In 1971, my wife and I operated a tiny cigar store on the corner of 5th Avenue and 45th Street in Manhattan. When you're operating a store that's a grand total of 14 feet wide and 21 feet long, there's not a hell of a lot of room to display many cigars, so I had a fixture-maker create two large, vertical showcases so that LaVonda and I could display a tremendous variety of cigars in a very small amount of space...

I wholeheartedly subscribe to the theory that aging has a critical impact on a cigar's body and flavor. Initial aging after their rolling is essential to allow the cigar to dry and stabilize. Not only will this greatly improve the flavor, but also greatly improve the burn and draw...

Of course, you already know "maduro" means that a cigar's wrapper is a dark color. But is that as far as it goes? If you want to know exactly what it takes to harvest a maduro wrapper, how many varieties of maduro wrappers there are, and even some trade "secrets," check out this article full of never-before-published info, authored by Steve Saka.

Are you under the delusion that small-ringed cigars are for wimps? Or do you simply subscribe to the idea that bigger is better? Well, in this article Steve Saka debunks these theories by revealing the downside to large-ringed cigars, and suggests several smaller-gauged smokes to try out. Learn why it is not always the best deal to "super-size"...

Tired of looking at that boring desktop on your computer? Want to show everyone at the office or at home that you love cigars? Download one of our slick desktop wallpapers and decorate your computer with images of your favorite cigar brand!

Tired of cigars burning up one side only? Confused about Relative Humidity (RH)? Well, we've got a list of hints that are so simple, yet so helpful, you'll be surprised you hadn't thought of them yourself!

Do you want to learn about cigars? Did you always wish you could take a class on it? Well, we have a Cigar School just for you. Each lesson is packed with enough knowledge, that by the end you'll be a cigar expert!

Do you have a pressing cigar question that you just NEED answered ASAP? If so, just "Ask JR." Ask JR, our easy-to-use, interactive FAQ database (located on the top navigation bar of our home page as FAQ ), holds the answers to OVER 15,000 questions about cigars, tobacco, JR, etc. - all asked by JR customers like you...

Cigars are hygroscopic in nature. In lay terms, this means that they will, over time, dry out in a dry climate or absorb moisture in a humid one. And they will continue to do so until their own moisture content matches that of the ambient climate around them.

Almost always, the best way to cut a cigar is quickly and decisively - but before we get into how, let's talk about "where"...