Cigar Buyer section Market Watch
Pacific delights
Indonesia is finding its own cigar history and experiencing a boom in sales. Pieter Tesch looks
at how the world is now taking this nation seriously as a cigar producer
Indonesia is rediscovering its own honourable cigar tradition after it turned its back after independence from the Dutch more than 60 years ago on the cigar as the symbol of colonial rule. It was synonymous with the image the Dutch planter with his cigar made with the best Indonesian tobaccos from ...
By Pieter Tesch from Issue 12 published on 12/09/2007
Welcome to the Republic
James Leavey packs his case and has a look at this great cigar nation
When you look at the relatively low sales of Dominican tobacco products in the United Kingdom’s cigar retail outlets you’d find it hard to believe that Dominican premium cigars are the number one best seller, worldwide. Hendrik Kelner, widely acknowledged as one of the finest and most knowledgeable...
By James Leavey from Issue 11 published on 11/05/2007
Cuban innovation
It’s all go for one of the greatest cigar producing nations – new limited editions, new packaging and some serious quality tobacco
It is an exciting time for fans of Cuban cigars with some of the best quality smokes to come out of the island for decades. Top quality tobacco, which has been laid down each year for aging in bales since the turn of the century, is now finding its way in to the latest limited editions and special ...
By Rob Allanson from Issue 10 published on 22/11/2006
Going Dutch
Amsterdam is a haven for the persecuted smoker. James Leavey indulged himself
Amsterdam’s unique shape – the half moon of the canal ring – was created in the 17th century when the Netherland’s capital was noted, as it still is, for its freedom of expression. It was at this time that the city first became an important haven for the persecuted, such as Huguenots and other diss...
By James Leavey from Issue 8 published on 20/05/2006
Proud to be in America
America has the best choice of non-Cuban cigars in the world. And as James Leavey reports, its cigar industry is booming
The great thing about America is that its cigar aficionados can buy the widest range of non-Cuban cigar brands in the world, as well as most of Cuba’s finest Havanas – the latter are usually sold under the counter in most of the country’s major cities, especially New York, Chicago, San Francisco and...
By James Leavey from Issue 4 published on 10/05/2005
A phoenix rising out of the ashes
Nicaragua has struggled for many years, but the high quality of its cigars are a shining example of how the country is re-establishing itself. James Leavey reports
Nicaragua’s cigar producers are noted for being very open to using fine tobacco leaf from a wide variety of sources, including Ecuador, Honduras, Dominican, Brazilian, and even Italy. Which is why they are often able to come up with some really interesting blends. This is not surprising, given the ...
By James Leavey from Issue 3 published on 01/05/2005
Cuba - Centuries of experience and skill
In each issue we will look in-depth at a leading cigar market. In this issue Simon Chase looks at Cuba, arguably the greatest cigar nation of them all
These are exciting times for the Cuban cigar industry. Thinking back over my 27 years in the trade, I cannot recall a period when so much has happened - new sizes, new packs, new limited editions, and plentiful supplies of tobacco. During this year’s Festival del Habano in February, I was taken wi...
By Simon Chase from Issue 2 published on 01/11/2004
The Dominican Republic - a quality tradition
Each issue we take an in-depth look at a leading cigar market. This issue James Leavey discovers why the Dominican Republic has won such respect
Tobacco-loving travellers to the Dominican Republic are often surprised to see what appear to be their favourite brand of hand-rolled Havanas, such as Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, or H Upmann, on sale there. A close inspection will show these cigars are all locally made, although the packaging and lab...
By James Leavey from Issue 1 published on 01/06/2004
