Medical Archives - Cigar Life Guy

Small Business Champion Dr. Gaby Kafie

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Staff

Dr. Gaby Kafie, founder of the Boutique Cigar Association and Kafie Cigars and Coffee, has been living the cigar life since he smoked his first cigar as a teen. Since then, he has been advocating for family-run cigar businesses. Kafie spoke with Cigar Life Guy about the reflective aspects of a good cigar, cigar smoking traditions and rituals, and his ongoing efforts to promote and protect the rights of small cigar lines.

Gaby Kafie: First Premium Cigar Experience

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Dr. Gaby Kafie: My first premium cigar experience is a cherished memory that dates back to the summer of my 18th year, spent in Honduras with family. On a particularly memorable weekend, we gathered at a beach house owned by relatives on the Pacific coast — a perfect setting for a family rendezvous filled with food, drinks, and games designed to make the most of our time together.

During this gathering, I was with my father, my brother, and a cousin who was an avid cigar aficionado. Early in the evening, as everyone was preparing for a poker game, he gifted me one of his favorite cigars. I felt a unique sense of inclusion, as if I were now part of the adult circle, though my shyness around my father led me to seek a more private spot to enjoy the cigar. I wandered down the boardwalk to a secluded patch of sand atop a hill, where I could relax undisturbed.

This being my first cigar, I carefully bit off the cap and lit it with matches I had taken from the poker table, taking my time to fully ignite it. The cigar was a Hoya de Monterrey Honduras edition, highly popular then and a favorite of my cousin’s. Smoking it was an incredible experience. The flavors were rich and relaxing, and the serene backdrop of the Pacific Ocean under a moonlit sky enhanced the moment immeasurably. The setting was so captivating it felt almost surreal.

About 20 to 30 minutes into the experience, I began to feel dizzy, prompting me to slow down and savor the moment more gently, or “put it in cruise control,” as the saying goes. There was no rush — just the enjoyment of a truly splendid weekend. It’s an evening I’ll never forget, marked by a significant rite of passage surrounded by family and the tranquil beauty of nature.

Cigar Culture

Cigar Life Guy: You are a retired physician. The medical and cigar worlds don’t always go together. What drew you to the cigar culture?

Dr. Gaby Kafie: This question is thought-provoking, as medicine and cigars don’t typically overlap. Interestingly, during my time in medical school, I first noticed how many of my colleagues sought relaxation through various means, including indulging in cigars and spirits, to decompress from the high stresses of our profession.

On a more serious note, it’s essential to acknowledge that premium cigars have historically not been a significant concern within the medical community, mainly when used in moderation. Many intellectuals and professionals appreciate the refined pleasure of a premium cigar or the enjoyment of finely aged pipe tobacco, neither of which are intended to be inhaled.

For me, cigars offered a unique form of solace during my medical training. On those quiet nights, when everyone else was asleep, and I faced hours of complex medical texts, enjoying a premium cigar provided not just a company but also improved my focus and concentration. The ritual of smoking, the flavors, and the very act of taking a break helped me digest the dense information more effectively.

Throughout my career as a physician and later as a premium cigar manufacturer, I’ve spent considerable time researching the effects of moderate cigar smoking on the human body. My findings align with the broader consensus that, when not abused and enjoyed in moderation, the risks associated with occasional cigar smoking are minimal to none.

Thus, my draw to cigar culture was not just about the cigars themselves but about the ritual, history, and camaraderie accompanying this ancient tradition. It’s about moderation and appreciation of the craft, which can enhance moments of reflection and relaxation when respected.

The Benefits of a Good Cigar

Cigar Life Guy: What is your take on cigars and their potential benefits?

Dr. Gaby Kafie: This question invites a nuanced comparison that spans various indulgences, like premium cigars, chocolates, or wines, each bringing its form of pleasure and potential benefits, albeit not always in the health sense.

Much like a fine glass of wine or a particular type of Swiss chocolate, premium cigars are part of a lifestyle embraced by those who appreciate the finer aspects of life and the freedom to engage in a storied tradition.

The history of cigar smoking, which traces back over generations, reflects a personal choice and a cultural heritage. For instance, in the early 1900s, there were over 6,000 cigar shops in the United States, a testament to its popularity and integration into social norms.

Today, while the industry, I believe, is heavily regulated (or under threat), including stringent age verification, the essence of cigar culture endures. For many, including myself, cigars represent more than just smoking; they are a conduit for social interaction, fostering conversations and camaraderie across generations. Sitting down to enjoy a cigar can open the door to dialogue, offer a moment of relaxation, and build connections beyond the immediate experience.

As for potential benefits, it’s important to clarify that while cigars are not a health product, they offer psychological and social benefits. Engaging in a thoughtful, leisurely smoke can provide a break from the stresses of daily life, allowing for moments of reflection and a sense of communal bonding. These aspects are often overlooked when discussing cigars, but they play a significant role in why many people cherish this tradition.

Like any adult indulgence, the key to cigars is moderation and understanding. Cigars, when enjoyed responsibly, can enhance social gatherings, facilitate deep conversations, and serve as a cherished ritual that enriches one’s lifestyle.

Gaby Kafie: Tradition and the Cigar Industry

Cigar Life Guy: Your family has a long history in Central America. Why is tradition so important in the cigar industry?

Dr. Gaby Kafie: Tradition is deeply ingrained in the cigar industry, and its importance can’t be overstated. In many ways, it is the very foundation on which the industry has been built and continues to thrive.

For my family, the Kafie family, tradition is not just a concept but a guiding principle that dictates how we conduct ourselves in business and life.

We are deeply rooted in Central America, a region rich in history and culture, which has significantly shaped the values we cherish and pass down through generations.

Tradition in our family goes beyond preserving customs; it is about upholding a legacy of integrity, hard work, and commitment to excellence. These values have been imbued in us from generation to generation, ensuring that every family member strives to contribute positively to our legacy and the world.

Our commitment to tradition reflects how we approach our businesses, including the cigar industry. Much like our family, the premium cigar industry thrives on the strength of its traditions. It is an industry largely driven by families who have persevered through centuries, maintaining high standards and a dedication to craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Each product we create, whether cigars or coffee, carries our family name— a symbol of quality and trust. This is not just a mark of ownership but a promise of the integrity and the hard-earned reputation that comes with it. In this industry, a name is not just a brand- it’s a representation of history, culture, and continuity.

Thus, tradition in the cigar industry is crucial because it connects the past with the present and paves the way for future generations. It embodies the values, ethics, and principles that have sustained these great families, including ours, enabling us to produce products that people enjoy and trust. This deep respect for tradition is one of the primary reasons I was drawn to the premium cigar industry. It remains a passion deeply integrated into my life and legacy.

The Boutique Cigar Association.

Cigar Life Guy: You are the founder of the Boutique Cigar Association. Tell us about this organization and what it does, particularly how it supports and defends the rights of small cigar lines against FDA regulations.

Dr. Gaby Kafie: As the founder of the Boutique Cigar Association (BCA) in 2016, I saw a need to fill a significant gap in the premium cigar industry. This gap primarily concerned disseminating knowledge essential for starting and sustaining a successful cigar company — a knowledge base traditionally held closely by a few established families. Recognizing the importance of sharing this wealth of information, I felt a profound responsibility to help others who aspire to make their mark in this industry.

The BCA was established to support, educate, and uplift small cigar companies. We have successfully created a platform where emerging businesses can access crucial industry knowledge through a structured curriculum. This includes regular seminars that feature experts discussing important topics like trademark law, cigar importation, licensing, and distribution agreements — all vital for navigating the complexities of the cigar business.

One of our most significant achievements is the establishment of the Boutique Cigar Pavilion at the PCA Trade Show. This initiative provides our member companies with a fantastic opportunity for exposure at one of the world’s largest gatherings for premium cigars. This pavilion has become a permanent fixture at the show, greatly benefiting our members with increased visibility.

The BCA has grown to include over 35 member companies on the advocacy front, allowing us to form a unified voice that actively participates in legislative discussions. This collective effort is crucial for protecting the interests of boutique cigar businesses against often stringent FDA regulations. By collaborating with the Premium Cigar Association and Cigar Rights of America, we can better defend and promote the rights of small cigar lines at both state and federal levels.

Starting and leading the Boutique Cigar Association has not been an easy journey. The fulfillment I derive from seeing small, family-owned businesses flourish in this competitive environment makes all the challenges worthwhile. My joy and contentment come from serving these passionate entrepreneurs and helping them achieve their dreams within the premium cigar industry.

Cigar Industry Challenges Dr. Gaby Kafie Faces

Cigar Life Guy: What is the cigar industry’s biggest challenge today?

Dr. Gaby Kafie: The biggest challenge facing the premium cigar industry today, as I see it, is the presence of significant barriers to entry for new brands, often perpetuated by an industry that, at times, is resistant to welcoming new players. This is a critical issue because the vitality and innovation of our industry depend on the continuous influx of new ideas and participants.

In my decade-long experience within this industry, I’ve observed a certain isolationism from established players who seldom reach out to help or support newcomers. This is paradoxical considering the communal and familial ethos that cigars traditionally symbolize.

At the Boutique Cigar Association, we often deliberate on how we can better support family-owned businesses, helping them gain market share and succeed. Our goal is not just to thrive individually but to foster an environment where every industry member, new or old, feels welcomed and supported.

Another significant challenge is navigating the regulatory landscape set by the FDA. It’s not a question of if but when and how we will be regulated. The key here is ensuring these regulations are fair and navigable, not punitive measures that could potentially drive small players out of business. Therefore, it’s crucial for companies, whether big or small, family-owned or multinational, to unite and advocate for reasonable and manageable regulatory frameworks.

For the premium cigar industry to flourish, it must cultivate an inclusive and mutually supportive environment, ensuring all stakeholders, especially the newcomers, have the resources and guidance needed to thrive.

Next Up for Dr. Gaby Kafie and the Kafie 1901

Cigar Life Guy: What’s next for you and Kafie 1901?

Dr. Gaby Kafie: Thank you for this engaging question! At Kafie 1901, we are continuously inspired by our rich family heritage. That includes over 100 entrepreneurial and professional members across Honduras, Central America, and the United States. This legacy drives our commitment to excellence and innovation in everything we do.

We’re currently at an exciting juncture, having recently acquired the domain www.kafie.com. Over the next few months, we plan to develop this website into a comprehensive portal representing The Kafie Companies.

This platform will showcase our diverse ventures and testify to our family’s enduring entrepreneurial spirit. Our approach is to create something enduring with every project designed to last a decade and to be easily transitioned to the next generation.

Specifically for Kafie 1901, we are embarking on a few key initiatives. First, rebranding of our coffee products. We are rebranding our coffee line, with the refreshed products expected to be available by mid-summer. This rebranding will align our coffee offerings more closely with our core brand values and aesthetics — next, the development of a new premium cigar blend.

We have meticulously worked on a new cigar blend for the past two years. This blend is crafted with the utmost care to meet the high standards our customers expect from Kafie 1901. We anticipate launching this new premium cigar product early in 2025.

We are thrilled about the future and are deeply grateful for the opportunity to discuss our journey. Thank you for your interest and support.

Follow Dr. Kafie on Instagram and check out the latest from Kafie Cigars here.

Photo credit: Kafie 1901

Oscar Rodriguez: Beyond Smoke Towards Consciousness

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Staff

For Dr. Oscar Rodriguez of GTO Cigars, smoking is the cure. As someone from a long tradition of tobacco growers and cigar blenders, you should take his word for it. But don’t just offer him an infused cigar! Rodiguez talked to Cigar Life Guy about respecting the art of cigar blending, planning quality cigar events, and why everyone needs to calm down and “stay in their lane.”

Oscar Rodriguez’s First Premium Cigar

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Oscar Rodriguez: It was on the family tobacco farm in the Dominican Republic. I was twelve years old, and it was our harvest dinner. I remember it was some Corojo because it was spicy. But it was a cigar my grandfather put together real quick. So, it was mild, but it wasn’t for me, my first time.

Consequently, I had been studying them, so I knew the process. I watched how they would draw and let the smoke move around their mouths. It was very similar to what they did when they drank wine. It was beautiful. I practiced in my mind. I knew one day this was going to happen.

Cigar-Making Tradition

Cigar Life Guy: You come from a long tradition of cigar-making. Tell us how you merge this tradition with creating new blends.

Oscar Rodriguez: I grew up being a blender. So, that was my superpower. My grandfather taught me that you have to work in different areas. So, we all learned how to select tobacco and do every process. We learned how to cure, ferment, and age. Then we learned how to roll. Once we were rolling, he picked out our best aptitude. Mine was always my tasting ability. I always had a different tasting ability. So, I became his blender, and I learned from him. He’d been blending in Cuba since 1930. It was beautiful to learn about art from him.

As I grew older, I loved to heal the land and animals, so I became a doctor. I intended to stay on the farm, which was big enough. We had horses and mules. And I wanted to do veterinary work, but I also wanted to treat humans. They have different bodies and skeletal masses, but it’s not that different.

As I grew wiser in medicine, my father and grandfather were still doing what they wanted to do. I would submit blends, and I had to correct them, fix them, and change them. But when they both passed away, I took over and started incorporating journeys. It’s like prescribing painkillers. (Laughs).

Smoking this cigar is like taking anesthesia. It’s so smooth. But if you smoke this cigar, it’s a cure. I created Hypnotic, which hypnotizes people. Being in the medical field, I want to describe your path and journey when creating a cigar.

Oscar Rodriguez Cigar Portfolio

Cigar Life Guy: Now, tell us a little about your cigar portfolio.

Oscar Rodriguez: It’s pretty extensive. In fact, many of our blends are very old. They’re traditional, very well-composed, and aged. So, it’s a long aging process for us.

We use our own proprietary tobacco, which is a novelty today. Every company out there is mixing because they believe that they have to source different shit to get different tastes. But they don’t have the resources.

Many people like the same thing. Usually, once a guy finds that brand, guys will stick to that forever. So, I don’t like changing it up. We have a mild, the Hypnotic, that’s a level one. An infused cigar was never a level. In fact, an infused cigar is never a cigar. (Laughs).

So, let’s establish that premise from the get-go. And the people who smoke them? I don’t know what you’re doing, but you’re not smoking. Actually, that has a different name. (Laughs). And I have yet to come up with one! But the Hypnotic is Level 1 — a mild smoke with a nice organic sweet tip. Then we have the Connecticut line, the Gold. After that, we have the Pain Killer Box Pressed Corojo, which is mild but spicy. So, you can grow into the other Pain Killers, all medium or medium plus. They’re different in the body.

People tend to confuse body with strength. The body is the weight of smoke and complexity. So, being full-body means having something completely changes three or four times. It’s not strength.

And we don’t do full strength.

Honduras and Nicaragua are notable for their strength. So, I can develop strength through aging, but it’s always a composed punch. And it’s never overbearing. To me, if you smoke, then you don’t want it to overwhelm you. So, you don’t want to start sweating or for it to make your heart beat. If it does, then you’re amping yourself up and that’s not smoking a cigar. In fact, you’re doing it all wrong.

Smoking cigars is one art where you cannot create your own rules. In fact, it has been done one way since 500 B.C. So, we’ll respect this art and tradition. Those that want to change it need to disappear.

If you turn smoking into a fad, then it means nothing. I tell everybody to respect the art because that’s how my legacy has continued for over 150 years. I’m the fourth generation, and the fifth generation is already stepping up. In fact, my daughters are raring to get going. Yet, even they respect the art. If you mess with it, it becomes nothing. It’s too beautiful and too easy. Why damage this?

The Cigar Community

Cigar Life Guy: You travel quite a bit and visit retail stores and cigar lounges worldwide. So, what makes the cigar community so unique?

Oscar Rodriguez: I love sharing. We stand on common ground. It’s beautiful to find these people. Some of the most incredible people are those who smoke.

But the ones who don’t smoke seem lost. They don’t flow. It’s like the guy who dances and can’t find his rhythm. When you smoke, you have “flow.” I always tell people, “How can I trust you if you don’t smoke a cigar?” (Laughs).

So, what’s the most beautiful thing about cigar smoking? If somebody asked me for ten dollars, I’d look at them and tell them to get a job. But I would give a guy a twenty-dollar cigar. You’re giving a euphoric pleasure.

It’s a beautiful community. We love each other. If someone has a flat on the side of the road and a cigar in his hand, then I’m pulling over.

GTO Cigars and Cigar Events

Cigar Life Guy: Your company likes to sponsor cigar events. Tell us about your most memorable event and what goes into making a great cigar event.

Oscar Rodriguez: Great planning is the most important thing. That sets everything apart. Too many people shoot from the hip and just throw it out there.

You can’t “wing” a great event. You have to know you’re providing a great event. But with all the accouterments, great libations, and hors-d’oeuvres, if you’re going to serve them, then serve the correct hors-d’oeuvres for cigar smoking. Consequently, if you’re going to eat fried chicken, you’re going to get grease all over your hands and fuck up your cigar! (Laughs).

Lower the music. I never work with a band. And if a band plays, then I shut down because we can’t talk to each other if I have to talk over the music.

Events are about chilling, proper planning, open air, being outside, or making sure that the space has a good filtration system. So, you don’t want to be in a smoke cloud. And if your eyes are burning, you won’t want to be there. The novelty of Dr. O is that I transform a rainy day into a sunny day. And I got the candy.

Oscar Rodriguez on Industry Challenges

Cigar Life Guy: What is the cigar industry’s biggest challenge today?

Oscar Rodriguez: The biggest challenge? There are a lot of people who have no credibility and are trying to stay in the forefront. Some people have no reason to be talking about this stuff. And there are way too many “influencers.” (Laughs). There are also too many people in the middle. Everybody is trying to make a dollar. But I don’t care about a dollar. I care about giving people an experience.

Do we need money? Yes, we need to pay the workers. But I’m not looking to become rich. Most people who do this try to fill their pockets at any expense. They’re producing a shit product that they’re overselling, or they have a great product that they got lucky with. So, there are too many people in the middle. We need to get back to quiet. Fewer people. Fewer people talking bullshit.

Everybody should stay in their lane. If you’re a consumer, then be a consumer. I’m an apex predator, but I’m not looking for fame. I still try to ride low. I don’t want to be seen. People could learn from that.

If you’re smoking a cigar, take the band off. I don’t care what you’re smoking. It doesn’t matter if you spent a hundred bucks. You’re burning tobacco leaves. (Laughs). If you want to throw away a hundred dollars, that’s fine. Let’s all check ourselves.

Ten or fifteen years ago, cigar smoking was something people only did in somebody’s backyard. Most people that are in the game now would have never had access. Lounges weren’t open to everybody.

Everybody needs to calm down and stop showing off. The first thing you see when someone has a cigar is they take a picture of themselves — a selfie. Selfie, Selfie, Selfie. I’m like, “What are you doing?” You see me taking pictures? I own the company. So, I could take my clothes off and dive into ten feet of tobacco, but I don’t do that. I take pictures for promotion.

Looking Ahead: Oscar Rodriguez and GTO Cigars

Cigar Life Guy: What’s next for GTO Cigars?

Oscar Rodriguez: We’re quietly steadily multiplying. We’re growing and coming to a town near you. We’re looking for global domination.

I want to increase awareness. My theme is to expand awareness of this wonderful passion by smoking high-quality tobacco and teaching people what’s good and what’s bad.

A lot of people have started smoking spam because a friend told them, “You gotta smoke this.” Do you know the owner? Then why are you beating your chest?

In Spanish, we say consencienizar, which means bringing consciousness. Teaching people this is good, this is bad. Learn it.

Smoke enough good cigars to learn what’s good.

Don’t trust everything you hear. You can doubt what I say but then doubt everybody. It will be hard for you when you get to the Dominican Republic and say, “Where’s Oscar’s farm?” Everybody will point South and say, “That’s the Rodriguez’s farm.” It’s 400 acres. You can’t miss it.

Check people on their bullshit. Anybody that shows up on my farm they’re going to work. We’re going to weed and feed (laughs). I’ll give them a cigar. That’s how it is.

We need more education and people to trust the right people. Look who’s talking. If we were talking about medicine, would speaking to a medical student or a guy working at a hospital be proper? Or would it be more prudent to speak to a physician? In the military, who talks? The highest rank. Everybody else shuts up and follows. There’s a reason for that.

When you have a producer, a manufacturer, not a brand owner. A brand owner can be Nelson’s plumbing. Nelson has fifteen plumbing trucks, and his hobby is smoking. He brings his shit in and calls it “Plunger,” and everybody says, “Smoke Plunger, Wow!” And now everybody is smoking Plunger, and I say, “But doesn’t it taste like shit?” I feel bad for these guys. No clue. I wish people would take the time to listen.

Follow Oscar on Instagram and learn more about GTO Cigars here.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

George Burns and His Love of Cigars

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Staff

You won’t find up-to-the-minute Instagram posts from George Burns. Maybe that’s because he’s been dead for nearly three decades, but no celebrity these days can say they performed in vaudeville, radio, television, and movies. Likewise, not many can say their most reliable stage partner was a cigar.

The cigar between George Burns’ teeth wasn’t just schtick. Burns was a lifelong cigar smoker who lived to a hundred, so he must have been doing something right. Here’s a look at the legendary comedian and a life spent smoking cigars.

Early Life

George Burns was born Nathan Birnbaum in 1896 in New York City. The son of Jewish immigrants, his father died of influenza in 1903. The seven-year-old Burns had to work to support his family. He was “discovered” while working as a syrup maker in a candy shop, and the rest is, as they say, history. He began working in vaudeville as a comedian and singer and adopted the stage name to hide his Jewish identity.

Burns started smoking cigars at 14, and a cigar became his permanent stage partner. The premium cigar industry wasn’t like it is today. Burns grew accustomed to inexpensive cigars. Back then, he preferred a nickel cigar called Hermosa Jose. Like many legendary smokers and similar to Mark Twain and Sigmund Freud, George Burns smoked all day long. Most attest to Burns smoking 10 to 14 cigars a day.

Aside from his cigar, his longest stage and screen collaborator was his beloved wife, Gracie Allen. They married in 1926 and shared success as a dynamic comedy duo. Their act featured Burns as a “straight man” offering his famous one-liners. The two took their routine from stage to radio, providing comedy relief for the big band leaders of the day like Guy Lombardo. Their act evolved over the years and led to radio shows. Eventually, they made movies and starred in a long-running television show.

George Burns’ Favorite Cigar Brand

Burns’ favorite cigars were El Producto Queens, a brand Elvis Presley favored. While this is a cheaper machine-rolled line these days, it was hand-rolled during Burns’ time. Also, they made several sizes back then, including perfectos, Burns’ preference.

One of the main reasons for his loyalty? They didn’t go out on stage when he was performing. Instead, when acting and thinking of his next line, Burns liked to puff his cigar to buy some time. He always knew Queens, or, as he called them, his “little ladies,” would stay lit.

Aside from that, Burns received 300 a month for free. In addition, he shot several commercials, and several print ads for El Producto featured him.

George Burns Career Resurgence

When Gracie died in 1964, George Burns threw himself back into his work. He produced several television shows and still performed live. However, his role in the film adaptation of Neil Simons’ play The Sunshine Boys would solidify his legacy and redefine his career at 80.

Originally, Burns’ lifelong friend, Jack Benny, was cast for the role of an aging vaudeville star Al Lewis. Benny died during pre-production, and Burns replaced him even though he had not been in a movie since 1939. He earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. At the time, Burns was the oldest person ever to win an Academy Award. Burns only needed a Tony Award to be in the elite company of EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winners, like Mel Brooks, Tim Rice, Jennifer Hudson, and Whoopi Goldberg.

The success led to several more movies introducing Burns to a new generation of fans. Oh, God! was the first of three films with Burns in the title role as the omnipotent wise-cracking deity that gave him a chance to deliver his classic one-liners. Burns remained healthy his entire life. He exercised regularly and never stopped working. He made several more films and performed stand-up after signing a lifetime contract at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas when he was 96.

Although he reduced his habit to 4 cigars a day, Burns smoked until the day he died. Then, when he was 98, he delivered this zinger for all the smoking detractors, “If I’d taken my doctor’s advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn’t have lived to go to his funeral.”

George Burns died a few months after his 100 birthday in 1996. He was buried with three of his “little ladies” in his breast pocket.

Photo credit: Allan Warren, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Sigmund Freud: Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Staff

There were few photographs during the Sigmund Freud era, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an image where this father of psychology wasn’t holding a cigar. If you can’t spot a cigar, look closely. On his desk, amid his cherished statues of Eros, the Sphinx, and other gods and goddesses, are the accouterments of a smoker; ashtrays, matches, and cigar boxes.

Sigmund Freud: Early Life

Sigmund Freud was born in Austria in 1856 and attended the University of Vienna. He earned a medical degree in 1881. The following year Freud began work at Vienna General Hospital and conducted his first notable research. After publishing essays on the benefits of cocaine, he followed up with a study of aphasia, on which he later based his first book. This research led to Freud’s appointment as a head lecturer on neuropathy. Soon after, he went into private practice specializing in nervous disorders and developing his theories of psychoanalysis.

Freud started smoking relatively late. He didn’t smoke his first cigar until 24, but it became a routine for the rest of his life. Perhaps the only smoker who rivals Freud’s alleged 20 cigars a day habit was American humorist Mark Twain. When one of Freud’s nephews refused a cigar, he famously told the young man, “Smoking is one of the greatest and cheapest enjoyments in life, and if you decide in advance not to smoke, I can only feel sorry for you.”

Smoking and Work

Freud was a workaholic. Not only was he an innovative thinker who regularly saw patients, but he was a prolific writer and lecturer. Still, Freud made time for leisure. He went on daily walks, always making a stop at the local tobacconist.

Austria had limited choices of cigars. Freud smoked small locally made Trabuco cigars, but he preferred Reina Cubanas, which he could only get when he traveled. Toward the end of his life, Freud also appreciated Dutch Liliputanos.

Whether at work or on a stroll, Freud smoked incessantly. While they lay on the famous couch, his patients often said the smell of cigars was as distinct as the sound of his voice. Like many artists, writers, and thinkers, Freud felt his ability to work directly related to his smoking habit. He once told his doctor, “I believe I owe to the cigar a great intensification of my capacity to work and a facilitation of my self-control.” Indeed, much of his work encompassed human desires, wish fulfillment, and self-control.

Psychoanalysis and Interpreting Dreams

Freud is best known for his development of psychoanalysis in the 1890s. Inspired by methods of hypnosis his friend and colleague Josef Breuer developed, Freud began cultivating some of his own. One of Breuer’s patients, known as Anna O, would later call it the “talking cure,” a process where the patient spoke freely about symptoms rather than the therapist providing suggestions. Freud would eventually call this free association and believed it could access memories in the unconscious that the conscious mind has repressed. Freud believed these were the sources of neurosis and that talking freely could relieve a patient’s symptoms.

The Interpretation of Dreams is perhaps Freud’s best-known work. First, Freud analyzed his dreams along with his patients’ dreams. Then, he introduced the main ideas, such as the Oedipus complex and dreams as wish fulfillment.

Freud and the Pleasure Principle

For Freud, libido was the primary human drive. He often reduced his idea to sex and sexual repression, particularly the relationship between mother and son and father and daughter, but Freud’s concept was much broader. He divided the psyche into the id, ego, and superego to explain human behavior.

He called the human urge to have basic needs met the pleasure principle; It is the driving force behind all human desires and behavior. This pleasure principle extended beyond sex to include hunger, thirst, and plenty of other primal urges. In simple terms, these urges derive from the id, filter through the superego, and present themselves as the ego.

Oral fixations were a focal point of some of his theories. No wonder he was a lifelong cigar smoker. He believed fixations developed in the early stages of psychosexual development. They manifest later in life as habits such as nail biting, gum chewing, and, yes, smoking. Satisfying the pleasure principle is the aim, and Freud did that daily.

As for the famous line “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar,” we’ll never know whether Freud said it. Nevertheless, cigars provided great comfort and pleasure for the father of psychology.

Photo credit: “Sigmund Freud” by cambodia4kidsorg is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Why You Should Never Smoke a Cigar With a Hangover

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Staff

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

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

Cigars Worsen Your Hangover Symptoms

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

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

Hangovers Ruin Your Cigar and Experience

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

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

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

Cigar Lifestyle Outliers

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

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

Photo Credit: Thom Masat

The Meditative Effect of a Good Cigar

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Staff

When you finish smoking a cigar, you feel calm afterward. It’s the same feeling you get after meditating for 20 minutes. When your entire focus and attention is on your cigar, you get in a meditative state. Smoking a good cigar distracts your busy mind and lets you make simple mental connections. You become present as you smoke your cigar, like a meditation session.

What is Meditation

Meditation is sitting or lying still and thinking of nothing for 15-20 minutes. You don’t think about the past or the future; you are. It’s the direct act and practice of being present. Studies have shown that meditating daily for 15-20 minutes is good for mental health. By focusing your mind on one thing, you get many cognitive benefits. Noticeable effects include significantly reducing your stress and frustration. In addition, your focus and concentration improve, and your tolerance for pain increases.

The act of being present is a technique to clear your mind. It silences your ego and helps you deal with negative feelings such as fear, anger, and sadness. Meditation boils down to clearing your mind of busy and distracting thoughts. You become mindful of your surroundings and how you react to your surroundings. The more you engage in meditative processes, the more you change how you think and approach the world, which is why you do some of your best thinking while enjoying a good cigar.

Good Cigar Smoking Ritual

In a meditation ritual, you sit down, dim the lights, put some meditation music on, and focus on one thing. When you finish, you will feel calm and live in the present moment. Cigar smoking rituals are similar because you’re also following a process and focusing on one thing (enjoying the cigar). The simple act of practice puts you in a meditative state.

Typically, you’ll start your ritual when you come home from work in the hot summer. But, first, you decide it’s time to unwind and check your stock in your humidor.

You grab one of your top-shelf cigars.

You cut.

You light.

You take in that first puff.

You smell the natural aroma, and the cigar ritual has begun.

As soon as you start, your brain begins to slow down. As a result, you spend the next 30-60 minutes in a meditative state.

Good Cigar Experience vs. Activity

Smoking a good cigar is not meditative during specific situations. When you treat cigar smoking as an activity rather than an experience, you will not experience the reflective effects. For example, when you go out and play golf and smoke while you play, smoking becomes an activity. It’s something you’re doing. You’re thinking about your golf game, about your next shot. You’re living in the future and analyzing your game. When you’re sitting on your porch with a top-shelf cigar, it’s an experience. When you’re focused on enjoying your cigars, you’re not thinking about the past or future. You’re in the present, enjoying the current experience.

There’s nothing better than to calm yourself down with a good cigar. So the next time someone gives you trouble for smoking a cigar, tell them, “Hey! Be quiet! I’m meditating here.”

Photo Credit: Unsplash | Charles Etoroma

Social Distancing and Cigar Smoking

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Staff

Smoking a cigar is, more often than not, a social event. There is a genuine camaraderie built around the smoking of a cigar. Unfortunately, these days brim with social distancing and mandated quarantine. Thus, the social nature of cigar smoking can be limited. Depending on where you live, the weather isn’t helping the situation. So what can a cigar aficionado do to avoid being stuck in solitary while enjoying his favorite smoke?

Social Media and Cigar Smoking

There is an inherent joy in sitting on your porch alone with your thoughts for an hour or two. But, sometimes, you need to share those moments with good friends. The current restrictions we face with “social distancing” bring their challenges. But, some of our tech-savvy cigar lovers have devised a unique solution: online group smokes. Take a laptop or tablet in your backyard. Pair that with an online group video chat program. Then, you can still engage in banter and friendship over a cigar, even if the distance separates you.

Social Distancing and the Art of the Selfie

Many smokers post Instagram images of themselves enjoying a cigar in the comfort of their backyard or homegrown cigar lounge. First, friendly competition occurs among more industrious friends. Then, it escalates into contests for the coolest home cigar lounge. Images of patios designed to look like old Havana or a hip NYC smoking lounge have flooded the internet.

Nothing Like a Humble Brag

The shutdown adds increased stress to anyone’s life, sure. But, it also leads many to break out “trophy cigars” and enjoy the prizes tucked away for a “special occasion.” We’ve seen plenty of photos of some hard-to-get labels. Think of Partagas “Series D” and the mythical Cohiba Behike. Consider, as well, standard-bearers like Fuente Opus X. These smokes are proudly making the rounds like trophy fish on the docks of Cabo San Lucas!

Mind Your Manners While Social Distancing

Suppose you usually smoke at a lounge or club and are now relegated to smoking at home, remember. In that case, only some people share the same enthusiasm for that Robusto as you do! So, riding on your John Deere and puffing away to your heart’s delight shouldn’t be a problem. But, creating a whiteout in your family room while everyone else binge-watches “Breaking Bad” or “The Sopranos” could be problematic! And as always, mind your ash! That $20 Padron you splurged on could end up costing a heck of a lot more when you are replacing a loveseat or sofa!

Keep Calm and Smoke On

These can be trying times. Even with uncertainty, cramped quarters, and the other obstacles we face. Allow yourself that peaceful hour (or two) to reflect on the essential things in life, like good friends and family. Know that a sense of normalcy will eventually return. Until then, Keep Calm and Smoke On!

Photo credit Pixabay | Tumisu

Smoking Cigars Helps Relieve Stress

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Staff

Everything about cigar smoking is enjoyable. It starts with the texture of its wrapper, or capa, to the rich aroma of Cuban coffee and cocoa. You nestle the stick between your thumb and index finger and bring it to your lips. You draw in tendrils of smoke and savor the taste. It’s earthy, roasted, and woody. As you blow smoke from your mouth, a welcome feeling of tranquility passes over you.

For decades, there has been a major debate surrounding cigars. Are they detrimental or beneficial to your health? Some accuse cigars of being as dangerous as their ever-popular cousin, the cigarette. Yet, there has been a steady rise in evidence to the contrary. Many are coming forward to say that smoking cigars help relieve stress and anxiety.

This information has sparked interest in smoking cigars among a newer following. No longer is puffing on a good stogie reserved for the older gentlemen of a society long-passed. Women and Millennials are also joining in. For many, their hope is that smoking cigars will help them to blow away their stress.

Smoking Cigars Relieves Stress

So, how exactly can smoking a cigar help relieve stress and ease tension? Somebody once described the near-magical qualities of a cigar when they said:

“…cigar smoking is a soothing stress reliever and a valuable part of the sanctity of one’s life. The simple act of cutting and lighting becomes an anchor, and that first whiff of toasted tobacco sends us to a place of sheer nirvana that no pharmaceutical company could ever concoct. And here, I rest my case. Cigar smoking is good for you.” ~Anonymous, www.cigar.com

The experience of smoking a tantalizing stogie is sensual and pleasurable. A few great health benefits accompany it as well.

Relaxation

The nicotine in tobacco acts as a stimulant and a sedative. That’s why you feel calm and relaxed when smoking cigars. As a result, you can really control your mood with a few puffs. The more nicotine you inhale, the more sedated you become. Remember to practice moderation as you smoke your cigar. You’ll achieve the perfect amount of relaxation while remaining aware of your surroundings.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Smoking cigars also have many meditative qualities. Cigar aficionados attest that smoking has a positive effect on their blood pressure. Puffing and blowing create a trance-like state when you smoke. Tobacco also helps to settle your mind and quiet your thoughts. Since meditation lowers blood pressure, allow a cigar to place you in that same mindset. You’ll likely gain the same results.

Increases Dopamine Levels

Nicotine affects the dopamine levels in our bodies. Dopamine is a chemical that’s involved with your body’s pleasure center. It leaves you feeling happy and motivated. This automatic response is one reason why nicotine has very addictive properties. It makes perfect sense that developing a love for cigars can help relieve stress and make you happier.

Flavor Plays a Role

It’s also worth mentioning that, if relaxation is your ultimate goal, flavored cigars are the way to go. Flavors like vanilla can cause feelings of calm and tranquility. Also, as cigars age, their tobacco flavor mellows. They develop a smoother, creamier taste. This makes for a pleasant, relaxing experience for your senses. It also calms your stress levels.

Popularity Among Young Adults

A 2008 study suggests young people believe smoking makes a great “coping mechanism”. This attributes to the growing popularity of cigar lifestyle magazines, like Cigar Aficionado. One article, “On Doctor’s Orders” favors smoking to ease stress and anxiety.

“As director of a center for the diagnosis and treatment of stress-related disorders, I am aware of the benefits of various methods of relaxation from bio-feedback to yoga. Whereas all have their benefits, smoking a cigar, for me, has advantages no other method has … As a psychiatrist, I can’t bring myself to discourage cigar smokers. I have given cigars to patients on occasion and have received my share of some great cigars in return … It is my professional opinion that cigar smoking is beneficial to one’s mental health.” ~ Dr. Charles Carluccio

A Stogie a Day to Keep the Doctor Away

Most people hesitate to state smoking cigars are 100% effective in relieving stress. Remember that smoking is never a cure for mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Yet, there’s no denying the overwhelming sense of peace that comes over you as you puff on that delicious San Cristobal. The rich flavor of roasted nuts, coffee, and nutmeg lingers on your tongue. Its earthy-smelling smoke curls and twists around your head. Images of a simpler time spring to mind. Your worries fade into the background as you convalesce in the deep, nutty aroma.

Ahh. This is what it’s all about. This is the cigar lifestyle at its finest.

References

The following references were used:

“Adolescents’ Perceptions of Smoking and Stress Reduction,” Sage Journals 36.4 (2009).
“On Doctor’s Orders,” published in Cigar Aficionado.
“Cigar,” Wikipedia.
“Cigars Are Good For You,” Cigars.com.
“Dopamine.” Wikipedia.
“Learning Your ABCs: Cigars 101, Part II,” Cigar Aficionado.
“The positive effects of nicotine” (2014).
“Meditation Effective in Reducing Blood Pressure,” Kent State University.
“The Stress-Relieving Benefits of Cigar Smoking Outweigh Potential Health Risks,” Vintage Chic’ Cigar LLC.

photo credit: Pixabay

Curing Digital Headaches With a Good Cigar

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Staff

The cigar lifestyle is not a revolution. It’s not a call to stop the modern world from spinning itself sick. It isn’t about locking up cellphones in a giant humidor. You’re not forcing people to enjoy themselves without bleeps, bloops and incessant swiping. And you don’t need to force anything to blink your eyes in the dreamlike smoke of a double Robusto. Life is simpler when you clink a glass quarter-full of whiskey with your closest friends and let honest conversation fill the atmosphere. Our culture, the culture of cigar smokers, revels in its diversity and simplicity. All great men and women deserve a break from connectivity to connect with one another and a good cigar is the perfect cure to the digital headaches of our modern world.

Turn Off The Phone and Light a Cigar

Such a break from hyper-connectivity deserves a respite. It’s also crucial to preserving your mental health. Researchers have even linked heavy smartphone usage and exacerbated anxiety and depression. Everyday stressors compound the division and corrosion of your attention span and lead to more digital headaches. We live in an era that inundates us with digital communication. Yet, that same digital communication proves inferior to simple one-on-one conversation. The average human attention span has decreased by a staggering thirty-three percent over the past two decades. Meanwhile, smartphones have moved from the periphery to the essential. So, how does this relate to your smoke? We’re glad you asked.

When you embrace cigar lifestyle, you embrace relaxation and you say “No” to all those distractions and digital headaches of our distracted world. Your slow inhale is an overarching credo. It’s a rejection of the poisonous and perpetual distraction of the digital age. When you set your cellphone to silent, you take your life back. You take back aspects of what you sacrificed to the convenience of apps and social media feeds. You also rekindle sheer joy with the soft crackle and burn of a prized Churchill. But, these are all good things. You are rejecting a dangerous sense of isolation. Instead, you’re replacing it with a face-to-face, glass-to-glass community of like-minded cigar connoisseurs.

Talk Face-to-Face With Real People Over a Cigar

The long-term effects of limited direct social interaction are coming into focus. The results are disturbing. When you limit face-to-face conversation and interaction, you nearly double your risk of depression. In effect, you’re taking back our minds and our hearts in the glow of a butane torch. You’re lifting your emotional well-being into the rising smoke of your favorite Double Coronas.

Cigar smokers quilt a patchwork of amazing memories in cigar lounges and living rooms. It’s easy to do when you’re watching the slow burn of a savored Cuban or Dominican. It’s a lifestyle of leisure over letdown. It is a community of people over performance. It’s not a Luddite full of the rejection of cellphones and computers, smart TVs and tablets. That’s a silly mode of thinking in a world where technology’s proliferation comes with tangible benefit. It’s a cure to all those digital headaches that keep piling up amid the modern technology takeover. Yet, the cigar life functions as a vintage step back into a forward stepping world. It allows us to tend to our flames with pride, pushing the personal back into our lives. When we smoke, we taste and we smell and we talk and we simply live.

We’re not downloadable.

That is the most beautiful thing and worthy of lighting one up with the ones we love and laugh with.

photo credit: Pixabay

A Good Gentleman is Like a Fine Cigar

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Staff

There is a gentleman’s code that serves as the insulation of the best cigar lounges and smoke-filled cafes. Every door we hold open for a woman reflects that code without so much as passing anxiety about modern taboos. It’s present in the respectful hush between sentences when a compatriot takes a thoughtful drag off a prized Panetela, letting the next word of their story come at its own pace.

Vintage integrity and values don’t just have a place in the cigar lifestyle. They’re critical to what makes it so damn unique and refreshing in a modern world full of keyboard warriors trafficking in cheap wit and even cheaper disrespect. We’re not men (and women) of passing whims. Our tastes, our core beliefs, even our very diversity is ‘gentleman’ by its very nature.

An Honest Gentleman is the Only Gentleman

Cigar aficionados are honest about their passions. We’re not looking to put on a show for friends, relationship interests, or anyone in general. We don’t pretend to smoke Cubans because it’s a risque buzzword and makes us seem cool to someone. We’re not worried about being cool at all. We let our honesty guide us. We use it when selecting the right cigar at our local tobacconist. And, we use it in the tenor of our conversations on the golf course.

Being a gentleman is being honest with who you are and what you love. The dating app Zoosk combed over three million profiles. It found that men and women alike use the word honest the most in describing their ideal of the perfect mate. In a world where people hide their personalities behind computer screens, cigar smokers put the pretense aside. Not to be cool or attractive, mind you. It’s the gentleman thing to do.

Fine Cigars and Fine Gentlemen

In short, it all boils down to being genuine. We’re meticulous in choosing the right taste, the right heft and the right flavor of cigars. We genuinely want to relax and unwind. It’s not because we’re trying to play status games with a mobster’s Belicoso hung from our lips. Being genuine and true to oneself is crucial for a gentleman to enjoy the cigar lifestyle. It’s also huge for our health and self-confidence. Genuine self-compassion lowers our overall risk for developing depression and anxiety. It makes us more optimistic and more kind in our daily interactions.

A true gentleman never puts a damper on the party. He never drags his emotional baggage into the cigar lounge. We love ourselves enough to only buy the finest cigars and engage in the most rewarding of after-work conversations. We never put undue stress on ourselves or others. That’d be like helping an elderly lady across the street only to talk her ear off about how overwhelmed you are at work. A gentleman doesn’t need to whine when he’s comfortable with himself. He knows he has a relaxing treat waiting for him at home in his humidor.

The Code of Cigar Smokers Can’t Be Taught

Classic without trying. Relaxed without some sort of new-age technique or lame self-help jargon. The gentleman’s guide to the cigar lifestyle isn’t long and wordy. If you need a reminder to give her your coat when it’s cold outside, you don’t even know the language necessary to read it.

Are you all about appearances? Do smoke the “right” cigar brands because you want the “right” people to see you the “right” way? If so, then you’re not playing in the same ballpark. A gentleman is honest, genuine, and measured in his approach. We smoke cigars to enjoy ourselves and our free time. We live our lives the same way, preferring to take a drag instead of being one.

photo credit: Pixabay