The Stogie Guys

By now, everyone’s had a chance to read and consider the seemingly endless list of top cigars of 2012. I know I have. And they’ve led me to a few new smokes I’m eager to try.

I have to say, though, I’m not really a fan of annual cigar rankings. Sure, tell me what cigars you really like and why, tell me the ones that blew you away. Heck, I’m also interested in the cigars that disappointed you. But I see no reason to try to turn smoking into a contest.

I understand it from a manufacturer’s point of view, particularly when it comes to the annual list by the industry giant, Cigar Aficionado. Whether you like it or loathe it, you cannot deny the magazine’s impact on cigar sales.

Inclusion can boost sales like nothing else. On the other hand, making the grade is no guarantee of success. Anyone smoke a Warlock lately? (No. 9 last year.)

I know there’s a general obsession with lists and ranking, but trying to reduce something as subjective as individual taste to a scoresheet seems to me a doomed practice. It’s also highly unlikely anyone could have smoked all the vitolas of all the cigars that could be ranked.

For instance, as I type this, I have Cigar Journal’s “Finest 25 Cigars of 2012” on my desk. At the bottom of the list is the Ashton VSG Robusto. I can’t help but wonder, did the same person sample each of the other 12 sizes in that blend to determine the Robusto is the best? Or who’s the lucky smoker who tried all 10 of the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series to award honors to the Exclusivo Natural?

Frankly, I wish the compilers would provide more information. I’m still sorry Cigar Aficionado dropped the annual production figures from the standard data a few years back, though it’s included in some descriptions.

All that said, I do find the listings useful. One of my current favorites, the Aging Room Small Batch M356, came to my attention solely from last year’s CA listing. And this year I have at least three want-to-try smokes heading my list:

Kristoff Corojo Limitada Torpedo, CA’s No. 11. I not sure I’ve ever smoked a Kristoff, being baffled by the many variations on display in the humidor. But I’ll keep my eye out for this small-production stick.

CyB, the Joya de Nicaragua release that was No. 8 on Jerry Cruz’s list at Stogie Review.

Rodrigo La Fortaleza, the top pick at retailer PipesandCigars.com, which raved about it. Luckily, a Tampa shop I visit once in a great while carries this line.

Anything from all the lists make your must-try list?

–George E

photo credit: N/A

It’s easy sometimes to get caught up in the many aspects of cigar enthusiasm, from whether the industry’s largest trade group should initiate a consumer day, to which shop has the latest limited release, to the new, hot blender.

Do you age your sticks? Cello on or cello off? What’s the best bundle? Is your humidity at 60 or 65 or 70? I know it’s Nicaraguan tobacco, but what region of Nicaragua is it from? Do you think stalk-curing is the next big thing? Have you seen this stick I got at event last week?

The questions, and the answers, can be endless. And a lot of fun. Part of what makes a hobby enjoyable is the ability to become immersed in the culture and all its arcana.

But sometimes we can become lost—or at least I can, speaking for myself—in a thicket and miss that bright blue sky overhead. This came home to me the other day when I was reading a column in the February Stereophile, one of many magazines I enjoy despite not even remotely understanding what much of the writing is about.

The interesting thing is how often I’m reminded of cigars.

For example, Jason Victor Serinus described a demonstration he’d produced for an audiophile gathering to evaluate two speaker cables. Serinus was confused by numerous listeners who either could tell no difference or preferred the lower-priced cable sound.

“I couldn’t figure out why so many people were missing obvious giveaways of inferior sound,” he wrote. “But, instead of blaming the listeners, I began to wonder if we who review equipment have unintentionally helped create a community of audiophiles who lack the ability to listen deeply.” He went on to say that reviews centered heavily around specific elements can lead listeners to “focus on individual fragments… instead of receiving music as an organic whole.”

Needless to say, I thought of cigars and my own cigar reviews as I was reading.

And it brought to mind a quote I heard in a video from the Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ Skip Colombo. He was, obviously, talking about coffee. But it could just as easily have been cigars. It’s a description of the experience to which I think we can all aspire:

“A good cup of coffee is one that stops me in my tracks… I take a sip and it’s like the world stops turning on its axis.”

[See yesterday’s article for Part I of this two-part series discussing what you can do to stop anti-cigar legislation in your state.]

The first step in combating more smoking restrictions in your state, or supporting changes in existing ones, is to know what’s going on. That’s not always easy, though you can stay informed with a little effort.

Few newspapers today cover legislatures with the depth they once did. Local TV reports are usually limited to top agenda items. But you can keep up with minimal effort. I’ve got two suggestions. If you Google your state name, legislature, 2013, and tobacco once a week or so, you’ll probably learn what’s up. Another way is to spend a little time online to find an active anti-tobacco group in your state and get on their email list. These people are dedicated, financed, and resourceful. They work hard to drum up support, and rarely miss anything.

If you see that a bill has been introduced, you’ll want to find pertinent details: which chamber, the bill number, who introduced it, and whether it’s been assigned to a committee.

With the bill number, you should be able to locate the text, though deciphering it can be a trick. If it’s unclear and you can’t find an explanation online, call the sponsor’s office. Or check with that anti-smoking group because they’ll almost certainly know.

Armed with that information, contact your state representative and/or senator to let them know how you feel about the bill. In many states, it’s pretty easy to get in touch directly, but email can also be effective.

If it’s a particularly important or contentious issue, try to get your local shop to invite the solon for a meet-and-greet.

However you go about it, there are several things that I think will enhance the likelihood of success, regardless of the format.

— Emphasize your concern is about adults smoking cigars. Many people know nothing about cigars; heck, these days, you almost never even see anybody smoking one. Make sure they know you’re talking about the craft of handmade cigars, not “Big Tobacco” or drug store sticks.

— Focus on cigars. As far as I’m concerned, the cigarette battle is over, (and, yes, I know all about Niemöller’s statement) but I believe there’s still a chance for premium cigars to carve out a separate position. Most legislation is written with cigarettes primarily in mind, so you can often find an opening for premium cigars.

— Push the small business aspect of cigars and cigar shops. These days, it’s a sacred cow, and one politicians are loathe to ignore. It’s also great fodder for local newspapers and TV stations. Get in touch with their assignment desks and suggest that they can find a good story in the area’s potentially endangered cigar shops.

— If you’re at a public meeting, be prepared for strong pushback. Here’s an example of the kind of specific attacks you can expect. Arm yourself with strong, specific data, which is readily available.

— Don’t mount a soapbox about your rights. Despite the tobacco leaves adorning the U.S. Capitol, there’s no constitutional right to smoke. At best you’ll end up in an unproductive argument. At worst, you’ll alienate potential supporters. Whatever the circumstances, stay calm, polite, and professional.

If you want assistance or feel better being part of a group, check into Cigar Rights of America.

I hope all this gets you enthused and willing to fight the good fight because that’s what is necessary if we’re going to continue to enjoy cigars. I welcome any feedback, and if you have questions leave a comment and I’ll do my best to reply.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

It’s that time of year when most state legislatures are gearing up. If you’re a cigar smoker, it’s also time to get ready to fight.

Although much of the cigar world’s attention is on federal efforts, such as the Food & Drug Administration’s proposal to regulate cigars, states are often where the most important legislation originates. The good news is this is also the area where individuals—especially when they’re organized—can have significant influence. Local and state politicians recognize their elections are usually low-turnout affairs and even a small, committed cadre can wield tremendous clout.

Last week, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) sent out a legislative update highlighting a dozen states where bills have been introduced that could impact cigar smokers. Not all are negative. Some would be positive. Quite a few deal with taxes, so they could affect what you pay. It’s imperative that cigar smokers in each state understand what’s at stake and get involved early.

In the first part of this StogieGuys.com report, we’ll highlight the latest pending legislation, using (to a large extent) material from IPCPR. If you don’t see your state don’t be complacent; this is not a comprehensive list, and developments can happen at nearly any time.

Kansas: House Bill 2219 would expand the exemptions allowed under the current law, which permits smoking in retail tobacco shops, casino gaming floors, private clubs, and some other establishments. Opponents claim the bill would allow smoking in virtually any business, but my reading is that probably the only real effect would be to allow smoking in bars. A similar bill last year went nowhere.

Kentucky: House Bill 190, the “Smoke-Free Kentucky Act,” would pretty much rule out smoking in any enclosed public or employment place, and there are no exemptions for tobacco shops.

Oklahoma: Senate Bill 36 would give localities the power to control tobacco, authority that is now reserved for the state. Senate Bill 327 would repeal a current law that prohibits discrimination against smokers and allow employers to reject applicants and fire workers who smoke.

Washington: Senate Bill 5070 would create an exemption to the statewide smoking ban by allowing retail tobacco shops to purchase a license that would permit smoking.

Florida: Two proposals have been introduced, House Bill 439 and Senate Bill 258, that would weaken the state’s sole authority to regulate smoking by granting localities the right to institute bans on municipal property (parks and beaches, for example).

Oregon: Senate Bill 119 and House Bill 2481 would permit localities to impose their own taxes on tobacco products.

The Oregon proposal is one of many involving taxes, but it’s about the only one that’s so straightforward. Cigars usually fall under the broad category of “other tobacco products,” and deciphering exactly what tax gets applied can be tricky.

These states are considering tax changes, according to the IPCPR’s update: Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico and Tennessee.

In Part II, we’ll look at ways you can find out what’s up in your state and exert influence.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

We’ve pontificated about the lack of information for many cigars before, but I recently came across this post about wine labels that got me thinking again about the state of cigar disclosures. Or more accurately, the terrible lack of information about cigars.

If you take a look at this wine label (which I’ll readily admit is hardly typical) you’ll see tons of information, virtually all of which could be just as easily at home on a cigar box: type of grapes (or tobacco), location of vineyards (or farms), yield per acre, year originally planted, date of harvest, aging information, blend information, date bottled (or boxed), and quantity made.

And yet, you won’t find that information on any cigar box. At most you’ll find a list of the countries where the tobacco comes from and a box date.

One rare exception is the Tatuaje La Vérité (the label can be seen here) which does contain virtually all available information: the farm that grew the tobacco, vintage of crops, tobacco varietals and percentages, factory where it was rolled, dates rolled, and quantity produced.

But perhaps it’s no coincidence that La Vérité is based off of a wine model (for better or worse including the futures model). For the other 99% of cigars, it seems like cigar makers give us only enough information as they feel they can get away with.

There are a few reasons why I think this lack of specific information persists for cigars. The one legitimate reason for the lack of disclosure regards protection of innovation. But even this is often cop-out, designed to give cigar makers the option of changing the blend later if they can’t secure enough tobacco from the same tobacco farms down the line.

More generally, I suspect it’s a laziness on the part of of cigar makers who’d rather shroud their creations in mystery instead of explaining why their blend is superior. While wine tends to get more specific as the price goes up (buy a First Growth Bordeaux, for example, and you know exactly what small plot of land the grapes were grown on and in which year), there exists an inverse correlation between cigar cost and the availability of cigar information. Expensive cigars are usually aged significantly before they come to market, but the years of harvest, rolling, or boxing are rarely divulged.

Aesthetically, I have great respect for making cigar boxes look good, and I understand that too much text clutters up a good-looking cigar box (let alone a cigar band). But even on cigar makers’ websites, it’s too hard to come by more than just the general information about a specific cigar blend.

To that end, I think cigar makers grossly underestimate cigar smokers’ thirst for more information. (And the millions of visitors we’ve had to StogieGuys.com suggest I’m right.) So here’s to hoping cigar makers will start increasing the information they make available about their cigars. Because a critical part of enjoying a cigar is learning why you enjoy it.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Dr. Vino

I recently received an email offer touting a bargain price on a “94-rated” cigar. If you’ve ever purchased cigars online, you probably get similar offers emphasizing high ratings all the time.

Curious about this high rating on a cigar that I haven’t seen reviewed in years, I did a little digging. Turns out it received that 94 rating from Cigar Aficionado way back in 2001.

It’s also been rated more modestly three times since, and not at all since 2005. The “94” review said it was “rich and flavorful” while subsequent ratings describe “one-dimensional” and “sour” flavors. And that’s just how the description changed between 2001 and 2005.

I don’t mean to pick on this particular cigar (I’m not even going to mention it because I think many cigars are marketed in similar fashion), but it does raise a larger question: How much can any rating that old really tell someone trying to decide if they want throw down hard-earned cash? Even if you think the number “94” is noteworthy (personally, I’d be more interested in the description than the numerical rating) you can’t really think that it’s meaningful well over a decade later. Cigars change with time, and I don’t just mean due to years sitting quietly in the humidor.

The fact is, even with the most attentive cigar makers, blends can evolve with time. Changes in tobacco sources, quality control, palates, and just time mean that except for the band, there may only be a general resemblance between the “same” cigar rolled in 2000 and in 2012.

Much of the language and number system that cigar ratings are built on come from wine, but wine is made in (mostly) vintages and cigars overwhelmingly aren’t. Unfortunately, even box dates are still quite rare when it comes to non-Cuban cigars (but then Cuban cigars have box dates in part because most need a few years of aging before they are ready to be smoked).

That doesn’t mean cigar ratings don’t serve a purpose (we wouldn’t do them if we didn’t think they were useful), but don’t let a number be the be all and end all.

And remember: (1) Your palate is the final arbiter of whether or not you enjoy a particular cigar; (2) A review is just an evaluation of a certain cigar at a certain point in time by one particular person; and (3) A little skepticism of sales pitches never hurt anyone… especially when the pitch involves a review as old as a 7th-grader.

–Patrick S

photo credit: flickr

What does a cigar smoker value? His stash of cigars, first and foremost—especially those rare sticks he’s saving for special occasions. Maybe also an expensive torch lighter, a fancy travel case, or a personalized humidor engraved with a significant date.

Aside from these obvious choices, the other day I was thinking of my other cigar-related treasures, be they tangible or intangible. The first that came to mind was my cigar sanctuary. As I write this, I’m holed up in the sealed-off den in my condo that’s equipped with a makeshift ventilation system. It’s toasty warm. Several stories below, I can see my fellow Chicagoans walking briskly on the sidewalks in a hurried attempt to reach their destinations before frost bite sets in. I observe them comfortably while enjoying a fine cigar and listening to the radio. Rest assured I value the heck out of my den in the winter.

More of a fleeting commodity, time is something I never take for granted. Cigar smoking is all about relaxation, slowing the pace of life, and taking a restful break from the day. This requires a serious investment in time, which is my single biggest constraint. I would no doubt smoke many more cigars if time were not a factor. So I definitely appreciate what time I can make. I guess time is a limited resource for all of us.

Not to get overly wistful, but I value my cigar smoking friends and the memories we’ve created. When I think of the best cigars I’ve had, I’m usually not remembering specific flavors. I’m recalling the conversations and celebrations. Perhaps the world’s best cigar was the one I smoked during my wedding reception on the steps of the Union Depot in St. Paul, surrounded by great friends and family. Which cigar was it? Doesn’t really matter.

Finally, I would be remiss to fail to point out how much I value perfect pairings. The more I smoke cigars, the more I understand that beverage pairings are more of an art than a science. For me, depending on the cigar and the time of day, my winning combos include coffee (in the morning with a Connecticut-wrapped cigar), bourbon (in the winter with something full-bodied), rum (in the summer with any cigar), red wine (milder smokes), and some beers (particularly IPAs). I’ve seen others pair up cigars with anything from orange soda and Guinness to iced tea and hot chocolate. Whatever your preference, value it—and remember that the pairing is greater than the sum of its two parts.

–Patrick A

photo credit: N/A