Father’s Day is just around the corner and there are plenty of ways to help your cigar-lovin’ pops celebrate his big day. Obviously, a pack of his favorite brand of smokes is an ideal gift. However, if you’d like to give your father something a little more unique, we recommend checking out some of Xikar’s cigar accessories. Xikar, known for their exquisite cutlery, sells well-designed, superior performance cigar accessories such as cutter, lighters and cases, perfect for any type of cigar smoker. They also offer a wide range of products including apparel, ashtrays, corkscrews, humidification systems, key chains, money clips, pens and more. In addition, Xikar provides pre-packaged gift sets, complete with a travel case, a cutter, a lighter and several cigars. That’s right, Xikar even makes its own brand of cigar! Check out Xikar’s Catalog, and this Father’s Day, be sure to spoil your dad with a slew of smoking accessories.

Source: Xikar.com

Image from sxc.hu

Memorial Day not only represents the great sacrifice that our country’s armed forces have made, but it also stands to honor our great American heritage. Many folks celebrate by getting together with friends and family for an outdoor picnic, or better yet, a barbecue. That’s right. The weather is finally getting warm and it’s the perfect time to stock up on brisket, burgers and beer.

And we all know a backyard barbecue isn’t complete without your favorite smoke. The Ashton ESG is an excellent choice when grilling out. The complex flavors in this strong, robust cigar include pepper, leather and wood, making it a perfect match for a char-grilled piece of meat. However, depending on your palate, you might prefer a cigar with a sweeter taste, such as the Davidoff Grand Cru No. 5 with a rich, full-bodied blend of tobacco. If you’re looking for something a little less expensive, a St. Luis Rey offers a perfect spicy pairing while a La Traviata Maduro is a delectable sweet choice with hints of rich cocoa.

Savory meat, an ice cold beverage and a few stogies… it’s all you really need to kick off the summer. Now, just get a few friends together and you’ll have yourself a pretty nice Memorial Day celebration.

Sources: CigarsandGrilling.com

Completing a successful mission with your fellow commanders? That calls for a celebratory cigar. Bringing down the World’s Most-Wanted terrorist leader? That calls for a Gurkha. According to reports, Kaizad Hansotia, owner of Gurkha Cigars, graciously sent a package of Gurkha Grand Reserves to the U.S. Special Forces Team, SEAL Team 6, who killed Osama bin Laden. Gurkha has been known more recently as the world’s most expensive cigar, pricing this hand-rolled tobacco for more than $150,000 a box! As you can imagine due to their high costs, these extremely luxurious, premium cigars are usually saved for a very special occasion. Well, we think it’s safe to say that this significant victory in the war on terror is certainly one of those occasions.

Sources: PRNewswire.com

Image Courtesy of SXC.HU

While the rest of America is busy banning smoking in almost every kind of social establishment, the golf course remains one of the few cigar friendly environments. And very few people see this changing as most golfers argue that “smoking cigars and playing golf go hand in hand.”

Golf is a sport of patience. Unlike a 90-minute soccer game, a round of 18-holes can take an entire afternoon to complete. With that being said, this leaves ample time to enjoy a rather stout cigar, such as a Churchill. And while it won’t improve your golf game, we’ve provided a few tips on how to enjoy a cigar out on the golf course.

First, we recommend choosing a less-expensive, medium-bodied cigar. Your concentration on your swing could distract from fully enjoying a higher-end cigar. Gispert Lonsdales and Rocky Patels are some favorite inexpensive options as we suggest saving the Cohibas for a special occasion. Next, pack at least 3 cigars. Experts recommend one cigar for every nine holes of golf. But we say, why not throw in the third for good measure? You know, just in case of emergencies. There are plenty of travel-sized humidors to store your stogies, but a Ziploc bag with a travel-sized humidipak will also suffice. We also suggest a torch lighter, as the breeze out on the course might make lighting your cigar more of a challenge.

Now it’s time to enjoy your cigar. But where is the best place to stash your stogie when it’s your turn to tee off? A friend recently told us that he continues puffing on his cigar even while he swings claiming that holding the cigar in his mouth forces him to keep his head down (a technique that helps improve one’s golf swing). However, if you’d rather not multitask, many golfers will place their still-lit cigar in a cigar minder or on a clip-on cigar holder that attaches to your golf bag, like this one sold on FamousSmoke.com.

Golf and cigars are the perfect match. Even if you can’t make it out to the course, cigars are just as enjoyable while you’re in the clubhouse watching a golf tournament like the Masters, the US Open or the PGA Championship. So light up a nice Robusto, order an Arnold Palmer and cross your fingers for an Eagle on the Par Four.

Sources: StogieGuys.com, OobGolf.com, FamousSmoke.com, About.com

Cuban cigar maker Jose Castelar Cairo currently holds four Guinness World Records and is going for a fifth record for rolling the world’s longest handmade cigar. On Monday, April 25th, Castelar, also known as Cueto, began rolling his largest cigar to date, attempting to assemble a 70-meter (approximately 230 feet) cigar before noon on May 3rd. Stationed at the Morro-Cabaña Park in Havana, Castelar and his assistants are working around the clock to complete the task.

Jose Castelar, who began rolling cigars at the age of 5, set his first world record in 2000, rolling a cigar that measured 11.04 meters. He then went on to beat his own records in 2003, 2005 and 2008, most recently rolling a cigar that was 45.11 meters long. In 2009, Honduran Cigar Manufacturers Wallace & Margaritas Reyes, whose cigar measured a staggering 59.82 meters, broke Castelar’s record. Even with the competition, Castelar continues in his quest. “I’m going to continue until I do one that is the length of the Malecon” said Castelar, referring to Havana’s famous 10-kilometer (six-mile) seafront promenade.

If you’re ever in Cuba, you can see some of Jose Castelar Cairo’s prized cigars on display in La Triada, located at the entrance of the ancient fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña. It’s an accomplishment that Cuba holds dear and continues to promote as people from all over the world come to witness this exceptional cigar-roller and his masterpieces.

Sources: Solvision.com, WorldRecordsAcademy.com, WorldsLongestCigar.com

Looking for a unique place to house your stogies with just the right amount of vintage charm? If so, you might be interested in purchasing an antique humidor. Most antique humidors have unique embellishments such as tarnished brass hardware, skeleton key locks and chrome face plates that increase their value and appeal. Some are even hand painted or engraved truly making them a rare find. And while antique humidors are readily available online, they’re often expensive. In fact, you can usually get great deals on old humidors at thrift stores, antique malls and even estate sales.

It’s also relatively easy to find humidor manufacturers, such as Heirloom Humidors, who will restore an old humidor to its proper working condition. In order to refurbish these individual pieces, manufacturers start by removing all of the hinges and hardware. If the humidor needs refinishing, they then strip, clean, stain and lacquer the outside of the box. Most vintage humidors are lined with tin, copper or porcelain which must be replaced with a Spanish cedar lining on the top, bottom and all sides of the box. Finally, the humidor is fitted with an appropriate humidifier and hygrometer depending on the size.

An antique humidor is a great collector’s item and can serve as a nice accent piece in any home or office. And although they can be aesthetically pleasing, it’s most important to make sure that an older humidor is functioning properly in order to protect your precious cigar investments.

Heirloom Humidors: http://www.heirloomhumidors.com/vintage0.html

Are you looking for an excuse to get away this spring? Well, we’ve got the perfect destination for cigar lovers. The 2^nd Annual Nicaraguan Cigar Festival is going on April 5^th through 8^th. The festival highlights many of the country’s fascinating cities, cultural traditions and of course, first class tobacco. In addition to exploring Nicaragua’s national parks and lakes, festival goers will also get a chance to walk through the rich soils of local tobacco farms and visit the area’s premium cigar factories.

Spend your Spring Break at the Sensaciones de Mi Tierra! It’s not too late to get your Nicaraguan Cigar Festival “Sensations of My Country” Package that includes the following:

• The exclusive ANP Collector’s Edition Cigar Box 2011 that includes a mix of 22 cigars manufactured by all our members
• Premium cigars throughout your journey in Nicaragua
• Welcome cocktail at the VIP  Managua Airport lounge upon arrival
• Transportation to all hotels, cities & events
• National Park Volcán Masaya Tour
• Granada City tour and boat ride
• Farm & Factory tours
• All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinners)
• Admission to all events
• 2 hotel nights in Estelí

Visit NicaraguanCigarFestival.com for more information.

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

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