Great specs make you see the world a little clearer, yes? Rafael Nodal, visionary in the world of small-batch cigars for Aging Room, says that the cigar lounge is a laboratory for democracy. How can you enjoy a great cigar with a fellow smoker who might be a little right or left for your taste? You must hone the skill of respectful communication. Listening with civility encourages those rich conversations, like this cigar talk with Boveda's Drew Emmer.

Freedom to create is one reason this Cuban-born cigar maestro is proud to be in America. In 1980, Rafael Nodal left Cuba when he was 15 with his mother, father and younger sister. They boarded a 50-foot-long shrimping boat with 300 others. Through storms, the trip, which normally takes 12 hours, took four days.

The love of his adopted country comes through in this Box Press episode as well as in the newly released VegaFina Patriot cigar, which is exclusive to the U.S cigar market with a limited-release of 1,776 numbered boxes.

What is Boveda? Premium cigar makers, like Altadis U.S.A. protect the flavor and character of their sticks with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box with Aging Room cigars and other greats. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.

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00:00 Never risk your passion

02:18 The first cigar I made that I didn't care what other people thought

03:20 Cigar of the Year 2019: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro

03:49 Origin of Sonata Cigars—he studied classical music in Cuba

05:03 Creating a cigar is like creating music

05:29 Which Aging Room cigar is dedicated to Nicaragua?

09:56 Emigrated from Cuba in a small shrimp boat

12:37 Cuban-born cigar maker is proud to be an American

14:24 Why a cigar lounge is a laboratory of democracy

16:06 How to manage humidity in a humidor