Archive | June, 2006

Stogie News: General Cigar’s Supreme Victory

21 Jun 2006

Would a cigar by any other name taste as delicious? Thanks to a move (or rather, lack thereof) by the U.S. Supreme Court this week, Cohiba-lovers won’t have to find out.

The High Court recently rejected a Havana-based company’s petition for review in the disagreement over ownership of the Cohiba trademark. The dismissal renders an appellate court’s February 2005 ruling final that General Cigar retains exclusive ownership of the Cohiba brand name in the U.S.

Cubatabaco filed the lawsuit in 1997 against General Cigar – producer of Macanudo, Partagas, Cohiba, and Punch – arguing it owned the Cohiba name under U.S. law and certain international treaties.

The High Court denial authorizes General Cigar to continue using the name it has put on its Dominican-made cigars in the U.S. for more than twenty years.

As you could have guessed (thanks to its searing, oppressive communism), the Cuban government – in other words, Fidel Castro – owns Cubatabaco. It follows that you also won’t be surprised to learn that the Bush administration successfully urged the court to refuse the case.

While the quality and craftsmanship of General Cigar’s Dominican Cohibas would have likely remained the same regardless of the outcome of this ill-fated lawsuit, company officials are still chalking up this home “court” win as a key victory.

-Patrick A

Tags:

Stogie Reviews: Partagas Black Clasico

20 Jun 2006

The Partagas Black is a truly unique line of smokes. While not for everybody, I found this particular dark and peppery smoke truly exquisite.

I picked this up as part of the two for three special on general cigars at the Macanudo Ambassador event at Georgetown Tobacco. The black wrapper and classic Partagas band makes this particular stogie look quite distinct, as did its generous 54 ring size.

And while the cigar’s appearance makes it stand out in the humidor, this stogie can only fully be appreciated after enjoying its distinctive flavors, which are so unique they are difficult to properly describe. My best attempt: a warm, toasty-peppery essence.

And the flawless construction – even burn, white ash, and smooth draw – ensured that nothing distracted from the flavor.

Overall, I suggest that all you Stogie Guys go out and try this cigar at least once. Not everyone will be as impressed with this cigar’s flavor as I am, but if you like it half as much as I did, you won’t be disapointed. I enthusiastically give this cigar four out of five stogies.

-Patrick S

Tags:

Stogie Commentary: Ybor City

19 Jun 2006

In-flight airline magazines usually aren’t the most fascinating publications. This is one of the reasons why, after all, periodical stands make such killings at airports. But if you’re planning a trip on Southwest Airlines in the near future, you may want to reconsider forking over $27 for that new Dean Koontz novel.

The May 2006 issue of Southwest’s Spirit magazine sports a wonderful article by Jack Boulware about the Cigar Capital of America: Ybor City in Tampa, Florida.

There is one place left where smoking makes sense, where it’s part of a cultural heritage, a testament to craftsmanship, style, and family. A place where a good cigar is a tradition.

If you’re not familiar with this Mecca of tobacco, Ybor is a historic Latin quarter of Tampa that was once the stogie pinnacle of Earth. Over 20,000 workers produced about 700 million handmade cigars each year in this neighborhood, all from Cuban leaves.

Today, many cigar companies and distributors have their headquarters in Ybor, stogies cost about one half of what they do elsewhere in the country, and – perhaps best of all – smoking is tolerated everywhere. Writes Boulware:

I live in California, where you have about five minutes to enjoy tobacco before an angry mob beats you to death with pamphlets.

The article basically chronicles Boulware’s heavenly visit to Ybor, chatting with local cigar legends, touring famous cigar stores, and – of course – smoking stogie after delicious stogie.

So if you’re hopping on a Southwest flight anytime soon, take a few moments to enjoy this fine piece of literary magic. And if your business or personal travels take you to Tampa, rest assured the city is more than just a retirement community filled with chiropractors, churches, and Bingo halls…It’s also home to Ybor.

-Patrick A

Tags:

Stogie Reviews: Macanudo Natural Rothschild

16 Jun 2006

Macanudo Natural RothschildAs you may recall from my profile, my palette – which changes with my temperament – allows me to enjoy a wide array of cigars. Last night, I was in the mood for something mild.

So I sat down on my porch to relax with a Macanudo Natural Rothschild. At six and ½ inches with a 42 ring gauge, this light brown Dominican is one of the most gentle-bodied smokes on the market. It sports a woody, almost cedar-like flavor, and the Connecticut wrapper yields an even burn with a long, white ash.

While I was satisfied with this cigar, I must admit it lacked the sort of pleasing character and complexity you will find in other Macanudo lines (i.e., Maduro or Robust).

And despite my mellow disposition, the flavor was still a little too mild for me, especially towards the end of the smoke when the heat from foot overpowered its delicate aroma and taste.

Nonetheless, this subtle cigar has earned my respect. At $5.50 apiece it’s not cheap, but certainly worth a try (if you’re in the right mood).

I would not recommend, however, enjoying this stogie with any strong-flavored adult cocktail. A glass of merlot, for example, is sure to completely drown out its faint flavors.

I give the Macanudo Natural Rothschild three out of five stogies.

-Patrick A

Tags:

Stogie News: Nazis Finally Beat Churchill

15 Jun 2006

Winston Churchill without a cigar is like a beach without sand, yet the anti-smoking Nazis are taking the cigar out of Churchill’s mouth:

Because of the ban on smoking in public places, Britain’s greatest wartime prime minister will be without his trademark cigar when he is portrayed on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe festival later this year.Mel Smith, the comedian and actor who will play him in a production of Allegiance, a play about a little-known meeting between Churchill and Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary, could be forced to use a plastic replacement.

Producers believe Churchill’s lit cigar and the cloud of smoke which permanently surrounded him are so integral to his character that they plan to appeal to the Scottish executive for a special dispensation.

And when I say anti-smoking Nazis, I don’t just mean their general fascist tendencies towards government control of people’s private lives. Actually, Hitler’s beliefs about tobacco were nearly identical to that of today’s anti-smoking zealots, and he even advocated for the same public policy measures:

In Nazi Germany, for instance, abstinence from tobacco was a “national socialist duty” (Hitler gave a gold watch to associates who quit the habit, though this didn’t stop them from lighting up in the Berlin bunker once they heard the Fuhrer had committed suicide). Armed with such senior sanction, anti-tobacco activists succeeded in banning smoking from government offices, civic transport, university campuses, rest homes, post offices, many restaurants and bars, hospital grounds, and workplaces. Tobacco taxes were raised, unsupervised cigarette vending machines were banned, and there were calls for a ban on smoking while driving.

Hmmm… that sounds a lot like somewhere I live.

This also sounds an awful lot like that woman who was smoking at the Mayflower Hotel bar, but refused to give her name to the Washington Post reporter because she works on anti-smoking ballot measures.

Fortunately, unlike Hitler, today’s anti-smoking Nazis have democracy and the Constitution to slow down their assault on our personal freedoms, though you get the feeling they wish such obstacles didn’t exist.

In the end one thing is for sure: Somewhere, Churchill is rolling in his grave.

-Patrick S

Tags:

Stogie Exclusive: Georgetown Macanudo Event a Hit

13 Jun 2006

On June 8, we informed you that the Macanudo Ambassador, Signe, would be at Georgetown Tobacco that evening to promote General Cigar stogies. As you can see from this fabulous photo, Patrick and I attended – and we were not disappointed.

As soon as we walked in the door, the friendly Signe asked us if we wanted a complimentary Macanudo. Well, let me see, if you’re going to twist my arm…YES!

Even more outstanding, we were given the choice of one Rothschild (six and ½ inches, 42 ring gauge) from the Natural, Maduro, or Robust lines. Patrick indulged in a Robust, and I – seeking a mild smoke for a change – devoured a Natural.

In addition to graciously giving us free sticks, Signe – who was very knowledgeable – provided us with interesting and insightful cigar-tasting brochures, free Macanudo hats, and a buy-two-get-the-third-cigar-free deal on General Cigar brands. I picked up a Punch Grand CRU Robusto, a Partagas Black Label Magnifico, and a Macanudo Maduro Rothschild all for under $12 (reviews forthcoming).

All in all, Patrick and I were more than pleased we took the time to head up to Georgetown for this spectacular occasion. The lesson here is that these stogie events are mutually beneficial, helping the company promote their brand(s) while providing patrons with free merchandise and great deals. Check the Cigar World events page regularly to see what’s happening in your neck of the woods.

-Patrick A

Tags:

Stogie Guys Gear: Superb Father’s Day Gifts

12 Jun 2006

Still racking your brain in a feeble attempt to come up with a great gift for your dad? Rack no more! If you place your order by tomorrow, June 13, you can still have official Stogie Guys gear shipped to your dad in time for Father’s Day.

From chic golf shirts and fashionable caps to attractive coffee mugs and smart mousepads, our online store is your one-stop shop for certified Stogie Guys merchandise.

I can certainly vouch for the excellent quality of these fine goods, and we’ve heard nothing but wonderful things from dozens of satisfied customers.

So what are you waiting for? Order some trendy Stogie Guys gear today!

-Patrick A

Tags: