| The cigar shop of yesteryear has been | | | | much easier for U.S. citizens to enjoy the |
| increasingly replaced by a virtual version | | | | many Cuban flavors available for the serious |
| that offers the same wide variety of cigar | | | | smoker. |
| brands, humidors and accessories, but knows | | | | |
| no geographical boundaries and offers | | | | In addition to cigars, cigar stores stock |
| products at a fraction of the cost. Truly, | | | | various accessories available for purchase. |
| online cigar stores have played a major role | | | | The most common, and the most essential item |
| in the cigar boom of the last decade, | | | | is the humidor, which serves to preserve, |
| revolutionizing the industry and making the | | | | protect and display a collection of cigars. |
| purchasing of cigars cheap, hassle-free and | | | | Humidors vary greatly in shape and size, from |
| anonymous. | | | | a small box holding just a few items, to a |
| | | | full, climate controlled room, but each |
| Cigar stores both on and offline provide a | | | | serves to provide the optimum temperature and |
| large assortment of brands, from the | | | | humidity for lasting flavor. |
| inexpensive to the premium. Some of the most | | | | |
| popular brands in the U.S. include the many | | | | Other products available include containers, |
| varieties of Macanudos, as well as | | | | cigar cutters, lighters and cases. Cuban |
| Montecristos and Nat Shermans. They come | | | | Crafters, an online cigar store featuring |
| with a full range of prices that appeal to | | | | premium cigars as well as a full range of |
| both the serious aficionado and the | | | | accessories, even offers gift packages for |
| occasional, recreational smoker. | | | | cigar lovers of all kinds. |
| | | | |
| Of course, the most sought after type of | | | | While some cigar aficionados still enjoy the |
| cigar remains the Cuban variety, which makes | | | | occasional trip to their local smoke shop, |
| them both more expensive and more difficult | | | | online cigar stores are clearly the wave of |
| to find. Fortunately for cigar lovers, the | | | | the future and can be credited in large part |
| onset of the Internet in addition to the | | | | for the dramatic increase in sales to the |
| relaxation of government sanctions regarding | | | | U.S. since the early 1990's. |
| the importation of Cuban goods has made it | | | | |