Aged Cigars: Worth the Wait

Like most of the finer things in life—wine and women, to name a few—cigars improve with age. Various strands and tobacco blend together in the rolling process, during which each cigar is bestowed a unique aroma and flavor.

At this point, the oils from different tobacco leaves begin to marry. This process continues, and over time the stability and complex intricacies of the smoke improve. Aging cigars takes precise timing, patience and accurate climate—but it is well worth the time and effort!

The best Nicaraguan cigar manufacturers will receive the leaves from the growers, roll the cigars and then hold them for 1-2 years before shipping. Chamuco Cigars only sells cigars that have had time to mature, while some manufacturers will sell them directly—before the aging process—because of the high demand for cigars.

Even an aged cigar should be fresh, but how do you tell if a cigar is fresh? Give it the “pinch test,” by lightly pinching the cigar between your forefinger and thumb. Ideally, it should feel firm but bounce back. If it’s spongy in some areas or feels like a piece of (dead) wood, it’s not fresh.

The Finest Cigars from Nicaragua

{Lake Nicaragua}

Chamuco Cigars is a Nicaraguan cigar manufacturer, which means you can enjoy aged cigars from this small Central American country whether you live in Philadelphia, San Diego or another U.S. city.

Some of the finest cigars on the globe have been coming from fields in Nicaragua, particularly from Esteli, the capital of Nicaraguan cigar production. With a population of around 100,000, this northern town is chiefly supported by the tobacco and coffee industries. Located further north, the Condega valley is also home to tobacco fields and factories. The Jalapa valley, nestled against the Honduran border, is another hotspot for tobacco in Nicaragua. The moist microclimate of this remote valley has spawned comparisons to Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo. Commonly used for filler, the growth in Esteli is stronger than Jalapa leaf, which is sweeter and often used for wrapper.

Check out this post on Chamuco’s Black Magic Cigars and stay tuned for more about our blends and the finer things in life!

{Photo Credit: Eric Molena}

Chamuco Cigars in Film: ‘Charlie Valentine’



{That's a Chamuco Cigar!}



Charlie Valentine, the title character in the award-winning 2010 film, likes the finer things in life—including quality cigars from Chamuco Cigars. Raymond J. Barry (Training Day) plays the title gangster, gunfighter, womanizer and gourmet chef in the film, which is a hybrid of action, drama and film noir. It wouldn’t be a gangster flick without cigars, and Chamuco was the chosen brand for Charlie Valentine.



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{Another appearance by Chamuco}



Written by Jesse V. Johnson (The 5^th Commandment, Green Street Hooligans 2), Charlie Valentine follows the exploits of a career criminal whose last big job goes haywire. He seeks out his estranged son, played by Michael Weatherly (you know him from the hit CBS show NCIS) and as the story unfolds a different side of these gritty characters is revealed.

When it comes to cigars and movies, Chamuco Cigars is garnering quite a presence so stay tuned for more in our series on Chamuco Cigars in film!

Just a few of Charlie Valentine’s many awards:

Best Screenplay 2009 – Monaco Charity Film Festival

Best Drama – Manhattan International Film Festival

Best Drama – First Glance Filmfest Hollywood 2010

{The one and only Charlie Valentine, played by Raymond J. Barry}

Best Feature – International Film Festival South Africa

Official Selection – International Film Festival of Ireland

Official Selection – Boston Film Festival

Official Selection – Newport Beach Film Festival