Staff, Author at Cigar Life Guy

How to Cleanse Your Palate Before Smoking Cigars

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Staff

Have you ever had your favorite cigar and enjoyed the nuanced tasting notes only to have it taste completely different or even bland the next time you try it? Perhaps the aroma has changed and something seems off about your smoke. You may be the victim of palate or olfactory fatigue! To get the fullest flavor out of your premium hand rolled cigar, cleanse your palate so the flavors of the smoke roll over your taste buds and waft through your nose. What you eat, drink, and smell from the environment you’re smoking in can affect the nuances of your cigar to some degree.

The Science About Taste and Smell

The human tongue is made out of receptors we call taste buds which look like small bumps. These bumps contain papillae that are specifically shaped to receive only certain structures. Think of them as shaped containers that can only contain one shape. If a container can only hold a square object, then a circular object will not fit in. When the papillae acclimate to a specific structure they send a signal to your brain telling it something is sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or savory (or umami). With all of these combined, we receive the signal of what the brain perceives as flavor.

In addition to that, when you chew food or, in our case, smoke a cigar, these structures also travel their way up to your olfactory sensors in the uppermost part of your nose. These sensors also send signals to your brain and when mixed with the signals from your taste buds they tell the brain what flavor you’re experiencing.

So whether you get cocoa notes while smoking a maduro or sweet cream notes from a Connecticut your taste buds and olfactory sensors are receiving certain structures and telling your brain the closest thing akin with which you’re most familiar.

Taste, Smell and Smoking Cigars

If you’re smoking the same cigar day after day or even different cigars one after another your sense of taste and smell can become overloaded. Tasting similar things over and over again may cause your brain to become dull to the signals your tongue or nose are sending.

For example: if you burn toast you will smell it immediately and your brain will tell you something is burning. After throwing the toast in the trash, the smell will linger but after a while your brain will forget or block out the signals that say something is burning. If you leave the room and come back, the smell of bad cooking will be fresh in your mind.

Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you freshen your palate and experience your favorite cigars as if you were experiencing them for the first time.

Cleanse Your Palate and Taste Buds

Water

Room temperature water helps hydrate and refresh your taste buds. If you drink cold water, it will shrink your receptors and impede the papillae from grabbing on to flavor particulates. The more they can grab, the more intense the flavor.

Sparkling Water

Not only does sparkling water help to hydrate your mouth, the carbonation can stimulate the tongue, allowing your taste buds to get ready to receive more flavors.

Coffee

The acidity in coffee helps cut through flavors lingering in the mouth. Black coffee is best as cream or milk can coat the tongue in fats that can mess with what you’re tasting in your smoke. The bitterness in coffee can also help contrast certain flavor notes. Sometimes a brew can overlap with the coffee notes in cigars and highlight other flavors like cocoa or caramel. The aroma of coffee can also clear out your olfactory senses. You will often find coffee beans in a jar at cologne stores to help freshen your sense of smell.

Tea

Much like tobacco, tea leaves are grown in similar conditions and left to dry and age like cigars. It’s the same with coffee. The acidity improves your ability to taste cigars. Try pairing the color of your tea with the color of your cigar wrapper. The two complement each other’s taste. If you’re smoking a bold maduro, go for some black tea. A fun combination to try is light green tea with candelas. Again, the smell of tea can freshen the old sniffer right up.

Citrus

Similar to coffee and tea, drinks with lemon or lime help freshen your taste buds. Citrus preps your taste buds to take in more flavors. You can also add a slice of lemon or lime to your water, sparkling water, or tea. This improves the palate cleansing power.

Ginger

That pile of pink pickled ginger on your sushi plate isn’t just for show. Eating pickled ginger in between bites of your nigiri washes the palate. It prepares your tongue to taste the subtleties of the fish you’re eating. If eating pickled anything sounds gross while smoking, try ginger ale or ginger beer instead. The spiciness can complement the pepper notes in a Habano wrapped cigar.

Sparkling Coffee

Apparently, mixing espresso or coffee with sparkling mineral water is a thing. Is it a good thing? That’s subjective. However, it makes for an interesting experience when puffing on a good cigar. The fizzy acidity works wonders on the taste buds. Again, the aroma of coffee helps with the ol’ olfactory sensors. Speaking of which…

Cleanse Your Palate and Olfactory Senses

Eighty percent of taste is mostly what we smell. Something that comes to mind is retrohaling. Retrohaling is when you take a puff and let it roll around your mouth for about 10 seconds. Then, you blow it out through your nose. When you retrohale, you find different aromas that aren’t as pronounced on the tongue. Here are two sure fire ways to cleanse your nostrils of stagnant smoke that aren’t already mentioned above.

Cleanse Your Palate with Fresh air

If you’re in a lounge or a smoking den, no matter how well ventilated it is, the scent of cigars will still linger in the air. This can be especially true with flavored or infused cigars. Remember when you burnt your toast earlier? It’s the same idea. Simply get up and get a little breather outside. Getting some fresh air resets your brain from the constant stimulation it’s getting when sitting in a room.

Cleanse Your Palate with Your Own Skin

Another easy way to refresh your olfactory sensors is to smell your own skin, but only if you’re not wearing cologne. If you’re in a lounge or smoking in a room you shouldn’t smell of cologne anyway as the scents can horribly affect your cigar experience as well as others who are present. Don’t be “that guy”. This is another good way to ruin your cigar experience. If you’re not that guy, smelling the crook of your elbow or the skin on your arm provides your brain with what it’s already familiar with: your own scent.

Cleansing Your Palate When All Else Fails…

If you’ve tried everything and your cigars taste bland, then your palate may be burnt out. To help repair your senses, eat bland tasting foods for a week or two. Unsalted water crackers are good for this and, for this reason, many often pair them with cheese and wine. Plain oatmeal or whole grain bread also helps your taste buds refresh. Plus, you should be eating these anyway as they’re good for you and heart healthy.

If your sticks are starting to taste samey samey, these tips and tricks will help out. Your tongue and nose will thank you and those cigars will taste better with a cleansed palate. Try some of these methods before smoking your after-dinner cigar! Protip: if you ate something fatty, like a good steak, try to order a lemon sorbet if you can. It’s a good dessert as well as a good palate cleanser.

Photo credit: Unsplash

How to Cut a Cigar Without a Cigar Cutter

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Staff

It’s a beautiful day outside and you’re enjoying yourself. The sun is shining. There’s a slight breeze in the air, and you think to yourself, “Wow, what a perfect time for a cigar!” You pull out the cigar that has been waiting for you to light it at this very moment. You grab your cigar poker to loosen the tobacco, but disaster strikes. You realize that you left your cigar cutter at home! If this has ever happened to you, then fear not. Thankfully, there is more than one way to cut a cigar. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, we’re going to teach you how to cut a cigar and turn this rough situation into a win.

How to Cut a Cigar Using your teeth

Back in the day, good cigar cutters were a luxury. Many cigar-smoking veterans have developed the tried-and-true method of clipping their cigars with their teeth. While this takes practice and experience to get right, it is still one of the most effective ways to clip your cigar in a pinch.

While holding your cigar, place the cap of the cigar between your front teeth. Start by slowly bringing your teeth together like a good cigar cutter. This helps break through the cap. Then, bite swiftly to cut the rest of the way through. Take care, though. You don’t want to bite off too much of the cigar.

How to Cut a Cigar Using a Knife

If you’re the type of individual who carries around a pocketknife, then it’s your time to shine. Before cutting, sharpen your blade. Remember, you want your blade to slice through the tobacco, not tear it. A dull blade can deal more damage to a premium cigar than anything else.

Upon pulling out your cigar, place your blade about 1/12 of an inch from the top of the cap. Now slowly rotate your cigar in the direction of the wrapper until you have completed a circular slice the entire way around the cigar. If you’ve done this correctly, the cap should pop off on its own. If the cap has not yet come off, then try to find a flat surface you can set your cigar on. If you can’t find a flat surface, make sure to hold the cigar firmly. Place your blade within the cut you have just made and quickly press the blade through your cut.

Punch a Hole

When you use your teeth or a knife to cut a cigar, you always run the risk of cracking the outer layer of tobacco. If your cigar is too precious to take those kinds of risks, then your next best option is punching a hole in the cap. Punching a hole in the cap allows you to smoke the cigar without completely removing the cap. The only thing you have to worry about is making sure you get the correct airflow.

First, find a sharp-pointed object. This can be anything from a screwdriver to a fishing hook. If you have matches, you can even use a dull knife to sharpen the end of a match as a makeshift hole puncher. We’ve even used a thorn from a wild rose bush before. Now the best way to accomplish this is to take your sharp object and poke it directly through the top of the cap. Once the hole has been punched, put the cigar in your mouth and test the draw. Widen the hole with your tool of choice until you get the desired airflow.

While we hope you’re never in a situation without your good cigar cutter, it’s good to have the ability to get by without it. Check out the rest of our cigar articles to discover more useful tips on cigar smoking, like how to select a great cigar humidor. There’s a lot of culture that comes with cigar lifestyle!

Photo credit: Pixabay

Yahya McClain: Boxing World Champion to Cigar Buff

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Staff

Yahya McClain (born John McClain in 1967) has crammed a whole lot of living into his slightly more than half a century walk on this earth. Yahya is a two-time boxing world champion – once as a light heavyweight and once as a cruiserweight. Following his boxing career as a fighter, McClain trained and then later married Laila Ali, the daughter of arguably the greatest boxing world champion of all time, Muhammad Ali. Currently the CEO of YES Filmworks, Inc., McClain has spent the past three decades in the entertainment industry as a promoter, manager and producer. Many of his unfiltered escapades are chronicled in his 2013 autobiography “And Still: The Memoirography of Yahya McClain“.

If you see McClain these days, it’s usually with a lit cigar in his mouth. The guy just loves his cigars. Cigar Life Guy was able to catch up with McClain and chat a bit at Highland Cigar Co. in Atlanta where both hold memberships and tend to hold court most afternoons.

Boxing World Champion Yahya on Gratitude

Cigar Life Guy: Boxing has changed since you were coming up and so has the world. Would you recommend a young person today box?

Yahya McCain: I would most definitely recommend boxing because of all the great things it has done for me. The lifestyle it has afforded me and my family. I’ve been all over the world because of boxing. Made millions of dollars and had all the toys. The discipline that boxing instills in a person can be useful throughout a person’s entire life.

CLG: What advice would you give someone looking at getting started boxing?

YM: Find yourself a teacher of the art of boxing and not just a coach or some guy hollering at kids in the gym. Find someone that is passionate about what they do. When you do find that vetted, tested, and proven teacher; and if you are welcomed into his fold, please respect him, and listen to him. Do as he says and trust the process.

CLG: If you could change one thing in professional boxing what would it be?

YM: I would make it so that no matter who the fighter is or what race the fighter is if the guy loses a fight give him a rematch. Don’t make him wait years. If that fighter gets in the ring, puts fans in the stands or has the fans that happen to see him fight and start screaming and yelling because of his or her performance, well then, that fighter should keep being showcased on the main stage. Win, lose or draw. Don’t exile a fighter that loses a close fight.

Muhammad Ali was a Genuine Man

CLG: You had a chance to know a side of Muhammad Ali that many did not. What are one or two things about Muhammad Ali the person that the public didn’t get a chance to see?

YM: First, he was always on 100 until the moment went to sleep. He loved and would entertain groups large or small. Second, his plan from the beginning of his career was to use his fame and celebrity to do his part in helping this world to be a better place for all human beings.

Cigars Offer a Connection to Family

CLG: When did you start smoking cigars?

YM: I started smoking cigars for real in 1999 or 2000. It was when I retired. But prior to that my grandfather used to smoke cigars every day since I was a baby. He used to cut our hair and he always had a cigar hanging in his mouth and his breath stunk so bad. Who knew years later I would be an avid cigar smoker? He also played golf, he had a picture hanging in his barbershop of him and Joe Louis playing golf together with a cigar in his hand. Again, who knew? God had it to where he allowed me the opportunity to play golf with my grandfather and we smoked a cigar together before he died.

Cigars Make Traffic More Tolerable

The way that I really got hooked on cigars was due to that 405 freeway in Los Angeles. Man, the traffic is so bad and I had to commute from the Valley to LA Boxing gym to train Laila Ali. The gym was near the airport so I was done with that traffic. Then one day I said let me try to calm my nerves with this cigar. So I lit it up and smoked in my Benz for the first time and the next thing I knew I was at home. That’s the day I became an official cigar aficionado. At that point I was hooked. Cigars are a part of who I am. I’m known for my hats, cigars, and boxing.

CLG: What do you enjoy most about smoking cigars?

YM: I love the way a cigar smells when it’s being smoked especially if I’m smoking it. But I really love the calming cool sensation you get from it. The other big benefits are the lifestyle and the great people you get to meet and form relationships with, people from around the world!

CLG: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a friend or someone that is just starting to smoke cigars?

YM: My advice to new cigar smokers is start with a Perdomo or something along those lines and skip the chocolate, wine, and tasty cigars [Editor’s note: skip the flavored cigars]. I mean at least try a real one first.

The Boxing World Champion is Not Done

CLG: What’s next for “The Champ?” Any professional projects we should be looking out for soon?

YM: Related to boxing, I’m a ring announcer and a boxing referee. Outside of boxing I have several creative projects. I’m writing every day. I have a feature film about baby mama drama, and I have the first season of 10 episodes of a spin-off tv show written as well. Both the film and the tv series have a female lead that is fighting for fathers’ rights!

You know, I am really enjoying life to the fullest these days. My wife, my kids, my whole family, my mom, my brothers, I mean I’m blessed. We are living the dream and staying out the way!

CLG: Thanks Yahya, some good stuff!

Follow Yahya McClain on Instagram at @thevoicechamp

Photo Credit: Yahya McClain

Six Things Your Cigar Bartenders Wish You Knew

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Staff

The cigars are only one aspect of the experience at the cigar lounge. By and large the cigar bartender at your local cigar bar appreciate the job they have, certainly relative to other bar gigs. Yet, there are a few things you as a patron ought to know. So, we reached out to the community of cigar bar staff to get the scoop from their perspective. Here’s what your cigar bartenders wish you knew:

Cigar Bartenders Work for Tips

Like other bartenders and servers, most of our incomes come from tips. The hourly wages we get won’t cover our Uber rides or childcare for our shifts. But we like working in cigar bars. On whole, cigar folks are good tippers, relative to other places we work. That’s a big reason for us to stick around.

Some cigar folks can do better, though. We’re talking about some members or a regulars who receive many freebies such as coffee, soft drinks, or etc., or who don’t purchase from the humidor, often as a result of membership fees. Cigar bartenders still must serve you even though we didn’t get paid on your annual membership. Throw us a little something now and then or don’t tip as a percentage of your check. If you’re here all afternoon and buy a coffee, we might refill your cup six times. But when it comes time to pay, even 50 percent on your $3 check is way light for the service we provided.

Also, we genuinely appreciate small gifts, like the gift of a cigar from your personal humidor. But that cigar doesn’t pay our bills. It’s better to tip appropriately. Then, if you want to give us something in addition to that, it’s perfectly fine.

Cigar bartenders are also realistic. We understand when you purchase a box of cigars or make a large purchase out of the humidor and pay via one credit card tab. If that tab is co-mingled with your small bar tab, we don’t necessarily expect you to tip 20 to 25 percent of the entire tab. Of course, if you do then we certainly won’t complain either.

Cigar Bartenders Don’t Want to Date You

You want to date us, too? Seriously, guy! You’ve probably got kids older than us! Besides, we’re more than likely married or seeing someone. Just because we’re not wearing a ring or talking about our significant other doesn’t mean we’re on the market. And even if we were, you aren’t what we’re looking for. Yes, we’re attractive. Yes, we might be dressed somewhat provocatively. We might also flirt with you a little or are happy to see you. But we also work for tips. That doesn’t give you a license to be a creep.

Bartenders and Servers Talk About You

Ever wonder whether secret conversations about you are happening among us? They are, but that’s usually a good thing, not a bad thing. If you’re a creep or an awful tipper, then we’ll tell other staff members and probably a few of the regulars. We’re not priests, doctors or lawyers. There is no such thing as cigar bartender or smoker confidentiality. Alternatively, if you’re a good guy or gal, then we’ll share that informally with the rest of the staff and our favorite regulars, too. This is kind of news enhances your status within the bar, though.

You may not realize that we refer business all the time, but we do. In fact, you’d be amazed how many referrals we give. We consider it a win-win. If you’re a business professional and a cigar bar regular, then let me know what you do once we’ve become acquainted. Don’t do it in an obnoxious way, though. We’ll choose who to refer you to and if it’s appropriate. Of course, if you don’t make a positive impact on us, that referral opportunity will probably not happen. You’d be amazed how many conversations in the bar we take part of. People are always looking for referrals.

Don’t Be a Seat Hopper

One of the great things about the bar is that it is informal with open seating. Don’t abuse it. We understand that you might move seats occasionally. We also understand that you might want to talk with a friend who’s visited. The problem is every time you get up, that’s a seating area we must clean. That’s particularly now that we live in the COVID-19 era. Now, our work also involves sanitizing seating areas for the next person. Some regulars dirty half a dozen seats within a two-hour span and it drives us nuts!

Cigar Bartenders Not an Expert on Cigars

Are cigar bartenders also cigar experts? Maybe, but the odds are that we don’t even smoke cigars! We’re bartenders, not a tobacconists. We might not even know the difference between a Corona and a Connecticut. And we certainly might not know that a cigar can be a Corona as well as a Connecticut. Unless you know differently, we’re probably not the one to geek out with about minute cigar details. Stick to regular bar room conversations with us like sports, current events or etc. If you want to talk cigars then everyone else in the bar is probably a better candidate than us. There is one expectation, though. We won’t complain about the smoke or cigar smokers in general. If we didn’t want to be around smoke we wouldn’t be working here.

Know What Time It Is When We Interact

Part of our job as a bartender, even if it is unwritten, is chopping it up with you and other regulars. In fact, that’s one of the best parts of working in a cigar bar. The cigar crowd is usually a joy to be around and we learn a lot about life from you. You might not know this, though, because we haven’t said as much. Some of your suggestions and advice benefit us greatly in our personal lives and sometimes even our non-bartending professional endeavors. We grow as individuals from some of the smokers we meet this place.

Hard stop, though: When we’re slammed with work, our job is to make drinks, not be your conversation companion. Look around and read the room. Read our body language. Then, let us do our job get those drinks out! We had a great chat an hour ago, but it’s prime time now.

As a side note, if you’re here watching the big game and you know you want to leave as soon as it’s over, clear your tab in the middle of the fourth quarter. We go through this every Saturday and Sunday. You know it and we know it. Everyone wants to close out tabs at the same time. If you don’t want to wait, then close out early so you’re free to leave sooner.

Hopefully all of this was helpful. Be good to us and we’ll be better to you. We really do appreciate you and your patronage. Additionally, we also realize that customers like you pay our bills. We just ask that you treat us with the same respect we offer you. We can’t wait to see you again tomorrow.

The Final Word

Working as a cigar bartended isn’t always easy, as you can see. In fact, sometimes it’s downright challenging. Cigar Life Guy has had the priviledge of speaking with many cigar bartenders to gather this important information for you. Not only does this advice help your friendly bartenders, it also helps you, as a cigar enthusiast, elevate your status while visiting your favorite cigar lounge. If you’re new to cigar lifestyle, then might not know the conversations and other things that go on behind the scenes of the cigar bar. We hope you enjoyed this post. More importantly, we hope you’ve gleaned something valuable to level up your cigar lifestyle.

This blog reflects conversations with many bartenders in cigar bars who wished to remain anonymous. It includes some generalizations as well. Certainly, some bartenders are true cigar aficionados and love the leaf more than anyone in the room. You might also find a bartender who wants to date you, but good luck. Regardless, don’t be a creep, but do enjoy cigar lifestyle.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Five Things You Should Know Before Beginning Cigar Lifestyle

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Staff

Beginning a cigar lifestyle is not for everyone. In fact, if the thought of drawing in the rich flavor and aroma of a fine cigar doesn’t appeal to you, click away. However, if you ever thought about smoking cigars or you currently enjoy an occasional stick, then this is the article for you. Cigar lifestyle is one of comaraderie and the ultimate enjoyment of some of the finest cigars created. However, there are a few things you should know to help you decide whether beginning cigar lifestyle is for you. So, kick back in your chair, light that stick, and read on.

Research the Cigar Lifestyle

Before you begin the cigar lifestyle, do a bit of research. It’s as simple as perusing the internet on your phone. With so much information available, you’ll want to discover the benefits, disadvantages, costs, and more. As a matter of fact, you’ll find a lot of useful information browsing the articles section of CigarLifeGuy.com.

Just a general research and browsing the web provides a ton of information to help you decide whether cigar lifestyle is for you. For example, you willdiscover that a cigar is nothing like cigarettes or chewing tobacco. It’s 100 percent handmade, long-leaf tobacco with no additives or fillers. The nicotine buzz you get from cigars is nothing like that of cigarettes or chewing tobacco, either. The important takeaway is that by doing some research, you’ll know what you’re getting into.

Expect to Spend Some Cash

Everything you’re going to smoke turns into ash. In the end, you won’t hold anything because cigars are consumable items. They are not a necessary item. They are a luxury, which is probably why you don’t often see 20-year-olds enjoying a fine cigar. Typically cigar lifestyle is occupied by those who have an established life and disposable incomes. Good cigars and cigar accessories cost money and lead to an overall better experience.

Don’t be the bargain hunter. You’ll end up smoking the cheapest cigars and using the cheapest cutters. All these combined lead to a horrible cigar experience and no one enjoys a cigar that tastes bad. It’s better to save some cash and buy some mid-range cigars. It’s also better when you can invest in a cigar humidor, lighter and a quality cutter. Overall, be prepared to spend some cash in the cigar lifestyle. You’ll thank yourself for it later.

Have Cigar Lifestyle Smoking Buddies

Everything is easier when you smoke with friends. You can learn from them, relax, and enjoy the cigar together. Socializing is a big part of the lifestyle and it’s even better when you do it with friends. Friends that can show you the ropes in the lifestyle or buy bundles together. Plus, smoking cigars gives you a good excuse to hang out with your buddies.

Yes, there are many smokers that enjoy cigars on their own. However, it’s better to start out with friends. You can learn from them so that you don’t repeat mistakes that would make you hate cigars. Also, you can always check out a cigar shop or lounge. You’ll make friends simply by visiting and hanging out at the lounges and shops. You will find that people in the cigar lifestyle love talking about cigars.

People Around You May Not Like Cigars

Cigar smoking can make you unpopular with certain people. There are going to be people who don’t like the smell or smoke of your cigars. People close to you will express concern about your health and start suggesting you quit the lifestyle. The last thing you want is your spouse to have problems with you because of your new cigar lifestyle. In any case, smoking cigars gives you a good excuse to leave your house and enjoy a cigar outside on your patio or in backyard.

American culture tends to be very anti-tobacco. A lot of people think anything related to tobacco is bad and evil. Try smoking in a public area you’re not familiar with and you’ll probably catch some dirty looks from random strangers. You’ll have random people asking cynical questions about cigars and reminding you of the hazards of smoking cigars.

Don’t Just Stick to One Cigar

If you’re beginning the cigar lifestyle, don’t just stick to one cigar. Smoke a variety of cigars and find out what you like. The first couple of cigars may not taste good to you or you may have smoked them the wrong way. Eventually, you’ll find that one cigar you enjoy and have a good experience with. Don’t be afraid to try different brands. If you’re not sure, buy samplers. If expanding your palate is something you can’t do or something you don’t have time for, perhaps the cigar lifestyle isn’t for you.

These five things should help you consider whether the cigar lifestyle is for you. The cigar lifestyle may seem a little complicated at first. Yet, if you have a good group of friends to smoke with and a nice cigar, you’ll find yourself in cigar lifestyle for a very long time.

Image by Pixabay | Ben Kerckx

Why You Should Never Smoke a Cigar With a Hangover

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Staff

If you Google search for the top 10, 20, 30, or 100 hangover cures, you will never find cigars anywhere close to that list. What you will find are liquids, vitamins, more alcohol (hair of the dog), carbohydrates, over-the-counter medicine, Pedialyte, coffee, and many others. Cigars? Nope. When you’re hungover, your body is begging for liquids for a return to normal. The nicotine in cigars dehydrates you. Instead of helping you, cigars are going to worsen your symptoms.

The best hangover cure is to not drink any alcohol. Yet, there will be times when that’s difficult to avoid. Here’s why you should never smoke a cigar while rocking a hangover.

Cigars Worsen Your Hangover Symptoms

With a quick visit to the Mayo Clinic website, you’ll find that a hangover starts when your blood alcohol level drops to zero after a night of drinking. At this point, you will start feeling the common symptoms such as an awful headache and nausea. Other symptoms include fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, stomach pain, shakes, rapid heartbeat, and irritability.

You get all these hangover symptoms because your body is trying to return to normal. These same symptoms worsen when you smoke a cigar. The nicotine from the cigar causes your blood vessels to constrict. And decreased blood flow to your brain worsens your headache and amplifies your nausea.

Hangovers Ruin Your Cigar and Experience

If there’s one thing to add to our recent article, “Four Things That Ruin Your Cigar Experience,” that’s a hangover. With a hangover, you already feel like crap. You think, perhaps a cigar will help you relax. You get some coffee ready and light up a Padrón you picked up the day before. A couple of minutes go by and you slowly take in the smoke. Suddenly, your head starts spinning. Your headache worsens and your mouth gets super dry. You put the cigar out and decide to lay down to recover.

Does that sound like a relaxing cigar experience? No, and it’s going to happen every time you smoke with a hangover. You’re not going to be in a mood to sit back, take in the cigar, and let your thoughts go away. Instead, your mind is going to be on the hangover and how you wish you didn’t chase Jack Daniel’s with a Corona Light.

Even worse, the cigar will go to waste. Re-lighting a smoked cigar at a later time is a big no-no because the cigar won’t taste and smell the same. The flavors and aroma taste like tar on the second go. As a matter of fact, never let a cigar go unfinished. So, don’t smoke if you’re hungover.

Cigar Lifestyle Outliers

All that said, there are many, – a whole, hell of a lot of – smokers in the lifestyle who smoke after a heavy night of drinking. Just walk into a cigar lounge on a Saturday or Sunday morning. You’ll find a handful of smokers smoking their hangover away. These experienced smokers know their bodies better than their own doctors. They almost always have a cigar-hangover-ritual allowing them to relax and enjoy their cigar. It’s as simple as smoking a mild Romeo Y Julieta with bottled water on the side.

If you’re new to the lifestyle, it’s probably better for you to follow the traditional hangover cures. Smoking can hit you hard if you’re not 100% certain. The sooner you’re back to normal, the sooner you can enjoy a cigar without worrying about wasting it.

Photo Credit: Thom Masat

The After-Dinner Cigar: A Great Cigar Lifestyle Ritual

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Staff

One of the best ways to enjoy a cigar is after dinner. Smoking a cigar after a good, hearty meal is a must. With a full stomach, you’ll better enjoy strong, bold Partagas and not worry about getting sick. It’s a great and relaxing way to end your day, especially if you do it with friends or family. The after-dinner cigar is the perfect dessert. It’s full of flavor and contains zero calories. You will find that the after-dinner cigar is one of the most popular rituals in the cigar lifestyle. Smoking a cigar after dinner is one of the best lifestyle rituals.

After-Dinner Cigars Prevent Cigar Sickness

A cigar is enjoyable when you don’t have to worry about puking your guts out. Yet, one of the reasons you get cigar sickness is that your stomach is empty. It’s also a common newbie mistake. You get sick because an empty stomach absorbs nicotine faster. It’s like drinking alcohol on an empty stomach; only the nicotine punches you much harder. Every time you get cigar sickness, you waste the cigar. It would be best if you put it out, then return to it later, but it never tastes the same; this is why many folks enjoy smoking a cigar after dinner.

When your stomach is full, your body absorbs the nicotine slowly. Even the food onboard will help absorb some of the nicotine. So if you’ve been saving one of your stronger cigars in your humidor for a while, smoke it after dinner. You’ll enjoy the strong aroma and flavor without worrying about hugging your porcelain seat.

They Complement Socializing

A great way to celebrate something is with a nice dinner at a steakhouse. There’s nothing like going out for steaks after a big win, a work promotion, or your birthday. Then, the meal ends, and it’s time for everyone to head home. But why stop with the food? After a meal, cigars are a great way to extend the celebration.

After putting away the steaks, a robust after-dinner cigar with some bourbon is a total bonus. Smoking a cigar is a great way to have your friends join the celebration and relax. It’s also a great way to reflect on the celebration and only adds to the experience of eating a nice dinner.

After-Dinner Cigars Boost Metabolism

By replacing desserts with an after-dinner cigar, you’ll consume fewer calories. It offers an excellent, calorie-free way to feel satisfied after a meal. That’s a huge plus for your metabolism. Additionally, a nice dinner and a cigar combination mean you’ll consume less food later in the evening. That’s because the nicotine in the cigar helps to curb your appetite.

Additionally, the nicotine from the cigar binds to your digestive organs, which allows your food to move toward the exit faster. Specifically, nicotine induces peristalsis and moves the digestive tract, creating wavelike movements that push the food in the canal forward. Nicotine’s effect on your digestive system is why you’ll probably find yourself on the John after smoking a strong, after-dinner Cohiba.

Finally, you’ll find that smoking an after-dinner cigar is one of the best rituals in the cigar lifestyle. It relaxes you and your digestive organs after a long day. It helps with your metabolism. And it is a great way to add to your social experience after dinner.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Four Things That Ruin Your Cigar Experience

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Staff

No one ever talks about what can ruin a cigar experience. The last thing you want to do is spend over ten dollars on a high-quality cigar and not enjoy it. Perhaps you’re new to the cigar lifestyle? Maybe you make rookie mistakes such as smoking on an empty stomach or getting drunk? Heck, even hanging out with the wrong people or not relaxing can ruin any cigar experience.

These four things distract you from enjoying the aroma. They ruin the complex flavor notes. They prevent you from getting in a relaxed state. You might as well light your dollars instead of your cigar if you do these four things.

Smoke on an Empty Stomach

When you smoke a cigar on an empty stomach, you get cigar sickness. An empty stomach allows the nicotine from the cigar to enter your system faster. As a result, you get sick. Your head spins and you hover over a garbage can brimming with nausea. This is definitely not the enjoyable or meditative cigar experience you imagined.

If you make the rookie mistake of smoking on an empty stomach, first, put out your cigar. Get some sugar and water into your system to stave off the sickness. Return to your cigar later in the day. The cigar won’t taste as great as the first time you smoked it, but at least you won’t puke your guts out. Just know, if you ever get sick, it’s your fault. It’s not the cigars.

Get Drunk During a Cigar Experience

You’ll also ruin your cigar experience when you drink too much. Your mind loses focus on the cigar. You don’t pay attention to the subtle flavor notes. You won’t reach that meditative state of relaxation. The cigar experience is about taste, aroma, and the relaxing effects it provides. If you drink enough to slur your words, you’ll savor the cigar experience less.

There’s a reason it’s advised to smoke half a cigar before you pair it with whiskey or other spirits. When you smoke half a stick and focus on the cigar experience, you’re less likely to drink too much. You’ll enjoy the experience of smoking a cigar. Once you’re midway through your cigar, pair it with a small amount of the alcohol of your choice for flavor enhancement. There’s nothing wrong with smoking a cigar while partying. Just don’t do it with a quality cigar you spent $10 or more for. A cheap cigar is a better choice here. It’s not like you’re going to remember the cheap flavor notes the following day.

Hang out with the Wrong People

Another way to ruin any cigar experience is hanging out with the wrong people. These are generally the no-smoke crowd. They may not like cigars but sit at your table. They complain about the smell. They’ll also complain about the smoke and tell you how bad smoking is for your health. They’ll dampen your mood leaving you in the opposite of relaxation.

There are also negative people. If you listen to them long enough, they’ll drain your energy. Your mood changes and it distracts you from enjoying the cigars.

Boring people are another group to avoid. They’ll make you want to put your cigar out and leave.

Sometimes, you cannot avoid the wrong people. When you find yourself in this position, you’ll have the perfect reason to go outside. There’s nothing like hanging out on your own and gaining some much-needed peace. In fact, it’s one of the great ways to enjoy a cigar.

Not Relaxing During a Cigar Experience

To fully enjoy the cigar experience, you’ll want to do nothing. That’s right, absolutely nothing. Activities such as golf or yard work can distract you from the cigar experience. You’re not going to relax or focus on your cigar. You won’t pay attention to the flavor notes or the aromas. There’s nothing writing with doing these things while smoking a cigar, but you’ll miss out on the rich experience you would’ve otherwise had. Pair activities with cigars that cost less than $10. That way, you’ll still enjoy a cigar without worrying about wasting your cash.

For new smokers, it’s better to avoid these four things. Focus, instead, on gaining the full benefits of your cigar experience. Don’t allow distractions to get in the way and waste a good cigar.

Photo credit: Pixabay

The Meditative Effect of a Good Cigar

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Staff

When you finish smoking a cigar, you feel calm afterward. It’s the same feeling you get after meditating for 20 minutes. When your entire focus and attention is on your cigar, you get in a meditative state. Smoking a good cigar distracts your busy mind and lets you make simple mental connections. You become present as you smoke your cigar, like a meditation session.

What is Meditation

Meditation is sitting or lying still and thinking of nothing for 15-20 minutes. You don’t think about the past or the future; you are. It’s the direct act and practice of being present. Studies have shown that meditating daily for 15-20 minutes is good for mental health. By focusing your mind on one thing, you get many cognitive benefits. Noticeable effects include significantly reducing your stress and frustration. In addition, your focus and concentration improve, and your tolerance for pain increases.

The act of being present is a technique to clear your mind. It silences your ego and helps you deal with negative feelings such as fear, anger, and sadness. Meditation boils down to clearing your mind of busy and distracting thoughts. You become mindful of your surroundings and how you react to your surroundings. The more you engage in meditative processes, the more you change how you think and approach the world, which is why you do some of your best thinking while enjoying a good cigar.

Good Cigar Smoking Ritual

In a meditation ritual, you sit down, dim the lights, put some meditation music on, and focus on one thing. When you finish, you will feel calm and live in the present moment. Cigar smoking rituals are similar because you’re also following a process and focusing on one thing (enjoying the cigar). The simple act of practice puts you in a meditative state.

Typically, you’ll start your ritual when you come home from work in the hot summer. But, first, you decide it’s time to unwind and check your stock in your humidor.

You grab one of your top-shelf cigars.

You cut.

You light.

You take in that first puff.

You smell the natural aroma, and the cigar ritual has begun.

As soon as you start, your brain begins to slow down. As a result, you spend the next 30-60 minutes in a meditative state.

Good Cigar Experience vs. Activity

Smoking a good cigar is not meditative during specific situations. When you treat cigar smoking as an activity rather than an experience, you will not experience the reflective effects. For example, when you go out and play golf and smoke while you play, smoking becomes an activity. It’s something you’re doing. You’re thinking about your golf game, about your next shot. You’re living in the future and analyzing your game. When you’re sitting on your porch with a top-shelf cigar, it’s an experience. When you’re focused on enjoying your cigars, you’re not thinking about the past or future. You’re in the present, enjoying the current experience.

There’s nothing better than to calm yourself down with a good cigar. So the next time someone gives you trouble for smoking a cigar, tell them, “Hey! Be quiet! I’m meditating here.”

Photo Credit: Unsplash | Charles Etoroma

5 Guests Who Shared a Cigar on Joe Rogan Podcast

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Staff

In the cigar lifestyle, you’ll find yourself sharing stories over a cigar as Joe Rogan does on his podcast. Just sit back, light one up, and let the stories flow. You listen, take a couple puffs, then add a little to the discussion. You can do this with anyone: a close friend or a stranger you met at the cigar lounge. You’ll find Joe Rogan does that now and then with his guests. He’ll invite a friend or a new guest over and have a long conversation over a cigar (and occasionally some bourbon).

Joe Rogan Show Guests

Five guests shared exciting and unique stories over a cigar with Joe Rogan.

Bill Burr (Episode #1491)

In this episode, you’ll find Joe smoking a Partagas and Bill a La Aurora. Both guys have a background in comedy and have known each other for years. It so happens that Bill Burr recently had a kid, and his birthday was the previous day. So, like a good old friend in the cigar lifestyle, Joe Rogan brings out the special cigars and celebrates the good news. They discuss many topics, such as current events and old stories, and share jokes—something you’ll also find yourself doing when you embark on the cigar lifestyle.

Alex Jones (Episode #1555)

The controversial conspiracy theorist is one of the most popular guests on the show. Episode #1555 has over 19 million views as of June 2021. These two guys have known each other for years and are good friends. In this episode, you’ll find Joe Rogan enjoying a CAO. Alex Jones did not smoke one but didn’t mind Joe having a smoke. Like Joe Rogan in this episode, you’ll often find yourself in situations where you might be the only one smoking a cigar. It’s part of the lifestyle; sometimes, you’ll run into folks that don’t smoke but don’t care if you have one. As you’ll see in episode #1555, the flow of the conversation and stories didn’t appear to be interrupted due to Joe’s smoking. If anything, it adds a subtle yet positive vibe.

Phil Demers (Episode #1590)

Alex Jones and Bill Burr may be close friends with Joe Rogan, but this is the first time Joe meets Phil Demers in this episode. However, that didn’t stop Phill and Joe from enjoying a cigar. It shows you that you don’t have to enjoy cigars with close friends. Cigars can bring strangers together. Just walk into any cigar lounge and see that common interests (cigars) bring people together.

Rob Lowe (#1522)

Rob Lowe is one of the few “Hollywood” guests that Joe Rogan has had on the podcast. They were discussing going to outer space when suddenly Joe asks:

Joe: Are you sure you don’t do drugs?

Rob: I don’t.

Joe: Do you smoke cigars?

Rob: Hell Yeah… Let’s go… Let’s F***ing go!

What a great dialogue, something you’ll only hear in the cigar lifestyle. Of course, you can say no to drugs and alcohol, but sometimes you can’t pass up on a cigar. These two guys had a very down-to-earth conversation and became best friends as soon as they started smoking cigars. They arranged a day at the shooting range by the show’s end.

Ron White (#1534)

Another comedian on this list is Ron White. In this episode, you’ll catch both guys going through a tin of cigarillos. Instead of bourbon, they paired the cigarillos with some of Ron’s tequila. Like two good old buddies sharing a cigar, they discuss UFOs, their careers, and life.

The Joe Rogan podcast goes to show you that you can share great stories and, of course, enjoy great cigars. So next time Joe Rogan lights a cigar on his podcast, light up yourself and enjoy the show.

Photo credit: “Joerogan,” by Rebecca Lai of Glasgow, Sweden; Cropped by East718, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY 2.0.