5 Vegas is a brand with a truly dedicated following. To say fans of this particular brand are fanatics is simply an understatement. With a selection covering almost all wrapper varieties and shapes, featuring tobaccos grown from almost every major tobacco producing country, 5 Vegas offers a blend for all enthusiasts. To extend their reach even further, the makers of 5 Vegas release a small batch blend each year, made in limited quantities to attract those searching for a unique cigar that offers nothing but some of the best tobaccos money can buy, superiorly aged to perfection to create a phenomenally enjoyable experience; enter 5 Vegas Limitada 2009.

Every year aficionados wait in anticipation for the annual release of 5 Vegas Limitada, as the blend changes each year and is never duplicated. Only 25,000 single cigars were created for the 2009 release and the blend is easily the strongest Limitada created to date. Still available in the belicoso size, this year’s release features a toothy, Dominican Corojo wrapper, a beautiful leaf that shines when held under light due to its oily appearance. Underneath this rare wrapper is a blend of 6-year-aged Dominican Piloto Cubano and Cuban-seed Dominican Criollo long leaf tobaccos, blended perfectly together to create a balance and complexity found in only the most premium cigars currently produced. Its full body will send your palate into a haze of confusion as the complexities of earth, white pepper, and spice meet with hints of sugarcane, espresso and cedar to create a robust yet smooth, full-flavored experience. 5 Vegas Limitada 2009 is a great cigar, sure to satisfy all fans of spicy yet smooth, Habano wrapped blends.

Bucanero Red - A Nicaraguan handmade featuring a light spicy flavor, Bucanero Red is a great choice for the price, as it is well-constructed and non-offensive.

5 Vegas Limitada 2009 - Limitada 2009 is easily the strongest Limitada blend ever created, sporting a Dominican Corojo wrapper with hearty Dominican fillers for a palate tantalizing experience.

A. Fernandez - A. Fernandez is a full-bodied blend utilizing a rich Habano Ecuador wrapper with a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran ligeros to bring a wide array of flavors and aromas to the palate.

Rocky Patel Royal Vintage - Royal Vintage is the most recent concoction Rocky has released. It features many long aged tobaccos including a dark, oily seven-year-old wrapper that conceals a tasty blend of long fillers from Central America and the Caribbean.

Produced in the Dominican Republic, Carlos Torano Dominico is an excellent choice for the budget conscious enthusiast. The cigars come wrapped with either a quality Criollo or rich maduro leaf and feature a unique blend of Costa Rican, Honduran, and Mexican tobaccos. For four generations, the Torano family have been rolling cigars and growing their own leaf all over the world including countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Their dedication to detail and uncompromising quality control standards has kept their cigars on the radar now for almost a full century. Today, the Toranos produce close to 20 million cigars each year, including cigars they create not only for themselves but for other major labels as well.

With such a great company behind this blend, it is hard to overlook Torano Dominico, especially when considering its price. With a $3 or less price point, the quality of the tobacco and craftsmanship is simply excellent, which would normally be a concern when looking at a bundled cigar from most other manufacturers. With Dominico, you can expect the same quality and consistency associated with any other Torano cigar, but enjoyably at half the price. The flavor of this blend is pleasant, as the Criollo wrapped blend offers notes of wood and cedar with a hint of pepper surrounding an earthy core. Meanwhile, the maduro version seems heavier on the palate with a richer character that allows the toasty nuances of earth to mix perfectly with the wrapper’s natural oils to create a semi-sweet finish that lasts for a solid twenty minutes. If you’re looking for a less expensive bundled cigar but still demand a flavorful, enjoyable blend with a focus on quality, Carlos Torano Dominico may become your new “go-to” stick.

Toro (6" x 50) Burned evenly from start to finish with an effortless draw that burned cool and slow. Many earthy nuances were abundant as the flavor and strength slowly build as the cigar burns. 88/100 [Buy Now]

Torpedo (6.2" x 52) The head needed to be cut a bit further than anticipated but the blend really opened up, releasing a slew of complexities ranging from pepper and toast to espresso with a spicy nuance in the finish. Rich, full-flavored and easily medium-bodied, this size is a winner. 88/100 [Buy Now]

Churchill (7" x 48) Slightly less complex than the torpedo, the 7 x 48 frame kept a slow and steady burn, although some heat was noticeable to the touch. The complexities slowly changed throughout as the flavor mellowed towards the finish and the strength continued to increase. 87/100 [Buy Now]

Robusto (5" x 50) No construction problems existed but the smooth, toasty finish wasn't present in comparison to the torpedo and toro. The blend was very robust from the start and kept building towards the end. The finish was not balanced. 85/100 [Buy Now]

Q: What is the proper method for refilling my butane lighter?

A: Butane lighters can be incredibly difficult to refill since many of them are temperamental and need to be properly cared for. The biggest problem with butane lighters, in regard to the refilling process, is the excess air that remains in the tank once the butane is burned away. Luckily, there is a specific process to follow to ensure your butane lighter sparks time and time again. Once you run out of butane, first close the tank by adjusting the burner valve (located on the bottom of most lighters) to the “negative” position. Next, use a small pin, needle, or lighter tool to push the inlet valve down, which will release any extra butane and/or air still inside the tank. Feel free to try to spark your lighter at this point – you should see no flame but in doing so will also clear out the ignition system of any excess air or butane. Now you can refill your lighter with triple refined butane, this is very important. Triple refined means the butane has been filtered at least three times, which removes any impurities, allowing for a clean burn and a steady, consistent flame. Any other butane may clog your lighter. Once you refill your lighter, you can now adjust the burner valve to “positive” and try igniting it. Be careful, since you may receive a big flame at first, which is good because it will burn off any left over dirt or dust still in the ignition system. Now you can adjust the flame to your specific preferences and continue to enjoy your cigars.

It has been practiced long before it ever had a name. It has brought cigar enthusiasts together from all walks of life, providing a common bond between men of different ages, professions and nationalities. I am speaking of none other than the “herf.” A herf is any gathering of cigar enthusiasts who are drawn together by their common passion for fine tobacco and premium cigars. A herf can consist of just two friends or a group of thousands, but the purpose always remains the same: enjoy a great cigar, relax and meet fellow “brothers of the leaf” (BOTL). While the origins of herfing are unknown, it has become a phenomenon in the cigar world and has inspired cigar lovers to travel great distances, sometimes cross-county, to experience this occurrence among friends. There really is no greater sight than seeing a group of people who may never have spent time with each other otherwise, sit down and share their love for fine cigars. Before you begin preparing for your next herf, or if you are a herfing newbie, the folks here at Cigar.com have prepared an easy to follow guide on the dos and don’ts of herfing, to ensure you fit right in with the pros.

1. Always bring enough cigars for yourself and a few extras to hand out. It is bad form to arrive unprepared and you don’t want anyone labeling you as a “mooch.”
2. Always be sure to bring something extra special to offer the host of the herf. You remember those dinner parties your wife drags you to? No, don’t worry, you don’t need to mind your table manners among the herfing crowd, but do bring something nice for the guys putting it together. It is a great, simple gesture of respect and kindness while it almost guarantees you will be invited back.
3. Never cut or light another herfer’s cigar. Cutting and lighting a cigar is an incredibly personal process. Breaking this rule would be the equivalent of reaching onto someone’s plate, cutting their food and then tasting it as well.
4. Always remember to bring your own cutters, lighters and other accessories.
5. Never ask another individual for a taste of his or her cigar. You don’t know where that mouth has been and it is simply rude.
6. Always use an ashtray. No, the floor is not acceptable.
7. Never extinguish your cigar, as it emits a foul aroma. Instead, set your cigar down and let it burn out on its own.
8. Always be courteous of other herfers, especially those who are new to cigars. Herfing is not an exclusive club. Be inquisitive. Ask what others are enjoying and help the new enthusiasts learn. You will not only get to expel some of your cigar knowledge but may also find a new friend to herf with.
9. Always avoid the term “smoking.” Smoking is what those who consume cigarettes do. For example, instead of asking someone, “What are you smoking?” or “How long have you been smoking?,” say, “What cigar are you enjoying?” or “How long have you been into cigars?” “Smoking” carries a negative connotation relating to habit-forming addictions. Cigars are about relaxation and a luxurious indulgence. They are not habit-forming addictions and are enjoyed by choice, not necessity.
10. Always, be sure to send a hand written thank you note to each herfer you meet. Just kidding, but wouldn’t mom be proud? A simple “thanks” on the way out will suffice.