The Stogie Guys

I bought the “Plunge” from Xikar’s website for $29.99 about two months ago. As a cigar enthusiast who vastly prefers wooden matches, I wasn’t looking for much—just a reliable butane lighter that I could use in windy conditions.

The lighter shipped, innocently enough, in a black box complete with instructions. It also included a Xikar catalogue and a sleeve that lauds the product’s “reliable rapidfire ignition, single jet flame, and lifetime warranty.” I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use the latter.

My gunmetal-colored Plunge worked well for about a week or so, producing a powerful, adjustable blue flame when needed. I was looking forward to tossing it in my golf bag once the weather became warm enough to play. Sadly, this lighter never made it that far. Instead, before it was time to refill the butane for the first time, the Plunge began to malfunction. Despite having plenty of fuel—as evidenced by the visible liquid in the circular window and the audible sound of releasing gas—a flame would not emerge.

When I first encountered this problem, I remember pressing down and trying to ignite the flame countless times. Futile. I can also remember peering to see a tiny spark shoot across the stream of gas every time I clicked the ignition. But the spark just wasn’t enough to yield a flame.

I set the lighter aside for a few weeks, hoping it would correct itself if neglected. No dice. Sure, if I pushed my thumb down enough times in rapid succession, a flame would emerge every blue moon. But this is an unacceptable solution.

So now I find myself at the warranty section of Xikar’s website. “If you feel that a Xikar product fails to live up to our promise of fit, finish, or function,” it reads, “simply return it to us and we will immediately and cheerfully repair or replace your product under our total satisfaction guarantee.” Fair enough. But I still have to acquire a bubble wrap envelope, pay for postage, and mail the Plunge back to Xikar’s headquarters in Kansas City.

I’ll be doing so shortly. And I’ll be sure to leave a comment at this post when I receive my new/fixed Plunge. Hopefully it will work properly.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Recently, a single batch of cigars caused three different Stogie Guys’ humidors to show signs of the dreaded cigar beetle. The culprits were caught quickly, but the incident provides a good learning opportunity to talk about what to do when you notice beetle holes (pictured below) in your cigars.

Isolate

Immediately upon the discovery of signs of tobacco beetles, it is critical to stop them from spreading. This means not only removing cigars with beetle holes, but all others that may have beetle eggs in them. First you should inspect all your other cigars for similar holes.

If you see a beetle hole in one cigar, then that means the beetle has hatched and already moved on, likely to another cigar. In a small humidor, particularly where the cigars are not kept in cellophane, this means isolating the entire contents of the humidor. In a larger cabinet, if the infested cigar is in a closed box, I’d recommend isolating the cigars in that box, while keeping an eye on the other cigars in the humidor.

Decontaminate

Cigars with obvious holes should probably be tossed, because even though they may be dead after the decontamination process, smoking a cigar that has beetle eggs in it isn’t a pleasant experience. For all those cigars you are suspicious of, freeze them to make sure any eggs don’t hatch.

To do this, first put all the cigars in a ziplock freezer bag, then in a second ziplock, and carefully remove as much air from the bags as possible before sealing. Then place the bags into a refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Next, move them to the freezer for at least 48 hours, after which you again place the cigars into the refrigerator for two days. The stints in the fridge will make sure that the cigars don’t crack from too sudden of a temperature change or generate condensation, and the freezer will kill any beetle eggs.

Prevent

Once you’ve dealt with the contamination and made sure all your cigars are egg-free, it’s worth examining how they got there to begin with. High temperatures, particularly those above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, are conducive to eggs hatching, so keeping your humidors below 70 degrees is key. Personally, I find that 65 degrees and 65% humidity is ideal. But the real way to prevent beetles from wreaking havoc on your treasured cigars is make sure that cigar beetles aren’t present in your cigars before they go into your humidor.

Some manufacturers freeze their cigars, but others don’t. Getting information on who does and doesn’t can be hard to come by. (Plus, depending on how retailers keep their cigars, it is always possible for those that are frozen to become infested.) That means you have to be vigilant about what goes into your humidor. The best way to do this is to freeze every cigar before it goes into your humidor.

For those who feel this approach is overkill (including me), carefully monitor your existing collection and freeze new cigars that you may be suspicious of. Often, I keep new cigars separated for a month before they get mixed with my other cigars. And since high temperatures cause beetle outbreaks, I am far more likely to freeze cigars that have been shipped to me during the summer, when the temperature in a UPS truck is likely to be way above 75 degrees.

No matter what procedures you decide to put in place, knowing what causes cigar beetles and how you can minimize the risk of an outbreak is vital. Being vigilant will protect your cigars, and if a cigar beetle does sneak by, taking the steps above will minimize the damage they cause and protect your valuable cigars.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Believe it or not, there’s only 16 shopping days left until Christmas. That may sound like a lot of time until you add in all the holiday traffic, errands, and travel.

Chances are you’ve got at least one cigar enthusiast on your shopping list. Be it a father, an uncle, a friend, or a co-worker, it’s important to keep in mind that tastes in cigars vary widely. Some people are averse to specific brands based on past experiences, some only like very mild or very strong cigars, some are maduro smokers or Cuban snobs, and some are just plain picky. Whatever the case, here are seven simple rules that will help you choose the best gift for your favorite cigar smoker:

1. Check your local tobacconist. If the person on your list frequents one specific shop, chat with the proprietor, who may be able to make a few educated recommendations based on past purchases. Failing that, he may be willing sell you a gift certificate to his store so your gift recipient can make his own choices.

2. Think back. The best gifts are usually the most thoughtful. So try to recall a specific occasion when you shared a particular brand or blend. It may sound overly sentimental, but fond memories always make cigars taste better.

3. Avoid box purchases. Some people are easy to buy for because they have a favorite cigar and you know that they’ll enjoy a whole box. Most people, though, aren’t that easy. That’s why we don’t suggest buying a whole box. It’s a lot of money to invest in a gift that can easily go awry.

4. Samplers can be a hit. In December, every cigar retailer on the planet touts holiday samplers that are priced to move. Getting the person on your list a variety of different cigars increases the chances of gift-giving success. Maybe the sampler will include one of his longtime favorites—or maybe it will include a cigar he has yet to try.

5. Listen. We cigar enthusiasts tend to complain to each other when our lighter stops lighting or our cutter stops cutting. If the person on your list has made a similar complaint in recent weeks, he may have been hinting at a Christmas gift. Now’s the time to capitalize on your listening skills.

6. Give what you would like to receive. Don’t give crap. Re-purposing bad cigars from your own collection as gifts is a serious faux pas.

7. You don’t have to go mainstream. Macanudos and Montecristos are fine for some, but the discerning enthusiast will surely enjoy cigars from off the beaten path. Try selecting some of your favorite house blends or boutiques.

This list of holiday shopping tips is far from exhaustive. Please add your own gift-buying suggestions in the comments section below. Meanwhile, best wishes for a happy, cigar-filled holiday season.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

StogieGuys.com will be taking tomorrow and Friday off to enjoy that most American of holidays: Thanksgiving.  (We’ll return Saturday with your regularly scheduled Quick Smoke.) Known for food, family, friends, and football, Thanksgiving is a perfect time to enjoy a fine smoke. So as we did the previous three years, today we’re listing the one cigar we’ll each fire up after the big meal.

Patrick A: This year I’m picking the J. Fuego 777 Corojo Robusto, a Brazilian-wrapped smoke with a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. I’m betting its balanced notes of dry wood, pepper, citrus, and cream will pair well with a post-meal cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin pie. Consistently well-constructed, this cigar won’t let me down on my favorite holiday.

Patrick S: I’ll be visiting family, which means I plan on lighting up a smaller cigar since I’ll be outside in the chilly northeast air. The small Padrón Serie 1926 No. 35 Maduro fits that bill perfectly. Its decadent and rich coffee, earth, and chocolate notes will go perfectly with a cup of coffee, before I head back inside to watch some football and relax.

George E: This year, I’m going to break with tradition and smoke a Cuban, which I’ve had in the humidor for a few months: a Romeo y Julieta Churchill Tubo. It was a gift from a friend who picked it up on a European trip and I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. I think the strength should work well after a big meal, and the size will give me plenty of time to enjoy it on what the weather forecast predicts will be a beautiful day. And, as always, I’ll be thankful for great cigars.

Patrick M: Thanksgiving brings to mind all sorts of comforting thoughts. Time with family, good food, football, and a break from the day-to-day grind. When I think of comfort as it relates to cigars I think of Padrón Anniversary. I never have any construction issues and the balance and complexity are superb. This Thanksgiving after the meal and most of the family has left I plan to sit down and enjoy a Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro. I think it will be the perfect combination of power to cut through the food, and comfort, to end the day.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

This weekend is Halloween, that fabled holiday of trick-or-treating, pumpkins, and ghost stories. That leaves only six short days to pick the perfect costume.

We’re here to help all of you overgrown kids who aren’t above costume parties. After all, depending on your party’s locale, you may want to incorporate a cigar into your disguise—especially if you aim to enjoy some premium tobacco on this spooky occasion. One obvious example is the so-called “Cigar Guy,” that stogie-wielding golf fan who became an internet sensation after he was featured in a widely circulated photo taken at this year’s Ryder Cup. There are countless other possibilities. Here are our top 20 favorites:

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Whether you’re going as The Governator or one of his gun-toting movie characters, a big cigar won’t look out of place.

2. Michael Jordan. Now in retirement, the greatest basketball player always hits the links with a smoke.

3. Groucho Marx. Sure, it’s a little dated, but this American icon loved his stogies.

4. Ulysses S. Grant. Some say the super-sized prez smoked around 20 cigars a day.

5. Mark Twain. America’s cigar-smoking author.

6. Kramer. Just don’t use any racial slurs.

7. Scarface. Say hello to my little friend.

8. Bill Clinton. The former president got into trouble with his cigars.

9. Mike Ditka. Da coach.

10. Sigmund Freud. Do you think the cigar-smoking neurologist was into cigars because he was envious of his father’s you-know-what?

11. Jesse Ventura. I’d recommend going as his Blain character from Predator.

12. Hot cigar girl. Enough said.

13. Winston Churchill. Leading (and smoking) England through World War II, this prime minister is by far the manliest British dude ever. By far.

14. Clint Eastwood. Step one: Grab a six-shooter, a cowboy hat, and a Backwoods cigar. Step two: Go kill some Indians.

15. A cigar store Indian. Watch out for Clint Eastwoods.

16. A cigar-chomping communist dictator. Any Pinko Commie like Fidel Castro, Kim Jong Il, or Che Guevara will do.

17. The Babe. Maybe the greatest slugger in baseball history, Babe Ruth was known for his love of food, drink, and cigars.

18. Tony Soprano. We may never know what happened after “Don’t Stop Believing” stopped playing, but we do know that this mafia boss smoked a cigar in almost every episode of The Sopranos.

19. Al Capone. If we’re talking mafia bosses, why not be the original? Capone was known for his enjoyment of cigars, booze, and women. Just don’t get syphilis.

20. A Cigar. Sure, smoking a cigar while being dressed as a cigar may seem weirdly cannibalistic, but what better way to show your love for stogies?

Got a few costume ideas that we missed? Let us know in the comments.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Daily Mail

When cigar devotees think about accessories, they usually dwell on lighters, cutters, and perhaps small containers of pectin.

But there are a few items that may not seem to have anything to do with smoking I think you should consider keeping on hand. I know they’ve come in handy for me time after time.

1. Large paper clip. Unfold it and you’ve got just the tool necessary to unplug a cigar—or to hold the foot if you really want to nub the smoke. Turning the paper clip as you rub it across rough concrete will sharpen the end, making for an even better cigar implement.

2. Zipper-locking storage bags. Of course, everyone’s familiar with these for short-term cigar storage. But they are valuable for so much more. Several matchboxes fit perfectly in small ones, and long styles are ideal for keeping cedar spills. You’ll likely be amazed at the uses you’ll find for the bags.

3. Eye dropper. In the local pharmacy, you’ll find the oversize, plastic model sold to help people take liquid medicine. I find it ideal for applying distilled water to humidification beads, especially those in tubes.

4. Pen and pad. I’m not referring to the notebook or whatever you might use to keep notes on your cigar smoking experiences. This is separate, and primarily for when you‘re smoking alone. It’s almost impossible, in the relaxed state with a cigar, not to have some thoughts you don’t want to forget.

5. Snus tin. Feel free to substitute an Altoids tin or any other small container that opens and closes easily and tightly. These simply can’t be beat for keeping track of odds and ends.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

With the economy still sputtering, many cigar lovers continue to find themselves strapped for cash. We’ve provided quite a few suggestions for savings in the past and continue to look for ways to assist readers. Here’s the latest installment that we hope will help you reduce expenditures and increase the enjoyment odds:

1. Buy parejos. This is the typical cigar shape: straight sides, rounded head with a cap or pigtail, and an open foot. It’s the easiest shape to roll, so it’s the least costly. Figurados such as torpedos, perfectos, and other irregularly shaped sticks require greater skill to roll properly. So you’ll either pay more for a well-done figurado or risk a poorly rolled cigar.

2. Ignore novelty. When you’re trying to save money and buy good cigars, you need to steel yourself against the latest fad (those double-wrapper cigars look interesting!) or creation (Should I try that new anniversary stick or the latest blend?). They may be terrific cigars, but you’re taking a risk, and shepherding resources is all about reducing risk.

3. Don’t buy bundles blindly. No-name bundle sticks can be a bargain. But, let’s face it, odds are they’ll be mediocre at best. When you’re smoking, do you want your mind focused on a pleasant experience or busy trying to convince yourself that this cigar you can barely tolerate is OK because it didn’t cost much? Personally, I wouldn’t buy more than five sticks of any cigar I hadn’t previously smoked and liked.

4. Just say no. Make sure you have a good cutter, punch, and/or V-cutter. If you have a lighter, use it. That’s all you need. If your lighter breaks, don’t go looking for a new ST Dupont or Bugatti. Wooden matches will do just fine. If you really want a butane torch, get a sub-$3 Ronson. And don’t even think about things like golf course cigar holders or three-finger ostrich skin cases.

5. Reputation means a lot. One great trend lately has been top-flight manufacturers—Pepin, Fuente, Newman, Perdomo, and others—bringing lower-priced cigars to market. These companies have access to excellent tobacco, good rollers, and top blenders; they put their names on the line with every cigar. And they’re on the shelves at most tobacconists, so you can easily try them out one at a time. No, these low-end cigars aren’t as rich, smooth, or complex as high-dollar cigars, but smoking them will, once again, increase the odds you’ll be pleased.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr