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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nevada, like so many other states, has a smoking ban for establishments that serve food. This changed life for a lot of cigar smokers, a fact realized by Susan and Jeff Melvin. So, they opened Jimmy G's Cigar Bar in downtown Carson City last month, bringing a new alternative to those of us who enjoy a good cigar every now and then. Though Jimmy G's doesn't serve food, guests can order meals from Garibaldi's or Kim Lee Sushi, which are nearby and deliver.

In addition to serving a wide variety of spirits, the new cigar bar has 4,000 cigars available, representing a wide range of prices. So, there should be something on hand or just about every taste and budget. Televisions have been installed, along with wireless internet access, all at the request of customers. Hell, the proprietors even cut martini prices based on feedback from guests, so you can be confident that your opinions will be taken seriously at this lounge.

This is the second Jimmy G's Cigar Bar, with the first in Minden, Nevada, which switched from restaurant to cigar bar in 2006.

As I learned on my last two trips to the United Kingdom, there aren't many places where you can light up a cigar. Had I known about The Montague on the Gardens, I probably would have altered my travel plans a bit. The hotel bar has a dedicated outdoor cigar terrace, which for puffers, amounts to a bit of tranquility in an otherwise hostile world.

Toward the back of the hotel, like-minded guests can gather in the bar for a drink before stepping outside to a blissful smoking location with a great view of the Bedford Estate's private gardens. I tend to bring my own cigars when I travel, but sometimes like to sample the locally available fare and The Montague on the Gardens offers plenty of incentive. The bar has more than 20 brands on hand, including the coveted Cohiba Siglo VI. Smoke it gently while sipping a glass of Remy Martin Louis XIII, and you'll struggle to find a more enjoyable situation.

The hotel itself is designed to impress. It's a Georgian townhouse hotel with 101 rooms and suites – not to mention a two-bedroom apartment. This four-star establishment is within walking distance of the West End and The British Museum, and the "Type A" crowd will be happy to know it isn't far from London's Financial District.

Whatever the day's distraction is, though, return to The Montague on the Gardens and settle down for the evening with the cigar of your choice. Savor each draw, and punctuate it with your preferred spirit. Perfect.

Conquering the unknown is not easy. When it comes to spirits, restaurants, cities ... and cigars ... we all have our favorites, and trying something new is an unnecessary risk. I know what I like, after all, why would I stray from it?

Well, there are plenty of reasons to try something new, the best being that your next favorite may not be on your radar yet. I'm about as guilty as can be in the cigar shop. I have my favorites, and I tend to stick to them. But, on the rare occasions when I break out and try something new, I'm happy I did.

The hard part is deciding what to try. You may not realize it, but you're surrounded by a wealth of information at home and in the cigar shop. All you have to do is use it.

1. Talk to your tobacconist
This is the easiest and most effective way to get advice. Just ask the professional that you are bound to see when you go to buy a cigar. Most tobacconists – employees at larger, established specialty shops – know the product they carry well. Tell him what your tastes are, and you'll be surprised at the recommendations you receive.

Cigar Aficionado readers know that there are some great lounges in Manhattan, though I hope they didn't suffer through that absurd video shot to accompany the article. The article did hit the major attractions, but there are some other hidden gems that only the devout locals know about. If you're looking to sit down and enjoy a cigar in the city, you have plenty of choices – take advantage of them!

Even with the smoking ban, there are more cigar shops and lounges than even most New Yorkers realize. In addition to the major stores like De La Concha and Davidoff Madison Avenue, boutique hand-rollers dot the city, and they are worth a visit from time to time.

So, the next time you set out for the quintessential Manhattan smoke, mix it up. Hit the major shops, but also stop by the places that are off the beaten path. You'll enjoy the experience.

Cigar shops are a lot like any social environment. There are regulars and new guys, people new to the reason for gathering and seasoned veterans. In any situation like this, there are basic norms that should be respected in order to make the experience more enjoyable for you. I know I've covered this topic before, but the latest round of advice is new. Trust me, there's no shortage of breaches of etiquette in this world (just like the subway, the sidewalk and your local bar).

Some of these may seem obvious. They are. There's nothing in the list that should have to be said. Yet, life at the cigar shop has shown me that the simplest of courtesies tend to be overlooked.

Many thanks to the regulars at De La Concha in Manhattan for these tips. They've seen the worst of the worst and were only too happy to share their experiences. If you don't need these tips, forward them to someone who does: we all know somebody who could use a little bit of help.