Smoky pleasure of Cuban cigars

Dinner guests watching Cardenas rolling the cigars for them at Hotel Equatorial Penang. (Bottom) A closer look at the freshly rolled cigars.

ONE sign of a good cigar is its sound, so listen carefully.

“Gently press it between two fingers near your ear. If you hear a crackling of the leaves inside, that means the leaves could be a little too dry,” said Hotel Equatorial Penang general manager Rayner Simon.