The Stogie Guys

In the latest issue of our “Random Thoughts from the Humidor” series, we ponder humidor maintenance, cleanliness, advertising, and blind reviews:

When I say OCD, I mean it in a good way. Lots of cigar smokers worry about summertime temperatures increasing the chances of a beetle attack. But you’re more likely to see your sticks ruined in the winter from extremely low humidity drying them out beyond repair. Even if you have mild winters, humidity levels will be low and the heat will drive them down even further. Check the hygrometer in your humidor frequently—every couple of days isn’t too often—and add distilled water when necessary.

Brush, brush, brush. I’m no dentist, but I’ve been told by more than one that smoking can lead to an increase of tartar and its associated problems. So, it’s always a good idea to brush as soon as practical after smoking. I don’t know how much it will lessen the buildup, but, hey, it couldn’t hurt. Any dental professionals out there feel free to weigh in.

Cleanliness is at least next to freshness. Whether you smoke inside or out, get rid of the ashes and butts when you’re done. Huge ashtrays are great, but no excuse for collecting tobacco detritus. It creates that unpleasant barroom-at-4 a.m. odor far more than the smoke.

Just wondering. Why are there cigar ads these days in nearly every magazine that aims at an upscale audience except Wine Spectator, the larger sibling of Cigar Aficionado? Aren’t fine wine and premium cigars considered one of the ultimate pairings?

I’m not sure I see the point. I’m always intrigued by cigar reviewing that’s done blind. But does anyone ever smoke that way? Knowing at least a little about the cigar you’re smoking is part of the experience—whether picking up a stick you’ve never heard of or laying out big bucks for a highly regarded limited edition.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In the latest issue of our “Random Thoughts from the Humidor” series, I ruminate about the end of a partnership, the cigar community’s support of charities, and a new way cigar makers are helping cigar shops hit hard by taxes:

A Collaboration Ends

It’s sad to see Nosotros, the joint project of Illusione Cigars and Drew Estate, ending. The announcement came when Illusione’s Dion Giolito told Cigar Aficionado, “Illusione cigars will no longer participate in the Nosotros brand project with Jonathan Drew DBA Drew Estate…The Nosotros brand/trademark dies in the Drew Estate Factory as per contractual agreement, and will not be made outside the factory it originated.”

While we may never know exactly why this promising and well-received project fell apart so suddenly, it’s fair to speculate that it may serve as a warning for anyone considering a similar collaboration in the future. Cigar makers are not only a passionate bunch, the successful ones are also very particular about their product. Getting a release up to snuff so that one cigar maker will put his name on it is difficult enough. But you can imagine that meeting the standards of two particular makers would be infinitely more difficult.

What the News Doesn’t Report

You won’t see it in the newspaper when biased reporters are demonizing the tobacco industry, but there’s no denying that the cigar community is a most charitable bunch. Nearly every cigar maker supporters multiple charities, and many have their own charitable foundations. The giving spirit was certainly on display this Friday for W. Curtis Draper’s annual Little Puff event in DC. While an official total hasn’t been released, those in attendance saw tens of thousands of dollars raised for a three local charities, including one in honor of a Navy SEAL killed in action.

[UPDATE: Draper’s tells me the final total will be approximately $55,000 raised for the three charities, an impressive outpouring of generosity from the attendees.]

A New Way to Support Tobacconists Under Siege

A recent trend for cigar manufacturers has been to release cigars for sale in brick and mortar shops only. The idea is to protect stores that have to charge high sales tax on their products, while online and catalog cut cut margins and costs. Now Alec Bradley is taking that concept to a new level. Since New York retailers were just hit with a record high 75% tax on cigars, company president Alan Rubin is introducing a New York-only blend. It’s a good sign that cigar makers are going out of their way to support those hardest hit by anti-cigar legislation.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Drew Estate/Illusione Cigars

In the third installment of “Random Thoughts from the Humidor” (previous editions here and here), I ponder the upcoming IPCPR Trade Show, cigar smoking politicians, and a basic requirement for a proper cigar shop:

Wooden Matches Please

I recently walked into a cigar shop, bought a few Padróns, and asked for some matches, as I was planning on lighting one right then and there. The employee handed me a book of paper matches, and when I asked if he had wooden matches he replied that there were none. I don’t get it. How does a proper cigar shop still not have wooden matches? Paper matches are soaked in lighter fluid and can taint the flavors of a good smoke.

A Friend of Cigar Smokers?

I find it curious to see Congressman Kendrick Meek’s Democratic primary opponent in Florida attack Meek for his ties to the cigar industry. Meek may have received money from friends in the industry, but it isn’t clear that they got anything in return. Meek reportedly enjoys his cigars, but his voting record isn’t anything special. Maybe he’s working behind the scenes. When it came to making a public stand, Meek repeatedly voted for the massive SCHIP cigar tax hike, twice in 2008 and again in 2009 to pass the bill that eventually was signed into law by President Obama.

The Senator from Nebraska

If Meek overcomes the odds in his Senate race, he certainly won’t be the first Senator to enjoy the occasional cigar. I didn’t know it before, but judging from the photo accompanying this Daily Caller article, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) has quite the respectable cigar collection. Another photo on the Senator’s Flickr feed gives an even better view (above) of the large cabinet humidor he appears to keep in his Capitol Hill office.

Trade Show Time

I’m looking forward to the annual IPCPR Trade Show next week in New Orleans. StogieGuys.com will be covering the event with live updates from the floor, talking to cigar makers about their latest creations. When we first attended the show in 2008, members of the electronic media were few and far between. This year, it seems there are scores of bloggers descending on New Orleans. One sign of the change is that the IPCPR now warns media outlets that demanding free samples from cigar makers is grounds for revocation of their press credentials. The association is also reminding those new to the show not to disturb cigar makers while they take care of their primary mission: taking orders from retailers.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Flickr

Here are a few more random thoughts about cigars and the cigar industry:

Time to Stop Being Rational

Cigar smokers are an accommodating bunch, sometimes to a fault when it comes to fighting the anti-tobacco lobby. The anti-cigar forces have learned to never ever be happy with the status quo no matter how anti-tobacco that status quo already is. Case-in-point is Santa Cruz, California, where anti-smoking zealots have passed one of the most oppressive smoking bans in the country. The law covers all “public” indoor and outdoor spaces including parks, beaches, restaurant patios, and sidewalks.

Despite that, when smoking ban lobbyist group ALAC (American Lung Association in California) was handing out grades for cities, it gave Santa Cruz a “D” for not sufficiently being against so-called second-hand smoke.

Czech Cigars?

When I visit websites with foreign languages Google asks me if I’d like to translate them into English, which is helpful enough. At times, however, it wants to translate pages that are already in English. For example, Google wants to translate our Stogie Reviews Archive from Spanish to English, which is understandable given the hundreds of cigars listed there with Spanish in their names. More mysterious is why Google has repeatedly tried to translate pages on a certain online auction site (known to some as the “devil site”) to French or even Czech.

Hot Cigars

Be careful when relighting the nub of your cigar; even the best smoke is ruined by singed nose hair. Along the same lines, if you can’t hold a cigar anymore without burning your fingers, it’s time to put it out. (And, sorry, but roach clips don’t have any business being near fine tobacco.)

Magnificent Mild Smokes

While there has certainly been a trend towards bolder cigars in recent years, I’m also seeing a counter trend among some cigar enthusiasts. An excellent mild cigar, with all the subtleties it can have, is one of the most challenging cigars to blend. That makes such a superb mild smoke all the more impressive.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Flickr