The Stogie Guys

For some smokers, the best thing to see in a cigar shop is a humidor the size of Wyoming with more facings than an LAPD mug book. Others relish a lounge that combines the ambiance of the Gilded Age with modern day big-screen TVs.

My favorite sight? It’s one I‘m sorry to say I spot only occasionally: a group of young smokers enjoying themselves. It makes me optimistic. More often, though, I find myself in a room with people much closer to my age, which is anything but young. (Young is, of course, a relative term. When I use it, I’m thinking of those up to about 35 years old.)

That worries me. Because even though numerous cigar manufacturers and brand owners appear to be working overtime to attract younger smokers, the same doesn’t seem to be true for the majority of cigar shops.

I can’t help but wonder whether there’ll be smokers to keep them going after the Grim Reaper cuts down the current crop of patrons.

As I pondered this state of affairs, I decided to consult with a few experts, including Heather Haddad, whose Fumée Cigars is just outside Austin, Texas. She is not only a young (29) entrepreneur, she’s also among the most thoughtful shop owners I know.

She said Fumée attracts a fair number of younger smokers, though they’re frequently drawn by hookah. “Occasionally they will deviate from the hookah and get a flavored cigar (this is age range 18-21),” she wrote me in an email. “In the 22-35 age range, we have a minority, but they tend to be one-off type customers that come in for an event.”

Appealing to a wide spectrum in almost any venture is tough; although no one talks about the “generation gap” these days, it still exists.

“A perfect example is the music at my shop,” Heather noted. “The older guys want something softer with the volume down low, and the younger guys want some more upbeat music at a louder volume. Someone won’t get their way. In some cases these groups can coexist fine, but other times not.”

Some of Heather’s observations can be taken to heart by cigar fans in my demographic.

“An older regular taking a 20-year-old new smoker under their wing can go a long way to making that young person a lifelong cigar smoker,” she explained. “Educating new smokers of any age is also a great tactic to really draw them into the mystique of cigars. Keeping your store a positive one, without negativity or cliques, is key to new smokers feeling welcome.

“Shop owners should feel free to experiment (new events, new cigars, louder music) until they find something that clicks with the old guard and the new guard. It is worthwhile to spend some time on this because younger ‘spend $5/week‘ smokers are your bread-and-butter regulars ten years from now.”

Sounds like good advice, and I hope it gains traction. Some of it might not appeal to me (that loud music, for instance). But then again, I’m beyond the target.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Cleverly named with the Spanish word for spicy, this cigar is a full-strength smoke that lives up to its name, especially in the first third. The manufacturer was new to me, though it has been around since 2008. Unfortunately, the company’s website is a prime example of style over substance and provided virtually no useful information about its cigars. Apparently, this is a Honduran puro. It’s not the most refined smoke, but reasonably priced and well worth a try if you like spicy cigars.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

If you’ve been smoking awhile, your humidor likely resembles the way mine looked until a few weeks ago: lots of cigars you enjoy regularly, some special sticks you’re saving for a special occasion, and a fair number that—let’s face it—you’ll probably never smoke. Recognition that my “never gonna smoke” category was stacking up coincided with the realization that I hadn’t donated a bunch of cigars to U.S. overseas troops for awhile.

For this shipment, I settled on the Kandahar Koughers, a group that has gotten much well-deserved publicity for its efforts. The group’s motto pretty much sums it up: smoking sub adversarius valatudo (Smoking Under Adverse Conditions). You can find out more on Facebook or by Googling the name. Here’s the Koughers’ mailing address:

MAJ Nathan Winn/Randy Sauers
C/O Kandahar Koughers
KAF RCC, BLDG 232
APO AE 09355

Mailing cigars really couldn’t be simpler. Just use a free USPS flat rate Priority Mail box and fill out a brief customs form. Even the postage is a bargain; it‘s the same to an APO box as it is for domestic shipping. Delivery will take a bit longer, though, so be sure you provide adequate humidification to keep the sticks from drying out. (more…)

After finishing my first MJ12, I couldn’t help but think how much I would like another. Though I didn’t light one up immediately, not having another two hours or so to spare, I have had several since that initial experience. And all have been excellent.

This thick, oily cigar from Dion Giolito’s Illusione brand is rich in flavors, complex, and balanced. Beginning with peppery spice befitting its Nicaraguan tobacco, the cigar evolves as it slowly burns down the six-inch length. I’ve picked up leather, cedar, floral notes, coffee, and a tobacco sweetness that blends nicely with various spices. (more…)

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This cigar, which Nestor Plasencia Jr. calls “our baby,” is something of a surprise for a Nicaraguan puro: It’s considerably milder than most. I’ve smoked a handful and found them consistent and pleasant. Aging (a couple were in my humidor for nearly three years) seemed to have no effect, good or bad. A Famous Smoke exclusive, the Organica is worth a try if you like mild- to medium-bodied smokes.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

The other day I spent the afternoon at a local smoke shop. My wife was out, and I was whiling away the time. I lit up an inexpensive La Traviata Intrépido, drank coffee, and read the paper, glancing occasionally at ESPN on the TV.

Nothing special. And that’s really what made the day stand out. Whether you’re looking for company or solitude, relaxation is just a cigar store away. It also got me to thinking about an experience several weeks earlier.

I was on jury duty for a fairly involved, week-long civil trial down the road in Clearwater, Florida. I knew that a shop I’d visited in the past had moved since my last smoke there, but I didn’t know its new location. Unfortunately, it didn’t occur to me to check on the address until the third day of the court proceedings.

But better–much better–late than never. Cigar Central is now on Chestnut Street, just a short stroll from the courthouse. So, when we were let out for lunch on Wednesday, I passed up food for a smoke. I picked up an Arturo Fuente Sungrown robusto from the humidor room and settled in. The owner, Ron, was every bit as cordial and welcoming as I remembered. We chatted a bit, I relaxed in a nice chair, and enjoyed the cigar. I finished at just about the time I needed to return and walked back refreshed.

It was hard not to compare that with the previous day, when I had traipsed up the street for some not-so-good pizza and a watery soft drink. I ate perched on one of those uncomfortable high chairs at a tiny table amidst the restaurant din.

So, of course, there was no question about where to go on Thursday. This time I had an HC Series, my first from that line. (An excellent smoke, by the way.) I had a fine lunchtime.

I’m sure it is difficult for those who don’t smoke cigars to appreciate what a wonderful pastime it is. Trying to explain what they’re missing doesn’t seem to do it justice. But perhaps I can help those who do understand and end up in court in downtown Clearwater. Among the forms the clerk asked that we fill out was a request for businesses that should be added to the annotated map supplied to jurors.

I strongly suggested they add Cigar Central. You couldn’t find a better place.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

With a name like Evil, you’d expect this cigar to pack an extraordinary punch. It really doesn’t. While strong, the 6-inch Toro isn’t especially so. There’s little complexity in what is an OK smoke. More distinctive is the humongous band and the thick Brazilian wrapper that could almost pass for leather. I’m not sure whether Gurkha’s lack of attention to the blend’s description on the website—the same as that for the Assassin, a similar cigar, except for misspellings and improper word usage—reflects its feelings for the line.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: N/A