CigarAdvisor

The Cigar Advisor cigar blog has moved

2010-04-30T16:22:00.012-04:00

Dear Faithful Readers,

The Cigar Advisor blog has moved. You can now find my blogs by going directly to the CigarAdvisor.com blog page.

Additionally, the weekly Cigar Advisor poll has moved there, too. You can find it by visiting the CigarAdvisor.com home page.

It's been fun posting here, but I think you'll find this a change for the better.

Please also join us on our Cigar Advisor Facebook page, where you'll find even more articles, pictures, and comments about the wonderful world and enjoyment of premium cigars from our fans.

Please update your bookmarks accordingly, and thank you for staying with us.

Yours truly,
Gary Korb
Content Editor, CigarAdvisor.com

My Weekend Cigar: Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature

2010-04-26T17:27:00.009-04:00

I picked up a 5-pack of Hemingway Signature cigars several years ago, smoked three of them, and placed the remaining two in one of my humidors. Yesterday, while searching for something to smoke, I wound up digging a little deeper than usual and voila!, there they were. It's been way too long, I thought, so off we went to the comfy chair with a mug of coffee and watched the ballgame.

This is one of my all-time favorite cigars and it did not disappoint. The Cameroon wrapper had darkened some and the cigar was well-packed. Although I would categorize the Hemingway Signature as "mild," by the last couple of inches it was stoking pretty well up in the medium-body range.

Upon lighting there's that marvelous shot of sweet tobacco that rides along an effortless draw. Living up to it's "perfecto" shape classification, the burn was clean, and the balance was dead center.

This is not a complex cigar, but it is amazingly consistent. The smoke offers a creamy base of sweet wood with a prevalent nutmeg flavor and a wonderful aroma. I also like its 6" x 47 dimensions, which are similar to another one of my favorite Arturo Fuente cigars, the 8-5-8 Flor Fina. (Try 'em in the Maduro!)

A good friend of mine once told me how much he enjoys the Hemingway Signature in the morning. I agree, and it really pairs well with coffee, too. But these cigars are great just about any time. Moreover, if you're just getting into smoking premium cigars, I recommend this cigar as a special treat. You'll see what I mean.

One last thing I noticed that some of you more experienced readers may already know. When I got down to those last couple of inches I let the cigar rest a little longer than usual. This allows the cigar to cool down and it helped keep it from becoming bitter, making it all that more enjoyable.

Try to make sure you always have a few Hemingway cigars in your collection. Considering their pedigree and popularity, the prices are pretty reasonable.

~ Gary Korb

Exploding cigar theory: Why some cigar wrappers split on you

2010-04-23T11:25:00.006-04:00

I received a recent email from a reader asking, "What causes the wrapper to crack about an inch above the burn after I smoke half of it?" Although, thankfully, it doesn't happen on all cigars, if you're an avid cigar smoker, this has probably happened to you every so often.

One of the causes of this phenomenon is usually due to extra moisture in the cigar, which can result from having a higher than usual relative humidity in your cigar humidor, say, 72-75% or higher.

When the soup heats up the steam has nowhere to go but through the seams in the wrapper leaf, which, in turn, causes it to crack or split.

Another cause of wrapper splitting is drawing too often and/or too hard on your cigars. By doing so, you create more juices in the pipe and get the same results. A symptom related to this is a poor draw, which will cause you to draw harder on the cigar. In these cases, try using a cigar poker in the head and foot to loosen up the cause. If you're smoking a figurado (a tapered or pointed head cigar), it may help to shave a little more off the head.

Suffice it to say, by keeping your humidor at an average of 68% RH in a range of 65% - 70%, you can help keep the moisture level in your cigars at bay and avoid smoking an "exploding" cigar.

~ G.K.

Meanwhile...the Cuban cigar debate rages on

2010-04-21T08:17:00.005-04:00

Recently I befriended a BOTL who, to say the least, is very passionate about cigars. As a result, we've had some great email exchanges over the past month. During a recent conversation about comparing Nicaraguan cigars to Cuban cigars, he offered the following opinion:

The new smokes coming out of Cuba are pretty frickin' great. The one thing they have over many Nicaraguans is a super harmonious blend. In a good Cuban cigar, all the flavor elements melt together like butter. Some Nics come close, like the El Centurion, LFD Double Press, Perdomo Cuban Parejo, Lot 23 and Champagne, Illusione, (but with a very Nic/Honduran flavor), and others.

I'm not saying Cubans are better than Nics, because that's a generalization that doesn't hold up. Some Cuban cigars are great while others suck, and the same goes for Nics. My current favorite cigar is the El Centurion, a Nic. Last night I smoked a [Cuban] RyJ Small Churchill. It was rated by CA (I don't often agree with their ratings) at 93 (I think). I didn't like it at all. That blend had little harmony to it. But the [Cuban] Hoyo de Monterrey and the Diplomatico have mouthwatering blends. It's funny how two cigars that use virtually the same tobacco can be so different. Well, not different in the sense that all Cubans share a common flavor component, but that the blends make it or break it for me.

Bottom line is, I'm not endorsing Cubans over Nicaraguans, just suggesting you try a great cigar that happens to be Cuban.

* * *

Actually, I have had many excellent Cuban cigars. Thing is, 1) I'm quite satisfied with the cigars coming out of other countries - there are still plenty of those I haven't gotten around to smoking yet - and 2) I'm just not willing to pay the Cuban prices.

Looking at it from the state of the industry, I believe the Cubans once did and in many cases still do produce some phenomenal cigars. Cuba may have set the standard for cigars as France has done for wines, but competitively speaking, they've pretty much all but lost the race.

That said, let's rewind a generation or two. Thanks to Fidel Castro, some of the best cigar producing families left the island. Add to that the imbecilic embargo. Now, give the Cuban emigrants in Nicaragua, The Dominican, and Honduras time enough to cultivate the land, develop great tobacco and, this may sound like a stretch, but if you think about it, Cubans are still making great cigars - just not in Cuba. (Also, conspicuous by its absence, my friend above neglected to mention Padron cigars.)

On the other hand, no ardent cigar smoker should be denied the experience of being able to smoke a good cigar regardless of it's origin. The best thing that could happen to both Cuba and the cigar business would be dropping the embargo.

~ G.K.

Cigars: The gifts that keep on giving

2010-04-12T12:17:00.011-04:00

I recently made a new friend online who has been sharing his cigar smoking experiences with me. He's been writing to me, asking if I smoked this cigar or that cigar, and in some cases I've answered "no." So, in his enthusiasm for me to share his experience with these cigars he offered to send me some. This is not the first time this has happened, but it's happened often enough that I felt it was finally time to touch upon this subject. Certainly, many of you reading this can relate.

About two weeks ago his package arrived and the cigars were very enjoyable. In return, I will be sending him a little care package from my stash.

What I'm driving at is, part of the overall experience of enjoying premium cigars is the willingness to share, so I came up with a new rule:

When a cigar smoker is offered good cigars from a fellow cigar smoker, he should gladly accept, and is ethically obligated to reciprocate.

Not only have I seen examples of this practice on the cigar community websites, but here in the office, when someone buys a box of cigars or a box of samples comes in, we usually share the wealth or make a trade, especially if someone hasn't had that particular cigar. Even in the cigar store, when someone wins a box of cigars during an event, the winner will often share his good fortune with the other patrons.

We recently hired a new employee who, before getting the job didn't smoke cigars on a regular basis, and I look forward to seeing the smile on his face when he tells me, "Hey, that cigar was really nice."

There's nothing more satisfying than turning someone on to something you enjoy, and so much the better when your opinions of the cigar are in-sync. But even when the giftee is not as gung-ho over the cigar as you, discussing why also makes for good conversation.

So, let's keep paying it forward, and in that spirit cigars will be always be the gifts that keep on giving.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Tabacos Baez Serie H Famosos

2010-03-29T12:17:00.006-04:00

John Gonzalez of El Rey De Los Habanos stopped by the Famous Smoke Shop retail store this weekend for an in-store event, and one of the featured cigars was their new Tabacos Baez Serie H cigars. Using a Nicaraguan Cuban seed filler & binder blend as found in the original Connecticut wrapper selection, this blend features a lush Habano wrapper leaf offering a similarly medium-bodied smoke without the spicy-peppery finish found in many of Don Pepin's signature cigars.

For this review I was fortunate to have smoked two of the Tabacos Baez Serie H Famosos, which are rolled a 5" x 50 Robusto shape, and I'm glad I did. The first, which I smoked Friday night after having already smoked three cigars prior, I found somewhat lacking and a lot spicier than advertised. However, all of its other attributes were on par, from the excellent rolling and draw, to the firm ash and burn. What really got my attention was the second Famosos I smoked the next day after giving my palate a well-needed rest (see photo).

The cap clipped off in a perfect circle and the pre-light had that appealing earthy-nutty "Padron-like" cold draw. When lit, the nutty flavor came right through with lots of creamy smoke.

I also have to laud this cigar for its consistency. Throughout the entire smoke the cigar remained in the medium-body range with a rich, nutty base. The Habano wrapper gives this cigar a more full-flavored character, and flavors of nuts, sweet spice, wood and earthiness were all perfectly balanced with a note of coffee bean in the mix. There was no pepperiness to be found anywhere in this sample.

The only negative was the second cigar had some burn issues due to some dark tobacco leaf that was rolled to one side. To its credit though, the cigar never turned bitter even after several touch-ups, and I smoked it down to the last inch.

Suffice it to say, for those who are still getting into premium cigars and curious about trying a Don Pepin cigar, I recommend they start with this particular Tabacos Baez blend. The Habano wrappers offer plenty of flavor while the smoke never becomes too strong or spicy.

Scores:
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 7
Aroma - 8
Flavor - 8
Balance - 9
Total Score: 8.4

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: La Flor Dominicana Air Bender

2010-03-22T16:36:00.009-04:00

This has got to be one of the most frustrating cigar reviews I've ever written.

First of all, I received two La Flor Dominicana Air Bender cigars from a co-worker that attended the ProCigar Festival last month in the Dominican Republic. Secondly, I'm not sure if the Air Bender I reviewed was the "Guerrero" at 6¼" x 54, or the "Maestro" at 5½" x 52, because my sample measured 6" x 52 which is somewhere between both of them. The band only says "Air Bender," so I can't say exactly which model the cigar actually was. Whatever, the blend is the same and the sizes are so close, for the purposes of this review it probably doesn't matter that much. Finally, as a big fan of La Flor Dominicana cigars, I was expecting something a lot different than what I experienced. So, with that long-winded preface behind me, let's get to the cigar.

The appearance of the Air Bender was stunning. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, which has been used on some other La Flor models, glistened with a dark, oily sheen. The all Dominican filler & binder tobaccos were perfectly packed from top to bottom. The cap clipped cleanly and the cold draw had a strong flavor of molasses with a little nutmeg in the mix.

Once lit, the smoke offered a redolent floral character, and the first few puffs had some peppery spice, but that faded quickly. The taste, however, was bittersweet with a spicy, caramel-like flavor squeaking in through the first inch. But as the cigar turned the corner into the second inch it faded to a bland, woody taste.

Time-out. I thought if I paired it with a sweet Port, that might help bring out some of the lost flavor. My friend Richard, who I smoked with on his deck yesterday, suggested Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine 2006 from Canada. I enjoyed it immensely, but it really didn't help the cigar improve.

By the middle of the second act I couldn't help but notice that one of the best attributes of this cigar was the ash (see photo). It held on for almost three inches before hitting the deck. At this point I was getting a weak, spicy-cedary flavor with some nuttiness on the finish. The only sweetness at all was coming from the wine. In the meantime, I kept remarking to Richard that the cigar had no flavor.

Suffice it to say, I smoked the cigar down to about an inch; after all, I didn't want to give up, but by the end I was utterly nonplussed.

To be fair, before writing this review I researched some other reviews of these cigars to see if I was crazy. Most commented on the early spiciness of the Air Bender, the caramel notes, the nutty-woody flavors, particularly in the last act, etc. However, I found a Stogie.com video review of the Air Bender "Matatan" (5"x 50) by Brian Hewitt and Rich Meade. Sho'nuf, Brian and I had the exact same experience (I believe he called the cigar "wishy-washy"), while Rich found a lot more flavors in his sample.

So, the jury's out until I smoke the second one. In the meantime, if you've already partaken, please share your La Flor Dominicana Air Bender experience with me by leaving a comment.

~ Gary Korb

Do it to me one more time: the "morning after" cigar

2010-03-19T09:40:00.008-04:00

In terms of the relationship they have with their smokers, cigars rarely get more than a one night stand. Of course, there are exceptions to everything, so, I decided to follow-up on a survey question I ran that asked, "Have you ever put down an unfinished cigar, then finished smoking it the next day?" Since the results were evenly split, I thought I'd give it a try and see how a good cigar would taste the morning after.

The first question was, what cigar do I use to put to the test? My criteria were, it had to be a fairly popular cigar, full-flavored, and somewhat on the pricey side. I decided to go with the Alec Bradley Tempus Genesis, a 5½" x 42 Corona which retails for about $6.25 a cigar.

I lit-up the cigar, and if you haven't had the pleasure, this is one helluva smoke. Everything was going perfectly - the flavor, aroma, the burn. At about the halfway point, regretfully, I let the cigar go out and left it in a saddle on the ashtray overnight.

The following day I picked up the cigar and it was still fairly supple. Instead of just relighting the cigar as-is, I carefully cleaned all of the ash out of the foot with a toothpick, so all that was left was some charred tobacco. I was tempted to clip the cigar back for some fresher tobacco but I thought that would be cheating.

I lit up, and to my surprise, the cigar picked up right where we left off. Not only were all the wonderful flavors and aromas still intact, the burn was as perfect as the night before, leaving a long, firm ash in its wake (see photo at left). I ended up smoking the cigar down to the last inch with no bitterness.

Conclusions: Was it the cigar? Did I just get lucky? I don't know, but I have to give credit to the fine construction of this cigar, and that would include the Honduran Trojes wrapper that's used for Tempus. I'm sure there are other cigars out there that hold up just as well. If you know of any from your own experience, please leave a comment. I don't know if I would make this practice a habit, but it was fun to see what would happen.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Cain F

2010-03-08T15:58:00.009-05:00

Sam Leccia, known for his groundbreaking nub cigars and Cain cigars, came by the Famous Smoke Shop retail store last Friday night for the weekly Happy Hour. I hadn't seen him since the IPCPR show in New Orleans last summer, and let me tell you, when Sam does an in-store cigar event, he goes all out. He doesn't do the fly-by meet n' greet; he sets up shop with his own rolling table, plays inspirational "rock 'n roll" music, and rolls cigars. (I have some related photos I'll be putting up on the Cigar Advisor Facebook page soon.) So let's get to the review of the Cain F which Sam was also promoting at the event.

As you may or may not know, the Oliva Cain cigars series are called a "straight ligero." This means that at least 75% of the filler core is Ligero, the strongest tobacco. If you remember my cigar reviews of the Cain Habano and Cain Maduro, they both scored 9.0 and 9.2 respectively. The Cain F however is a horse of a different color. And my god, what a horse. A powerful thoroughbred with plenty of speed and more impressive than the Maduro in many respects.

For starters, the Nicaraguan wrapper Sam uses on this 5" x 50 Robusto is flawlessly even in its dark brown color and beautifully oily. Underneath resides a blend of 25% Condega Ligero, 25% Jalapa Ligero, and 32% Esteli Ligero - a total of 82% Ligero - with the latter being the most potent of the trio. The binder is also a Nicaraguan leaf.

After clipping, the cigar drew very easily. It had a nutty-woody cold draw with some peppery elements. The thick Nicaraguan wrapper made the cigar a little chewier, too. Due to the unusually warm weekend I smoked my Cain F outside and I paired it with a glass of Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon. The berry and oaky flavors of the wine made a nice match, too.

Like its Cain brothers, once the F got going it was incredibly smooth. I tasted a very earthy smoke with dense, oak-like woody flavors, nuts, a smidgen of anise, and plenty of spice, but other than that note on the cold draw, it wasn't peppery. I even read a few Cain F reviews before writing this to compare notes. The other reviewers concurred it was very spicy in the peppery sense, especially in the first few puffs. I had a similar experience, however, although it turned out to be a very heady cigar, it wasn't continuously peppery, which turns me off.

Also impressive was the ash. The photo of the first ash really doesn't do it justice, because it hung on for two full inches before it crashed. The second ash held out for another inch-plus. I think I only ashed the cigar a total of three times.

Perhaps it was because I smoked it outside, but in addition to the woody, nutty and spicy flavors, lots of floral notes wafted about. (Has anyone else noticed this when smoking a cigar outside?)

In conclusion, simply amazing and highly recommended. If you like very heady and complex cigars, get a Cain F in your hands soon.

Scores
Appearance: 9
Construction: 10
Burn: 10
Draw 9
Flavor 9
Aroma 9
Balance: 9
Total Score: 9.2

~ Gary Korb

An inconvenient truth about my new cigar humidor

2010-03-02T17:15:00.039-05:00

A few weeks ago I posted a video on how to setup and season a new humidor. The humidor was a Bally IV glass top model; a decent, affordably-priced box. Since I recorded that video, the humidor has been keeping a consistent 68% RH and the cigars are in good shape.

During the video I commented that because the humidor had a glass top, the humidifier had to be placed on the bottom, rather than under the lid, which brings us to today's subject.

The stock humidifier for this humidor is a standard, large, rectangular green foam model. It sits in a block of Spanish cedar that has vents cut into both sides to allow the moist air to escape. (Note that the humidifier is only vented on one side.) The block is made to fit firmly between the front and back walls. You can place the humidifier anywhere along the bottom, but the logical place seems to be flush against either the right or left wall with the open side of the humidifier facing out towards the cigars. Put in the cigars, forget about it, and see you later. So far so good, right? (See above photo) Then what's wrong with that picture?

This brings us to the crux of this story which was due to either an oversight on my part, or to an oversight by the manufacturer. (The humidor comes with no set-up instructions.)

A few days ago it was time to check the humidifier. It was still pretty damp so I left it alone.

While I was in there, I decided to move a few cigars around. That's when I discovered the inconvenient truth. A rare La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurado which had been touching the housing was wet and swollen. The cigar above it, a Davidoff Special R was a little better, but very soft. This was totally unacceptable.

Once the sinking feeling in my gut subsided, the only solution I could think of was to reverse the position of the humidifier and point it towards the wall. But that presented the problem of getting the air to circulate. Therefore, the housing would have to be moved away from the wall to permit proper air flow. (See the open space in the non-shaded area at left.)

It cost me some space, but it seems this is the only logical way to place the humidifier in this type of situation without ruining your cigars.

What I want to know is, has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation and how did you deal with it?

~Gary Korb

P.S. Check out my video on how to setup and season a new cigar humidor.

My Weekend Cigar: Illusione "888 Necessary & Sufficient"

2010-02-22T16:35:00.013-05:00

You would think that a cigar smoker with all my industry connections and so-called "experience" would have smoked at least a few Dion Giolito Illusione cigars by now. However, I'm embarrassed to admit I never smoked one until this past Sunday, and I have my good pal and coworker Hayward Tenney to thank for it. He offered one of his Illusione "888 Necessary & Sufficient" to me in trade. In turn, I gave him a Winston Churchill "Marrakesh."

Before I write my glowing review, let me get the downside out of the way. Despite the wonderful flavor this cigar produced from its 6¾" foot down to the 1-inch nub, I had to do about six touch-ups. This surprised me since the draw was effortless and the packing was firm all the way up. I have to give this cigar the benefit of the doubt as it could have been a result of my office humidor, which for some reason has been showing average RH levels of 78% the past week or so.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the cigar: From the perfect cut of the cap, to the earthy pre-light draw, to the first few puffs, this cigar was dead-on delicious. The smoke was ultra-smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The flavors were primarily earthy and toasty with nutty accents, subtle spicy notes, and an appealing sweet tobacco taste on the tongue. Plus, despite all those touch-ups, the flavors never wavered which speaks volumes about the integrity of this cigar.

Since I'm now adding the Illusione "888 Necessary & Sufficient" cigars to my all-time favorites list, I'm now sorry I never took the time to meet and greet Mr. Giolito at last year's IPCPR show, or even at prior shows.

Thanks Dion, and thank YOU Hayward. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend.

If you'd like to chime-in on your Illusione cigar experiences, please do.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Avo Limited Edition LE2010

2010-02-15T17:00:00.010-05:00

Last week our good friend Tom Smith from Davidoff cigars stopped by to host a special sampling preview dinner for the upcoming Avo Limited Edition 2010 cigars. I didn't make it to the dinner, but Arthur did, and he saved a couple of unbanded samples for Hayward and me.

First, the back story: The Avo LE10 is advertised as a "Super-Robusto" format, rolled to 5½" x 55. The blend consists of unspecified full-bodied Ligero longfillers and a Mexican-grown Sumatra binder seamlessly rolled in a dark Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper.

Hayward got a head start on me and sent me his tasting notes. I hid them to prevent tainting my opinion and wrote the following review. Compare how our notes differed and you'll see just how subjective sampling cigars really is.

As is usually the case with Avo LE releases, the cigar was a sight to behold. The wrapper glistened with a dark, chocolately sheen that was especially oily and leathery. Held under the nose it offered an extra sweet grassy aroma.

The cap cut perfectly and I tasted a caramely-spicy flavor on the pre-light. The cigar was very fresh which made it little softer and chewier, too.

I paired the cigar with spring water. It lit-up nice and evenly. The first few puffs were a little grassy as some Avo cigars tend to be early on. The next few puffs had a hot shot of pepper in them. The smoke quickly smoothed out to a predominantly medium-bodied flavor with notes of black pepper and anise on the finish.

At about an inch-and-a-half the flavors and strength changed up dramatically. Still very creamy, but a more spicy-peppery flavor began seeping in. Shortly after that, woody flavors of sweet cedar and oak emerged. The grassiness was still lingering somewhere down in the mix.

Just passed the first third, this was one of the strongest Avos I've had in a while, even for this series. At the halfway point the smoke was starting to get into my nervous system; my hands were beginning to sweat and the smoke was still very peppery on the finish.

During the final act the smoke presented myriad wood, coffee, and cocoa notes, while remaining very peppery and potent. Several minutes after putting it down I felt it in my gut. It's been a while since a cigar did that to me.

Hayward's Notes
1st Third: Spicy, peppery beginning. Medium-bodied, slight woody undertone

2nd Third: Minty notes on the finish develop into rich, chocolaty flavors. Deep, earthy baseline. Pleasant, room-filling aroma of sweet, toasty coconut. Pepper dies down a little. Strength increases to medium-full plus. Complex as hell.

Last Third: Dark fruit notes, like cherry. Pepper is back. A whiff of ammonia is gone as quickly as it arrived, announcing the arrival of leathery notes. Full-bodied now, with thick, billowing smoke. Woody notes become very apparent.

And so it goes. If you love strong cigars look out for the Avo LE10's when they officially release on Avo's 84th birthday, March 22nd, 2010.

~ G.K.

My Weekend Cigar: Mi Barrio El Puro

2010-02-08T17:40:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, before heading to Famous Smoke Shop to watch the Superbowl, I decided to bring a special cigar with me for the occasion. It was a Mi Barrio El Puro that I received about two years ago when these scrumptious Don Jose Pepin Garcia-made cigars debuted. If this 7½" x 52 cigar was a football player it would be a linebacker. But rather than personify this cigar with corny metaphors, let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

Every now and then I come across what I call a "perfect cigar," and the Mi Barrio El Puro falls into that category. Everything about this cigar was so good it virtually justified the $250.99/box price. (If I ever hit the lottery, this will be one of my first purchases.)

The blend is composed of rare Nicaraguan Esteli and Jalapa tobaccos rolled in dark, oily Nicaraguan Habano wrappers. I can also see why these are made in limited edition. The appearance of the cigar is stunning enough; nary a spec of discoloration and packed to the gills with all that rich, dark tobacco.

Considering its size I was expecting this cigar to be a lot more potent, but it wasn't peppery-spicy like some of Pepin's more popular cigars. On the contrary, it was ultra-smooth, oozed gobs of thick, creamy smoke, and was surprisingly sweet. (Perhaps it was the extra two years of aging in my humidor.) Moreover, every puff was brimming with sweet, woody flavors; and I mean every puff, from end-to-end. Mixed in were some leathery notes, but all-in-all, a primarily sweet cigar.

The ash was firm and burned cleanly revealing a nice round cherry when tapped. The cigar also didn't have a chance to go out, so there was no relight issue. The aroma was also rich enough to break through the effluvium of all the other cigars in the room. Additionally, the balance never wavered off of dead center. Suffice it to say, this cigar didn't skip a beat from the start of the 2nd quarter of the game to well into the 4th.

I should also add that I paired the last third of the cigar with a glass of Ron Zacapa Centenario Rum, aged 23 yrs. Factor in the length of the cigar, the fullness of its smoke, plus the rum, and you could say I was feeling pretty good by the time I left the 1½-inch stub in the ashtray (see photo).

In closing, the Mi Barrio El Puro is going on my all-time best list. I can imagine that only the best Cuban cigars during Havana's golden age could rattle this cigar, and frankly I don't care. Viva that these cigars are legal, that's all.

All I can add is, like many cigars of this caliber, you really have to experience it for yourself to fully appreciate its splendor. If you've smoked any of the Mi Barrio cigars, please leave a comment, and feel free to mention your Superbowl cigar, too.

~ Gary Korb

What does Famous Smoke Shop have in common with the top 25 best cigars of the year?

2010-02-02T16:25:00.010-05:00

I can't take all the credit for this blog. Not only the idea, but the facts come courtesy of Famous Smoke Shop special projects manager, Jeff Brown, who came into my office last week with a copy of Cigar Aficionado's "Top 25 Cigars of the Year."

Jeff tosses the magazine on my desk and sits down. With his hands pressed together, he leans forward, turns toward me with an inquisitive look and asks, "What does Famous Smoke Shop have in common with these cigars?"

"I don't know, but you're going to tell me, right?"

"Of the three manufacturers who appear at least four times in the top 25, A. Fuente, My Father Cigars, and Raices Cubanas, two of them are making new cigars exclusively for us."

As I peruse the list, I see what he's talking about.

My Father Cigars, Inc. (Nos. 3, 6, 18, and 25): Home to Don Pepin Garcia Cigars, not only did My Father Cigars produce the Famous 70th Pvt. Sel. Anniversary by Garcia Family cigars, but they are also producing the new Maroma Fuerte, Siboney Reserve, and the soon to be released Famous Signature Series by Garcia.

Fabrica de Tobacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. (Nos. 16, 19, 21, and 22): They're making the soon to be released Famous Value Line Honduran #400, the next edition of Famous Smoke Shop's VSL (Viso/Seco/Ligero) series, and a new Bayamo cigars line.

But wait - there's more. You can't count out Plasencia's Segovia Cigar Factory in Nicaragua (Nos. 12 & 24). They already make dozens of cigars for Famous Smoke Shop including last year's Famous Pvt. Sel. 70th Anniversary by Plasencia cigars and Nesticos.

Then there's Tabacalera La Flor (No. 13), Litto Gomez's factory, which is also going to be making a Famous Signature Series cigar.

Finally, Rocky Patel's El Paraiso Factory took the No.8 spot. El Paraiso also produces Famous' Conuco cigars, Rocky Patel Rosado and American Market Selection cigars.

Still don't believe these house brands stack up to the better-known labels? You ought to try some of these cigars. As for the die-hard cynics, I wonder what cigar goes well with crow pot pie?

~ G.K.

My Weekend Cigar: Kinky Friedman "Kinkycristo"

2010-01-25T16:37:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I stopped by the Famous Smoke Shop cigar store to have a smoke and watch the first of the two NFL division championship football games. Before I head for the store, I go through this ridiculous process of choosing "what would be a good cigar for today?" I must inspect at least a dozen or more cigars from each of my three humidors until I've found the right one. Sometimes too much choice can be a problem.

Let's see: A big game. I'll need a fat, long-smoking cigar; something with a lot of flavor, but I'm not in the mood for a full-bodied cigar. Whoa! I forgot I had this gorgeous Kinky Friedman Kinkycristo, a 6 ¼" x 54 Torpedo modeled after the famous Montecristo No.2 cigars. The blend consists of a very delicate Honduran Habano wrapper rolled around Honduran and Nicaraguan longfiller tobaccos with a Costa Rican binder.

Unfortunately, the wrapper had a few little tears, probably from being moved around too much. Otherwise, the cigar seemed fine, so I plucked it out and off I went.

Once I got settled-in, the draw was effortless with a sweet, earthy, herbal pre-light flavor and the cigar lit-up well. I paired it with a bottle of Calypso Mango lemonade (my first bottle - and not bad, either).

The cigar produced plenty of thick, creamy smoke. The flavors were evident from the start: notes of nutmeg, almond, cocoa and coffee with an equally redolent aroma, like a big chewy candy bar.

I had some burn problems due to the tears in the wrapper, but I can't fault the cigar. Even so, each puff was delicious and smooth right down the the nub. Having come in just before the end of the first half of the Jets-Colts game, the cigar lasted the entire second half.

I've been a big fan of the Kinky Friedman cigars ever since they washed-up on our Famous Smoke Shop shores last year, and I can't recommend them highly enough. OK, they're a little pricey. But for a rich-tasting, complex, and quality-made smoke they're hard to beat, and well worth a try.

Although the Jets let me down, my Kinkycristo didn't.

~ G.K.

An allegorical glimpse of Haiti

2010-01-23T15:03:00.017-05:00

Today I want to digress from the usual cigars-oriented content.

Several months ago I began reading the "Memory of Fire" trilogy, Eduardo Galeano's fictionalized history of Latin America. Beginning with Columbus's discovery of what is now Haiti, year-by-year it meanders through five centuries of what might best be described as perpetual turmoil.

Although Mr. Galeano and I are worlds apart politically, I admire him as a writer. His ability to paint such vivid murals with a modicum of words is astounding to say the least. I began reading the book, 1) because I've always enjoyed reading South American authors, and 2) having met so many Latin American people in the cigar business over the years, I wanted to gain a better understanding of their cultural backgrounds and histories.

"Memory of Fire" is an intoxicating read, but due to its breadth, it's hard to explain. This excerpt from the Publisher's Weekly editorial on Amazon.com efficiently sums it up: "In this Uruguayan journalist's epic tapestry, stitched together from hundreds of historical cameos, the destinies of North and South America are darkly linked...As Galeano replays the obscenities and horrors of modern history, he lays bare the fractured soul of Latin America."

Written in short, pithy, and beautifully lyrical chapters or "scenes," Galeano jumps around a lot. One moment you're in Mexico, the next in Brazil, then Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Nicaragua etc., including the island nations of Cuba, The Dominican Republic and Haiti, which brings me to today's post.

A few days ago, I read the following chapter from the third volume, Century of the Wind, which covers the 20th century from 1900 to 1984. Although the scene takes place in 1943, from an allegorical perspective, it offers a menacing snapshot of Haiti today:

1943: Mount Rouis
A Little Grain of Salt
In a bar, surrounded by kids with bloated bellies and skeletal dogs, Hector Hyppolite paints gods with a brush of hens' feathers. Saint John the Baptist turns up in the evenings and helps him.

Hyppolite portrays the gods who paint through his hand. These Haitian gods, painted and painters, live simultaneously on earth and in heaven and hell: Capable of good and evil, they offer their children vengeance and solace.

Not all have come from Africa. Some were born here, like Baron Samedi, god of solemn stride, master of poisons and graves, his blackness enhanced by top hat and cane. That poison should kill and the dead rest in peace depends on Baron Samedi. He turns many dead into zombies and condemns them to slave labor.

Zombies -- dead people who walk or live ones who have lost their souls -- have a look of hopeless stupidity. But in no time they can escape and recover their lost lives, their stolen souls. One little gram of salt is enough to awaken them. And how could salt be lacking in the home of the slaves who defeated Napoleon and founded freedom in America?
© 1986 by Eduardo Galeano

Think about it.

~ G.K.

My Weekend Cigar: Rocky Patel 1961 Toro

2010-01-12T17:23:00.006-05:00

Last weekend I joined the regulars in the Famous Smoke Shop cigar store for a Rocky Patel Cigars event. One of the featured cigars was one of Rocky's latest creations, the 1961 series, which he introduced at IPCPR New Orleans last year. Rocky's production manager, Shawn Bussler was kind enough to treat me to a Rocky Patel 1961 Toro which weighs-in at 6" x 52. And it really has some weight, too, being very solidly packed, while allowing an easy draw.

The first thing you notice is the striking black, white and red two-piece band, but it's the dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that gives these cigars their panache. The aroma of the wrapper leaf alone is enough to make your mouth water.

The cap clipped-off easily and the pre-light flavor was sweet and spicy on the tongue. Looking at the foot you can see an ample amount of Ligero (the core is all Nicaraguan with an Honduran binder). It took a little longer to toast-up as a result, but once it got going that wonderful aroma revealed all of its redolent beauty.

The first few puffs were quite peppery (cayenne comes to mind) and earthy with a subtle nuttiness and sweet wood flavor on the finish. Now THIS is a full-bodied cigar.

During the second act, the pepper rounded out and more of the nutty-woody flavors began to take over with some leathery notes sneaking into the finish. The cigar remained pretty consistent into the last third building somewhat more in strength, so I strongly recommend you take your time with this cigar and let it smoke itself somewhat to prevent it from becoming too overpowering, or worse, bitter and tarry. It's very complex, and you'll want to savor every puff.

This is an ideal after-dinner cigar for relaxing with a long-aged single malt or even a sweet Port as a counterpoint to the spicy tobacco flavors. And here's a little cigar trivia for you: 1961 was the year Rocky was born, hence, the source of the name.

Highly recommended, especially if you've got a well-educated palate.

Scores:
Appearance - 10
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Aroma - 10
Flavor - 9
Balance - 9
Total Score: 9.2

~ G.K.

My Weekend Cigar: Famous Private Selection 70th Anniversary by Rocky Patel Robusto

2010-01-04T15:54:00.011-05:00

There was a lot of chatter on Facebook, the cigar community sites, Twitter, et. al. last week about what cigar smokers were going to smoke on New Years Eve, or New Years Day. Several customers in the store also asked me what I was planning on enjoying, and to my surprise, it wasn't the cigar I ended up smoking. Of course, if you read the title to this blog you already know, and to tell the truth, I don't know if I could've come up with anything better.

It all started at about 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, Dec. 31. One of my coworkers had just picked up a box of Famous Private Selection 70th Anniversary by Rocky Patel Robusto and was kind enough to hand me not one, but two! Interestingly enough, this is one of the few Famous 70th Anniversary cigars I had not smoked in its final version. That was reason enough to go for it.

Now I know there's always the risk of sounding like a shill when I review a cigar made expressly for Famous Smoke Shop, but damn if this wasn't one of the best cigars I smoked all year, and you can think whatever you like. (If I had smoked it sooner I probably would have mentioned it in Our Most Impressive Cigars of 2009 article.)

Rocky's cigars seem to improve year after year, and it looks like there's no ceiling in sight. This limited edition 70th Anniversary selection offers an extra-long-aged longfiller blend of various Nicaraguan tobaccos, a Honduran binder and a gorgeous Ecuadorian-grown Cuban seed wrapper leaf that adds a lot of flavor to this full-bodied blend. If that sounds a bit cryptic, blame Rocky; I think he wanted to keep the Famous 70th by Rocky Patel cigars blend in his designer suit pocket. Moreover, just today read the following applicable quote by Rocky in a recent online cigar review: "I don’t make a blend and give it to 10 people - I trust my palate and I know what I’m looking for." (Why am I not surprised?)

From the first puff this cigar was right in my wheelhouse. The smoke was intensely aromatic and flavorful; rife with earthiness, sweet spices (nutmeg, for sure) all underscored by a rich woodiness. Each puff was amazingly creamy, easy, and every bit as flavorful as the one before. The ash was very firm with a clean burn, too. I paired it with a glass of Tawny Port, which made a great match, as well.

I let the cigar rest between puffs. There was no way I wanted it to get tarry or bitter and it paid-off. Even by the last third the cigar remained smooth and creamy and glowing with caramelized flavors. If you like complex flavor, there's plenty here for you. I'll stop there, only to add that I hope your first cigar of the New Year was as enjoyable as was mine. Now I can't wait to try the other one.

Scores:
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Aroma - 9
Flavor - 9
Balance - 9
Total Score: 9.0

Feel free to chime in on your New Years cigar.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Davidoff L.E.'09 Especial Seleccíon 702 Toro

2009-12-29T12:08:00.015-05:00

I hope most of you had a chance to enjoy some special cigars on Christmas. I had to wait until the day after, but it was worth the wait. I received a sample of the Davidoff L.E. '09 702 Toro earlier this year, when they debuted. I figured there was no use waiting any longer to smoke it, and it did not disappoint. The 6 5/8" x 48 vitola sports a stunning, flawless and dark Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper that surrounds a perfectly balanced blend of Piloto Cubano, Olor and San Vicente Dominican tobaccos.

I smoked the cigar on Saturday with the regulars at the Famous Smoke Shop store: Gary, Mike, Bill W., Tony, Big Dave, Detective Jim, Keith, et. al. It was a pretty lousy day, too, as a relentless curtain of cold rain shrouded the Lehigh Valley. But spirits were high as we chatted, watched college football, and an old Sherlock Holmes movie. I paired my 702 with Sandeman Founders Reserve port.

Pre-light: As per, the cap clipped off in a perfect circle exposing just the right amount of head, which offered a smooth, easy draw. The draw was curiously complex. Sweet on the tongue with a notes of dark wood and very peppery, too.

First Act: The first few puff were smooth, creamy, peppery and medium-bodied with subtle notes of anise in the mix. The pepper and anise flavors quickly gave way to creamy flavors of sweet tobacco and cedar wood notes. The burn was clean with a semi-firm solid grey ash.

Second Act: The cigar remained consistent into the second half. Since the cigar was long, I let it rest a lot between puffs so it wouldn't get to tarry by the last third. The smoke was sweet, ultra-smooth and gained a bit in strength. The burn veered off-line a bit, but not enough to matter. Eventfully, it righted itself. The Port also offered a nice complement to the flavors in the cigar.

Third Act: In the last few inches the smoke had evolved to a full-bodied, complex buffet of sweet, woody flavors with subtle notes of raisins, cocoa and espresso on the finish. I was sure from the pre-light the smoke would be a lot more peppery overall, but such was not the case. I savored it down to about an inch-plus when I finally let it go after an hour an a half. (A couple of bitter puffs convinced me it was time to put it down.)

So are these cigars worth $26 a shot? As a special occasion cigar, perhaps, but I'd rather leave the jury out. However, due to its limited edition cigar status, it's probably worth the investment as a collector's item, and will surely age beautifully over time.

If you like the Davidoff Millennium Series, you'll probably enjoy the cigars in the Davidoff Limited Edition Series as well, and the 702 Toro in particular. Highly recommended.

Scores
Appearance - 10
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 8
Aroma - 9
Flavor - 9
Balance - 9
Total Score: 9.0

~ G.K.

The Smoke Before Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T15:50:00.008-05:00

It's time once again for my annual posting of "The Smoke Before Christmas," which I've updated with some new cigar brands. Enjoy, and I hope Santa gives you what you want this year. - G.K.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the casa,
Swirled the sweet smoke from my Liga Privada;
My humidor was placed by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Davidoffs danced in my head;
And Mom in her 'kerchief, and I in my robe,
Had just settled down for a long winter's smoke;

When out on the lawn dropped a Siboney bundle,
I sprang from my chair and started to stumble.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and reached for the stash;

Moonlight on the wrappers of fresh-rolled cigars
Gave them a luster like thousands of stars;
When, what to my wondering eyes was appearing,
Dozens of Nesticos, oh how endearing!

With my sharp cigar cutter, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment I'd light-up a stick.
More rapid than eagles the cigars they all came,
I whistled and shouted, and called them by name;

Perdomos! Conucos! Famous Dominicans!
On Flor De Gonzalez! On Acid! On Griffins!
To the top of the porch to the top of the wall!
I was smoking so fast, I had just smoked them all!

As long leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
My only obstacle, was keeping them dry,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of Hemingway Signatures, too;

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I sniffed I smelled smoke, and from what I could tell,
Down the chimney he came with a Rocky Patel;

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all covered with ashes and soot;
With a bundle of Dominique flung on his back,
He looked like a smoker and opened his pack;

The cigars - how they twinkled! Their wrappers how smooth!
Don Pepin Garcias, with nary a tooth!
His droll little mouth was red as a rash,
And the beard of his chin was as white as an ash;

With the stump of a Avo held tight in his teeth,
The smoke encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and took out a cutter,
Then clipped his cigar like a pro, smooth as butter;

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I watched as he placed a Padron on the shelf;
With a wink of his eye and a nod of his head,
That's when I knew I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled up my humidor, then turned with a jerk,
As I placed in his fingers some fine CAO's
In a huge gust of smoke, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, and whistled with glee
While he puffed with delight on an Oliva V
Then I heard him exclaim, as he took one last toke,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD SMOKE!"

Digging around the humidor

2009-12-18T15:12:00.015-05:00

Today I had a day off from work. One of the things on my to-do list was to get the humidity up in one of my cigar humidors. The crystals in the humidifier died and I had to do a little juggling. I replaced it with a standard, round green foam model I had lying around that held significantly more water than the crystals. Apparently, it didn't have suitably sized holes for releasing moisture. My humidity dropped from 65% to 60% in three days.

Searching again through my collection of spare parts, I found a small XiKAR crystal jar humidifier and decided I'd put it on the bottom of the humidor in the hope that the two units would bring the humidity back up.

In order to do this, I had to remove all of the cigars. It's amazing what you find when you start digging around. I totally forgot I had some of these cigars. I found a Cuba Aliados Limited Edition double perfecto with a cedar over wrap. A Gurkha Titan. A Camacho Liberty. Lots of Rocky Patels, like the last two Honduran Classic Maduro Double Coronas from a box I split with Hayward over two years ago. There was an Old World Reserve I got the wedding of an industry colleague, still in its cello. Printed on the cello are the names of the bride and groom. Since it's a keepsake, I may never smoke it.

Here's one I totally forgot about: A Carlos Torano Descandencia: a gorgeous cigar they debuted four years ago in New Orleans that was infused with chocolate sherry. (You can see it in its tube in the photo above.)

Another one I forgot about was a Troya Clasico blended by Don Pepin Garcia. That one's gotta be at least 4 years old, too. It's also obsolete.

The only buzz kill during the whole process was, the wrapper on my one and only Oliva Serie V Ligero Torpedo Maduro (YES, Maduro), was starting to come undone just below the band. (Maybe there's something to be said for smoking some cigars sooner than later.) Anyhow, I had no vegetable gum to properly reseal it, so I used a little polyglycol solution. Then I removed the cedar wrapper from an Arturo Fuente Chateau Rothschild, and it fit perfectly around the cigar to hold the wrapper in place for now. You can also see the Oliva V Maduro in the photo above. It's on the right with the green silk band at the foot.

Once I got all the cigars out, I noticed those on the bottom two rows were all very supple and well-humidified. The wood in the base looked like it had been well seasoned, too. I put the crystal jar in the right front corner (you can see the top of it in the shot), carefully replaced all the cigars in as reverse order as possible, and shut the lid. That was about two hours ago. Just before writing this I check the box and the RH is still only at about 62%, but confidence is high.

Just as certain songs bring back memories, digging through many of these cigars did as well. I'm curious if anyone else has had a similar experience. If so, leave a comment here, or on the Cigar Advisor Facebook page.

Happy smokes,
G~

Cigar Advisor does Facebook

2009-12-16T17:03:00.006-05:00

Hey everybody!

For those of you who aren't already in the loop, Cigar Advisor now has a Facebook page. Visit now and become a fan. Better yet, become a friend and interact with me.

Let's talk cigars, and thanks in advance for "friending-up" with Cigar Advisor on Facebook.

Yours truly,
Gary

My Weekend Cigar: Flor De Gonzalez 15th Aniversario Robusto

2009-12-07T17:58:00.016-05:00

Sometimes you look at a box of cigars and you just get a vibe from it. Sort of like when you look at a picture of someone for the first time and try to determine whether they're a nice person or not. That's how it was for me with the Flor De Gonzalez 15th Aniversario Robusto I sampled during a Flor De Gonzalez cigars in-store event at Famous Smoke Shop this past weekend. I just had feeling it was going to be a good smoke. So was it? Read on amigos.

The cigar is rolled to a 5" x 50, banded at the neck and foot, and has a beautiful color to it. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is what they call an "desflorado," Spanish for "deflowered." According to Flor De Gonzalez's sales and marketing director, Roberto Alonso, when the plants bloom the flowers are removed from the top of the plant. This allows more sunlight to reach the top leaves, so they prime a little darker in color. But even more interesting is, by removing the flower the sugars that would normally feed the blossom are absorbed by the top leaves. The result is a much sweeter tasting leaf. However, because only the very top priming leaves are used, the yield is smaller, which is why these cigars are made in limited edition. The filler tobaccos are Dominican, Nicaraguan and Panamanian.

The triple cap clipped off perfectly. The pre-light flavor was earthy, a bit herbal, and sweet on the tongue - a fairly good preview of what was to come.

The cigar lit evenly and the first few puffs were creamy and earthy in flavor with some woody notes, plenty of sweetness and an equally sweet aroma. Nothing spicy or particularly hardy in flavor. Medium bodied.

The ash burned clean and was very firm during the first act (see above photo). Just as I was taking that photo, Pablo, the Flor De Gonzalez torcedor who was administering a cigar rolling contest, came over and stood the cigar on its ash (see below). I could see that he was very proud of his work.

During the second act the smoke remained well-balanced with a nice mix of earthy and sweet herbal notes. I noticed the cigar also became a bit more complex, but did not gain much in the way of strength.

In the last third the smoke became a littler heartier as expected, yet the core flavors were still intact: woody, earthy, herbal and sweet. I drank only water during the entire smoke, which lasted a good hour with no relights. I attribute this to the excellent packing of the cigar, so you're getting a lot of tobacco for your buck. And, for what it's worth, the Flor De Gonzalez 15th Aniversario is the only line extension that is rolled in Miami, FL. That's about as close to genuine Cuban cigar handcrafting as you can get.

Thanks to Yadi Gonzalez-Vargas and Roberto Alonso for hosting an entertaining cigar store event and turning me on to these well made and reasonably priced luxury cigars.

Scores:
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Flavor - 8
Balance - 9
Aroma - 9
Total Score: 8.8

Have you smoked any Flor De Gonzalez 15th Aniversario cigars? Your comments are welcome.

~ G.K.

Pay it forward with cigars

2009-12-04T16:07:00.010-05:00

Earlier this week I stopped by the Famous Smoke Shop store to have a cigar and found the usual group of regulars hanging out. Among them were Big Dave, Mike, Tony, Gary, and a few others. After a few minutes of the usual "What's new, how 'ya doin'?" small talk, Mike directed my attention to a large carton filled will bags of cigars.

"What's up with this?" I asked.
"We're sending cigars to the troops again for Christmas," said Big Dave.
"Nice."
"We're making up bags of 20 cigars and shipping the boxes to a bunch of different units overseas."

Suddenly, for some reason a sense of "duty" came over me. After all, it's the giving season. I thought about the box of cigars. I keep in the back of Famous's humidified warehouse; it's overage from lack of space in my house. So I went into the warehouse, pulled down the box, and rummaged through the stash. When I returned to the store I put a bunch of good cigars in a cigar bag and dropped them in Mike & Big Dave's box. It felt good!

Over the years, I've received a lot of emails from soldiers, and cigars have become one of the primary forms of relaxation for the troops, especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Moreover, Famous receives a lot of cigar orders from military bases overseas, while also having donated cigars for the troops.

A couple of weeks ago I ran a CigarAdvisor poll asking readers if they had ever sent cigars to the troops. It was pretty close, with 47% responding "yes." As I see it, that's pretty encouraging.

So let's keep paying it forward. Many of us have family and friends serving abroad, or know someone who's son or daughter is in the Armed Forces. And with a new "surge" heading to Afghanistan in the next six months, there's no time better than now, especially during the Holidays, to send cigars.

Neither Mike, nor Big Dave, nor the others who contributed this year (myself included), are looking for a pat on the back. Sharing cigars is what cigar smokers do. And sometimes it's also the right thing to do.

~ G.K.

My Thanksgiving Cigar: Cabaiguan Guapos RX

2009-11-27T12:47:00.008-05:00

By Gary Korb

I wasn't sure I'd get to smoke a Thanksgiving cigar yesterday, but miraculously the weather cooperated with no rain and a temperature of about 60 degrees. As last year, I spent the holiday with my family at my brother's house in New Jersey. I arrived about 3:15 PM with a Cabaiguan Guapos RX, and didn't waste much time getting outside to light-up, since the sun was already positioned just above the horizon.

The Cabaiguan Guapos RX is a 5¼" x 50 Robusto that came in a Pete Johnson Collection cigar sampler (below) I bought at Famous Smoke Shop this past summer. The difference between the Guapos RX and the Cabaiguan Robusto Extra is that the Guapos has a Cuban pigtail cap. The core is all dark Nicaraguan longfiller with a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, and beautifully handcrafted by Don Jose Pepin Garcia.

Pairing it with a glass of The Macallan 12 year single malt, the cigar cued-up perfectly offering some sweetness and a short blast of pepper. At about the half-inch mark, the smoke rounded out to a very smooth, sweet, woody smoke with a medium body.

The ash was also impressive, hanging on for well over an inch before falling off. From that point on the smoke was very consistent, not wavering too far from its sweet-woody base. However, by the end of the second act the smoke acquired a distinct nutmeg flavor with some grassy notes, which remained into the last third.

I would classify the Cabaiguan Gaupos RX as a medium-bodied, full-flavored cigar with a mix of woody, sweet-spice and herbal flavors. The Macallan helped bring out some of the more complex elements in the smoke, too. Overall, an extremely enjoyable cigar, and highly recommended.

Scores
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 10
Flavor - 9
Balance - 9
Aroma - 8
Total Score: 9.0

How was your Thanksgiving cigar?

Kinky Friedman at World Café Live

2009-11-16T17:56:00.013-05:00

Why am I writing a concert review when this column is supposed to be about premium cigars? Let's just say it's because the artist in question, a one Mr. Kinky Friedman, is rarely seen without a big cigar firmly planted between his teeth. He also happens to be a very gifted songwriter, performer and author, even if in some circles he's better known for his political punditry.

Kinky Friedman, who has his own line of Kinky Friedman premium cigars, performed at World Café Live in Philadelphia last night to a sold-out crowd. Playing as a trio with longtime band mates, Little Jewford (piano, melodica and vocals) and Washington Ratso (guitar and vocals), the unplugged set coursed somewhat jaggedly between songs, off-the-cuff comedy, and included a chapter reading by Kinky from his latest book, Heroes of a Texas Childhood.

Kinky appropriately set the mood by opening the show with "Before All Hell Breaks Loose." Other songs included, "Nashville Casualty And Life," "Homo Erectus," "Ride 'Em Jewboy," the classic, "Asshole From El Paso," and several covers, which included a stirring rendition of Tom Paxton's "Ramblin' Boy."

Other highlights of the show included solo performances by keyboardist and sidekick, Little Jewford, who played "When The Saints Come Marching In" in several modes, including a boogie-woogie version, a classical version a la Mozart, a "Jewish" version (one must hear it to get it), and even played the song behind his back - a feat I've never seen a keyboard player do. Later in the show, Jewford played Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag." Washington Ratso also enjoyed a solo spot, breaking away from the C&W mode for one song, while he deftly flat-picked an Irish jig.

In-between songs there was plenty of patter, including that of Kinky's upcoming run for Texas Governor again, this time as a Democrat. Although politically, Kinky is a self-proclaimed Independent, he said, "I decided to run as a Democrat because I couldn’t get elected as a Republican." For those who don't take him seriously, I can tell you, Kinky is very serious about running, and his love for the people of Texas comes straight from the heart.

On that note, during the last couple of songs, Kinky pulled out one of his 5¾" x 60 Kinky Friedman Governor cigars and pacified himself with it during solos by Ratso and Little Jewford. He ended the show by lighting it up, which took the crowd (and me) by surprise, but I loved it!

Having gotten to know Kinky a little by interviewing him at the IPCPR show in New Orleans this past summer, and at a Famous Smoke Shop in-store appearance earlier this year, it was great to see him in his element, on-stage, where he also seems most comfortable. If you have the chance to see Kinky Friedman on tour, be sure to pick up a ticket; you're in for a really great time. (Pick up some of his cigars, too; they're mighty good.)

* * *

Also appearing at World Café Live last night was a young and talented new bluegrass roots trio called Shotgun Party. The band features songwriter and guitarist/vocalist, Jenny Parrott, Katy Rose Cox on fiddle and vocals (man, the girl can play!), and Andrew Austin-Petersen on bass fiddle. You can learn more about them by visiting the Shotgun Party website.

~ Gary Korb

Above photo: Kinky Friedman (left) holding one of his Kinky Friedman Governor cigars, with two of his fans, and Little Jewford (right).

My Weekend Cigar: Oliva Cain Maduro Robusto

2009-11-02T12:23:00.009-05:00

Two weeks ago I gave kudos to the Oliva Cain Habano Robusto, and yesterday I treated myself to the Cain Maduro Robusto. That now leaves me with sans Cains, but after yesterday's experience I'm going to be in the market for a box to show up either on CigarMonster.com or CigarAuctioneer.com, because I definitely want more.

Like it's brother, the Oliva Cain Maduro Robusto is rolled to a 5" x 50 with a triple-fermented, "straight ligero" core, but the wrapper is a dark, oily, Mexican San Andreas leaf. And like the Habano, the pre-light flavor was sweet, noticeably sweeter, with a leathery pre-light flavor, too. The construction of the cigar was also par excellence - well-packed with a beautiful cap that popped-off in a perfect circle when clipped.

Once lit, here again, when I touched my tongue to the tobacco at the head, the tobacco tasted sweet, but there was also more noticeable coffee bean flavor mixed in. The smoke was creamy, smooth, aromatic, and more medium-bodied to my palate; not peppery spicy in the least.

The burn was also consistent with the earlier Habano version; clean, but leaving a more rounded than pointed cherry (see close-up below).

Moving into the second act, the cigar remained very smooth and sweet, laced with coffee notes, when an appealing nutmeg flavor presented itself. A banquet of sweet spices were the order of the day on this cigar, which also made it more a complex experience for me than the Habano.

Everything about this cigar was on-target right through the last third. I would even go so far as to say it was a "perfect cigar," not unlike the Quesada 35th Anniversary I smoked last month. Some cigars have it, some don't, but the Oliva Cain Maduro definitely has it. Smoking it down to about an inch, the cigar never turned bitter, and when I was finally forced to leave it in the ashtray, I wanted another. Suffice it to say, I guess I'm now going to have to pick up a box.

I highly recommended the Oliva Cain Maduro cigars for those curious about "straight ligero" blends, and especially for cigar smokers who love sweet, full-flavored cigars.

My scores: (Note, I've added a new "balance" parameter to my scoring list.)
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Flavor - 10
Balance - 10
Aroma - 9
Total Score: 9.2

How was your Oliva Cain Maduro experience? As always, your comments are welcome.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Capadura Cigars

2009-10-26T16:56:00.011-04:00

This past weekend, the Famous Smoke Shop cigar store held an in-store cigar event for Capadura Cigars, an obscure, boutique premium cigar brand made in The Dominican Republic. Distributed by Luba Cigar Corporation, Capadura Cigars come in two varieties: Capadura 808, a medium-bodied cigar rolled in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, and Capadura 898, a full-bodied cigar rolled in a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper. The core is a diverse blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan longfillers with a Dominican Olor binder. I was fortunate enough to have the time to smoke both versions in the Robusto shape.

The Capadura 808 Connecticut was very attractive in appearance, well-packed, and the cap clipped-off in a perfect circle exposing just the right amount of tobacco at the head. The pre-light flavor was somewhat nutty and sweet. Once lit, the foot took on an even burn and the early puffs were mellow with a nutty-woody flavor laced with some sweetness on the finish.

During the second act, the smoke became earthier in flavor and remained relatively consistent through the final third. The cigar turned a little bitter in the last inch, but at that point it was pretty much done. Pairing it with coffee, the smoke offered good balance, plenty of flavor, a very fine and firm grey ash. I would recommend this cigar for the morning or afternoon.

The Capadura 898 Maduro was a totally different animal, and also more rustic in appearance. Although it had a similar pre-light flavor, this cigar was considerably spicier, while maintaining the nutty, woody and earthy core flavors of the Connecticut. This cigar also displayed an excellent ash, clean burn, nice balance of flavors, and also went well paired with coffee.

By the third act, the smoke was quite peppery, a little much for my taste, but for those who enjoy rich, spicy, full-flavored cigars with a hint of sweetness, the 898 will certainly turn the trick. If I had to compare the Capadura 898 to a more popular boutique brand, it would be the Pinar del Rio Oscuro. This is more of an after-hours cigar that would go well with a single malt or a tawny Port, and a full stomach.

All-in-all, some nice new cigars well worth checking out.

Scores
Capadura 808 Connecticut
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Flavor - 8
Aroma - 8
Total Score: 8.6

Capadura 898 Maduro
Appearance - 8
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Flavor - 7
Aroma - 8
Total Score: 8.3

Have you smoked Capadura cigars? Please leave a comment.

~ Gary Korb

Following the leads

2009-10-21T09:28:00.003-04:00

If you've been following this blog, then you know that Cigar Advisor has been following a potential major cigar industry announcement, which may or may not concern a possible merger between Miami Cigar Co. and My Father Cigars, Inc.

The latest, according to our source is, Nestor Miranda and Rene Castaneda of Miami Cigar & Co., and Guillermo Leon of Tabacalera La Aurora and The Leon Group, will be traveling to Estelí, Nicaragua next week to spend a couple of days visiting with Jaime and Pepin Garcia.

Based on that information, there's no reason to believe the "visit" will be anything more than a typical business trip; inspecting the tobacco fields, visiting the factory, sampling cigars over cafecito - yadda, yadda, yadda.

However, none of the three travelers has discussed or even acknowledged the trip or its purpose.

My Weekend Cigar: Oliva Cain Habano Robusto

2009-10-20T12:11:00.006-04:00

By Gary Korb

As promised last week, I smoked one of the two Oliva Cain cigars over the weekend, in this case, the Robusto in the Habano wrapper. I smoked it in the Famous Smoke Shop Retail Store on Sunday with a cup of coffee, which made a nice mix. Before I lit up, John D., who happened to be sitting next to me said, "I hope you're smoking it on a full stomach," which I was, having just finished a pulled pork sandwich.

The Oliva Cain Habano Robusto weighs-in at 5" x 50, and has a 75%- 80% "straight ligero," triple-fermented, Nicaraguan filler blend wrapped in a flawless, dark Habano wrapper leaf. The pre-light flavor was very sweet. The cigar was well packed, too, showing virtually no soft spots. I also noticed that, at the foot, there was only one small section of very dark tobacco, which I'll touch upon later in this review.

Once lit, I was expecting a heavy wallop of smoke and pepper, but quite the contrary. The smoke was sweet, as in the pre-light, and when I touched my tongue to the head, the tobacco itself was sweet. Flavors of wood and a light nuttiness squeaked in, but for the most part, the smoke was exceptionally creamy and sweet.

The most impressive thing about this cigar was how incredibly smooth it was. I'd have to tip my hat to the triple fermentation on this, as there was no sign of bitterness, even down to the one-inch stub I left in the ashtray. Moreover, the burn was dead-on clean, exposing a pointy, perfectly centered cherry when ashed.

The cigar was consistent right through the second act; mainly woody and sweet, and a little nutty. I was also waiting for the headiness and that punch in the gut that's supposed to come with full-bodied cigars of this caliber, but it never came. (Maybe it was the sandwich?)

It wasn't until the third act that the cigar became noticeably stronger in flavor, yet the smoke remained so smooth it didn't seem to affect the overall character of the cigar. I was expecting a more "complex" cigar, but what the Oliva Cain Habano Robusto offered in terms of it's rich, woody, nutty and sweet flavors, that was fine by me. I'm wondering if the presence of only some dark ligero (noted above) is what made this particular sample a little less robust than advertised?

In any event, this sophomore effort by Sam Leccia hit on all cylinders for me, and I highly recommend the Oliva Cain Habano to both, experienced smokers who have a more developed palate, as well as those who are looking to move up to a super-smooth, full-bodied cigar.

My scores:
Appearance - 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 9
Burn - 9
Flavor - 9
Aroma - 9
Total Score: 9.0

How was your Oliva Cain Habano experience? Your comments are welcome.

Revenue Dept. will take questions on PA small cigar tax

2009-10-15T16:54:00.006-04:00

This morning I was forwarded an email from Norman Sharp, president of the Cigar Association of America (www.cigarassociation.org) to all CAA member companies, regarding the Pennsylvania tax on small cigars. To help galvanize this effort, I thought I'd pass it along:

As we have reported, Pennsylvania will begin taxing little cigars at 8 cents each beginning November 1. The state defines a little cigar as those weighing 4 lbs. or less per 1,000. The legislation has raised many questions. Below is a message from Gerry Kupris, our lobbyist and executive director of the PA Assn. of Distributors, regarding a meeting which will be held in an attempt to answer those questions.

In an effort to address questions regarding the new little cigar tax, the Revenue Department will be available to PDA CAA members for a discussion and Q&A:

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Harrisburg Hilton and Towers
2nd and Market Street
Harrisburg, PA
717-233-6000

NOTE: PLEASE RSVP ATTENDANCE SO WE CAN MAKE PROPER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEATING AND MATERIALS!

If you have questions, please call 717-236-0500 or e-mail pda@pa.net.

First little cigars, then medium-size cigars, then... Well, you get the idea. If you are or know a PDA CAA member, please heed the call and respond accordingly. - G.K.

My Weekend Cigar: nub Cameroon 460

2009-10-12T17:22:00.008-04:00

Back in June of 2008, I blogged about the nub Connecticut 460. Last night, I decided to decided to have a go at the nub Cameroon 460. Cameroon is one of my favorite wrappers for its natural sweetness, and this original Sam Leccia/Oliva creation, with its Nicaraguan filler and binder core, was right in my wheelhouse. One of the other reasons I decided to smoke the nub was, I've been preparing to smoke Sam's latest creation, "Cain," which he introduced in the Oliva Cigars, booth at this past summer's IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans. (I'll get more into why later on.)

Pairing it with what remained of my bottle of Tapeña 2007 Granacha, the cigar lit perfectly and burned clean and firm, despite a small wrapper tear that ran back about a half inch from the foot. The cigar also burned for well over an hour, as advertised, despite its 4-inch length. Due to the solid packing of the tobacco, this didn't surprise me, plus, I let the cigar rest between puffs. With cigars this short, even with a ring as wide as 60, you don't want to pull too hard or too often on it to keep it from turning bitter.

The smoke was extremely creamy and smooth with a solid, sweet-woody base, which didn't deviate until the final third. At that point I began to pick up some light spiciness. Although I prefer a more complex smoke, for what I would call a "one note song," the cigar was highly enjoyable for its consistency.

Now, here's why I wanted to smoke another nub before getting into the Cain cigars. Even though the cigars are completely different in terms of size and blend - the new Cain being a "straight ligero" - I wanted to re-familiarize myself with Sam's work. For example, when you're getting into a new band, it's always a good idea to listen to their first album, which is most often the band's "definitive" sound.

Based on the reports I've read and heard from others who have already smoked Cain, it's apparent that Mr. Leccia, like the best musical artists (those who have stood the test of time), has the ability to reinvent himself.

If you haven't had a chance to smoke any of the nubs by now, you should at least try a couple. There's also a really good selection of nub samplers called nub Club if you want to give the whole line a test drive.

So, this weekend I'm looking forward to moving on to Cain, and weather permitting, will report on it next week. In the meantime, I'm certain that nub will eventually become "a classic."

~ Gary Korb

Kudos to Mr. Koodray and The Metropolitan Society

2009-10-08T15:05:00.012-04:00

Last night, I had the extreme pleasure of joining The Metropolitan Society in Fairfield, NJ for their monthly cigar dinner. This is the fourth year I've attended as a representative for Famous Smoke Shop, and it's always a great time accompanied by good food, drink, cigars, and warm friendship. As always, I brought cigars for the gang to smoke - a brand exclusive to Famous Smoke Shop, of course - and last night was no exception as I presented the Famous 70th Anniversary Private Selection by Plasencia Cigars.

But unlike the former events, last night I brought something, or more appropriately, someone extra: Famous Smoke Shop president, Arthur Zaretsky. The Metropolitan Society are good FSS customers, and their president, George Koodray, has been asking me to bring Arthur to the club for years. So, in light of this being Famous' 70th year in the cigar business, I finally convinced Arthur to come and meet some of his biggest fans in person. Joining us, too, was Famous Smoke Shop cigar sampler manager, Humberto Gonzalez, who is also a Metro Society member.

Arthur was given a dignitary's welcome, including an honorary membership. After some obligatory business announcements by Mr. Koodray, he turned the microphone over to Arthur who talked briefly about the history of Famous Smoke Shop and took questions. (Later, I overheard Arthur tell George what a wonderful time he had.)

One of the highlights of the evening was a presentation of Don Julio Tequilas which the members got to sample. (Try the 1942. Wow! Smooth as silk, too.) But there was also another nice surprise last night. Two lovely young ladies from Luba Cigar Corporation - company founder, Ruth Elizabeth Batista, and Juanny Dominguez - brought samples of their Capadura cigars to share.

So once again, on behalf of Arthur, Humberto, myself, and everyone at Famous Smoke Shop, our sincere thanks to George Koodray, John Cito, Ben Amoruso, Rich Camy, Pasquale Agatone, "Uncle Nick" Verdi, and the many other Metropolitan Society members for making last night another memorable evening. Until next year, or until I'm in the neighborhood to stop by for a good cigar...Ciao amigos!

~ Gary Korb
(Above photo L-R: Gary Korb, Arthur Zaretsky, George Koodray)

* * *

In other news: The "brewing" shifts to Nicaragua
If you remember my blog of September 30, Something may be brewing in the Dominican Republic, and it's not coffee, in which our source in The D.R. told us about the sighting of Guillermo Leon, Jaime Garcia, Pepin Garcia and Nestor Miranda in Santiago, another piece of the puzzle may be about to fall into place. Well, although we can’t tell you what brought those major cigar figures together; after receiving another report from our source, I can say it's safe to assume that something really is brewing.

According to our "correspondent," Guillermo León (León Jimenes cigars) will make his very first trip to Nicaragua, and we’re hazarding a guess that he will be visiting the Garcias. Although all of these intertwining relationships exist; Guillermo León and La Aurora is the new addition to the equation.

Whatever is going on, it's significant and only a matter of time before it becomes public. In the meantime, our man in Santiago, and our contacts in Estelí are keeping their eyes open. As soon as there is something to report, you’ll hear about it first on CigarAdvisor.com.

Stay tuned.

My Weekend Cigar: CAO La Traviata "Divino" and Quesada Ltd. Edition 35th Anniversary

2009-10-05T16:51:00.008-04:00

By Gary Korb

Finally, after a more than two week cigar hiatus due to a miserable sinus infection, I was able to get back in the smoking groove this past weekend. As I nimbly fingered through my humidors, I decided to try a couple of new cigars that debuted at this year's IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans.

On Saturday, I sampled the 5" x 50 CAO La Traviata "Divina." Blended with a core of two different ligero filler tobaccos - one from Pueblo Nuevo in Nicaragua, the other from The Dominican Republic, a Cameroon binder, and a dark, mouthwatering Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, this cigar hit on all cylinders. The smoke was exceptionally smooth and complex with dark, earthy tobacco flavors dominated by strong woody notes, and laced with an appealing sweetness.

I paired it with a cup of coffee, which made a good match. The cigar was exceptionally creamy, well-balanced, and highly consistent from start to finish. Although CAO is marketing it as a "full-body" cigar, to my taste it was more medium to full; definitely "full" for the novice, but bearable, for it was never overpowering. Highly recommended!

* * *

On Sunday, I decided it was time to try the Quesada Limited Edition 35th Anniversary cigar. This is a box-pressed 6" x 49 Toro with an Ecuadorian-grown Arapiraca seed wrapper that caps a Dominican binder and a longfiller blend of Dominican, with Nicaraguan ligero at its heart.

As a big fan of Manolo Quesada's work over the year, this cigar did not disappoint. It was also one of the most perfectly balanced and flavorful cigars I've ever smoked. Paired with a glass of Tapeña Garnacha (2007), a nice fruity table wine, the cigar was a virtual kaleidoscope of flavor.

The smoke was extremely smooth, creamy and complex. Rich flavors of sweet cedar, cocoa and coffee prevailed throughout, and each puff was as succulent as the one that preceded it, as it didn't gather any significant strength until the middle of the final third. This is, no doubt, the definition of a "full-flavored" cigar, and belongs in the full-bodied category, too.

I was so impressed with this cigar that, like his #1 ranked Casa Magna of last year, I will not be surprised if the 35th Anniversary makes it into a least the Top-5 this year. Very highly recommended!

* * *

Unfortunately, both cigars are not yet available at Famous Smoke Shop, and the Quesada 35th, due to its limited supply will probably only be available at retail stores. In any event, if you've already had the opportunity to smoke either of these cigars, let me know if we're in sync by leaving a comment.

Something may be brewing in the Dominican Republic, and it's not coffee

2009-09-30T14:10:00.008-04:00

The premium cigar business is not the type of industry that lends itself to investigative journalism, nor is Cigar Advisor's function much more than to bring you industry news, commentary, cigar reviews, and other pertinent information.

Nonetheless, sitting around in New Orleans during the IPCPR, a couple of us concluded the time was right for something big to happen within the industry (lifting of the Cuban embargo notwithstanding). As the conversation continued, we speculated about the possibilities of a major retailer or brand acquisition that would be a real coup to a major distributor.

Conversation and speculation aside, in Santiago, The Dominican Republic the other day, an associate of ours saw Rene Castaneda, Vice President of Miami Cigar & Company, Don José Pepin Garcia, and Jamie Garcia with Guillermo Leon and Jose Blanco of La Aurora.

Of course, that's no surprise. Miami Cigar has become a serious customer of the Garcias with the success of their Nestor Miranda Collection. However, there's also a social networking connection to this story which may or may not be of any significance.

While doing a Facebook search for Don Pepin's daughter, Janny Garcia, one of her photos came up. Wearing a cute red dress, Janny is standing between her father and Nestor Miranda. This shot, I'm guessing, was most likely taken in Señor Miranda's office at about the time they were ready to release the Nestor Miranda Special Selection cigars.

On the other hand, could something more significant be afoot beyond Don Pepin just making cigars for Nestor Miranda? Perhaps some sort of distribution pact or, even more significantly, the acquisition of Pepin's company by La Aurora?

After mentioning this to a good friend of mine in the industry, he felt there were other companies that would more likely be candidates for such a move. However, if you factor-in the distribution of E/O Brands (601, Cubao, Mi Barrio - all made by Pepin), it would appear that Miami Cigar is more likely to walk-off with the prize.

In any event, something's going to happen, and I'm willing to go all-in by suggesting it will probably be the latter scenario. If I'm wrong, no harm done I suppose; I've acquired a taste for crow.

Finally, at this writing, Janny hasn't accepted my request to friend-up yet, but I hope she will. If what I predict really happens, I'd like to be one of the first to congratulate her.

~ G.K.

P.S. Wouldn't you know it, within 5-minutes after this posting, I discovered that Janny Garcia had already accepted my Facebook friend request.

If you're not interested in talking cigars, please keep your tweets to yourself

2009-09-18T07:57:00.003-04:00

I'm in a ranting mood today. Maybe it's because I've been fighting off a sinus cold for the past week and haven't been able to relax with a good cigar. That would make any avid cigar smoker a little cranky.

So here's where my head's at today. As many of you know, Cigar Advisor has a Twitter page. This Twitter social networking thingamajig is a fantastic communication tool, and it can be a lot of fun, too. I wish I could post a lot more often, too, but since most of my tweets are done from work, I can only afford so much tweeting time, but I do have my TwitterFox running continually in case I want to chime in.

Just about every day I receive emails alerting me that a fellow "twitizen" (as I've dubbed them) is following me. It's nice to see that in spite of my low tweet-to-tweet ratio that someone out there actually cares enough to tweet their very best.

However, and more often lately, the follows are coming from all kinds of people who, when I click through to their Twitter page, seem to have little or no interest in cigars or cigar culture. They're online marketers, mostly work-at-home types, who just want to sell me their goods, services, advice, inspiration, and the fact of the matter is, I ain't buyin.'

Now I have no problem with the followers who are rock musicians, or jazz lovers, or wine and spirits gurus, food gurus, baseball fans, poker players, etc. In return, I follow many of them because I share a genuine interest in those subjects. Moreover, they usually have the word "cigars" listed under their profiles, so at least I KNOW we share an affinity for the leaf.

To be fair, some of the online marketers do mention cigars in their profiles. But here's an example of what I'm talking about: "we've helped tens of thousands of men and women worldwide build successful home businesses." COME ON, folks! Many of these twitizens show thousands of followers on their pages. How nice. Therefore I assume they're also all very successful, and I wish them the best.

Then you have the hotties who think I'm going to follow them because they take a good sexy photo. P'LEEEEEZ! If I really want to meet a girl who wants to pretend she likes me, I can go to a strip club and see her in 3D.

So here's the deal: If you want to follow my Twitter page, hey, that's great. I'll almost always send a little thank you note, even if I'm not following in return. It's the least I can do. Like this blog, the Cigar Advisor Twitter is predicated on our mutual love and enjoyment of premium handmade cigars, cigar-related issues and culture. If you're a cigar smoker, you know what I'm talking about and my Twitterland door is always open. But if all you're really interested in selling me a bill of goods or a pig in a poke, KEEP OUT and BEWARE OF DOG.

~ Gary Korb

The power of the poker

2009-09-08T09:57:00.009-04:00

This past Sunday night, Labor Day eve, I decided to smoke the third of three Havanas that were gifted to me by a friend not too long ago. The cigar in question was a Romeo y Julieta Cedros De Luxe No.1, and pretty tasty, too. The only problem was the cigar had a weak draw.

To backup for a moment, the ISOM I smoked several weeks earlier from the same friend, a long home-aged Fonseca No.1, also suffered from a tight draw. Shortly after smoking it I called him to say thanks. When I mentioned the draw problem to him, he told me he had similar problems and used a draw poker to loosen it up. I told him I neglected to do so because I'm not a big proponent of using draw pokers and eventually gave up on the cigar, opting for a 601 Blue Maduro as a replacement. Suffice it to say, the 601 was perfect in every way.

Getting back to the Romeo, it was obvious that the cigar had been rolled pretty tightly. The draw was not as tight as on the earlier Fonseca, but tight enough to be annoying after the first couple of inches. In an effort to not waste what I felt was a good experience in terms of flavor to this point, I got out my Havana Draw Enhancer (yes, coincidentally, that's the name!), which is made by Don Salvatore (see image above).

Very carefully, I proceeded to infiltrate the foot of the cigar, turning it slowly while continuing to apply pressure. Luckily I didn't puncture the cigar. After removing the poker the draw had opened up considerably, and although I had to do it again it a bit later, it saved the cigar.

As I mentioned above, I don't like having to use additional tools to make my cigars work, but there are always exceptions. The other reason I bring this up is, if you're going to use a draw poker, then I recommend the Draw Enhancer. The reason I like this particular tool is because it's very thin, has a flat head, is a little shorter than most pokers, and along the shaft are diamond shaped serrations that literally cut through the tobacco. I feel this design makes it a superior product, as I've had problems with the more common ice-pick design cigar pokers.

One other thing that may have helped was, since the cigar had smoked down a couple of inches, it was much more pliable, which made it easier to insert the poker into the cigar without harming it. Moreover, once I reached the point where I felt I better not push any further, I used a gentle "pull-push" reaming method, and could feel the serrations cutting through the blockage.

I rarely, if ever have draw problems with my cigars, but I'm glad I had this tool in my cigar accessories box. The moral of the story is, if you absolutely have to use a draw poker to loosen up your cigar, make sure you have one that's going to work properly.

~ Gary Korb

Her First Cigar: A Mike Martinez Mystery

2009-09-01T14:34:00.013-04:00

By Gary Korb

I TOOK HER VIRGINITY - in a manner of speaking, that is. I suppose the best thing to do would be to start at the beginning:
I had to get out of the rain, so I ducked into Tommy's Place to dry out over a scotch & soda. Cannonball Adderley was playing on jukebox. The place was a rat hole, but Tommy served hard drinks at cheap prices, and besides, I liked the atmosphere. That's when I noticed her. She was sitting at the end of the bar wearing a dress that advertised all her curves - all in the right places, too. I watched for a moment as she nursed her drink. She was one gone blonde, and the best kind of blonde - dirty blonde. I walked over and sat down on the empty stool beside her.
"Next one's on me," I said.
"You know how many times I've heard that line?" she said without looking up from her drink.
"Come on, the night's young, and the rain isn't letting up. Besides, what's a doll like you doing in a joint like this? A girl could get in trouble around here."
"I can take care of myself," she said as she turned toward me with a glare.
"I'm sure you can," I said, staring into her big green eyes. "I get the feeling you're running away from something, or more likely, some one."
"What are you, some kind of detective?"
"I guess you could say that."
"My father was a cop."
"Well, we have something in common then."
I turned away from her and took out a cigar along with my cutter and a Zippo lighter I picked-up during the war. She eyed the stogie and said, "He smoked cigars, too. I've always been curious about those things."
"Would you like to try one? I've got more. By the way, my name's Miguel. Miguel Martinez, but my friends call me Mike. I offered a handshake, which she reluctantly accepted.
"Soft hands," I said.
"Thanks," she said pulling her hand away.
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You got a name?"
"Lucy. Lucy Taylor."
"Pleased to meet you Lucy Taylor. So how about that cigar?"
"What do I have to do?" she said pushing her hair back behind her shoulders.
"First you have to relax," I said as I took another cigar out of my case. Figured I'd start her off with a mild one, an Honduran with a Connecticut wrapper.
I slowly ran the cigar under her nose. "Sniff it."
"Mmm...It's sweet."
"And it gets sweeter, too, Baby," I said with a wink, and she smiled back.
I held the cigar in front of her and leveled the head up to my cutter. "First you have to cut the cap," I said as I squeezed the blades together.
Lucy watched as the little disc of tobacco fell into the ashtray. Suddenly she looked right at me. I returned her gaze as I flicked open the lighter. Her eyes widened as I turned the cigar slowly near the flame. "Next, you have to toast it," I said. She leaned toward me, our shoulders touching as a silky thread of blue smoke rose between us.
"Open up," I said as I gently placed the cigar between her lips. "Now puff."
I held the flame just under the end of the cigar, watching as it took on a crimson glow. A thin veil of smoke ebbed slowly from Lucy's pretty little lips now parted in the shape of a perfect O.
"Mmm...That was nice," she said as she leaned back revealing part of a tattoo on her left breast.
"Keep it and enjoy it," I said.
"I will. It's so smooth and creamy," she added.
"Now you've had your first cigar," I said as I lit mine, a Nicaraguan puro. "Say, why don't we finish these over at my place," I said, pushing my luck as always.
"No Mike, let's finish them here," she said as she placed her hand over mine. "Besides, the night's young, and the rain isn't letting up."

* * *

Some thoughts on the 601 Habano Oscuro Tronco and beyond

2009-08-28T13:16:00.016-04:00

As I was leaving the office last Friday to start a well-deserved vacation week, I stopped into the Famous Smoke Shop retail store to see what was happening. There's usually a good crowd in the store on Friday night. Under the flat screen TV is a PC that's usually showing the special deal on CigarMonster.com. Out of curiosity, I took a peak at the page and saw a 5-pack of 601 Habano Oscuro Tronco on sale for $19.95. It was hard to resist, and according to the Cigar Monster countdown clock I had less than two minutes to make a decision before it reverted to the regular $27.36 price. My gut said, "Go for it!" and next thing I know, store manager Dave Zayas is ringing me up.

I decided to smoke one of those cigars last night. It had been a long time since I'd had a 601 Habano Oscuro (a.k.a. "601 Green"). After last night's affair with this marvelous cigar, I've added the 601 Habano Oscuro Tronco (5" x 52) to my all-time favorite cigars list. From start to finish, this cigar chugged along dense with dark, chewy, complex flavors. It's really a cigar you have to experience yourself to fully appreciate. I'd also place it among Don Pepin Garcia's best cigars. I also concluded that each cigar Pepin creates is like a song. They all have a common thread stylistically, yet each blend is totally unique in its own rite. I don't think the cigar business has seen such a prolific pair of hands in quite some time, if ever.

That said, I really didn't plan on getting into a cigar review today. Instead, I wanted to point out something that crossed my mind last night as I was relaxing with my cigar. I was thinking that the 601 brand is going to be around for a very long time. Then I started to think about the company who produces them, E/O Brands. I think E/O is a good example of the kind of cigar producer with whom the current and next generation of cigar smokers are now beginning to align themselves.

I'm reminded of what happened in the movie business when independent filmmakers began producing more popular movies than the big studios, giving us edgy directors like Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez for starters.

This similar trend in the cigar business may be attributed to "directors" like Pete Johnson (Tatuaje), and more recently, Dion Giolito with his Illusione cigars. Moreover, I think Sam Leccia (nub, Cain) can also be counted among those "indies" who's stars have also risen.

Some other companies to consider are Alec Bradley, who's been free-rolling since releasing their highly-acclaimed Tempus cigars a couple of years ago. I also feel that Drew Estate's time has come in the traditional-blend cigar market. They've been working their Liga Privada No.9 cigars line slowly and steadily, and it's earned a well-deserved place among the finer limited editions.

So, is this the beginning of the end of the established, BIG cigar company brands? Will more new cigar smokers opt for the more unique rather than the conventional? Will brands like Macanudo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, et. al., eventually be forced to fold up their tents? Certainly some interesting questions to consider, and I welcome your comments.

~ Gary Korb

IPCPR 2009: One week later

2009-08-20T09:41:00.009-04:00

It's now been a week since the 77th annual IPCPR convention closed its doors. I brought home plenty of new cigars to review, but that's a given. As I spent most of this week editing the three hours of video Hayward Tenney and I shot in New Orleans, I thought I'd share what else I took home from the show.

According to most of the manufacturers I met, although the show was under-attended, orders were strong. This being my 7th show, I couldn't help but notice that the hall was quieter, the aisles roomier and there were only a handful of exhibitors who had noticeably large crowds.

Although I didn't do a video interview with Jose Oliva of Oliva Cigars, as I have in the past, I spoke with him about nub cigars creator, Sam Leccia's new blend, Cain cigars. Referred to as a "straight ligero," Cain is rolled with 25% Estelí ligero, 27% Condega ligero and 30% Jalapa ligero for a grand total of 82%. Jose explained that no cigar can be entirely of Ligero. If so, it wouldn't burn, there must be at least 20% of other tobaccos which have better combustion properties to help the ligero along.

Another lesson I learned came from Jose Blanco of La Aurora Cigars concerning the making of Lanceros. The secret to rolling a good Lancero is the placement of the ligero. Because the cigar is so thin, the roller must place the ligero precisely in the center of the roll to achieve the proper flavor and burn.

Kinky Friedman is always a trip. In the Kinky Cigars booth, Kinky talked about making another run for Governor,. He believes the market should determine where one can smoke, not the government, and if elected, he'll fight for smokers' rights and try to restore some sanity with regard to our fundamental constitutional freedoms that are being stripped away by overly officious officials.

The latter issue was the most ubiquitous among all of the manufacturers I spoke to. Premium cigar smokers make up a very small portion of smokers overall, which means they have to speak that much louder. Most of the manufacturers survived SCHIP (this time), but the day-by-day domino effect of smoking bans being passed in virtually every state remains the biggest threat of all. Nick Perdomo reminded me that Perdomo Cigars is the only manufacturer who actually lowered his prices in spite of the SCHIP tax. It's seems to be paying off, too, as most of his cigars are now priced within most consumers' "comfort zone."

One of the highlights for me was doing a video interview with Jose Pepin Garcia. When you see the video interview you'll have a better understanding of why Pepin's cigars are in such high demand. His passion for tobacco is nothing short of Zen-like. In spite of his success Pepin remains ever the humble tabaquero because he's focused solely on blending great cigars.

Another cigar family made its debut this year, the EP Carrillo selection from former La Gloria Cubana creator Ernesto Carrillo. I've have spoken to Ernesto many times over the years, and he's always gracious. Just as impressive were his new business partners, his son and daughter Ernie Jr. and Lissette, respectively. They're both bright and talented (Lissette is a Columbia Law School alum), and I have every confidence they'll carry on the tradition and honor of the Carrillo name.

On our last night in New Orleans, our group had dinner with Yadi Gonzalez-Vargas and Roberto Alonso of Flor de Gonzalez Cigars. I mention this not only because they are two of the nicest people I've met recently in this business, but I finally had a chance to try the "official cocktail" of New Orleans, The Sazerac. It was a bit too sweet for me, and unfortunately I couldn't smoke a cigar with it in the restaurant, but at least I had "the experience."

My apologies to those with whom I didn't have the chance to spend more time, such as Jorge Padron of Padron cigars, Jon Huber of CAO Cigars, Charlie Toraño of Toraño Cigars, Christian Eiroa of Camacho Cigars, Manolo Quesada, Gene Arganese, Avo Uvezian, Pete Johnson, Dion Giolito of Illusione Cigars (who I would have liked to get to know better), Chris McCalla, legislative director of IPCPR, and Gary J. Arzt, who was covering the show as we were, but we just couldn't seem to find each other. Thanks also to Rich Perelman and Pat Harris of Cigarcylopedia.com for letting Hayward and I chill-out in their booth for some well-needed downtime.

Finally, I want to thank all of the manufacturers we spoke to for taking the time to grant interviews with us, not to mention Rocky Patel, Cusano Cigars, and Drew Estate who also treated us to some fine New Orleans cuisine during our visit. Special thanks to Catherine Llibre, Executive Director of ProCigar, and master blender, Hendrik Kelner, who granted us a video interview about the annual ProCigar Festival, and the organization's commitment to preserving the high standards of cigar making in the Dominican Republic.

And so another IPCPR show fades into a haze of blue smoke…

~ Gary Korb

IPCPR New Orleans 2009 Wrap-Up

2009-08-13T17:00:00.007-04:00

By Hayward Tenney

I attended my first-ever IPCPR show this year in New Orleans, and I must confess my sheer amazement. Sure, I tried to play it all cool in the weeks approaching the show, but nothing could prepare me for what would ensue.

Working in the business has been a joyride, but meeting these manufacturers face-to-face is easily among my favorite all-time cigar experiences.

Most of these guys are the salt of the earth; I am humbled by their graciousness, both with their time and their cigars. Perhaps most evident is the universal passion they share.

I made note of a few facts along the way, which I will now share with you. Enjoy!

Fact: NOTHING inspires camaraderie like good food, a stiff drink, and fine cigars.

Fact: I stand 6' 2", and I am seriously dwarfed by Dion Giolito of Illusione cigars.

Fact: Sam Leccia of NUB cigars (and soon Cain cigars) fame is among the most innovative people I've ever met in this business, or any.

Fact: Kinky Friedman and Little Jewford are funny as all hell.

Fact: Don Jose Pepin Garcia's eyes light up like Christmas trees when you ask him about tobacco.

Fact: Jose Oliva and Nick Perdomo's business acumen is surpassed only by their dedication to quality tobacco and craftsmanship.

Fact: Besides making wonderful cigars, Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley cigars is impossibly charismatic.

Fact: Abe Flores and Juan Rodriguez of Pinar del Rio cigars know how to throw a party.

Fact: The fine folks of Rocky Patel cigars, Drew Estate cigars, and Flor de Gonzalez cigars understand that the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Fact: Eddie Ortega and Erik Espinosa of EO Brands (601 cigars, Cubao cigars) are more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Fact: Nestor Miranda could well be the world's most interesting man.

These are the facts, and they cannot be disputed.

CigarMonster.com invades New Orleans!

2009-08-07T12:23:00.004-04:00

Starting Saturday, August 8, CigarMonster.com will be running "Show-Stopper" cigar specials throughout the day, every day, during the annual IPCPR Convention and International Trade Show, which runs through Wednesday, August 12. The Cigar-Deal-A-Day site has even created a special an IPCPR New Orleans-themed Cigar Monster graphic just for the show (shown).

The Show-Stopper specials will be coordinated with our IPCPR reportage via the CigarAdvisor.com website. Famous Smoke Shop merchandiser, Humberto Gonzalez, will be "programming" many of the specials on-the-spot, depending on where Hayward and I are during the show.

If we're with Pepin Garcia, for example, we'll contact Humberto and he'll post a killer CigarMonster deal on something like the Famous 70th Anniversary Garcia Family cigars. The same goes for many of the other manufacturers we meet during the show.

In the meantime, online specials will be running all day long on dozens of other major premium cigars including 601, ACID, Alec Bradley, Arganese, Rocky Patel, Camacho, La Aurora, Oliva, Perdomo, Cusano, Plasencia, Famous exclusive brands, and far too many more to mention.

Check out these monster-size deals by logging on to the CigarAdvisor.com home page or by going directly to CigarMonster.com. You can also follow Cigar Monster on Twitter.

~ Gary Korb

How I saved my first cigar humidor

2009-08-03T14:28:00.010-04:00

My first cigar humidor was a Diamond Crown by Reed & Barton. It was a 25 count box which set me back about $150. The cigar store owner was kind enough to knock $25 off the $175 shelf price, since I was also buying a large quantity of cigars, and some other accessories. The humidor came with a CREDO humidifier and an analog hygrometer, and I kept the box on the mantle of the fireplace in my first house. It always kept the cigars fresh year-round, even in the summer, when it got pretty warm in that old, pre-central-air-conditioned house. By the time I moved from that house to my second house the box was pretty well seasoned. I was also ready for a bigger humidor. I still have that Diamond Crown cigar humidor, and here's why:

Once I got the bigger humidor, I kept it at home and moved my old Diamond Crown to the office for stashing my everyday cigars, sample cigars, and a few special favorites. One thing I hadn't known about when I bought that first cigar humidor was that the lid should close on a cushion of air, which mine never did. However, based on its shallow bottom and heavy lid, I don't think that was ever possible, yet it never gave me a problem until several years later, by which time I had also replaced the original CREDO with a green foam humidifier. The humidity level was always too low no matter how many times I refilled the humidifier. Since I go through cigars rather quickly at the office, it didn't seem to matter all that much, but it gnawed at me. How could such a well-made humidor fail? I finally decided to move the humidor into the Famous Smoke Shop warehouse where I knew the conditions were perfect. I left the Diamond Crown humidor in there for over three years, which gave it a pretty good seasoning to say the least. But once I returned it to my office it began leaking again. I tried the dollar test and it failed miserably. Let me be clear: I'm not knocking the Diamond Crown humidors. Believe me, they're among the best made in the world. I blame it more on the basic design and the years of wear and tear on the hinges.

By this time, XiKAR had released their new crystal-based humidifiers and I wanted to see if their humidifiers could help save my old humidor. After all, the box had sentimental value, and I didn't want to put it back in the warehouse where I couldn't see it. Well, sure 'nuf, within a day after putting in the XiKAR humidifier, the box was percolating away nicely at a comfortable 66% RH with a room temp of about 73-degrees - a good balance. When the temperature goes down, the RH goes up accordingly and vice versa. IOW, the product lived up to its advertising.

So what does this all mean? Over the years, I've received a lot of emails from readers who have had problems balancing the conditions in their humidors with green foam humidifiers. I'm now convinced that the crystal type humidifiers are the are the most dependable, not to mention the most convenient way to humidify your cigars (extra large and cabinet-type humidors notwithstanding).

For the record: I'm not saying they're the ideal solution, especially if you have a serious leak in your humidor. Different humidors present different circumstances in terms of dealing with their particular biospheres. Plus, in fairness to CREDO, their unit, which had more of a clay-like material in it, did a better job than the green foam, but although it had a good run, it eventually became clogged after several years.

Generally speaking, I believe using a crystal-type humidifier will fare much better for you in the long run, and the green foam type humidifiers will eventually share the same fate as the Dodo bird.

~ Gary Korb

The advantages of having a moochidor

2009-07-31T16:11:00.005-04:00

I recently received the following email:

"Is it worth giving a really good cigar to a non-cigar-smoker? I'm talking about giving friends who are not cigar smokers really good cigars. I bought a friend who just got married a Fuente Fuente OpusX. He smoked half of it and said he'd finish it later. I probably could have given him a cheapo machine-made cigar, and he probably wouldn't have known the difference."

I'm sure many of you reading this can relate. That's why you need a "moochidor." A moochidor is a cigar humidor where you stash your under-par cigars and cigars you know you will never smoke for inexperienced cigar smokers, or those schnorers (Yiddish for "beggars"), who are always hitting on you for a cigar. Funny, how they always seem to leave their cigars in the store, isn't it?

When it comes to friends, however, you do want to be generous, and I can understand the writer's eagerness to give his buddy an OpusX as a wedding gift, even though he knew the guy wasn't an avid cigar smoker. I've even done so on occasion, my rationale being, if they take to it, at least I'm giving them a great experience. The writer may have been thinking the same thing.

In today's economy, it probably makes more sense to protect your investment and keep some low-budget sticks handy for those occasions when the moochers come a-knockin'. If you don't have a separate humidor, you can always section off part of your humidor with some undesirables.

For fun, use a little psychology, too. Hold the box in front of them, and as you reach in for the cigar say, "I've got a really special stick in here just for you." I bet you they'll relish that dog rocket.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon Robusto

2009-07-27T12:08:00.006-04:00

By Gary Korb

Almost one year ago to the date in this column, I wrote about smoking the Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon Preferido. This weekend, Famous Smoke Shop had an in-store event with Cusano Cigars and I returned to the Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon, this time in the Robusto shape (which is referred to in my earlier blog). In fact, I had several over the weekend, and I must say, the Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon selection is my personal favorite of the Cusano premium cigar lines; and speaking for the Robusto alone, it's also one of the most well made and consistent cigars I've ever smoked.

The cigar is very well packed and coated with a pristine African Cameroon wrapper. The cap clipped off cleanly (for one cigar, I used a punch). The pre-light draw was effortless, while also sweet and woody, and the foot lit evenly across upon lighting.

The smoke was sweet and creamy with a woody base accented by notes of toasted nuts and a ripple of nutmeg. But what really impressed me about this cigar was the burn. The ash was one of the firmest, going for at least 2 inches before dropping off, exposing a perfectly round-headed cone. Another smoker sitting next to me smoking the same cigar had his burn almost the entire length of the cigar, and other customers noted similarly long ashes on their 59's, too.

This is a medium-bodied, full-flavored cigar with lots of natural sweetness (in the aroma, too), perfect for enjoying in the afternoon, as I did, or in the morning with a cup of coffee.

I think I still prefer the Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon Preferido, mainly for its shape, but the Robusto is a tried-and true winner. As you can see the by scores below, I enjoyed it immensely.

Scores:
Appearance: 9
Construction: 10
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Flavor: 9
Aroma: 9
Final Score: 9.1

If you've smoked any Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon cigars, your comments are welcome.

Music for cigars: Mario Grigorov, Paris To Cuba

2009-07-24T07:59:00.015-04:00

By Gary Korb

Today I want to digress from the usual "cigar talk" by bringing your attention to a newly-released CD by pianist and composer, Mario Grigorov. Titled, Paris To Cuba, if there was ever an ideal soundtrack for relaxing to with your favorite cigar, this is it.

A press release cogently describes the album as follows: The ten tracks on Paris To Cuba are the embodiment of summertime…the album conjures up beautiful complexions, mid-afternoon mojitos, linen garments, and vintage Cadillacs. This is music that immediately evokes an aural landscape, a narrative of striking up a wandering romance with a stranger, a "paseo" through Plaza Vieja or a sunset on the Seine. Blending hints of Pink Martini and Buena Vista Social Club, the percussion section laps as a wave on an empty beach. It is easy for the listener to get lost in the guitar solos, mysterious accordion and nostalgic, sweeping strings. This is not your typical jazz or world record.

The album opens with "Cuban Soil, Cuban Sun," which immediately bought some of the old Perez Prado recordings to mind. The rhythm, which evokes the sway of a woman's hips, is led by a strident Hammond B3 organ, underpinned by rich trumpet flourishes, and sets the mood for all that follows.

Also appearing on the CD is singer Melissa Newman. Grigorov describes her voice as "a cross between Billie Holiday and Patsy Cline," but comparisons to the sultry vocal style of the late Peggy Lee are equally appropriate. Ms. Newman, a painter, poet and lyricist who studied opera under the tutelage of the legendary vocal coach, Marlena Malas, has an impressive live performance resume as well. She has also collaborated with well-known song and jingle writer, Robin Batteau, who introduced her to Grigorov. Her willowy phrasings are featured on three of the CD's tracks: I See," "Every Little Moment,"and "Snake Eyes."

Mario Grigorov, a prodigy of a pianist in his own rite, is best known for conceiving and creating the 1998 classical crossover hit, Aria, with composer Paul Schwartz. His groundbreaking debut record, Rhymes with Orange (1994) opened the door to scoring such critically acclaimed movies as Taxi to the Dark Side, which won a 2008 Oscar for Best Documentary, Leonardo Ricagni's El Chevrolé, and most recently, Lee Daniels' Sundance ('09) success, Precious.

"This album came about from the feel-good spirit that both Paris and Cuba share," said Grigorov. "I must admit, working with my good friend Melissa Newman brought it all together; she embodies the spirit and beauty of these musical cultures. Her voice created the perfect accent for this project."

You can listen to sample tracks from Paris To Cuba, as well as purchase a copy on the CD's website. (I recommend listening to the instrumental version of "Ice Hotel," to get the full impact of Mario's mind-boggling skills.)

So get out the cigars and your favorite libation, then plug-in to your iPod and kick back for a smooth, non-stop flight from Paris to Cuba.

* * *

For more information on Paris to Cuba and to purchase a copy, please visit www.paristocuba.com.

Additional links
Paris to Cuba at MySpace
Paris to Cuba on Facebook

Cigar Review: Jameson Red Toro

2009-07-23T15:41:00.010-04:00

By Gary Korb

Country of origin: Dom. Rep.
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Dominican
Binder: Honduran

This cigar is a new discovery for me. It's one of two line extensions made by Jameson; the Jameson Red series which is a medium-bodied blend; the other, the full-bodied Jameson Black Maduro series. I'll start by giving you a little teaser: if you enjoy cigars like Macanudo and Arturo Fuente, you'll probably appreciate what the Jameson Red has to offer.

The cigar sports an attractive Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with a buttery, latte-hued patina. My sample was virtually devoid of veins except on one side, but it didn't detract all that much from the overall appearance. The packing of the cigar was impressive, with hardly any soft spots, while a neatly-affixed triple cap tops the cigar with a somewhat flat head. The cap clipped-off cleanly, exposing a good portion of tobacco, and permitted a very easy draw. The pre-light flavor was somewhat nutty and toasty, which is why the Mac immediately came to mind.

Once lit, the smoke was mellow and creamy with an earthy-woody base and a pleasant aroma. The toasty-nutty flavors seeped though with a hint of sweetness on the finish for an enjoyably mellow first act.

By its midpoint, the cigar peaked to a medium-bodied character, while the creamy, toasty elements remained steady. The ash had a fine grain and held firm for close to an inch before each ashing. I also gave the cigar high marks for balance, roundness, and aroma.

During the last scene of Act III the smoke began to turn a little sharp, which soured the experience a little for me, but since it was so late in the game, I gave it a pass.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely, if you're a mild cigar smoker looking for a high-quality, medium-bodied cigar with more flavor (and kick) than you're used to.

Scores:
Appearance: 8
Construction: 9
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Flavor: 8
Aroma: 8
Final Score: 8.5

If you've smoked a Jameson Red, please let me know what you thought by leaving a comment.

My Weekend Cigar: G.A.R. Vanguard Gran Consul

2009-07-13T12:42:00.010-04:00

As you may already know, last month Famous Smoke Shop had their annual Cigar Expo, and many of the manufacturers brought samples of their new cigars. Among them was George Rico of G.A.R. Cigars, who handed me a 4" x 60 "Gran Consul" from his new G.A.R. Vanguard series. Let me say upfront, that I haven't smoked a Gran Habano or G.A.R. cigar that I didn't like, so my expectations were high.

It was Saturday night, just after dusk. The night threatened rain, which made me hesitant to pull out the Vanguard, but I had to smoke something new for this week's column, so I said, "What the heck," pairing it with a cup of coffee.

The G.A.R. Vanguard is an all-Nicaraguan-leaf puro with lots of ligero, and even though it was somewhat wider that I usually prefer, I liked the chunkiness of this particular shape. The wrapper was a dark Colorado, virtually free of blemishes and veins. The cap is a beautiful triple style and when clipped the cigar drew easily. It toasted-up nicely, and when I blew on the foot, I could see thick black shadows of ligero suspended in the red glow. The smoke was creamy and predominantly earthy as is the signature of Gran Habano/G.A.R. blends. The strength was medium to full and well-rounded with loads of earthy-woody flavor laced accented by note of nutmeg and coffee bean. I also picked-up a note of lemon-pepper on the finish during the early stages.

Just past the one-inch mark, I saw the lighting flash in the distance. Damn! No rain drops just yet, so I sweated it out until the storm clouds got too close for comfort. The cigar was burning perfectly with a really firm ash to its credit. I wanted to keep it burning just to see how long it would hang on, but common sense dictated I move inside and let it go out in the house. It was hard to resist not picking it up a couple of more times for a few indoor puffs and the ash continued to hang-on (see photo above).

Then I decided to give it the ultimate test: would the cigar be as good the next day? I had to know. Once the cigar cooled, I took it into the kitchen and carefully scraped out all of the ash from the foot with a toothpick (I didn't have a cutter wide enough to cut it back.)

Sunday I took the cigar back outside and re-lit it, now pairing it with a glass of Bitter Lemon. To my surprise, it held up! It even resumed its perfect burn. The smoke became much more robust in the final act, but when you start with 3 inches there isn't far to go, yet the base flavors of the smoke remained consistent. I eventually left a three-quarter-inch stub in the ashtray.

I look forward to smoking another G.A.R. Vanguard uninterrupted at IPCPR New Orleans in a few weeks. Another nice job by Mr. Rico and highly recommended for you full-flavored fans.

Here are my scores:
Appearance: 9
Construction: 9
Burn: 10
Draw: 9
Aroma: 9
Flavor: 9
Final Score: 9.1

If you've also smoked any of the new G.A.R. Vanguard selections, please leave a comment.

~ Gary Korb

The "must-reads" of the week: CigarCycolpedia's Retailer Roundtable

2009-07-10T11:10:00.007-04:00

Get used to seeing a lot of Rich Perelman this weekend, especially if you subscribe to our newsletter. But that's neither here nor there. Today I want to draw your attention to a three-part series of interviews the CigarCyclopedia.com ace reporter did with three of the cigar industry's biggest names in retail: Arthur Zaretsky of Famous Smoke Shop, Lew Rothman of J-R, and Keith Meier of CI.

Mr. Perelman focuses on three areas that are of most concern to cigar retailers: the future of cigar stores, brands and makers, and finally, what the future holds for the industry. I found it to be one of the most enlightening series written on the industry in quite some time. It's not everyday you get to hear what the head honchos really think about the state of the cigar business.

So kick back, light-up a good cigar, and enjoy these "must reads." ~ G.K.

Roundtable I: The Future of Stores

Roundtable II: Brands and Makers

Roundtable III: Today and Tomorrow

My Weekend Cigar: Alec Bradley Select Cabinet Reserve Robusto

2009-07-06T12:33:00.005-04:00

During the recent Famous Smoke Shop Cigar Expo 2009, I received a Robusto sample from Alec Bradley's new Select Cabinet Reserve cigars courtesy of Alec Bradley Cigars prez, Alan Rubin. Having spent the entire July 4th weekend down the shore, I don't usually like to smoke anything on the beach that I plan to review, since it's always blustery and I'm often distracted. So I waited until I got home last night when I could light-up my "SCR" in privacy out on my deck under an almost full moon without interruption.

Besides the elegant band at the head, plus a second band at the foot, the SCR dons a beautiful, dark Honduran Trojes wrapper, similar to that used on the award-winning Alec Bradley Tempus cigars line and several other cigars the company produces. (I'm really starting to appreciate the flavor properties of this wrapper leaf, too.) As for the cigar's construction, it was well-packed with an attractive cap that clipped off perfectly exposing just the right amount of tobacco at the head. I paired it with a glass of bitter lemon rather than my usual Port, which worked out quite well.

At first, I had some trouble lighting the cigar, since it appeared that there was a lot of ligero at the foot. So, short of scorching the poor thing to death, I let the cigar go as it was, and sure enough, all the tobacco took to an even burn within the first quarter inch forming a dark, firm gray ash. The first few puffs had a mellow, earthy, toffee-like flavor, and if I were to compare the smoke to real cream, it would be "heavy cream."

Based on my experience, the cigar falls into the medium to full range, with the needle pointing toward full. The smoke was predominantly earthy, woody, and in no way hot-peppery, with a "dark" sweetness throughout. Notes of coffee and sweet spices were whipped evenly into the mix making this one of the most well-balanced cigars I've smoked recently, too.

This is an very "full-flavored" cigar that's also extremely mellow. That seems hard to imagine, but the best way I can describe it is: you get all this dense flavor flowing into your mouth that melts like butter on the palate, leaving a long, chewy, and complex finish. This cigar was right in my wheelhouse. (I also found that letting this cigar rest a little longer between puffs made it that much more enjoyable.)

Due to a particularly stubborn ligero leaf in this particular sample, the cigar didn't burn as evenly as I expected. It wasn't off all that much to file a major complaint, but worth noting, and eventually it redeemed itself in the third act.

By comparison to other Alec Bradley cigars, the best way I could sum up the Select Cabinet Reserve would be: take the Alec Bradley Medalist, double the flavor and intensity of that cigar; toss in the best elements of Tempus, and you've got one helluva smoke. Comparisons aside, this new blend stands on its own, and I'm very curious to see how it will be received in a few weeks at IPCPR in New Orleans.

Here are my numbers:
Appearance: 10
Construction: 9
Burn: 7
Draw: 9
Aroma: 9
Flavor: 10
Final Score: 9.0

As always, your comments are welcome.

Famous Cigar Expo '09 Wrap-up

2009-06-29T12:01:00.013-04:00

In spite of the rain which pre-empted the boxing match that was scheduled for Friday night's VIP ticket holder festivities, Famous Smoke Shop's Cigar Expo 2009 got off to a great start and never looked back until the lights were finally shut-off at 9:00 PM on Saturday.

At around 4:00 PM Friday afternoon, Miami Cigars set-up shop in the Famous Smoke Shop Retail store where customers and guests alike could enjoy a cold bottle of Presidente Beer and choose from the company's latest selections, including the new Nestor Miranda Special Selection Ruky, La Aurora Barrel Aged, 1495, plus Cubao cigars from E/O brands, whom they now also distribute. Miami Cigars execs, Rene Castañeda and Jose Blanco were in-store to host the event and greet guests.

By six P.M. most of the vendors had arrived, among who included Nick Perdomo, Avo Uvezian, Jorge Padron, Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars (who brought his son Alec to help out), David Blanco of Los Blancos Cigars, Joe Chiusano of Cusano Cigars, Dylan Austin of Camacho Cigars, Nestor Plasencia, Abraham Shafir of Tamboril, Michael Cellucci of Drew Estate, Pete Johnson (Tatuaje), George Rico of Gran Habano, Gene Emond of Graycliff Cigars, Eddie Ortega of E/O brands, Nimish Desai of Rocky Patel Cigars, Keith Sparacio, Seanna Tobin and Micheal Giannini, of General Cigar, Rich Perelman of CigarCyclopedia.com, Gene Arganese, Abe Flores (Flor De Gonzalez), Tim Swail of Humidipak, Victor Vitale (The Cigar Agency), and Heather Phillips of Heavenly Cigars.

Although the exhibition boxing didn't happen due to safety reasons (the mat was too wet from the rain earlier), the lingerie show by Bare Elegance in Bethlehem, PA went off without a hitch.

On Saturday the weather was perfect: mostly sunny, warm and breezy. Don Jose Pepin Garcia came with a small posse which included his lovely daughter Janny. Also in attendance were Jon Huber and Paul Spence of CAO Cigars who brought the custom, "Lady Liberty" bike made by Sucker Punch Sally's, Brenda Doyle of XiKAR, Inc., Manuel Quesada of Fonseca, Casa Magna, et. al., Ernesto Perez Carrillo and his son Ernesto Jr., and Brad Mayo of Jameson Cigars. Kinky Friedman and "Little Jewford" of Kinky Friedman Cigars made their debut, as did Roberto Alonso of Flor de Gonzalez (who brought their own roller), while Altadis U.S.A. brought back former Playboy Playmate, Shannon James, to sign photos. Other vendors included Oliva Cigars, Kristoff Cigars, Vector lighters, Carlos Toraño cigars, John Hay Cigars, and Avalon Cigars.

My apologies to those I may have unintentionally omitted, along with a HUGE thank you to ALL the vendors who took time out from their busy pre-IPCPR show schedules to attend.

Overall, the guests were delighted with the event, many of whom had attended in previous years, citing that this was the best Ciga Expo yet. The food, provided by Gennaro's Restaurant in Easton, PA was delicious and served in a timely manner, while several micro breweries poured their own special beers. Music was provided by DJ Frank Pulli, plus a live band, "Tower Suite," who were kind enough to let Nick Perdomo (drums), Abe Flores (bass), and myself (keys) the chance to jam on a couple of tunes. Drew Estate Cigars sponsored a casino tent where guests could play poker, blackjack, roulette, etc. and win chips to trade-in for Drew Estate cigars.

Lots of trips to the Dominican Republic and Honduras were given away, including a trip to Nick Perdomo's factory in Esteli, where the winners will also get to stay in his home. Dozens of other raffle prizes were given away courtesy of practically every manufacturer who showed-up. There was also a box provided for cigar donations to the troops which, thankfully, looked pretty well stocked.

Special thanks to Brian Hewitt and Walt White of StogieReview.com who were among some of the cigar community reporters in attendance. They've recorded a video with a candid wrap-up of Cigar Expo in which "yours truly" briefly appears slightly punch-drunk from too much sun, too many cigars, and too little sleep.

I've also got some video from the event that I'll be editing over the next couple of days, so keep your eyes peeled for that. In the meantime, you can see all the great photos taken by Famous Smoke Shop's own Joe Ledva and Bill Miller.

If you were at the Cigar Expo and want to leave a comment, please do.

So, until next year's Cigar Expo, adios amigos!

~ Gary Korb

Meeting your makers

2009-06-26T12:27:00.010-04:00

This weekend marks the start of the year's friendliest herf: Famous Smoke Shop's Cigar Expo 2009. Dozens of the world's foremost cigar manufacturers will be there to hand out their finest offerings as over 450 cigar smokers converge at the leading online cigar retailer's Easton, PA headquarters. Food, fun, a little fantasy, and plenty of thick blue cigar smoke will ensue during the course of the 12-hour event.

There's also something to be said for getting to meet the cigar manufacturers in-person. It puts a face to many of the cigars we know and love, giving us an added sense of appreciation for them, too.

Speaking for myself, when manufacturer execs come to our offices for a meeting, or when their sales reps host an in-store event, I always gain a little more admiration for their company.

Every premium handmade cigar is unique in its own way, and from what I've seen over the years, they're all made with love. There's no better way to understand this than by talking to the makers, almost all of whom are of Cuban descent and have skillfully carried on the traditions handed down to them through previous generations, among which include their own unique blending secrets.

Let's face it, ardent cigar smokers are also big fans. In a lot of cases, just being handed a cigar by Rocky Patel, Nick Perdomo, Jonathan Drew, Pepin Garcia, Avo Uvezian, Jose Blanco, or Jorge Padron - to list of some of the big cats - is enough to enjoy their cigars all that much more, not to mention getting to converse with them, too. And let's not forget about the boutique cigar makers, like Pete Johnson (Tatuaje), Espinosa/Ortega (601, Cubao, Mi Barrio), Alec Bradley (Tempus, Maxx), Cusano (Cuvee), Jesus Fuego, Pinar Del Rio, and the like, who may have an even more dedicated fan base. In both cases, I've even seen cigar smokers ask for their autographs!

But all that's cool. Because after all, as cigar smokers we're a very special group of individuals, and we couldn't have this wonderful sense of community if it weren't for the cigar makers. So even if you're not attending the Famous Cigar Expo this weekend, the next time you have the chance, get out there and meet your maker.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles

2009-06-22T12:49:00.005-04:00

As many of you fathers and sons hopefully did yesterday, I enjoyed a Father's Day cigar with my brother during a break in the insufferable rain that's plagued the northeast these past few weeks. My brother lit-up CAO Criollo Pato, while I partook of a Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles I purchased as part of a Tatuaje Robusto variety sampler. The blend consists of an all-Nicaraguan blend with an attractive and oily Colorado-hued wrapper. The triple cap is superb and clipped-off perfectly, followed by a nice, easy draw.

Pairing it up with a glass of Smoking Loon Pinot Noir, the pre-light had that wonderful earthy-cocoa flavor I normally associate with Padron cigars. But once lit, it was nothing like that at all.

ACT I: The cigar started out with a smooth, medium-bodied character. The smoke was especially creamy with a mostly earthy-woody flavor underpinned by some toasty-nutty notes.

ACT II: By the 2-inch mark the cigar had changed-up to a much more full-bodied smoke. The core flavors were still there, but now heavier and spicier with a note of sweetness in the mix. Another impressive feature of this cigar was the burn. The ash was firm, flawless, and held on for at least an inch between ashing.

ACT III: In the final two inches, the cigar held-up nicely even after an unexpected re-light. The spiciness picked-up somewhat, but the smoke remained creamy, woody and spicy with that little glimmer of sweetness. Not a complex cigar IMO, but really solid, and left me wanting more, though I might opt for a single malt on the next go-round.

The Tatuaje Havana VI cigars have been compared to the classic Cuban cigars in flavor, and I can see now where that comparison comes from. Highly recommended for the full-bodied fan.

Appearance: 9
Construction: 10
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Aroma: 8
Flavor: 9
Final Score: 9.0

If you've smoked any of the Tatuaje Havana VI cigars, please leave a comment to compare notes.

~ Gary Korb

The Legend of "Ugly Coyote" cigars

2009-06-19T11:08:00.005-04:00

In the mood for a good yarn? Then gather 'round for a tall tale about some new cigars.

It all started back in the late 1860's. The Civil War was over. Many Americans were heading West where the women were loose, the land was cheap, and the promise of "The American Dream" awaited anyone who could survive the journey. Along the way, men smoked long, thin cigars that they rolled themselves.

As the legend goes, one night while the wagons were circled, a man known as "Big Buck" Doyle was on watch and tending to the campfire. As Buck leaned over to light-up one of his cigars, from out of nowhere a big coyote jumped on him. Buck went for his knife, but before he could put his blade into the beast, the coyote snatched the cigar out of his mouth and ran off.

Alarmed by the scuffle, some of the other men came running out to see if Buck was alright. After Buck explained what happened, one of men said, "You're lucky, my friend. That could 'a been one ugly mess."

"One thing's for sure," said Buck, "That was one ugly coyote," and from then on, he began calling his cigars "Ugly Coyote."

* * *

Sold exclusively at Famous Smoke Shop, Ugly Coyote cigars are modeled after the highly popular Backwoods cheroots. Handmade in Honduras with all-natural imported tobaccos, and rolled to a 4½" x 32 shape with a bushy foot, they're available in pouches of eight cigars or boxes of 10 pouches (80 cigars). The smoke has a naturally sweet, woody flavor and aroma offering a mild, relaxing alternative to Backwoods with much higher quality at a much lower price.

If you're a Backwoods smoker and looking for something new, these rustic looking stogies are well worth checking out.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Rocky Patel Edge Lite Toro

2009-06-15T11:24:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I took my two sons down the shore (that's what we Jersey folks call "the beach") to stay with my parents for a week of fun. Since I like sitting and watching the waves with a good cigar, I brought one that I haven't smoked in quite a while. It was a Rocky Patel Edge Lite Toro that must have been in my humidor for at least a couple of years.

The cigar was in excellent condition. The Connecticut wrapper had darkened some and was still oily. With the easterly ocean breeze blowing right at me I only got half the cigar lit. That said, the cigar showed-off its excellent construction, as within a few minutes it was burning perfectly. Moreover, despite the breeze, the ash burned so firmly it held up almost two inches before it gave in to the wind (see my cell phone photo at right).

Although this cigar is supposed to be a milder version of the Rocky Patel Edge cigars, the smoke was abnormally peppery and strong. I've had enough of these cigars in the past to note that I didn't remember them being so spicy. In any event, I paired it with a bottle of Poland Spring water, relaxing on the sand, and enjoying its sweet aroma as I watched my boys build a sand castle. Ah, the joys of Fatherhood.

Overall, the smoke was dominated by a strong woody flavor with a hefty dollop of black and red pepper from start to finish. I smoked it down to about the two-inch mark, by which time the wind had begun to reek havoc with the wrapper.

Although I've enjoyed this cigar in the past and recommended it often, this particular Edge Lite left me wanting. My faith in Rocky's consistency over the years, especially with his Edge lines, caused me to think that maybe it was just an oddball.

~ Gary Korb

Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary "Danno" Habano Rosado

2009-06-12T09:01:00.005-04:00

By Gary Korb

In honor of National Nestor Miranda Cigar Day, I felt it only appropriate to I post my review of The Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary "Danno." As you know, I've reviewed the mainline Nestor Miranda Special Selection cigars in recent months, and they've become one of my new faves. But this specially blended 20th Anniversary model, which celebrates Miami Cigar's 20th year in business, is in a class by itself.

Named for Nestor Miranda's late son, Daniel, the Danno was "re-blended and 'tweaked'" by Señor Miranda and Pepin Garcia. It's rolled to one size, a voluptuous 7" x 56, and presented in boxes of 20 cigars. Limited to only 1,000 boxes each per wrapper version (the cigar is also offered in a Habano Oscuro wrapper), it's only available for sale in local neighborhood cigar stores.

ACT I: The cigar is beautiful to look at and firmly packed throughout. Capped with a Cuban-style pigtail, the wrapper is flawless and sports an oily, even-toned, dark-reddish patina. The cap sliced-off neatly, and the cold draw was unhindered offering earthy, dark tobacco notes. This is one chewy mouthful of a cigar, too.

Once lit, the smoke was thick, creamy, and medium bodied. As the cold draw predicted, the cigar served up a base of dark, earthy-woody flavors laced with a fruity sweetness and light peppery notes on the finish.

ACT II: The smoke began to build in strength and spiciness, while retaining its underlying sweetness and creamy texture. The burn to this point was razor sharp, and the ash firm, tapping off in one-inch nuggets. This was where most of the meat was, and each puff was as flavorful as the one that preceded it.

ACT III: The smoke was now at its peak, shifting into a potent mix of wood, raisins, and a healthy dose of black pepper. I smoked it down to just under an inch. Though the Danno was a very "heady" smoke, it never became uncomfortably overpowering.

Overall, a highly consistent, bold-tasting luxury-class cigar that more experienced palates will appreciate. In a word: Exquisite.

Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary "Danno" Habano Rosado
Size/Strength: 7 x 56 / Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Appearance: 10
Construction: 10
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Aroma: 9
Flavor: 9
Final Score: 9.3

My Weekend Cigar: Famous 70th Anniversary Garcia Family Robusto

2009-06-08T11:40:00.008-04:00

After a fun-filled weekend spent with my two sons, last night I finally got to kick back and enjoy a new cigar on my deck as I watched the moon rise in a ball of blazing orange. The cigar is one of newest 70th Anniversary releases to arrive at Famous Smoke Shop: The Famous 70th Garcia Family cigars series. The "family" the label refers to is that of Don Jose Pepin Garcia. The cigars are made at his factory in Nicaragua with an all-Nicaraguan filler & binder blend deftly rolled in a dark Nicaraguan Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper.

Many of you know I work for Famous Smoke Shop, so you can take this critique with the proverbial "grain of salt" if you like. But whether you choose to take my word or not, this cigar was one helluva smoke.

Act I: The construction was first-rate: densely packed; a flawless wrapper with barely noticeable veins, and a dark, chocolately patina. When lit, I detected a strong floral aroma. I've noticed this at times when I smoke outdoors. Maybe because the air was heavy with fresh Spring flowers and pollen (I'm just guessing), but it was very appealing. Here, in the first stage, the smoke also had a pleasant herbal character and wasn't as spicy as expected. As it continued to smoke into the first inch, I picked up a strong woody flavor laced with a fruity sweetness, similar to cherries, and some spicy notes. Not a peppery spice, something more exotic that was hard to identify. All I know is I liked it.

Act II: At this point the cigar had a familiarity to it; was similar in flavor and strength to the Nestor Miranda Special Selection Robusto I smoked a couple of weeks ago, which is also made by Pepin. The wrappers are similar, too, which may account for the coincidence, but the 70th Garcia Family Robusto had a much deeper and darker tobacco flavor. So, if you've had any of the NMSS, I suggest comparing them for yourself.

Act III: The smoke shifted to stronger wood and spice flavors and was more peppery, too, while the fruity element had all but ceased. At about the one-an-a-half-inch mark I noticed it starting to turn a bit, but kept it going to about three-quarters-of-an-inch before putting it down.

As full-flavored cigars go, it hit on all cylinders. I would also like to smoke this cigar again after about six months of home aging and compare. I have a good feeling it will improve dramatically.

~ Gary Korb

Cigar Ash Paranoia

2009-06-05T15:37:00.003-04:00

How many times has this happened to you? You notice your cigar has a nice length of ash extending from it. You think about tapping it off, but first you gently nudge it against the side of the ashtray. Resistance. Good! You proceed to take your next puff, then...PLUNK!...the ash is lying in your lap trailed by a powdery wake of black, white and gray.

I liken this phenomenon to riding a bike. Ride it often enough and at some point you're going to fall off. Same thing with cigars. Smoke enough of them, and you're inevitably going to get "ashed."

This got me wondering whether cigar smokers who like to let the ash go as long as possible are the "risk takers," while those who who've been ashed one too many times are the "protectors," ashing their cigars more frequently for fear of soiling themselves. Perhaps the latter group has developed "cigar ash paranoia," thus, becoming "ashophobics."

I believe the relaxation that comes from smoking a good cigar should be held accountable. You get so caught up in the routine of reaching for the cigar and bringing it toward you (perhaps you're in mid-conversation at the time), that you just don't realize how long the ash has become and...PLUNK!

In any event, although it's messy and somewhat humiliating, ashing yourself is no biggie. I've seen it happen to the best. So, take some advice from an old song: just pick yourself up; dust yourself off, and start all over again.

If you can relate, please leave a comment.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: CAO America Potomac and MX2 Box-Press

2009-06-01T11:30:00.007-04:00

This past Saturday, the Famous Smoke Shop Retail Store had an in-store event with CAO Cigars. As usual, their regional sales rep, Paul Spence was on-hand to promote the lines and answer customer questions. The last time Paul was here he was kind enough to give me a preview sample of their CAO LX2 cigars. This time, he handed me a cigar that will be debuting at the upcoming IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans, August 8-12: a CAO MX2 "Box-Press." I'll get to that beauty in a minute, but first I want to talk about the CAO America Potomac I smoked in the store that day.

I could have had my pick of the litter that day, but I chose the CAO America Potomac because I hadn't had one in a very long time, and am I glad I did. This was what I call "a perfect smoke," in every way: construction, burn and flavor. The cigar was well-packed and lit perfectly, too. The smoke was medium to full-bodied with a rich, earthy and naturally-sweet flavor. Many cigars tend to taste very woody, but this smoke was very creamy and more herbal in character. You could tell how well the cigar was rolled by the ash, which formed a perfect cone around the Ligero that was in the dead center of the cigar. I paired the cigar with a cup of coffee and savored it down to a finger-burning three-quarters-of-an-inch. This was really a marvelously flavorful and multidimensional cigar that I'm glad I returned to; I believe I'll be smoking these a lot more often in the future, too.

Now on to the CAO MX2 cigars Box-Press (see my cell-phone photo below). If a cigar ever looked like a candy bar, this was it. The Maduro wrapper glistened with mouthwatering goodness. The cigar is also double-banded. It sports the die cut MX2 band, plus a second silver band that simply says "box-press." My sample was cut to a Robusto size.

The cap clipped off neatly and lit perfectly across. I smoked it out on my deck Sunday night under the stars with a glass of Canada Dry Bitter Lemon. Not only did this cigar LOOK like a chocolate bar, but the flavor was also intensely chocolately. The smoke was thick, creamy and medium-bodied with gobs of natural sweetness, earthiness, and chocolate with a trace of woodiness in the mix. The flavor was also remarkably consistent, too. Even more remarkable was the firmness of the ash on this cigar. I did something I've rarely done with the cigar, too: I stood it on its ash and it held up for second or two. Considering it was very windy, that was good enough for me. (If I had given it a chance, I think the ash would have held-on for almost the entire length of the cigar!)

During the second act, the cigar gained in strength and pulled somewhat of a reversal. The flavor was now more woody laced with chocolate and developed a more spicy edge as well. I smoked it down to just over an inch. I had been puffing on it a lot and sensed it might turn bitter. Overall, a superbly flavorful smoke - nice and chewy, too - and I'm looking forward to smoking another at the show for comparison.

For those of you who prefer a box-press shape, as CAO did with their Italia Box-Press (another personal fave), IMO the upcoming MX2 Box-Press is the bomb.

~ Gary Korb

This ain't no disco

2009-05-29T08:59:00.013-04:00

If you've been following my adventures lately, then you know that last week I had the privilege of attending the annual "Pajama & Lingerie" party at the Playboy mansion, where I was invited to represent Famous Smoke Shop. I was joined by George Sosa, Natl. Sales Manager for Alec Bradley Cigars, and together we spent the better part of the night gifting cigars to the guests. Here again, I'd like to thank www.WebmasterAccess.com for allowing us to be part of their event.

Whenever I told somebody I was going to this party their eyes widened. After all the Playboy "image" and sex are inseparable. But what was it really like being at a mansion party?

To start, the mansion staff are totally professional. From the ice sculpture of the Playboy bunny logo, to the sound, lighting, food, even the paint on the painted ladies, everything has to be perfect to create the ideal party atmosphere.

We arrived at 5:30 to setup and by 8:00 PM the guests began to arrive. The crowd was a mix of Playmates and other Playboy Entertainment employees, Cybergirls, and adult video website "personalities" and producers. But there were also plenty of other guests, many from all over the country, who were not in "the business."

Being surrounded by so many gorgeous girls was invigorating to say the least, but turning them on to premium cigars had its advantages, too. There were lots of girls who would come by and say, "I've never smoked a cigar before. What do you do?" So I would show them how to clip and light the cigar, and most of them really dug it. There were also plenty of guys who had never smoked cigars before.

The experienced cigar smokers (most of whom were only too eager to tell us that they only smoked Cubans), got to discover some great new cigars, especially the Alec Bradley Tempus, Maxx and Overture selections. The Occidental Rsv. Connecticut cigars were also a big hit. Many were coming back for seconds on just about everything on the table, which also included Siboney, and Alec Bradley Medalist cigars. Of course, I handed out hundreds of Famous Smoke Shop business cards, so I'll have see how many guests got "hooked" and hope some orders come in.

I should also mention that in addition to the cigars, XiKAR, Inc. was kind enough to supply us with specially-made Genesis lighters and X1 cigar cutters with the Playboy printed logo on them. (I brought one back for Arthur as a souvenir.)

Just before 10:00 P.M. Mr. Hefner made a brief appearance for a photo op. I was busy at the cigar table, but George got a shot of him (see below). I originally expected to see more "A-List" celebs, but learned that the party was taking place at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival. Needless to say, there was plenty to stare at. The "painted ladies" were incredible. The painting, which is called "Trompe L'Oeil," was so good that the girls actually looked covered (and I use that term lightly) until they get really close.

Well, rather than ramble on about the experience, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Visit the Playboy Mansion Party photo gallery at CigarAvisor.com to see it all.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Nestor Miranda Special Selection Robusto Redux

2009-05-26T11:50:00.005-04:00

Since it was Memorial Day Weekend, I had planned on smoking a lot more cigars, and was hoping to write about one of those instead, but time and the weather down at the Jersey shore just didn't cooperate. I actually wrote about this cigar in September last year based on a sample from last year's IPCPR show in Las Vegas. That cigar was made by Guillermo Rico of Gran Habano, but the blend changed hands to Pepin Garcia (solely for practical business reasons) and kept pretty much the same flavor profile with a little more of that signature Don Pepin kick to it.

I smoked this Nestor Miranda Special Selection Robusto on Friday night out on the patio after my boys were tucked into bed. Prior to that, just for fun, I asked the guys to sniff the unlit cigar. Kids are so honest, I was curious what they would say. The verdict was, "Smells like burnt bark with sweetness." Actually, they weren't that far off.

This version was rolled in a Rosado wrapper and I paired it with a glass of The Macallen 12 year-old single malt. What I love about these well-built cigars is how chewy they are, too. You can really bite down on them. The cigar burnt perfectly with a firm ash and produced a sweet-woody flavor. I wouldn't call it "bark-like" but it was definitely woody and went well with the scotch. The smoke was very consistent and I finally let it go at about three-quarters-of-an-inch.

I've smoked a lot of these Nestor Miranda Special Selection cigars since their release, and they've become one of my new favorites for their consistency in construction and flavor. They're medium-to-full in body, building to a robust, full-flavored smoke after the second act. I highly recommend these cigars, but they are often hard to find in stock. Be patient if you have to backorder them; they're worth the wait.

They're also available in Maduro, which reminds me: I've been sampling the Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary Selection cigars and will be writing a review of them shortly. They're rolled to a 7" x 56 with a pigtail at the head. I smoked the Rosado and should be getting to the Maduro sometime this week, so stay tuned for those reviews.

If you had the chance to smoke something great this past weekend, please share by leaving a comment.

~ Gary Korb

Cigars 2.0

2009-05-13T11:43:00.008-04:00

In our insanely connected world, information seems to travel faster than ever before. Want proof?

• Review sites like Stogie Review and Stogie Guys are rapidly supplanting traditional cigar media outlets
• Facebook, MySpace and YouTube allow the average cigar smoker to share his or her thoughts on cigars, accessories, and industry goings-on
• New, personal cigar blogs like A Cigar Smoker are popping up all the time
• Twitter offers a more real time exchange of information and ideas than even cigar forums

I'm not proposing this as new information, but rather to frame an important question: How is this affecting the cigar industry? I think a couple things are happening.

First, it's giving a voice to the smaller manufacturers out there. In years past, brands like Tatuaje, Illusione, or Jesus Fuego wouldn't have stood a chance against General Cigar or Altadis brands without some serious venture capital.

Cigar smokers are now much more involved behind-the-scenes, because manufacturers and retailers have a new way to engage them. At times it can almost get gossipy - I'm not certain if this is a good thing.

Competition and quality are better than ever. If a company attempts to foist a dog rocket upon the unsuspecting cigar smoking public, word spreads like a virus. To remain profitable, manufacturers must focus on blending quality tobaccos to create quality brands.

Surely you can think of at least one more. Let me know in the comments section.

- Hayward Tenney

Extreme Makeover: Cigars Edition (A new home for my cigars)

2009-05-06T14:57:00.008-04:00

Well, it finally happened: I ran out of humidor space. With cigars and boxes packed into my medium-sized box like so many circus clowns in a VW Beetle, it was time to upgrade.

So I came home Sunday with a new (to me) cigar humidor and could barely contain my excitement. Got it all set up, cleaned out, and the humidifier cranking. It was like Christmas in May - a brand new toy to play with!

I reserved some shelf space on the bottom as my "moochidor." This is where I keep un-banded "mystery cigars" whose origins are unknown, mostly samples inherited with the humidor. These will be passed out to the neighborhood moochers who come looking for a free cigar.

In the middle are some shelves of my "every day" and higher-end loose stock - Perdomo, Rocky Patel, CAO, Tatuaje, Padrón, OpusX, Davidoff, etc. Above that, two shelves are reserved for boxes.

I'm using a Moist-n-aire for humidification, same as we use in our store's display cases. It seems to be working well, but I might look into getting a small circulation fan or two to promote even humidity throughout.

This is the third (and hopefully LAST) upgrade in storage. I donated my old box to my father-in-law.

Do you need to upgrade, or have you done so recently?

- Hayward Tenney

My Weekend Cigar: Bill W. Toro

2009-05-04T14:07:00.007-04:00

You’re probably already asking yourself, what the heck are Bill W. cigars? First, let me tell you who Bill W. is. Bill is a regular Famous Smoke Shop customer who has become a good friend, and have referred to in prior blogs. (He was the one who suggested the Bitter Lemon for cleansing the palate, I recently wrote about.)

Bill was also one of the lucky guests at last year’s Famous Cigar Expo who won a Rocky Patel Cigar Trip to Honduras. The trip also included getting to blend your own cigar at the Plasencia factory. After several months of factory aging, the cigars were shipped to Bill and he was kind enough to give me one. At his suggestion, he told me to let it age-up some more. So yesterday, about six months later, I finally got around to smoking it in the store. I even paired it with Bitter Lemon. Later, somebody came in with a bottle of Sandeman Founders Reserve Port, and I smoked a good portion of the cigar with that, which was a nice match.

So why am I writing about a non-existent cigar? Because I promised Bill I would, and I have a habit of keeping my word. Besides, I thought it would be a good change of pace for this column, and frankly, considering Bill only had about an hour to select his tobaccos, he did a pretty good job. Here’s the blend he came up with:

Wrapper: Sun Grown Jalapa Ligero
Filler: Jamastran Ligero, Nicaragua Habano Ligero, Costa Rican Habano Viso
Binder: Costa Rican Jaltepec-seed Viso

The cigar was rolled to a 6” x 50 Toro, and the wrapper was attractively dark and oily. The cap was well made and clipped-off neatly. The sweet, woody pre-light flavor was a prelude to the smoke itself. Once lit, the cigar drew well and was unexpectedly mild, since I know Bill has acquired a taste for full-bodied cigars. Once it got going, the smoke was very creamy, dominated by a robust, yet very smooth woody-leathery flavors laced with an appealing sweetness in the mix, and carried a long finish.

For the most part, the cigar was well-balanced and consistent. By the end third act it became juicier and more full-flavored, taking on a spicier dimension while maintaining its sweet, woody base. The cigar had some minor burn problems along the way, but always righted itself. What was most surprising about this cigar was it smoked for about two hours. Even one of the other patrons was impressed.

So, there you have it - proof that even an regular guy from New Jersey can blend a darn good premium cigar. Congratulations Bill.

Ever blend your own cigar? If so, please leave a comment.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: Cuvée Grand Lancero

2009-04-27T15:07:00.005-04:00

Last night the weather was perfect for enjoying a genuinely rare treat on my deck under a starlit sky - a Cuvée Grand Lancero. I say "rare," because these Cuvée cigars were made expressly for the European market. It was one of several gifted to me by my good friend J.T. Guagliardo of Cusano Cigars. I found it in the bottom of one of my humidors, where it's probably been for close to a year. (I liken my humidors to boxes of chocolates; I never know what I'm gonna get.)

Before I get to the review, let me add that with regard to my blog on Cleansing the palate before smoking a cigar, over the weekend I picked up a bottle of Bitter Lemon, and I must say that drinking it before I lit-up really did the trick. It was a little sweet, but the tanginess of the lemon juice wipes out the sugary taste pretty quickly, and my palate really felt "clean." I continued to drink it during the entire smoke.

Now for the cigar: Made in limited edition and individually numbered (mine was No.08290), the Cuvée Grand Lancero is rolled to 7" x 40. The blend is comprised of Honduran longfiller, Mexican binder, and a beautifully dark, even-toned Ecuadorian wrapper. (FYI - Cigar Aficionado featured it as their "Cigar of the Week" in April, 2007 with an outstanding "90" rating.)

The cap clipped off nicely and the pre-light had a good draw. Once lit, the smoke was creamy and medium-bodied with strong, sweet-woody flavors, and just a hint of coffee on the finish. However, the cigar was not sweet in a sugary way. The sweetness was more like that of fruit, which in this case, I'd have to say "cherry." So for me, the Cuvée Grand Lancero had a predominantly cherry wood flavor, which remained consistent until the end of the second act.

I should also mention that the aroma of this cigar was especially nice. It reminded me of the smell of a campfire with scents of leather and Spanish cedar mixed in. Plus, it ashed perfectly in little half-inch nuggets during my entire smoke.

During the last third, the cigar lost its "cherry" sweetness while taking on a more full-bodied dimension. The woody flavor became more robust, and the smoke was also much spicier. I let the cigar go out in the last inch-and-a-half because it was just starting to turn bitter, and I didn't want to ruin what was a very pleasurable experience.

Finally, I don't understand why more cigar smokers are into Lanceros. Maybe it's because the shape, admittedly, feels a little wimpy in the mouth. But regardless of its size, I can't imagine why anyone would want to avoid smoking any cigar this good.

~ Gary Korb

Cleansing the palate before smoking a cigar

2009-04-24T08:35:00.009-04:00

This post was inspired by my good friend, Bill W., during a cigar store event at which we got to talking about cleansing the palate either before or between cigars.

Actually, it's a subject I've never really given much thought to, but according to Bill, many cigar smokers use Coke or water, while his trusty palate cleanser is a glass of Bitter Lemon.

Based on the tangy sorbet that's often served between courses at formal dinners and fine restaurants, it seems to make sense. This concept is also related to one of my favorite drinks with a cigar: tonic water with a splash of Rose's Lime Juice. I like drinking it when sampling a new cigar because I believe it helps cleanse the palate between puffs. The only detriment to tonic & lime juice is that it's also a bit sweet, which may affect the flavors of the cigar. For the most accurate cigar sampling, purified water is probably the best way to go.

It's been said that what you ate prior to smoking a cigar can affect the way the flavors lay on the palate. IOW, the same cigar can taste entirely different every time you smoke it, depending on what you had to eat beforehand. This raises the issue of whether or not you should cleanse your palate before lighting-up your cigar. I can't see how it could hurt, but I'd be willing to bet my humidor that most cigar smokers don't.

One thing I would definitely avoid is brushing your teeth, mouthwash, or mints before lighting up. Those things always leave a lingering aftertaste on the palate, and we all know how crappy fruit juice tastes after you brush your teeth. The more I think about it, the more the Bitter Lemon seens to make sense. I'm going to pick up a bottle next time I'm at the market, and I'll report back.

So, to cleanse or not to cleanse? That is the question. If you do, let me know by leaving a comment. Conversely, if you don't, let me know why, too.

~ Gary Korb

My Weekend Cigar: San Cristobal Clasico

2009-04-20T16:47:00.018-04:00

We had our first really beautiful weekend in the Lehigh Valley, and this past Sunday I thought I'd try something new for me, so I took out a 5" x 50 San Cristobal Clasico that I had purchased about a month ago at the suggestion of a friend.

San Cristobal cigars are an Ashton creation made for them by, guess who?, Don José Pepin Garcia, and as puros go, are real beauties. Starting with the lush, perfectly even-toned Nicaraguan wrapper leaf, the cigar is adorned by one of the most attractive "old world" designed cigar bands, which features a colorful parrot. (My phone camera shot above doesn't do it justice. The wrapper was actually a couple of shades lighter in real life.)

Pre-light: The triple cap clipped-off (as I like it) in a perfectly round disc. The draw was excellent, and had I been blindfolded, I'd swear it was a Padrón Anniversary 1964 from its distinctive pre-light earthiness and cocoa & coffee bean essences.

The experience: Once lit however, the cigar took on a slightly different flavor character. The smoke was thick, ultra-creamy, and had a solid base of sweet, woody flavors with just a hint of cocoa in the mix, as well as in the aroma.

I paired it with a cup of coffee, which made a good match. Each draw was a creamy dream, but the flavor never varied from what I found to be a very appealing and enjoyable sweet, woody smoke from start to finish. I also wondered how this cigar would taste if paired with a really good single malt to counter some of the sweetness.

My gut tells me this is a much more complex cigar than I experienced because the smoke had something else going on in it that I just couldn't put my finger on in terms of flavor. Regardless, this cigar, and maybe it was just due to this particular shape, was a full-flavored, one-note aria, but it was sung like the late Luciano Pavarotti would have performed it in his prime.

The only downside to the cigar was the burn (see photo at left), but I blame that more on the wind conditions, since, when I turned the canoed side into the breeze, the cigar righted itself in the third act. The smoke was smooth as silk to the last half-inch, and due to it's perfect balance and lack of heavy spiciness, this is a cigar that even the novice can truly appreciate.

In a word: "par-excellence" and highly recommended.

~Gary Korb

Rediscovering great "lost cigars"

2009-04-17T11:35:00.009-04:00

This week I had one of those little epiphanies that happen every so ofen. I've been going through this CAO 24 cigar sampler I bought about a month ago, It comes with six of the award-winning cigar manufacturer's finest line extensions in Robusto sizes: CAO Gold, Gold Maduro, CX2, CAO Maduro, Criollo, and Brazilia.

By now I've been through all six, but as I continue to smoke through the collection, there's one cigar in here I realized that I've overlooked since it's release, and it's really grown on me: the CAO Criollo Pato (shown). In the past I've smoked only a few CAO Criollos (in several sizes) and enjoyed them all, but now that I've been able to smoke several in succession I have a newfound appreciation for this particular blend.

This got me to thinking about other cigars that I've enjoyed, but only "toyed with," so to speak. As someone who works in the cigar business, there have been many excellent releases over the years that, as good as they were, just didn't "find an audience," as one colleague wrote to me during an email thread on this subject. As a result, I've been encouraged to try some 5-packs of these other "lost cigars" to rediscover them and see what I was missing.

Have you rediscovered any cigars you haven't smoked in a long time? If so, please leave a comment.

~ Gary Korb

The Tax Man Cometh. My cigar awaiteth.

2009-04-15T12:41:00.004-04:00

It's finally here: Tax Day. Yuck. Time to 'fess up to the IRS and take your licks.

I filed my federal and state taxes back in January, but waited until last night to complete my local return. The reason? I knew I'd owe, and based on my local taxing authority's EIT rate of 1.5%, I knew it'd sting.

Yeah, I wasn't disappointed. But the good news is that it's over!

It's easy to equate a fine cigar with snapping photos - both are done on joyous occasions (Have you ever meet a funeral photographer?). But as I grow longer in the tooth, it occurs to me that few occasions in life call for a good cigar like Tax Day. For real.

I'm still deciding on what to smoke, but I have an Avo Compañero all lined up in my sights. What about you?

- Hayward Tenney

On Obama's easing of travel restrictions to Cuba. Then what?

2009-04-14T14:28:00.008-04:00

According to a report in today's New York Times, "President Obama demonstrated Monday that he was willing to open the door toward greater engagement with Cuba - but at this point, only a crack." The report added that "the announcement represents the most significant shift in United States policy toward Cuba in decades, and it is a reversal of the hard line taken by former President George W. Bush." Moreover, Mr. Obama, who is meeting later this week in Trinidad and Tobago with Latin American leaders, clearly wants to normalize relations with the estranged dictatorship. However, that's not enough for "El Former Presidente," Fidel Castro, who would rather see The President go the whole nine yards and lift the trade embargo altogether, which, in his words, would mean "real change."

Yesterday, as I listened to the pundits on the various cable news channels and talk radio, I got all sides of the story from Left to Right. Although there are still many exhiled Cubans and Cuban-Americans who oppose lifting the embargo, according to one talking head, Mr. Obama is basing his decision on the premise (perhaps the Whitehouse actually has solid poll data), that most Cubans living in the U.S. are tired of the embargo and are ready for change.

I support the President's decision, and starting with easing travel restrictions is a rational way to begin. My logic is based on what happened during the 1980's with President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev during "Glasnost." What eventually happened in Eastern Europe? "The Wall" came down.

Let the Cuban people get a little more of a taste of the West. Once the things that Cuban-Americans enjoy begin to trickle into Cuba, who knows? Maybe it will lead to another kind of "revolution," and the permanent lifting of the embargo.

~ Gary Korb

Must a special cigar always be for a special occasion?

2009-04-08T13:52:00.005-04:00

Cell phone RINGS: Bzzzzzzzzzzt...Bzzzzzzzzzzt...Bzzzzzzzzzzt…

"Hello?"

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!"

I immediately recognized the voice on the other end of the line: my Mom. She calls me every year to sing "Happy Birthday." After 29 years, it's a tradition that never ceases to put a smile on my face.

"Thanks Mom, but isn't tomorrow the 9th?"

We had a laugh about it, but it got me to thinking: Tomorrow is the day. What cigar will I smoke to celebrate?

I pondered it for a while, and felt a certain tension rising from my belly to my brain. This weekend we'll be hosting family at my house, primarily for Easter, but also in honor of Hayward's arrival on planet earth. Should I wait until then to smoke something truly spectacular?

I'm no millionaire, so while I savor an ultra-premium cigar from time to time, I can't afford one every day. But we're not promised tomorrow. When I become worm food, my collection of tobacco gems ain't going with me.

Many of us are cigar enthusiasts...some are hobbyists...some are borderline fetishists. Where do you rate? Is it smart to save "special" cigars for "special" times? Or is it a potential waste?

Please leave your thoughts with a comment.

- Hayward Tenney

Why I don't buy Cuban cigars

2009-04-03T16:00:00.006-04:00

Sure, I've smoked Cuban cigars - guilty as charged - and have even enjoyed many of them, but I don't buy Cuban cigars. Actually the last time I bought Cuban cigars was about five years ago in Tijuana. They were Cohiba Robustos, and who even knows if they were genuine.

Let's face it, there is something to be said for Cuban cigars, but here's the rub: Whenever I speak to a cigar smokers who claim to buy Cuban cigars on a regular basis - they always have "a connection" - I tend to get this visceral reaction. Is it because I'm jealous that they can afford a $300 box of cigars? Maybe a little, but it's not about money. It's about principles. Sure, there are still some very fine cigars made in Cuba, and the Cuban soil and climate are perfect for growing prime leaf, but remember, the government makes the cigars, and we all know what happens when the government takes control of an industry. (Beware auto manufacturers.)

If you're a cigar smoker, they you're probably aware that many of the manufacturers of premium non-Cuban cigars are themselves Cuban expatriates. Moreover, the cigars are all produced from Cuban seed tobaccos. Families like the Perdomos, Olivas, Padróns, Toraños, Eiroas, Plasencias, the Carrillos, Quesadas - I could go on ad infinitum - have all been able to create some amazing cigars working with different soils in other countries. In many ways, the cigars created by the aforementioned are every bit as Cuban as a Havana Partagas Serie D or Montecristo No.2.

Using the skills that have been handed down for generations, these grandmasters working in Miami, Tampa, The Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua have worked their tails off, independently from scratch mind you, to exceed the standards of their native country and create the fine brands they are today.

When an American buys a box of Cuban cigars, I doubt they ever consider, or can even relate to, the brutality many of these same Cuban families have had to endure at the hands of Castro's goons, as illustrated in this quote taken directly from the Perdomo cigars website:

A quiet and peaceful man steadfastly opposed to Castro and the communist revolution, Silvio Perdomo was soon arrested in his own home and quickly tried and incarcerated in the notorious Isle of Pines prison where he endured his harshest treatment. Three years later he was transferred to La Cabana, a murky 18th century fortress overlooking Havana Bay. For the next 12 excruciating years, Silvio suffered through squalid conditions, torture and near-starvation at La Cabana and four other Cuban prisons. Nick, Sr. was also a target of the wrath and violence inherent in establishing Castro's "New Cuba." Ambushed by pro-Castro guerillas, he was shot and critically wounded - within view of the very home his father Silvio was arrested and abducted from.
José Oliva has often told me of his personal disdain for the Castro regime. David Blanco of Los Blancos Cigars once told me a story about a relative of his who, despite hating Castro, had an important job in the regime. One day he received a call from a friend telling him he was being set up for a "hit." In a heartbeat he was on the next boat to Miami, and had to send for his wife and children later. Can you imagine not even having time to say goodbye to your wife and children? There are countless untold stories of families enduring dishonor, oppression, strife, and death.

So when someone tells me about the great box of Cubans he just picked-up, I think of it as a slap in the face to these fine gentleman, and all that they have achieved since putting their families' homeland behind them. Just walk through any cigar store today and look at all the marvelous cigars the free market has created! I don't see the need to buy Cuban cigars. And anyone who actually believes that Cuban cigars are superior to all other handmade cigars, is seriously misguided.

I think its fair to say that many of the manufacturers would like to see the embargo lifted, if only to blend their cigars with Cuban tobacco. Maybe when that happens, I'll buy a Cuban cigar. But realistically, I'd say the Cubans have a lot of catching up to do first.

~ Gary Korb

March Fools

2009-04-01T10:53:00.009-04:00

You'll recall the recent shameless marketing ploy of a certain cigar manufacturer. As if to outdo themselves, yesterday Gurkha exhumed the dead horse of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and mercilessly beat its rotting corpse.

"Gurkha Cigars is happy to announce that they too are part of oval office history," said Roy MacLaren, Vice President Sales and Marketing of Gurka…"Several inside sources have finally confirmed that Gurkha Cigars was indeed the cigar that was used between Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton. It was in fact the Grand Reserve Gurkha Cigar, which has been reported to be one of Bill Clinton’s favorite stogies!"

These guys have really taken to the notion of there being "no such thing as bad press." I don't know about you, but I can hardly imagine being more disinclined to smoke one of their cigars.

Various sources list the Grand Reserve as having debuted in 2004. If that's true, then it predated the affair by 7-9 years, making this "story" an early April Fools joke at best. But that's not even the point.

Look, Gurkha…you don't make terrible cigars. Some are even pretty decent. I don't know why you feel the need to sully your brand with these kinds of PR tactics. What I DO know is that good marketing is more than becoming a household name. Just ask Monica.

Do you find this as annoying as I do? Or am I reading too much into it? Please leave your thoughts with a comment.

- Hayward Tenney

What's your desert island cigar?

2009-03-27T14:28:00.006-04:00

A few months ago, a co-worker sent me a link to a cigar forum thread titled "What is your desert island smoke?" It turned out the thread was not about cigars at all, but pipe tobacco. I'm sure this topic has been covered for premium cigars elsewhere, but a cursory Googling didn't yield many results. So, assuming this topic has not been covered ad nauseum, I thought I'd chime-in.

Since most cigar smokers are also collectors, I'd find it hard to believe that they would be able to single out one specific cigar, unless they were staring down the barrel of a gun.

Violent imagery aside, I'm not sure if I could select just one cigar. I think I speak for most cigar smokers when I say that I have too many favorites. Because I often choose a cigar based on the time of day, or more often, my mood, I've got my favorite mild cigars, medium-bodied cigars, and full-bodied cigars. What's even more frustrating is, if I mentioned the one cigar I would take with me, I'd insult the other cigar manufacturers I work with.

I will say this much: If I could only take one cigar, it would be a medium-bodied, but very full-flavored cigar with a sweet, nutty-woody base, earthy essences, and notes of coffee, caramel and cocoa on the finish. It would probably be blended with Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, too.

That brings me back to you. If you suddenly decided to disappear from civilization, what ONE cigar would you bring? To be fair, make it a box; you're going to be gone awhile. Please let me know with a comment. And unless you know how to make a fire, don't forget the lighter fluid.

~ Gary Korb

3...2...1...Fire!

2009-03-26T14:39:00.005-04:00

I just got out of a meeting where, on the conference table, stood a Blazer Spitfire torch lighter. Picking it up, I figured out the locking action, and in short order, decided on a good topic for today's blog.

Well all know there are tons of cigar lighter manufacturers out there who cater to premium cigar smokers with torch lighters - Blazer, Vector, XiKAR...even Zippo got in on the action with Blu. With no shortage of options available, what do you base your purchase on?

Ever the pragmatist, I think one of the most important criteria is the number of flames the torch produces. The most common options are single-, double-, and triple-flame torches. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages.

Single-flame torches provide phenomenal accuracy for touch-ups, but can take a while to light up a bigger ring cigar.
Triple-flame torches are great for lighting up those fat ring gauge cigars, but lack in accuracy, and gobble fuel at an alarming rate.
Dual-flame torches provide a reasonably accurate flame, and reasonable lighting power.

As I'm really leaning towards smaller-ring cigars these days, I'm finding more and more that a single-flame torch suits my needs. Even with larger-ring cigars, a lighter like the aforementioned Blazer Spitfire or my old Rocky Patel desktop lighter seem to do a good enough job.

As for a portable single-flame torch? Well, I’m in the market for one. Any suggestions?

How many flames do you prefer and why? Please leave your thoughts with a comment.

- Hayward Tenney

My Weekend Cigar: Kristoff Criollo Torpedo

2009-03-23T13:27:00.012-04:00

A few weeks ago, I was in the Famous Smoke Shop cigar store and noticed something new on one of the display cases: Kristoff cigars. I had read about these cigars, and discovered they received some very respectable tasting scores, but never had the pleasure. Since they arrived, a lot of the FSS store customers were trying them out and spoke very highly of them, so this weekend it was my turn.

John D., one of our regulars who shares a similar palate to mine (IOW, we like a lot of the same cigars), highly recommended the Kristoff Criollo Torpedo, so I purchased one last week and finally had a chance to relax with it yesterday.

Made in the Dominican Republic, the Kristoff Criollo Torpedo is rolled to 6 1/8" x 52, and a very handsome cigar to look at, too. The blend consists of Dominican Olor and Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos wrapped in a buttery-smooth Nicaraguan Habano Criollo wrapper leaf with a semi-shaggy foot. (The tobacco is not hanging loose; it's tucked under the foot.) The cigar was well packed, and I used a V-cutter to clip it. The pre-light flavors were somewhat woody and nutty.

Once lit, the cigar took nicely, exposing a clean burn. The smoke at this stage was rather mild and predominantly "woody" in flavor. I found the smoke to be very mellow, and so smooth that I didn't even need to drink anything with it for at least the first few inches. The flavor was highly consistent through the first half with a base of wood and nut flavors, a hint of almond, and just a trace of sweetness on the finish. During one drag I tasted a note of anise, but for the most part the cigar did not gain much in the way of strength, which made it extremely enjoyable.

During the second half, it turned into what I would call a "solid medium-bodied cigar that's extremely mellow." I should also note here that this cigar displayed one of the best ashes I've seen. It was firm, and when tapped-off revealed a beautiful oval-shaped cherry. Although the woodiness intensified a little, the smoke did not exhibit any additional flavors.

Overall, it was quite enjoyable. I only drank spring water while smoking it, but I would have preferred to smoke it with a good Port, my usual favorite. However, I like drinking water with a new cigar, since it allows me to better assess the flavors in the cigar.

The Kristoff Criollo Torpedo gets high marks from me, and I look forward to trying the other cigars in the Kristoff line, particularly the Ligero and Maduro selections.

Thanks John. You picked another winner.

If you've smoked a Kristoff cigar, please share your opinion by leaving a comment below.

~ Gary Korb

Gestalt and cigars? What the hell is gestalt?

2009-03-18T11:34:00.004-04:00

I was recently discussing the word "gestalt" with Famous Smoke Shop owner, Arthur Zaretsky, during my lunch hour. Since I'm fluent in German, I was well aware of the literal definition, "form, or shape," but the English counterpoint is infinitely more fascinating.

In English, "gestalt" is the idea that things are greater than the sum of their parts. Walking back to my desk from the break room, I couldn’t help but ponder how, on so many levels, this concept applies to premium cigars.

A premium cigar comprises longfiller, binder, and wrapper tobaccos. Smoke them separately, and you taste those specific components. But when well-rolled in the right proportions, those same components render a fundamentally different experience.

Widen your focus to consider presentation. Most cigar smokers I know care more about a cigar's flavor, aroma, and burning qualities than its packaging, and rightfully so. But what about breaking the seal of an attractive box and observing the elegantly understated treasures within? A bundle could never whet my appetite like that!

Now zoom out to include drink pairing. A cigar you may normally enjoy suddenly attains new complexities when juxtaposed with a beverage. Zoom out another level…does it get any better than punctuating a delicious, well-prepared meal with a fine handmade cigar and digestive? Only if you take an even bigger perspective and consider the added joy of good company.

My wife must often wonder what it is I like so much about cigars. It's all of these things, but so much more. In a word, it's the Gestalt. What about you?

- Hayward Tenney

My Weekend Cigar: Davidoff Maduro Robusto

2009-03-16T14:44:00.010-04:00

At last summer's IPCPR show in Las Vegas, I was fortunate enough to receive a "preview" sample of the Davidoff Maduro Robusto, and so, I felt it was about time I review it.

It's hard to find visible flaws when it comes to Davidoff cigars, and the 5" x 52 Maduro Robusto was no exception. What's unique about this cigar is that Henke Kelner chose to use a Cuban seed Nicaraguan leaf sun-grown in the Jalapa Valley to create a dark, velvety "natural" Maduro, while the core comprises a blend of perfectly-aged Dominican longfillers and San Vicente binder.

The cigar was very well packed with virtually no soft spots, and when clipped, the cap popped off cleanly leaving the shoulders intact. The pre-light taste was somewhat sweet and woody with an excellent draw. I toasted the foot as delicately as I could. The tobacco took evenly to the flame, and off we went as I paired it with a glass of Taylor Fladgate Reserve Port.

The smoke was thick, creamy, highly aromatic, and mild at the start with a sweet, cedar wood flavor base. I expected the smoke to be more robust, but the eight months in my humidor could have mellowed it out some. For the most part, the cigar continued to smoke smoothly and gradually picked up in flavor as it burned.

The Port complemented the cigar perfectly, but it wasn't until the 2½-inch mark that the cigar showed its true colors. The second half offered significantly more sweetness and cedar flavor, while I also attribute a much "earthier" dimension at this point to the Jalapa wrapper. It was like someone had suddenly turned on the lights. The smoke was more robust, while maintaining a medium-bodied strength, and the sweetness continued to build right down to the last inch-and-a-half, when I finally let the cigar expire gracefully.

Although this was not a complex cigar IMO, I like naturally sweet cigars, and Mr. Kelner did a terrific job on this Maduro Robusto. It's a wonderful mix of sweetness, rich woody essences and dark tobacco. Maduro lovers, take note!

If you've had an experience with this cigar, please compare notes with me by leaving a comment.

~ Gary Korb

Does "over-lighting" your cigar lead to a bad burn?

2009-03-13T15:21:00.007-04:00

I've found that if I have a hard time lighting a cigar from the start, the cigar will often burn funny.

Thing is, some cigars just don't toast-up all that well. You may find this particularly true with cigars that have a lot of Ligero tobacco in the filler. That's because Ligero is predominantly oily.

I usually try to get the best burn possible before puffing; blowing on the foot until it's entirely glowing red. In some cases, when the glow settles, you can still see some black tobacco. At this point you have a few choices: Hit it again with the cigar lighter, keep blowing, or start puffing and hope that it takes.

I suppose it depends what kind of mood you're in, but I often give-up and opt for the puff, sometimes alternating between puffing and blowing again on the foot. But even if that gets the cigar going, I find that in some cases the cigar will start to canoe after the first inch or so.

Could this phenomenon be called "over-lighting?"

Traditionally speaking, premium cigars should be lit as gently and slowly as possible. It could be the cigar is somewhat over-humidified, too. I know that some cigar smokers prefer to age their stronger cigars at RH levels closer to 65%. Perhaps this is the reason.

I'd sure like to hear about your experiences with this "phenomenon," so please leave a comment.

~G.K.

Spring has sprung for cigars! Well, almost.

2009-03-11T15:05:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, most of the country savored a nice little taste of Spring. Temps in my neighborhood soared as high as 70º on Saturday, melting both the prior week's snow and my herf crew's resistance to cold weather.

The weekend included some quality deck time, replete with BBQ, cold beer, and of course, a few premium cigars.

Things have cooled back down to a reasonable level, but the message is clear: the check is in the mail. Soon enough we'll be spending plenty of time with friends and family, basking in warm weather, taking in great food, libations, and cigars...and there is just nothing finer, in this man's humble opinion.

Please share your thoughts with a comment.

- Hayward Tenney

Biting the bullet

2009-03-06T16:23:00.006-05:00

Here's one for you. I recently began an email relationship with a reader who originally wrote to me for advice on how to re-humidify some cigars he felt were drying-out. I gave him the 411, yadda-yadda-yadda, and at the end of one of his replies he wrote:

"P.S. I have given up on all cutters. I now prefer to bite off the cap. Maybe that is just a personal preference but I find that it gives me a better “opening taste” after I light it up."

Over the years, I've written dozens of articles on the different types of cigar cutters, their advantages and disadvantages, how to properly clip cigars, etc., and have often received comments from readers about their preferred choice of cutter and their personal clipping techniques. To that end, I have maintained the philosophy that when it comes to the myriad aspects of enjoying premium cigars, "to each his own."

Personally, I'm partial to using a double-blade cutter, and basically "circumcise" the cap (no jokes, please) by rotating the cigar as I clamp the blades together. I've found that this technique helps "pop" the cap off in a near perfect circle, while leaving enough tobacco around the shoulders to prevent the wrapper from unraveling.

That said, I have to admit that during some rare instances, I have bitten the cap off my cigar. However, it didn't necessarily give me a better "opening taste." More often then not, I ended up spitting out pieces of tobacco. Well, maybe I'm just not cut out for biting cigars.

What I'm driving at is, I wonder how many regular cigar smokers opt for their teeth in lieu of a cutter? If you do, or know someone who does, please leave a comment. I'd be curious to know why and what the advantages are, if any.

~ G.K.

Boutique or not Boutique? That is the question.

2009-03-04T16:52:00.008-05:00

A while back we reported on the flippant musings written by the figurehead of a certain cigar retailer. Quoth the maven:

"Boutique cigars are theoretically limited production cigars made by people no one ever heard of before, and fabricated from tobaccos no one knew existed before. In other words, they're cigars that are targeted for brain dead people who happen to have money to burn."

Besides the obvious offense to smokers of brands like Tatuaje, Padrón, Jesus Fuego and countless others, it presupposes that use of the term "boutique cigars" is little more than a marketing strategy. Seems to me the term could use some clarification.

To employ a hackneyed device, Dictionary.com suggestions: of, designating, or characteristic of a small, exclusive producer or business...

So doesn't this encompass just about every cigar manufacturer? Well, not really. There are a couple billion-dollar outfits that produce machine-made and/or handmade cigars. Altadis (Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Trinidad, etc.) and General Cigar (Macanudo, Partagas, Punch, etc.) come to mind.

Here's the rub: in my experience, those who regularly smoke these "non-boutique" brands tend to be one-or two-brand smokers. Call me crazy, but wouldn't "brain dead" sooner describe those who have limited their repertoire to the mechanical "enjoyment" of one or two brands? Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Okay, so the word "boutique" may not be an ideal descriptor; indeed, a purveyor of women's apparel on Rodeo Drive or a small-batch New England chocolatier are more probable candidates for the designation. But as I clip and toast my Cojonu 2006...Mmm, damn that's good...Well, I forgot what I was going to say.

What defines a boutique cigar manufacturer? Sales? Size of operation? Please share your thoughts with a comment.

- Hayward Tenney

My Weekend Cigar: God of Fire Don Carlos 2006

2009-03-02T16:47:00.008-05:00

Just over a month ago, Keith Park of Prometheus International was paying a visit to Famous Smoke Shop and he was generous enough to hand me a God of Fire Don Carlos 2006, a special, limited edition selection made exclusively by Arturo Fuente. As he handed it to me, I told him that I'd never had a God of Fire (gasp!), so I would be happy to include it in one of "My Weekend Cigar" reviews - and away we go!

Now, these two year-aged cigars rolled to 5¼" x 50 ain't exactly cheapos. A box of 10 will cost you around $190, so you can appreciate my glee in getting one gratis. The God of Fire Don Carlos 2006 sports an Ecuadorian wrapper leaf cured to a gorgeous, brick-hued patina that encases an all-Dominican filler & binder tobacco blend. The cigar was perfectly packed and the cap clipped off in a neat little disc. The pre-light flavor was earthy, woody, and leathery with no trace of spiciness, and drew effortlessly.

The foot lit evenly across and the smoke remained in-line with the pre-lit flavor; just a lot more earthy and leathery, with notes of sweet cedar, oak, and in terms of texture, extremely creamy. I paired the cigar with a bottle of spring water because I wanted to make sure I tasted as much of the flavors in the cigar as possible, and I was glad I did.

As the cigar burned past the first inch, it hedged a little off-track, but quickly righted itself. By the halfway point, an appealing nutty flavor began to creep in. Up to this point, the cigar was very consistent in terms of it's character and strength, which I would have to classify as full-bodied, but not in the overpowering sense.

By the third act, I detected a little grassiness and a note of tea in the smoke, but it did not detract from the predominantly woody and leathery flavors that lingered on the palate. If anything, it just made the cigar that much more interesting.

This was quite a "sophisticated" cigar, and I can only imagine now how well it would be complemented by a glass of The Macallan or a very fine vintage Port.

I smoked the cigar down to about an inch, and it held up beautifully. Here again, we have another cigar that's worth the investment for those very special occasions.

For more information on these cigars, visit the God Of Fire website, and thanks once again to Keith Park for turning me on to this rare and wonderful treat.

~ Gary Korb

Birds of a feather flock together (except in cold weather)

2009-02-25T10:15:00.003-05:00

If you're like me, you have a group of co-herfers. When there's an impromptu herf to be had, you can count on this core group to be there with cigars and libations in tow.

Problem is my co-herfers are grizzly bears.

Okay, maybe not, but they DO hibernate from cigars in the winter. Even given the relative comfort of a garage, they are perfectly content to go literally weeks on end without enjoying so much as a small panatela.

Hitting up the local B&M is fine, but to be perfectly honest, I just prefer smoking outside. If that means I need to put on a layer or two and wear a hat & gloves, then so be it. A petite corona like the Rocky Patel Junior cigars or a Buenos Madurito takes about 20 minutes to smoke, just enough time to walk around the block (exercise I could use anyway).

Fortunately, I'm allowed to smoke cigars at work. So it's usually not an issue, unless I'm looking to punctuate a nice dinner with an equally nice after-dinner smoke.

How about you? Do you abstain in cold weather, or do you brave it? Do you spend more time in your local smoke shop? Share your winter strategy with a comment.

- Hayward Tenney

When a good cigar goes bad

2009-02-23T16:25:00.009-05:00

So, you've just finished searched through your humidor for a special cigar, a pricey one, no doubt, too. You've got your libation picked out, your comfy chair, the HDTV, or a good read - whatever floats your boat when you want to relax with a good cigar.

Everything goes according to plan. The cap clips off perfectly; the cigar lights evenly; the smoke is thick, creamy and flavorful. You sit back and enjoy the ride. Suddenly, you hit a pot hole! The cigar is only a couple of inches in and it's burning unevenly. You study it. It's not that far off-line. You decide to pay more attention as you puff and rotate the cigar a little to help it burn more evenly. It'll straighten out eventually, you think. After all, it's a well-made cigar.

Another inch goes by. The cigar does begin to straighten out, but suddenly you notice the wrapper starts to come undone. Your stomach starts to knot-up a bit. I can't believe this is happening, you think. Well, at least it still tastes good. I'll ride it out.

You break off the loose wrapper leaf, but its to no avail. It just keeps unwinding. You continue smoking, but your mood is soured by the increasing problems. I've smoked these cigars numerous times and never had a problem with them, you think. Maybe it's my humidor conditions? Paranoia sets in. You put the cigar down, get out of your chair and go to the humidor. The humidity and temp are in range. You begin checking the cigars for suppleness, dryness. You get down to the bottom row, where you found the cigar you're smoking. It sure feels OK. Now you're thinking, Maybe I picked the odd funky stick. The rest can't possibly be like the one that busted on me. Or can they? Did I ruin a $100 box of cigars?

If this scenario sounds familiar, that's because I described a similar experience in one of my recent Retro-Smoke blogs. It's also one of the most frustrating experiences an ardent cigar smoker can have because it's often hard to tell whether the problem lies with the factory or with the cigar smoker.

Often, if it's the first time they've smoked the cigar, some cigar smokers tend to blame the retailer and ask for a return, even threatening to never buy from that retailer again. However, if it's a cigar has a consistent history of smoking well for you, it's more likely the conditions in your humidor than the retailer or the factory for that matter. On the other hand, even the best made cigars can turn sour for any number of reasons: from the odd lack of quality control at the factory level, simply the cigar itself, or to, yes, even improper storage on the part of the retailer.

So what can you do to prevent a good cigar from going bad? Not much, but here are a few tips that might help:

1. When your cigars arrive, open the box, take a few out and inspect them carefully. They should still be quite supple, even after their trip. If they feel only a little dry, they're probably fine and just need some time in the humi to "settle." The same goes if they feel a little too moist. As much as you may be dying to smoke that first cigar when they arrive, letting the cigars rest in your humidor for at least a week usually gets better results when you fire them up.

2. Try to keep the temperature and humidity in your cigar humidor as consistent as possible. Large fluctuations in temp and RH will negatively affect the cigar over time. It may look and feel OK, but remember, you're just skimming the surface. The problem could be coming from the filler tobaccos.

3. Rotate your cigars from bottom to top every couple of months. Unless you have a fan that circulates the air in your humidor, it's important that your cigars are not packed too tightly and that they get good circulation, which is why it helps to move them around. Most humidors have "dead zones" where moist air doesn't reach them.

The next time you have a good cigar that goes bad, don't jump to conclusions. The solution to the problem could be as simple as keeping a closer eye on your stash.

Your thoughts?

~ Gary Korb

Beating cigar price & tax increases: A how-to

2009-02-18T11:45:00.004-05:00

I count myself pathologically optimistic: While others bemoan winter's arctic freeze, I'm bundling up to try a new Petite Corona. Stuck in a traffic jam? Perfect - think I'll pop in this CD I've been meaning to check out. When life throws me lemons, I make Long Island Iced Tea. You get the point.

Unfortunately for cigar smokers, the good news has slowed to a trickle. Between our tattered economy, absurd anti-smoking legislation, manufacturers raising prices, and newly-minted cigar taxes, it's getting tough to maintain a positive outlook. Here's a guide for putting the pep back in your step.

1. House Brands
You're already familiar with superstar cigar manufacturers like CAO, Rocky Patel, Jesus Fuego, and Nick Perdomo. In addition to nationally branded lines, they also create budget-friendlier cigars exclusively for retailers. Some good examples that come to mind are the CAO CX2, Conuco (Rocky Patel), Royal Nicaraguan bundles (J. Fuego), or the Private Selection 70th Anniversary Edition Nick Perdomo created for Famous Smoke Shop.

2. Sign up for weekly email sales
These email-only cigar specials offer tons of bang-for-the-buck. While you won't want to pull the trigger on every one, you'll certainly have more options for saving money on top-quality smokes, plus freebies like matching boxes, free samplers, and free shipping.

3. Cigar Auctions
Cigar auction websites are like "the eBays of cigars" and one of the best ways to get a great deal. You have to do a little extra work, but it's usually well worth it. Many bids often start at $1, but the key is to check back early and often on whatever you're bidding on.

4. One-Deal-A-Day cigar sites
These sites are like "Woot" for cigars and often offer the biggest savings of all. The key here is you have to check the cigar deal-a-day websites every day, so it pays to bookmark them. You may not always find your "ideal" cigar there, but patience pays off in spades once you hit that hot item you'll been waiting for.

How do YOU plan on "beating the man?"

- Hayward Tenney