Relaxation Archives - Cigar Life Guy

Telling Fish Tales and Smoking Cigars: Lou Cross of Lure Cigars

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Staff

Lou Cross, founder and owner of Lure Cigars, has been living the cigar life for over thirty years, but it took some time for him to make the leap into the industry and start his own line. From a career in map making and graphic design, to senior housing development, and finally to cigars, Cross realized stories are what connect us. Cross talked to Cigar Life Guy about the “geography” of cigars, why fishing and cigar smoking go so well together, and how the cigar community is full of the most generous people in the world.

First Premium Cigar Experience

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

Lou Cross: It was in the Spring of 1993. I was traveling with a buddy to the Florida Keys to renovate their family’s beach house, and his father smoked cigars. We stopped in Miami at a cigar shop in a strip mall so he could pick up a few cigars for the trip. I had just turned 18. I had never been in a cigar shop, so I was curious. I went inside and was captivated by the beautiful saleswoman who led us into the humidor and told us all about the various tobaccos in each blend. There were mostly unbanded cigars in their inventory, with a few familiar legacy brands on the shelves. I decided to pick up a few cigars to bring back for a coworker who smoked cigars and pipes.

After a couple of days of work, we decided to wind down by hanging out by the canal behind the house. It was a beautiful 70-degree breezy night, which inspired one of the perpetually barefoot, open-shirt neighbors to come over to say hello. He was smoking a cheap machine-made cigar and sipping on a beer. It was straight out of a Jimmy Buffett song. He got to talking and shared how he loved cigars. I thought, why not get him one of the ones I had picked up? So I went and grabbed the bag, and he lit one of them up. There was no comparison to what he had been smoking. When I smelled the aroma, I immediately said, ‘I want to try one of those!’ I cut one, lit it, and after a few puffs, you could say I was hooked.

Life Before Cigars & the Geography of Tobacco

Cigar Life Guy: What did you do before you got involved in the cigar industry, and how does it help inform what you do now?

Lou Cross: I have been blessed with several different career paths preceding this venture into the cigar industry. My degree is in Geography, specializing in cartography and graphic design. I worked for 17 years making maps and graphic communications before transitioning to the world of senior housing development. I spent the last 12 years working to develop and support the operations of an upscale assisted living and memory care facility. Both of these career paths offered me perspectives that helped shape and share my own story with people.

The geography of tobacco is fascinating. I love to learn about the ‘where’ and ‘why’ a certain tobacco grows and tastes the way it does. Taking care of people is also important to me. I grew up watching my parents take care of their aging parents. There is a measurable positive effect on a person’s health when they’re shown compassion, even when you’re just spending a few moments to take an interest in their day. This applies to sharing time with other cigar smokers as well.

Additionally, effective communication with customers and retailers is a must, and customer service is key to any successful business. Be genuine in your message, and treat others as you would like to be treated. It seems simple, but I am a consumer first and foremost. I want people to enjoy Lure Cigars and hope they connect with their own stories when they hear mine. People may not remember the details of the cigar they’re smoking, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Challenges in the Cigar Industry

Cigar Life Guy: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced starting out in the cigar industry?

Lou Cross: There’s been tuition paid along the way, and I still have a lot to learn. I’ve been fortunate to have a mentor in the industry who has shared a lot of his experience. Nimmer Ahmad is a personal friend, and I’ve known him since before his company, Valacari, existed. I’ve witnessed the growth of his brand as a result of consistently delivering some of the best-tasting, highest-quality cigars at an affordable price. There are many brands out there competing for shelf space in the humidor. The biggest challenge has been to get shops and lounges to take a chance on a new brand. I’ve been blessed with the support of many retailers that have brought Lure Cigars in and continue to suggest that their customers smoke Lure. I am making Lure Cigars a full-time effort now, and I hope to be able to connect with more retailers and consumers in person to “Smoke Great Cigars & Tell Tall Tales!”

Fishing and Smoking Cigars

Cigar Life Guy: What makes fishing and cigar smoking go so well together?

Lou Cross: I think the connection of ‘Tackle & Tobacco’, as we like to say, is a natural fit. Both activities are recreational, they’re largely passive, reflective times. Both are ‘experiential’ and can be done together. Cigars and fishing were something that I grew up with, and the idea just clicked. Just as you can affect the outcome of your fishing experience by changing baits, varying the speed you retrieve your lure, and altering the time of day you drop a line in the water, it’s that way with cigars, too. While I’m a fan of the blends Lure offers, and I do smoke them regularly, I’m a cigar nerd, and I love to smoke a variety of cigars from other manufacturers. I also try to smoke at different times of the day and in different environments, to see how that may affect how the cigar smokes.

Cigar Life Guy: In an industry that often aims for luxury, you say you wanted to create “a cigar without a dress code”. Tell us about that, and how you want the cigar world to perceive the Lure brand?

Lou Cross: My family history doesn’t include generations in the tobacco and cigar industry, so there’s no pretense. I’m just a guy who really enjoys cigars, especially with other people who enjoy smoking them, and I really miss smoking them with my dad. He was a very simple, happy person. We weren’t wealthy, but he worked hard and always provided for us. He was born to Italian immigrant parents during the Great Depression, and chose a career as an insurance agent for over 30 years. He had a perspective that everyone should be greeted with mutual respect, and that no matter the job or profession, everyone should be treated the same.

He didn’t seek happiness in luxury, but he appreciated nice things and would take note of the value in well-made products. He appreciated a fair deal and always said to support others who have been blessed with the skills and determination to be the best at their job. So when I came out with a cigar line in honor of his memory, I wanted it to be friendly, fun, and affordable for everyone. I hope that you enjoy whatever cigar you choose to smoke, and I hope you’ll make time to share your stories with others.

The Cigar Community and the Importance of Family

Cigar Life Guy: Your company pays homage to your late father. What is it about smoking cigars that brings family and all people together? What makes cigar smokers so unique?

Lou Cross: I do occasionally smoke cigars by myself, but I think most people (myself included) prefer to smoke in the company of others, virtually or in person. Cigar smokers are some of the most generous people I have ever met. Fellow enthusiasts love to share something they have enjoyed with other people. This goes for the seasoned cigar veteran, to the new smoker just learning about cigars. Compared to other hobbies out there, cigar smoking doesn’t require a lot of money to get started, and the skills required to enjoy a cigar are few. Additionally, there are a lot of ‘friends you haven’t met yet’ who want to share cigars with you, and are willing to compare notes.

It has often been said that cigars are a great leveler. You can be in a lounge or on a virtual herf smoking with a variety of people from various backgrounds. The guy next to you might be a retired multi-millionaire, or he might be a hard-working fella who is a dishwasher. Cigar enthusiasts like talking about cigars. It shouldn’t matter how much you pay for the cigar, as long as you smoke what you like. Like fishing, you don’t need much more than a line and a hook to get started. Sure, you can spend thousands of dollars on fancy tackle, and don’t get me started on how much you can spend owning a boat.

Cigar Life Guy: Aside from fishing, what is one of your passions outside of cigars? What would people not know about you?

Lou Cross: Those two are definitely at the top of my list. I also enjoy cooking and collecting vintage fishing tackle. I really appreciate the opportunity to share with your readers.

Follow Lou and Lure Cigars on Instagram and check out the latest from Lure Cigars here.

photo credit: Lure Cigars

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

Ernest Hemingway and Cigars

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Staff

Before there was Instagram and Twitter, hell, before Hollywood created celebrities, there was Ernest Hemingway. It’s been nearly a hundred years since Hemingway published his first collection of short stories, In Our Time, but his legacy lives on.

Although many consider him one of America’s finest writers, Hemingway’s 22 years in Cuba were the longest he lived anywhere. Perhaps that is why he has long been associated with cigar life. However, the man who would affectionately become known as “Papa” was not an avid cigar smoker.

But, of course, he smoked. It isn’t every day a company like Arturo Fuente names a line of cigars after you. But it was Hemingway’s lifestyle -fishing, hunting, and drinking- and his long connection to Cuba that has made him a cigar world icon.

Here’s a look at a 20th Century titan and a time when popularity consisted of talent and insight into the human condition rather than “likes” and “followers.”

World War I and Writing Life

Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1899. He would famously call the Chicago suburb a town of “broad lawns and narrow minds.” However, he learned to hunt and fish early on trips to Michigan. These experiences would become the seed material for his famous Nick Adams stories.

He began creating his own myth before he went overseas during World War I. When he tried enlisting, the U.S. Army rejected him due to his bad eyesight. Hemingway exaggerated the details of this circumstance, a habit he continued for the rest of his life. He volunteered to drive an ambulance for the Italian army and arrived on the Western Front in 1918. Soon after, he was wounded by mortar fire and awarded the Italian War Merit Cross.

Hemingway spent six months recuperating from severe shrapnel wounds and fell in love with the attending nurse Agnes van Kurowsky. Unfortunately, she would ultimately reject Hemingway. Nevertheless, the experience would inspire Hemingway’s second novel and one of the greatest war novels ever written, A Farewell to Arms.

Hemingway was only 18 when he was wounded. However, his experiences in the war would define his generation and shape his writing.

Hemingway spent much of the 1920s in Europe with other expatriates like Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald. During those years, Hemingway wrote his first novel, The Sun Also Rises, a masterful depiction of Spanish bullfights and the angst many young men felt following the first world war. Stein, one of Hemingway’s many mentors, would name the young writers and thinkers of the era the “lost generation.”

Hemingway’s first novel captured the world’s attention. His account of the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, added to his legend. He would remain an avid fan of the spectacle his entire life.

By the time he returned to the United States and lived in Key West, he had married his second wife. He would marry four times and father three children.

He experienced as much success as he did failures as a writer. Despite his messy personal life and excessive drinking, he dedicated himself to the craft of writing. An early riser all of his life, he devoted mornings to writing. He spent afternoons fishing or drinking with friends.

A lifelong adventurer and outdoorsman, Hemingway would enhance his myth by taking several trips to Africa to hunt big game. This lifestyle and time in Cuba tied him to cigar life.

The Influencer: Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway’s journalistic style, marked by simple declarative sentences, would influence several generations of writers and countless imitators.

It is difficult for the younger crowd to imagine a writer as a celebrity. Still, during the mid-20th century, Hemingway was one of the most recognizable people in the world. He graced the cover of Time magazine several times. He also was a war correspondent during WWII and penned a novel about the Spanish Civil War, For Whom the Bell Tolls.

In 1954, Hemingway reached the pinnacle of his art by winning the Nobel Prize in Literature. The acclaim came after writing the novella The Old Man and the Sea, which also won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953.

The story of an aging fisherman who does battle with a marlin off the coast of Cuba has become a classic and one of Hemingway’s best-known and most beloved final works.

Although he approved of Fidel Castro’s revolution, the threat of nationalizing America and foreign-owned properties forced Hemingway to leave his beloved Cuba. He moved back to the United States in 1961. His physical and mental health ailing, Ernest Hemingway committed suicide later that year.

Ernest Hemingway’s Legacy

Like any great artist, Hemingway struggled with self-doubt and self-destruction. People knew him for his drinking almost as much as his writing. In the end, the man could not outlive the myth. He gained a reputation as a bully, a neglectful father, a terrible friend, and an unfaithful husband.

His reputation has taken some hits recently, yet his writing lives on, and he continues to fascinate the literary world and beyond. Ken Burns’ recent documentary looks honestly at the man behind the myth. It provides new insights about the man known as “Papa.”

Like a fine premium cigar, Hemingway was complex. That may be why Arturo Fuente honored him by creating a line of cigars in his name. The perfecto Cameroons are a medium to mild blend and come in various sizes and names that correlate with writing (The Short Story & Best Seller).

Reading and smoking make a great combination. So perhaps it’s time to kick back with a premium cigar and enjoy one of Ernest Hemingway’s classics.

Photo Credit: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Smoke on the Water: Cigars, Beaches and Campfires

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Staff

There is something primal about being in nature and relaxing with a nice cigar, much like the scenes of many James Bond movies. There is also nothing like a good smoke on the water whether you are on the water and enjoying a nice yacht show, are powering through a rough afternoon of fishing, hanging with the family at the beach, or taking in the country views. However, there may be some things to worry about that James Bond never seemed to consider such as mold and humidity, especially when traveling. If you’re looking for the ultimate guide for cigars when boating, sitting on the beach, or relaxing at a lakeside resort, then read on!

Smoke on the Water and Boating

If you’re ready to hop aboard, then we’re excited for you to join the crew! We have some great tips and tricks that’ll have you pulling anchor and joining James Bond on the water in no time. When you combine one passion with another, like smoking and boating, it’s a heavenly match.

Your cigars are a high maintenance pastime, so if you’re looking for the ultimate experience, keep these tips in mind:

Humidor

Travel-sized humidors and portable humidors are available to keep humidity out and flavor in. Pick one up before you bring your cigars on board to protect them from any fish flop or swampy winds.

Cigar Cutter

This is an essential tool for any cigar aficionado looking to enjoy a smoke on the water. Don’t leave home without one or two. They’re like guitar picks; you can’t have too many.

Windproof Lighter

If your stogies are stored properly, and you remembered your cigar cutter, then there’s one more tool you must have, a good, windproof lighter. There’s nothing like the disappointment you’d experience if the wind prevented you from lighting up. Stash a windproof lighter with you so you can always enjoy that cigar with gusto regardless of wind conditions.

Beachside Spirits and Cigar Pairings

James Bond didn’t just smoke his cigars on boats, he paired his cigars with sun-soaked Mojitos and classic Martinis. When you talk about things that pair well, like salty and sweet, or bacon and well… everything, then cigars and spirits are no exception. When you talk about pairing cigars with a specific spirit, there is a general rule. Cigars are categorized into full-bodied cigars, medium body cigars, and light body cigars. Likewise, spirits are categorized as full-bodied, medium-bodied, and light-bodied. A full-bodied cigar should be paired with its counterpart, a full-bodied spirit.

There are, of course some spirits that you will find at a beachside cabana that are probably not a part of your normal repertoire of drinks, such as spiced rum, tequila and vodka. So, what are you to choose? Start by considering the flavor profiles of each option.

Spiced Rum is at the full-bodied end of the spectrum. It offers nutty, leather, maple, and dried fruit flavors. Pairing a full-bodied cigar with spiced rum brings out the natural flavors in your drink.

Not all beach parties begin or end with rum, though. What if your beach party is serving up tequila? There’s an easy answer for that as well. Go for an aged agave tequila. It offers a slight wood influence, which can add a creamier vanilla flavor for you to enjoy. It also does a great job of complementing a light-bodied cigar.

Finally, what smoke on the water experience would be complete without a vodka pairing? We can’t think of any, nor can we think of any vodka drinking bad boy who doesn’t smoke a cigar. Yet, what kind of cigar should you choose? For starters, fruity vodka pairs well with a spicy cigar and potato vodka pairs better with a medium-bodied cigar. Then, you have your grain vodkas, which are more common in the U.S. Grain vodka is better for your cocktails, which are best paired with full-bodied cigars.

Smoke on the Water vs. Campfire Cigars

Although boats and beaches allow you to channel your inner James Bond, sometimes it’s better to gravitate more towards John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. Think of kicking back with a good cigar and a campfire to create your own stories. It’s hard to say whether it’s the smell of burning wood that enhances the cigar flavor or the cigar smoke that enhances the campfire, but these two activities build on each other’s strengths. Why or how is a question best left to the cosmos, but it’s likely that it’ll remain a mystery until the end of time. Instead, it’s better to just focus on your relaxation, the s’mores, scary bedtime stories, and the wonderful tastes and smells that go along with a great cigar.

Whether you’re on a boat, at the beach, or enjoying a lazy evening next to a campfire, a good travel humidor is your best friend. If you remember this, then you’re ready for a good smoke on the water anytime. We hope your next cigar and water adventure is more enjoyable than the last.

Photo credit: Pixabay

4 Reasons Your Next Cigar Encounter Won’t Be Your Best

Posted on February 13, 2022 by Staff

If you’ve been smoking cigars for a while, you’ve probably noticed that you can smoke identical cigars from the same box and have incredibly different experiences. Sometimes you hit that magical sweet spot of an incredible smoke — the tobacco equivalent of an orgasm. Other times the same stick might be less than extraordinary or ho-hum. Here are a few reasons that explain this variation in your cigar encounter.

You Got a Bad Stick

Sometimes it’s as simple as a bad stick. It happens! Think of getting a bad stick as being like finding a bad, or “skunked,” bottle of wine in a case of an amazing vintage. Even the best brands and labels will experience this rarely. Premium cigars are natural, handmade products and despite best efforts at quality control at the factory, invariably now and then you’ll get a bad one. It could be the draw, the construction of the cigar, the tobacco itself, or a variety of other reasons. Not much you can do about it. Just can suck it up and muscle through it or decide to just put it down and start a new one.

If you purchased it at your local store and experience a bad stick while in the store, most reputable tobacconists will replace the bad one for you, assuming you point it out early in the smoke. If you’ve left the store, returns or exchanges are less likely to be honored as the reason for the bad stick could have to do with how you store it (e.g., it’s out of the store’s control).

Your Environment Affects Your Cigar Encounter

Are you outside? In the wind? On the golf course? Inside but walking around or standing? Driving in the car? You can enjoy a cigar while on the move or in the elements, and a cigar might make an otherwise monotonous activity (like rush hour traffic) seem doable. That said, nothing will replace your favorite spot, maybe a relaxing, comfortable chair in a climate-controlled environment.

Your Palate Needs Cleansing

What you’ve had to eat, drink, or smoke just prior to smoking or lighting up your cigar can have a huge impact on your smoking experience. Much has been written about different pairings and what can optimize your smoke. Similarly, what you’ve had to smoke just prior can affect your enjoyment of your cigar. It is difficult to appreciate a lighter cigar just after smoking a heavier, fuller-flavored cigar. You’re still smoking, but you can’t taste or appreciate what you’re smoking. If you want to cleanse your palate, consider gargling a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water (1 part each).

Multi-tasking Changes Your Cigar Encounter

Do you ever find it hard to concentrate on a stick while you are multitasking? Maybe you’re trying to knock out some work while smoking or you’re trying to finish some yard work? Perhaps you’re at a cigar event and much of your time is spent talking with others and not concentrating on your smoke? If your mindset is off, you’ll be less focused on appreciating your cigar and too focused on whatever is stressing you out. Anything that keeps you from paying attention to your smoke can sub-optimize your enjoyment of your cigar.

Optimize Your Cigar Encounter

You’re never going to eliminate getting a bad stick. Patronizing high quality brands and retailers that properly store their cigars will minimize your bad ones. Yet there are other variables you can control to optimize your cigar encounter and improve your smoking enjoyment. Find an appropriate physical environment, minimize your distractions or other activities, and start with a clean palate!

On final note: just because it’s going to be a suboptimal experience doesn’t mean you shouldn’t smoke a cigar! A mediocre cigar experience beats the heck out of no cigar experience! Just one example, but a long car ride is often made better with a cigar. Just consider not smoking your best stuff when your experience will not be optimal and saving your trophy cigars for those times when you know you’ll really be able to enjoy them!

Photo credit: Unsplash

Yahya McClain: Boxing World Champion to Cigar Buff

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Staff

Yahya McClain (born John McClain in 1967) has crammed a whole lot of living into his slightly more than half a century walk on this earth. Yahya is a two-time boxing world champion – once as a light heavyweight and once as a cruiserweight. Following his boxing career as a fighter, McClain trained and then later married Laila Ali, the daughter of arguably the greatest boxing world champion of all time, Muhammad Ali. Currently the CEO of YES Filmworks, Inc., McClain has spent the past three decades in the entertainment industry as a promoter, manager and producer. Many of his unfiltered escapades are chronicled in his 2013 autobiography “And Still: The Memoirography of Yahya McClain“.

If you see McClain these days, it’s usually with a lit cigar in his mouth. The guy just loves his cigars. Cigar Life Guy was able to catch up with McClain and chat a bit at Highland Cigar Co. in Atlanta where both hold memberships and tend to hold court most afternoons.

Boxing World Champion Yahya on Gratitude

Cigar Life Guy: Boxing has changed since you were coming up and so has the world. Would you recommend a young person today box?

Yahya McCain: I would most definitely recommend boxing because of all the great things it has done for me. The lifestyle it has afforded me and my family. I’ve been all over the world because of boxing. Made millions of dollars and had all the toys. The discipline that boxing instills in a person can be useful throughout a person’s entire life.

CLG: What advice would you give someone looking at getting started boxing?

YM: Find yourself a teacher of the art of boxing and not just a coach or some guy hollering at kids in the gym. Find someone that is passionate about what they do. When you do find that vetted, tested, and proven teacher; and if you are welcomed into his fold, please respect him, and listen to him. Do as he says and trust the process.

CLG: If you could change one thing in professional boxing what would it be?

YM: I would make it so that no matter who the fighter is or what race the fighter is if the guy loses a fight give him a rematch. Don’t make him wait years. If that fighter gets in the ring, puts fans in the stands or has the fans that happen to see him fight and start screaming and yelling because of his or her performance, well then, that fighter should keep being showcased on the main stage. Win, lose or draw. Don’t exile a fighter that loses a close fight.

Muhammad Ali was a Genuine Man

CLG: You had a chance to know a side of Muhammad Ali that many did not. What are one or two things about Muhammad Ali the person that the public didn’t get a chance to see?

YM: First, he was always on 100 until the moment went to sleep. He loved and would entertain groups large or small. Second, his plan from the beginning of his career was to use his fame and celebrity to do his part in helping this world to be a better place for all human beings.

Cigars Offer a Connection to Family

CLG: When did you start smoking cigars?

YM: I started smoking cigars for real in 1999 or 2000. It was when I retired. But prior to that my grandfather used to smoke cigars every day since I was a baby. He used to cut our hair and he always had a cigar hanging in his mouth and his breath stunk so bad. Who knew years later I would be an avid cigar smoker? He also played golf, he had a picture hanging in his barbershop of him and Joe Louis playing golf together with a cigar in his hand. Again, who knew? God had it to where he allowed me the opportunity to play golf with my grandfather and we smoked a cigar together before he died.

Cigars Make Traffic More Tolerable

The way that I really got hooked on cigars was due to that 405 freeway in Los Angeles. Man, the traffic is so bad and I had to commute from the Valley to LA Boxing gym to train Laila Ali. The gym was near the airport so I was done with that traffic. Then one day I said let me try to calm my nerves with this cigar. So I lit it up and smoked in my Benz for the first time and the next thing I knew I was at home. That’s the day I became an official cigar aficionado. At that point I was hooked. Cigars are a part of who I am. I’m known for my hats, cigars, and boxing.

CLG: What do you enjoy most about smoking cigars?

YM: I love the way a cigar smells when it’s being smoked especially if I’m smoking it. But I really love the calming cool sensation you get from it. The other big benefits are the lifestyle and the great people you get to meet and form relationships with, people from around the world!

CLG: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a friend or someone that is just starting to smoke cigars?

YM: My advice to new cigar smokers is start with a Perdomo or something along those lines and skip the chocolate, wine, and tasty cigars [Editor’s note: skip the flavored cigars]. I mean at least try a real one first.

The Boxing World Champion is Not Done

CLG: What’s next for “The Champ?” Any professional projects we should be looking out for soon?

YM: Related to boxing, I’m a ring announcer and a boxing referee. Outside of boxing I have several creative projects. I’m writing every day. I have a feature film about baby mama drama, and I have the first season of 10 episodes of a spin-off tv show written as well. Both the film and the tv series have a female lead that is fighting for fathers’ rights!

You know, I am really enjoying life to the fullest these days. My wife, my kids, my whole family, my mom, my brothers, I mean I’m blessed. We are living the dream and staying out the way!

CLG: Thanks Yahya, some good stuff!

Follow Yahya McClain on Instagram at @thevoicechamp

Photo Credit: Yahya McClain

Five Things You Should Know Before Beginning Cigar Lifestyle

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Staff

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

Research the Cigar Lifestyle

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

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

Expect to Spend Some Cash

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

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

Have Cigar Lifestyle Smoking Buddies

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

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

People Around You May Not Like Cigars

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

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

Don’t Just Stick to One Cigar

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

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

Image by Pixabay | Ben Kerckx

The After-Dinner Cigar: A Great Cigar Lifestyle Ritual

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Staff

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

After-Dinner Cigars Prevent Cigar Sickness

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

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

They Complement Socializing

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

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

After-Dinner Cigars Boost Metabolism

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

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

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

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Four Things That Ruin Your Cigar Experience

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Staff

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

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

Smoke on an Empty Stomach

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

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

Get Drunk During a Cigar Experience

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

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

Hang out with the Wrong People

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

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

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

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

Not Relaxing During a Cigar Experience

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

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

Photo credit: Pixabay

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