Archive for the ‘Cigars’ Category

Saving Time During Christmas

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

1223568_clockMany cigar products are available pre-wrapped, to save you time and trouble during the busiest season of the year. Some singles are packed in a cigar carrier which is then slipped into a velvet pouch, while samplers and boxes are usually wrapped with a nice bow on top.

If you want to give handmade cigars as a Christmas gift, you might want to know what makes a good cigar. The basic components are the fill tobacco, the inner wrap, and the outer wrap. The higher quality the ingredients are, the finer the cigar. Hand rolled cigars are usually more expensive than machine rolled. Consistency between the cigars in the box, a nice, tight wrapper with an even spiral pattern, and a fresh feel in the hand are all qualities to examine.

Excellent selections are available online, as well as from your local tobacconist. No matter where you shop, you can expect knowledgeable help to select precisely the right item. Many online sites have a frequently asked questions area that may give just the answer you need, and almost all will respond to an email promptly.

And don’t eliminate the women on your list, either. In recent years, female cigar smokers have been increasing dramatically. And whether you need to shop for a man or woman, novice or long-time smoker, you can find just what you’re seeking to give a cigar as a Christmas gift.

Torpedo Cigars Part 2

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

torpedo-2Torpedoes are more difficult to roll—and therefore normally more expensive—better quality tobacco is usually incorporated in their manufacture. (As a side note, hand-rolled cigars generally contain better ingredients throughout. Many machine rolled brands use a homogenized mix for filler and, on occasion, for the wrapper as well.)

A quality cigar can be identified by certain characteristics, and torpedo cigars is no exception. When viewing a box, the buyer should look for a consistency in size and color among the layer, although certain differences may be noted between boxes. The spiral wrapper should be even and smooth, and wound to the proper tautness. The protective wrap should be intact, and the cigar should not feel dry or brittle to the touch, nor crackle excessively when rolled lightly between the fingers.

Refillable lighters should not be used to light a cigar, since the lighter fluid can impart a taste that diminishes the flavor of the smoke. Disposable butane lighters do not have the same problem.

And finally,  torpedo cigars should be stored just like any fine cigar. A humidor is preferred, unless the cigar is going to be smoked very soon.

About Torpedo Cigars Part 1

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

torpedoTorpedo cigar are simply one that has a specific shape. Traditional handmade cigars, referred to as parejos (or sometimes coronas) are roughly the same size from one end to the other. These are typical of the hand rolled cigars seen in photographs of Winston Churchill or George Burns. Many cigar smokers, however, do not like the fat tip on a parejo. The size may cause discomfort in the mouth, and, many feel, the flavor is also affected.

Cigar manufacturers in the mid 1800’s began making products that have a pointed tip. A torpedo cigar is one of the types classified as figurados. Originally, torpedo cigars was one which was pointed at both ends and bulged slightly in the middle. Although some manufacturers still maintain these qualities, it is more common to find a torpedo that lacks the bulge, tapers to a relatively sharp point, and has a broad foot.

Even among experienced cigar smokers, the terms “torpedo” and “pyramid” are often used interchangeably. However, a true pyramid has a larger tip and a broader foot than a torpedo. A pyramid tapers along its entire length, while a torpedo cigar tapers during the last inch or two. Pyramid cigars are generally about 7” in length, while most torpedoes are closer to 6-1/2” long. And while the ring gauge of a pyramid can vary, it is usually larger than a torpedo cigar’s 52.

A torpedo cigar is a term that merely defines the shape. It does not impart any information on the quality of the fill leaf, the wrapper, or the manufacturing process used. They can be hand-rolled or machine made, the filler can be high quality or low, and the wrapper can also vary. The quality of the tobacco used for fill and leaf plays an important part in the smoothness of the smoke, as well as how pleasant (or unpleasant) the aroma is to others.

Organic Tabacco

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

500px-usda_organic_sealsvgThe flavor of tobacco is greatly influenced by the type of soil in which it is grown. Organic tobacco is cultivated in a truly natural way, without using any insecticides or fertilizers. Only biological fertilizers and pesticides are used in the nurturing process. Pests are controlled by natural methods. The price of organic tobacco is almost double the price of the conventional tobacco. It has to be mentioned that the yield of tobacco produced naturally will be less than half the amount when compared to the conventional tobacco farming. Still, natural tobacco production is a good option for the farmers with less cultivable land.
The tobacco grown naturally can be harvested either by priming or stalk cutting. In priming, the leaves are plucked as they reach the prime. The collected leaves are placed loosely somewhere or just hung to get ready for curing. The stalks are cut and split for drying in stalk cutting method. The plants are placed on big planks for curing.
Curing of the tobacco makes it ready for consumption. It takes one or two months to complete the air curing process. In flue curing, the leaves are exposed to high temperatures in the early stages itself so that their color lightens. Fire curing is done after a few days of drying. This alters the flavor of the tobacco leaves.
In natural farming of tobacco, the efforts put by the farmers allow them to reap great profits. But due to the paucity of people who have a good knowledge of the methodology to cultivate organic tobacco and the considerable effort they need to put in, production rates are fairly less.

Christmas Cigars

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

1117848_red_ribbonWhen it comes to finding a unique present for everyone on your list, ideas can dry up quickly. One solution that may not have occurred to you is to give hand rolled cigars as a Christmas gift. You can provide an extra-special treat or a two month supply, and often find your gift includes an accessory item sure to be appreciated by any cigar smoker.

The most expensive handmade cigars can reach more than $700 for a single cigar. While no doubt any cigar smoker would be ecstatic over such a luxurious indulgence, you needn’t spend that much to provide a quality smoke for the cigar aficionado on your list. The fact is, you can find one no matter what your budget, and for many, a single high-end cigar is more desirable than a box of smokes from the drugstore.

If you would like to give a cigar as a Christmas gift, you might also consider a sampler. These vary from a half-dozen to a couple of dozen handmade cigars, usually (but not always) variations of the same style or brand. These offer a great chance for experimenting with different smokes and frees the cigar smoker from having to choose between the many varieties available. Most often these are in beautiful boxes, although some are packaged in humidors.

Cigar accessories are also sure to be appreciated, especially since they are available with either single cigars or multi-packs. Ash trays, cutters, and cigar lighters are just a few of the choices available. Humidors for storing hand rolled cigars at home, and individual cases for travel, are also popular items.

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.

Men and Cigars

Monday, November 30th, 2009

smokingIs it just me or is it all women who swoon at the sight of men smoking cigars? What is about them that immediately catches your eye? Why do you instantly think, he must be a rich guy? Read on to find out the mysteries of the men who smoke cigars unveiled right before your eyes.

Men who smoke handmade cigars yield power and wealth, or at least seem like they do. This may be a case of television influence but it is true that men who smoke cigars don’t do it in rowdy jeans and torn shirts. They are almost always richly clad in a suit or a tuxedo. They have a sense of class about them and are surrounded by like-minded men.

The cigar smoking man oozes with confidence, the way he picks out his cigar, smells it, nips it at the end and lights up, all very confidently and confidence spells sexy to most women out there. Men who smoke handrolled cigars treat the whole process as a carefully thought out series of synchronized moves that can only be attempted by a very confident man.

Men who smoke cigars belong to a group of elite men. There are special cigar clubs and cigar rooms in exclusive hotels and men’s clubs. It is almost treated as a cult or a religion that one joins and not everyone can join this elite group. Only a selected few are even capable and exceptional enough to align themselves with this elite group.

The act of smoking a cigar itself is a symbol of a valiant maneuver. You can almost imagine the men who ease into their sofa chairs to smoke a cigar have just returned from some brave conquering of another soul. They smoke with their heads held high and with a gallant disposition.

Smoking handmade cigars is like shaving. It’s one of those manly acts that separates the men from the boys. I don’t think watching a kid smoke a cigar would be quite as intriguing as watching a man smoke it. As I said it’s like shaving, if you don’t have the hair, then the blade will just cut through your skin. With cigars, if you haven’t matured to that level, then all that’s going to come out is a serious bout of coughing.

We can identify many famous men who are recognized with a cigar in their mouths. Some of them are Winston Churchill, statesman and orator, past prime minister of the United Kingdom, Bill Clinton, past president of the United States, George Burns, American actor extraordinaire and even JayZ, famous hip hop artist and successful businessman.

TV Personalities who we can immediately recall to mind when we think of men who smoke handmade cigars are the men of the hit series, The Sopranos (what is it about Mafias with cigars in their mouths?) and of course Tom Selleck of Magnum P.I.

So there you have it, mysteries of the men who smoke cigars unveiled. Hopefully they won’t pose a mystery any longer and yes, you can go up to them and speak. Whether they will reply or not, I cannot promise!

The Basics of Cigars

Monday, November 30th, 2009

booksTypical hand rolled cigars are composed of fillers, binders and a wrapper. Out of these, the filler gives the cigar its distinctive flavor. The quality of the filler varies in different handmade cigars. Long filler gives the best flavor and it contains mainly tobacco leaves rolled together. Short fillers contain other parts of the tobacco plant as well, giving a mixed flavor. The binders are mainly elastic leaves that keep the fillers together.

Wrappers are made of wide tobacco leaves and they confer the aroma to the cigars. A good wrapper must be oily and thick with a smooth texture. They come in various colors with the darkest being the strongest. Light brown colored hand rolled cigars are ideal for the starters as they are milder than the dark colored ones.

If you wish to enjoy cigar smoking by using the premium quality cigars, then the hand made cigars are ideal for you. Leaves for hand made cigars are picked and rolled by the cigar makers with care. As the leaves are of the superior quality, you will get the flavor of high quality tobacco. Machine made cigars, on the other hand, contain several other ingredients. Moreover, the particles are small so that it will bun rapidly.

Different brands of cigars come in varying lengths anywhere between four and eight inches. The length you select must be based on your needs. The longer you would like the cigar to last, the longer one you may choose. Thick and thin cigars again give the beginner the trouble of choosing the correct size. Thin cigars with light flavor will be ideal for the beginners. As you become used to smoking, you can try thicker ones with stronger flavors and blends. Within a short span of time, you will be used to the various flavors making you capable of selecting your special brand.

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.

Don’ts of Smoking Cigars

Monday, November 30th, 2009

dontsNever ask someone for a lighter to light your cigar. Remember the art form, lighting a cigar is an experience one should go through for themselves. Don’t do it too slowly or too fast. Again relating back to the courteous behavior of the cigar smoker, it’s all a distinguished display.
Never use a cigar holder. It is unbecoming and generally not used by the cigar masters. It is just an accessory designed to make some extra money off the cigar smokers. Real cigar smokers will not disgrace themselves that way.
You should never smoke a cigar while working. Remember handmade cigars are for winding down and not for playing around. Given that it is an evening pastime for men after their wining and dining, hand rolled cigars are generally not smoked in a work setting.
You never snuff out a cigar. You let it burn off on its own. It will usually go out on its own after you have smoked it halfway. You never keep the un-smoked portion of the cigar. Also disposing a cigar is always done discreetly and in the right manner.
You should never relight a cigar if there’s less than one quarter of it left. Cigar smoking is an act of pride and abundance. You cannot consider wastage when it comes to cigars.
To summarize, smoking a cigar is a kind of culture you need to adapt into to be fully acclaimed as a cigar smoker. It is not for the weak minded and if you think, you can get away with inadequacy then you might as well smoke alone or better still stick to cigarettes.
I didn’t make the above up. Zino Davidoff actually created a set of guidelines for cigar smokers to follow way back in 1967 and up till now, these guidelines are adhered to religiously by cigar smokers all over the world.