Cigars. Spirits. Places. Stories.
Stories, experiences and points of view. The Journal tells how cigars, spirits and places come to life in the moments we remember.
From the desk
Original stories, verifiable sources and a recognisable point of view on cigars, spirits and places.
UK cigar rules: four dates that must stay separate
Generational sales, duty, promotions and packaging: what is decided and what remains a proposal.
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Premium cigars in the US: premium is not enough
FDA definition, user fees, foreign factories and California: product, factory and market kept apart.
Read the articleCigar taxes in 2026: UK and Germany
The UK has set a new duty rate. Germany is discussing a far more radical jump.
Read the articleInterTabac 2026: the Dortmund review
Trade fair, Cigar Culture Summit, Cigar Trophy and the other awards of the week.
Read the articleCigars
Nine insights dedicated to the matter, the ritual and the experiences that arise around the cigar.
How to choose your first cigar
Time, format and intensity: a simple path to get started without purchasing randomly.
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Anatomy of a cigar
Wrapper, binder and filler: understanding construction, structure and aromas.
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Cutting and lighting
From the “just the cap” principle to the construction of a uniform ember.
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Store cigars
Humidity, temperature, rest and small signals to understand how your cigars are really doing.
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Vitolas and formats
Length, diameter and shape change over time, temperature and perception of the mixture.
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The rhythm of smoking
Pauses, embers and draws: how to let the cigar work without overheating it.
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The first pairing
How to accompany the cigar without covering its character and evolution.
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Inside a cigar lounge
Atmosphere, service and details that transform a lounge into a place to remember.
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It's never just a cigar
The product is the starting point. The place, the people and the moment complete the story.
Read the storySpirits & Cocktails
Spirits, cocktails and pairings told without unnecessary technicalities, but with precision.
The first pairing
How to accompany the cigar without covering its character and evolution.
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How to read a cocktail
Base, balance, temperature and texture: four coordinates to understand what you have in the glass.
Read the storyWhiskey and water: when, how and why
A few drops can open the distillate. Too many can turn it off.
Read the storyPlaces
Lounges, cocktail bars, hotels, tailors and places where time takes on another consistency.
Inside a cigar lounge
Atmosphere, service and details that transform a lounge into a place to remember.
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How to recognize a Smokopolitan place
A nice counter is not enough: you need identity, hospitality and a reason to stay.
Read the storyIt's never just a cigar
The product is the starting point. The place, the people and the moment complete the story.
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