Cigar
education.

What "handcrafted" means

Every Los Semanas cigar is made by hand by a torcedor — a skilled cigar roller. In Nicaragua, "torcedores" is the word for the craftspeople who twist and shape each cigar, and it is our family who do this work. Because the filler, binder, and wrapper are all Nicaraguan, each cigar is a puro: one country, one craft, from the inside out.

Reading a cigar

Two details tell you most of a cigar's story. The origin is where its tobacco was grown and rolled. The vitola is the cigar's shape and size, which shapes how long it smokes and how the flavors develop. You will find both on the products in our catalog.

Storing cigars at home

Cigars are kept alive by humidity and temperature. A humidor at roughly 65 to 72 percent humidity keeps them supple and flavorful; a dry cigar burns hot and harsh, while a soaked one burns unevenly and sours. Keep them out of direct light, at a steady room temperature, and never in a refrigerator.

Cutting and lighting

A clean cut across the cap opens the draw without unraveling the wrapper — a guillotine cutter does this in one motion. Light with a butane flame or wooden match, not a candle or lighter fluid, and toast the foot slowly while rotating the cigar so the ember catches evenly. Take your time; a rushed light shows up later in the burn.

Pacing your smoke

A handcrafted cigar rewards patience. Draw slowly, roughly once a minute, and let the smoke rest in your mouth rather than inhaling. A long ash is a sign of good construction — let it fall on its own. If the cigar goes out, clear the ash and relight gently; there is no prize for finishing first.

Pairing the evening

Rich companions bring out the best in a smooth, changing smoke: coffee, dark chocolate, and spirits like whiskey or aged rum are classic company. Pair lighter drinks with lighter wrappers and fuller drinks with fuller cigars, and keep water nearby to cleanse your palate between sips.