Ralph's Cigars Blog | Ralph's Cigars | Chicago, IL

As we ride the rather choppy wave from winter into spring, pick up a perfect march cigar- whether it's to keep St. Patrick’s Day alive a few weeks longer, or to celebrate that natural floral scent that permeates the air all about us, a Candela wrapper oozes freshness, and a naturally sweet, earthy taste that has us here at Ralph’s scrambling for more. 

As St. Patricks Day draws closer, and the city of Chicago gathers gallons and gallons of green dye to spill across the river, we at Ralphs are gathering some things of our own: smooth irish whiskey and an even smoother four pack of decadent cigars to pair with it. And while we aren’t selling the whiskey, we are basically giving away the cigars for a steal- $30 for all four!

Once a year that old Saint Patrick raises his head and lets out the siren song of the Irish. While Guinness and other dark beers certainly satisfy all year round, they are a particular comfort in the cold of late winter, with their thick chocolate taste that fills the belly and fuzzes the brain. The only thing that could make it better? A dark, rich cigar that pairs perfectly. And the only thing that’s better still? Three such cigars, each as good as the last and for sale in one excellent pack at Ralph’s Cigars.

As a women-owned company it's always the right time to celebrate our bosses, but there's no better time to celebrate their accomplishments than right now, at the start of women’s history month. 

Though the cigar industry has been traditionally dominated my men, in recent years it has witnessed a remarkable evolution. Influential women have emerged from the families and companies to reshape the landscape of the entire industry. From master blenders to brand owners, they have not only broken barriers but left a permanent mark on the world of cigars with their expertise, passion, and creativity.

There’s more to a wrapper than meets the eye. The first things we notice about a premium handmade cigar are its band and its wrapper. The way a cigar looks entices us- cigar-makers fixate on a cigar’s color and texture when they create a blend. The wrapper is the most expensive part of a cigar because it must look perfect, but beyond that it can represent sixty to eighty percent of the flavor. Because of this cigar-makers are especially picky when choosing the wrapper for a blend. Here’s an overview of cigar wrappers and how they are classified.

Cigars, steeped in tradition and craftsmanship, hail from diverse corners of the world, each contributing unique flavors and characteristics to the aficionado's palate. One of the most defining reasons for a cigars flavor and profile is the country of origin- that place the tobacco calls home. 

We are ready to celebrate the Super Bowl in style here in Ralphs, and for us that means a favorite comfort stick and a nice drink to pair it with. Come on over this Sunday and join us for a great game, great food, and even greater cigars.