Staff, Author at Cigar Life Guy

Women and Cigars: Rihanna is Smokin’!

Posted on August 9, 2020 by Staff

Women and cigars are becoming more commonplace today despite cigar-smoking long considered as a man’s domain. Women have shattered the taboo image of female smokers and taken cigar-smoking mainstream. Cigars are no longer gender-biased. Now, more than ever, cigars symbolize a level of female empowerment and equality. Who better to embody the dynamic of female empowerment than superstar R and B singer Rihanna? And, Rihanna also happens to be a significant cigar enthusiast.

Only the Best Come From the Islands

Rihanna was born in St. Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados. She shattered stereotypes and personified the strong, female dynamic. It all began when she burst onto the R and B scene upon coming to the states in 2005. It was then that she signed with Def Jam Records.

In 2007, with her song “Umbrella,” Rihanna took center stage in the American R and B scene, earning her first Grammy. So, it was only fitting during her celebration that she also smoked another excellent island import, a Cohiba Corona Minor.

Rihanna Loves Cubans

This wouldn’t be the first time fans spotted Rihanna enjoying a trophy cigar. She celebrated cigars in her 2014 video for the song, “Can’t Remember to Forget You.” The video featured fellow cigar enthusiast and singer extraordinaire, Shakira. The duo enjoyed cigars between some heart-pounding dance moves. Yet, the cigars weren’t a prop. Rihanna and Shakira also enjoyed cigars after filming the video as well. Then, again during guest appearances on each other’s respective tours.

Not Just Women and Cigars, but All in the Family

Rihanna isn’t the only family member with a well-known passion for cigars. Her brother, Rorrey Fenty, founded the luxury cigar line Legado. To celebrate the launch, Legado partnered with Faberge and Rome De Bellegarde Cognac.

The goal including auctioning four limited edition trophy humidors. These special humidors featuring cigars, cognac, and exquisitely detailed timepieces. Hollywood elites and cigar enthusiasts including Arnold Schwarzenegger attended the VIP list. The auction fetched well over a million dollars. And, part of the proceeds was donated to charity.

Women and Cigars: Cuba Isn’t the Only Island That Smokes

Big sister Rihanna keeps a careful eye on the project. She encouraged her brother to follow his dream. After all, the whole family enjoyed cigar smoking. In Barbados, the smoking culture is changing; old men no longer dominate it.

Younger generations, especially women, thanks to Rihanna’s influence, are following suit. Then again, is there a better way to launch a new generation of cigar enthusiasts? Legado cigars offer an exclusive 10-year aged Cameroonian wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a rare Dominican Republic filler. So, finding a more tantalizing smoke is unlikely.

Does Rihanna Only Smoke Family Cigars?

True to her character, Rihanna doesn’t do anything for the show. Instead, she echoed her brother’s sentiment. Cigar and pipe smoking are something she remembers her grandfather and relatives doing together. It brought them closer, and when she can’t smoke with her family, she does with her team that tours with her. When she isn’t smoking a Legado, you’ll see her briefly smoking with Arturo Fuente Exquisitos.

For extended gatherings, Rihanna does not shy away from a massive Cohiba or Romeo y Julieta. Influential female celebrities have led the path toward eliminating gender expectations. That’s especially true when it comes to cigars. Music icons like Rihanna continue to blaze trails for future generations of female cigar smokers.

Photo credit: “Rihanna Met Gala 2017,” by Danilo Lauria, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0

Hockey and Cigars: A Fascination With Smokes

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Staff

In the rough and tumble-world of hockey, cigars have always held a special place. Few sports take victory cigars as seriously as hockey does. That’s especially true when it comes to the Stanley Cup. Former player and famed Hockey analyst Barry Melrose loves the camaraderie of cigars and is often found smoking in the studios with colleagues after a game. As a former coach, he has talked about the bonding over cigars with his players- in both victory and defeat. His choice of cigars? The Fuente Opus X.

Hockey and Cigars: The Gold Medal Scandal

When the 2010 Canadian Women’s Olympic team beat the U.S. for the gold medal, they received chastisement for their exuberant celebration, which involved plenty of cigars and champagne. It caused such an uproar that the International Olympic Committee investigated the “offensive” behavior. (They were cleared of any wrongdoing). Some players argued it was a double standard compared to the men’s teams. Countless Stanley Cup championship teams have enjoyed trophy cigars while posing with the cup for photographs.

What Does the Great One Smoke?

Few professional athletes attain true greatness. Only one is called “The Great One.” Wayne Gretzky has been the face of hockey even after nearly 20 years of retirement. To this day, he still holds or shares over 60 NHL records. He started playing hockey at age 2, taught by his father.

When he turned 27, he smoked his first cigar, once again, with his father. He has long since traded his skates for golf spikes. Nevertheless, you will always find him with a mild, creamy cigar on the golf course. As a Canadian, he has enjoyed access to Cuban cigars; his preference is Hoyo de Monterey, 44-ring size.

Does the Art of Hockey and Cigars Imitate Life?

Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was also a very well-known cigar smoker. He smoked most of his career before giving it up during a scary fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

His love of cigars has manifested itself differently, with Oliva as the official cigar sponsor of his annual Mario Lemieux Foundation Celebrity Invitational golf fundraiser. All guests playing in the outing receive a box of Oliva’s Connecticut Reserve cigar, a well-crafted medium to full-flavored smoke.

Has Smoking Changed In Hockey?

Generations ago, clouds of smoke enveloped hockey arenas. Hall of Famers like Guy Lafleur, Denis Savard, and Mike Bossy smoked between periods. Former Toronto Maple Leaf Al Iafrate lit up while seated on the bench during a game. In the 1980s, the influx of Eastern European players saw cigarette smoking among players skyrocket. As habits changed and the debilitating effects of cigarettes became clear, players looked to the occasional post-game cigar to relax.

Mobile Cigar Lounge

Some former players have taken their love of cigars to the next level. When Florida enacted a smoking ban, players often smoked in the parking lot after the games. An idea was born, and it kept the players out of the stifling Florida heat.

Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup winners Dave Andreychuk and Stan Neckar are co–owners of the Mobile Cigar Lounge. It is an exquisitely equipped mobile home retrofitted to feel like an upscale lounge with ostrich leather seats. Now the mobile home can be found outside games and golf events or rented for the day. So players and fans can enjoy cigars while playing hockey games in pure comfort.

Photo credit: “Gretzky Final,” by Troy Parla, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0

Al Pacino Lives the Cigar Lifestyle

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Staff

The inimitable swagger. The boisterous, explosive dialogue. The ubiquitous cigar became an extension of himself and his personality. These are the hallmark traits of Al Pacino, the legendary actor who will be forever revered for his impassioned and nuanced roles. Off-screen, his passion for smoking Cuban cigars is equally legendary.

The Enduring Legacy of Scarface

Brian De Palma’s 1983 masterpiece, “Scarface” remains relevant nearly four decades later. It tells of the rise of a Cuban immigrant in Miami as he works his way up in the criminal and drug underworld. He becomes the “kingpin”, only to succumb to his own ego and dangerous behavior. Scarface remains a hallmark of the “mobster” film genre, beloved by critics and film fans alike. College dorm rooms still feature the iconic movie posters featuring Al Pacino as Tony Montana.

What Does a Kingpin Smoke?

A Cuban refugee smoking Cuban cigars would be considered sacrilegious. Not for Tony Montoya. The real question is, what brand of Cubans did he favor? There are numerous scenes that feature the troubled boss smoking menacingly or contemplatively, but it’s never revealed what brand he favors. Cohibas would have most likely been the cigar of choice since they were only available to government employees and soldiers. It is stated early on that he was in the Cuban army, therefore it makes sense that Cohibas were his trophy cigars.

Smoking Cuban Cigars are Consistent

In his most recent film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, Pacino plays Hollywood agent Marvin Schwarz. During a dinner with Leonardo Di Caprio, he tells a story about being able to sit back and enjoy one of his favorite Cuban cigars with a glass of cognac as he is about to screen a movie. They flash to a humidor stocked with Cuban trophies, and he casually clips and enjoys a Hoyo de Monterey.

Does Art Imitate Life?

Which cigar-smoking character most realistically represents Al Pacino in real life? Al Pacino is definitely a contemplative smoker. Having achieved so much in his cinematic career, the ability to sit back and reflect while enjoying the solitude of a cigar is what he treasures most. During the filming of “Scent of a Woman”, he smoked offset with other actors, but he remained in character pretending to be blind. He wouldn’t cut or light anyone’s cigars for them!

Does Al Pacino Only Like Smoking Cuban Cigars?

This is definitely a case of life imitating art. He doesn’t publicly endorse any specific brands, but he is never seen smoking anything other than a Cuban. In “Scent of a Woman”, Al Pacino’s character Colonel Slade dispatches “Charlie” from the Waldorf Astoria into a wintry New York City, to pick up medicine and Montecristo Number 1. In reality, he would not have been able to pick up a Cuban version. However, Montecristo Number 1s have left a lasting effect as they seem to be his trophy cigar of choice. Naturally, the Cuban version.

That’s a Wrap!

Al Pacino will forever be a legend in Hollywood. His choice of projects shows thoughtfulness and energy that represents the many facets of the man himself. Cigars have always been more than a prop for him; they are an extension of his personality. Even though he may have only been the king of Miami briefly, he remains forever, Hollywood royalty.

Photo Credit: <a title=”Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons” href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Al_Pacino_Cannes_1996.jpg”><img width=”256″ alt=”Al Pacino Cannes 1996″ src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Al_Pacino_Cannes_1996.jpg”></a>

Six Confessions of a Smoking Lounge Owner

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Staff

Here is a list of six “rules” an actual cigar shop owner sent Cigar Life Guy; a list of rules that can either make or break the cigar smoking experience in a private, smoking lounge. These rules may seem pretty universal, but you’d be surprised how often they get violated.

Smoking Lounge Business Isn’t Free

There is a cost of doing business. While you may be incredibly proud of your collection of trophy cigars from your home humidor, all cigar lounges offer some form of retail component. Selling cigars goes a long way to supporting the lounge.

Expand your horizon and try some cigars you’ve never tried before. A new Mexican box press corona? A richly licorice-flavored Robusto with a Brazilian wrapper? Plus, many lounges roll their own. No better way to ingratiate yourself with the owner than enjoying the house brand every now and then. If anything, they make great gifts.

Sharing is Caring… To a Degree

If you have supported the shop’s cigars, and have a good rapport with the owner, next time you bring in the occasional hard-to-find Cuban, don’t be afraid to share with the host. Odds are pretty good he’s got a few trophies stashed away that you may never have seen and you may well become a beneficiary. Keep in mind, if the place doesn’t serve alcohol, please don’t sneak it in. Cigars and cocktails are natural pairings; don’t jeopardize the owner’s livelihood.

It’s a Smoking Lounge, Not a Home

Cigar smoking is all about relaxation. However, we don’t need to see your feet. Keep the shoes on, and keep your sprawl to a minimum. It’s a shared environment. Working on a laptop is acceptable. Doing people’s taxes and creating a branch office is not. Just because you are the first person in, doesn’t mean you get to control the television all night. We understand you want to watch “A Few Good Men” again; some folks want to watch JLO on World of Dance. Also, don’t ash on the floor; you wouldn’t do it at home.

Stick to Cigars

First and foremost, the ventilation systems are usually geared for cigar smoke. Cigar smokers and cigarette smokers are entirely different types of people. Additionally, the rules for your state are irrelevant. Unless the cigar lounge is also a retail marijuana smoking lounge, leave your “specialty” smokes at home. Not everyone is tolerant, and just like with alcohol, there is no need to jeopardize the owner’s license.

Politics, Politics, Politics

Enjoying a cigar is not always a solitary event. A friendly discourse is great; stumping for your favorite politician can be polarizing and toxic; bad tempers can linger. It’s always difficult to find a happy medium. Just remember, the first goal of a cigar lounge is to provide a relaxing, inclusive environment. You may not know your host’s political leanings and you do want to be allowed back!

You Don’t Have to Go Home, but You Can’t Stay Here

Please don’t fall asleep; we’re not the waiting room at a Greyhound Terminal. Don’t light up a cigar 15 minutes before closing unless you plan on taking it with you. It may feel like home, but it probably isn’t the owner’s home. They need time to clean up and maybe enjoy a cigar in solitude. Be respectful and you will be rewarded many times over. That is a promise!

These “rules” were a guest submission by an actual cigar store owner in the Northeastern United States.

photo credit: Pixabay

The Sopranos Smoke Cigars

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Staff

We are truly blessed today with what television has to offer. The amount of content available is astounding. Much of our focus, however, is on the godfather of the television show, “The Sopranos.” It is an unrestricted look into the life of a dysfunctional family of New Jersey mobsters. It’s gritty and realistic, and captivating. You might even call it must-watch television. Cigars factored heavily into the series, both on and off the set. So, considering the Sopranos smoke cigars, the show is an excellent topic for Cigar Life Guy readers.

The Sopranos Smoke Cigars Like a Boss

James Gandolfini played the iconic role: of the cigar-loving Tony Soprano. The part was easy for the late Gandolfini; He was also a long-time cigar aficionado. Gandolfini often smoked three to four cigars weekly. He loved the ability to relax for 45 minutes without care. Regarding cigars and cigarettes, he said, “Cigarette smokers try to get through the smoke as quickly as possible, whereas cigar smokers let the taste and experience linger.”

Wiseguys Know What they Are Doing

The opening credits feature Tony Soprano driving through the Lincoln Tunnel with a thumping baseline and a cigar blazing. Vinny Pastore, who played Big Pussy, often smoked intimidating-sized cigars. But, he said, “It’s more than a prop. Its symbolism. People who smoke cigarettes are nervous. A cigar is a personal thing. An extension of character.”

According to the show’s creator, David Chase, cigars weren’t accidental. They served as intended props. Cigar smoking invokes power and a level of authority. The cigars, like authority, were wielded with a heavy hand.

Sopranos Smoke Cigars: From Boss to V.P.

Jim Gandolfini smoked a cigar a couple of times a week. Yet, Joe Pantoliano’s habit is more voracious. He smokes a couple of sticks a day. Pantoliano was an early investor and vice president of L.A.’s Grand Havana Room, a prestigious smoking lounge. He jokes that he’s a compulsive guy; when Pantoliano gets into something, he takes it to heart. Pantoliano loves everything about cigars, including all of the accessories. He also praises his amazingly tolerant wife, who lets him smoke anywhere he wants around the house.

Pantoliano played in many other movies, such as” Bad Boys” and “Steal Big, Steal Little.” For each show, he made a great effort to acquire a supply of good sticks he could smoke onscreen. He even made advance calls to cigar companies to make his requests. Both Davidoff and Fuente quickly obliged. In addition, his relationship is so close with the Fuente family that they sent him a unique anniversary release cigar for his wedding.

Life Imitates Art

Both Gandolfini and Pantoliano have expressed a love of Cuban cigars. Pantoliano loves the Bolivar Gigante, a massive cigar fit for a king. Or at least a Mob boss. Cigar maker CAO created a line of cigars in conjunction with the show.

Like the bold, showy attitude of the Sopranos, it comes in a flashy cherry-red box designed to look like a car’s trunk. The cigars came in three sizes; Associate, Soldier, and Boss reflecting the mobster hierarchy. Of course, any diehard Sopranos fans will immediately associate a car trunk and its implications with mob life.

Away from the set, the actors agree on the same thing; cigars, like the show, are about family. Getting together and just relaxing. So, you got a problem with that?

Photo credit: “James Gandolfini Sept 11,” by GDC Graphics, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 2.0

Cigars and Country Music

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Staff

Images of smoky jazz bars typically come to mind when pairing cigars and country music. However, these days the segment of the music industry that is genuinely smokin’ is country music. Cigars have frequently popped up in country music songs, returning to the days of Johnny Cash singing about fancy folks smoking big cigars in Folsom Prison Blues. Many of today’s artists have fully embraced the cigar-smoking lifestyle. Often cigars are celebrated in their lyrics or as an essential instrument on tour.

Brad Paisley and Cuban Cigars

Country music star Brad Paisley has been one of the hottest acts in country music for more than 20 years and has had almost as many number-one songs on the charts. He is also a dyed-in-the-wool cigar fan. He says, “Cigarettes are a habit; cigars are an event.” It has become a tradition for him and the band members to finish a show, sneak out to one of the upper sections of seats and light cigars, and watch the roadies tear down the sets.

Cigars and Country Music: The Cigar Song

Sometimes art imitates life. Brad Paisley wrote “The Cigar Song,” which has become a crowd favorite. An urban legend of a wealthy lawyer who bought a box of Cuban cigars and had them insured against fire inspired the song. When he finally smoked the last one, he filed a claim that he lost the cigars in 24 “little fires.” The insurance company eventually paid the claim, but he was arrested the following week on 24 counts of arson.

The song’s first line speaks volumes; “Well, I’m a sucker for fine Cuban cigars.” Brad’s first cigar was a Cuban Montecristo while on tour in Canada. His favorite smokes are Montecristo Number 2 and Punch Grand Cru.

Cigars and Country Music: Old Dominion Smokes on Tour

Rising country music group, Old Dominion, is also post-show cigar fans. Which is fitting, given they all met in Virginia, a state known for its rich tobacco heritage. The 2018 CMA Vocal Group of the Year Award Winners look forward to a cigar at the end of shows as a celebration. For them, it’s a victory cigar, as they are still trying to get accustomed to their newfound success. They have come a long way from the Swisher Sweets many of the band members initially smoked, now favoring Padron 1964 Anniversary Series and My Father’s Cigars while on the road. However, they also enjoy more eclectic lines like Crowned Heads and Herrera Esteli, which is fitting given their sometimes eclectic musical style.

Luke Bryan is a Sure Thing

Some country music stars take their love of cigars to the next level. Why have a humidor when you can own an entire lounge? That’s what country music and American Idol star Luke Bryan did. As the co-owner of Shore Thing Cigars in Florida, Luke combined some of his favorite loves; great beers, a comfortable room for friends, and his favorite cigars. Luke even personally selected the tobacco blend for his line of cigars made by Davidoff. If you ask Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, or Luke Bryan how they enjoy their cigars, they would all answer with the last line from “The Cigar Song”; “Yeah, I smoke ’em one by one!”

Photo credit: “Brad Paisley at Walmart Soundcheck,” by Lunchbox LP, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY 2.0

Arnold Schwarzenegger Loves Cigars

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Staff

Some people are not content to sit on their laurels. Michael Jordan was light years ahead of anyone else in basketball and pushed himself to be a two-sport professional athlete by playing baseball. Former athletes Like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have parlayed their athletic prowess into substantial careers in film. Nobody has equaled the success of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who rose from the pinnacle of weightlifting as Mr. Universe, became one of the highest-grossing movie stars of all time, and became governor of California.

The American Dream: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger epitomizes the American dream. What could be more American than celebrating his numerous achievements with a fine cigar? Arnold is a well-known cigar enthusiast going back decades.

During his run as Mr. Universe in the 1970s, his father-in-law offered the health-conscious Arnold a cigar. He joked, “There’s no better way to get your wife to approve of your smoking when you can say her father wouldn’t have introduced me to something that’s bad!” That fifty-year love affair with cigars is still going strong!

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Action Hero

Cigars have been much more than just a prop for Arnold. Finding a movie where he isn’t smoking a cigar is almost impossible. The opening credits of “Predator” set the tone for the movie, as a steely-eyed Arnold makes a dramatic entrance in a helicopter, and the cigar and his billowing plumes of smoke are featured prominently.

The character of Mr. Freeze in “Batman and Robin” wouldn’t be complete if he wasn’t smoking a frozen (yet still functional) cigar. In “The Expendables” franchise, his cigars could have garnered a cameo mention when they rolled credits. Every movie role shows the versatility of his smoking, from menacing and authoritative to contemplative and relaxed.

Smoke Like Mr. Universe

It’s not just his onscreen persona that enjoys those cigars. Off-screen, Arnold is legendary for sharing smokes with his fellow actors and crew. Ever the comedian, he has been known to plant a fake exploding cigar among the ones he gives out to ensure that people don’t take advantage of his generosity. Former “Predator,” co-star Carl Weathers hated Arnold’s constant smoking between scenes. Arnold explained that it helped keep him calm and focused.

Over the next few weeks of filming, Weathers asked Arnold for a cigar to roll around in his mouth to calm down. Then he eventually lit one. By the movie’s end, he had boxes of Ashtons flown in! He has also converted “Twins” co-star Danny DeVito. It’s hard to turn down the Governator!

Arnold Schwarzenegger Packs a Punch

Arnold is not shy about smoking and claims to smoke 1-2 cigars daily. Unlike most actors, he is known to be able to distinguish between different Cuban tobaccos and expresses his love of all cigars. He is known to favor Punch Punch for after-dinner smoking. Cohiba Cubans are his favorites by far, often having had them flown in a while filming. He took Jimmy Fallon to school for embarrassing him at the Havana Club when Fallon destroyed a Cohiba Behike by licking it like a lollipop and then coughing all night. If he says that cigars keep him calm and focused, nobody should get between the Terminator and his cigars!

Photo credit: “Arnold Schwarzenegger 2005,” by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Stefanie Broughton (RELEASED), Wikimedia Commons license under Public Domain CC0 1.0

How to Properly Light a Cigar

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Staff

Many rituals work their way into the enjoyment of cigars. Some of these rituals can lead to very heated arguments. Like those arguments about where the best cigars come from (Cuba vs. Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic etc.) As long as passions and cigars flare up, you will find defenders of all arguments. One of the most controversial arguments concerns how to light a cigar correctly and whether to use matches or a butane torch lighter.

Why Choose Matches to Light a Cigar

Your goal is to light the wrapper and the filler evenly. The filler is that tightly rolled tobacco just inside your wrapper. An evenly lit cigar is how you achieve an even burn and smooth smoke. Of course, if you cut your cigar poorly, that’s forgivable. Still, a poorly lit cigar only detracts from your overall smoking experience.

Proper wooden matches pair with cigars for as long as both have been around. These are not the flimsy felt matches with sulfur heads. Sulfur could lead to off-flavors in the cigar. Instead, sturdy four-inch long matches made for cigars provide a certain refinement and tradition that accompanies adequately toasting your prized trophy cigar.

Torch Lighters and the Perfect Flame

There is no arguing that unless weather conditions are perfect (i.e., no wind), you can’t beat a multi-torch butane lighter. Butane burns off immediately when lit, eliminating the possibility of any off-flavors. They are also easy to share and pass along with fellow smokers.

Like prized humidors by S.T. Dupont, lighters can run into thousands of dollars. Often, they are status symbols in their own right. However, you only need to refill butane lighters infrequently. They also typically give off a more intense heat that gets your cigar lit quicker and cleaner.

How to Light a Cigar: The Professionals Weigh In

In the movie “Hellboy,” there is a scene where the main character struggles to light his cigar with a Zippo lighter. Jeffrey Tambor chastises him asking incredulously, “What are you doing?” He then explains you only use wooden matches because it perfects the flavor.

If that’s not definitive enough, Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson has weighed in on the matter. He vouches for the technique that the famous director Roman Polanski taught him. First, run a flame around the entire cigar edge. Then, when lighting the whole tip, blow it out and inhale. It’s the only way to lock in the flavor and make a difference. Of course, we can’t argue with an icon like Jack Nicholson, but he hasn’t committed to the match versus lighter debate.

The Verdict Is In

Despite the evidence supporting both sides, there is no conclusive winner. The only common ground is the importance of technique. Properly toasting the cigar “foot” and rotating it in your mouth to ensure an even burn all the way around.

While matches may exude an “old school cool,” the butane torch lighter is incredibly reliable, especially on a windy golf course. Unfortunately, it’s also quite clear that this won’t get resolved soon, much like the “chicken and the egg” debate. What matters is the importance of sharing a great cigar among friends and knowing how to properly light it to ensure that clean burn for maximum enjoyment!

Photo Credit: Pixabay | Earnest Roy

Jack Nicholson Movies and His Love for Cigars

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Staff

Regarding true Hollywood royalty, few stars garner instant recognition simply by mentioning their first name. “Marty” for Martin Scorsese, “Bobby” for Robert De Niro, and of course, “Jack” for Jack Nicholson. Nicholson has three Oscars, multiple Golden Globes, floor seats for Lakers games, and ownership of some of Hollywood’s most memorable lines ever uttered. You can’t spell Nicholson without “I-C-O-N.” By the way, the man LOVES his cigars, and you’ll often see them in Jack Nicholson’s movies, too.

Here’s Johnny!

In the beginning, Jack Nicholson was a cigarette smoker. However, he eventually had an epiphany and decided it was best to replace one bad habit with one slightly better practice and converted to cigars. He grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, surrounded by “wise guys “who played cards and favored Muriel’s and White Owls. However, in 1973 he played a petty officer who devoured Cuban cigars in the movie “The Last Detail.” And a love affair was born. However, it wasn’t until the early 1990s that he made the full-time switch to cigars, all because of golf. A fresh cigar on the fifth hole became a ritual, and it’s been only cigars since.

Art Imitates Life

There is no shortage of characters that Jack has played who enjoy cigars. Those cigars aren’t as much a prop but an extension of the character itself. As Colonel Jessup in “A Few Good Men,” his military rank has been upgraded since the “Last Detail.” The gruff, cigar-chomping exterior wouldn’t be the same without the cigars. He has maintained that he never came anywhere near the 15 cigars a day that George Burns was rumored to have smoked but has gotten close to those numbers by smoking between takes and during filming. He is also notoriously generous with his cigars on set.

What Does an Icon Smoke?

In 1973, while filming “The Last Detail,” his character only smoked Cuban Cigars. Almost 50 years later, Jack’s opinion of Cuban cigars hasn’t changed. “They are simply the best.” When it was still difficult to bring cigars into the States, he took advantage of film locations in Canada to stock his home humidor with some trophies.

He reportedly says, “I read a lot. I may not be an expert on a given subject, but I can hold a conversation on just about everything.” That knowledge extends to cigar-making, even down to opinions on what regions in Cuba grow the best tobacco. His go-to cigar? Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba Robustos, or Montecristo. From Cuba. He has occasionally favored Macanudo Maduros from the Dominican Republic, but none compare to his favorite Cubans.

Jack Nicholson is a Perfectionist

In every role he has played, Jack Nicholson’s movies have always reflected a complete focus on effort. It stems from an inherent desire for Nicholson to perfect his craft. That same dedication to perfection even extends to the way he lights his cigars. He is a firm believer in a method that famed director Roman Polanski taught him; running a flame around the entire edge of the cigar. Then, when lighting the entire tip, blow out initially, then inhale. It’s the only way to lock in the flavor, and it makes a difference! So who are we to argue with an icon like Jack Nicholson?

Photo Credit: “Jack Nicholson signing autographs at a ceremony for Dennis Hopper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” by Angela George (Cropped 2019 by LeeGer), Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0

Smoking Fine Cigars and Seinfeld

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Staff

Regarding television shows, few reach iconic status, like Seinfeld. From 1989 to 1998, Seinfeld captivated audiences as a “show about nothing.” Yet, it somehow managed to touch everyday existence. One of the common threads that wove through many episodes was the cast’s relationship with cigars. Episodes center around the theme of cigars. For many of these celebrities, the love of smoking fine cigars was more than a matter of art imitating life.

Art Imitates Life

It’s easy to see why so many episodes of the beloved sitcom featured cigars. Co-creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld are both avid cigar aficionados. In addition, Julia Louis Dreyfus and her acting husband, Brad Hall, bragged about having a humidor at home long before it became cool to smoke.

During the show’s taping, the cast often enjoyed cigars offset, primarily when the episode featured them in the plotline. Fast-forward to post-Seinfeld projects. You’ll see Larry David smoking sticks in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Jerry Seinfeld also did an episode with Steve Harvey, another true cigar aficionado. That was in the episode “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” In this episode, the two sat in a Chicago cigar lounge, enjoying a couple of good sticks.

Seinfeld Episodes and Cigars

In Seinfeld, sometimes cigars were used as comedic props. For example, in an episode when Elaine can’t seem to stay away from her old boyfriend. Elaine bets Jerry on how long she can stay away from her former boyfriend. Then, Elaine repeatedly returns to the apartment to pay Jerry for her lost bet. Meanwhile, she’s puffing away on a cigar and cackling. Elaine was also featured smoking fine cigars in several episodes.

In one episode, she takes over the Peterman Catalogue Company. In this episode, Elaine impersonates J. Jonah Jameson Jr., the fictional character who hosts the Daily Bugle in the “Spiderman” movies. Elaine sits at her desk with her feet propped up. She berates Jerry over the phone while she chomps on a cigar.

Next, we arrive at another episode. This time, Jerry is preparing for George’s approaching wedding. What better way to prepare for the big day than with a box of Cubans, right? Unfortunately for Jerry, the sticks he buys are counterfeits. He and Elaine sit on a couch complaining as they smoke them while Elaine tries to understand why counterfeit cigars are awful. Jerry compares it to “trying to smoke a chicken bone.”

Kramer and Cuban Cigars

In the end, Kramer was the key to entire episodes about cigars. He wanted to create a proper smoking lounge in his apartment for everyone not allowed to smoke in public restaurants. The consequences of his decision were legendary. He smokes so much that his face becomes the consistency of “an old baseball mitt.” He eventually sues “big tobacco” for losing his “twinkle.”

In another episode, Kramer attempts to pass off three Dominican gentlemen as genuine Cuban cigar rollers. His goal with this is to become a domestic cigar magnate. Instead, they end up getting jobs rolling crepes at a diner. One of the most memorable episodes is when George’s future father-in-law’s cabin burns down because of the Cuban cigars Kramer smokes.

That’s a Wrap

It’s evident that the cast and directors of Seinfeld all love and bond over smoking fine cigars. So, it would have been impossible for cigars not to become minor stars of the show in their own right. But today, when the same cast gets together at award shows, they celebrate with cigars. Today, the cast also celebrates the friendship and bonds that began decades ago!

Photo credit: “Anothony Crivello on Seinfeld,” by Dori Rosenthal, Wikimedia Commons license under Public Domain Public Domain CC0 1.0