Stogie Commentary: Thoughts from the Humidor
13 Apr 2010
Here are a yet more random thoughts about cigars and the cigar industry:
Are Two Wrappers Better Than One?
Once a gimmick, now it seems to be the next frontier of cigar blending. More and more we’re seeing cigars with multiple wrappers, and not of the barber-pole type. Recently, Joya de Nicaragua and La Gloria Cubana both introduced cigars with two wrappers—one for for the beginning of the smoke, one for the end. The concept makes a lot of sense in a way. Just as dinner usually comprises of an appetizer before the main dish, these new cigars offer a progression of two distinct flavors in one cigar.
Cigars Heating Up
We’re getting to the time of year when temperatures are heating up. That’s a good thing if the cold was keeping you from enjoying a cigar in the great outdoors, but it also creates a challenge when it comes to maintaining proper humidity in your humidor. If you’re unsure about the readings you’re getting use this technique to calibrate your hygrometer.
Mexican Tobacco Surging
When Eddie Ortega told me he had never seen Don Pepin Garcia more excited than when discussing the Mexican tobacco used in the new Murcielago, I knew something was afoot. A recent article in Smoke Magazine about the resurgence of Mexican tobacco confirmed the trend. Until the mid-90s Mexican trade policy made it too costly to import tobacco, resulting in only the production of Mexican puros. Fortunately, the Mexican government is finally eliminating some of the red tape and making Mexican tobacco a viable source for multi-country blends.
No Place Like Home
We’ve said it so many times before but, especially in these challenging economic times, I’ll say it again: It’s important to support your local brick and mortar cigar shop. Sure, sometimes you get a better deal online, but there’s no substitute for a helpful tobacconist. If you don’t support your local shop, the next time you drive by it may be for a going-out-of-business sale.
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
While the Murcielago is certainly far better than a Te Amo or A. Turrent, the few that I have smoked have still been distinctly "Mexican" tasting, which is a flavor I don't particularly enjoy. I'm sure there's a market for these sticks, but I would say it's not for everyone.
I would like to support the B&M's more
(I do somewhat), but it's difficult at
2-3x the online pricing.
Too many B&Ms are unfriendly & too greedy. What a welcome! No water fountain, no signs to restrooms, no way to relax w/ a decent cigar and beverage w/o spending $8 or more. House-brands for $3-8 that one doesn't even enjoy for free, a small cup of coffee or small bottles of strange sodas for $2.50, and decent cigars selling for double or more of a normal price: "No thank you."
All of the blame should not go to B&M owners though. The pressure of taxes and anti-smoking laws drives them towards serving those who can afford to buy memberships, bottled water, $20-cigars, etc.
Elitist, expensive cigar lounges and clubs may proliferate while B&Ms close. I hope not, but I won't support bad B&Ms.
I really think the double-wrapper thing is a nice idea. You get the nice maduro feel on your lips, and the burn qualities and flavour of a colorado or claro. Very cool.
In the philly area the B&M's are really great. Nice environment, great folks, and really no complaints on prices. For me a cigar is an event, and once or twice a week a bit of time at the B&M relaxing, chatting with the folks, or getting some work done makes the stogie that much better for me.