3-5 days. Make sure to put a calibrated hygrometer inside the box to measure the humidity levels.
After 3-5 days (or more if you prefer) it’s time to check in on your humidor! Your hygrometer inside the box should ideally measure 75% to 80% relative humidity. It should be noted that not every humidor is constructed equally, and may require a few more days to be sufficiently “seasoned.”
If more time is needed, simply re-wet your sponge and top off your humidification unit once more. 75% to 80% is actually slightly higher than what is needed to maintain your cigar’s quality, but when added, they will bring the RH levels back down as they soak up the moisture themselves.
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Get your desired cigars and place them inside the humidor (removing the sponge of course). It’s recommended that you fill it up to at least half of its capacity to keep humidity levels balanced. Don’t pack it too full either — leaving about 20% of the space open can encourage airflow and keep things evenly humidified.
Rotate your cigars every so often as well, even if that’s every couple weeks. You’ll start noticing a difference if the same cigars are right next to the humidification unit for a month or two straight.
As you might guess, a humidor likely will not stay at the perfect relative humidity forever. Whether it is due to air leaks in your box or the humidification unit running out of water, you’ll need to refill it every so often. Once your hygrometer indicates that the RH levels have fallen into the lower 60s, it’s time to do some upkeep.
Simply refill your humidification unit with distilled water or the 50/50 propylene glycol mix. Many cigar smokers prefer to alternate between the two for the distilled water’s purity and the 50/50 solution’s anti-bacterial properties. Continue to maintain your humidor this way and enjoy your perfectly humidified premium cigars for years to come.
If you’ve read through the steps required to properly season and maintain your cigar humidor and you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Thankfully, 2-way humidification can significantly reduce the effort required to set up your humidor at the correct humidity, and keep it that way long term.
Brands like Boveda and Integra have developed 2-way humidification solutions that allow you to completely skip the seasoning process and keep your humidor in excellent condition at all times. Simply add a packet of the desired size and RH level to your humidor and close the container. That’s it! In as little as 20 minutes, the FDA-compliant ingredients will achieve and maintain the constant relative humidity that is indicated on the outside of the packet for three months to a year depending on the size of the packet and your humidor.
These innovative 2-way humidification solutions are not only easier, but more consistent, in terms of maintaining the proper humidity levels in your humidor. Creating the 50/50 propylene glycol mix, beginning the humidification process, and maintaining the proper humidity all leave room for human error. With 2-way humidification solutions, you can set it and forget it, and rest easy knowing your cigars will be in pristine condition year round.
R&R Cigars has a short but rich history within Alabama. Beginning with a celebratory smoke between father and son for graduating high school, the two then founded a staple within the cigar community in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area. R & R Cigars is proud to have one of the most diverse humidors in the United States, with over 1000 different cigars to choose from!
R & R Cigars would love to see you at our Cigar Mansion! We are located at 2703 Fitts Street. The architecture and style of the house creates one of the most unique venues in the city and southeast. Come enjoy the cigar lover’s ideal lounge right here in Tuscaloosa.
If you’re a cigar enthusiast looking for a new experience, Fat Bottom Betty cigars are your answer! These cigars have emerged as one of the top-selling cigars of 2021, and for a good reason. The Fat Bottom Betty cigars are medium to full-bodied with a slightly more medium side, making it a great option for those new to cigars.
The flavors of Fat Bottom Betty cigars are a symphony of notes including pepper, wood, cinnamon, and leather, with a sugary tip that adds a sweet touch to the smoke. Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or a newbie looking to develop your palate, Fat Bottom Betty cigars are a must-try! Get ready to embark on a journey of taste and aroma that you won’t forget!
Flavored cigars are a unique and exciting way to experience the world of cigars. They are cigars that have been infused with additional flavors beyond the traditional taste of tobacco. These flavors can be added to the tobacco itself or to the cigar’s wrapper, binder, or filler.
Some examples of flavors that are commonly used in flavored cigars include fruit flavors such as cherry, apple, and strawberry, dessert flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and caramel, spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, herbs such as mint and menthol, and alcoholic flavors such as rum and whiskey.
High-quality flavored cigars are made with premium tobacco and blended to create a unique and enjoyable smoking experience! They provide a great opportunity to try new and exciting tastes and appeal to a wide range of cigar enthusiasts.
Fat Bottom Betty cigars are a must-try for cigar enthusiasts. If you haven’t heard of them, you’re missing out on a truly exceptional cigar. The Deadwood Fat Bottom Betty was first introduced as a 5″ x 54 cigar, featuring a unique blend of exotic tobaccos expertly crafted by the team at Drew Estate’s factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, and wrapped in a beautiful Maduro leaf.
Fat Bottom Betty cigars are known for their delicious taste and enjoyable smoking experience. They feature a unique sugary tip – a signature element by Drew Estate – that adds a sweet touch to the smoke. When smoking Fat Bottom Betty cigars, expect to taste notes of leather, wood, cinnamon, and pepper, all while keeping the sweet sugary cap on your lips.
While the tobacco blend remains exceptional, Fat Bottom Betty cigars are now available in both toro and gordo sizes. These cigars are a must-try for both experienced and novice cigar smokers.
While Drew Estate is renowned for its flavored cigars, Fat Bottom Betty cigars are a bit different. They are part of Drew Estate’s line of aromatic cigars, which are cigars that have been blended to produce a distinctive and enjoyable aroma. However, even though Fat Bottom Betty cigars are not infused with flavors, they are still known for being packed with flavor. They are rich in taste and provide a unique smoking experience that is different from flavored cigars… we might even say more enjoyable.
Regardless of your previous smoking experience, the flavors of Fat Bottom Cigars make them great cigars for anyone looking to try something new. The accessibility without sacrificing quality has helped this cigar to emerge as one of the top-selling cigars of 2021.
But where can you buy a Fat Bottom Betty cigar? Drew Estate doesn’t have an online cigar store. With that, we encourage you to check out our complete lineup of cigars in our online shop! Just use the search bar to search for “fat betty.”
Want a more traditional cigar-buying experience? Swing by our famous Cigar Mansion in Tuscaloosa, AL! Here you can browse a wide selection of cigars — including flavored Fat Bettys — and enjoy your first smoke in our 2-floor cigar lounge at the Maxwell House! This historical location features unique southern-style architecture with an expansive wraparound porch and grandiose columns.
R&R Cigars has a short but rich history within Alabama. Beginning with a celebratory smoke between father and son for graduating high school? The two then founded a staple within the cigar community in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area. R&R Cigars is proud to have one of the most diverse humidors in the United States. It has over 1000 different cigars to choose from!
Learn more about R&R cigars, humidors, locations, and more on our site or come visit us at 2703 Fitts Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
