Staff, Author at Cigar Life Guy

Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers: Your Top 10 Questions

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Staff

Cigar Life Guy® is celebrating its third anniversary and over the last three years we’ve helped a ton of regular cigar smokers get life insurance at non-tobacco rates, often a 70% savings vs. smoker rates! Over the last few years, we’ve also gotten tons of questions. Here are some of the most frequent questions (and answers) about life insurance for cigar smokers.

Does it really work? Can I really get non-tobacco rates on life insurance even if I smoke cigars every day?

Yes! It really works. Our whole business is built upon getting regular cigar smokers the non-tobacco rates on life insurance. We know it can seem too good to be true. Many clients are skeptical until we come back with a final, formal offer from the insurance carrier. Usually, clients are so excited they sign the paperwork and accept the offer within hours of learning they were approved at non-tobacco rates! To get the non-tobacco rates, there are four essential things you must do.

Disclose your cigar use on the application
Not also smoke cigarettes or vape
Be otherwise healthy enough to qualify for life insurance
Apply with the right company (Cigar Life Guy helps you do this)

I applied with another company and ended up with smoker rates! Can I apply with you and get non-tobacco rates?

Yes! We fix “issues” with other application processes all the time. Even if another company gave you smoker or tobacco rates, as long as you follow our instructions and fully disclose your cigar use on the initial application, you can get non-tobacco rates with one of our companies.

Do I have to take a medical exam to get non-tobacco rates on life insurance?

We have life insurance options that most cigar smokers will qualify for that will not require a medical exam. Often this is a more expensive option but for some people the convenience of not having to take an exam is worth it.

It is possible the exam will be waived even with companies offering the best prices, but it depends on your answers to the application’s health questions. That said, we advise people who want the best possible price to prepare to take an exam if asked.

The good news is the life insurance exam is typically fairly simple: someone comes to your home or office, or you can visit a facility in your area. They take a blood sample, a urine sample, blood pressure reading, and record your height and weight.

Can I still get non-tobacco rates on life insurance even if I use marijuana and smoke cigars?

Absolutely! Underwriting for marijuana use is increasingly becoming less restrictive. If you use marijuana and smoke cigars, you can still get non-tobacco rates in most cases.

Like any other application, insurers look at your overall health and lifestyle. It’s very important that you disclose the marijuana use along with cigar use on the initial application. It’s equally important that you tell us about both during our initial consultation so we can place you with the company most favorable to you.

Can I have more than one life insurance policy?

Yes, you can have multiple life insurance policies. You qualify for life insurance as an individual based on your income or net worth, but typically your income. The amount you qualify for will vary with your age and the company that writes your policy.

Most people qualify for much more insurance than they are interested in purchasing. You will need to disclose the policies you already have at the time of your application. The life insurance company will consider how the policy you are applying for will affect the total amount of coverage you’ll have.

Why can’t I just lie and say I don’t smoke cigars on the application and stop smoking cigars for a few weeks so I can pass the life insurance exam and get non-tobacco rates?

Ignoring the moral and ethical issues associated with lying, it’s never a good idea to be anything but truthful on a life insurance application. It’s possible to potentially “game” the system and get your policy approved, but any less than truthful answers (nice way of saying “lies”) may cause problems if there is a claim (that is, you die).

Life insurance companies scrutinize claims more closely than initial applications. Is there an electronic paper trail (like social media) of your cigar use? Do you work in an occupation (like at a cigar store or for a cigar brand) where it is unlikely you don’t regularly smoke cigars? Does your doctor know you smoke cigars? These are a few things to consider before selecting the less than truthful approach.

The whole idea of life insurance is to give you peace of mind if something goes wrong. How much peace of mind will you have if you’re loved ones have a problem with a death claim because you played fast and loose with the truth? There is a legitimate way to get non-tobacco rates as regular cigar smoker where you fully disclose your cigar use on the application. Doing so gives you and your loved ones a peace of mind knowing you’ve eliminated claims issues associated with your cigar use.

I got a policy with non-tobacco rates before I started smoking cigars. Is that policy still valid?

Yes, it is! A life insurance application is evaluated based upon your point-in-time answers to health and lifestyle questions. It is very likely your health and lifestyle will change. For example, just as you may have started smoking cigars after you got the life insurance, you may also start flying a plane, commit a felony, or have a heart attack or other health ailment. As long as you were truthful about your health and lifestyle at the time of application, your policy will be fine.

My friend got some Cigar Life Guy stuff at an event. How do I get Cigar Life Guy stuff?

Cigar Life Guy apparel is available online. All proceeds go to Operation: Cigars for Warriors, Cigar Life Guy’s official cigar charity. Most of the swag at events is limited edition, event-only items, and are usually given away free at designated events. The best way to get Cigar Life Guy swag is to go to an event where Cigar Life Guy has a presence. We have a great time at events and smoke a lot of cigars. It’s also a great way to meet other cigar smokers from near and far.

How come every page of your website has a form for life insurance quotes? I’m tired of seeing all your ads for life insurance on your website!

Hey, everybody’s gotta eat! The life insurance brokerage is the only “advertiser” that Cigar Life Guy has. So, yes, when you’re reading a cigar lifestyle article on the website there will be a quote form for the life insurance. Compare us to your other favorite cigar lifestyle site. Frankly, we think we’re one of the lowest frequency ad sites of any cigar lifestyle website around. We don’t have affiliate programs or promote other people’s products for compensation, disclosed or undisclosed.

Do you really smoke cigars?

Yes. Lots of them. A big part of the brand’s success is its authenticity. Find us at an event or private message us on social media and discover which local lounge in Atlanta we’ll be smoking at today!

If you have other questions, call us, private message us on social media, or email dave@cigarlifeguy.com.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

How Cheap Cigars Helped Paul Volcker Beat Inflation

Posted on April 23, 2022 by Staff

With a swirl of smoke floating around him, Paul Volcker was no stranger to the cigar lifestyle. Although he limited his smoking in public, he didn’t shy away from lighting up during congressional meetings. He tucked his long brown stick into his pocket, between his fingers, or in the corner of his mouth. You’d be hard-pressed to separate Volcker from his cheap cigars. Why cheap cigars? Volcker was as economical with his sticks as he was with the country’s finances.

Paul Volcker and Money

Paul Volcker Jr. was born in Cape May, New Jersey in 1927. He was an American economist who served as chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System during the Carter and Reagan administrations. The Obama Administration later consulted with him as well when it sought to overhaul the nation’s financial regulatory system.

Volcker was the guy who received credit for wrangling inflation back under control. Inflation was at 14% in 1980 and fell to 3% by 1983, thanks to Volcker’s tactics.

Politics aside, though, there’s one thing that always stood out about Volcker and that was his love of cheap cigars and cigar lifestyle. Volcker was a man of six-foot-seven-inch stature and while he limited smoking in public, he often smoked his sticks in Congress during committee meetings, and no one stopped him. This was significant considering congress held several smoking bans since 1871, yet Volcker could continue enjoying his stick despite this.

Paul Volcker’s Love for Cheap Cigars

Unlike many cigar aficionados who love a good premium stick, Volcker preferred more affordable cigars. In fact, his personal favorites were AC Grenadiers, known today as Antonio y Cleopatra Grenadiers. During Volcker’s time, these sticks cost him a mere 25 cents per cigar. Volcker liked them because they were economical. They also helped him through a time of inflation, and he trained himself to smoke only what he could afford.

That might sound odd, considering the guy spent many years in prominent financial roles and on Wall Street. The discipline of smoking cheap cigars continued throughout Volcker’s life well after he was earning $1 million a year on Wall Street. Yet, he was a firm believer and practitioner in frugality and discipline, even with his choice of cigars.

Inflation’s Impact on the Cigar Industry

Volcker was as passionate about smoking affordable cigars as he was about fighting inflation. In fact, he once was quoted in a book written about the Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1983 hearing as saying, “I am going to stop smoking cigars when the deficit goes away.” Volcker opted for more economical cigars to maintain his cigar lifestyle while fighting his battle against inflationary prices and sticking to a budget. That’s besides his staunch discipline for frugality.

Considering Volcker’s rule on smoking affordable cigars remains relevant even today considering the rising cost of cigars and other markets we’re facing.

Inflation is here once again, but that doesn’t mean you must go searching for something comparable today to Volcker’s 25-cent cigar of yesteryear. A better idea is to focus on finding good sticks you can afford and savoring them.

Should You Choose Cheap Cigars?

Like Paul Volcker, you can stick to your budget and beat inflation with more affordable cigar choices. That doesn’t mean you need to, or should, buy cheap cigars, though. Rather, focus on getting the best quality cigar that fits your budget. Reserve your premium sticks for those special occasions.

What’s the point of cigar lifestyle if you can’t enjoy the flavor and experience of your cigar? Familiarize yourself with how your cigars brand reputation, quality and the flavor profile.

If you’re new to cigar lifestyle or looking for a way to enjoy an affordable cigar without spending a small fortune, the prices on some of the premium cigars might seem daunting. Remember, there are ways to enjoy a good stick without kicking in $20 or more for each premium cigar.

The Final Word on Volcker and Cheap Cigars

Although Volcker often chose cheap cigars as his go-to, they weren’t the only cigars he smoked. He knew when to reach for a premium Havana as well. The key lies in knowing when to choose an affordable cigar and when the moment calls for something special.

When selecting affordable cigars, be selective, but also don’t be afraid to try new cigars. There are plenty of affordable sticks to choose from that won’t break your budget.

As with any cigar, to maximize flavor and your overall cigar experience, cleanse your palate before you smoke. Finally, a big part of cigar lifestyle is also about the fellowship afforded by a community of cigar aficionados. So, kick back, light up and enjoy the experience.

Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/cigar-tobacco-havana-to-smoke-case-1293684/

Smoke Odor Eliminators: 4 Ways to Fight the Smell

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Staff

A cigar aficionado loves the aroma of a fine cigar, but the smell clings to clothes and furniture. The good news is there are easy ways to fight the effects of a fine cigar with smoke odor eliminators.

Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, graduation, retirement party, or simply sitting down to relieve stress, a good cigar is all about ritual. It’s no wonder relaxing amidst the aroma of a premium cigar is often a transcendent experience. But the 21st century hasn’t been kind to cigar smokers. One person’s ritual is another person’s “smoke smell,” and the smoke odor has staying power. Cigar ash creates noncombustible minerals like potassium and magnesium, and like cooking odors, it clings to clothing, car upholstery, and furniture fabrics.

Household Cleaners as Smoke Odor Eliminators

If you live in colder climates, there’s no avoiding having to smoke inside. Cigar lounges are equipped with ventilation systems, and building a smoking room is an option, but if you’re looking to enjoy a cigar at home and are worried about lingering odors, you won’t need to get too creative. Household cleaners are all you’ll need.

Setting out bowls of vinegar for a few hours will absorb odors rather than merely mask them. Baking soda also absorbs smells. Sprinkle baking soda on furniture fabrics and carpets and let it stand for a few hours or overnight. Vacuum the excess with a hose attachment, and the room will have no trace of a cigar.

Air cleanses remain one of the most effective ways to rid a room of odors. When all else fails, open a window and let Mother Nature do her work.

Commercial Smoke Odor Eliminators

Commercial air purifiers from companies like Dyson work well but can be expensive. An economical and more compact solution is Lampe Berger™ (pronounced: Bershay). These oil lamps were originally used to disinfect morgues and hospitals, so eliminating odors from a Robusto or Toro won’t be a problem. Using state-of-the-art catalytic combustion technology, they became a staple in smoking clubs in the early 1900s.

Some designs have become collectibles, but there is no need to get fancy. Basic models are inexpensive and can purify a 400-square-foot room in about an hour and remove 68% of the bacteria.

Protecting Clothes with a Smoking Jacket

Cigar life is all about special occasions, and sometimes that means being dressed in your best. Dry cleaning will remove smells from formal wear, but everyday clothes are a different story.

Smoking jackets, long associated with Hugh Hefner and the Playboy mansion, were not just novelties. They protected clothes from smoke and ash. Because most are made from silk, they don’t absorb smoke odors like porous materials. It wasn’t just “Hef” who wore one. In the 1950s, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Cary Grant all wore smoking jackets as part of their formal attire. Smoking jackets are still around, but there are other options if you simply want to freshen your clothes after a smoking event with friends.

Removing Smoke Smells from Clothing and Fabrics

Eliminating odors from clothing doesn’t have to be a chore. Over-the-counter products, like Febreze™, are effective, but all-natural cleansers and household products are all you need.

Washing clothes with a half cup of white vinegar removes stubborn odors. Sprinkling baking soda and letting it stand for a few hours before running clothes through the wash also works wonders. Hanging your clothes outside may sound old-fashioned, but fresh air with the added benefit of a sun cleanse (not for too long — UV rays can fade colors) will have clothes smelling like new.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Culebra Cigars: A Unique, Twisted Smoke You Can Share

Posted on April 9, 2022 by Staff

Culebra cigars are the most curious-looking cigars in the industry. The uninitiated may not even know that they’re looking at a cigar let alone how to go about smoking one. Appearance aside, it’s a pretty straightforward process even if the history is ambiguous.

Cigar or Tree Branch?

Enjoying a good premium smoke is fairly simple. Choose a ring gauge, a length, and then an exterior wrapper. Sure, you’ll find ornately designed boxes and some beautiful-looking bands, but other than some of the more delicately constructed sticks like perfectos, torpedos, and figurados, cigar smoking is a no-frills lifestyle. You should smoke a fine cigar, not admire it on the shelf. Still, even the least discerning eye can’t help but notice and admire a Culebra sitting in a cigar shop.

Culebras are known for their distinct appearance- a contorted braid that resembles a tree limb more than a traditional cigar. At first glance, a novice cigar smoker may not even know what they’re looking at. But aficionados and experienced smokers are familiar with the Culebra and its surprising contortions. Culebra means “snake” in Spanish. The Culebra cigar is actually three panatellas twisted together, and it’s about as novelty as it gets in the cigar world.

How to Smoke Culebra Cigars

The Culebra can be smoked all at once, but no cigar pro would recommend it. The proper way is to remove the ribbon or band that holds the cigars together and carefully separate them. Cut the cap as you would a standard cigar and enjoy. And don’t worry, most guys who have smoked them attest to getting a pretty good draw despite their exotic shape.

Twisted Origins of Culebra Cigars

No one knows exactly how the Culebra came about, but most cite its origins to the Philippines in the 1880s. The most popular origin story is that factory owners gave these curious-looking smokes to their rollers to prevent theft. According to tradition, manufacturers allotted cigar rollers three smokes a day. A Culebra was the perfect ration- 3 cigars wrapped in one. These cigars might look like a single smoke, but you smoke individually. Once separated, their easily recognizable contorted appearance would be a telltale that employees weren’t pilfering from the regular stock.

No one has ever confirmed this bit of cigar lore, and if it ever was actually practiced, no factory does so anymore. But if it ever was the case, factory owners probably saved a buck or two because in order to attain their unique proportions and that signature twist, Culebras are purposely rolled with less tobacco.

More Oddity than Icon

When you think of iconic cigar smokers-Winston Churchill, Michael Jordan, Arnold Schwarzenegger – you picture them with a traditional stick. Toros. Robustos. Coronas. And of course the eponymous Churchill. You don’t picture them smoking something that resembles Harry Potter’s wand. Not that cigars haven’t made their way into film and television. Clint Eastwood in Spaghetti Westerns. Al Pacino in Scarface. Tony Soprano. You simply can’t separate the man from the cigar. And not a Culebra in sight.

But the Culebra has made at least one appearance on television. You’d just have to catch it as a late night rerun of Rod Serling’s Twilight Episode. Burgess Meredith, perhaps best known for his role as Mickey Goldman in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky, champs on one of these twisted rarities throughout the episode, “Printer’s Devil”. Since Meredith played the devil who bargains with a failing newspaper reporter, the snake-like cigar and its allusions to the first temptation in Eden was more than a suitable prop.

No, you won’t need to make a deal with the devil to give a Culebra a try. Although they are rare, plenty of companies, like Partagas, Davidoff, and Tatuaje, still make them. You can smoke all three of them at once, but remember it’s best to unbraid them and share with a couple of friends.

Photo credit: J.C. Newman Co.

Smoking and Reading: Two Long-Time Companions

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Staff

Blending smoking and reading began in Cuba during the early days before iPhones and the internet. Hell, it was even before the radio, but entertainment still had to come in some form. In the 1840s, your average cigar roller couldn’t pop in earbuds and listen to a podcast or their favorite playlist. To combat the monotony of long hours of repetitive work, cigar rollers often employed a reader (El Lector) to stimulate their minds while their hands toiled away, making premium cigars. Lectors, perched on platforms so the entire factory could hear, read aloud from novels and newspapers and are as much a part of cigar history as expert craftsmanship, ornate box designs, and distinctive bands.

Perhaps smoking and reading date back to the tradition of El Lector reading aloud from Les Miserables and The Count of Montecristo. Or perhaps it is the cerebral nature of sitting down with a good stick, but some of the most iconic cigar lines owe their name to some of literature’s best.

What’s in a Cigar Name?

Everybody knows Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, but legend has it, when Jose ‘Pepin’ Rodriguez Fernandez acquired the Romeo y Julieta line in the 1870s, he was more than a little obsessed with Shakespeare’s tragedy. On one of his many visits to Europe, Rodriguez attempted to purchase the Palazzo Capuleti in Verona. However, Italian authorities unceremoniously refused his idea of turning Juliet’s famed palazzo into a cigar lounge. Yet, the name and line have long endured.

Shakespeare’s lovers are perhaps the best known literary cigar pairing, but sharing a premium cigar is more often about friendship and enjoying cigar lifestyle than romance. And it was probably the social nature of smoking and the loyalty of Don Quixote’s squire that inspired Don Emilio Ohmsted when he established the Sancho Panza line in 1848. Cervantes Don Quixote is not only the greatest Spanish language novel of all time, it is a testament to friendship. Honest and true.

The Tradition of Smoking and Reading

Montecristo, established in the 1930s, owes its name to Alexander Dumas’ classic novel and famous count. This distinguished Cuban line dates to the days when rollers held boredom at bay by listening to Dumas’ powerful story of revenge.

Hoya de Monterrey established its Honduran classic, Excalibur, during the 1970s. The Excalibur honors the Arthurian legends and the famed sword in the stone.

Of course, we can’t mention smoking and reading in the same breath without mentioning Ernest “Papa” Hemingway. Since the 1980s, Arturo Fuente has been producing the Hemingway line in honor of the Nobel Prize-winning novelist. His reputation has seen its ups and downs in the hundred years since he began writing. Yet, he remains one of the most influential and mythic figures of the 20th century.

Ken Burns’ recent PBS documentary paints a more nuanced portrait of Hemingway. It shows that like the Cameroon-wrapped line that bears his name, Hemingway; the man was more complex than the myth. His mornings may have been spent writing, but his afternoons and evenings were for living. Whether aboard his beloved fishing boat “Pilar” or sidled up on a stool at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, Hemingway embodied what it once meant to be a man and the meditative pace of cigar life. It’s no wonder his image is inseparable from cigars. Additionally, the 22 years Hemingway lived in Cuba were the longest he ever lived anywhere.

Fuente’s early 2000s limited edition cigar, The God of Fire, is an ode to boldness. It honored the Greek Titan, Prometheus. Had Prometheus not stolen fire from the gods and gifted it, we mortals and cigar lovers would be in trouble.

The Final Word on Smoking and Reading

Don’t think too hard about the name of your next premium cigar. Taste around and find what you like, but a good name goes a long way. A good cigar brand’s age-old connection with smoking and reading. Remember, the next best thing to a great scotch is pairing a premium cigar with a good friend and a story.

Photo credit: Arturo Fuente Cigar Co.

Smoke on the Water: Cigars, Beaches and Campfires

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Staff

There is something primal about being in nature and relaxing with a nice cigar, much like the scenes of many James Bond movies. There is also nothing like a good smoke on the water whether you are on the water and enjoying a nice yacht show, are powering through a rough afternoon of fishing, hanging with the family at the beach, or taking in the country views. However, there may be some things to worry about that James Bond never seemed to consider such as mold and humidity, especially when traveling. If you’re looking for the ultimate guide for cigars when boating, sitting on the beach, or relaxing at a lakeside resort, then read on!

Smoke on the Water and Boating

If you’re ready to hop aboard, then we’re excited for you to join the crew! We have some great tips and tricks that’ll have you pulling anchor and joining James Bond on the water in no time. When you combine one passion with another, like smoking and boating, it’s a heavenly match.

Your cigars are a high maintenance pastime, so if you’re looking for the ultimate experience, keep these tips in mind:

Humidor

Travel-sized humidors and portable humidors are available to keep humidity out and flavor in. Pick one up before you bring your cigars on board to protect them from any fish flop or swampy winds.

Cigar Cutter

This is an essential tool for any cigar aficionado looking to enjoy a smoke on the water. Don’t leave home without one or two. They’re like guitar picks; you can’t have too many.

Windproof Lighter

If your stogies are stored properly, and you remembered your cigar cutter, then there’s one more tool you must have, a good, windproof lighter. There’s nothing like the disappointment you’d experience if the wind prevented you from lighting up. Stash a windproof lighter with you so you can always enjoy that cigar with gusto regardless of wind conditions.

Beachside Spirits and Cigar Pairings

James Bond didn’t just smoke his cigars on boats, he paired his cigars with sun-soaked Mojitos and classic Martinis. When you talk about things that pair well, like salty and sweet, or bacon and well… everything, then cigars and spirits are no exception. When you talk about pairing cigars with a specific spirit, there is a general rule. Cigars are categorized into full-bodied cigars, medium body cigars, and light body cigars. Likewise, spirits are categorized as full-bodied, medium-bodied, and light-bodied. A full-bodied cigar should be paired with its counterpart, a full-bodied spirit.

There are, of course some spirits that you will find at a beachside cabana that are probably not a part of your normal repertoire of drinks, such as spiced rum, tequila and vodka. So, what are you to choose? Start by considering the flavor profiles of each option.

Spiced Rum is at the full-bodied end of the spectrum. It offers nutty, leather, maple, and dried fruit flavors. Pairing a full-bodied cigar with spiced rum brings out the natural flavors in your drink.

Not all beach parties begin or end with rum, though. What if your beach party is serving up tequila? There’s an easy answer for that as well. Go for an aged agave tequila. It offers a slight wood influence, which can add a creamier vanilla flavor for you to enjoy. It also does a great job of complementing a light-bodied cigar.

Finally, what smoke on the water experience would be complete without a vodka pairing? We can’t think of any, nor can we think of any vodka drinking bad boy who doesn’t smoke a cigar. Yet, what kind of cigar should you choose? For starters, fruity vodka pairs well with a spicy cigar and potato vodka pairs better with a medium-bodied cigar. Then, you have your grain vodkas, which are more common in the U.S. Grain vodka is better for your cocktails, which are best paired with full-bodied cigars.

Smoke on the Water vs. Campfire Cigars

Although boats and beaches allow you to channel your inner James Bond, sometimes it’s better to gravitate more towards John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. Think of kicking back with a good cigar and a campfire to create your own stories. It’s hard to say whether it’s the smell of burning wood that enhances the cigar flavor or the cigar smoke that enhances the campfire, but these two activities build on each other’s strengths. Why or how is a question best left to the cosmos, but it’s likely that it’ll remain a mystery until the end of time. Instead, it’s better to just focus on your relaxation, the s’mores, scary bedtime stories, and the wonderful tastes and smells that go along with a great cigar.

Whether you’re on a boat, at the beach, or enjoying a lazy evening next to a campfire, a good travel humidor is your best friend. If you remember this, then you’re ready for a good smoke on the water anytime. We hope your next cigar and water adventure is more enjoyable than the last.

Photo credit: Pixabay

The Dominican Republic Cigars

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Staff

The Dominican Republic is one of the largest producers of high-quality cigars in the world, and has been for a while. Through time and a tremendous effort, the growers and blenders created some of the best products in the industry. According to industry experts, the Dominican Republic produces around 44% of the world’s cigars.

The core to cigar culture in the Dominican Republic is quality. In fact, it takes a mind-bending level of effort, attention and quality control when creating each cigar. This same attention to quality also is sewn into the wider Dominican Republic lifestyle and perspective. It represents their award-winning and world-renown tobacco.

Dominican Republic Cigars and Tobacco

Growing conditions vary from one part of the Dominican Republic to another. Thus, a variety of tobacco grows here. Perfect conditions and generational expertise enable the Dominican Republic to cultivate many of today’s top cigar companies and brands.

Piloto Cubano, Olor and San Vicente are the main tobacco types grown. Some Dominican Republic cigars also use other types of tobacco from other regions throughout the world. Yet, some brands are only rolled in the Dominican Republic and still considered Dominican Republic cigars.

Piloto Cubano is bold and rich in flavor and aroma. It contains hints of cinnamon. Olor can be dry and salty with a neutral flavor. Finally, San Vicente grows widely, and it’s used for binder and filler. It’s lighter than Piloto Cubano and slightly more acidic.

Quality control and effort don’t vary depending on which tobacco forms the filler. Company owners, tobacco blenders, cigar rollers, farmers and processors all place excruciating emphasis on quality daily. It’s part of what makes Dominican Republic cigars so special.

The Dominican Republic Makes a Name for Itself

The roots to Dominican Republic tobacco growing and cigar culture trace back to the early 1900s. Several generations of farms and brands existed throughout that era. Exporting the country’s cigars to the rest of the world came later.

Fuente Fuente Opus X was the first fully Dominican ultra-premium cigar. Before the Fuente release in ’95, the cigar’s ability to produce quality mainly went unnoticed. Since the Opus X breakthrough, it’s been an upward trajectory for cigar making in the country.

The Dominican Republic also is home to Arturo Fuente, Cohiba, Macanudo, Partagas, and Montecristo — all high-quality cigar brands known for their excellence. The high scrutiny and quality control embedded in the industry never fails to astound.

Quality of Dominican Republic tobacco easily matches and exceeds its Cuban rival. It’s hard to ignore that nearly half of the world’s cigars are from the Dominican Republic, but it’s easy to understand why.

A large part of the country’s cigar history is linked to the Cuban situation with the US and the ensuing embargo. Tobacconists and farmers migrated to the supple regions of the Dominican Republic that were comparable to those in Cuba. Santiago is one of the largest tobacco growing regions in the world.

The magnitude of the tobacco farming and processing efforts in the country supplies a percentage of its economy. It’s easy to understand why cigars became part of the overall lifestyle and culture of the country. The extreme detail in every facet of cigar making is magical and inspiring.

Cigar Culture and Commitment to Quality

One Dominican Republic cigar goes through about 170 individual steps in its creation. This takes place over a five-year period. Meticulous and painstaking attention to detail exists at every step and turn of the process.

Within this world of incredible passion and quality, there’s also the connection between an aficionado and their cigar. Dominican Republic cigar makers successfully capture the quality of relaxation and gratitude in each premium smoke they create. It might be the rich history or maybe it’s part of ancient tobacco history that expert tobacconists tap into. Either way, it makes for one of the best cigars any cigar enthusiast can appreciate.

Modern farming and production techniques have changed little over the last hundred years. Cigar rollers sometimes favor traditional cutters and equipment even if it slows production. Many consider the rollers, like the blenders as the best, so no one argues with them.

It takes about ten years to become a cigar roller for premium quality cigars in the Dominican Republic. This dedication and loyalty to the craft is present across the country’s entire cigar industry. In fact, loyalty plays a large role in the mentality of the larger cigar industry and community here.

There’s No Secret to Dominican Republic Cigars

Enthusiasts and experts already know about the rich flavor profile and depth that comes with a fine Dominican Republic cigar. Many claim that the tobacco is smooth and mild compared to that of other global tobacco producers. Yet, some Dominican Republican cigar companies compete with their own Cuban brands.

Davidoff has cigar farms and other facilities in the Dominican Republic and offers tours of them. There is a really great YouTube video that shows the cigar production process. Check it out.

If you take a tour, you’ll notice that most of the employees are women. This is because of the extreme attention to detail and gentle pressure and touch required for processing the leaves. Cigar factories employ thousands of women to handle multiple stages of the cigar creation process.

The shade-grown, hand-wrapped 100% Dominican Republic stick released by the A. Fuente Company in the ’90s grew in popularity. In fact, it helped spread commitment and loyalty to quality that’s core to the country’s way of life today.

A Final Word

The Dominican Republic tobacco rose from its humble beginnings as filler tobacco. From there, it has taken the entire world and cigar industry by storm. It’s takes the perfect combination of heritage, climate, experience, passion, dedication, loyalty and knowledge to produce some of the finest cigars in the world.

Tobacconists have perfected their farming and processing techniques over the past 100 years. In fact, entire generations of families have engaged in perfecting the cigar making process. Dedication to the process has paved a path to one of the best smokes available today.

The city of Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and the cigar capital of the world. Subsidiary businesses flourish in Santiago to support the tobacco industry. Here, cigars are bigger than the moments taken to share and enjoy. They carry cultural significance and they represent pride.

Here are a few brands to look for:

Avo and La Gloria Cubana
Partagas
Romeo y Julieta
Montecristo

You may have already had a Dominican Republican cigar, but if not, they’re easy to come by. Next time you’re at the cigar shop talk to the owner. Ask them to recommend some Dominican Republican cigars to try. When you sit down to light up and enjoy, remember all the time, work and effort that went into creating such magical quality.

If we’ve learned anything, it’s that taking a minute to enjoy life is part of the cigar experience. The Dominican Republic cigars reflect this within the lifecycle of their creation. Don’t rush the slow, pleasant ride of enjoying a premium cigar. It’s also stopping to enjoy moments as they pass.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

4 Reasons Your Next Cigar Encounter Won’t Be Your Best

Posted on February 13, 2022 by Staff

If you’ve been smoking cigars for a while, you’ve probably noticed that you can smoke identical cigars from the same box and have incredibly different experiences. Sometimes you hit that magical sweet spot of an incredible smoke — the tobacco equivalent of an orgasm. Other times the same stick might be less than extraordinary or ho-hum. Here are a few reasons that explain this variation in your cigar encounter.

You Got a Bad Stick

Sometimes it’s as simple as a bad stick. It happens! Think of getting a bad stick as being like finding a bad, or “skunked,” bottle of wine in a case of an amazing vintage. Even the best brands and labels will experience this rarely. Premium cigars are natural, handmade products and despite best efforts at quality control at the factory, invariably now and then you’ll get a bad one. It could be the draw, the construction of the cigar, the tobacco itself, or a variety of other reasons. Not much you can do about it. Just can suck it up and muscle through it or decide to just put it down and start a new one.

If you purchased it at your local store and experience a bad stick while in the store, most reputable tobacconists will replace the bad one for you, assuming you point it out early in the smoke. If you’ve left the store, returns or exchanges are less likely to be honored as the reason for the bad stick could have to do with how you store it (e.g., it’s out of the store’s control).

Your Environment Affects Your Cigar Encounter

Are you outside? In the wind? On the golf course? Inside but walking around or standing? Driving in the car? You can enjoy a cigar while on the move or in the elements, and a cigar might make an otherwise monotonous activity (like rush hour traffic) seem doable. That said, nothing will replace your favorite spot, maybe a relaxing, comfortable chair in a climate-controlled environment.

Your Palate Needs Cleansing

What you’ve had to eat, drink, or smoke just prior to smoking or lighting up your cigar can have a huge impact on your smoking experience. Much has been written about different pairings and what can optimize your smoke. Similarly, what you’ve had to smoke just prior can affect your enjoyment of your cigar. It is difficult to appreciate a lighter cigar just after smoking a heavier, fuller-flavored cigar. You’re still smoking, but you can’t taste or appreciate what you’re smoking. If you want to cleanse your palate, consider gargling a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water (1 part each).

Multi-tasking Changes Your Cigar Encounter

Do you ever find it hard to concentrate on a stick while you are multitasking? Maybe you’re trying to knock out some work while smoking or you’re trying to finish some yard work? Perhaps you’re at a cigar event and much of your time is spent talking with others and not concentrating on your smoke? If your mindset is off, you’ll be less focused on appreciating your cigar and too focused on whatever is stressing you out. Anything that keeps you from paying attention to your smoke can sub-optimize your enjoyment of your cigar.

Optimize Your Cigar Encounter

You’re never going to eliminate getting a bad stick. Patronizing high quality brands and retailers that properly store their cigars will minimize your bad ones. Yet there are other variables you can control to optimize your cigar encounter and improve your smoking enjoyment. Find an appropriate physical environment, minimize your distractions or other activities, and start with a clean palate!

On final note: just because it’s going to be a suboptimal experience doesn’t mean you shouldn’t smoke a cigar! A mediocre cigar experience beats the heck out of no cigar experience! Just one example, but a long car ride is often made better with a cigar. Just consider not smoking your best stuff when your experience will not be optimal and saving your trophy cigars for those times when you know you’ll really be able to enjoy them!

Photo credit: Unsplash

Cigar Life Guy 2022 Cigar Events

Posted on January 16, 2022 by Staff

Each year, large cigar events are an integral part of the cigar culture. They give aficionados the opportunity to gather with hundreds and sometimes thousands of fellow cigar lovers for a day or a week to socialize over a few smokes. Additionally, they also combine cigars, food, drink, music, great scenery, and fellowship, creating “must do” events for many cigar enthusiasts across the country. For the third straight year, Cigar Life Guy™ plans on having a strong event presence with a table or booth and plenty of swag giveaways at many top events. It’s time to get your calendar out and plan which of these top 2022 cigar events you will attend.

Cigar Life Guy: 2022 Cigar Events Schedule

The last few years have brought a proliferation of large cigar events varying in size, scope, and theme. It is not practical to attend them all, so have a look at the carefully curated few events Cigar Life Guy will be a big part of:

January 26-28

Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE)

Las Vegas, NV*

February 16-20

Black Smoke Miami

Miami, FL

May 12-15

Charleston Smoke Out

Charleston, SC

May 24-29

Houston Cigar Week

Houston, TX

June 25

Cigar Life Guy 3^rd Anniversary Party

Atlanta, GA – Life N Times Cigar Lounge

July 8-12

Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show

Las Vegas, NV*

August 12-13

Boutique Cigar Festival – Smoke at the Creek

Martinsville, IN (near Indianapolis)

Labor Day Weekend (TBD) (CANCELLED)

C.A.T.S. Festival

Outside Dallas, TX

September 19-25

Atlanta Cigar Experience

Atlanta, GA

November (TBD)

Cigar Mike Las Vegas Takeover

Las Vegas, NV

December 4

Cigar Heritage Festival

Tampa, FL

*Business-to-business events are not open to the general public. Cigar Life Guy will participate as a media member.

This schedule is subject to change. Questions can be directed to dave@cigarlifeguy.com.

What You Can Expect at Events

Check out the event website or social media listings for additional information and any changes in schedule. Some events are open to free public admission with no ticket or RSVP required. Others are ticketed – some with free tickets and others with a ticket charge. If you’re interested in a ticketed event, act soon. Many events sell out in advance with no onsite sales available.

Legendary cigar personality Cigar Mike has dubbed Cigar Life Guy as “The Swag King” for the quality and creativity of the free branded items Cigar Life Guy gives out to event participants. So, expect plenty of energy and great swag from Cigar Life Guy.

Seating availability varies by event. If you’re concerned about getting a good seat, arrive early.

Do not confuse a VIP ticket with having a reserved seat or section unless your ticket is specifically sold as reserved seating. Many frustrated event attendees have made that mistake and ended up standing.

Cash is still king, so bring some. While most vendors accept credit cards, others might not. Also, cash may be the only form of payment accepted for your valet or parking lot.

Bring some cigars with you. You never know when you might need them. Depending on the event (particularly if at a lounge), good cigar etiquette may dictate that you patronize the house humidor. It is always good to support on-site cigar vendors.

You’ll often find more relaxed restrictions on outside cigars, particularly if it is a paid event, so plan on bringing a few extra cigars with you for these, too.

You never know when the check-out line from the humidor is prohibitively long, or you want to gift something specific to a friend. Also, you might simply like to save a little money and smoke something you already paid for.

The Final Word

Finally, don’t worry about rolling solo! One of the great things about the cigar culture is it is very friendly. It’s also typically easy to strike up conversation with other aficionados, even if you aren’t the outgoing type. You won’t be the only one who didn’t bring a crew with you, so come on out and make some new friends!

Make your plans now to hit some great 2022 cigar events! If you see Cigar Life Guy, stop by and say hi!

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Pairing Cigars and Chocolate

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Staff

For flavor, a good cigar should stand on its own. Aromatic touches of leather, spice, and nuttiness are a few of the palate stimulating profiles you can experience when indulging in a quality stick. Of course, as any cigar smoker will tell you, there’s nothing like pairing your favorite stogie with the bite and depth of a top-shelf glass of bourbon or scotch. Food pairings are also common among avid cigar folks — a smoky, barbecue dish really meshes well with the right cigar. Yet, one of the lesser-known, but just as enjoyable may surprise you — pairing cigars and chocolate, and it’s easy to understand why.

A look at the origins of chocolate, the similarities between the cultivation and processing of cacao beans and tobacco leaves, and finally, a guide to finding a proper paring between types of chocolate and cigars should help to clear up any doubts you might have about this delectable duo.

A Brief History of Chocolate

To appreciate a good cigar, you must understand the rich history and complexity of the cultivation of the tobacco leaf. You’ll find the same level of depth in chocolate history. Looking at it from this angle sets the stage for a solid pairing.

Some within the historic community say that the origins of chocolate date back as far as 1400 B.C. with ancient Central and South American civilizations. Back then, ancient peoples such as the Mayans and the Aztecs revered the cacao bean as a gift from the gods, and even used it as currency. These ancient peoples referred to this earlier chocolate as xocoatl. Elite members of society used it as an aphrodisiac.

By the middle of the 19th century, it had taken on the common chocolate bar form we know today. Since then, it’s amassed global affection. In fact, the chocolate industry is now valued at over $100 billion, and contains more varieties of chocolate than we know what to do with.

Cigars and Chocolate: Flavorful Philosophies

As most cigar smokers know, the flavor profile of a cigar is heavily affected by the region where the tobacco is grown. Things like temperature, rainfall, drainage, and soil nutrients all contribute to the flavorful complexity that aficionados appreciate.

Chocolate is no exception regarding the impact of these elements on the final product. In fact, cacao cultivation occurs in many of the same locales as tobacco with plantations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Much like tobacco, the cacao tree thrives in rich, nutrient-packed soil warmed by tropical sunshine.

The fermentation process of both plants contributes to their similarities while adding complexity of the flavor to the finished product. Like a cigar’s tobacco wrapper, the cacao beans are fermented in boxes. These boxes break down cacao bean seed coats, kill germs, and give chocolate its unique taste — one that offers a natural pairing of cigars and chocolate.

A Guide to Pairing Cigars and Chocolate

With so many varieties of cigars and chocolate, the prospect of pairing the two might seem overwhelming at first. Yet, it’s important to note that pairing anything — be it food or drink — with a cigar is a subjective journey. Beauty is in the beholder’s eye. Use this guide more like scaffolding and a place to start, rather than a hard and fast rule.

Matching the strengths of the cigar with the cocoa content of the chocolate is a great place to begin. Chocolatiers roast and grind cacao into powder, forming the cocoa we know and love. The higher the cocoa content, the less sweet the chocolate will be.

Like cigars, top-shelf dark chocolate has a rich and complex flavor profile. It also often has a bitter, earthy taste. Yet, a refined palate also may detect notes of spice, licorice, and dried fruit.

A milder cigar will pair well with milk chocolate. Aim for a cocoa content of 30% to 40%. The dark chocolate spectrum begins at about 50% cocoa, so something in this mid-range of chocolate compliments a medium-potency smoke. Finally, consider pairing a stronger, full-bodied stick with anything above 70% cocoa for a great match.

To ensure you experience all the subtle flavors of chocolate, don’t chill or refrigerate it. Now, take your time and enjoy the complexity of the chocolate contrasted with the flavor of the cigar. Try rotating different varieties of chocolate with one or more sticks to see what works best for you. Remember, cleanse your palate before switching things up, bon appétit!

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy