EXTRAORDINARY TOBACCO AND CIGARS
With one of the largest selections of fine cigars in America, Happy Hour offers a range of products to satisfy the casual smoker or the connoisseur with the most discriminating taste — all carefully preserved and presented with style in our walk-in humidors.
Wondering where to start? We’ve compiled this guide for you to select that perfect cigar. It all comes down to the three S’s: size, shade, and shape.
CIGAR ESSENTIALS
STORING CIGARS
A humidor is a specially designed box for holding cigars. It is most often made of Spanish cedar and contains a hygrometer to maintain a constant humidity. A constant and proper humidity is essential to keep cigars from drying out or from being too moist and developing mold. A consistent temperature of 68⁰F -70⁰F and a relative humidity of 70-72% keep your smokes in perfect shape. Proper storage at the appropriate humidity and temperature is the most critical factor in maintaining the quality of cigars.
CUTTING A CIGAR
The cape or the head of handmade cigar must be cut before lighting it. You can do this with a cigar scissor, guillotine cutter or a punch cutter. The guillotine is recommended for the most effective cut. Make sure not to cut the entire cap off, because this could damage the wrapper.
LIGHTING A CIGAR
Lighting the cigar is an art that will enhance the enjoyment. By using a slow, two-step process you can ensure that one side of the cigar will not burn faster than the other side. Step one: Hold the cigar horizontally and rotate it in the flame to evenly warm the end. Step two: Put the cigar in your mouth. Keeping it still in a horizontal position, hold the flame only to the tip of the cigar, and draw slowly as you continue to rotate.
Cigar Guide – The 3 S’s
SIZE & SHAPE
Cigar size is described in terms of diameter and length. Diameter is designated in “ring gauge,” a measurement divided into a 64th of an inch (or centimeters). A cigar with a ring gauge of 42, for example, has a diameter of 42/64 of an inch. Length is measured in inches.
Churchill
Large, straight-sided cigars. Traditional dimension is 7″ x 48 ring.
Corona
The traditional proportion is 5 1/2″ to 6″ x 42 to 44 ring.
Corona Gorda
A long robusto format. Measurements are 5 1/2″ to 6″ x 46 to 50 ring.
Double Corona
The standard dimension is 7 1/2″ to 8″ x 49 to 52 ring.
Figurado
All cigars which do not have parallel or straight sides. Includes Pyramids, Torpedoes, Belicosos, Perfectos and Torbusto.
Lonsdale
Relatively long cigars of medium ring gauge. Ranging in size from 55 x 6 1/2″ to 44 x 6 3/4″.
Panatella
Varies widely in length, from 5″ to 7 1/2″ x 34 to 38 ring.
Petite Corona
This short corona is usually 4 1/2″ x 40 to 42 ring.
Robusto
Short Churchill format, sometimes called Rothschild. The traditional size is 4 1/2″ to 5 1/2″ x 50 to 54 ring.
SHADE
Candela
A green color that was first popularized in the U.S. in the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Claro
Pale to light brown, this is the classic color of a Connecticut shade grown tobacco wrapper. Also called natural.
Colorado Claro
Darker brown in color and similar to a Cameroon wrapper from West Africa.
Colorado
A reddish brown wrapper most often seen in well-aged and mature cigars.
Colorado Maduro
A dark brown wrapper, usually seen on cigars produced in Honduras, Nicaragua and sometimes in Cuba.
Double Claro
A greenish-brown wrapper that produces a somewhat light and bland taste.
Maduro
A dark, almost coffee-like color associated with full flavored and slightly sweet-tasting cigars.
Oscuro
Very dark, strong-flavored wrapper produced in Mexico, Brazil and Nicaragua.
Request a Cigar
Looking for a specific cigar we don't have in stock? Let us know. We'll do our best to find it for you. Visit our contact page and tell us what you're looking for.
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