J.C. Newman first got its start back in 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio, but is most known for its El Reloj factory which opened in 1910 in Tampa, Florida. The El Reloj factory is the oldest working cigar factory in America which is fitting since J.C. Newman “is the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in the United States” (Our family: Newman Family history, 2023) Their long history as pillars in the American Cigar Industry make them exceptionally qualified to create the first 100% American Cigar. The American is symbolic of the first ever cigar rolled in their El Reloj factory also named the American, however now over a century later this name holds a different meaning. 

The American is not only 100% American grown and rolled, it is also completely traceable. J.C. Newman prides itself on transparency when it comes to the creation of this new cigar line. The wrapper is sun grown in Clermont, Florida; the binder is Connecticut Broadleaf grown in South Windsor, Connecticut. The filler is a combination of Pennsylvania Type 41 tobacco grown in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut Havana tobacco grown in South Windsor, Connecticut. (The American cigar: Cigars rolled in America, 2024) All of these components come together to create the completely unique medium bodied one of a kind “American Cigar”

Come try this patriotic cigar; available now in store only at Tobacco Haven!

Alexander, J. B. A. (2023, February 10). A history of cigars in the United States. Holt’s Clubhouse. https://www.holts.com/clubhouse/cigar-culture/history-of-cigars-in-us 

The American cigar: Cigars rolled in America. J.C. Newman. (2024, December 18). https://www.jcnewman.com/company/the-american-cigar/ 

Our family: Newman Family history: J.C. Newman Cigar Co.. J.C. Newman. (2023, December 20). https://www.jcnewman.com/company/our-family/

The best way to store cigars is with humidors. The purpose of a humidor is to recreate the mild, humid climate of the Caribbean, where the cigars are made. Humidors are the best, so investing in one is probably the best choice. Choose one that is large enough to hold the quantity of cigars you want to keep that includes a hygrometer and humidifier, but you can also purchase these separately if you need to. 

Humidors should:

• Keep the humidity level steady, so check every two weeks.
• Once a month add distilled water to the humidifier. Other water sources can clog the humidifier pores.
• Store the humidor in a cool, dry place (avoid sunlight) to prevent mold growth.
• If you notice your cigars having holes in them, they could be infested by beetles or worms so destroy them immediately.
• To check to see if the hygrometer is reading correctly, use the salt method to test calibration. Go to this link for details: https://www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Hygrometer
• Do not store cigars in the refrigerator because it will suck out the moisture.
• Freezing cigars is an extreme measure to be used only in case of bug infestations.

A humidor can also be used to age cigars. While aging, cigars of the same brand should be kept together, without the cellophane, in a cedar-lined humidor.The benefit of this is to draw out any excess moisture and allow the cigars to “marry.” Marriage is when the cigars absorb each other’s oils and create one unique flavor. The cedar will also add to the flavor of the cigars. About once a week, the humidor should be opened for a few hours to let the air hit the cigars or they will acquire a musty taste. Another popular lining for humidors is unstained mahogany. This is a fine lining if you do not want to age cigars or do not want the flavor of cedar to permeate your cigars. Mahogany-lined humidors do not have to be checked as often as cedar-lined ones because mahogany does not absorb as much moisture as cedar.

The least expensive way of keeping cigars fresh is as follows:

• Put the cigars into a plastic food storage bag or container. For every 25 cigars stored, put a damp sponge or paper towel in the bag or container. Store the bag on a shelf or in a closet. A plastic food storage bag or a Tupperware-type container is a sealed environment that holds humidity. Use distilled water when filling any humidifying device.

For more information about cigar storage, contact Tobacco Haven at tobaccohavennh.com

There are two ways to cut a cigar properly, the “guillotine “and the “punch” methods.

When you use the Guillotine method, you will “guillotine” the head of a conventional, blunt-end cigar and shave away the minimal amount needed to ensure an easy draw. You don’t want to take off the entire cap because you will wind up with a mess. It can be tricky for a beginner, therefore some manufacturers offer guillotine cutters with a built-in backstop to prevent you from chopping off too much. Those cutters aren’t necessarily the right choice when you need to cut a pointy-ended cigar, so traditional, open guillotines are still more commonplace.

The Punch method can be tricky. If your cigar is a tad dry, you can crack the leaf with even a small amount of pressure. But in general, if your cigar is properly moist, you just gently press the punch into the head, rotating in a back-and-forth twist, until the cutter enters the cigar. Sometimes, if your cigar is large and your punch is small, you’ll want to make multiple cuts: two punches side by side, three in a triangle shape, or even four in a clover shape.

As for lighting a cigar, it is not like lighting the tip of a cigarette or the wick of a candle. Patience is the key, and mistakes happen, so don’t allow it to ruin your smoking experience. A “properly lit” cigar is important because it means all the components (wrapper, binder and filler) will be evenly lit, allowing you to enjoy it to its fullest. Additionally, you won’t be fighting an uneven burn while you're smoking. Here are some tips from Cigar Aficionado:

1. Light your cigar the same way you would toast a marshmallow over a campfire, keeping the cigar above and near the flame, but don’t let them touch. Burning a cigar directly in a flame makes it too hot. If that happens, be calm, and move your smoke back out of the flame. As with a marshmallow, you’ll want to rotate the cigar so all parts of its tip are equally heated. Be patient and keep at it until there’s a glowing ring all the way around the cigar’s tip and the edges are thinly blackened.

2. Raise the unlit end of the cigar to your mouth and take the first puff. It should burn evenly while drawing, If it doesn’t, take the cigar out of your mouth and touch up the end with the flame. You can also try to gently blow on the embers to create a smooth, completely rounded as

3. Avoid lighting a cigar with a flame from a source that will alter the essence of your cigar, like Zippos, oil-fueled lighters, and standard sulfur matches. These lighting sources can add odd flavors to your smoke. The best way to get the perfect light is to use a lighter designed specifically for cigars, with butane for fuel and a flame (or multiple flames) wide enough to easily light a cigar. There are many of these cigar lighters on the market and some are available at Tobacco Haven. 

The first decision you need to make is where do you want to be to indulge in that special stogie? Should you choose a local cigar bar to enjoy this moment, or stay home? If you don’t want to spend a solitary New Year’s Eve, then maybe you could put together a house party and invite other cigar lovers. Choose a comfortable spot in your house and each of you can ring in the New Year with your favorite Corona, Panatela, or Cigarillo.

The second variable on New Year’s Eve, is determining your choice of beverage to pair with your cigar. The criteria varies, but some feel that a traditional match for a good cigar is a strong spirit like rum, brandy, single malt Scotch or whiskey. Others would like to bring in the New Year on a bit of a lighter note with champagne. With the advent of micro-breweries, might you want to pair your favorite beer with your favorite cigar? And what about those who don’t indulge in alcohol at all, what is their choice?

Of course the most important thing is choosing that perfect New Year’s Eve cigar. Cigar enthusiasts all have a different opinion about what is perfect. But think ahead. Will it be your favorite cigar or will you splurge on a new expensive smoke that you have been reading about lately?

A good cigar is the most luxurious pastime on the planet, yet the process of finding that perfect cigar can be a bit like searching for the mythical city of gold. Time is running out. Choose your cigar wisely, add your beverage of choice and choose the perfect location to bring 2018 in style. Happy New Year!

Here are a few of our recommendations. 

Picture is the Hemingway Classic Sungrown for 10.29, the Oliva 2017 V Maduro for 10.99, and the Tobacco Haven Meaner Digger for 14.99.

1. Quesada 4- Pack Sampler Quesada Magna Colorado (Cigar Aficionado's 2008 Cigar of the Year) 1 NEW Fonseca Nicaragua; 1 Casa Magna Dominus Magnus II; 1 Heisenberg. All four cigars come in a sealed pouch along with a Boveda pack to keep them fresh. This 4 pack has been arraigned by Quesada only for Tobacco Haven. Only $19.99 ORDER HERE

2. Casa Magna Colorado - A full flavored Nicaraguan puro that has landed in Cigar Aficionado’s top 25 cigars of the year for 4 years in a row (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) including Number 1 in 2008! With natural tobacco flavors and hints of black pepper and sweetness, this one's a crowd pleaser. 5 Packs Starting At $20.99 ORDER HERE

3. A Travel Case Sampler – A $75 value for only 49.99.Quad Flame Vertigo Lighter ; Vertigo cutter ; 1 Camacho American Barrel Aged Robusto ; 1 La Aroma de Cuba monarch ;1 La Flor Dominicana La Nox Toro; 1 Brickhouse Traveller and 1 Arturo Fuente Double Chateau Sungrown. $49.99 ORDER HERE

4.Tobacco Haven Jabbawocky- This cigar is exclusively made for Tobacco Haven by Esteban Carreras. All cigars come in bundles of 25. Starting price is $79.99 ORDER HERE

5. The Rocky Patel Vintage Series are the flagship of the famous and well recognized/renowned Rocky Patel Brand. $112.99 ORDER HERE

6. Leroy vs the Dark Master -10 Count Box, 5 coffin cases each with 1 Leroy & 1 Dark Master. Made exclusively for Tobacco Haven. Created by CLE in 350 limited OSOK box release. $119.99 ORDER HERE

7. Illusione approached the palate with notes of leather, black cherry, earth and finishes with its signature of floral sweetness. Illusione is still to this day, the only true small batch cigar in production. $44.99 ORDER HERE

8. Rocky Patel’s Sun Grown Maduro Cigars- Rocky Patel has done it again! This rich tasty treat was given #2 cigar of the year for 2016 by Cigar Aficionado. The broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers come together to deliver that earthy pepper on your palate that many do but only have mastered! $145.99 ORDER HERE

9. Liga Tubos and Three Friends - This sampler includes a number of popular cigars including: 1 Liga 9 Tubo, 1 Liga T52 Tubo, 1 Dirty Rat, 1 Liga T52 Robo and 1 Liga T52 Toro $64.99 ORDER HERE

10. Drew Estate-Acid-Kuba Kuba Cigars (24 count) Expressed in four distinct different lines, every single cigar within the ACID family is a unique smoking experience. Given the vast array and very limited production of some, it may be truly impossible for anyone smoker to imbibe all the incarnations of ACID, but seeking them and experiencing each is an exalting quest. $174.99 ORDER HERE

JOHN F. KENNEDY (President of the United States) In 1962, JFK wanted 1,000 Petit Upmanns from Cuba. He gave his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, less than 24 hours to round them up. He was about to sign an embargo prohibiting any Cuban products from entering the country, including his beloved cigars. Mr. Salinger did so in the nick of time. Since then, Cuban cigars have been off limits. Favorite cigar: Petit Upmann

GEORGE BURNS (Comedian) George Burnssmoked his El Producto cigars during his act, not because he couldn't afford a more expensive cigar, but because they stayed lit on stage longer than the more tightly packed Havana smokes. "If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to," Burns quipped at age 98, "I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." Favorite cigar: El Producto

WINSTON CHURCHILL (Prime Minister of England) Churchillsmoked 10 cigars a day, primarily Cuban brands. As the story goes, the prime minister requested that a special mask be created that would allow him to smoke while being airborne. His favorite: Romeo and Julieta

ERNIE KOVACS (Comedian and Television Personality) The '50s TV genius smoked 20 Cuban double coronas a day, and his commercials with his wife, actress Edie Adams, for sponsor Consolidated Cigar's Dutch Masters and Muriel cigars are considered classics. When he died, his philosophy of excess was extolled on his tombstone: Nothing in Moderation.

MARK TWAIN (Author) The author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn smoked at least 22 cigars a day, maybe as many as 40. Twain, née Samuel Clemens, supposedly once declared, "If smoking is not allowed in heaven, I shall not go." Favorite cigar: Anything but a Havana

THOMAS EDISON (Inventor) Best known for bringing electric light and recorded sound into the world, Edison was an avid cigar smoker. He liked to celebrate an invention with a stogie.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG (Actress and Stand-Up Comedian) Whoopi is as unpredictable in her career and in her cigar choices. She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in The Color Purple and was named best supporting actress in Ghost. She is an actress, stand-up comedian and social activist. So it goes with cigars. While she prefers small cigars, she's been known to light up a big Cohiba now and then.

DAVID LETTERMAN (Late Night Show Host) Letterman brought cigar notoriety to late-night television. He would frequently sneak puffs from a double-corona-sized smoke during commercial breaks. Often the camera would catch him in the act. Guests would arrive on his show bearing (Cuban) gifts.

DEMI MOORE (Actress) Moore is said to be partial to small cigars, such as the Montecristo Joyita, but also enjoys a Cohiba No. 2 or a Montecristo No. 2.

Many other contemporary government leaders, athletes, musicians, journalists, and other celebrities have a fondness for cigars including President Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jordan, Tom Cruise, Jay-Z, Harrison Ford, John Travolta, and many more.

For a complete list of the 100 cigar lovers of the twentieth century go to https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/the-top-100-cigar-smokers-of-the-twentieth-century-8111.

Originally, cigars were sold in bundles covered with pig’s bladders with a smidgen of vanilla to improve the smell. They were then packed in barrels of 10,000 but it became clear that a new way needed to be found to package them in smaller bundles for the average buyer. In 1830, H. Upman, a banking firm, began shipping cigars in cedar boxes stamped with the bank’s emblem. Cedar boxes were used to prevent the cigars from drying out.

The cedar box is sometimes referred to as Boite nature. Paper, usually colored, is normally glued to the interior of the box and used to cover the cigars. After being filled and checked, the box is nailed shut and sealed with a green and white label to guarantee that the cigars are genuine Havanas. This practice continues today, Cuban, or not.

According to Anwer Ali Khan, “Hecho en Cuba has been stamped on the underside of Cuban boxes since 1961, when it replaced the English inscription "Made in Havana--Cuba." Since 1985, they have also carried a factory code and Cubatabaco's logo, the latter being replaced with Habanos SA from late 1994. In 1989 the words "Totalmente a Mano" were added. Meaning "totally by Hand."

The idea of using colorful lithographic labels which is still used on all handmade brands, came from Ramon Allones, A Galician immigrant to Cuba who started this in 1837, As the industry grew, so did the need for clear identification therefore labels and illustrations were created to put inside the lids of many Havana brands. Eventually, all cigar manufacturers created their own designs to set their brand apart from other cigar makers.

Throughout the years, cigar packaging was overseen by the US government. In 1870, the government decided that using tin for cigar boxes was acceptable. Then, in 1878, the government passed another law, allowing cigars to be packaged in novelty style boxes that were shaped similar to cars, buildings, and other toy-like themes. Finally in 1910, a new law was introduced, which allowed cigar manufacturers to sell cigars in packs of 5 and 10, including both large and small sized cigars.

Today, you can purchase cigars individually or in these stylized cedar boxes. Next time you purchase a box of cigars, take notice of the design and packaging. Now you know the history. 

What is happening here? Cigars and women are two words you don’t usually put together. But hotel and restaurants who normally provide space for men to smoke cigars, are now offering “Ladies Nights” regularly. Havana has found a new demand for Cuba’s most famous brand Romeo Y Julieta last year developed a “Julieta” which at 4.75 incher is targeted at the lady smoker.

"There's definitely more interest in cigars, especially among young people," says Jennifer Fincher, assistant manager at Robert Graham, the Scottish whisky and cigar specialists. "They're more socially acceptable than cigarettes."

Not only has Rihanna recently been spotted smoking a cigarillo, but some of the greatest female icons have made it their signature. Novelists George Sand and Radclyffe Hall took a stand against the establishment enjoying a cigarella, while Marlene Dietrich and Madonna have both tried out the look.

We have a lot of ladies who come for the first time," says Edita Nemethova, Manchester Street's cigar sommelier and a connoisseur of the aromatic pastime. "Maybe they've wanted to try it for a while but still don't feel comfortable enough to do it in front of men. We have regular guests, young and old. We have one lady, about 60, who smokes the biggest cigars we have in the humidor, and has done for 36 years.

Tobacco Haven offers Romeo and Julietta cigars and others specifically for the ladies. View the selection here. 

So when did this tradition begin? No one knows for sure, but it may have begun with the Mayan’s puffing on tobacco leaves in the 10^th century or when Christopher Columbus discovered the tobacco plant when landing in 1492. Smoking tobacco wrapped in husks of corn or palm was a Native American tradition during their religious ceremonies, after a win on the battlefield or other happy occasions. This form of sharing to celebrate is often said to be the precursor of handing out cigars on special occasions.

The term “cigar” originated from the Mayan term for smoking “sikar” which led to the Spanish term “cigarro” which was eventually shortened to just “cigar”. After becoming popular in Europe and the Americas, they soon became a sought after “luxury item” and were saved for “special occasions”. In some traditions, special cigars are purchased and saved to smoke only when you reach your goal. This makes them all the more enjoyable.

But most people smoke a cigar just to relax. There is need for a special occasion. Just light up and enjoy.

Cigar dossiers come in many sizes and formats. You can find them leather-bound, ring bound, pocket sized, etc. But in the event you wish to create your own, here are some common measurements found across the board, this way you can start rating your cigars and figure out what measurements and tracking methods work best for you!

The Essentials

1. Brand and size – it’s always good to start with this
2. Acquired from – this is helpful to know if you want to purchase it again, or note if it was a gift, or part of a set
3. Label – pasting the label into the dossier provides you that visual reference to help recall the cigar
4. Rating – this can be done on a scale of 1-10
5. Notes – your notes is what makes your dossier your dossier

Basic Measurements

1. Ring gauge
2. Full/Medium/Mild
3. Size
4. Age
5. Description – many dossiers will have these descriptors on a grid, but you can rank these however you like:spicy, sweet, herbal, nutty, woody, earthy, leather, pepper, oily, creamy, floral, fruit, citrus

Future Recommendations

1. Price – this is always helpful to reference in the future
2. Buy again – Yes/No
3. Pairings – the options here are endless!