Many readers have asked what I consider the most valuable cigar related sites on the internet. The brief list that follows may not represent the very best of the net but it does indicate those sites that I find most useful personally, and all of which I recommend heartily.

1. One of the most useful Internet addresses I have found in recent years is that for The Cigar Smokers' FAQ. In this comprehensive mini encyclopedia of cigars, chapters include everything from discussions of different sized cigars, aging and storage to health issues and cigar, food and wine combinations. Advice is given on how to select and purchase cigars and on differences between cigars of different countries and special sections are devoted to Cuban cigars, other references on the Net and reference books. A detailed glossary is provided. Written intelligently and in not overly technical language, this is an invaluable reference for beginners as well as for those who are already connoisseurs. Better yet, intelligently written articles and a good Forum for discussing cigar-related issues. Highly recommended, the site can be found at: http://www.cigargroup.com/faq

2. Far more glossy and far more outspoken in their opinions but no less to be admired, is the online site of the Cigar Aficionado magazine. Like the Wine Spectator (Marvin Shanken is the publisher of both), there are huge collections of articles, tasting notes and opinions. It is sometimes difficult to say where editorial policy ends and advertisements begin. Despite that, a rich site, well worth checking out at http://cigaraficionado.com

3. The following address will take you to what is probably the only Hebrew language cigar site on the Internet, but there are a great many commercial and non-commercial hyperlinks to English, French and German sites. http://www.cigar4u.co.il/

4. Cigars and pipies is a commercial site, but with good links to other cigar-related sites. It is, also a good place to check out prices and availability of cigars, cigar accessories, humidors and other smoking related information. http://www.cigarsandpipes.com/welcome.htm

5. Florian Serussi's not-at-all commercial pages offer his own reviews of cigars as well as what is probably the best collection of links to cigar-related sites on the net. http://www.angelfire.com/fl/IsraFood

© Daniel Rogov