The Stogie Guys

In this segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I look at rare displays of honesty, seasonal changes, and why new releases may be good for your wallet.

Telling the Truth

Sometimes the truth will come out. Check out these descriptions from a recent Holt’s catalog about two of its bundle offerings:

• “Below average flavor and construction”
• “Mild and non-descript”

Then there’s the pitch from Corona Cigar Co. for its cleverly named bundle, Don Nobody: “Well here’s the truth…I ain’t no Cuban and these cigars aren’t made by somebody claiming to be Fidel Castro’s personal cigar roller.” You gotta love it.

Summer’s Here

Remember that the changing seasons can mean different things for your humidor. With summer now fully upon us, you may need to think again about humidity levels, temperatures, and humidor placement. Air-conditioning can suck moisture from the air similar to what many heating systems do, possibly reducing the level in your room to as low as 40%. It’s a good idea to frequently check whatever type of humidification system you use. If you have a cooler spot in your home, such as a cellar or basement, that’s often a good location for the humidor. Use a thermometer to measure the ambient temperature rather than rely on the thermostat that’s probably several rooms away. And, remember, fans don’t lower the temperature.

New Cigars, Better Deals?

Buckle up for an onslaught of new cigar releases. With the annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show less than a month away, cigar makers will be presenting new lines, new extensions for old lines, new sizes, new tobaccos, new, new, new. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and caught up in the hype. Don’t worry, though, if you can’t find some special cigar you want to try. If it’s any good, it’ll show up sooner or later. (If not, why’d you want to smoke it anyway?) Sometimes August and September can be good for bargain hunters. Some shop owners, fresh from placing orders and anticipating new stock, need to clear out space. They may mark down sticks that haven’t been selling well or are being dropped. So keep your eyes open.

–George E

photo credit: Holt’s Cigar Co.

It’s been too long since the StogieGuys.com team published a new list of Gold Star Smokes. As you might recall, this special designation celebrates cigars that we feel are worthy of strong recommendations. They don’t necessarily have to be five stogie-rated—just commendable smokes we turn to time and again.

Co-Founder & Editor in Chief Patrick A

The Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve typically sells for $12 per cigar, but when my local shop put the torpedo (6.1 x 52) on sale for $9.50, I grabbed up a sizeable stash. This wonderful cigar, which debuted about a year ago, has a flavor of spice, cream, earthiness, and sweetness that hits my palate in all the right ways. Expertly balanced and more complex than most realize, this is a fine cigar with excellent construction. It’s too bad only 10,000 torpedos were produced.

Co-Founder & Publisher Patrick S

As soon as I smoked Babyface, the Tatuaje Monsters version of “The Face,” I wished I had bought more than the two boxes of the Little Monsters I purchased, plus the one I was gifted before mine arrived (each Little Monsters box has two Babyfaces). The robusto-sized cigar features tremendous creaminess, graham cracker, and dark chocolate. The finish is deliciously clean and the cigar has excellent construction. I would buy two boxes in a second if this cigar was available by the box for its pro-rated price of $7.50 per cigar.

Tampa Bureau Chief George E

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Last weekend I attended Famous Smoke Shop’s Cigarnival at their year-old Leaf Cigar Bar, Restaurant, and Lounge location. The event reminded me why cigar smokers wanting to learn more about the craft of cigars should attend events, whether just a small visit by a brand representative to their local shop or a large event like Cigarnival, with nearly 1,000 attendees and two dozen or so industry representatives.

Often it’s the perks that bring people to such events. In the case of Cigarnival 2012, it was enough cigars and swag to cover the cost of the ticket ($180), not to mention the unlimited beer, lunch, dinner, and carnival show. At smaller events it’s the special event deal or free samples.

But the best part of such shows is getting a few minutes with the guys who actually make the cigars we enjoy on a daily basis, and in my experience they are always willing to spend a few minutes talking with their customers.

No question will go unanswered if you just ask. In just a few hours, I was able to talk with Pete Johnson (Tatuaje), Jesus Fuego (J. Fuego Cigars), Abe Flores (Pinar del Rio), Ricky Rodriguez and Michael Giannini (General Cigar), Sean Williams (El Primer Mundo), Jonathan Drew (Drew Estate), José Blanco (Joya de Nicaragua), Brad Mayo (Jameson Cigars) and many others. (Details about some of the upcoming projects they told me about will be coming in a future article previewing the 2012 Trade Show.)

And although I was there as press, I saw many regular cigar-loving attendees do the same. It’s one of the things about the premium cigar industry that makes it so easy to write about: The industry is small enough that with minimal effort, whether via social media or in person, anyone can converse with the guys (and gals) responsible for making their favorite smokes.

In other ways, such events showcase the very best of the cigar industry. You meet fellow cigar fans and talk about your shared passion for cigars.

The defense of cigars from meddling politicians was also on display at Cigarnival. The Cigar Rights of America (CRA) booth was busy all day signing up new members.

Later, representatives of CRA were given the stage to explain how important it is to support CRA and the bill in Congress that would stop the FDA regulatation of cigars.

Famous Smoke owner Arthur Zaretsky, who moved the store from New York to Pennsylvania to escape the oppressive New York tax regime, took the stage too, imploring attendees to contact Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and demand his support for the bill. He then surprised everyone, including CRA representatives, by offering to subsidize half of the cost of CRA membership for anyone who signed up at the event.

All in all, it was a pointed reminder of not only what is so great about cigars, but the challenges cigars face from government regulation and taxes. For example, if the FDA bill doesn’t pass, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine FDA regulations including a ban on samples like those handed out at the event and many similar events around the country.

So enjoy cigar events now, and fight to protect your right to enjoy them in the future by supporting CRA and contacting your representatives in support of the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Famous Smoke

I like cigar boxes. Especially when they’re filled with cigars. But to be honest, 20 or 25 sticks are more than I often want.

It’s not that I (usually) buy boxes of cigars that I don’t thoroughly enjoy or that I quickly grow bored with them. No, the fact is that I rarely smoke more than one cigar a day. Factor in the occasional off day, trips to a shop where I’ll purchase a cigar to enjoy there, and the general variety of smoking, and a box of 20 could easily take me a couple of years to finish.

What generally happens is I’ll end up with a box from which I’ve smoked down to the last six or eight, and I’ll transfer them to another container. Then, likely as not, I’ll sort of lose track of them. If I were more organized, I’d call it aging.

That’s why I applaud what seems to be a growing trend for cigar makers to market their wares in boxes of ten. This seems to be particularly true of special editions and limited releases.

For example, when Nestor Miranda teamed up with the Garcias to create the excellent Grand Reserve Torpedo, they sold the 10,000-stick run in boxes of 10. I’ve read that the recently announced successor will also come in boxes of ten.

Jameson Cigar Co. is another maker that’s into tens. Its two sizes of Santos de Miami come in divided boxes of ten.

When Don Pepin unveiled his 2011 Limited Edition he struck close, packaging 12 of the 6.5-inch Toros in his characteristic heavy, thick boxes.

Among the newest releases in a ten-pack is Tatuaje’s Little Monsters. Of course, with the popularity of that series, Pete Johnson could probably release them in boxes of 100 and still quickly sell out.

You might say I’m making far too big a deal of this, and if I only want ten cigars I should simply purchase singles. That’s true. But a box not only keeps the cigars together; it protects them and shows you what’s in your humidor.

Besides, as I said, I like cigar boxes.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

We’re one month away from 80th annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show, the convention where cigar makers from around the world gather to showcase their products, debut new creations, and interact with retailers.

As usual, StogieGuys.com will be covering the event to keep you abreast of the new smokes that will soon be hitting a tobacconist near you. Before we do that, though, I wanted to share three thoughts about what I’d like to see at this year’s trade show. After all, one month before the biggest cigar event of the year is an appropriate time to reflect on the state of the industry.

More Limited Editions

Many cigar makers, particularly those who don’t grow their own tobacco, have only enough tobacco to make a small run without sacrificing quality and consistency. So limited releases can be some of the best (if rare) cigars available. For that reason, I welcome more limited cigars, as long as they’re limited for a good reason and not just a marketing gimmick. Besides, if the FDA does end up regulating premium cigars, the disastrous, ill-conceived government approval process will likely be so costly that cigar makers will be forced to focus on large runs that they think would have mass appeal. I hope this doesn’t happen but, for this reason, I’d like to have the opportunity to collect more limited editions before the politicians and bureaucrats ruin everything. And if they get their way, you can bet they will.

More Support for Cigar Rights

Speaking of FDA regulation, you and I owe a lot of thanks to Cigar Rights of America (CRA), IPCPR, and all groups, individuals, and businesses who are fighting for the right to enjoy a cigar. Tobacco taxes, smoking bans, and harmful regulations will continue to pile up if they are not met with resistance. Recognizing this, many cigar makers have generously donated much time and money to the cause, and I hope this continues—especially at this critical juncture. Don’t forget that you can do your part as well. Make sure to support CRA and tell your friends and family to do the same. What happens over the next year at the federal level will have massive implications on the industry for years to come.

Focus on Comparative Advantages

Every year at the trade show it seems like every cigar maker has a handful of new lines to introduce. What’s new is sexy, and I understand this from a business standpoint. But we’re at the point where the market is saturated with new lines and blends. I can’t keep track of them all. And a lot of them, frankly, are duds that get forgotten before the summer’s even over. How many new cigars from last year’s IPCPR do you remember offhand? That’s what I thought. For this reason, I applaud those cigar makers who focus on a few lines and do them well year after year. Introduce a new blend when you’ve got something truly unique or when you’ve acquired an excellent crop of tobacco that you’ve never had before. Otherwise, focus on quality control and the blends you do best. This strategy may not be sexy, but I’d have to imagine it will yield good results in terms of revenue and reputation.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Folks who only enjoy a cigar once in a blue moon typically view cigars as luxuries for special occasions. Graduation. A promotion. The birth of a child. A wedding. You get the idea.

Those of us who consider cigars to be a happy and (much more) regular part of our lives, though, don’t require a special occasion to light up. Sure, we might save some of our most prized cigars for meaningful moments—even if that practice is somewhat discouraged by my colleague—but any day of the week is a good day for premium tobacco. For us, cigars are a meaningful component of who we are. We read about them. We collect and care for them. And we smoke them often.

If you, like me, smoke cigars during special occasions and most days in between, you may also find that, just as cigars can be a wonderful accompaniment to a joyous event, they can also be a therapeutic relief in stressful or trying times. When something goes wrong, it’s often a good idea to step back from the situation, reflect, and take a few moments to weigh your options or get your mind off the subject completely. These are good days to pull something nice from your humidor.

I’ll give you an example. Back in 2008, I was involved in a minor car accident that thankfully produced no injuries but still messed up my car. The car was pretty new at the time, and it was (and still is) the first new car I ever owned. It still had that new car smell. And, up until the accident, I was still obsessing over the tiniest of scratches.

Once the accident scene was cleared, the police report was filed, and the insurance company was contacted, I found myself back home replaying the event in my head over and over, stressing and worrying about the whole situation. Accidents happen. Cars can be fixed. But those truths weren’t making me feel any better.

So I did what any reasonable cigar enthusiast would do. I grabbed a nice smoke from my humidor, I poured myself a generous serving of rum, and I grabbed a seat on my patio to clear my head. I don’t know for sure, but I’d bet my heart rate and my blood pressure fell to more reasonable levels over the ensuing 90 minutes.

Since that crummy day, there have been dozens of times when a cigar helped me move past an unfortunate situation. Maybe you’ve also found cigars to be an excellent (and relatively cheap) source of therapy. If you haven’t yet, consider lighting up something nice the next time you need a quick reprieve from a stressful day. I think you’ll find the practice worthwhile.

The car did get fixed, by the way. All of the damage was cosmetic, yet costly to repair. It’s still running well and hopefully will be for years to come. The day it dies, though, you can bet I’ll be smoking a cigar.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

I don’t like to be a complainer. I have way too much to be thankful for than to spend my time griping about this and whining about that. As a writer, reader, and lover of cigars, though, I recognize that sometimes grievances need to be aired. Today is one of those times.

In a previous listing of my top cigar pet peeves, I noted that while I consider cigars to be one of the great joys of my life, there are a number of cigar-related problems that continually irk me. Some are trivial, others not so much. In any event, I list a handful of them here:

Cigars with a Poor Draw

The more cigars I enjoy, the more I realize that I’m an enthusiast who wants the smoke to come free and easy. There’s nothing like a great-tasting stick that smokes like a chimney, emitting bountiful tufts of flavorful, aromatic smoke. I have a low tolerance for cigars that are tight, or cigars that draw inconsistently from stick to stick. A straight burn and a solid ash are important to construction, but these days I’m all about the draw.

The Government

The biggest threats to the cigar industry are the meddling politicians in Washington and in state capitals across the country. Tobacco taxes, smoking bans, and the potential of stifling regulations from the FDA all spell trouble for cigar companies, those who depend on cigar jobs at home and abroad, tobacco shops, and every cigar smoker. I believe many of the best cigars that have ever been made are in production today. Yet our so-called “leaders” are doing everything they can to make cigars too expensive, make smoke-friendly establishments illegal, make limited edition blends impossible to roll out, and make boutique manufacturers a thing of the past.

Shops with Bad Customer Service

Is it too much to ask for a tobacconist to have a basic understanding of his inventory? Or to be attentive to his customer’s needs? Or to act like he actually appreciates your business? Even though many B&Ms are average to excellent in terms of customer service, that still leaves far too many with a lot of room for improvement. It’s crummy to have a bad experience in a shop, especially when you can probably buy the same cigars online for a fraction of the price.

Guys Who Only Smoke Cubans

Every so often I run into a guy who says he only smokes Cubans. I can’t understand this. While Cuba produces some fine cigars, I continue to encounter inconsistency issues with many Cuban smokes, and the prices are often too high for what you get in return. Meanwhile, countries like Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic are turning out awesome blends and leading the industry in quality control. This guy may think he’s better than everyone else, but he’s missing out on the best tobacco in the world.

So those are my gripes for today. Feel free to share your feedback, or your own cigar pet peeves, in the comments below. It’s Wednesday, and today is a good day to complain.

–Patrick A

photo credit: N/A