Cigar & Tasting Blog
Here, we talk about cigars just as we experience them: with curiosity, passion and without pretension. Whether you’re a novice looking for guidance or a seasoned Blue Smoker, you’ll find plenty to enjoy — tastings, advice, pairings, stories and new discoveries.
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Honduras
Honduras: complexity, smoothness and depth An often-underestimated classic. When you delve into the world of premium cigars, Honduras often takes a back seat to Cuba or Nicaragua. And yet, for decades this Central American country has been producing some of the most balanced and complex cigars around. If you’re looking for cigars with depth, substance…
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Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic: smoothness, balance and affordability For several decades, it has established itself as one of the world’s leading producers of premium cigars. Unlike Nicaragua, which is often associated with strength, the Dominican Republic has built a reputation for more accessible, balanced and aromatically elegant profiles. It is an ideal terroir for beginners, but also…
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White Russian
White Russian The White Russian is quite sweet and creamy. The combination of a White Russian and a cigar is best suited to a relaxed evening drink: something indulgent, comforting and contemplative, rather than a pairing that seeks power or complexity. Preparation Recommended pairing with this cocktail The Dude In The Big Lebowski, The Dude…
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Virgin Russia
Virgin White Russian (non-alcoholic) If you fancy a ‘The Dude’ version of the White Russian – inspired by the character The Dude in *The Big Lebowski*, but without the alcohol – here’s a recipe that stays true to the spirit of the film. Preparation "Dude Style" decor option Recommended pairing with this cocktail
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Ocho Tiempos Event
A look back at our 8 Tiempos event We were delighted to invite you to a friendly get-together featuring cigars, craft beer and grilled food. The event provided an opportunity to discover Ocho Tiempos, the new cigar brand that was conceived whilst watching football matches with friends. It was a simple, warm and genuine moment,…
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BLACKENED CIGAR NIGHT
BLACKENED CIGAR NIGHT 26 May 2026, Valley Lounge, Kemptthal. 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 Last night was an unforgettable evening in the company of Rob Dietrich, Jonathan Drew, and Metallica legend James Hetfield 🤘 An incredible night organised by Royal Cigar Company — featuring exclusive cigars, fine whisky, sizzling grills, and…
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Sensory analysis according to the Agroscope
Reference work We make extensive use of this reference guide, provided by the Agroscope and the Swiss Confederation. It is a straightforward and accessible guide that walks us through the various stages of sensory analysis.
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Introduction to wine tasting on 23 May 2026
Introduction to wine tasting on 23 May 2026 An introduction to wine tasting that was supposed to be a simple, studious afternoon… but which ultimately turned into a memorable day, stretching late into a most enjoyable evening. A huge thank you to the Karibbean Rendez-vous Cigar Club and the Blue Smoke Spirit community for these…
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Cigar and Malakoff evening
Cigar & MalakoffBuffet: A Drew Estate Tasting Attendees had the pleasure of sampling two cigars of their choice, as well as a Coronet from Drew Estate. Blackened, Shade, Deadwood, Liga Privada, Tabak Especial… enough to turn the heads of any aficionado. They were given access to a selection of Drew Estate cigars presented in the…
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La Bucanera in Chardonne
La Bucanera in Chardonne We went to discover the Grands Crus of Chardonne and St-Saphorin. For one evening, we stepped inside the Maurice Neyroud estate, where his daughter enthusiastically revealed the secrets of their cellar to us. Rouven Bähr introduced us to La Boucanera cigars. With his anecdotes and boundless candour, he was able to…
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Nicaragua
Nicaraguan cigars: strength, richness and character A country that has become a must-know. If you’re interested in cigars, there’s a good chance you’ll soon come across Nicaragua. And that’s no coincidence. In just a few decades, this country has gone from being a low-key producer to a true global benchmark. Today, for many connoisseurs, Nicaragua…
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Cheese and cigars
A pairing to die for At Blue Smoke, we love experiences that are out of the ordinary. This time, we’ve explored a pairing that’s as surprising as it is delicious: the combination of cheese and cigars. The cigar and cheese pairing works because it combines universal principles of sensory balance, the rich texture of the…
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54 flavours
54 Flavours – Jean Lenoir The Blue Smokers originally came from the world of wine: Lea has been working in the field of wine tasting for over 20 years. It was therefore driven by this sensitivity to aromas and tasting that they turned their attention to the world of cigars. And the similarities are (very)…
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Pirate Party – Adventura
A look back at our pirate-themed evening On 19 April, you stepped into the shoes of a pirate for an evening! Together, we explored the epic tale of ADVentura cigars during a tasting evening, whilst listening intently to the storyteller who regaled us with tales of pirates, treasure and adventurers. And where there are pirates,…
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Adventura Tale
Background On 19 April 2024, for one evening, you stepped into the shoes of a pirate. You set sail on the ADVentura cigar adventure during an extraordinary tasting, accompanied by the captivating tales of a storyteller. Through her words, you journeyed amongst pirates, buried treasure and intrepid adventurers. And because no pirate adventure would be…
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Oil & Whisky – Partner
Find our cigars at Oil & Whisky A veritable paradise of indulgence, this delicatessen nestled in the heart of Sion has plenty of surprises in store for you. Calling all connoisseurs and food lovers: here you’ll find a vast selection of rum, whisky, Armagnacs, fruit spirits, and many (many) more. As well as expert advice…
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The Blue Smokers
The Blue Smokers Thanks to the MUTO agency, we were delighted to set up a photo studio to give our Blue Smokers a little memento. We are truly proud and delighted to introduce you to our Blue Smokers community and give you a glimpse of the atmosphere at our events. Thank you very much for…
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Stories of assemblies
Blue Smoke Spirit dreamed of Hemingway If we’d had the chance to invite Ernest Hemingway to a Blue Smoke event, we would have shared a D8 Torro Box Pressed with him, accompanied by a rather chocolatey stout. Stories of assemblies He had dreamt of this house, in the shade of the plane trees, as he…
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Tips on storing cigars
Tips on storing cigars Storing cigars properly is essential to ensure the best possible experience, even several weeks or months after purchase. Whether you’re an occasional smoker or a connoisseur looking to build a collection, proper storage helps preserve the aromas and quality of your cigars. A simple rule to remember:consistency in the environment is…
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A story of spices
A story of spices Spices or herbs? Spices and herbs are often confused, yet they differ in their origin and use. Spices generally come from dried parts of the plant: seeds, bark, roots or dried fruit. They are used in small quantities to add strength and character.Examples: pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves. Herbs, on the other…
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Basic principles of sensory analysis
Basic principles of sensory analysis Flint, forest floor, vetiver… these are all terms that can quickly be confusing. When an amateur finds themselves in the company of fragrance experts, they can soon feel lost in a jungle of technical jargon. But when it comes down to it, isn’t tasting ultimately all about emotions? Let’s get…
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The agreements
The agreements The flavour characteristics of food and drink interact with one another, sometimes significantly altering the perception of tastes and flavours. For example, a wine tasted with a sweet dessert may seem more acidic than it actually is. Conversely, the same wine served with a dish that is predominantly acidic — such as a…
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Dégustation Flor de Selva n°15 – 2012 et 2022
Dégustation Flor de Selva n°15 – 2012 et 2022 Deux cigares identiques, une conservation parfaite, et l’expérience débute. Nous avons eu la chance de déguster dans le fumoir “House of Smoke”, le jeudi 20 juin 2024, deux Maya de Selva N°15. L’un de 2012 et le second de 2022. Ce sont bien deux cigares exactement…
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Flashback sur notre évènement VICE VERSA
Flashback sur notre évènement VICE VERSA Nous avons eu le plaisir de présenter le VICE VERSA, l’une des création la plus techniques de la marque Fratello. En effet, ce cigare est le seul au monde qui se fume des deux côtés, pour une expérience de douce à puissante, ou le contraire. Sandra Schärer (ImpCor GmbH)…
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Devil Crab Night
Devil Crab Night Many of you took part in our special Devil Crab Night event. A huge thank you to everyone who attended. Meeting with Rick Rodriguez (via video call) This meeting provided a deeper insight into the exceptional career of Rick Rodriguez, who has successfully combined family tradition with innovation to create a world-renowned…
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The women who broke the mould
The women who broke the mould Provocation and emancipation. Historically, the image of a woman smoking a cigar has broken with traditional gender norms. It conjures up the image of a confident, sensual and free-spirited woman who has claimed a symbol once reserved for powerful men. Many women have deliberately broken with convention, cigar in…
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Cigars and sake
Cigars and sake: a pairing worth trying. We have a particular fondness for slightly unusual pairings. With this tasting, discover the pairing of sake and cigars. El Septimo Cigars’ ‘Culinary’ range has been specially designed to pair with drinks. The ‘Nigori’ cigar, for instance, blends beautifully with the notes of the sake. For the sake,…
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Cigar Travelogue
Cigar Journal – A Guide to Tasting Our main advice is to trust your instincts and let your emotions guide you. All your perceptions will depend first and foremost on your own ‘palate’. You will use your five senses to fully appreciate (or not) every moment of the tasting experience. Smell accounts for up to…
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Tribute to Maya Selva
Tribute to Maya Selva Written on 4 December 2020 As she did every day, she had climbed the hill. Sitting on her wooden bench, she could see the Basilica of Suyapa from there, and when she closed her eyes, she could picture every contour of this city she loved so much. She could feel the…
Our blog
A cigar is, above all, an experience. A moment in time, an encounter, an emotion. Through these articles, we share our favourites, what we’ve learnt and the stories that bring our world to life.
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Take your time, choose your cigar. Light it, savour it… and let yourself be guided.
