Leadership Archives - Page 3 of 3

Cigar Life Guy™ Launches Online Apparel Store

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Staff

For Immediate Release

ATLANTA – Cigar Life Guy™, a leading cigar lifestyle brand, recently launched a branded online apparel store. Founder, Dave Arlinghaus received requests for branded merchandise from fans. “I’ve received numerous inquiries from the cigar community,” said Arlinghaus. Fans were “asking where they could purchase Cigar Life Guy gear.” With that, the online apparel store was born.

Cigar Life Guy Meets Queensboro Shirt Company

Cigar Life Guy is partnering with the Queensboro Shirt Company. The Queensboro Shirt Company to manufacture, embroider and fulfill all apparel orders. Products will include designer labels as well as budget-wise items. Arlinghaus aims to ensure that fans have a variety of items to choose from. So, fans can buy the branded merchandise they crave.

T-shirts
Hats
Polo shirts
Outerwear and more

Queensboro Shirt founder, Fred Meyers said, “As someone who also enjoys an occasional cigar, I can appreciate what Dave is trying to do with his store.” “We are delighted that he has chosen us as a partner for this project. We love the logo and nothing would make us happier than to see Dave sell a ton of it,” said Meyers. “When you are a long way from home, there is nothing like a good cigar to put everything in proper perspective for you. It is the least our service folks deserve.”

About Queensboro Shirt Company

Fred Meyers founded the Queensboro Shirt Company in his New York City dorm room during the late 1970s. Since then, the shirt company has evolved. It began by running small ads in the back of the New Yorker magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Now, it is a leading, online merchant of custom logo apparel and promotional products. The company operates out of a 100,000 square foot facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Yet, it has distribution centers in Dallas, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Operation: Cigars for Warriors

Cigar Life Guy wanted to support a charity it believed in when launching its online apparel store. So, it could think of none more fitting than Operation: Cigars for Warriors. If you’re not familiar with them, here’s the dish.

One goal drives Operation: Cigars for Warriors — to do our part to make our troops’ lives a little better. The organization, Cigars for Warriors distributes requested comfort items to troops deployed in combat zones. The organization celebrated shipping its one-millionth cigar (the #1 requested item) in 2019. Operation: Cigars for Warriors has been a 501(c)3 organization since 2012. It has a platinum certification from GuideStar, information for financial transparency.

Apparel for a Mission

“The selection of Queensboro as a fulfillment partner addresses my key criteria,” said Arlinghaus. “They produce outstanding quality products. I love wearing the apparel as well.” The Queensboro Shirt Company is also known for its award-winning customer service. Arlinghaus agreed and stated that pricing was another reason that strengthened the partnership. “Queensboro’s customer service is extremely strong,” said Arlinghaus. “Also, the customer pricing will also represent a good value for money spent. Finally, the icing on the cake is the ability to earmark all profits I would have received to an outstanding cigar charity, Cigars for Warriors.”

Operation: Cigars for Warriors founder, Storm Boen responded about the charitable impact. “Cigars are the single most requested item by deployed troops, both men and women. A cigar provides a moment of relaxation in the middle of a stressful situation. We are excited Cigar Life Guy has chosen to support our mission.”

Dave Arlinghaus is a staunch supporter of America’s military. Cigar Life Guy plans to donate 100% of net profits from store purchases to Operation: Cigars for Warriors. It’s a cause that perfectly aligns with Cigar Life Guy while supporting our troops. The organization provides comfort items like cigars and cigar accessories to deployed U.S. troops

If you’re looking for some great gear, be sure to visit our apparel store today.

About Cigar Life Guy

Cigar Life Guy™ is the cigar lifestyle brand owned and operated by cigar aficionado, Dave Arlinghaus. Its media properties provide entertainment and education. It’s focused on social cigar smoking and the great conversations that occur over a social cigar. Cigar Life Guy™ also builds awareness for the huge savings opportunity regular cigar smokers have when purchasing life insurance. Through its life insurance brokerage, Cigar Life Guy™ helps cigar smokers realize those savings. That includes non-tobacco rates for cigar smokers, which often equal up to a 70% savings. Dave Arlinghaus has been an independent life insurance broker since 2010.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

For media inquiries, or to request an interview, please contact:

Dave Arlinghaus

dave@cigarlifeguy.com

404.521.8134

How Churchill Cigars Became Churchills

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Staff

Churchills, or Churchill cigars, are almost as well-known as Cubans. Naturally, the Churchills are named after famed WW2 Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. But it wasn’t always this way. It used to be that old Winston smoked ‘Clemenceaus’. So, when did that change, and why?

What are the Churchill Cigars?

Churchills are large cigars measuring between 6.75 and 7 inches long and have a 48-50 ring gauge. Over the past few decades, some cigar makers have introduced short, wide, and petite varieties of the famed cigar. But, these are not true Churchills.

Winston Churchill’s Smoking

Winston Churchill visited Cuba for a few months in 1895, shortly after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. While there, he fell in love with one of the country’s most popular products: cigars.

Sometimes, he smoked other brands. Yet, there were two, distinct Cuban brands that Churchill fancied. One was Romeo y Julieta. The other was the La Aroma de Cuba cigars. For the remainder of his life, Churchill received shipments of his prized Cuban cigars. Some came from his family while others came from his friends and associates. Many dealers from Havana also shipped him some of his prized smokes. This helped ensure Churchill was well-supplied with premium sticks at all times, even if those times included a crisis or war. This arrangement was especially appreciated during WW2 when they were very hard for him to come by.

It’s no secret that Churchill was a voracious cigar smoker. Rumor suggests that his average consumption was roughly 10 cigars daily. In fact, James J. Fox, the famed London cigar shop, has records of Churchill’s purchases, which tally hundreds of thousands of sticks. One record revealed Churchill bought over 1,300 cigars during a six-month period. That was back in 1964, the year before he died.

Fox, by the way, was not the only store selling him cigars. It goes without saying that Churchill spent an exceptional amount of money on cigars. One of his private secretaries once remarked that he got used to the idea that Churchill’s weekly cigar habit often amounted to more money than his monthly salary.

Churchill’s love of smoking soared to new heights when he requested the Royal Air force construct a special mask for him. The mask enabled him to smoke at 15,000 feet above the ground. He claimed that he couldn’t fly without it. The Royal Navy was happy to construct the device, which worked. And, Churchill used it on more than one occasion.

Although Churchill had his clear favorites, he often considered his budget, to a degree, before buying his cigars. He bought many brands at a time and stored them all in a storage room at his Kent estate. The room held up to 4,000 sticks, all meticulously labeled and categorized. In spite of this, he did not leave many of his beloved cigars behind when he died. He did, however, leave a silver ashtray, his favorite, in fact.

Churchill’s Image

During WW2, photographs of Churchill wearing a bowler hat with a cigar tucked between his lips began circulating. It didn’t take long for this photograph to reach the levels of fame. In fact, once the photographic image popularized Churchill’s signature appearance, it was hard to separate the man from the trademark image. This continued throughout the ebb and flow of his political career.

At one point during his career, Churchill was depicted in a political cartoon. The depiction showed him attacking his opponents with a Tommy gun. The British political cartoonist dubbed him as “Cigarface” after a Hollywood movie with a similar title. The people, however, loved the idea of Churchill as a rebel who stood up to Hitler. The reality of the fictitious idea wasn’t too far off, either.

Churchill was certainly hard-smoking and his drinking habits almost matched those of his smoking. Perhaps, the most remarkable thing about this was that he almost never appeared drunk. When asked how he managed to stay sober in spite of drinking enough alcohol to put other men on the floor, Churchill wry replied, “Practice.” Many world leaders of that time and afterward were able to get away with, and even benefited from, such public images. FDR was no exception. Neither was John F. Kennedy.

Churchill and his cigars remain indelibly connected today, more than 50 years after his death. Several companies manufacture and market these branded cigars and their accessories. In fact, Churchill memorabilia also offer profitable market opportunities. In fact, a collector in Palm Beach, Florida paid a whopping $12,000 in 2017 — for a partially smoked cigar that belonged to Winston Churchill.

When Churchill Cigars Became Churchills

But the question remains: When did Churchills become Churchills? The history here is somewhat murky. There are stories that Winston Churchill visited the Romeo y Julieta company while in Cuba, but little evidence for this exists. Odds are, Churchill actually had little to do with his favorite cigars taking on his namesake. Although, he would have been delighted by it.

What appears to have happened is this. Soon after, Churchill’s three businessmen: David Knight, John Croley, and Robert approached the Churchill family. They ask if they could use his name on a Romeo y Julieta cigar. When this took place is uncertain. But it was most likely while Churchill himself was still alive. This comes as a surprise to those who know Churchill. That’s because he was always protective over potential exploitation of his name for commercial reasons. When it came to his favorite cigars, though, he was willing to make an exception.

The Romeo y Julieta company soon renamed their Clemenceaus cigars as Churchills in honor of their favorite customer.

Why Churchill Smoked

Although renowned for his steadfast leadership, Churchill suffered periods of uncertainty throughout his life. This included severe depressions he called his black dog moods.

Churchill often turned to his cigars to ease the mounting pressure that weighed on his shoulders. In his book “Thoughts and Adventures,” Churchill recalled his parent’s early attempt to curb his smoking habit.

“How can I tell that the soothing influence of tobacco upon my nervous system may not have enabled me to comfort myself with calm and courtesy in some awkward personal encounter or negotiation, or carried me serenely through some critical hours of anxious waiting? How can I tell that my temper would have been as sweet or my companionship as agreeable if I had abjured from my youth the goddess nicotine?”

— Winston Churchill, on why he was unable or unwilling to quit smoking

It’s hard to argue with that logic. In the end, Churchill died in 1965 still relative, mentally sharp at the ripe old age of 90.

Photo credit: Romeo y Julieta Cigars

Tobacco Plus Expo 2020: Our Thoughts

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Staff

Had a chance to visit Tobacco Plus Expo 2020 in Las Vegas last week. It was a great time! I spent the better part of three days smoking cigars, sharing the Cigar Life Guy brand story, and learning about other businesses in the cigar space. I’ll keep this focused on some high-level thoughts and keep it from delving into a bunch of product reviews.

Thank You!

First, a big thank you to all the brands, reps, shop owners, and cigar smokers I spoke to or enjoyed a smoke with last week! The response to the core Cigar Life Guy concept has been incredibly positive and humbling. Cigar Life Guy is a media brand that engages cigar smokers. It’s also a life insurance brokerage that offers cigar smokers life insurance at non-smoker rates. I’m very grateful and appreciate the support.

Tobacco Plus Expo: Show Mix, Attendees, and Exhibitors

The cigar participation in Tobacco Plus Expo was way up this year. Spoke to many brands – big and small – where this was their first time at the expo. Perdomo was here for the first time. Many of the small folks I spoke to seemed pleased with their results. On Thursday morning, (the start of the second day), they said they were at a positive ROI based on day 1 alone. How, exactly, they measure ROI will vary, but that’s their phrase, not mine. I also heard manufacturers and reps talking about taking the focus beyond cigars. It was an idea to attract different buyers by exposing them to new opportunities.

For perspective, cigars or cigar-related items filled about 20-25% of the floor space in the exhibit hall. The balance was other tobacco, CBD, cannabis, vape, and alternatives. The big tent approach wasn’t a hit with everyone, though. One well-respected, long-time tobacconist said, “This just wasn’t my crowd.” Then, he mentioned that he wouldn’t be back.

Educational Workshops at the Tobacco Plus Expo

My schedule allowed me to catch two educational sessions. Both were very high quality.

Sisters of the Leaf: Selling, Marketing, and Promoting

There were a couple of key takeaways, here. Make women feel welcome. Don’t make assumptions about experiences or preferences based on gender. It’s worth noting that about two-thirds of the audience were men. It’s encouraging for a male-dominated industry to see the importance of female consumers. Special events and social media engagement are important. Again, make people feel welcome.

Fun fact: Women perform 60% of cigar production (e.g. rollers).

Here’s my take on the whole thing. It was great stuff and very well done. It was right to highlight female consumers, but most of the strategies presented were good marketing and retailing … period. These are tactics that can be more broadly applied. Cigar shops that have a woman problem likely also have a male problem or a new smoker problem. Make everyone feel welcome! Make everyone feel comfortable! I can’t tell you the number of shops in the Atlanta area I visited in the last year that didn’t make me feel welcome or valued. But, I left never to return. Good retailing is good retailing.

Jumpstart and Rejuvenate Your Retail Operation

There are a few key takeaways for this. You are only as good as your people. There was a huge emphasis on getting the right employees in the door and constant training. Engaging in events outside your retail space (e.g. golf outings, wine festivals, charity events) offers huge marketing opportunities to entice high-value customers. You need to view this as a marketing investment, not sales opportunities at the event. Focusing promotions on price (buy three get one free, etc.) lessens the value of your brand/experience. It’s also disrespectful to the brands you sell. Retire swag giveaways (buy this or that and get a lighter/cutter/shirt, etc. free). Focus on bigger, higher impact promotions. Manufacturers are open to partnering on larger promotions.

This is great stuff with a successful panel and great knowledge dropped. That said, it was almost too successful of a panel. Two were guys in the business for 30+ years. One was an employee of a billion+ dollar conglomerate. The other had the backing of a country music superstar. I would have liked to hear about how someone with a more limited marketing budget is winning in the marketplace. Most of the shops I visit don’t have their resources. It’s not that some of the stuff they shared doesn’t have applicability, though. But, I’ll suggest their reality is very different than the marketing reality of most in the room. I would have loved to hear from someone who’s been in the business as an owner for less than five years with severely limited resources but has won in the marketplace. Food for thought for next year.

Check out the complete list of the educational sessions and participants of Tobacco Plus Expo 2020.

The Final Thought

It was a great show for me. I am blessed to make some new friends and see some old ones….until next time!

Note: written by Dave Arlinghaus on 2/2/2020, the photo is with Karl Malone

photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Cigar Journal Features Cigar Life Guy

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Staff

It’s great getting your name and your brand noticed, especially in print. But, what’s better is when that notoriety places your goals — helping fellow cigar smokers, in front of the very readers you aim to please.

That’s what happened when Cigar Journal contacted Dave Arlinghaus of Cigar Life Guy for the inside scoop.

Cigar Journal Contacts Cigar Life Guy

Cigar Journal is a leading international publication in its 20th year of publication. It focuses on all things cigars, including the cigar community. So, when the folks at the journal contacted us to find out more, how could we decline? Arlinghaus, a life insurance broker for cigar smokers and founder of Cigar Life Guy, was happy to oblige. After all, finding the best life insurance rates for cigar smokers is what he does and all things cigars are his pleasure.

The Inside Scoop on the Article

The article focuses on Cigar Life Guy’s innovative life insurance brokerage and how it’s helping many regular cigar smokers get non-tobacco rates on life insurance. The truth is, not every life insurance policy works best for cigar smokers. That’s because most count cigar smoking as equal to cigarette smoking. But that’s not true for your average cigar smoker and Cigar Life Guy knows this. So, he scours the policies out there with a fine-toothed comb to find ones that best align with your smoking habits.

This generally adds up to a ton of savings, which is good news for cigar smokers. The cost for participants in this program is usually about 70% less than the cost of life insurance at “smoker” rates! You can learn more about the program here.

The Final Word

If you want to know more, be sure to check out the current issue of Cigar Journal. The article appears in the print edition. A glimpse of the article and cover is pictured below (copyright Cigar Journal). You can also grab a copy at your local newsstand or cigar shop today!

The Cigar Habits of J.P. Morgan

Posted on December 8, 2019 by Staff

When it comes to cigar habits of the most famous cigar aficionados in American history, John Pierpont Morgan is among the best. Known as the ‘Zeus of Wall Street’ due to his considerable wealth and power, J.P. Morgan also had a rabid appetite for cigars. More specifically, it was the 8” Maduro Meridiana Kohinoor that most often hung from his lips. The Meridiana Kohinoor was a brooding bat of a cigar. It was also likely the basis for the ‘cigar-smoking billionaire’ trope in popular culture.

A millionaire from birth, it was no doubt Morgan’s considerable wealth stoked his love for tobacco leaf. As a young man in Germany, Morgan spent countless hours at the beer halls. It was also no secret that dancing, smoking, and drinking were becoming his favorite activities.

The Zeus of Wall Street’s Silver Humidors

If being born rich wasn’t enough, Morgan went on to increase his wealth exponentially. He founded General Electric. Then, he purchased the New York Times. After that, he bailed out the U.S. treasury — all without breaking a sweat. Not surprisingly, this was the same guy who had custom humidors built for every one of his many yachts. Some now grace the offices of America’s most influential businessmen.

He was a man who traded and banked largely in silver. So, that same metal became his material of choice for his seaworthy humidors. Each yacht was reportedly fitted with a massive silver-encased humidor capable of holding hundreds of his favorite sticks.

Since Morgan’s cigar habits included taking down 20 and 30 cigars per day. That was about enough to cover a long weekend in the Bahamas. Turns out, when you’re making as much money as the original J.P. Morgan, every cigar is a victory cigar.

A Thoughtful Man and A Thoughtful Smoker

The image of a hard-lined businessman puffing on a thick cigar is one fixed into our imaginations. That’s particularly true if your calling card is the ‘Zeus of Wall Street.’ But that same image is not quite accurate for J.P. Morgan. Despite his wealth, Morgan enjoyed cigars far more than being at the center of the world’s finances.

His thoughtful and religious nature took him by sea to distant lands. it’s easy to imagine his commanding figure standing at the ship’s helm, cigar in hand, and thick smoke curling into the salty air. According to his closest associates, it was during these quiet times that Morgan contemplated leaving the business world altogether.

Today, Morgan’s personal cutters and humidors fetch a high price on the ultra-rich auction circuit. For him, they were just comforting in an otherwise taxing life.

Morgan’s Favorite Sticks

The Meridiana Kohinoor shared part of its name with the world’s largest diamond. It was an absolute beast of a Cuban cigar. Most smokers today would have a hard time putting it back, much less smoking anywhere near as many as ‘Zeus of Wall Street’ himself. Morgan’s associates called them ‘Hercules sticks’. But, Morgan was less intimidated by their stature. At $1.25 each, Morgan would order them in batches of 9,000. The cost comparison of $1.25 in 1890 would be about $35 today.

Like any cigar smoker worth his wrapper, Morgan had a few other brands he liked to alternate with. The Regalia de Morgans was a five-inch Havana-made substitute for when he was in a hurry. The Meridiana Selectos was an easy-smoking mid-sized cigar when a bit more leisure in his cigar habits was in order.

Unfortunately, none of the cigars that Morgan enjoyed are still available today. That is unless you happen to have a few hundred grand to spend at a gold-encrusted auction house. Even the 8” stogies are harder to come by. But, if you really want one, you are most likely going to find it on a yacht, attached to the lips of a man pretending to be the most powerful banker in the world.

Photo credit: The Library of Congress on VisualHunt.com / No known copyright restrictions

Tough Conversations Over Holiday Cigars

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Staff

This holiday season will be full of lots of cigars and for most of us also a great deal of family time. Unless you’re related to cousin Eddie, family time is usually a positive thing. It means quality time with loved ones. It’s a great time to finally have those tough conversations you’ve been putting off for years and start implementing new plans. When people are around their loved ones, it also causes them to be reflective. So, there’s no better environment to start a difficult conversation than over a great stick!

Don’t miss my completely free holiday gift to you at the bottom of this article!

Tough Conversations and Holiday Cigars

Estate or end-of-life planning starts with internalizing that we all die. It’s unpleasant to think about and natural to put off. Some families are in great shape. They have had conversations about what happens if Mom, Dad, their spouse, or etc. were to pass unexpectedly. They’ve also implemented a plan to carry out final wishes. If that’s you, great! Cut another piece of pumpkin pie, pour a good beverage, and light an Opus X.

Have a Plan or Starting Thinking About One

If the unexpected happened to you, would your family be taken care of, financially and otherwise? If you have minor children, have you formalized how you’d like them cared for? Do your loved ones know what your final arrangement preferences are for burial, cremation, service or etc? They should include instructions beyond the vague, “something appropriate.”

On a basic level do you have a plan to pay for your funeral? Do your loved ones know about your financial affairs? Who should they talk to (lawyer, financial professional, insurance agent, accountant) to settle your affairs?

Each of these questions could be an article or two to address. Depending on their complexity, they might require professional advice. I’m not trying to solve all your issues here, just to encourage you to start the conversation.

Three Tough Conversations to Consider

So you’re all set. You’ve got a will and executor lined up. You clarified your wishes for final arrangements. You’ve had some tough conversations with your spouse or adult children. They have a decent idea of what to expect with your finances. And, you’ve given some thought to estate planning issues if your assets are enough to warrant it. That’s great! Now, here are three things that you might have overlooked.

Digital Footprint or Assets

Years ago you didn’t have to worry about digital assets. Now, we all have them, even if they aren’t valuable to anyone else. Have you written down all your major online accounts (email, social media, banking, or financial) and instructions on how to access them? Do you own websites or domain names? Someone should be able to access them.

Medical Power of Attorney or Living Will

Have you addressed how you’d like to have medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so for yourself? Have you codified this in writing? Would you like heroic measures taken to try to save you even if you’re facing no hope of recovery? If you haven’t codified your wishes, someone else might make a decision for you that is contrary to what you want.

Long-term Care

It isn’t just death that causes us problems. According to the 2019 Genworth Cost of Care Study, 70% of adults will need long-term care in their lifetime. I know! That is a frigging crazy stat…and also very sobering. The median cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is over $90,000 per year.

Long-term care insurance is an option for addressing some of those costs. It’s important to consider how you’d like to deal with the possibility of being unable to care for yourself. Having a plan is important even if you decide not to use long-term care insurance to help offset these expenses.

My Holiday Gift to You (No, It’s Not a Box of Cigars)

My friends at Tarkenton Financial have put together a great 24-page “Family Guidebook.” It’s great for dealing with some of these estate issues and starting conversations.

Written by a respected estate planning attorney, it also includes a workbook you can use to organize your important information (names, contact info, accounts, logins, instructions, etc.). I’d be happy to email you a complimentary copy as my holiday gift to you. Send an email to dave@cigarlifeguy.com or message me on social media @cigarlifeguy with your email address and a note that says “send me the family guide.”

Of course, if life insurance or long-term care insurance would help with your plans, Cigar Life Guy gets you non-smoker rates regardless of how many cigars you smoke so #PSSITA!

Photo credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/gylo/5277766947

John F Kennedy and the H. Upmann Petit

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Staff

The Strange Legacy of JFK’s Favorite Cigar

John F Kennedy had a love for cigars, but not just any cigar. For him, the H. Upmann cigar was the cigar to have. If you have spent any amount of time perusing the shelves at your local tobacconist, then you have likely crossed paths with an H. Upmann cigar. It is one of the oldest cigar brands in existence (outdated only by Punch and Por Larranaga). It also managed to survive the decades-long embargo by producing a non-Cuban counterpart under the same name.

This longevity is hardly the reason why people still talk about H. Upmann today. The H. Upmann cigar has managed to remain popular among collectors and newcomers alike.

“It’s the cigar that JFK smoked!” is what you will likely hear from the over-enthusiastic guy behind the counter of your local smoke shop. For any warm-blooded American, this is more than enough reason to light up a stick of this signature brand.

Of course, it isn’t technically true. John F. Kennedy’s favorite stick was the original Petite Upmann. It was a machine-rolled Cuban with mild smoke and dense ash that was since discontinued. But the mystique around this famous cigar is only bolstered by one of the most interesting stories in cigar history.

JFK’s Washington D.C. Cigar Sweep

The year was 1962, less than a year after the disastrously-executed Bay of Pigs Invasion. A freshly-elected John F. Kennedy had the unfortunate task of enacting a congressionally-approved Cuban trade embargo. The embargo would forbid the sale of Cuban products (i.e., cigars) on American soil.

Kennedy, a man who knew the value of a well-enjoyed cigar, had to act fast. The next morning, he would have to sign the order. From that moment on, he would no longer be able to find his favorite cigar.

Enter Pierre Salinger, John F. Kennedy’s rookie Secretary of State. According to Salinger’s own account, Kennedy called him into the Oval Office in the early evening. He had a hell of a favor to ask.

“I need some help,” Kennedy said plainly. “ … about 1,000 Petit Upmanns.”

Salinger jumped into action. An avid fan of Cuban cigars himself, he set out to visit every tobacconist in the D.C. area. In all, he was able to buy 1,200 Petite Upmann cigars mere hours before Kennedy signed the embargo into law. According to Salinger, Kennedy signed the document right after hearing about the impressive haul.

The failure of the Bay of Pigs necessitated their stockpiling. So, these were nothing if not victory cigars, at least in the political sense.

The H. Upmann Petite: Gone for Good?

Today, the Cuban-made H. Upmann and the Dominican-made H. Upmann operate inside a peaceful coexistence. Although, the recent loosening of restrictions has allowed a handful of people to partake in the Cuban versions. While the Upmann Petite was long since discontinued, there were some efforts to recreate the flavor and aroma of JFK’s favorite smoke.

The H. Upmann Original Petite Corona is an impressive attempt at this endeavor. This resurrected blend of Dominican and Brazilian tobaccos offers the same level of warm and nutty smoothness that Kennedy and Salinger scrambled to preserve. For about 7 bucks, it is certainly worth a try if you come by one.

Anyone who still holds a grudge against John F Kennedy for the whole Cuban embargo thing, it’s time to do what any lover of good cigars should do. Move on, light up, and enjoy whatever you’re smoking.

Photo credit: <a title=”National Archives and Records Administration
, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons” href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyannisport_Weekend._President_Kennedy_with_cigar_and_New_York_Times._Hyannisport,_MA,_aboard_the_%22Honey_Fitz%22._-_NARA_-_194268.jpg”><img width=”256″ alt=”Hyannisport Weekend. President Kennedy with cigar and New York Times. Hyannisport, MA, aboard the "Honey Fitz". – NARA – 194268″ src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Hyannisport_Weekend._President_Kennedy_with_cigar_and_New_York_Times._Hyannisport%2C_MA%2C_aboard_the_%22Honey_Fitz%22._-_NARA_-_194268.jpg/256px-Hyannisport_Weekend._President_Kennedy_with_cigar_and_New_York_Times._Hyannisport%2C_MA%2C_aboard_the_%22Honey_Fitz%22._-_NARA_-_194268.jpg”></a>

The Victory Cigars of NBA Coach Red Auerbach

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Staff

Arnold “Red” Auerbach was well-known as the coach and later the general manager of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His teams, featuring the likes of Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and several more hands full of Hall of Famers, were the most dominant of his era, the 1950s and 1960s, winning nine NBA championships as a coach and later another seven as an executive. Phil Jackson has surpassed his coaching records, but there is no doubt he was the iconic coach of his era. The NBA’s Coach of the Year award gets its name from him. More than fifty years later, we best remember Red Auerbach for his trademark “Victory Cigars.”

Red Auerbach’s Victory Cigars Ritual

When the Celtics were up late in the game, Red lit a cigar on the bench. It would signal that the game was effectively over.

“It all boils down to this. I used to hate these college coaches or any coach that was 25 points ahead with three minutes left to go, and they’re up there yellin’ and coachin’ because they’re on TV, and they want their picture on, and they get recognition. To me, the game was over. The day’s work is done. Worry about the next game. This game is over. So I would light a cigar, sit on the bench, and watch it. The game was over, for all intents and purposes. I didn’t want to rub anything in or show anybody what a great coach I was when I was 25 points ahead. Why? I gotta win by 30? What the hell difference does it make?” — Red Auerbach (as reported by Cigar Aficionado, Summer 1994)

Was it Obnoxious, and Did it Piss Off the Opposition?

Well, of course, it was obnoxious. Opposing players hated it. One, Paul Seymour of the Syracuse Nationals, is said to have remarked that his ambition in life was not to win an NBA Championship but to come back and beat Red and his Celtics after lighting the cigar.

The Cincinnati Royals had a promotion that gave 5000 fans a complimentary cigar as they entered the arena one evening in hopes that they’d be able to light them up and celebrate a Royals win over the Celtics. It didn’t work out, and the fans left with unlit cigars in hand. (Dan Shaughnessy, Evergreen, 1990)

Some of his players didn’t care for it, either. Bob Cousy, his Hall of Fame guard, was on record as not being a fan. It fired up the other team. They also didn’t care for them in the locker room. The ventilation system could have been better. Everybody had a Red story about him firing up a stick here or there (including in a car) with no regard for the people around him. (Yeah, he was a lout)

Let’s face it, though. The guy was a winner. When you win, you get to make your own rules.

What Kind of Victory Cigars did Red Auerbach Smoke?

“A little bit of everything,” according to Red. In this way, he was much like many of us. But, he acknowledged early in his life, he was a pipe smoker primarily because it was more economical than a premium cigar.

At one point, he had an endorsement deal with King Edwards, a cigar manufacturer of the era. He also acknowledged receiving many cigars as gifts from his many Celtics fans. Of course, he smoked those too. If there is one cigar he is linked to by brand as being a favorite, it is probably the Hoyo de Monterrey.

Will There Ever Be Another Red Auerbach?

Probably not. Things change. Heck, you can’t even smoke inside anymore. Today’s victory celebrations involve some dance or posts on social media. Let’s face it; the world is different now. But as a cigar enthusiast, even if you don’t like the Celtics, you must have some respect for a guy whose statue holds a cigar in his hand. That same statue sits outside his former workplace, the building formally known as the Boston Garden. Now, his statue gets its name from some tech company or bank as part of a naming rights deal. Things were simpler in Red’s day.

Win something, light one up, and enjoy a victory cigar of your own!

Photo credit: “Bill Russell and Red Auerbach 1966 Champions,” by Fred Keenan, Wikimedia Commons license Public Domain CC0 1.0