The Stogie Guys

About a year ago, I wrote about my “storage wars,” the term I’ve affectionately assigned to the concept of having multiple humidors in lieu of one central, controlled location for all of my cigars. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have one large humidor in your home, preferably a walk-in, with all the cigars easily accessible, sorted by name, and labeled with received dates?” I wrote. “It would make aging simpler, humidification easier to monitor, and your whole stash more organized.”

Having multiple humidors (as I still do) can be somewhat of a curse because each humidor has its own mannerisms, creating extra variables for sensitivity, humidity, and temperature. But my collection of disparate, smaller humidors is also a blessing, as each one comes with a story and significant sentimental value. The humidor I got for my wedding that’s engraved with my wedding date is particularly important to me.

Recently, it became clear that one of my not-so-sentimental humidors needed to be replaced. I had purchased it on Ebay in my younger days. It was very inexpensive but also very low-quality. The interior wood was not Spanish cedar. The seal on the lid was poor. And, as a result, I found myself in a constant struggle to keep the humidity at a proper level. So I manned up and got an Adorini Cedro Deluxe.

It quickly became apparent that the Adorini Cedro Deluxe would be the highest quality humidor in my collection. And it should be. The retail price for the moderate-sized (9 x 11 x 5) humidor is $324 (though you can currently pick one up from Humidor Discount for under $260). For that amount of coin you’d expect the humidor to exceed the expectations of the most discerning cigar enthusiast. After using the humidor on my own cigars for the past month, I expect it will.

Several features of the Adorini Cedro Deluxe bear highlighting. First, the interior of the lid is magnetic, which means you can remove or adjust the location of the hygrometer and the humidifier. This is a huge bonus as different cigar configurations call for different lid setups to maximize headroom. Second, the interior has unique “ventilation ribs” to improve air circulation. I haven’t seen this before; apparently it’s an Adorini protected innovation. Third, fitted separators fit into the ribs to enable you to create custom separator arrangements.

Other capabilities include a pre-calibrated hygrometer, a gold-plated humidifier with adjustable ventilation openings, extra-strong hinges, a felt bottom, and a beautiful cedar veneer. From an educational standpoint, Adorini should also be commended for including a well-written, informative pamphlet with the humidor that details why Spanish cedar is preferred, tips for storing cigars, and frequent humidor problems and solutions.

Needless to say, I’m a fan. Adorini has set a new standard for me. In the little time I’ve been using the Cedro Deluxe, I’ve found the setup to be fairly simple and the maintenance to be quite easy. True, this is a significant investment. But it’s one that promises to pay dividends for many years to come.

-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Green candela wrappers were once very popular with American cigar smokers. So much so that candela wrapper leafs—which go through a special quick and hot fermentation process that locks in the green color—were known as “American Market Selection,” as opposed to more traditional brown “English Market Selection” wrappers.

These days candelas are less popular and more of a novelty. Which is why cigar makers who bring American Market Selection cigars to the U.S. market often attach their release to St. Patrick’s Day, where consumers sometimes pair them with green beer (pictured).

If you’re thinking about trying a candela, this weekend (St. Patrick’s Day) is as good a time as any. To that end, here’s a quick rundown of some of the green cigars available:

Black Market Filthy Hooligan by Alec Bradley — This is 2013′s new addition to the candela ranks. It features the same blend as the regular Black Market (Panamanian and Honduran filler with a Sumatra binder) coupled with a candela wrapper. If you like the regular Black Market cigar, this is your best bet.

Illusione Candela — Illusione makes it’s original blend (Nicaraguan binder and filler) with candela in a few sizes. Back in 2011 when it first came out, we found the 88 size to be a pleasant smoke with tea and plenty of sweet flavors, and lacking the bitterness that sometimes defines candela cigars.

Viaje WLP St. Patrick’s Day — Now in it’s third annual release, this Viaje is part of the limited release “White Label Project” series. I’ve smoked a few of the 2012 edition, which features the brightest candela wrapper I’ve ever seen, and found that it equaled the Illusione as my favorite candela.

Camacho Candela Monarca — Many years ago I reviewed this candela by Honduran producer Camacho. One of the first candelas I ever smoked, it features the classic banana peel and grassy notes that I strongly associate with green wrappers.

Don Tomás Candela — My colleague reviewed this candela with some skepticism when the company claimed it was the result of three bales of candela wrappers that had been “lost” for 18 years. Ultimately, though, he found it to be a “respectable” smoke with enjoyable flavors, even if it wasn’t destined to be a regular in his rotation.

Fuente 8-5-8 Candela — Fuente’s regular line is known for smooth, mild flavors produced by Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. I smoked one of these a few years back and recall just that: a mild, balanced smoke with just a hint of classic grassy candela flavors.

Those are the candela cigars we can personally speak to, but there are a few others. La Flor Dominicana recently released their “double claro” (another name for candela). Rocky Patel makes the Edge blend with a candela for St. Patrick’s Day. And for while La Gloria Cubana also made one in a few sizes, it isn’t clear if it’s still produced.

If you’ve considered trying one before, I’d encourage you to use St. Patrick’s Day as a reason to take the plunge. Pick a brand with non-candela smokes that you like, and see what a world of difference a green wrapper can make. Finally, remember that for better or worse, with enough Jameson and Guinness, any cigar is bound to taste good.

-Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

If you’re a new cigar smoker, this is for you. These are a few thoughts I wish someone had shared with me when I started. They might ease your path on a wonderful journey.

First, don’t worry too much. About anything. I remember vividly when I was a beginner I heard and read so much about being careful not to clip too much off the head that I was nearly petrified of using a guillotine cutter.

I was certain I’d destroy the cap and the cigar would unceremoniously unravel completely in my hands. For years, I used a punch or V-cutter, which is fine. But my fear was misplaced. A little common sense and careful observation probably would helped. Just don’t cut down too far and there’s no problem.

Then there’s the perennial cigar question, the one I think Aristotle asked when he lit his first Padrón: “Cello on or cello off?”

The truth is, it’s up to you. Cellophane has been used for decades. It helps protect cigars, particularly in transit, and it slows, but doesn’t stop, the transfer of air and the aging process.

Some manufacturers use it, some don’t. Though you can always find a discussion on the topic in one cigar forum or another, most smokers just go with the way they came.

In other words, don’t worry too much.

And my final tip along those lines is about what you’re tasting. Everyone’s different, and most smokers experience an evolution. What you find in cigars now will likely be different six months or a year from now.

Don’t get hung up on why you didn’t enjoy a cigar others are raving about. Or be too quick to adopt a favorite or two. Let yourself experience lots of cigars with different tobaccos, different sizes, and different origins.

Relax. Don’t worry. Enjoy.

-George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve seen it time and again in cigar shops, cigar bars, or at other cigar-friendly locales: misinformed smokers who hastily tap, smash, or smear their cigars in an ashtray after almost every puff. They know not the damage they cause.

Cigar smoking is all about taste, relaxation, and enjoyment. So while I’m all for the “to each his own” mentality, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the danger of over-ashing.

First, let’s remember that smoking a cigar is a lot like cooking dinner. You need the right amount of time and the right temperature to achieve the optimal flavor. In order to properly “cook” tobacco (i.e., in order to properly caramelize its sugars), I’m told the target is 494˚F at the foot.

No need to crack out that thermometer, though. Smoking cigars is more of an art than a science. Just remember that taking time between puffs and allowing the ash to build up will help maintain the proper temperature. You want cool, flavorful smoke. Over-ashing may increase a cigar’s heat and harshness by exposing the foot to excess oxygen.

Now I’m aware that some occasions call for more frequent ashing than is otherwise optimal. For instance, if you’re wearing new pants and don’t want to run the risk of a lapful. Or if you’re indoors and want to avoid spillage. Or if you’re trying a new stick and aren’t sure of its ash threshold.

No occasion, however, calls for the sort of over-ashing that I often observe. Likewise, it’s hard to imagine a scenario that merits stubbing out a finished premium cigar like a cigarette. Doing so results in a mass of foul odors and unpleasant smoke. An artisan craft like a handmade cigar deserves a respectful death—extinguishing in the ashtray peacefully on its own.

All this said, I’ve never considered myself one of those cigar enthusiasts who obsesses over achieving ashes of great length. Ashes that were featured by Nub in an ad campaign several years ago (pictured) are too intense for my liking. Cigars, after all, aren’t about competition. But any smoking method that produces the intended flavor profile and enhances enjoyment is worth practicing and promulgating.

-Patrick A

photo credit: Nub Cigar

Most of us are all too familiar with the many cigar-related gadgets on the market. From cigar holders for the golf course to unique and expensive lighters, cutters, and humidor accessories, the manufacturers and retailers of these products would have us believe that no cigar enthusiast is complete without gadgets. Nothing could be further from the truth.

But I’m willing to consider utilitarian products that I can envision being helpful on a routine basis—especially if they’re inexpensive. The new Screwpop Cigar Punch falls into this category. I’ve been using one for the past couple of weeks (provided to me by Screwpop, in the interest of full disclosure), and I’ve found it to be a decent addition to my keychain.

The Screwpop Cigar Punch is a bottle opener/punch cutter that securely clamps around a keychain (or pretty much anything else—like a clip on a golf bag, a belt loop, or the eyelet of a zipper). It has a rust-resistant body comprised of aluminum so, while it will add bulk to your keychain, it certainly won’t weigh you down.

As a bottle opener, it works perfectly. To reveal the cigar punch, simply unscrew the aluminum cap. The punch itself is sharp and functions just as you’d expect. I’ve tried it on a number of cigars of varying size and wrapper type and found no problems. Just like any other punch, though, you wouldn’t want to use it on torpedos.

My only concern with the product is the possibility of losing the screw cap that protects the punch. Once separated, there’s nowhere to affix the cap as you’re punching the cigar. Obviously, if you were to lose the cap, you may not want to keep Screwpop on your keychain or elsewhere since the sharp cutter will be exposed. Accidents happen.

That said, I can recommend this product to cigar enthusiasts who prefer punch cuts and also have an affinity for beer. And at only $7.95 from Cigars International, you won’t have to break the bank to give it a try.

-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Next Monday is Christmas Eve. After weeks of carols and crowded malls, the big day is almost here. For those of us who are cigar enthusiasts, there are a few steps we can take to help make this holiday season more enjoyable.

Give the gift of cigars. Chances are you have a cigar smoker on your shopping list. I’ve previously provided rules of thumb to keep in mind when buying a present for a fellow brother of the leaf, and I think they bear repeating at this opportune time. For one, remember to favor samplers over boxes, unless you know the target is loyal to one brand or one specific blend. Cigar accessories and books about cigars make more permanent gifts than those that are smokable. And buying someone a membership in Cigar Rights of America is both thoughtful and productive in the overall battle to protect cigar freedoms.

Winterize your humidor. This time of year poses particular challenges to the safe storage of cigars. Taking a few preventative measures now will save you time, money, and heartache in the long run. Colder air means less humidity, so pay special attention to your hygrometer; humidors will need to be re-charged with moisture more often in the winter. Be sure to keep distilled water on hand. If you use beads, solution, or some other moisture-granting mechanism, now would be a good time to order reserves. Check the seal of your humidor to ensure the moisture you are supplying isn’t leaking out.

Travel with cigars. Many will be traveling by plane to visit with friends and family over the holidays. Since they may be lost or confiscated by TSA officials, don’t pack expensive cigar paraphernalia in your carry-on luggage. In lieu of a fancy lighter, for example, bring along a Ronson (a reliable butane torch that only costs a few dollars). When it comes to cutters, opt for a simple keychain punch or a plastic guillotine. Travel humidors can be bulky, but you can achieve the same level of safety by enclosing your cigars in a simple Ziploc bag with a humi-pack, then wrapping the bag in soft items you planned to bring along anyways, such as clean boxer shorts.

Share your favorites. Those cigars you’ve been setting aside for a special occasion are just begging to be smoked and shared. Friends and family who might not otherwise partake in a cigar will be more receptive to smoking on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. So if you’re traveling, bring along more cigars than you think you’ll need. And if you’re welcoming others into your home, share the bounties of your collection. Your generosity will be rewarded and much appreciated.

Above all, my colleagues and I are wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season. If you have an additional tip you’d like to pass along, please provide it in the comments.

-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With football on the TV, turkey in your stomach, and family gathered, Thanksgiving is a great day to enjoy a fine cigar (or several). So, as we have for the previous five years, today the StogieGuys.com team tells you what cigars we’ll be firing up after our big meals.

Patrick A: One cigar I’ve been enjoying lately is the Emilio Cigars Series H Maduro Robusto. Its profile of dark coffee, creamy nut, and cocoa will pair well a little bourbon outside on what should be an unseasonably warm day in Chicago. And since the cigar only costs $7, I won’t mind handing it out to interested family members for a post-meal celebration. I won’t feel guilty, either, since it’s a fantastic smoke.

Patrick S: It may be Thanksgiving, but my choice is equally inspired by Halloween: the Tatuaje Mummy (Halloween 2012). I picked up a 10-count box of these without trying one first, and I’m glad I did. The large Churchill (7.75 x 47) with a closed foot utilizes a Nicaraguan sun-grown criollo wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The result is a nuanced, medium- to full-bodied cigar with coffee, cedar, cream, and just a bit of clove and pepper spice. With a cup of coffee and maybe some bourbon, it seems like the perfect way to digest a heavy turkey dinner.

George E: I didn’t really have to think twice about what I’ll light up on Thanksgiving. I haven’t had an Aging Room F55 for several weeks, and I’m looking forward to what I’ve found to be a truly great cigar. As a vegetarian, I won’t be full of turkey and ham, but I’m sure I’ll be plenty full nonetheless. The Concerto (7 x 50), with its bold flavors and nice burn, will go perfectly with an after-dinner cut of coffee and easily last for the first half of the Patriots-Jets game.

Previous cigars the StogieGuys.com team designated as Thanksgiving smokes include:

Not a bad list, eh? If you’re so inclined, feel free to let us know what you’ll be smoking tomorrow in the comments below. And be sure to have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: N/A