Tabak Especial is another great cigar produced by the makers of the ACID brand. Well balanced, perfectly blended and infused to perfection, this blend is a must try for all fans of Drew Estate.

Drew Estate is now the standard when searching for infused cigars. The process they use to create their exotic flavors and aromas has never been duplicated and probably never will be. The tobaccos used for each blend are uniquely different from one another as Drew Estate's attention to detail and quality control are flawless, allowing for incredible consistency and flawless construction. Founded by Jonathan Drew, Drew Estate is currently a top manufacturer of Nicaraguan cigars and has expanded beyond strictly infusing tobaccos by creating top-notch traditional blends.

Filled with a flavorful concoction of Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos, Tabak Especial is simply an excellently blended handmade. It offers crisp flavors of earth and cedar infused with nuances of espresso and cocoa to create an incredibly rich, complex flavor with a tasty finish. The burn, quality of product and construction are all top-notch while the blend is medium-bodied with almost every size offering a “shaggy foot,” allowing you to taste the flavors of the filler and binder tobaccos separately from the wrapper. This blend is available in both a smooth and silky Connecticut or a dark and rich Maduro wrapper. Tabak Especial is another welcomed addition to the Drew Estate family of brands and many consider it one of the best coffee infused cigars since the release of Java.

Q: When receiving my cigars in the mail, should I let them rest after they arrive or can I enjoy them immediately?

A: Good question. In most cases, any cigars you receive from a mail order company should arrive in good condition to enjoy. However, this is not always the case and therefore you should let your cigars "rest" for at least 14 days before enjoying. During transit, the cigars may lose humidity and dry out. If you pick up a brand new blend just released on the market, the tobaccos may still be young and need further aging before becoming completely perfect to savor. Furthermore, most aficionados prefer to enjoy cigars directly out of their humidor since they are accustomed to a particular feel, humidity level and flavor profile. Although we ship our cigars with a convenient humidity packet to prevent fluxuations in humidity, it is always best to age or "rest" your cigars for at least two weeks before enjoying to ensure your cigars burn properly, feel right and taste great.

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 boasts a ton of flavor with a rich and refined character. This cigar is easily one of Rocky’s best sellers as it utilizes five-year-aged filler and binder for a smooth, tasty experience.

You no longer need to spend a fortune to taste the very best vintage cigars. For years, Rocky Patel has been producing some of the finest cigars available in the United States and abroad. The success of his cigars is a direct result of his commitment to perfection and each blend is the result of years of development. His cigars represent the highest in quality, construction and consistency as some have earned ratings as high as '95' from Cigar Aficionado.

Vintage 1992 showcases a special Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper creating a full-bodied and flavorful blend . This 10-year-aged wrapper, combined with its aged filler and binder, make a true vintage cigar unlike any other. The aroma remains earthy with hints of wood and nuts while offering a moderate finish. Highly rated and considered a great value for its age and quality, Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 are also box-pressed for a sharp presentation and richer flavors. If you enjoy medium to full cigars with notes of spice and earth that still remain smooth with a toasty finish, Vintage 1992 won't disappoint.

Toro (6.5"x50) Construction was top notch as the cigar burned perfectly even from start to finish. The ash still refused to fall after two inches and the aroma offered many flavorful notes of cedar. Much spice is noticeable out the nose but this size still remains smooth with a mellow yet flavorful finish. 90/100 [Buy Now]

Torpedo (6.1"x52) Excellent blend with perfect balance. The cigar switched between medium earthy flavors and full spicy sensations after the first inch and slow continued to build in flavor without becoming overwhelming strong. Smooth. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Mini Belicoso (5"x52) Unique and enjoyable. Offered some sweeter flavors up front with a pleasant underlying toasty nuance of earth. Rich and enjoyable. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Sixty (6"x60) Very rich and full-flavored. This size expells a ton of smoke while burning cool and even from head to foot. Expect a 90 minute, full-bodied experience with a long finish. 88/100 [Buy Now]

Robusto (5.5"x50) Produced thick, creamy smoke with earth and cedar nuances. Burned fast and slightly uneven but corrected itself immediately. Great complexities with a mellow yet flavorful finish. 87/100 [Buy Now]

Churchill (7"x48) Nice slow burn with an effortless draw. Produced light spice at the foot which slowly changed throughout the cigar for a complex experience. Allow yourself at least 70 minutes to enjoy this one. 87/100 [Buy Now]

Petit Corona (4.5"x44) Burned hot. Incredibly robust with spice and pepper throughout. Maintained a tight draw from start to finish and the strength only increased from head to foot. 85/100 [Buy Now]

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami - If you’re an enthusiast who prefers full-bodied blends, then you need not look any further than Artesanos. Named one of the Top 25 Cigars of the Year, the blend also earned a 92 rating by Cigar Aficionado.

Nica Libre - A great, everyday value crafted by hand in Nicaragua and comes in a box-pressed format, creating a rich and elegant experience at a pauper's price.

Carlos Torano Dominico - A quality bundled cigar produced by the world-renowned Torano family, so expect the same in quality and consistency as you would with any other Torano cigar, but at half the price!

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.

09/01/2009: Tim and Kim hit the links to show you what you need to fully enjoy your day of golf. We cannot, however help your short game. Part two of two![Listen Now]

Maduro cigars are the industry's biggest misconception. Although many individuals do not prefer a maduro as their everyday cigar, most enjoy them as an occasional change of pace. Storing away a nice supply of dark, oily maduros is a great move, as they tend to age extremely well. Whether it be for everyday or as a special treat, maduros certainly deserve a spot in your rotation.

So, what makes a cigar a maduro and how many different varieties exist? One reason many aficionados are not daily maduro fans lies in their unfamiliarity with the entire creation process and the cigar’s unique taste. Find a good maduro and you’ll enjoy it everyday!

The word maduro literally translates to "ripe" in Spanish. After tobacco leaves are harvested from the plants, they are taken into the curing barn where over a 45 day period they change from green to brown. From there, the leaves ferment in large "pilones" or piles for up to three years. During fermentation, the leaves change from light to dark brown as the sugars extract and the leaves become less tannic. How long a leaf needs to ferment depends on the leaf's thickness and nutrient content, which is determined by many factors including seed type, growing region and the priming on the plant. For a tobacco leaf to naturally ripen into a true maduro, it can take three to five years of fermentation and requires a very hefty, thick leaf. For this reason, many seeds and tobacco types can never become true maduros because they spawn thin, delicate leaves. The 3+ years of fermentation required to naturally darken each leaf can be so destructive that these varieties ultimately fall apart and almost disintegrate before they achieve the sweetness and dark oily color associated with a true maduro. For example, Cameroon, Sumatra, and Connecticut-seed tobacco produces thin leaves and cannot be fermented into maduro wrappers. So which seeds and tobacco varieties are ideal? I'm glad you asked. The following is a quick guide to some of the most popular varieties.

US Broadleaf: Grown throughout the Northeastern United States, most prominently in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The Connecticut variety creates a nice subtle and smooth sweetness while the Pennsylvania grown broadleaf tends to have a richer, spicier quality mixed with underlying sweet notes (Examples: Connecticut - Macanudo Maduro, Pennsylvania - Diesel).

Habano: Usually described as Criollo, Habano-seed, and at times Corojo, Cuban-seed wrapper is most often grown in the heartiest varieties throughout Nicaragua and Honduras making Habano wrapper from these regions ideal for a rich, earthy and semi-sweet wrapper (Example: Carlos Toraño Exodus Gold).

San Andres: Cuban-seed tobacco harvested in Mexico's San Andres region, San Andres wrapper comes in a variety of shades but is noted for its smooth and toasty qualities accompanying a sweetness you find in almost every maduro. This wrapper pairs well with most any filler making it a prime choice for blenders. (Example: Nica Libre and Padron Anniversary).

Jaltepec: The same Cuban-seed tobacco grown in San Andres only harvested in Costa Rica. This wrapper has many of the San Andres qualities but is decidedly sweeter due to the nutrient rich soil in Costa Rica. (Example: 5 Vegas Series 'A' and Graycliff 1666).

Arapiraca: Grown in Brazil, this seed sprouts a very strong, thick, and healthy plant in most tropical environments. The wrapper is exceptionally dark and sweet with leathery undertones. (Example: Cigar.com Brazilian Label).

Mata Fina: Grown in Brazil's Bahia region, Mata Fina is a marbleized looking wrapper with some color inconsistencies but delivers big time on flavor, which is both sweet and spicy. (Example: CAO Brazilia).