Sometimes, it really is possible to judge a book by its cover. From the moment you walk into a cigar shop, you take a quick look at its inventory and get a sense for the entire establishment. If the shelves are packed with low-end sticks, the discerning smoker will figure out pretty quickly that another tobacconist may be a better fit. And, there are the lounges you enter with everything from established favorites to rare and exciting cigars. Most of the time, you'll be able to get exactly what you want. In both cases, however, there is always the risk that you'll talk to someone who doesn't know what he's doing. Not every staff member is a great hire, and just because some great inventory is in the humidor, it doesn't mean the proprietor knows what he has.

Tobacconist University, founded by Jorge Armenteros, is trying to solve this problem. The organization, sponsored by Padron (a hell of an endorsement, frankly), provides a baseline education and testing structure to demonstrate to consumers that a retailer is knowledgeable. Simply, if you have a question about a cigar, the goal of the Tobacconist University certification program is to make you comfortable asking and confident in the answer.

Davidoff's new Zino Embassy Selection Limited Edition Perfecto is the latest taste of luxury to come out of the Swiss company. This new cigar consists of a Honduran blend that is powerful, spicy and sophisticated without being overbearing. The perfecto-sized cigar is 6 inches long and has a ring gauge of 53. It sports an Ecuadorian Special Sun Grown Wrapper that was made in only limited quantities -- with Davidoff given the rights of exclusive distribution.

Look for the Zino Embassy Selection in a gorgeous burgundy box, and the 10-count size does make this cigar a tad more accessible to the full range of cigar smokers. Crack open the box, and you can admire the new black and gold Zino band that has been designed for the occasion.

Nothing compares to the perfect pairing of champagne and a cigar. Too often, cigars wind up with dark liquors, their natural partners. Rum, port, scotch and cognac are the norm for an after-dinner smoke -- not champagne. With the holiday season coming, of course, the preferred beverage will likely bubble, so finding the right cigars for the top libation will be crucial.

Fortunately, Vin Lee, CEO of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club, has agreed to help us out. As you prepare for the new year, take a look at the cigar and champagne pairings that he recommends, with both ubiquitous and rare products on the list. Lee says, "In this day and age, not everyone can afford a $50 cigar and a $300 bottle of champagne," said Lee. "Complementing a wonderful glass of champagne with a great cigar for the holidays is something everyone should be able to enjoy."

BHCC's 2010 Top 10 Champagne and Cigar Pairings are:

The past year has been exciting for fans of La Flor Dominicana. Between El Museo and the Salamones, Litto Gomez has released two of the most noteworthy cigars of 2009. While the rest of the industry has struggled with the effects of the recession, Gomez tells me that La Flor hasn't been hit (and that he is grateful for this fact). He cites the quality of his cigars and loyalty of his customers as reasons, but there's more to the story than that. There are plenty of great cigars on the market, and their smokers bring plenty of zeal to each purchase.

Beyond Litto's assessment, there are two reasons for La Flor's success this year: the new cigars and Litto himself.

This year hasn't been mind-blowing for new cigars. Doubtless, there have been some gems. The Avo Campanero certainly impresed, as Avo's annual limited edition cigar always does. And, Camacho has done a great job with the Room 101 and Connecticut sticks. The norm, however, has been silence, an obvious result in a tough economy. Litto made two bold moves with El Museo and the Salamon, bringing two expensive cigars to smokers at a time when they are less inclined to spend. Clearly, it worked.

Gallery: La Flor Dominicana's Litto Gomez in Manhattan

Michael Boehkle of Kent, Washington, is about to get a new smoking room. The winner of the Partagas Ultimate Man Cave Contest, he is being given $10,000 to construct his dream smoking room. In his essay, Boehkle explained that he's forced to enjoy his cigars outside, since he doesn't have a place to smoke them. And, living in the Pacific Northwest, that often means smoking in the rain.

The winner's new man cave will fuse his two passions: cigars and Harley Davidson motorcycles. "I will combine two great legends, Partagas cigars and Harley Davidson to create a cigar lounge and vintage motorcycle museum in my garage," he said. Boehkle collects and restores Harleys.

Boehkle bought the four pack, which cost little more than $20 (in New York -- taxes probably caused the price to vary across the country), at Snoqualmie Casino. Because of its role in selling the winning sticks, the casino's cigar lounge, Lit, will receive Partagas-branded leather seating.

What do you get the cigar smoker who already has humidors of various sizes that are stocked with rare and exceptional cigars, several upscale cutters and a collection of S.T. Dupont lighters? Davidoff has solved that problem for you this year. The Swiss tobacconist has devised an accessory that screams conspicuous luxury: the Davidoff cigar band. If the paper ring that comes on the cigar just isn't good enough for you, you can replace it with the leather-and-precious metal variant released only a few months ago and manufactured in a very limited quantity.

The use of this device is straightforward: remove the band from your favorite cigar, wrap the Davidoff alternative around the stick and fasten the clasp. Then, be sure to hold your cigar shoulder-high between puffs, to make sure everyone sees how it is adorned (that is the point, after all). Many cigar smokers are known to show off their labels, but none will be able to compare to the Davidoff ring.

When using this accessory, remember to remove it when the ember is an inch away – you don't want to damage the leather. Also, be sure to take it off before you toss the smoked cigar in the ash tray. It would be a shame to forget this item in the lounge (though whoever finds it would be pretty happy).

If cigar smoking is a visual affair for you, the Davidoff cigar band is the best way to be seen smoking. But, make sure you put it on a great cigar – or at least have the presence of mind to shove the "It's a Boy" label in your pocket so you don't get busted.

The latest cigar from Graycliff is so new it doesn't even have a name. For now, it's called "Project X," though a name is in the works. When this cigar comes to market, it will be nothing short of mind-blowing.

Several sizes and shapes are available, but I was drawn immediately to the largest available (I tend to prefer bigger cigars), which is rolled with a shag foot. Sure, I was attracted to the unusual appearance, though I was skeptical about how it would burn – the shag just didn't seem likely to lead to an even burn. Needless to say, I was absolutely wrong. In fact, few cigars have burned as evenly as the Project X. The frayed ends all turned to ash at the same pace, and by the time the shag was exhausted the rest of the cigar moved upward almost in a perfect circle.

The Project X is medium-bodied and incredibly smooth throughout, though the flavor does lose a little momentum in the middle (they are more pronounced up front). The cigar regains the strength of flavor toward the end – without becoming harsh or acidic.

Doubtless, the Graycliff is an upscale cigar brand, and I don't expect the Project X to be inexpensive. The impressive construction is upstaged only by the style points this cigar wins. If you're looking for a conversation piece, burn some shag.

[Photo via @brianhewitt]

Disclosure: Graycliff provided me with the cigars for this review.

Not far from Yale, you'll find a cigar oasis that is comparable to any major city lounge in the country. The Owl Shop offers a complete experience, with a full bar to complement the cigars housed in the large humidors that line the walls. So, plop into one of the large, soft leather chairs, sip a cabernet and light up the stick of your choice. This is the one place in New Haven where lovers of the leaf can pass a few hours blissfully unaware of what the outside world holds.

Owl is long and fairly narrow, though there is plenty of room to walk up and down the store; it isn't cramped. You can sit at the bar or in the lounge chairs set back near the wall, where the waitresses will take your cigar and drink orders. Large flat-screen televisions are usually tuned to the sporting event of the day, which can be a draw for many cigar smokers, though I'm generally not interested (just a quirk, I guess). At the back of the store, which widens, there is a large table where a crowd can gather, along with other seating. Back here, you can dodge the television gauntlet and converse or just relax.

Gallery: The Owl Shop in New Haven

Smoke this one on a full stomach. The Cain by Oliva – with "Straight Ligero" on the ring as if to warn as much as entice – is a hefty cigar. Several of my friends, who tend to smoke bold sticks, found it to be too much for them. So, this is a cigar that belongs in the hands of a regular consumer of heavy cigars. If you fall into this category, then you are likely to enjoy the Cain.

I was excited about the Cain when a friend gave me a preview over the summer. It was well-constructed and had an incredible taste that changed several times throughout the smoke. It's difficult to balance power and flavor; the blender runs the risk of the former's overtaking the latter. Oliva navigates this peril easily, delivering an interesting and enjoyable cigar from foot to cap.

Unfortunately, the Cain's construction has not lived up to what I saw with that first experience. In a box of torpedo-sized cigars, I found more than half of them with severe cracks in the wrapper.* Other Cain smokers with whom I've spoken did not have a problem this substantial, though they did encounter more than a few cracked wrappers among their purchases.

The wrapper aside, I loved the draw on this cigar. You can pull big mouthfuls of smoke effortlessly. Also, the binder holds together well, so the cracked wrapper doesn't cause the cigar to explode on you.

The Cain could be a fantastic cigar (especially for the price), but the construction issues are a bit of a concern. If the problems with the wrapper are sorted out, this will be an excellent smoke.

*Oliva did offer to remedy the situation, but my tobacconist had already done so.

Cigar enthusiasts will find everything they could need at La Casa del Habano, Montreal's upscale smoking lounge. Located on la rue Sherbrooke Ouest, it is easily accessible from the city's downtown hotels and provides a relaxing destination for tourists who crave a Cohiba and business travelers who need to unwind following a marathon of meetings.

As the store's name implies, you'll only find Cuban cigars in its walk-in humidor. Be sure to see an attendant before trying to enter (the humidor, that is), as the door is kept locked. The employee will also help you with your selection, introducing you to the latest releases – which can be important, given their unavailability in the United States. As you peruse the shelves, prepare yourself for a bit of sticker-shock, as Canadian taxes do hike up the prices. But, for the cigar that will make the next hour magical, it's worth the sting.

Though you may want to pick up a few sticks for the road, make some time to smoke at least one in La Casa del Habano's large, comfortable cigar lounge. It seats close to 20, with large leather chairs and couches throughout the room and four seats at the full bar. The lounge offers coffee, espresso and a variety of cocktails, completing the experience you'd expect to have in the top shop in Montreal.

Gallery: Casa del Habano, Montreal

Last week, Davidoff Madison Avenue celebrated the launch of its new S.T. Dupont "shop-in-shop" concept. Guests were hosted by general manager Michael Herklots to wine and hors d'oeuvres as they walked through Manhattan's upscale tobacconist and perused the latest accessories from the Parisian luxury goods company. In attendance, and offering a few words, was Alain Crevet, CEO of S.T. Dupont Paris, who celebrated the partnership.

"There's been a wonderful synergy and working relationship for a number of years between the Davidoff stores in New York and S.T. Dupont," said Herklots. "We're excited to take this next step with our two brands. Our beautiful Madison Avenue flagship store has always maintained a selection of the finest cigars and good life accessories including those by S.T. Dupont. This new collaboration with S.T. Dupont allows us to offer our customers an even greater range of unique merchandise, in keeping with what they've come to expect from Davidoff of Geneva in New York City."

The shop-in-shop corner within the store is packed with an extensive selection of S.T. Dupont merchandise. Though the company's products are not new to Davidoff Madison Avenue, the build-out offers a unique venue in which to enjoy the Dupont experience. In a tough market for cigars and cigar accessories, the expansion of the Davidoff/S.T. Dupont gives cigar smokers a reason to be excited.

Watch an interview with the Herklots after the jump.

Gallery: Davidoff and S.T. Dupont Event

And the Emmy Award goes to ... Camacho Cigars!

Camacho has announced that it will be the official cigar for the HBO Luxury Lounge® at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards. The lounge will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, From September 18 – 20, 2009. At the event, Camacho cigars will feature its top-end 10th Anniversary Robusto cigar, contributing to an already elegant affair.

"Camacho Cigars is proud to be a part of the HBO Luxury Lounge," said Dylan Austin, marketing director of Camacho Cigars. "We are excited to be aligning Camacho Cigars with HBO, the premiere name in cable television, to honor The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards."

[Photo via Camacho Cigars]

I saw Camacho Connecticut's wrapper and was immediately suspicious. It was incredibly light, which could only foreshadow the entire experience to come. So, I cut, and I lit, fully expecting to spend the 45 minutes to follow smoking little more than air. As the final ash fell, I was only too happy to admit to myself that I was wrong.

Without a doubt, the Camacho Connecticut is a light cigar, and it's unlikely to become the mainstay for smokers who prefer full-bodied sticks. That being said, it does have a place in even the hefty Nicaraguan devotee's humidor. A bit of variety isn't a bad idea, and the rich flavor in this cigar will keep smokers of medium and heavy cigars engaged from foot to cap. At the same time, cigar smokers who gravitate toward lighter alternatives will find complexity (and overall enjoyment) in the Camacho Connecticut, making this cigar appealing to a broad and diverse constituency.

Matt Booth has kicked his style to a new level, releasing Room101 Cigars, a new line developed with Camacho. This addition joins Room101's clothing, jewelry and accessories product lines. The result of the Room101/Camacho partnership is a medium-bodied cigar which uses tobaccos from Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The wrapper is a Semilla 101 was grown exclusively for this cigar.

The new cigar is available in six sizes, which are named for area codes: 213 (44×5.5), 305 (50×5), 323 (50×6), 404 (54×52x6), 702 (48×54x48×6), and 808 (60×6). To my chagrin, 212 is not listed.

"We are very excited to launch this line of cigars with Room101," said Dylan Austin, marketing director of Camacho Cigars. "This project has been a year in the making and it really great to see it come to fruition."

Matt Booth calls the new cigar "first of its kind in many ways." He says "I am honored to be working with the Camacho family on this project. No other combination could have possibly done this concept justice."

If you're heading to the ESPY Awards pre-party at the Playboy Mansion tomorrow night, be ready to clip and light a Camacho. The cigar company has been selected as the official cigar of the event. So, while you're hobnobbing with the wealthy and beautiful – athletes and other celebrities will be there – pick up a Camacho Select, Triple Maduro (a great, full-bodied smoke), Diploma or 10th Anniversary.

"Camacho Cigars is proud to be a part of the pre-ESPY festivities," said Dylan Austin, marketing director of Camacho Cigars. "The Playboy Mansion is an iconic location that every man dreams of visiting at least once in his life. This only adds to our excitement in being involved in this illustrious event."

The night will include dancing, entertainment, a few poker games and just about everything else you'd expect from a party at the Playboy Mansion. If there's a better way to smoke a Camacho, my imagination can't come up with it.