Staff, Author at Cigar Life Guy

Why Cigars and Coffee Go Together in the Morning

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Staff

In Cuba, the traditional way to start your morning is with a cigar and a strong Cuban espresso. Bar none, cigars and coffee offer one of the best pairings you’ll find with cigars. Simply brew a cup, light your cigar and finish both before you get on with your day. The cigar and coffee go together not just in effect, but as a flavor pairing as well. It’s a great way to get in the right frame of mind before you fire off emails or stretch your limbs for a long day of manual work. It’s also something you can do on a lazy summer weekend morning.

Start Your Day with Cigars and Coffee

Many smokers you meet in the cigar lifestyle prefer a smoke in the evenings. The relaxation effects of smoking are a great way to end your day. Yet, a morning cigar paired with a coffee also offers an enjoyable experience. In the morning, cigars and coffee put you in a reflective mode while also jolting you into action. The smooth combination of nicotine and caffeine picks you up from the morning grogginess. It also gives you a let’s get ready kind of relaxation.

Think about those beautiful early morning days in the summer. There’s usually no one to bother you because everyone’s still slumbering away. It’s you, your cigar, and your coffee. It’s quiet, and it’s the perfect opportunity to organize your thoughts for the day. The perfect combination of cigars and coffee centers you. It lets you ease meditatively into the day without exerting yourself. It’s a quality experience only those in the cigar lifestyle can enjoy. Cigars and coffee are also the breakfast of cigar life champions, but like anything else, you must pair your flavors well.

Cigars and Coffee: The Perfect Flavor Pairing

For many smokers, cigars and coffee are the ultimate flavor pairing. They accentuate and balance each other out. This works because coffee has tobacco flavor notes and tobacco has coffee flavor notes. Both flavor notes are smokey, deep, earthy, and complex with spicy & tangy touches.

The flavors match because coffees are roasted to a specific shade of dark. This provides the coffee with the same heating by-products you get when you burn a cigar. Rich coffee is guaranteed to be full of flavor, bold, and intense. So, the richer the coffee, the better the pairing.

Coffee can go with any cigar due to the complimenting flavor combinations. There’s an endless variety of pairings as there are different types of coffees and cigars. The fun part is figuring out which combinations you enjoy the most. Like cigars, different coffees come from different regions of the world. Since it’s morning, you’ll probably prefer to start with a mild cigar, unless it’s a lazy Sunday morning, then go with a strong Maduro.

Coffee is Non-Alcoholic

Since coffee is non-alcoholic, this makes it perfect for mornings. Coffee is also a more comfortable pairing compared to whiskeys and other aged spirits this time of day. Getting drunk at 9 a.m. is never a great idea unless you’re on vacation.

Whiskey and other spirits pair well with cigars, but whiskey tends to overpower the flavor notes on a cigar. Alternatively, coffee goes with every cigar; whiskey pairings tend to “depend-on-the-type-of-cigar.”

You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy coffee. It’s a ritual that new smokers can enjoy as they get introduced to the cigar lifestyle. It’s also a ritual only those in the cigar lifestyle enjoy.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Six Types of Smokers You’ll Meet at the Cigar Lounge

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Staff

When you begin the cigar lifestyle, you’ll probably start seeing yourself in lounges and cigar shops. You’ll meet a wide variety of people and personalities with the same common interests. The shop and lounge atmosphere vary based on your city. Although each atmosphere differs from the next, cigar lounges share one thing in common. Regardless of location, there are six types of smokers you’ll likely meet when you visit a cigar lounge.

The Boutique Tribe Member

Ritual is the name of the game for boutique tribe members. Offer them a free stick in a cigar lounge, and they will decline if it’s not from a small batch. Boutique cigars are high quality which makes the tribe run on rampant snobbery and elitism. Tribe members refuse to smoke anything that’s not from a boutique or a small batch. Whether it’s cigars, music, beer, cheese, or whatever, there will always be elitists and snobs. So don’t get your feelings hurt when you meet a member of the boutique tribe. It comes with the lifestyle.

When boutique members smoke, it’s according to their ritual. Anything less is undesirable. You’ll never catch them lighting a cigar with a lighter. They prefer long, wooden cigar matches. They must pair the cigar with a specific brand of bourbon or blended whiskey for the perfect flavor note combination.

These folks also tend to be avid collectors. They even keep the boxes the cigars come in. Custom boxes have very unique designs, after all. Small batch cigars are great now and then, but there are other cigars out there, too. Mass-produced cigars exist because there’s a demand for them and they’re worth their price.

The Anything and Everything Smokers

The most enjoyable person on this list is the anything and everything smoker. They have no preferences. They aren’t loyal to a specific type of smoke. They are not impressed by any brand, and they will smoke everything, including house (cigar shop) brands. This smoker likes to visit all the shops in the area and is well known by everyone. They know when to speak, how to listen, and tend to be very charismatic. A man’s man, or woman’s woman. These smokers are great people to have around in the cigar lifestyle. They also carry some of the coolest-looking cigar lighter torches.

Cubans Only Smokers

Cubans only smokers have a way with words that never leaves you doubting whom you’re smoking with. Best of all, they know their Cubans well. In fact, you’ll probably hear them say things like, “I got a hookup that provides Cubans. I only smoke Cubans”

That’s cool.

“Oh man, I can tell by the smell that your cigar has Cuban tobacco.”

Sure, buddy.

You’ll find this group on Facebook asking for Cubans. They want the world to know they smoke Cubans. Visit their home, and you’ll find a collection of Cohiba bands and no cigars. Cuban-only smokers are becoming a rare breed. That’s because the quality of Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras has increased over the years. Also, the US lifted the embargo on Cubans, making the Cuban cigar very unattainable, which also makes smoking Cubans less cool.

Bargain Hunter

The bargain hunter smokers search the web far and wide for the best deals on cigars. They spend countless hours and create spreadsheets comparing prices across the internet. Sometimes they’ll score a nice find, but usually, it’s the opposite. They act surprised when their new cigars arrive dry or there’s a handful missing from the box. It’s a lesson learned. When it comes to cigars, you get what you pay for.

You’ll also likely see the bargain hunter smoking free or discounted cigars. They almost always want to trade cigars hoping to bag a higher quality one. This is the type of smoker you’ll stop inviting over to your events, given that they tend to never bring their own cigars.

Vintage Smokers

Vintage smokers know what they want. That includes the classics such as Arturo Fuente, Padron, Cohiba, Romeo Y Julieta 1875, and Partagas. You’ll find vintage smokers in the shops looking for aged cigars that have been around for fifty, sixty, or even eighty years. Visit a cigar shop or cigar lounge and you’ll also find this smoker correcting your Spanish pronunciation of the vintage brands.

“Coo-bah-no” not “Cue-ban”

Vintage smokers are a tamer version of the boutique tribe. Unlike the tribe, vintage smokers tend to smoke a variety of cigars. They also aren’t snobs about vintage cigars. Yet, they’re also a bit like the bargain hunters. They never bring their own cigars when you invite them over. Instead, they prefer to leave them inside their Audew Electronic Cigar Cooler Humidor.

The Newbie Smokers

Our final type of cigar smoker is the newbie. You can spot them from a mile away because they’re novices when it comes to the cigar lifestyle. You’ll see them on their phones, posting selfies at the cigar lounge to their Instagram and Facebook accounts. If you’re lucky, you can catch them doing a silly dance for a TikTok video. You’ll probably know they’re at a cigar shop because they’ll check-in.

Newbies are great listeners when they’re not on their phones. They are eager to learn about the lifestyle and they need to learn the ropes. Start by telling them not to smoke rings every time, or to stop collecting those bands. Show them how to rotate a cigar every couple of minutes. Tell them if they smoke too fast, they’ll ruin the flavor.

Hopefully, after your good advice, they’ll graduate into the cigar lifestyle.

Whatever type of smoker you are, if you’re happy (and don’t make the rest of us unhappy), then we’re glad you’re smoking cigars and enjoying whatever it is that you enjoy.

Photo credit: Kelvin Robinson Sr. on Facebook, Leaf Life Lounge in Ellenwood GA

How to Select Your Cigar Humidors

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Staff

If you’ve been living the cigar lifestyle for any length of time then you already know how important cigar humidors are for your smokes. You’ll also know all about how to keep it clean and well taken care of. That’s kind of the Cigars 101 type of thing you usually get told by whoever brings you into the cigar world.

Unfortunately, you usually get told “get a humidor” and that’s about it. The rest you have to learn along the way. We all already know a bit about seasoning your humidor. You also know to keep the moisture and humidity right to prevent mold. However, what they don’t always tell you, is how to graduate from a tiny box of smokes to a full cigar humidor that holds all your smokes.

One Cigar Humidor is Never Enough

We’re gonna say this plain: Get a travel humidor. Sure, it’s possible to store a stick or two in the pocket of your jacket for a celebratory smoke after a round of golf. Yet, when you want to smoke while you’re away, not having a travel humidor means relying on whatever you can carry. You’ll hear many tips for traveling with cigars. While many will work in a pinch, the real solution is getting a travel humidor.

Travel cigar humidors aren’t novelty items anymore. You can get quality travel humidors now that will serve you when you’re away from your personal setup. Even if you’re not a jet-setting celebrity like Tom Cruise or Demi Moore, a travel humidor saves you a headache when visiting in-laws or going on vacation.

We’re not suggesting you keep your most prized possessions in a travel humidor. Yet, keeping a few of your regulars around for smoking while you’re away is enough. A cigar lover knows to take care of his smokes even when he’s not on his home field.

Keep Cigar Humidors Separated

We’re not talking about separating your cigars in your humidor. You already know how to do that. We’re talking about taking advice from NBA legend Michael Jordan. It’s rumored that Jordan said, “You should always have two cigar humidors, one with your good smokes for people who enjoy them, and another with some regular smokes for people who don’t know what they’re doing.” Ok, we may be paraphrasing a bit, but the idea is simple.

Keep your good stash in one humidor and have a second for your everyday smokes or the smokes you give to those whom you don’t want to waste your premiums on. There’s nothing worse than handing over one of your best cigars, and then watching the guy or gal choke and put it out less than halfway through.

We honestly suggest you keep a box of lower-quality smokes to pass out to anyone looking to test the waters. It’s fine to give them a good cigar, just not your prized possessions. Keep the really great stuff for your brothers and sisters of the leaf in a separate humidor.

Invest in Quality Cigar Humidors

Everyone living the cigar lifestyle knows that Spanish cedar is the way to go for your cigar humidor. It’s just a fact that the best wood for humidors is Spanish cedar because it resists moisture and mold buildup. It’s also great for letting things age.

However, we all know that one guy who just buys whatever box someone throws at him do he can “have a humidor.” He doesn’t take the time to inspect it for quality. Don’t get us wrong, there are some good products out there that are made from composite materials and most of them will serve you well. Yet, we can’t stress this enough, it’s best to go with an all Spanish cedar humidor if you can. The build quality and the potential of the humidor differ with composite boxes that only have a cedar veneer.

A Spanish cedar box will let you age your smokes for years without worrying about them breaking down in storage.

For those not up on their woods, Spanish cedar, or Cuban cedar as it’s commonly called, is not actually cedar at all. It’s also not from Spain. Instead, Spanish cedar is closer to Mahogany than anything else. Due to its scarcity, it’s often sourced from plantations in Africa that grow it specifically for this purpose.

Here’s another tip we feel we should stress, just in case. Check your seal. Even in a high-quality box, the joints and pivots can wear out and compromise your seal which will ruin the whole humidor. At that point, you’d have as much luck storing them in your pocket.

It’s easy to forget once you’ve had your cigar humidor for a while that regular maintenance and checking is key, but if you really care about your smokes, take the time to check on your box. If need be, replace it.

Go With More Than You Need

This should be a given, but we’ll go over it anyway just for clarity. Don’t cram your cigar humidor as full as possible. How many smokes it will hold likely depends on what you’re storing. Lanceros for example, take up less space than a bunch of beefy Gordos, so you can fit more in your humidor.

The problem is, we see all these ads with humidors filled to walls with cigars and not a space unused. This is terrible for your smoke. Humidity and air circulation are key to keeping your smokes in good shape.

A good rule of thumb is to leave 20% of the space in your humidor open to allow for circulation. Sure, this takes some of your storage space away, but if you value your cigars, then get another humidor.

Like Goes With Like

This last bit of information is something that should probably seem obvious but may not be as easy in practice.

If you’re a fan of several varieties of cigars, like movie heavyweights Arnold Schwarzenegger and Matthew McConaughey, you may want to store different varieties in separate cigar humidors. It’s a matter of personal preference, but it should be noted that cigars stored together in the same humidor with flavored cigars will alter their flavor profile.

If you’ve got some primo cigars that you love the taste of, you’ll want to place them in their own humidor to keep the flavor profile pure. Yes, aging does affect the flavor profile, but not in the same way that storing flavored and non-flavored cigars together will. It’s also useful to keep them in the cellophane to help protect the flavor a bit more, though it’s not mandatory.

Some enthusiasts will go the extra mile and store the same brand together in their own cigar humidor, but storing unflavored cigars together is perfectly fine.

How Much You Care Matters

What you spend on your cigar humidor and how you store your smokes are relative to how you like to enjoy your smokes. We won’t go as far as to say that you must have a solid cedar humidor. We also won’t tell you that storing all your smokes separately is the way to go. These are just suggestions for getting the most out of your passion.

In the end, invest in what you care about most. If you prefer to always have a good smoke with you, then get a quality travel humidor so you never need to go without. If keeping the flavor profile pure is important, buy separate humidors for your favorite smokes.

Finally, we will say this: Quality matters, no matter what you’re going for.

Photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Humidor.jpg

Basketball Great Julius Erving Enjoys Cigars

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Staff

Few can claim not to know the name Julius Erving, who also goes by “Dr. J.” He is one of the greatest ever to hit the hardwood on the basketball court. However, you may not know that Erving is a big fan of cigars and smoking around good company.

Erving loves a good conversation with friends while enjoying a smoke, especially if he’s talking about the NBA today. So, you’ll often find him around one of Atlanta’s many cigar lounges.

He’s in good company with NBA stars like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and LeBron James. All of these guys seem to know a thing or two about cigars and winning.

Julius Erving’s Early Days

Erving received his nickname from a high school friend. He grew up in Roosevelt, New York, where he attended Roosevelt High School. He would get his start playing on the high school basketball team here.

Erving went on to play college basketball at the University of Massachusetts, where he quickly became a standout athlete. He enrolled in 1968 and played two seasons with the school. Yet, during those two seasons, he averaged 26.3 points per game and 20.2 rebounds per game. It was a record that only five other players in NCAA basketball history have managed.

In 1971, Erving left college early to play for the former American Basketball Association. At the time, teams weren’t allowed to draft athletes until they were four years removed from college basketball. Thanks to a hardship rule, Erving gained eligibility.

Erving first played for the Virginia Squires team. During that time, he gained a reputation as a ferocious player for his dunking and rebounding skills. Yet, Erving led the league in offensive rebounds. He also made the All-Star team during his rookie year and placed second for rookie of the year. He later led his team to the Eastern Division Finals before losing seven games.

Erving later played one more season for the Squires. Then, thanks to a contract dispute that kept him from being drafted, he scored a career-high 31.9 points per game.

The ABA/NBA Merger

Erving later played for one more team in the ABA – the New York Nets. His performance was impressive. He ranked in the top ten of the ABA in multiple categories and led the team to the final ABA championship.

Erving’s performance was legendary. It painted the Nets as one of the standout teams in the ABA. It also was one of the reasons the Nets came in during the ABA/NBA merger in 1976.

Julius Erving 76ers Trade

Julius Erving is widely known for his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. Yet, one of the reasons for his popularity isn’t because of his phenomenal skills. After the merger, the Nets were set to dominate the new NBA with Erving as their star player. Unfortunately, a pay dispute, followed by legal disputes with the New York Knicks and several lousy trade deals, landed Erving on the 76ers; these resulted in the Nets ranking last in the entire NBA.

Erving quickly grew as an integral part of his new team. While playing alongside current and future basketball greats, he gained star status. He later played for the 76ers, where he accomplished many feats. That included his famous Baseline Move. It was a behind-the-backboard, finger-roll layup. His impressive moves, combined with leading the league with game points, two ABA championships, and an NBA championship, are why many consider him one of the best.

Julius Erving Post-Career Cigar Lifestyle

After retiring in 1986, Erving became something of a businessman. He held many interests, including joining the board of directors of Converse Shoes. He also sponsored a NASCAR team and joined a golf club, among other ventures.

When he’s not busy with business or analyzing sports, Julius Erving enjoys smoking cigars with other cigar enthusiasts. His preferences vary, but he is known to smoke some of the finest cigars. Erving is a fan of a particular shop near his home in suburban Atlanta. Rumor holds that he even has a cigar locker at a high-end shop.

Erving’s business ventures keep him traveling all over the place. Yet, he still finds time to relax and smoke cigars wherever he’s at. When smoking, he prefers to pair a good stick with a nice drink while talking with fellow smokers. Conversations usually revolve around basketball’s current state and its key players.

Erving exemplifies the cigar lifestyle, good smokes, and company in a relaxing atmosphere. Not one to smoke for the sake of it, Erving also likes to take things slow and enjoy the flavor. We can’t say the right way to enjoy a cigar, but we recommend this prescription from Dr. J.

Photo credit: “Julius Erving in 1981 performing a slam dunk against the Atlanta Hawks at en: Omni Coliseum.,” by Jim Accordino, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY 2.0.

The Fear of Missing Out Hits Cigar Events

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Staff

For many of us in the cigar community, we’re getting back to large-scale cigar events after a horrible break called COVID, which is fantastic. Not only are we getting back to events, but it isn’t just you, there are more of them than ever. Of course, social media makes everything look better than it really is. Put it all together, you’ve got a lot of fifty-year-old cigar smokers suffering from FOMO the same way their kids or grandkids do over whatever kids do these days.

What is FOMO?

FOMO is an acronym for “fear of missing out.” Verywellmind.com defines the fear of missing out as, “the feeling or perception that others are having more fun, living better lives, or experiencing better things than you are. It involves a deep sense of envy and affects self-esteem. It is also often exacerbated by social media like Instagram and Facebook.” This is a real thing. The best way to describe it for many folks is remembering when you were in high school or college and you literally thought you needed to go out every weekend night or couldn’t miss a party? That was FOMO.

There Are More Large Cigar Events Than Ever

It used to be there were only a handful of the large events or herfs. You may be familiar with established names like Cigar Heritage Festival, Big Smoke, the Drew Estate Barnsmokers, Black Smoke Miami, and Atlanta Cigar Week just to name a few. This year there are new or relaunched large events in Charleston, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Philadelphia, Orlando, Chicago, and Washington D.C. and this isn’t a complete list. Almost every major metro area now has its version of “Cigar Week.” Cigar Mike and I joke about “McDonough Cigar Week” being a reality sometime soon. (McDonough is a nice small city 20 miles south of Atlanta that really doesn’t need a cigar week)

Frankly, the advent of more, large cigar events is great. Some are more successful, better run, or more popular than others. That’s the natural course of things. Yet, on the whole, having more events that are more accessible to even more cigar smokers is a net positive.

Now You Can’t Be Everywhere

There are so many events now, that even the most engaged cigar smoker can’t be everywhere. In fact, often events are held simultaneously. Most of us, whether we’re consumers or event sponsors, have practical constraints like time and money. We have to start prioritizing events. Ask yourself questions. Which cigar events are most important to us? Location and practicality play a vital role, too. So, which ones are the most practical to attend? After all, if you’re not up for a road trip, then finding something close to home is a win.

Finally, you’ll also want to consider how the event is run. Not all events are run, set up, or deliver what every cigar enthusiast wants or needs. Find common ground that aligns with your desires or goals – what you hope to gain from the event. Which events are the most likely to be well run and deliver on what you want? Sometimes that means you need to get good at saying, “No,” even to cigar events. Declining an event doesn’t mean you don’t support the event. Instead, wish your BOTL/SOTL a successful event. It also doesn’t that you’ll never attend that particular event. It just means that this year, it doesn’t work for you. Be okay with that conversation.

Social Media drives FOMO related to Cigar Events

Let’s face it: social media isn’t reality. Everything looks great on social media. I’ve been to many mediocre events that look incredible online, but the reality turns out much different. No, I’m not going to mention names. We all have a good time at cigar events. If we didn’t we wouldn’t keep coming back. When you check your Facebook or IG at 11 pm on a Saturday, remember what you see at your local Cigar Week event isn’t always 100% reality. Your friends who are posting from there will still be your friends next week when they return. If they’re really good friends, they might even bring a cigar for you! But they’ll still be your friends and you’ll still be able to join them at the next cigar event.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Build Your Own Cigar Smoking Room at Home

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Staff

Let’s face it, the best place to kick back and relax with a nice smoke and maybe a glass of scotch is in the comfort of our homes. So what better way to enjoy a great stick and perhaps some fellowship than in your smoking room? We’ve all heard about celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger throwing cigar parties with his movie stars pals like Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.

Hosting a cigar party at home is a great idea, but if you don’t have your own space, it can ruin the enjoyment. After all, we must consider that not everyone in the house is a cigar smoker.

The only affordable option is a cigar lounge. Who wants to pay extra to enjoy cigars in an environment that isn’t to their taste? But, of course, that is if you have a cigar lounge near you in the first place.

Building a smoking room in your home is only for the rich and famous. In truth, there are many affordable ways to do it without having Schwarzenegger’s bank account.

Choose Your Smoking Room Location

The first step is figuring out where you want your smoke room to be. There are benefits and drawbacks to where you place your smoke room. A room on an exterior wall is easier to ventilate. The basement is a good choice if you need the space to be isolated. Keep in mind that the basement will be more expensive to circulate.

Some other options include a converted office or bedroom, an attic if you have one that is big enough, or a garage. The attic or garage may cost more to renovate. Still, it offers easier ventilation and isolation from the rest of the house. If you’ve already got a man cave, you may choose to retrofit that space and save time and money.

Choose Your Ventilation Method

Ventilation is going to be the most crucial part of the process. You have a few options in terms of what to do. First, you could open a window and let fresh air circulate throughout the room.

A more practical solution is to install an exhaust fan in the room. The exhaust fan will connect to your existing ventilation. Like in the kitchen or bathroom, the fan pulls the smoke out of the room and pushes it outside through an exit vent. At the same time, this is fine for small spaces with only a couple of smokers.

The more smokers you have in a room, the better ventilation you’ll need. Exhaust fans are measured according to the number of cubic feet of air they move per minute (CFM). So, a 10 x 10 x 8 room needs a fan with a CFM rating of around 200 for a single smoker and about 1000 for four or five smokers. Be sure that the fan vents outside.

Another option that you can use instead of, or in addition to, an exhaust fan is an air purifier. Most models of air purifiers are free-standing, allowing you to move them from room to room.

A high-quality air purifier only costs a few hundred dollars and keeps a smoke room clean of smoke and odors. More expensive options may run more but still under $1000. Air purifiers use carbon filters like charcoal to absorb the smoke and clean the air. Even high-end cigar lounges will use air purifiers in addition to their traditional HVAC system.

One final option, and the most expensive, is to install a separate HVAC unit with ventilation in the smoke room. This separate unit requires a new HVAC unit, ductwork, and an exit vent, but this is the surefire way to keep your home smoke-free.

Smoking Room Furniture and Accessories

Choosing the right furniture and accessories is where things can get dicey. Everything you place in your smoke room can affect how well the setup functions. Your goal should be to keep the room as smoke-free as possible so that you don’t have to worry about the rest of the house.

Start with the floor. Carpet and softer materials will hold onto the smoke for ages and be challenging to get out. Stone or wood flooring is a better choice, plus they make for a better smoke room feel if that’s what you’re going for.

Wood paneling, mainly Spanish cedar, is a good choice for the walls, but any hard or non-porous material will work. The critical thing you’re looking to avoid is any of the surfaces holding on to the cigar smoke. Wood, metal, or glass is also a good choice for any shelving in the room.

When choosing furniture, the same rules apply. Soft fabrics are not suitable for your cigar room. Leather is best if you place couches and chairs in your smoking room. Leather doesn’t hold the cigar smoke nearly as long and is much easier to clean. We’re talking about a space you want to get a lot of use out of, so getting the furniture right is a big deal.

Dark colors are generally the way to go and help prevent stains from showing while giving more of a cigar lounge feel. You’ll often see similar choices in the best cigar lounges.

The last touch is to accessorize the room as you see fit. If you want to host a poker and cigars night in your smoke room, go for it. Other than fine-tuning it for your cigars, your smoking space is your own. If you’ve got the space and budget, you could add humidors as built-ins for the room or a bar for drinks. But your taste will determine your smoke room’s final touches.

Final Thoughts

A smoke room is a great way to enhance how you enjoy your smokes. The good news is, with ingenuity, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to get a private place to smoke. You might also create a brag-worthy space that you and your pals will enjoy for decades.

Photo credit: Pixabay | Tama66

How to Launch a Successful Cigar Podcast

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Staff

Over the last decade, one of the dominant trends in media has been the emergence of podcasts. These informative, sometimes entertaining digital audio files have grown in popularity. You’ll find podcasts for nearly every niche, including cigar lifestyle. In fact, 9to5Mac’s analysis of industry data suggests there are over 2.5 million podcasts out there, 720,000 of them with ten or more episodes (indicating some measure of staying power). So, if you’re thinking about launching a cigar podcast of your own, then there are a few things to consider. We’ve interviewed Reggie Kimble of The Stickman Podcast for some great insider know-how.

Meet Reggie Kimble: The StickMen Podcast

With literally millions of people “doing a podcast” joining them sounds easy and maybe even fun. Cigar Life Guy caught up with Reggie Kimble who runs the growing The StickMen Podcast. Kimble was kind enough to share some real-world learning about what’s involved with launching a cigar podcast. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot of work.

Cigar Life Guy (CLG): Tell me about your podcast? When did you start? Who’s your target market/core audience member?

StickMen (SM): We launched on January 1st, 2020 targeting those who participate in the cigar lifestyle and enjoy a quality single malt or bourbon whiskey in the process. We began as an interview-style podcast. We focused on bringing the local (Atlanta) influencers in the cigar and whiskey community as guests.

CLG: What motivated you to start the podcast?

SM: I’ve had a nice career in FinTech (Financial Technology). Looking towards the future, I decided I would really love to do something that requires effort but doesn’t feel like work. My initial vision was for this just to be a blog. Through the advice of others, I launched the podcast shortly after launching The StickMen blog. I quickly learned that many blogs are considered somewhat passe as a sole business and what I really needed to do was create a podcast and, for me, the cigar and whiskey lifestyle is a very visual one, so the decision was made to focus on YouTube as our primary platform and including video.

CLG: How has the brand been received?

SM: The cigar lounge owners in Atlanta have been phenomenal in their support of what we are doing. They often give us great business suggestions that we put into action as well as making introductions to other lounges throughout the city. We believe the quality of our final production speaks for itself and does nothing but help promote the lounge and the personality of the lounge in a positive way. Also, our fellow SOTL and BOTL seem to really enjoy learning about the individuals who make the lifestyle go.

As we’ve evolved over the past year, we’ve added whiskey and cigar reviews with our own little twist. To help with the reviews, we added a new on-camera team member, Sean Simpson, aka StickMan SIMP to help deliver the reviews and participate in the occasional sessions with guests. Our approach is kind of “Reviews for Dummies.” Obviously, we aren’t “dummies” because we do know more about cigars than the average person but by no means are we experts and we want the conversation to resonate with our average viewer who also isn’t an expert. We try not to take ourselves too seriously. We’re just regular folks enjoying the cigar lifestyle. We are simply StickMen promoting other StickMen (and StickWomen) if you will.

Behind-the-scenes of a Cigar Podcast

CLG: How do you promote your brand?

SM: We have promoted almost exclusively via Instagram and word of mouth in the local Atlanta market. StickMen isn’t a household name and I’m not a celebrity so it’s mostly guerilla marketing all the way for us, as we are learning that to build this type of business, being present is required. I learned that I must become more of a night owl and network with fellow enthusiasts to better understand the type of content other enthusiasts want to see and what would resonate the most. I probably spend 3-4 nights per week on average in lounges promoting what we are doing on StickMen.

CLG: What are a couple of things you’d do differently if you were starting over?

SM: I would have a much healthier respect for how to properly promote your business via social media. I took a lot for granted there and just posted a bunch of stuff without a real strategy behind it. I had a great deal of activity without a defined purpose or structure and I would say that I am very much still figuring things out. We’ve learned a lot and will continue to be flexible, evolving as our audience evolves. Having said all of that I would have spent more time learning the business side of podcasting. It truly impacts the content that you select. Had I done better homework upfront and I would have discovered that integrating the reviews into my strategy was a necessary step.

Hire Help with Cigar Podcast Production

CLG: What’s the best advice you’d give to someone getting started or thinking about launching a cigar podcast?

SM: Learn the business of podcasting first. Of course, you need to bring some passion and energy to the table for whatever your subject matter is but without knowing the business side, you will burn a ton of unproductive time. Also, if you can afford to, outsource your video and audio editing. It is one of the most time-consuming aspects of podcasting and takes away from valuable time that you should be focused on building your business. It’s ok for the show to be produced by someone else and you sign off on all final content. Do not try to do the work yourself! There are people who can do it better and faster!

New Content Every Week is Critical

CLG: I imagine consistency is important?

SM: You can’t miss a week, period! Meaning you should establish your schedule and stick to it. Part of creating a podcast is that your audience must be able to “trust” that your content will be there when they want it. Once they become a fan and are vested in your content, nothing is more disappointing than to look for your show and it is not there. Also, that same consistency is what will attract new listeners/viewers. Posting an episode every now and then will tell people that you’re not that serious about this, so why should they be?

CLG: What are several tactics that were particularly effective in promoting your podcast?

SM: Hiring help with video and audio production! Getting advice from other successful podcasters, who educated me on the business side of podcasting which led to a more strategic approach to how I marketing the show and finally being more present in the cigar and whiskey community. It wasn’t enough to talk about it once per week on my podcast, I had to live it. Be more present and part of the lifestyle, which incidentally is not a problem at all. More puffing, more sipping, and more chatting with cool people??? Sign me up!

CLG: Are there any things you or podcasters, in general, spend too much time worrying about that really isn’t that important?

SM: We spend too much time thinking about content that we “think” is good content vs. creating content that resonates with your audience. Of course, your content must be a reflection of your personality and how you perceive things but if it only interests you and no one else; it may be great self-therapy, but you probably don’t have a business, you have a hobby.

Cigar Podcast Startup Costs Vary

CLG: What does someone need to get started? What kind of equipment do you need to produce a high-quality podcast with a video similar to your cigar podcast?

SM: Actually, you just need a decent camera. Yes, the phone camera can be good enough based on what you are trying to accomplish. There are some successful podcasters who do everything with an iPhone. To get a more polished look, however, investing in a decent DSLR Camera in the $550 – $700 range will do the trick. Of course, you can go much higher than that if you want something high end but it’s not necessary. Also, my costs are a bit higher because I go on location for most of my videos. We usually film in a lounge or some remote location vs. an actual studio. So, I’ve had to invest in tools that help me be more mobile.

CLG: Thanks, Reggie!

SM: I’ve enjoyed it!

Here’s how to find The StickMen Podcast:

StickMen website – https://stickmen.blog

Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkPJu3c06vRA38Qqfj2FEHg

IG link – https://www.instagram.com/thestickmenblog/?hl=en

Photo credit: Reggie Kimble

Yes, Good Tequila Pairs Well With Cigars!

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Staff

Every cigar smoker knows that cigars go well when paired with certain types of alcohol. There are many winning combinations, and good tequila pairs well with some of them. However, some folks may need to learn that tequila has some interesting similarities to cigars, making it perfect for pairing. Before we dive into which pairings go best with which cigars, let’s talk about why good tequila works so well.

Always Start With Good Tequila

First, when we say “pair your cigars with tequila,” we’re not talking about just any tequila. Two things define the quality of tequila – the percentage of agave in it and the aging process. Even by most casual standards, anything less than 100% agave renders the tequila sub-par. Some argue over the type of agave in the tequila. Most say blue agave is the best. In truth, 100% agave is the gold standard, period.

Besides the agave rule, premium tequilas work better with different smokes, like mixing barbecue and cigars or making cocktails to go with your smoke; flavor profiles matter.

There’s one other important factor before you go mixing and matching tequila with your favorite smokes, and that’s the aging process.

Let Your Tequila Sit

There are many tequilas if you consider all the mixed varieties and those that aren’t 100% agave, and plenty of them are fine. For this list, we’re focusing on the four main types of 100% agave tequila and how the aging process affects the flavor.

Blanco

Blanco tequila gets its name from its light, almost translucent color. It’s usually bottled immediately after distillation. If it is aged, it is for a brief time. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is similar to vodka or gin. As a general rule, lighter spirits don’t mix well with cigars.

In the case of Blanco tequila, however, there is an exception. Because it barely aged, if at all, this tequila features a stout flavor profile that requires an equally full-bodied cigar. We’ll get into specific pairings in a bit, though.

Reposado

Reposado tequila takes a step up in the aging process. It rests for a minimum of two months. Some varieties of it take upwards of a year. In most cases, the oak barrels where tequila ages give tequila its distinct flavor. Some types will even age it in old whiskey barrels to add to the taste.

Aged reposado tequila is what we typically think of as “yellow tequila.” It is much smoother than Blanco yet still retains a solid flavor profile. You would most often pair this with a medium-bodied smoke.

Anejo

Anejo, or “aged’ tequila, is the name reserved for any tequila that ages between one and three years; this is where premium tequila starts to come into its own. You’ve likely heard stories about tequila that has aged for years and refined its taste. Much like cigars, tequila only grows better with age.

The gold hue of an Anejo tequila signifies just how great it is. The light and smooth flavor should pair equally well with a light and smooth cigar.

Extra Anejo

Extra Anejo tequila is just like it sounds, aged even longer than Anejo. Extra Anejo tequila rests for over three years, often in multiple types of barrels, to give it a unique flavor.

Because of the length of aging, it develops a dark amber or brown color similar to bourbon. Likely the smoothest tequila you’ll find, this variety pairs well with a rich flavored cigar that tastes smooth and has different notes that complement the aging of the tequila.

Flavors for Good Tequila Pairs

Now that we’ve discussed the vast varieties of tequila in the aging process, we’ll go over some superb pairings that complement each other to complement the flavors.

Blanco

Blanco tequila is spicy, so a stick with a lot of punch is a perfect match so that neither overpowers the other.

In this case, Blanco tequilas pair well with Nicaraguan smokes. A good example is to pair a shot of Alquimia Tequila Uno with a Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta #2. The Nicaraguan smoke is spicy yet smooth and blends well with many Blancos, and leaves a creamy citrus aftertaste that is refreshing

You might also try a shot of Siete Leguas with a Casa Torano for an earthy flavor combination.

Reposado

Reposado tequilas have a bit lighter flavor profile than a Blanco, so you’ll want a medium-bodied cigar.

Pairing an excellent Ocho Tequila with a Ghurka Marquesa is a good choice, as the earthy and herbaceous flavors pair well with each other for a smooth taste. If you’re looking for more flavor, try a glass of Casamigos Resposado paired with an Ashton Aged Maduro. The whiskey barrel-aged tequila has hints of vanilla and caramel that pair nicely with the cigar.

Anejo

When we start talking about aged tequila, we’re talking about pairing it with lighter-bodied cigars. That doesn’t mean the flavor profile isn’t there, though. These golden-colored tequilas have plenty of flavor notes.

A pairing of Cazadores Tequila Anejo goes well with an Anejo cigar such as an Arturo Fuente Anejo. The rich flavors will complement the complex yet smooth profile of tequila. A glass of Roca Patron paired with an H Upmann Anejo offers another option.

Extra Anejo

Many consider Extra Anejo Tequila as a “sipping” tequila. However, its rarity and length of distillation make it a great pairing option for an equally fine cigar.

Extra Anejo tequila has a lot in common with whiskey, so you’ll find that any Maduro-wrapped cigar will pair well, such as an Ashton Aged Maduro paired with a bottle of Cascahuin works well. The bourbon-aged tequila perfectly compliments the cigar’s sweetness for an evenly blended taste.

Another option is to pair Patron Extra Anejo with a Sin Compromiso. Again, you’ll get bits of fruit while the wrapper pushes a caramel sweetness to finish the taste.

Good Tequila Pairs Don’t End Here

There are plenty more pairings; these are just a few examples. Tequila is almost the ideal companion to a good cigar. They both age well and have a refined flavor profile; you can enjoy both at your leisure. Try it for yourself and see.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Cigar Life Guy™ Announces Second Anniversary Party

Posted on April 26, 2021 by Staff

“Cigar Mike” Bennett will host the free admission twelve-hour anniversary party. It will feature live entertainment. It will also include meet and greet opportunities with several leading cigar companies.

Announcing a customer appreciation opportunity for the cigar community to commemorate our second anniversary. Cigar Life Guy™ has partnered with legendary cigar lifestyle ambassador “Cigar Mike” Bennett and top cigar companies. The Cigar Life Guy second anniversary party will be held on June 12,2021, at Life N Times Cigars, located at 6947 Main Street, Lithonia, GA, a suburb of Atlanta.

Who Will Be There

“Cigar Mike” Bennett will host the event. Throughout the day and evening, cigar companies offering event-only deals and specials will make their appearances. Confirmed participating companies include ATL Cigar Co., Barbeque & Smoke, Besado Tequila, Cigar Pxrn, Deuces Cigars, Greenwood Whiskey, GTO Cigars, and Tarazona Cigars. We are also planning live entertainment including a band and a DJ. Food vendors will also be on-site for this indoor-outdoor event.

Dave Arlinghaus, the founding President of Cigar Life Guy™ expressed excitement for the upcoming event. “I’ve got a great deal of gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive way the cigar community has embraced and supported Cigar Life Guy since its inception in 2019,” said Arlinghaus. “I want to do something fun for the community. There’s nobody better at fun than Cigar Mike. The cigar and liquor companies that are participating in this free admission event all understand the importance of fun and gratitude and want to make this a day to remember for the cigar community,” Arlinghaus added.

Twenty-five-year cigar industry veteran “Cigar Mike” Bennett also commented on the upcoming event. “It has been great to watch Cigar Life Guy grow over the last two years. Its brand is fun and has resonated with people online and at events. Cigar Life Guy’s core mission of providing life insurance to the cigar community at non-tobacco rates has been received very positively and made a difference in many lives,” Bennett said. “We have an exciting entertainment lineup planned and the early interest I’ve seen from people wanting to be a part of it has been great,” said Bennett. “We are going to have an incredible day!”

When the Anniversary Party Begins

The event will begin at 2 pm and continue until closing at Life N Times Cigars. Admission will be free, but entry will be on a first-come-first-served basis. We anticipate we will reach capacity. So, we encourage participants to arrive early. Finally, we expect all participants to follow safety protocols in accordance with local guidelines in place at the time of the event.

About Cigar Life Guy™

Cigar Life Guy™ is a cigar lifestyle brand. We are owned and operated by cigar aficionado Dave Arlinghaus. Our media properties provide entertainment and education focused on the social cigar smoking experience and the great conversations that occur over a social cigar. Cigar Life Guy™ also builds awareness for the huge savings opportunity regular cigar smokers have when it comes to purchasing life insurance. Through its life insurance brokerage, we help cigar smokers realize those savings. Dave Arlinghaus has been an independent life insurance broker since 2010.

For more information, please visit www.cigarlifeguy.com

Follow Cigar Life Guy™ on Instagram @CigarLifeGuy

“Like” Cigar Life Guy™ on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cigarlifeguy/

Follow Cigar Life Guy™ on Twitter @CigarLifeGuy

For media inquiries, or to request an interview, please contact:

Dave Arlinghaus

dave@cigarlifeguy.com

404.521.8134

Football Legend Michael Strahan is a Cigar Lover

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Staff

You probably know this record-holding New York Giant for being one of the best defensive ends in the game. Yet, it might surprise you that football legend Michael Strahan is a big cigar fan. When he’s not on TV, one of Strahan’s notable quotes is saying that a good cigar is something he can’t live without.

Strahan has gone so far as to build himself a luxurious, cigar-friendly “man cave.” Here, he relaxes and gets away from his busy schedule. It even includes a custom, refrigerator-sized humidor. According to Strahan, his favorite way to decompress is to sit in his man cave and “do nothing” for a while; this generally translates to smoking a great cigar and watching television to unwind.

From Young Upstart to Football Legend

Before the football legend lived the cigar lifestyle alongside up-and-coming NFL greats like Cam Newton, he was a typical college athlete. He played defensive end at Texas Southern University while following in the footsteps of his Uncle Art.

During his time at Texas Southern, Strahan began turning heads. He had an imposing frame and was deceptively quick. By his Junior year, he became the frequent target of double-team coverage. It was a term dubbed by his coaches as “Strahan rules.”

Strahan was named player of the year twice as part of the South Western Athletic Conference. During his Junior year, he led the conference in sacks. His career record of 41 sacks still stands as a Texas Southern University Record.

Going Pro and Rough Starts

In 1993 Strahan was drafted to the New York Giants. His first year was unremarkable. He played only six games due to injuries. Although he continued playing, his first few seasons with the Giants proved less than stellar.

It wasn’t until his 1997 season that Strahan broke away from this reputation. He showed the NFL and fans why he was one of the best in the business and a true football legend in the making. He ended the season with 14 sacks and made his first Pro Bowl that year.

His 98′ season was even more impressive. Strahan recorded 15 sacks and another Pro Bowl nomination. From here, he continued his success. In 2001, he set the NFL record for most sacks in a single season.

On February 3, 2008, Strahan took his team through the win Super Bowl XLII. They beat the New England Patriots in what was widely considered one of their biggest upsets. Following the Super Bowl win, Strahan retired from playing professional football. Instead, the football legend moved on to other endeavors.

Post-NFL Career Change and Cigar Lifestyle

Post-NFL life did not leave Strahan out of the spotlight. It’s hard not to find him appearing on television somewhere. Between becoming a morning talk show host, a game show host, and a sports analyst, he stays busy. But that’s why Strahan says he loves the time he sits back and enjoys a cigar.

Strahan says the first cigar that captured his tastebuds was a Cohiba. From then on, he felt at home smoking cigars. Nowadays, he has his favorites. You’ll find him smoking sticks like Gurkhas, Padrons, and Olivas. Yet, he’s also open to experimenting with whatever his friends in the cigar business send him.

Never one to shy away from work, Strahan admits that he likes to get away to his secret hideout at least once or twice a week. It’s a way for him to muffle the noise of the city. It also gives him the perfect reason to enjoy a cigar in private since he spends so much time on air.

What’s Next For the Football Legend?

Today, the football legend stays busy with all his television appearances. Yet, he still has time for other activities. In addition to smoking great sticks, Strahan also collects cigars. He’s also into cars and a handful of different hobbies.

When he’s not in the news, Strahan stays busy with philanthropic work. He supports organizations like St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and serves as an ad campaign spokesperson.

Strahan is busy building his branded clothing and accessories line. That includes men’s apparel, suits, and shoes. So chances are, even if you aren’t seeing or hearing him, you might find yourself wearing clothing by Strahan.

Truthfully, it looks like Strahan is going nowhere soon. As a mainstay on the morning talk show Good Morning America, he is in many people’s living rooms five days a week. Add to that his roles as a sports analyst for Fox Sports and host of the game show $100,000 Pyramid, and it’s easy to see the many places you’ll find Strahan in the spotlight each week.

Strahan continues making cameos in movies and television as well. In addition, he’s had his share of more minor roles in the acting world. Whether you’re a fan of this Giant football legend or not, one thing is sure. You’ll continue seeing more of him.

Photo credit: “Fox Pregame for Super Bowl LIV,” by Elisfkc2, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 2.0.