The Executive lighter was developed for our customers seeking high quality, functionality and sophistication in every facet of their smoking. This design places the trigger along the body of the windproof lighter so one's finger no longer needs to be perilously close to the flame (goodbye burned fingertips!) The oversized adjustment wheel ensures a quick flame adjustment for any occasion. Available in black & silver. COMING SOON: red, blue and gunmetal. $24.99

Because the finest cigar in the world is worthless after being crushed in your pocket, XIKAR now ensures you can protect your investment in full style! The Envoy holds three cigars up to 54-ring gauge each, keeping any smoke safe with a modern style all its own. With top-grain, armada leather, the piece has a well-dressed appearance and a soft feel. The inner lining of the case, crafted with genuine cedar, holds the ambient humidity of the cigar and projects the fresh cedar smell of a humidor every time it is opened. Available in black, cognac & red. COMING SOON: blue. $49.99

Each month, XIKAR receives many great testimonies and stories from our customers about our products. From these submissions, we will select one customer a month to be the XIKAR Member of the Month.

The winner will receive an official XIKAR hat and mention in that month's newsletter thanking them for their contribution to XIKAR. We love hearing from you, so keep the submissions coming!

This month's winner is Clyde Rogers. Clyde's enthusiasm for cigar cutters apparently has been surpassed by some local thieves, as he wrote to us that two of his prized Xi cutters had been stolen on two different occasions! In Clyde's words, "It may be a drawback having such a good product!" We hope his third Xi cutter will elude the bandits this time. Thanks for the stories Clyde and enjoy the hat!

Clyde recommends Classic Cigars for XIKAR products in the Tulsa or Owasso, Oklahoma area.

While Cuba has been heralded as the ultimate source for cigars, in the early 1900's a little town in the heart of Tampa, Florida was once the "Cigar Capital of the World". Now the "Latin Quarter Experience", Ybor City has recently undergone a great revitalization. Combining a historical district with 29 blocks of restaurants, shopping, 10 unique cigar retailers, coffee mills, museums, theatres and nightlife the new Ybor City highlights the cigar town's unique connection of Latin culture and worldwide cigar fame.

Celebrations like the spectacular Guavaween (Halloween Ybor-style) bring in costumes from all over the world, while over 75 restaurants and bars boast the finest Spanish and Cuban cuisine. After experiencing the great nightlife that Ybor has to offer, many travelers prefer to relax with a locally hand-rolled cigar and observe the diversity of people and activities around every corner in this unique city.

XIKAR's President Kurt Van Keppel recently visited Ybor and noted its enduring charm. "For history or cigar lovers, Ybor is hard to beat. The cigar history and the nightlife are one of a kind. Ybor truly combines both old and new in a way few cities can."

Friends of XIKAR: For those traveling to Ybor, or any mentioned destination, XIKAR has compiled a list of businesses that have made our visits more enjoyable.

Cigar Retailers:

When you've waited months to light up that special smoke, you want to be sure you've got the right tools and know how to get the perfect cut that makes all the difference. If you have a XIKAR Xi cigar cutter, you're halfway there! Now let us show you the technique to ensure the best cut possible.

Hold the cutter on one side in the first crook of knuckles, and on the other side along the length of your thumb. Use a powerful snap squeeze to cut your cigar for best effect. Note the two sides operate independently of one another, so one will always close against the cigar first. Rest assured that both blades meet in the middle and that each cuts the same amount of cigar.