If you like to sample a variety of cigars, chances are you also like to visit a variety of cigar websites. There are sites that provide reviews, news, and information about cigars, there are sites that offer cigars and accessories for sale online, and there are sites that do a little of both. Here are a few cigar websites that you may want to visit, and compare to some of your current favorites. Let us know what you think in the comments, below.

• The website CigarFox.com gives the cigar aficionado the ability to select individual cigars. While other websites have this as an option, Cigar Fox wants to provide a new user experience.



• The website CigarInspector.com regularly publishes illustrated cigar reviews and news from the cigar industry.



• The website of Habanos & Hermanos offers a collection of premium and classic cigars with the well known names as well as local bundles made with almost similar quality using the Cuban experience, but with lower prices.

In the United States, we remember and honor all members of the Armed Forces on the third Saturday of May, which will fall this year on May 17, 2008. In addition, the last Monday of May is Memorial Day, when we will remember all who gave their all while serving their country. All veterans, both living and deceased, are also honored on Veteran's Day during November of each year. However, there is no reason not to remember our troops currently serving in places like Iraq and Afghanistan on any day. A great way to support our troops stationed overseas is to participate in our "Cigars for Troops" program. The program is open to cigar companies and individuals, alike. Click here to find out how you can help honor and support America's Finest on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and any day.

We will continue to acknowledge all contributions made through this program on our website. Here is the latest communiqué received from Capt. Jonathan Funk in Afghanistan: Read more...

The only Cuban cigars that are legal in the United States are those made with pre-embargo Cuban tobaccos. Since those cigars are very rare and very expensive these days, our own Dr. Mitch Fadem found another way to legally enjoy a "Real Cuban Cigar" at an affordable price. There is actually a cigar made in the Dominican Republic with some genuine pre-embargo Cuban tobacco, and it is currently available in the U.S. If you ever wanted to smoke a Cuban cigar, check out Mitch's full review of the Vuelta Abajo legal Cuban cigar.

We could post a story on this website almost every day about another new smoking ban taking effect somewhere, but that would get tiresome in a hurry. However, an occasional reference may be needed as a reminder that smoking bans are rapidly becoming more restrictive in more places, even in places custom made especially for smokers, the great outdoors, and private residences and vehicles, too. Most of these bans are aimed at cigarette smokers, but cigar and pipe smokers are also being affected. Take for example the ban on smoking pipes at a pipe smokers' convention in Illinois. This is the same state law that nixed Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke in Chicago earlier this year. But wait, there's more. Boca Raton in South Florida has prohibited smoking at three major beach parks, and they are planning to ban smoking at even more outdoor places.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Larry Monte's cigar emporium is now the latest target for an antismoking zealot. And by the way, Larry Monte happens to be a big supporter of our Cigars For Troops Program. So let's ask a simple question, why would anyone want to ban cigar smoking in a place that was built just for cigar smokers? If you know the answer to that question, post it in the "comments" below.

Arriba! It is time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a review of a genuine Mexican cigar that is made in Mexico entirely with Mexican tobaccos. Read what Dr. Mitch Fadem has to say about this inexpensive Mexican puro.

Welcome to our new monthly cigar poll entitled "Battle of the Brands", where two popular brands of cigars will duke it out online in a battle for your votes. The winner of this month's competition will return next month to take on a fresh challenger. Each monthly contest will close after 30 days, so support your favorite brand by casting your vote(s) and spreading the word to your fellow cigar smokers. And without further ado nor explanation, it is time to begin our first battle. The question is simple, which brand of cigars do you like better, the venerable Arturo Fuente or the innovative CAO?

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW IN OUR "BATTLE OF THE BRANDS"
(or view the current standings)

Cigars International runs some of the best specials on cigar samplers that you will find anywhere, including their current deal on eight premium cigars for only $10. This offer is available until June 30, 2008, and includes name brands such as Torano, Perdomo, Gurkha, plus five other national brands. To get the special price, click on the link in our Cigar Forum. For more deals on cigars, visit our Cigar Bargain Hunter.

We conclude (finally) our month-long series of surprising and/or negative cigar reviews with a bonus review of two cigars from the Zino Platinum Scepter series. The Zino Pudge was not half bad, but the Shorty was a real disappointment. Read my full review to get the long story on these two short cigars.

Atlantic City has now totally banned smoking on the gaming floor in all of its casinos, effective October 15, 2008. According to the New York Times, smoking would be allowed in smoking lounges away from the gambling areas if the casinos decide to build them. As the trend towards total smoking bans continues across the country and the world, the big question for gambling smokers is not will Las Vegas be next, but when?

Cinco de Mayo on May 5th may be a regional holiday in some parts of Mexico to commemorate a victory over the French Army back in 1862, but in the United States it is a great excuse to eat Mexican food, drink Mexican beer and tequila, listen to Mexican music, and most importantly, to smoke Mexican cigars. We always recommend Te-Amo cigars made in Mexico to properly celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but make sure to get the ones that are made entirely with Mexican tobacco. Te-Amo now produces some cigars in Mexico that are made with blends of tobaccos from other countries, but for Cinco de Mayo, you definitely want to be smoking a Mexican puro. I recommend the Te-Amo No. 4, which is on our list of Top Cigars Under $2, and for which a full review will be published on this website on May 5th. In the mean time, check them out for yourself and let us know what you think.

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