Cigar Fundamentals Archives - Page 5 of 9

Six Things Your Cigar Bartenders Wish You Knew

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Staff

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

Cigar Bartenders Work for Tips

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

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

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

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

Cigar Bartenders Don’t Want to Date You

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

Bartenders and Servers Talk About You

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

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

Don’t Be a Seat Hopper

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

Cigar Bartenders Not an Expert on Cigars

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

Know What Time It Is When We Interact

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

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

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

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

The Final Word

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

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

Photo credit: Unsplash

Five Things You Should Know Before Beginning Cigar Lifestyle

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Staff

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

Research the Cigar Lifestyle

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

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

Expect to Spend Some Cash

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

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

Have Cigar Lifestyle Smoking Buddies

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

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

People Around You May Not Like Cigars

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

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

Don’t Just Stick to One Cigar

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

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

Image by Pixabay | Ben Kerckx

Why You Should Never Smoke a Cigar With a Hangover

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Staff

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

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

Cigars Worsen Your Hangover Symptoms

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

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

Hangovers Ruin Your Cigar and Experience

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

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

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

Cigar Lifestyle Outliers

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

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

Photo Credit: Thom Masat

The After-Dinner Cigar: A Great Cigar Lifestyle Ritual

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Staff

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

After-Dinner Cigars Prevent Cigar Sickness

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

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

They Complement Socializing

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

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

After-Dinner Cigars Boost Metabolism

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

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

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

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Four Things That Ruin Your Cigar Experience

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Staff

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

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

Smoke on an Empty Stomach

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

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

Get Drunk During a Cigar Experience

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

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

Hang out with the Wrong People

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

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

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

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

Not Relaxing During a Cigar Experience

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

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

Photo credit: Pixabay

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

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

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