BBQ, Grill and Cigars: A match made in heaven
Cigars and BBQ are a match made in heaven. We asked the World Champion of Grilling and BBQ to share his experience and insights with us.
PS: of course, he’s a cigar lover as well…
7x10 best cigars 2021
We kindly wanted to give you a comprehensive overview of some of the most widely acknowledged Top lists, compiled into a 7 x 10 matrix. Short and sweet.
A Christmas Vodka Martini for your holiday cigar pairing
Our co-host Sarah Saunders from WICC teamed up with sister of the leaf Pandora from Pandora’s Cigar box and created an exclusive pairing for the holiday season.
An ode to your neighbourhood cigar lounge, cigar shop, or cigar bar.
Cigar shops, cigar lounges, cigar bars - the traditional brick & mortar businesses have always been the backbone of the premium cigar industry. With our ode to these mostly family-run operations, we shed light on the last bastion of analog cigar experiences.
Steve Saka at the Light ‘em Up Lounge
In this insightful conversation, Steve Saka shares hard-earned wisdom from decades in the cigar industry. He discusses the difference between making good cigars and building a successful cigar company, his philosophy around blending and product development, and the importance of authenticity in today’s market. Saka reflects on the industry’s challenges, the influence of cigar media, and his deeply personal approach to quality and consumer connection. The interview offers an honest, unapologetic look into what it takes to stay true to one’s vision in the premium cigar world.
Cigars for beginners – is there such thing?
Cigars for beginners – is there such thing? If you’re new to the pleasure that is cigar smoking and are struggling with where to start, here’s some advice to help you on your way.
Rafael Nodal joins Light ‘em Up
We talked about orchestrating finest tobaccos, even though often in small quantity and limited batches, where Rafael Nodal strives for perfection in his creations, which are consistently earning the highest accolades.
4 cigar gifts you can’t go wrong with
Cigar sampler, accessories, pairings, or swag are our favorite cigar gifts for Christmas.
It’s The Right Time To Say This?
Nick Hammond, author and writer from the UK, has published multiple books on cigars – the latest being Around The World In 80 Cigars – The Travels of An Epicure. We are humbled, that he shares his perspective and experience as well as some controversial thoughts about the beloved cigar world in this article with us.
Cigar pairing–Dare to pair, and beyond
What are the fundamentals of a great cigar pairing, and why is it important? We explore cigar pairings everything beyond: the cigar experience.
How to collect vintage cigars seriously (!)–Part 4
It’s Ray, and welcome to part IV–the last part of our guide about vintage cigars. This one is maybe the most anticipated one, and it is quite the hustle to collect rare new world cigars, also referred to as ‘Unicorns’. Enjoy the read!
How to collect vintage cigars seriously (!)–Part 3
It’s Ray, and welcome to part III of our four-part guide about vintage cigars. Vintage European short fillers are some of my oldest cigars. They are hard to come by, though it is not for a lack of trying!
How to collect vintage cigars seriously (!)–Part 2
It’s Ray again, welcome the part II of my four-part guide about vintage cigars. Vintage long filler non-Cuban cigars are the one of hardest one to find, as there is not many produced back in the time and respectively not many survive
How to collect vintage cigars seriously (!)–Part 1
Ray, ambassador of Light ‘em Up GO explains in a four-part guest blog post, how you can build up a mind-blowing collection of vintage cigars without spending fortune. Spoiler: It helps to live in the UK 😉
Sebastian Decoppet of Cavaliers Genève at the Light ‘em Up Lounge
Sebastian Decoppet shares the origin, philosophy, and vision behind Cavalier Genève. He discusses the bold decision to enter the cigar world without industry ties, the emotional and artistic purpose behind his brand, and the challenges of building something unique in a traditional space. This interview reveals how passion, creative expression, and uncompromising values can forge a distinct path — one that speaks to cigar lovers seeking more than just flavor, but story and soul.
Skip Martin joins Light ‘em Up
RoMa Craft Tobac is a thriving cigar powerhouse with a laser-sharp focus, purpose and vision. Founded in 2012 by Skip Martin & Mike Rosales (hence the name Ro + Ma), the company has become a benchmark for outstanding cigar experiences.
Inside the World of Quesada Cigars – w/ Manuel Quesada
In this exclusive conversation, Manuel Quesada shares insights from over 50 years in the cigar industry. The discussion touches on the roots of his family legacy, the significance of the Dominican Republic in premium cigar production, the philosophy of blending, and the importance of tradition in an evolving craft.
How to store cigars without a humidor
Let’s talk about how to store cigars without a humidor. Be it because you are just rarely enjoying cigars, starting to appreciate one now and then or you simply don't have a humidor (yet). Keeping cigars fresh is extremely important, and we present you two ways that work and won’t embarrass you.
Ernesto Padilla joins Light ‘em Up
We discussed Ernesto's journey with premium cigars, the Padilla 88th Anniverario, made at AJ Fernandez's factory in Nicaragua, as well as the new Padilla Finest Hour blends, the new Padillacigars.com website, and the opening of several new markets in Europe.