Joy of Cigars Archives - Page 8 of 12

The Sopranos Smoke Cigars

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Staff

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

The Sopranos Smoke Cigars Like a Boss

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

Wiseguys Know What they Are Doing

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

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

Sopranos Smoke Cigars: From Boss to V.P.

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

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

Life Imitates Art

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

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

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

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

Cigars and Country Music

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Staff

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

Brad Paisley and Cuban Cigars

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

Cigars and Country Music: The Cigar Song

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

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

Cigars and Country Music: Old Dominion Smokes on Tour

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

Luke Bryan is a Sure Thing

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

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

Arnold Schwarzenegger Loves Cigars

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Staff

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

The American Dream: Arnold Schwarzenegger

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

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

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Action Hero

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

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

Smoke Like Mr. Universe

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

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

Arnold Schwarzenegger Packs a Punch

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

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

Jack Nicholson Movies and His Love for Cigars

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Staff

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

Here’s Johnny!

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

Art Imitates Life

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

What Does an Icon Smoke?

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

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

Jack Nicholson is a Perfectionist

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

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

Smoking Fine Cigars and Seinfeld

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Staff

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

Art Imitates Life

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

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

Seinfeld Episodes and Cigars

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

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

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

Kramer and Cuban Cigars

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

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

That’s a Wrap

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

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

Rise of the Best Mexican Cigars

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Staff

When pressed to name where the best cigars come from, the almost unanimous response is Cuba. Nicaragua is usually a fairly close second, followed by the Dominican Republic. Mexico typically doesn’t immediately jump to mind. That has been changing over the last several years. The cigar industry in Mexico is recognizing a true renaissance. Much of this is due to enhanced measures focused on quality control. Well-established producers recognize the fine quality that Mexican-grown tobacco can provide. If you enjoy Maduro cigars, chances are you have smoked some of the best Mexican cigars made with the jet black San Andres Negro wrapper from Mexico.

A Rich History of the Best Mexican Cigars

The San Andres valley is the most notable area for quality Mexican cigar production. This area has a rich history of growing tobacco dating back to the ancient Mayans.

In 1880, the Turrent family arrived in the San Andreas Valley. Here, the soil is rich in volcanic ash and offers one of the best places for growing tobacco in Mexico and along the Gulf Coast. It was here the Mexican tobacco Industry was born. Te-Amo cigars were established 80 years later. They became the leading brand of some of the best Mexican cigars. The casual cigar enthusiast has loved Te-Amo cigars for years. They treasure these cigars for their smooth blend and wallet-friendly price.

Beyond the Working Man’s Cigar

Te-Amo cigars enjoyed a reputation as a working man’s cigar. This is because they are affordable and have a growing ubiquity at deli counters, especially in New York City. Yet, the Turrent family still makes them. The Turrent family maintains a careful eye on the quality of the tobacco that goes into the cigars.

Many fine producers such as Partagas and Romeo Y Julieta recognize the quality and potential of Mexican tobacco. They use Mexican wrappers and filler in some of their cigars. Mexican cigar makers want to be more than an everyman cigar. Their focus is on premium trophy cigars. They often blend their Mexican tobacco with Nicaraguan, Cuban, or Dominican seed.

The Best Mexican Cigars

The Turrent family has been making cigars for five generations in Mexico under the Te-Amo brand. So, they launched their own family label of premium cigars and named it Casa Turrent. The line that bears the family name aims to produce a premium brand Mexican cigar with attention to detail and the rich history of Mexican tobacco.

Of the roughly 400,000 kilos of tobacco produced in Mexico, 60% finds its way into well-known brands. A strong selection process allows the finest leaves to find their way into Casa Turrent. The Casa Turrent line has been received favorably by reviewers and aficionados since its release. That’s particularly true of its box-pressed line, which is compared favorably to Padron.

Smoke Local Cigars on Vacation!

Numerous stories circulate about tourists getting ripped off in places like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun with counterfeit Cuban cigars. Why not smoke locally? If there’s one thing any aficionado can’t argue with, it’s the quality and freshness of Turrent cigars. Turrent Cigars wants you to lavish every moment of your premium smoke. So, they also offer many high-end lounges — Casas, to suit your pleasure. Here, you can kick back and relax. Bask in the comfort of a premium local cigar and some equally indulgent house-made tequila to pair with them. Can’t make it to Mexico? Soak up the rich local tradition at home and enjoy one of the best Mexican cigars available!

photo credit: commons

Jennifer Lopez Loves Cigars, Too!

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Staff

Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to a good smoke. And when it comes to smoking sticks, Jennifer Lopez loves cigars. In fact, she’s been smoking cigars since she first appeared on our television screens in the early 90s. Then, she was a Fly Girl on “In Living Color.” However, try telling her that cigars are a guy thing. You’re liable to get a dropkick response from her if you do. One this is certain, though, her love of cigars has not slowed her down.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are Smoking!

It doesn’t hurt when you’re a cigar lover whose fiance happens to be power-hitter Alex Rodriguez, either. Alex is a well-known cigar aficionado. He told the story about enjoying his favorite cigar at 5 a.m. with several other New York Yankees. It happened outside of a pizza shop the morning after they won the World Series.

Jennifer Lopez and Rodriguez are a power couple photographed frequently smoking their favorite brands. Jennifer Lopez tends to favor Padron. Meanwhile, Alex quickly points out his love of Hoyo De Monterrey, the first cigar he ever smoked. It was introduced to him by none other than Michael Jordan during a round of golf.

Jennifer Lopez: Cigars and a Healthy Lifestyle

The eternally young Jennifer Lopez remains one of the hardest-working stars in Hollywood. Besides movies and being a judge on a television dance show, she maintains a grueling live concert show in Vegas that is heavy on dancing.

Lopez credits her biggest beauty secret to staying young with getting sleep. “It’s the one thing I won’t allow to be interrupted.” In her most recent film, “Hustlers,” she was forced to endure long hours on the set smoking cigarettes (as part of her character, Ramona). It was a habit that started and ended with the movie. However, she likes her cigars and refuses to let the cigarettes become a terrible habit!

Jennifer Lopez’s Island Connection

In the video to the song “Dinero,” Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B can be seen living the high life while liberally enjoying trophy cigars. Although both Bronx, New York natives, Lopez and Cardi B, share traditional island routes from their families. Jennifer Lopez’s parents are from Puerto Rico, while Cardi B’s family is from Trinidad and the Dominican Republic.

Both singers clarified that the cigars were not simply part of the video as props. “Cigars are a part of the Latino blood. It’s what families do together after big meals.” The two divas shared plenty of cigars on and off the set!

Still Jenny From the Block

Jennifer Lopez spends ample time traveling. She has homes in Miami. Lopez performs at Vegas stage shows. But she also enjoys spending time with friends back in the Bronx when she has a little extra time. Wherever her travels take her, Lopez never leaves home with a humidor packed with her favorite Padrons. And she always shares a few with her friends along the way. After all, sharing a cigar with friends is one of the best things about spending uninterrupted time together.

Despite her crazy schedule, Lopez enjoys the relaxing benefits of a good cigar. It allows you to stop for a few brief moments and take in life’s simple pleasures before returning to the day’s hustle. Any cigar lover can agree with that.

Photo credit: “Jennifer Lopez During an Interview, 2019,” by MTV International, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY 3.0

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

Chefs and Cigars: A Recipe for a Great Smoke

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Staff

If you thought the world’s top-rated chefs and cigars were a poor mix because of their refined palates, you would be wrong! Some of the top chefs from famed Michelin-starred restaurants are as passionate about cigars as they are the food they cook. Chef Eric Ripert tastes up to twenty sauces a day and still counts on a great cigar almost every day. Some chefs look forward to cigars for a quiet moment after a busy dinner shift in the company of fellow kitchen staff. Others savor them as part of a big meal finale with friends and family. One thing is certain, chefs and cigars definitely have their place in the kitchen!

Cohibas in the Kitchen

Chefs Eric Ripert and Jose Andres have built significant restaurant empires with multiple outposts located in favorite cigar hot spots like Las Vegas, Miami, and New York. The chefs have vastly different cooking styles. Ripert is a brilliant technician with fish. Andres is a leader of the tapas or small plate movement that set the standard in the country. What they have in common, though, is a love of brilliantly crafted cigars.

The smokes Ripert and Andres enjoy, reflect their personalities and their cooking styles. Ripert’s go-to cigar is a Cohiba Esplendido, which has a smaller ring gauge and tends toward a milder flavor. Andres favors the Cohiba Behike, a brasher, bigger ring gauge cigar that packs plenty of punch.

Chefs and Cigars Help Create a Great Anniversary Davidoff

Chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry is such a cigar enthusiast, that he and four fellow chef friends were asked to create a fiftieth-anniversary cigar for Davidoff. The tobaccos selected became the Davidoff Chef’s Edition and reflect the food and spices that embody the chef’s preferred food pairings.

Rich flavors infuse the final tobacco blend. These include the essences of licorice, oak wood, Szechuan pepper, coffee, cumin, and chocolate. According to the chefs, the most compelling part of the creative process was the fermentation of the tobaccos. Creating the different flavor profiles was like choosing the flavor profiles and components that go into a fine meal. The top chefs and cigars they created were a recipe for a great smoke.

Emeril Loves Hand Rolled Cigars

Famed chef, Emeril Lagasse has been smoking cigars most of his life. What intrigues him most is the craftsmanship behind a well-made cigar. Hand rolling is artistry, and part of the entire cigar smoking experience. Like food, it’s important to know where your cigar comes from.

The journey from tobacco seed to cigar is no different than the journey of the food he cooks. It’s something he taught his own kids, “Orange juice doesn’t come from a carton; it’s the same thing with cigars. People don’t understand all that goes into growing it, aging it, enjoying it.”

Chefs and Cigars Create the Perfect Dessert Alternative

All the chefs had one thing in common; they would skip dessert in favor of a cigar. Timing is everything and after a big meal, a cigar is a perfect complement. Especially when paired with the right cocktail. Aged tequilas and scotches more than compensate for dessert.

Thomas Keller stocks a custom-made humidor at the French Laundry. Keller offers rarities like cigars to guests instead of dessert. No matter what the meal is, don’t forget to add a cigar to the menu and create your own recipe for a good smoke!

Photo credit: Davidoff

Steve Harvey: Cigar Lifestyle in Show Business

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Staff

If you flip through the channels fast enough, at some point you are going to find a show featuring Steve Harvey’s smiling face. You can catch him in any number of movies or sitcom reruns. You will also likely find him hosting one of several shows such as his Emmy-winning daytime talk show, “The Family Feud,” “Little Big Shots,” or any number of beauty pageants. Cigar lover Steve Harvey is the hardest working man in showbiz today and, yes, he enthusiastically indulges in the cigar lifestyle.

Time Is Money

Time is money. Everyone knows that or should know that, and discovering the path leading to the greatest reward quickly is essential for success. In fact, during the early 1900s, there was a famous bank robber named Willie Sutton. Sutton was unique compared to others in that his victims considered him as the most polite bank robber there was. At one point, Sutton was asked why he chose to rob banks. His response was simple: “Because that’s where the money is.”

This level of simplicity and rationalization doesn’t stop with Sutton, though. If you ask Harvey why he smokes cigars, and he’ll give you an equally pithy answer, “Because that’s all I’ve got!” Expanding on that, he says, “I need these little moments for me.”

From the time Harvey wakes up until the time he goes to bed, he takes multi-tasking to the next level. If it’s not the television shows, comedy specials, or one of the new books he is writing, he could easily be talking with one of the Presidents. He has consulted with both Presidents — Trump and Obama.

Steve Harvey on Staying Humble

Steve Harvey was far from an overnight success. He grew up in West Virginia as the son of a coal miner. Harvey held several jobs before catching his first break. Even then, he continued living out of his car until the age of thirty. Additionally, he was no stranger to bathing at the public pools. Harvey has never forgotten his roots or the lessons his mother taught him about staying humble and paying it forward.

As someone who grew up less fortunate, Harvey focuses on those less fortunate than him today. He received an NAACP Image Award for his philanthropic endeavors, but it’s not about giving money. His advice books on marriage and rising to your full potential have helped countless readers.

Steve Harvey and Living Large

Just because the man hasn’t forgotten his roots, doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy the finer things in life. On television, Harvey is known for his dazzling clothing style (he believes he owns well over 300 suits). One of his biggest extravagances is cigars.

With homes and offices in Atlanta and Chicago, he makes sure he is always fully stocked at all times. In both offices, he has five different humidors covering an array of cigars. One is dedicated to Cubans, another to Davidoff, and one to the funky Acid Collection which he keeps separate from everything else. He is most proud of the humidor in his Atlanta man cave. It’s the size of a small retail store!

Steve Harvey: That’s a Fine Wrap

Steve was late to the cigar lifestyle. He began in earnest with the birth of his son while in his early forties. Since then, cigars are part of his day, even if that day is scheduled down to the minute.

His smoking habits reflect that and he enjoys what he calls twenty-minute smokes. These quick smokes are typically mild to medium-flavored short cigars with a substantial ring gauge. When he feels particularly luxurious and has the time to spare, he’ll enjoy one of his favorites like a Fuente Opus X or Cohiba Siglo VI. Harvey jokes that he’s not a cigar snob; he wants his cigar to look and feel like a cigar — anything but a cigarette!

Photo credit: <a title=”Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons” href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SteveHarveyHWOFMay2013.jpg”><img width=”512″ alt=”SteveHarveyHWOFMay2013″ src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/SteveHarveyHWOFMay2013.jpg/512px-SteveHarveyHWOFMay2013.jpg”></a>