Archive for the ‘Cigars and Culture’ Category

Giving Cigars as a Gift

Monday, December 13th, 2010

1279051_giftCigar lovers should also check out Thompson Cigar which is giving out a special offer on 25 handmade cigars. Thompson will offer you a number of top cigar brands such as Davidoff, Acid, Swisher Sweet, Cohiba, Oliva, and even classics like Padron and Rocky Patel cigars. Some bestsellers during the festive season include Acid Blonde Connecticut Panetela Infused and Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best Seller Cameroon Perfecto cigar boxes. For cheaper choices or daily smoking, try out Swisher Sweets Cigarillo Natural Sweet or Phillies Titan Natural Lonsdale, that can be bought at under $1 a stick.

The Sopranos Edition Cigars row is still the highest rated brands in the cigar industry and will offer one of the highest quality cigars for the holidays.

Flavored cigars are all the rage during the holiday season too. Thompson Brittany offers a line of cigars with flavors like rum, vanilla, peach and cherry. The Havana Honey collection is a popular choice as well.

The Rocky Patel Winter Series is always a holiday hit among cigar enthusiasts. But it can be a limited edition one, so make sure you grab your box before it runs out! However, in case you miss a limited edition cigar, you can always go for the Rocky Patel Decade Lonsdale which is known for its gorgeous Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Not only is the presentation elegant and up to the mark, but the flavor and the secret blend make it a must-try. You can enjoy the smooth, creamy smoke of this amazing cigar in the holidays.

So enjoy the holidays with your beloved cigars, and don’t forget to try some new ones to add to your favorites.

Holiday Cigars

Monday, December 13th, 2010

Holi1322944_stars_christmas_tree_2days are the time of the year to spend quality time with family and friends and all loved ones. It is a time to celebrate, time to come close together, time to relax and unwind from the hectic day-to-day work life. And it is certainly the best time to light up a cigar and enjoy the holidays.

The holiday season can start off as a bit hectic, with shopping to do, gifts to deliver, cakes to bake! But a cigar enthusiast is sure to be on your family list. It can be you, or your father, or your uncle or aunt. There are cigar fans everywhere, and one in every family. It might even be a colleague or your boss. So must surely be on the shopping list this holiday season.

Havana cigars are a good and very popular choice, just like fine wines that can be enjoyed during the holidays. There are five regions in Cuba that grow tobacco, and all the export quality material used in the finest cigars comes from two of these regions. The Havana cigar is a blend of five different tobacco leaves and it takes a long, complicated process to finally make them. Havana cigars are a good choice for holidays if you are a cigar enthusiast and want to enjoy one of the finest flavors.

While good Cuban torpedos cost around $13 a stick, the Olivia Serie V Torpedo is cheaper and a great choice for the holidays. Any cigar enthusiasts will fall in love with it at once. The brand is beautiful, and so is this cigar. It has a distinctive taste, and a hint of chocolate and coffee with a spicy flavor in the background which is fabulous for the holidays.

South American Cigars, Part 2

Monday, May 10th, 2010

1157703_cigar_smoking_man_in_trinidadThe filler of the cigar are made of the smaller leaves of the tobacco plant and this gives the cigar flavor, aroma and a sharp or subtle taste depending on where the cigar plant is grown. The density with which they roll the filler into the wrapper determines the ease of draw and the strength of the flavor. If the cigar draws too quickly, the filler and wrapper will get too hot and the tobacco will have an arid, burnt taste.

The binders of the cigar usually consist of the same leaves as the wrapper but small holes are punched into them to aid in the feeding of oxygen to keep the cigar alight. The cigar binders are what holds the whole cigar together and prevents the cigar from unraveling itself.

To this day, there are a few age old cigar shops which can be found in South America. When you visit these shops, you can experience a person from Cuban decent rolling a cigar behind an ancient wood and glass counter. It is said that you have not tasted the perfect cigar until you have lit up a full bodied, perfectly blended cigar which is hand rolled by an expert Cuban cigar roller. The aroma of the smoke will fill these shops with rich, enticing flavors that will transport you to another, ancient time.

Whatever your favorite cigar is, you could probably find, freshly rolled ones of good quality anywhere in South America. Everyone should smoke a South American cigar at least once in their lives, so add it to your “bucket list”.

South American Cigars

Monday, May 10th, 2010

1207518_antique_world_mapThe word “Cigarro” as cigars are known as in Spain comes from the Mayan word “sik” meaning tobacco. Smoking cigars has been a sign of success, achievement and celebration since the early 1800s. Fathers light up a cigar when their children are born, business men often seal a deal by enjoying the rich aroma and many successful men like Winston Churchill were hardly ever seen without one close by.

Many expert cigar makers immigrated to South America in the 1800s to plough their trade and search for the well know American dream. South America has since become known as the Cigar capital of America where the tradition of making cigars has been passed down from generation to generation. Many countries are slowly climbing their way up in the cigar trade. Brazil is one such nation which has seen increased cigar production in last few years.

A cigar is traditionally made up of three parts, the wrapper, the filler and the binder. The wrapper of the cigar is made up of the large leaves usually found at the bottom of the tobacco plants and because of their size they make a perfect wrapping for the filling. Connecticut The Double Claro leaves which are picked just before maturity and have a light green color. Oscuro or “Double Manduro” is black in color and has an oily sheen to it; this wrapper is known to grow in Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua.

Tips on Running a Cigar Business

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

checklist· Know who’s walking in your store, if it’s a cigar aficionado or a young adult who just reached the legal smoking age in your area. You don’t want to baby talk the cigar aficionado, and you don’t want to overwhelm the newbie. It’s basic customer support, but a cigar store is a high class environment and you have to treat people properly.

· Order and stock a general supply of cigars, several brands that you always have in medium to large amounts. These will be where you get most of your profit. Read the cigar magazines and visit the cigar social forums on the internet to know what’s popular and affordable. Never run out of these. Along with those, you want to have a select number of specialty cigars that are higher priced or harder to come by. These will be sold to your VIP customers, the ones who are experts themselves and choose to visit your business out of respect instead of need. You can even provide them with the occasional delivery – trust me, an aficionado will very much enjoy receiving in his busy office a delivery of cigars from his personal cigar broker.

· Creature comforts. Make the store look really nice and enjoyable to shop in, don’t crowd your space with unnecessary clutter, provide a few comfortable chairs and a small table for casual sit downs, and maybe even offer really good coffee for your favorite customers.

How to Start a Cigar Label Collection

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

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If you are a frequent cigar smoker, chances are you have noted the many types of labels the handmade cigars come with. Collecting cigar labels is actually a popular pastime and can be done easily and by everybody. Some people collect labels as a reminder of the cigars they have tried, while others like the labels themselves and collect them for fun. No matter the reason, here are three things to keep in mind when starting a cigar label collection.

1. Choose a theme or era to collect. While this is not obligatory, having something in mind will help you narrow your search and give you a better understanding of the collection itself. Popular collection areas are pre-1920s labels, Cuban cigar labels and themed collections, such as historical figures, animals or specific images such as pirates or soldiers.

2. Look for labels everywhere. You can find them in eBay and other auction venues, as well as in antique shops and cigar shops. Labels can also be exchanged through groups of collectors online or off. If labels alone seem too expensive, consider shopping for cigars at garage sales, factory outlets and even discount stores. That way you get both the cigar (which you can smoke if still in good condition) and the label itself.

3. Have a place designated to store the labels. Photo albums, similar to the ones used for stamp collections, can be a good option. Or you can wait until you have a few and then frame them for display.

Starting a Cigar Lounge

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

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A cigar lounge is a private space in where cigar lovers congregate to smoke, have a drink, and share their love of smoking. Lounges can be private (requiring a membership) or can be open to the public, just like a store would. In fact, some cigar stores have their own lounge, open to customers. While opening a public lounge requires permits, just as any other business would, you can start a private lounge in just a few easy steps.

If you are starting a private “club” for cigar lovers, your first step is locating a space for the meetings. This can be done in somebody’s basement or you can rotate and meet in different homes each time (a condition of the membership can be that you’re willing to host in a rotating basis). If no space is available in the members’ homes, you can all pitch in and rent a space. Many clubs, bars or even shops will rent you a room or a section of their place for a one-time fee.

Decide on the rules and goals of the lounge. Will the meetings be an informal gathering to talk about anything or would you work on trying new handmade cigars or cigar-related products? Will there be drinks? If so, is there a specific menu (for example, brandy and whiskey) or will the members bring their own alcohol?

Finally, you need to start looking for members. You can advertise locally, in newspapers and websites such as Craigslist. If there is a cigar shop in town, ask if you can post a flyer advertising the lounge. Talk to friends and associates that may be interested as well. Even if they decide not to attend, they may know somebody who will.

Affordable Cigars 1

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

1226006_moneyFinding the best affordable hand rolled cigars is no longer a difficult chore. Recommendations from tobacconists, whether online or in person, are valuable, and so are the opinions of fellow cigar aficionados. To jump start your search, here are some of the best affordable cigars currently available.

Gurkha Grand Reserve Churchill is a cognac flavored import from Honduras. It has a mild to medium strength, and features a natural wrapper. These 7.5” cigars are available for less than $50 for a five pack.

Another one of the best affordable handmade cigars is the Isla Del Sol Robusto. Also mild to medium, this one has a coffee flavor and natural wrapper. A product of Nicaragua, a five pack of these will be less than $20.

For those who prefer a full bodied smoke, the El Rico Habano Gran Corona is an excellent choice. This natural wrapper straight cigar is imported from the Dominican Republic. Priced at around $25 for a 5 pack, this is one of the best affordable cigars on the market.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antano is a very full-bodied cigar. This short (4-3/4”) straight cigar has a 42 ring gauge, and a 5 pack will run between $20 and $25. Consistently given high marks, this Nicaragua import is a great smoke for the price.

The Nub Cameroon 464 is a medium to full bodied torpedo cigar. At four inches, this cigar features a 64 ring gauge and is imported from Nicaragua. They are priced at around $30 a five pack, and are considered one of the best torpedo cigars available.

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.

Naturally Grown Tabacco

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

tabaccoNicotine, the main ingredient of tobacco is present in all types of tobacco leaves irrespective of how they are cultivated. The difference is that tobacco grown organically is purer and has fewer amounts of the other harmful constituents. Many of the additives present in the usual brands are as toxic as nicotine. They increase the quantity of free nicotine and makes smoking a pleasurable experience for the smokers. The chemicals released from such additives while smoking are toxic to the body. So organic tobacco, additionally, offers a transitional option for those who wish to stop tobacco smoking.

Organic tobacco farming is environment friendly and the tobacco undergoes minimal processing before use. The fad for organic products in the consumer market boosts the sales of organic tobacco despite the fall of the leaf market in US.

Does it imply that natural tobacco is less harmful than the other types of tobacco? The answer is certainly no. By going green, natural tobacco is not able to eliminate the main harmful ingredient, nicotine, which is present in all types of tobacco. Medium to low levels of nicotine is present in all varieties of superior quality tobacco. Nicotine in tobacco is the element that induces addictiveness. Nicotine also bears some notoriety as a cancer causing substance.

Natural tobacco is available in some licensed food stores and in tobacco specialty shops. Plenty of options are there on the Internet to buy natural tobacco. But there are stringent rules that dictate verification of the age of customers who visit online tobacco shops.