Cigar Knowledge Base

Everything an aficionado needs: sizes, packaging, terminology and guides.

Vitola Guide

Sizes, ring gauges and shapes

Boxes, cabinets and tubes

Terms from capa to volado

Histories of the great houses

The factory code and date on the base, and the government seal on the side, are your first line of defence.

65–70% relative humidity at 16–20°C is the golden zone for keeping and ageing cigars.

A handmade cigar is built from three kinds of leaf. Understanding them is the first step to tasting.

Terroir, rules and style — both camps have their strengths.

The same blend in a different size can be a completely different experience.

Straight cut, V-cut or punch? Matches or a torch? Everything you need to know.