Cigar Libre

Image from Puff.com

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and we have a few unique ways for you cigar lovers to celebrate.

If you’re feeling festive, we recommend trying a candela cigar. Known for their moss green color, these are a perfect way to pay homage to the Irish holiday. Candelas are rolled at a higher temperature than most cigars, locking in the chlorophyll in the plant’s leaves, thus giving the wrappers a green tint. Once upon a time, candelas were the favored cigars of American smokers. In fact, the green candela wrappers were so popular they became known as the “American Market Selection” as opposed to the darker “English Market Selection” that dominates today. And while their popularity has dwindled over the years, these smokes are an inexpensive option and are a perfect way to sport some green.

Another way to enjoy a cigar this St. Patrick’s Day would be to pair it with a nice aged Irish whiskey. Depending on your price range, medium bodied smokes such as a San Cristobal or a Padron go great with a variety of malt whiskeys. Bushmills 21-Year-Old Single Malt Madeira Finish ($150 – $165) delivers sweet flavors such as vanilla, maple and toffee. Knappogue Castle 1994 Single Malt ($34) is a less expensive option that embodies more of a citrus palette. And always a safe bet — Jameson’s 18-Year-Old Master Selection ($65) — offers more flowery aromas like tea rose, spice and Sherry at a moderate price.

So forget the green beer this year. Try a candela cigar or an Irish Whiskey pairing and establish some of your own St. Patrick’s Day traditions.

Sources: StogieGuys.com, CigarAficionado.com, Puff.com

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

New Orleans is a city known for its fine cuisine, eccentric culture and boisterous celebrations. So it’s no shock that you’ll find plenty of places that not only allow cigar smoking, but encourage it.

And while it’s no Havana, New Orleans does produce its own, handcrafted cigars. The New Orleans Cigar Factory (415 Decatur St., 504-568-1003) is one such place where you’ll find rustic wooden booths, the aroma of just-lit cigars and a team of artisans perfecting freshly rolled blends of aged tobacco and spices. On-lookers can watch the entire cigar making process from the rolling table to the aging room to the walk-in humidor. And for those brand loyal aficionados, there are several other tobacconists in town that offer a wide selection of popular cigars, like Crescent City Cigar Shop (730 Orleans Ave., 504-522-4427) and JAI Bawani (729 St. Louis St., 504-586-0994) both of which are located in The French Quarter.

New Orleans is also filled with specialty cigar bars, lounges and eateries. Broussard’s Restaurant (819 Conti St., 504-581-3866), an 84-year-old Creole restaurant, prides itself with what the restaurant calls the “Three Fine C’s” – fine cognac, fine coffee and fine cigars. At Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse (716 Iberville St., 504-522-2267), you’ll enjoy a prime cut of meat and an extensive selection of cigars from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Jamaica. When you visit Nawlins Cigar & Coffee (635 Saint Ann St., 504-525-7003) you’ll find unique pairings of coffees, desserts and cigars. The owners claim it’s an experience that “pleases all of the senses.” And if your looking for an after dinner spot, Dos Jefes (5535 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-891-8500) offers drinks, smokes and live jazz music throughout the week.

So if you’re visiting the Big Easy this year for Mardi Gras, be sure to celebrate with your favorite cigar. After all, there’s no better time to indulge than right before Fat Tuesday.

Source: FrenchQuarter.com

Image Courtesy of sxc.hu

As smoking bans sweep the nation, some states are beginning to have regrets. Well, only as far as cigars are concerned.

Many cigar lounges and tobacco shops saw a drop in sales after the smoking bans were issued in recent years. As you can imagine, selling a cigar without allowing customers to try it first proved to be a challenge for most. Luckily, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize cigar lounges, as well as cigar and pipe smoking in tobacco shops. However, this good news comes with a hefty price tag. Under the proposal, cigar lounges and tobacco shops could be asked to fork up thousands of dollars for each endorsement that would allow smoking on the premises and some are even required to have their customers sign waivers. Despite these hurdles, lounge and shop owners are excited to have the option to allow smoking.

So if everything goes as planned, these cigar lounges and tobacco shops could prove to be a hot commodity. While most lounges do not sell food or alcohol, they’ll let you bring your own. And if cigar lounges are right up your alley, you might want to consider becoming a member. At clubs like New York City’s upscale Velvet Lounge (80 East 7th St., 212-533-5582), members pay a small fee to take advantage of product discounts and special offers. You can even keep your own humidor at the lounge so your stogies are fresh and ready to smoke once you arrive.

So, fellow cigar smokers, let’s cross our cigars in hope that this new bill is passed. Then it’s off to the lounge… the cigar lounge, that is.

Sources: MyNorthwest.com, VelvetCigars.com

Image Courtesy of sxc.hu

Like choosing the right tie or the perfect pair of shoes, it’s important to select the appropriate cigar for a given occasion. And when it comes to finding the right cigar, size can make all the difference. Celebratory events such as weddings, job promotions and even the birth of child are great opportunities to indulge in a good smoke. But since these events are filled with socializing, it’s hard to sit back and truly enjoy a cigar. For these types of occasions, we recommend a shorter cigar with a smaller ring gauge. These will burn faster and don’t necessarily need to be savored as long as their larger counterparts. For lengthy occasions, like Poker Night, vacation or even an after dinner smoke, you can enjoy a bigger cigar. These heavier stogies are constructed for slow, longer lasting enjoyment.

Size plays an important role in the flavor and strength of a cigar. Cigars are measured by length and ring gauge. The larger the ring size, the fuller and more complex flavor the cigar will have. It will also produce more smoke and usually takes longer to finish, allowing you to savor it more slowly. And exactly how does the ring size affect the flavor? The larger ring gauge allows cigar makers to blend and combine different types of leaves together allowing for a more complex aromas, textures and flavors. In addition, thicker cigars burn cooler, so the taste is less harsh.

Cigars are measured in inches. The ring gauge, or diameter of the cigar, is measured in 1/64 of an inch increments. So, a cigar that has a ring gauge of 43 means that it has a diameter of 43/64 of an inch. When you buy a cigar, you’ll notice there are two measurements, as cigar sizes are written as length x ring gauge. If you see 5×42, this means that particular cigar is 5” long and 42/64” in diameter. However, many popular brand cigar sizes appear as general descriptions as opposed to a numeric measurement. From smallest to largest, these general sizes include the Panatela, Robusto, Corona, Double Corona, Especial, Lonsdale and Churchill. The largest of classification of them all is called “Giant” for obvious reasons. The Giant style of cigar measures 9 inches in length with a ring size of 52!

So whether you’re at buddy’s 40^th birthday or relaxing on vacation in The Keys, there’s a perfectly sized cigar for any occasion. Happy smoking!

Sources: HardSmoke.com, FineTobacconist.com, TobaccoJunction.net

Las Vegas Convention Center, March 2 & 3, 2011

Roll on down to one of the Tobacco Industry’s biggest trade shows of the year.

Whether you’re looking to learn about new products, increase your customer base or simply gain recognition amongst other tobacco industry professionals, the Tobacco Plus Expo is the place to be come March. Filled with business and networking opportunities, this is one of the industry’s most popular trade shows for tobacco manufacturers and distributors who represent tobacco retail stores, tobacconists, convenience stores, wholesalers, importers/exporters, manufacturers, consultants and more.

This year’s exhibition takes place during the first week of March at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Events include a Charity Golf Tournament that benefits Cigar Rights of America, cigar blending demonstrations by Jose Blanco (Miami Cigar Master Blender) and a Premium Cigar Bar & Lounge in addition to the main show. There will also be several education sessions covering topics such as, “Turning Your Tobacco Business into a Profitable Brand” and “Cigars – A Perspective Seldom Seen.”

Join the more than two thousand people who attend this event each year. If you work in the tobacco industry, the Tobacco Plus Expo will help you gain invaluable product knowledge, make connections with others in the business and learn better marketing strategies that will increase your bottom line. So pack your bags, and your tobacco, because this event is only a few weeks away.

To learn more about the Tobacco Plus Expo and how to register, visit  www.tobaccoplusexpo.com

Sources: TobaccoPlusExpo.com

If you’re wondering what kind of romantic gesture to make this Valentine’s Day, we have some suggestions that are sure to please the cigar-loving man or woman in your life. Rich Perelman from Cigar Cyclopedia has compiled a great list of fine, premium cigars, most of which are reasonably priced, delivering a high quality smoke for any budget.

• A cigar named after Shakespeare’s famous lovers … Romeo y Julieta 1875 Deluxe No. 2
  What would a Valentine’s Day selection be without the brand named for Shakespeare’s famous lovers? Romeo y Julieta 1875 Deluxe No. 2. There are more than two dozen sizes of Romeos to choose from, but these 6-inch by 50-ring Dominican-made beauties are offered in elegant glass tubes that show off their perfect construction and gorgeous Ecuadorian-grown wrapper. The price is lovely, too: 10 cigars for just $57.50 plus local sales and tobacco taxes!
• A cigar for the “Head of the Family” … C.A.O. “The Sopranos” Sampler
  For those who appreciate their “head of the family,” try this four-cigar sampler of C.A.O.’s “The Sopranos” line, imported from Honduras. These are rich and powerful cigars offered in four shapes, known the Associate, Boss, Soldier and, of course, the Tony Soprano Signature model. About $58.00 plus local sales and tobacco taxes at better cigar shops nationwide.
• The man’s equivalent of a Valentine diamond … Diamond Crown Maximus No. 5
  For those who think diamonds are a girl’s best friend, this is the male counterpart. Made at the famous Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic, these are full-bodied but never harsh cigars of five inches and 50 ring gauge. They come in elegant, saddle-shaped chests of 20 for $179.99 plus local taxes, but give this only on the condition you get the box after he’s done with the cigars!
• A great cigar in a beautiful package… Gurkha Black Dragon Churchill
  The original edition of this line came in a camel’s bone chest and cost $115,000! These are 7-inch by 56-ring cigars made in Honduras, exquisitely constructed and full of flavor, but are more accessible at $254.00 per box of 20. Oh, yes, and be sure you get to keep the jet-black, lacquered box complete with piano hinges for your nightstand.
• A Valentine’s treasure … La Aurora Preferidos Treasure Sampler
  One of our favorite samplers, this is a true treasure from the Dominican Republic in which five different blends of the 5-inch by 54-ring La Aurora Preferidos perfecto (a cigar which comes to a point at both ends) are offered in five different colors of aluminum tubes: Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver and Platinum in a handsome, brooch-closure case. It retails for $67.99 plus local taxes.

Sources: About.com (Cigars), cigarcyclopedia.com

Swedish Match, one of the world’s largest cigar companies, announces that its Executive Vice President Lennart Freeman will be retiring after 30 years with the company this March. Freeman is currently President of the Lights Operating Units, and prior to that served as President of Swedish Match International (SMI).

If you’re not familiar with Mr. Freeman, then perhaps you’ve heard of some of his accomplishments throughout the tobacco industry. As the newly named VP for Swedish Match AB in 2005, Freeman oversaw the company’s global cigar business, which included General Cigar, the maker of some of the world’s biggest premium cigar brands, including Macanudo, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, Partagas and many others. In September 2009, Freeman successfully completed a major restructuring of that operating unit, resulting in the sale of the South African business to Philip Morris International. He was also a part of the team to successfully execute the merger of the cigar and pipe tobacco businesses with Scandinavian Tobacco Group in October, 2010, creating one of the largest cigar companies in the world.

Mr. Freeman, from all of the cigar lovers out there, we salute you – for the large global impact you’ve made on the world of premier tobacco products. Now, we hope you can sit back, relax and enjoy a nice cigar. You’ve earned it!

Sources: Swedish Match.com, cigaraficionado.com

In many ways, fine cigars are like a fine wine. They are natural, organic and sensitive to their environment and must exist in a carefully controlled combination of temperature and moisture. Appropriately so, you might be worried about your cigars drying out during the winter months. But don’t be. Even with low humidity levels this time of year, we have a few simple ways to keep those stogies fresh even in drier climates.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

In order to control the environment in which you store your cigars, you must own a humidor. This is a no brainer, but will inevitably keep your cigars from going stale. We suggest keeping your humidor close to a radiator in your home to help maintain a temperature as close to 70° as possible. Next, get a humistat. Depending on the size of your humidor and how many cigars you are storing at any given time, you may opt for a second humistat to provide just the right amount of humidity. Available at cigar shops or even music stores, these pocket sized humidifiers are a priceless safeguard in especially dry climates.

In addition to small humidifiers, we also recommend that you wipe the inside of your humidor with a moist washcloth using only distilled water as tap water could contain chlorine, minerals and other deposits that could prevent the humidifier from working. Do this every two or three weeks to achieve the best results.

Because humidors are often made overseas (China, the Philippines and Indonesia are the US’s main supplier of humidors), they’re constructed in countries with considerably high humidity levels. By the time a humidor reaches the drier climates of the US, the case can become warped as the wood begins to dry out. If the lid of your humidor begins to warp, you can try to refit it by adjusting the hinges. For a quick fix, try setting a heavy book on top of the case to heal seal the lid.

We suggest paying close attention to your cigars during the colder months, just to make sure they’re kept in a highly-controlled environment. It’s a small price to pay to keep your prized investments fresh and delicious all winter long.

Sources: oakbrooktobacco.com

So, Cigar Aficionado’s #1 cigar of 2010 is a Cohiba. Cuban. Go figure. I’m sure our readers won’t have any problem picking that up from their neighborhood tobacconist.

While their top 10 list was a hit or miss for most people, we’d like to take your focus off of all these “top shelf” premiums and remind you of all the great bargain cigars out there that deserve serious consideration.

“Bargain,” remember, is a relative term. If your daily commute to work involves a Ferrari or a Helicopter, a bargain might be $25 and up. If you’re like most of us, a bargain means a great smoke for under $10. And while some of you might think that a lower priced smoke means a lower quality one, you’d be surprised how often that’s not the case.

One way cigar makers cut cost is packaging. There are good cigars that live outside of the Spanish Cedar, so don’t be afraid of going down to the $3-$4 price point. There are bargains like C.A.O, Punch, Oliva, La Gloria Cubana, even Padrón and Rocky Patel—all are priced comfortably under $6. We’re especially fond of Casa Magna. At about $5 or $6, you’d be hard pressed to find a better smoke for the price.

You can’t always smoke the best of the best. Well, you can, but you’d be missing out. Exploring the full spectrum is what it’s all about—developing a palette and being able to appreciate those cigars that are worth every penny.

It looks like Spain is serious about keeping their New Year’s Resolution—no more smoking. Well, at least in tapas, restaurants, casinos, airports and other public spaces. There had been softer restrictions put in place a few years ago, giving restaurant owners a choice on whether or not to allow smoking, but that—and all the smoke—has gone out the window.

The ban was largely influenced by a government report that stated as many as 50,000 people die each year in Spain due to smoke-related deaths, 1,200 of those from secondhand smoke.
Violators of the new ban will be fined 30 euros ($40 U.S.) for first time offenses and up to 100,000 euros ($133,000 U.S.) after your third strike. And though we’ve seen restaurants in the U.S. foot the bill so their customers can enjoy a smoke—we doubt they will in Spain—being fined anywhere between 60–100,000 euros per violation.

Many restaurant owners aren’t happy, feeling this will make a bad economy worse; they expect a 10% drop in business, as well as thousands of workers being laid off. Some owners are petitioning in hopes the ban will be lifted, allowing a cultural tradition to remain. Others aren’t as worried after seeing similar bans in other European countries such as France and Italy without any long-term damage.

Even though 70% of Spain’s population doesn’t smoke, they are the world’s largest consumer of Cuban cigars.