Cigar Fundamentals Archives - Page 7 of 9

Cigar Lounge Membership: Is It a Good Deal?

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Staff

Famous comedian and cigar lover Groucho Marx once said, “I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.” Yet, with the complete benefits packages offered by either a public or private cigar lounge membership for the avid smoker, Groucho might have reconsidered.

Cigar Lounge Membership Benefits

For an annual fee, the best cigar lounges offer a relaxing environment for you to smoke in style. A key feature of most memberships is not paying “cutting fees” to smoke cigars (you can bring your own vs. buying from the humidor). Memberships solve the dilemma for retailers that need revenue but also understand many cigar smokers like to enjoy sticks purchased elsewhere. Climate-controlled private lockers allow you to safely store your daily cigars or the rare trophies saved for a special occasion. Lounges have a way of becoming a home away from home. Excellent ventilation systems make them an ideal place when it’s too cold to smoke in your backyard.

How to Enjoy the Cigar Lounge Lifestyle

True aficionados already have a home humidor to store their favorite smokes safely. A membership with a cigar locker means you can pop in and listen to some killer new music or watch a game without leaving a lingering stench in your improperly ventilated home. Ideally, stored cigars mean lighting up is easy, with no concern about dried-out or exploded tips. The lounge vibe is essential; you need to feel comfortable if you are the only person smoking or when the place is packed.

Cigar Lounge Membership Privileges

In addition to perfect storage, most lounges offer significant discounts on retail products, including hard-to-find cigars and new releases. Some clubs allow you to store a bottle of cognac or your spirit of choice for sipping or purchase a bottle of liquor at a discounted rate, depending on local regulations. Exclusive invitations to sold-out, cigar-friendly events always go to members first.

Cigar Lounge Friendships

One of the most significant reasons for membership is the ability to interact with other cigar lovers. There is no better way to broaden your smoking palate than by trading and sharing cigars with other members. Cigar smoking is a very social enterprise. Dying to try that new box-pressed cigar? Curious about that trendy European cigarillo? Share what’s in your locker.

What’s in it for the lounge?

Cigar lounge owners work hard to keep their members happy. Loyal members typically take advantage of retail discounts, which means the opportunity to expand product offerings to a target-rich audience. Membership fees also create a regular recurring revenue stream for owners and, at launch, can provide an owner with a nice short-term cash flow bump. Happy members invite new members. Nothing begets success like a packed club, and celebrity sightings are common. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, among others, have lockers in the high-end Grand Havana Room in Los Angeles.

Cigar Lounge Membership Cost

Much like a gym membership, you typically pay monthly. Most memberships are less than a thousand dollars yearly, with many under five hundred per year, but elite clubs may charge ten times that amount. The cost varies considerably based on local market demand and geography. Like the gym, it only makes sense if you use it. So, location is a crucial factor.

Is It Worth the Cost?

Deciding if a membership is worth the cost is an individual decision. For many, regular membership pays for itself in a few months, mainly when you visit regularly. If you want to bring your cigars (avoiding cut fees) or the establishment allows you to buy liquor at discounted rates, the savings represent one of the best deals a cigar smoker can find. Conversely, it might not be a good deal if you don’t think you’ll often go to the place, even if it is relatively inexpensive. You’d be financially ahead by paying full price when you visit. The best advice is to visit a few times and determine if you like the place and whether you could make it a second home before shelling out the membership fee. If you do, then visit often and enjoy!

Editors note: Membership features will vary significantly at every establishment, as will the costs and billing practices. In addition, some features, including alcohol, are unavailable in some areas due to local laws. This is meant to provide an overview of what typical memberships entail. Before joining, ensure you understand a cigar lounge membership’s costs, features, and rules.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Cigarillos Are More Than Just Small Cigars

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Staff

When you think of a cigarillo, often the image that comes to mind is Clint Eastwood chewing on a tiny cheroot. Or a distinguished cigar slightly bigger than a cigarette carried in an exquisite silver case, a la James Bond. Whatever you envisage, there is more to cigarillos than meets the eye!

Where Did Cigarillos Originate?

The literal Spanish translation of “cigarillo” is “little cigar.” Given Spain’s early domination of the cigar market, it is assumed that cigarillos were a Spanish invention. The first recorded mention of a cigarillo was in the 1830s. Their real popularity didn’t catch on until almost a century later. Then, rules were enforced to ensure they were hand-rolled and maintained specific size and shape ratios.

The Golden Age of Cigarillos

The influx of European blockbusters hit American cinemas in the 1950s. Then, the American cigar-smoking public fell in love with the jaunty, quick little smokes featured on screen. They enjoyed tremendous popularity in Europe, particularly among the working class who smoked one during a lunch break. Their popularity waned in the 1960s through the 1980s, though. This was mostly due to aggressive American cigarette industry marketing campaigns.

Are Cigarillos Made Different From Cigars?

Today, cigarillo makers create these little smokes, most often using machines. The cigars of many leading brands feature an all-tobacco wrapper. However, these same cigars may also contain up to 25% cellulose in their homogenized binder. Although purists often scoff at the homogenized binder, it provides a more even burn when lit. It also is what makes cigarillos a very cost-effective smoke! While there are no specifics for the size and shape, typical cigarillos are between three and four inches long. They also offer a slight taper, not to be confused with torpedoes.

Can You Taste the Difference?

Because of their small size, cigarillos offer a perfect, quick smoke. In fact, they are often flavored and used as an after-dinner “snack” in lieu of dessert. Henri Winterman’s Café Crème cigarillo is one of the top-selling brands in the world. Duty-free airport shops often feature it. In the United States, Swisher Sweets have been a longtime favorite. They are often featured in TV Westerns and on the big screen as the smoke of choice by gruff leading men.

The Renaissance of Little Smokes

High-end smoking lounges are embracing these little trophy cigars. Many cigar smokers enjoy the ability to smoke several little treats for the same time it would take to smoke a massive Churchill! Better production from smaller, independent cigar makers has been at the forefront of the cigarillos’ popularity in the States. Europe, however, remains the top-selling market, with almost 45% of cigars sold in Belgium alone being cigarillos.

Cigarillos Are Growing in Popularity

Cigarillos have captured a fast-growing segment of the cigar-smoking population: female smokers. With pop superstars like Rihanna and Shakira seen smoking them, it’s not hard to see why. The advent of flavored cigarillos has become quite popular as options at bachelorette parties and weddings. They offer a sort of his and her option for those who want a lighter, flavored smoke. The quality and consistency continue to improve, carving out more space and certainty for these little smokes. Cigarillos will continue to occupy a prominent niche in the cigar market for cigar lovers wanting a quick, easy smoke.

Photo credit: Fox Cigars

The Advent of the Best Torpedo Cigars

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Staff

There is a relevant quote from the cult classic “The Princess Bride” when it comes to Torpedo cigars; “You keep using that word… I don’t think it means what you think it means.” Retail stores and cigar lounges often refer to cigars as Torpedoes when they are something else. In fact, one of the most beloved Torpedoes and best-selling Cuban cigars, the Montecristo Number 2, is NOT a Torpedo. It’s a Piramide.

What are Torpedo cigars?

Most smokers see a cigar with a tapered end and assume it is a Torpedo cigar. More often than not, it is a Belicoso or a Piramide. According to technical specifications, a true Torpedo should have a closed foot, a slight bulge in the middle, and taper to a rounded point at the head. The length should be 6 1/8” with a gauge of 52. Because of these specifications, true Torpedo cigars are hard to find, even in some of the best-stocked cigar lounges.

But How Do They Smoke?

The genius behind the Torpedo’s shape is the channel that concentrates the cigar’s flavor towards the narrow tip. The typically larger ring gauge allows the blender to experiment with a more broad range of tobaccos. The result? A trophy cigar that packs the flavor of a large cigar, but smokes like a much smaller one. True aficionados will notice that the unique draw can result in a different smoking experience, even among cigars from the same line.

Measure twice; cut once.

The point which draws all the flavor requires a very delicate cut. Some folks cut too deeply, essentially destroying the purpose of the cigar’s design. A guillotine cut taking off the very tip is the most preferred method for a proper smoking experience. A punch cut, the preferred method for box-pressed cigars, can be very tricky and runs the risk of damaging the cap and causing excessive peeling. One popular method is a guillotine cut done at a 45 degree, downward angle. The idea is to take the already concentrated draw and channel it downward towards the palate.

Torpedo Cigars Rate Highly

Cigar critics love Torpedoes. The 2019 Cigar Aficionado Cigar of the Year was the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro, a box-pressed Torpedo. In 2017, half of the Top fifteen cigars were Torpedoes. Ratings aside, they still don’t always find their way into humidors. Because of the difficulty in properly rolling, boxing, and transporting Torpedoes, they tend to be more expensive. The selling point of having the flavor concentrated in a longer smoke often leads to the quandary of too much of a good thing is exactly that!

Torpedoes Are Starting to Surface

While they have been slow to be embraced within Cuban factories, distinguished brands like Oliva, Rocky Patel, and My Father’s Cigars have created Torpedo cigars with a significant appeal. LeBron James has posted numerous Instagram images of him smoking Torpedoes, favoring the Yaxel Ortiz Y.O. Robert Downey Jr. has been photographed enjoying a My Father’s Le Bijou 1922 while filming on the Avengers set. Cigar lover Rihanna provided the seed capital for her brother’s cigar company Legado, which prominently features both a traditional and a box-pressed Torpedo. There is no denying the link between celebrity enjoyment of Torpedo cigars, and their inevitable inclusion in home collections.

Photo credit: Cigar.com

The Evolution of Cigar Bands: 1830s to Today

Posted on November 8, 2020 by Staff

The cigar band is the ubiquitous piece of paper that rings the cigar and makes it a lot easier when you reach into your humidor to identify what you are smoking. Yet, shrouded in mystery, Cigar bands have remained the center of debate among cigar aficionados and trophy collectors. So when did the cigar band evolve from a tiny strip of paper to a blaring work of art?

When Did Cigar Bands First Appear?

The stylish look of cigar bands serves an efficient purpose. The rumor was that it began at the behest of Catherine the Great. The band was considered a way to prevent her from getting her fingers dirty while smoking. England supposedly reinforced the notion of cleanliness and bands. However, cigarettes, snuff, and pipe tobacco were far more prevalent – and dirtier.

Cigar Bands Were Calling Cards

The origin of cigar bands was a more practical purpose, solved by a German immigrant to Cuba named Gustave Bock. In the early 1800s, Cuban cigars were top-rated in Europe. However, these trophy cigars cost nearly 15 times the most available cigars made in Germany. Because of the cost disparity, counterfeit Cuban cigars flourished. So Bock, who had his factory, wrapped a paper band around every cigar with his signature. By the mid-1800s, every Cuban factory did the same.

Cigar Bands Get Fancy

The early 1900s saw the rise of cigar band art. Collecting cigar bands became a hobby, with cigar stores proudly displaying ornate albums. They became a prized commodity as they grew more ornate and intricately detailed. Cigar companies created different cigar bands and even offered collected cigar bands in trade-in programs like the old S and H Green Stamps, where you could trade bands for dining ware or furniture. However, once the Great Depression hit, cigars dropped out of favor, as did the elaborate, expensive bands.

History Repeats Itself

When the renewed rise and subsequent mania for Cuban cigars hit in the late 1990s, counterfeit cigars became popular again. Two of the most sought-after brands of cigars, Cohiba and Padron, introduced a unique identification system underneath the bands to prevent copycats. Other companies frequently change the band design to guard against counterfeiting. As the competition for shelf space in cigar stores heated up, larger, more ornate bands have become the norm. Gorgeous designs on cigars like Fuente’s Opus X or La Sirena’s Ocean serve as their billboards.

Leave the Band On, or Take It Off?

The band has become almost the entire cigar on some cigars! In some lounges, folks like to keep the band on to advertise (show off) what they are smoking. It is always best to remove the band when you light them. It shouldn’t affect the taste, but it can affect how they burn — especially on the more prominent labels. Be careful removing the band so you don’t tear the wrapper. Usually, it’s best to light the cigar and let it heat up. That should loosen the glue and allow it to peel off much easier. The cigar band is the easiest way of identifying your prized smokes in your humidor. Just don’t use them as the sole methodology for buying new cigars!

Photo credit: Pixabay | GPC33

Why All the Fuss About Box-Pressed Cigars?

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Staff

Few things in the cigar world are as galvanizing as the box-pressed cigar. Unlike the ubiquitous, traditional round cigars, box-pressed cigars are rectangular in shape. They have inspired love-hate relationships among avid smokers. They can also be found in the best cigar lounges around the country and usually accompanied by a heated debate.

The History of the Box-Pressed Cigar

LeBron James sported a box-pressed cigar in a social media post and unfamiliar fans clamored to know what he was smoking. He responded that he has smoked these cigars forever. Forever, as it turned out, traces back to the 1959 pre-embargo Cuban cigars. The specific shape allowed for maximum storage and packing inside the cigar boxes. This also prevented potential damage from rolling around in the box during transportation by ship.

How are Box-Pressed Cigars Made?

Box-pressed cigars are cigars that begin like traditional round cigars – Parejos. Producers pack them into a traditional box while the cigars are still moist and malleable. The box receives gradual pressure from a hand-cranked press until the cigars form into a rectangular shape. Trunk pressing is more labor-intensive and involves rotating the cigar every twelve hours to form its shape. They are difficult to replicate, but offer practicality; trophy cigars can’t roll off tables when lit!

When Did They Become Popular?

During the big, U.S. cigar boom of the 1990s, Padron launched the box-pressed Padron 1964 Anniversary Series cigar. Padron created it as a special blend to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the company’s founding but intended it as a limited release. It was a blockbuster release for Padron, and immediately beloved by trophy collectors. Other producers immediately followed suit, offering various sizes and shapes.

Cutting and Lighting

One complaint is the difficulty in cutting a box-pressed cigar. Because of the shape, most traditional cutters won’t work. A guillotine works for some box-pressed cigars due to their traditional tapered torpedo shape. But for a large gauge, true square cigar, traditional cigar scissors, or a punch is the preferred method. It is important that the cigars are stored properly because the cap can crack very easily if too much pressure is applied when using the punch. Additionally, when lighting them, they need to be rotated completely to ensure an even burn.

Do They Taste Differently?

They may look different, but all that really matters is taste. The square shape typically leads to a slower, cooler burn, releasing more flavors when compared to traditional cigars. Your lips don’t create a seal when inhaling. Instead, your mouth draws air in with it, along with more flavor for your palate. It’s similar to the way you taste wine. Like any good cigar, it’s all about the producer’s attention to quality control.

Box-Pressed Cigars are in Fashion

While the debate rages among cigar smokers, top producers have all answered back, contributing to the square cigar lifestyle. Oliva, Fuente, My Father, La Aroma de Cuba, and Rocky Patel all produce box-pressed cigars that have scored highly in Cigar Aficionado. Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr., has been spotted smoking the My Father Le Bijou 1922 while on set. Kevin Hart has sported a square Rocky Patel in a recent fashion shoot in California. It’s just another example of why one size doesn’t always fit all when it comes to cigars.

Photo credit: Padron/padron.com

Six Confessions of a Smoking Lounge Owner

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Staff

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

Smoking Lounge Business Isn’t Free

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

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

Sharing is Caring… To a Degree

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

It’s a Smoking Lounge, Not a Home

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

Stick to Cigars

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

Politics, Politics, Politics

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

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

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

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

photo credit: Pixabay

How to Properly Light a Cigar

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Staff

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

Why Choose Matches to Light a Cigar

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

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

Torch Lighters and the Perfect Flame

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

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

How to Light a Cigar: The Professionals Weigh In

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

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

The Verdict Is In

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

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

Photo Credit: Pixabay | Earnest Roy

Cars and Cigars: Smoking on the Open Road

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Staff

Have you ever considered how much time you spend in your car? Whether you’re commuting for work or driving for pleasure, a car can quickly feel like a second home at times. So if you’re content to puff away on your panatella at home, why not cherish a Churchill on the road? Pairing cars and cigars might mean that smoke lingers, leaving some odor, but it’s not as bad as cigarettes. White vinegar and baking soda are both known to reduce any lingering effects. That’s especially true when you combine them with store-bought, odor-eliminating sprays.

Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway With A Cigar

How many of us have dreamed of cruising the California coastline? So take a drive stretching from San Diego to San Francisco along the California coastline, or even go to Seattle? It’s an epic trip well-suited for mindfulness and contemplation. So what better companion could you ask for than a favorite cigar to smoke along the way?

Plan a stop in Point Reyes. Then, take a break to indulge in the famed blue cheese or oysters from the Hog Island Oyster Company. After a great meal, find a quiet spot to sit by the sea. Let the salty air blow away the smoke rings from your favorite trophy cigar. Many wonderfully scenic opportunities range from the majestic Redwood forest to the breathtaking shoreline. You may need to pack several cigars to experience it all!

Look Forward to Rush Hour

Unfortunately, for many of us, the closest we will ever come to an epic cars and cigars road trip is the one we make every day coming home from work. If you live near any metropolitan area, you know that ride could take an hour or more at quitting time.

Instead of dreading the ride, why not look forward to it? Throwdown your windows, throw on your favorite music, and light up your favorite stogie. Since you know how long the commute is, plan an appropriate cigar. Hopefully, that trip is only a Petit Corona; if it’s worthy of a Gordo, you have our sympathies! Use that time to eliminate stress and turn it into an enjoyable event.

Classic Cars and Cigars

Across the country, there are countless classic cars and cigars events where people can showcase two of their favorite passions. America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, is a big-time annual event featuring sponsorship from Montecristo cigars and Balvenie scotch.

It celebrates the good life and offers a rare peek at some of the greatest cars in automotive history. The evening fills with music, dancing, food, and the love of great cigars. Cars and cigars are inextricably linked and always celebrated.

Cars and Cigars Are The Perfect Travel Companions

Some of the most extreme enthusiasts of cars and cigars have built-in humidors in their consoles, so they are never separated from their favorite smoke. Whether enjoying a cigar while behind the wheel or pulling over to a particularly scenic location to sit back and savor an impromptu smoke, remember, it’s about the journey, not the destination!

Don’t worry too much about any lingering odor. Smells will fade, but the memory of the ride doesn’t have to. If you are that worried, keep those windows rolled down. Better yet? Get a convertible!

Photo Credit: “A Man in a Car Smoking a Cigar,” by RODNAE Productions, Pexels

Salud! Cuban Cocktails, Rum and Cigars

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Staff

What better thoughts conjure up images of life in Old Havana than spending a leisurely afternoon in an outdoor café with good friends and rum and cigars while enjoying one of the signature cocktails for which Cuba is famous? Fresh tropical fruit, local ingredients, and plenty of ice create refreshing drinks to counter the sweltering heat. The critical local element is Cuban rum. Few combinations are better than the marriage of rum and cigars, and neither has to be Cuban for you to enjoy them!

The Most Famous Pairing: the Mojito

The mojito is the drink most synonymous with Cuba. A mojito is to Cuba, as a Pina Colada is to Puerto Rico or a Manhattan is to… Manhattan! It combines rum, soda water, fresh lime juice, sugar, and fresh, crushed mint.

Over time, many variations have risen. Substitutions include tequila or vodka. At its heart, an authentic Cuban mojito is always rum-based. While enjoying a mojito, we recommend a cigar that isn’t shy with its flavor. Something that can stand up to the drink’s tartness, sweetness, and a brisk hint of mint. A nice, fat Nicaraguan Gordo with a Maduro wrapper that packs a punch is our choice to go the distance with the bounty of flavors in the cocktail.

Go Bananas with the Daiquiri

You don’t need to make all daiquiris with bananas or strawberries; consider other fruits (beyond maraschino cherries). Many legends suggest its creation lies in the village of Daiquiri by a mining engineer. It gained fame in the 1930s in a frozen version served at the bar Floridita, one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite watering holes.

The basic version is white rum, sugar, lemon juice, and maraschino cherries. Ernest Hemingway preferred the Papa Doble, a double shot of rum, and easy on the sugar. To honor the man and the myth, we recommend any Cuban cigar you are lucky enough to get your hands on. In reality, Ernest Hemingway smoked cigarettes while a wartime correspondent; he never really enjoyed cigars. It was always his ties to Cuba that enhanced that myth.

Simple Rum and Cigars: Cuba Libre

Sometimes the essential recipes are the most timeless. For example, the Cuba Libre sprung to life in the early 1900s when Coca-Cola began exporting its colas to Cuba. Cuba Libre, which translates to “Free Cuba,” referenced Cuba’s newly won freedom from Spain. It comprises cola, rum, and a splash of lime and is usually served in a tall glass with plenty of ice.

Given the simple, everyday aspect of the ingredients, we recommend pairing it with your favorite typical smoker. A nice Connecticut shade wrapper, preferably a Lonsdale, will last as long as the drink, so you may maximize your enjoyment time.

Rum and Cigars: The Long Game

Remember, to make these drinks as authentic as possible, you must keep your ingredients fresh. Always make sure you have an ample supply of ice as well! By all means, take some liberties with the recipes to make your own little slice of Havana. There are no wrong combinations, especially for your choice of rum and cigars to complement the cocktails! Cheers!

Photo credit: Pixabay | Anestiev

Trophy Cigars and the Art of the Hunt

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Staff

How many times over the years have you had someone show you their humidor, and while beaming with pride, point out a few selective beauties? What was the sentence that is usually uttered in conjunction with the great reveal? “I’m saving these for a special occasion.” Or, “you have no idea how hard they were to get.” Now we have all experienced humidor envy at some point or another, and the war to keep up with what the Jones are smoking can be a futile endeavor. That of course doesn’t mean there isn’t a thrill in the chase or art to the hunt for trophy cigars!

The Hunt for Trophy Cigars Begins

Many of us brim with excitement walking into a cigar store when visiting a new town, hoping to score something rare or hard to find. We’ve all been beguiled as the proprietor deftly pulls back the velvet curtain, or opens the hidden case to reveal their secrets. There is a visceral thrill when out pops an Arturo Fuente Opus X BBMF, or a Fuente Don Arturo Anniverxario. The price of each is reasonable enough to include them in your humidor for bragging rights.

Taking the Trophy Cigars to the Next Level

If you’re more concerned with running your reward miles, then a trip to the auction house might be in order. There are many online auction sites with extensive price listings covering the entire gamut. Nothing beats the thrill of swaggering into Sotheby’s and examining their treasures.

Swarovski-encrusted King of Denmarks is always a welcome sight. But, so, too, are boxes of Cohiba Behikes, or the stunning Ghurka Black Dragons. Even if you aren’t planning on bidding, the atmosphere is intoxicating. But, don’t let it lead to an errant bid!

Fly Me to the Moon

There are countless stories about world travelers bringing back boxes of Cubans from duty-free shops in foreign airports. We applaud you for patronizing legitimate products. By doing so, you avoided many counterfeits or boxes purchased from some swarthy back ally character in a trench coat. Now that it’s legal to bring a few boxes back to the United States. So, there’s no reason to worry about removing the bands or disguising them as something else.

One lounge regular used to brag how back in the day he would buy a box and stash them in his wife’s luggage before they boarded. He thought customs agents would target him. Meanwhile, she would walk through unscathed and unfazed. No need for Mission Impossible charades anymore. Carry your trophies with pride and make sure you store them well while you travel!

Smoke ‘Em if you Got ‘Em

We know you are like us. If you care about everything involving the cigar lifestyle, you will look at your humidor, and crack a Cheshire grin. Few things match that first feeling of picking up that special smoke to commemorate a wedding, promotion, or retirement. Whatever it is, remember, every day above ground is a “special occasion.” Never let your trophy cigars gather dust while waiting for the “perfect day.” And whatever you do, no matter how certain you are, never tell your friend that his treasured trophies are counterfeit Cuban cigars!

Photo credit: arturofuente.com