For this issue I thought I'd dip in to my mailbox and publish some questions I've received in the past few months that may also be concerns of yours. As I usually say when I reply to a question, 'I hope this helps.'

A captain can't navigate the seas without the aid of good charts. For the cigar aficionado, the best way to chart the course of his or her favorite pastime is with the aid of Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Cigars. Now in its 12th year of publication with the current 2006 edition, writer and publisher Richard B. Perelman and his staff have assembled the most comprehensive guide to virtually every brand of cigar marketed nationally in the United States of America.

For this issue, I'm spotlighting two new full-bodied luxury cigars from two of the top manufacturers: Davidoff of Geneva and General Cigar Dominicana. Both made in the Dominican Republic, at the heart of these cigars are rich-tasting tobaccos from different regions of the DR, Honduras and Nicaragua. Should you be cruising the waters surrounding these countries in the coming months, you may want to have some of these fine cigars on-board.

Before you sail off to the next port of call with your cigars, you?ll need a travel humidor that will keep your precious cargo out of harm?s way. Whether it?s a simple pocket humidor or an elaborate attaché case, the humidor must do two things for your cigars: keep them fresh and protect them.

2004 saw the debut of some excellent cigars, and in this issue I want to share with you (in no particular order), some of the more outstanding cigars released last year. I say 'outstanding' because I don't believe any cigar is 'the best' any more than I believe any one movie or record album is 'the best'; each cigar is unique in and of itself, which this list embodies. Davidoff Limited Edition 2004 Robusto Real “Especiales 7” Another remarkable luxury cigar from Davidoff made in very limited edition. The Robusto Real cigars are blended with 7 entirely unique tobaccos deftly hand-rolled inside an exquisite Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper. The cigar presents a full-bodied, complex and perfectly-balanced smoke. The wrapper is dark, oily and virtually flawless, plus it gives off a wonderful aroma for which Davidoff cigars are known, and gives the blend just the right amount of depth. This is one of those cigars you actually have to smoke to fully appreciate, so be on the lookout for these cigars, because many retailers are already out of stock.

As the holiday season sails into view, gift ideas are on everyone's mind. Fortunately, when shopping for the cigar smoker, there are not only great cigars to choose from, but cigar accessories, as well. Here are some outstanding gift suggestions from the four primary cigar requisites: cigars, a humidor, a cutter, and a lighter. (Hint: leave this page open in a conspicuous place so your spouse will see it.)

Wrapper leaves from various geographic areas contribute distinctive flavors. Here's how to differentiate. I was speaking with Gary Korb of Famous Cigar the other day about cigar wrappers and thought a little primer on the subject would be interesting. Wrapper leaf is one of the most crucial elements in cigar making, accounting not only for the cigar's appearance, but contributing about 20% of its taste.

If you don't go anywhere without your favorite cigars, beware: sea air can do a number on them. Here's how to store them so you're never without a good smoke. Plus... advice on avoiding fakes in your favorite ports of call.