Archive for the ‘Cigar News’ Category

Where to Smoke your Hand Rolled Cigars

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

1063679_smokeNationwide, city after city has enacted anti-smoking ordinances that make it more difficult to find places to smoke a cigar. But there are still establishments that cater to the trade.

Cigar bars are growing in popularity. These usually offer alcoholic beverages as well as coffee, and some have a limited food menu. Most of them also feature a large selection of hand rolled cigars for sale, including many quality items. Normally, there is no membership fee or cover charge to pay.

One of the best places to smoke your handmade cigars is in a cigar club. Reminiscent of Victorian gentlemen’s clubs (not to be confused with the adult rated clubs of today that use the same term), these clubs usually offer a comfortable, den-like atmosphere. Comfortable, overstuffed chairs are common, and refreshments are usually available. Nominal membership fees may be charged, and there are many special activities offered for members. These are great places to meet with other cigar smokers and share information in a relaxed setting.

Many casinos have smoking lounges available and some have special cigar rooms. Usually, these are well-ventilated and comfortable, but in some cases they are little more than an outdoor patio. But since the casinos really don’t want you leaving, most have tried to accommodate cigar smokers. A number of them also have cigar stands that offer high end handmade cigars as well as moderately priced smokes.

Smoking Cigars and Health

Monday, November 30th, 2009

healthMany people think that just because one does not inhale while smoking  cigars, then you are not subjecting your lungs to all that nicotine and chemical compounds. In actual fact, the poisonous substances are absorbed through your mouth and throat making you very susceptible to oral cancer. Oral cancer can occur in your tongue, mouth or throat. Considering how dangerous any sort of smoking is be it cigarettes or cigars, you should really consider quitting or better yet don’t start.

Some people claim that smoking cigars is not as addictive as smoking cigarettes. Wrong again. Cigars do not have filters to filter the nicotine that goes through and in fact the nicotine level in a cigar is four hundred times more than an average cigarette given it height and width. According to research, cigar smoke also contains thirty times more carbon monoxide than cigarette smoke.

Even though most cigar smokers claim to only smoke occasionally, given the intensity of the handmade cigars, apparently just smoking five cigars a month can put in a cancer prone state. If you have cancer running in your family, then the risk becomes that much higher.

Many women seem to also have jump on board starting to smoke cigars. Some think it’s fashionable and akin to being one of the boys. Trust me it is not fashionable when you are lying in the hospital with mouth cancer. It is one of the grossest looking cancers one can endure. Even if you survived the cancer, you will probably never look the same again.

Choosing a Cigar

Monday, November 30th, 2009

cigarsCigars have been popular all over the world, especially in the European countries. Despite the fact that they are addictive as well as harmful, the numbers of cigar users are increasing rapidly. Owing to their increased demand, newer brands are coming rapidly in the market. With too many varieties of cigars, it will be difficult to choose a brand as far as the beginners are concerned. Once you are able to find your favorite cigar based on your taste, you can well stick to the brand.

The tastes of people differ. Your favorite brand may not be appealing to another person. Hence it is of no use discussing with other smokers when you try to find out a good brand. A beginner can start with milder flavors of tobacco.

Tobacco preset in the cigars come in various flavors. The way in which the tobacco plant has been nurtured, the parts of the plant being used to make the cigars, the storage conditions, all influence the flavor. The storage conditions of handmade cigars affect their quality and they are affected by temperature and light. They are usually kept in a box called humidor where they provide the ideal conditions and humidity for the cigar to age. The white powder that forms over the cigars enhances their flavor.

CIGARS for Troops Program

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

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For soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq, luxuries such as smoking a cigar have to be left behind. That is, until now. The Cigars for Troops Program allows both individuals and cigar companies to donate handmade cigars to be sent overseas.

There is no limit to the numbers of cigars that can be sent, but larger sets or packages are encouraged, so they can be shared among soldiers. The USPS offers a special $7 mailing box that can be filled with cigars or other items and shipped to be a military address anywhere in the world. Weight doesn’t matter.

More information and donation tips can be found by contacting:

Cyle Geertz
CSTC-A, CJ1
APO AE 09356

Planning a Party? Cigars Catering is a Growing Trend

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

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Next time you’re planning a party or meeting, why not hire a cigar catering company to provide both entertainment and quality smoking at once? Cigar rollers such as CF Dominicana (cigarcatering.com) will personalize cigars with your initials, bring them to your party (servers included) and pass them around along with special cutters and accessories that will make it possible for everybody attending to enjoy the handmade smokes.

Although there a number of companies that only work locally, others are willing to travel (for an extra fee) or connect with local cigar sellers to organize the catering. Caterers can also recommend drinks that will match the flavor and tone of the cigars, as well as provide accessories that can be taken as souvenirs at the end of the event.

Servers are usually girls dressed in 1930s attire, imitating the style and glamour of bar waitresses and cigarette sellers of the time. You can also hire a cigar roller to roll the cigars right at the party. Packages differ in price, but you can expect to pay about $1000 for an event of about two hours, not matter how many hand rolled cigars are needed.

Smoking Cigars on Cruise Ships

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

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With so many public places banning smoking, travelers are sometimes worried that they will have to give up smoking for however long they are on a cruise. That doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, many cruises, such as the Carnival Valor, are now offering a cigar bar. Guests can sit there to enjoy a smoke and drink, inquiry about or buy products, and spend time with other cigar aficionados. Some cruises also have separate smoking times in their bars, libraries or rooms, where smokers of hand rolled cigars can congregate without fear of bothering other guests.

Another great advantage of cruises is that many stop at ports where Cuban cigars can be bought and smoked. Because it’s illegal for US citizens to own Cuban cigars, avoid bringing them onboard the ship and instead enjoy them on the island before moving on to explore more.

Always check in advance to see if the cruise you are planning on taking is cigar-friendly and whether there are smoking zones.

Identifying Counterfeit Cigars

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

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The most commonly faked cigars are Cuban cigars. This is done for two reasons: because original ones are hard to come by and because their price is high and make for excellent business. However, almost any cigar can be reproduced. To identify a fake, keep the following in mind:

1. Look at the quality of the box and seal. New seals are usually multicolor, have watermarks and serial numbers. Poorly-designed labels may indicate a fake.

2. Look for stickers and burned engravings on the side or inside of the boxes of the handmade cigars. High-quality handmade cigars, especially Cuban cigars, do not have plain ink stamps. Ink is commonly used in fakes, though, because it’s easier to reproduce and imitate.

3. Look for factory and date stamp on the box. Fakes rarely include this, because a specific date makes it easier to identify a fake.

4. If it sounds too good to be true… if you find a handmade cigars selling for significantly less than the real price, ask yourself why.

Top 10 Cigars Part 2

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar5Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro ranked third and maybe for a good reason. This particular smoke has some distinct qualities but the main element of it popularity is its chisel shaped feature. This product is not much different to other hand made cigars and only its minor adjustment in blending its flavor makes it more prominent than other smokes. It also comes in different flavors which give customers variety to choose from.

Gaining fourth place is the La Aroma De Cuba Edicion Especial No. 5 Belicoso which is often claimed to Winston Churchill’s favorite brand. This is one of smokers’ favorite because of its different selection of quality cigars and flavors. This brand is described as a combination and hodgepodge of spices, whiffs of coffee flavor with a chocolate blend. This can be very expensive with the price tag of almost $7 a piece.

Placing fifth is the Don Carlos Edicion De Aniversario Double Robusto. It comes in a very unique Opus X Fuente X wrapper and is deemed to be a very intricate kind. No one is really sure how its wrappers are made but aside from its magnificent tobacco components, its wrapper could perform enough spell to make smokers beg for more.

The remaining lucky brands to be included in these top ten lists are the Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill, H. Upmann Sir Winston, DPG Lancero, LGC Artesanos Elegante, and Ashton Heritage Robusto.

Top 10 Cigars Part 1

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar4For years, cigars dedicated magazines and online sites have been announcing top 10 cigars of the year. These particular hand made cigars have been rated and reviewed by connoisseurs and aficionados for their different categories and attraction to the cigar- loving market. Those who managed to be included in the top 10 list are the most popular and sought after cigars because of the scores and reviews they get from the aficionados. These top ten lists can be your ultimate guide as you look out for that elusive brand you really prefer.

One of the most popular is the Casa Magna Robusto. This particular brand sets hype in the industry. It got its rank because of the unique flavor and affordable price for such quality cigars. Although the company producing this kind of smokes is fairly new in the industry, Fonseca was able to capture the taste of their customers thru perfect blending and aging of their tobacco.

The Padron 80th Maduro placed second on the ratings. This is just another streak in a series of handmade cigars produced by this company and although the price can be considered by others to be costly and dear, some aficionado who never look at price tags regard this brand to be one among the most smoked brands in the world. The secret for this kind is its seasoned tobacco which is properly grown and aged over the years.

Some Cigar Basics

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar2Quality cigars have been enjoyed in the past by people who belong to the elite class. Ordinary fellows who love smoking have to make the best out of smoking ordinary, home-made tobaccos. But not today, almost all classes of people from different walks of life can now enjoy the unique flavor and wonderful aroma of quality ones. There are many varieties and trademarks of cigars to choose from. But there are also different ways to sort them out. You can start from their shape, size or where they were made and from what country they came from or whether they are hand-rolled cigars or machine-made.

The most frequently used sorting method is through their size. Cigars vary in length and diameter. Standard length is from 7 to 8 inches with a diameter of 64ths of an inch. Each length and ring size is associated to certain popular brands. The biggest of them is called the Giant. It measures 9 inches in length and had an incredible diameter size of 52. Some cigars that are related in sizes are Toro, Churchill, Cigarillo, Robusto, Corona, Torpedo, Panatela and the biggest, the Giant.

If sizes are not enough yet for you to chose your particular brand, you can narrow down your search to their shape and outside coloring.