Archive for the ‘Cigars and Culture’ Category

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

1121405_boats_at_kusadasi

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.

Cutting your Cigars

Friday, October 30th, 2009

cutter2Cigar cutters are devices used for cutting, penetrating or removing one end of the cigar commonly called as the cap to smoke properly. There are certain types of cigars which have to be cut in both ends but the common hand made cigars generally require a cut or hole in one end of the cap. Most cigars which are hand rolled will have a cap which is rounded and does not expose the tobacco inside. The cap area is made by pasting one or two small pieces of the wrapper by using a conventional tobacco paste or flour and water mixture. This cap may be cut with a scissor or even bitten off but cutting off the cap unevenly will result in a bad smoking experience as the cigar will not burn properly and also may also result in the loss of smokeable tobacco. Usually, cigar manufacturers use different type of tobacco along the length of the cigar to give the smoker a very good and different experience. It also gives different tastes and a variety of flavor. In case, if the end is badly peeled off then it may result in the loss of tobacco in this end.

So, in order to avoid these problems, the use of cigar cutters became popular. There are three different types of cigar cutters depending on the type of cut it makes. They are straight cigar cutter, wedge cigar cutter and hole punch cigar cutter. From the names, one can see that the straight cigar cutter makes a straight cut, wedge cutter makes a v-shaped wedge and hole punch puts a hole in the cigar to open the cap.

Colors of Cigars

Friday, October 30th, 2009

colorIf you are someone who does not know what a cigar is, then for your information, cigars are a bundle of tightly rolled fermented tobacco which is dried before it is made. There are three different components of a cigar namely Fillers, Wrappers and Binders. All of them have a considerable effect on the quality of the cigar and its taste making it all the more important in choosing the components for its making. The filler of a handmade cigars is nothing but tobacco which determines the primary quality of the cigar. Hand rolled cigars which make use of long fillers and 100% tobacco and are much costlier than machine rolled cigars mainly because of their quality. There are many who purchase these costly cigars making one understand the difference in quality which leads people to buy them.

It is very natural for the quality of the cigar to be affected with the difference in the quality of the filler. But one would be surprised to know that even the wrapper of the cigar has a significant contribution towards its taste and quality. The outer wrapper of a cigar is not simply paper like that of cigarettes. The wrapper of a cigar is generally the leaves of a tobacco plant and in general, the widest leaf of the plant is chosen to wrap as it has to hold the filler in it. This wrapper leaf determines the character, quality, flavor and taste of the cigar and this is the reason why many cigars are often described by its wrapper.

The general colors used in cigars are Double Claro, Claro, Colorado, Colorado Claro, Colorado Maduro, Natural, Maduro, and Oscuro with Double Claro being the lightest and Oscuro being the darkest color. Double Claro which appears to be slightly greenish in color is achieved by picking the leaves before it is matured and by drying it quickly and Oscuro leaves are black in color and give the strongest flavor. Different parts of the world grow different kinds of leaves, thereby, giving a brand name to the quality of handmade cigars made from that place.

It is generally believed and commented by everyone that cigars made out of dark wrappers are a touch sweet compared to the lighter ones which taste dry. Also, statistics say that it is the wrapper which contributes 40% to the taste and the flavor of the cigar while the filler and binder contribute the remaining 60%. This is the reason why people find difference in the flavor of cigars made out from the same fillers while the wrapper being different. For example, when a Maduro cigar and a Double Claro cigar containing the same filler and binder are compared, Maduro cigars are found to be stronger in flavor than that of Double Claro cigars. But this cannot be generalized as the quality of the filler and the binder can also change.

Cigars and Size

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

cigar3There are about a hundred shades of different wrappers you can choose from that are now available in the market. Shapes also matter because they give a distinct appeal to smokers. You can try the tapered ones, flared or even pyramid types which are the most common shapes of cigars in the market.

For those who are yet to enjoy the pleasures of smoking their first quality cigars, you can read about it here. For you to get pleasure from their flavors, try smoking them gently and leisurely. Savor each inhalation you take and relish the wonderful aroma that they emit. Avoid inhaling the smoke when you puff them and keep them inside your mouth for a short time only. This way you do not get overwhelmed by their strong essence. You can also buy humidors to protect them from losing their flavor and aroma. The last thing is to avoid buying second-rate cheap cigars. Machine-made cigars do not have the unique and distinct flavor and aroma of a true hand–rolled cigars ones which may not come cheap but are also worth the money you will ever spend on them.

If you like a long smoke, it is recommended that you purchase very long cigars. For the occasional short smoke, buy smaller handmade cigars with a shorter burn time. The size comes down to personal preference.

Cigars & Autumn Part 2

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

autumn2To achieve that wonderful autumn encounter, you have to follow several unspoken etiquette about smoking cigars in order for you to get the best out of them. Most quality cigars do not come cheap in the market. You would not want to waste those precious dollars without savoring their flavor and aroma. You might think that it is only a matter of lighting up and puffing away smokes. Smoking the like can be very tricky.

The simplest advice is to avoid inhaling the smoke. They are not designed to be inhaled. You have to puff a few times and gently exhale the smoke. Always remember that smoking such is not a rushed job. Always consider it as relaxing pursuit so there is no need to rush. Avoid tapping your cigars in the ashtray to avoid upsetting the fillers inside them as this will result to sporadic burn out. Just allow the ashes to fall by themselves. And do not forget that before you start lighting them, you need to clip them at the other end. Always use clipper and do not bite them if you do not want to have loose tobacco leaves dangling at their ends.

There are a lot to follow but you will always be you own critic whether you smoke it correctly or not. The most important thing is for you to have enjoyed every bit of experience smoking your handmade cigars.

Cigars & Autumn

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

autumn1Autumn is one among the four fair seasons and it marks the change from summer to winter on the later days of the third month which is March if you are in the southern hemisphere or late September if you are in the northern hemisphere. But what has autumn got to do with smoking a cigar? If you would notice, autumn is constantly related to a lot of poignant association. Autumn is always related to heartwarming works of arts and poetries.

So is the cigar.

How wonderful it would be to imagine yourself holding the finest and quality cigars and puffing them during the autumn months? Cigar smoking is much more like an art than the ordinary puffing you do on regular cigarettes. Cigars are made from the finest ingredients available and are made by the best manufacturers in the trade. It is more like an art to create a masterpiece such as the Cohitos, Robustos, Panatelas and other tobacco products. It takes a lot of experience from the producer to be able to come up with the likes that would exceed expectation from their buyers and aficionados.

And when you do experience the pleasure of smoking cigars, you do not just light them or clip them at the end then puff away incessantly.

Cigars & Chocolate

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

chocolatreIf smoking handmade cigars is included in the list of addiction to most people, eating chocolates can be counted in the same too. They have different compositions and bring varied effects to takers though. Chocolate is made up of a number of raw and processed foods excreted from the seed of the tropical cacao tree. It further contains chemicals such as alkaloids that create physiological effects on the body. It too affects the levels of serotonin in the brain that is believed to regulate mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction and some cognitive related functions. When eaten in moderation, chocolate is affirmed by scientists to lower blood pressure. It too is further tested to be helpful in lessening the risk of cancer, dementia and heart attack. Aside from all of these, chocolates are one of the main reasons for obesity and it is very addicting once you start your first nibble.

Compared to chocolates, handmade cigars are unlikely to fatten up smokers since this have an appetite controlling elements that reduce your desire for food. Depending on who made and where they came from, tobacco smoking can be very enjoyable and pleasurable activity without you feeling guilty afterwards.

On a more positive note, many smokers claim that puffing one lessens tensions and stress and may make a difference in their social status. Some also affirm that it satisfies their pleasure and whims as well. Studies, however, show that smoking cigars does bring harmful effects to human body. These include the increase of risk for respiratory and other infections; problems in the immune system and lung cancer.

Risky are the effects it does bring, many are still into smoking such.

Like the chocolates, handmade cigars are made from the finest ingredients and other spices giving them a flavorful blend that attracts buyer and connoisseurs alike. Some companies even go to extreme lengths in order for them to achieve the best blend ever in cigars. Most  handmade cigars differ in taste and aroma. Different makers have various and unique ways of creating their own masterpieces. You cannot blame it all on nicotine alone why others become hooked up in smoking cigars. There are a lot of factors to consider also. Some would claim that they smoke only because they love the pleasure and enjoyment they get out of every puff and that would prove to be correct because if you have to understand cigar smoking, it is all about enjoyment and personal satisfaction.

How a Humidor Works

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

humidorHumidors are specially made to protect your cigars, especially first-class ones. These can come in any shapes and sizes but their main function is to basically prevent cigars from dehydrating. Moreover, humidors shelter the latter from other elements that can spoil their distinctive flavor. Some humidors are designed to be showed off with their intricate patterns and lavish stone embellishments while some come in gold and silver. Others are more concerned about their functionality and may come in plain designs but with the same purpose to serve.

First class quality cigars come with an instruction that humidors should be placed in a dry storage area with at least 72% humidity which means the warmness should be just about a normal room temperature. Without following this instruction and exposing your favorite cigars to elements will cause the loss of their flavor and aroma. Also, the cigars will become very dry which will result to unpeeling of their wrapping. Further, without humidors, the original quality of the same is not maintained.

Using humidors is very easy. But first when you buy one you must consider some tips in order for you to be able to choose which are best for your handmade cigars. You have to know first the size and quantity of cigars you want to place in your humidor. Seven to eight inches is better as it gives you two sizes to fit into. Structural formation is also of vital importance and its insides should be made out of Spanish cedar because of its strength and the quality of its humidification. A good space is needed when you have to install the humidifying device. Thus, better be in the look out also for the space in between the humidor itself and the device. Be sure too that when you close it, it does not come in contact to your smoking paraphernalia.

HandMade Cigars in New York City

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

nycSmoking has been around for a centuries and it has become a popular past time for most cigar – loving aficionados around the world. Depending on what you want from it, cigars come in different flavors, aroma, sizes and shapes which suit any particular whims of enthusiasts. But if you are in New York, you find yourself in a tight spot if you want to puff some smoke due to the recently passed anti - smoking bill by the New York city council. On March 26, 2003, New York State lawmakers approved the bill that bans smoking state - wide. The state injunction took effect on the 24th of July of the same year. Many opposed that this did not pass any discussion with the general public but what can ordinary citizens do when the bill is already signed?

If you find yourself in New York and you cannot be deterred by such laws in order for you to have a taste of that precious cigar flavor you most loved, and you just simply want to follow your desire to smoke here are some tips to avoid getting fined or worst thrown into jail.

It is safe that you visit several clubs and lounges that are allowed and are not restricted for public smoking. But bear in mind that most of them are located in downtown Manhattan. Some bars offer a certain fee if you do not buy one from them and some requires a dress code too. This comes with an extra cost when you only want to smoke cigars and you happen to be outside the confines of your home. But visiting these places can prove to be rewarding too. While enjoying every puff of your cigar, you also get to enjoy the luxury of the place. From classic cocktails, light fare, low light and suits to leather couches and superb cuisines, you get to enjoy all of these in one setting. Most of these bars have great ventilation system that takes out the smoke and direct them out of the area.

You can also visit known retailer of high quality, first class handmade cigars in New York. You can find a lot of them in paper directories and online ads. Some stores in New York hold the finest cigars you can find and it will only depend on what particular flavor or brand you really want.