The Stogie Guys

In recent years, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) has gone out of its way to crack down on non-members visiting its annual Trade Show. The IPCPR made it clear that not only were consumers not welcome, but that legitimate members, especially retailers, who brought consumers to the show could face repercussions. (Complicating matters was a debate about the status of internet media outlets.)

Now the IPCPR has officially moved to change that, and welcome consumers—specifically the cigar smoking public—to their show, for at least part of one day. Just before the new year, John Anderson, chairman of the IPCPR Board Trade Show Committee and co-owner of W. Curtis Draper’s in Washington, DC, sent an email to IPCPR members (of which StogieGuys.com is an online media member) announcing the changes, which he says are already being planned:

In an effort to raise funds for our continued and ever more expensive legislative battles, the IPCPR Board Trade Show Committee is planning two events to take place at the 2013 annual Trade Show in Las Vegas.

The first event under consideration is a Consumer Day that will take place on the last half-day of the show.

• The goal of the event is to generate $100,000 for our legislative battles.
• Each ticket will include a pre-packaged assortment of select cigars purchased by the IPCPR from volunteer manufacturers, as well as a chance to walk the Trade Show floor to meet and interface with the individuals behind the brands in the industry.
• This event will be limited to the first 500 consumers who purchase tickets (ticket price TBD based on cigar selections & cost).

The second event under consideration is a Roast. This will be an elaborate event featuring:

• A celebrity comedian as the host, a panel of well-known industry “roasters,” and a carefully selected “roastee.”
• Tickets for the Roast will cost $ (TBD based on catering selections) and will include entry to the event, heavy hors d’ oeuvres, and an open bar.
• Tables and sponsorship opportunities will be available for purchase.
• The roast will be open to the consumers who attended the Consumer Day as well as the industry and will make for a lighthearted conclusion to a busy week of work.

All money raised from the events will go directly towards funding legislative pursuits.

Analysis

The move represents a radical departure for the IPCPR, which has maintained that the Trade Show is primarily an event for buying and selling cigars. But it is not an illogical move. As we’ve noted many times, there is much for the cigar industry to do when it comes to protecting cigars from government regulation, taxation, and prohibition, and the IPCPR is one of the groups doing important work to defend cigars from anti-tobacco zealots.

While the goal—more funds to protect cigars from legislative attacks—is clearly worthwhile, the proposal raises a number of issues which should be addressed.

Continue Reading…

I said goodbye to an old friend the other day. After more than seven years of faithful service, my worn Ronson Jetlite torch gave up the ghost. I’m not sure, but I think it was the ignition system that sputtered away.

Think about that. Seven years. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of cigars torched and touched up. Filled with butane that ranged from the cheapest drug-store no-name brands to fancy quintuple-filtered fuel, a $3 Ronson performed perfectly time after time.

If you’re a regular StogieGuys.com reader, you know we’ve long extolled the virtues of this simple, reliable lighter. My recent experience reinforced that view.

After the Jetlite died, I went rummaging through my cigar accessories stash and found several other lighters. The first one I tried—a thin, stylish lighter I’d rarely used—came apart when I tried to light it. A couple of others, admittedly cheapies, either wouldn’t ignite or did so erratically. The only reliable lighter was a BenzOmatic micro-torch that holds a ton of butane and fires up every time. But it has two problems. It requires another flame to light it, and the flame is unbelievably hot.

So, I went to the cigarette counter at my local Walmart and picked up another Jetlite. There have been a few changes since I bought my first. The price is up about $1 (still a bargain). And Zippo bought Ronson a couple of years ago. But in appearance at least, the lighter seems to be the same.

One thing I didn’t notice before, though perhaps it was there, is a line on the packaging that the lighter is “Excellent for Pipes and Cigars.” Yes, it’s excellent for cigars. But I hope no one would be foolish enough to risk severe damage to a pipe by using a torch lighter of any kind.

So, I’ve met my new friend. Here’s to what I hope is a long and happy relationship.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

About the only negative comment I have about this cigar is that the double bands and emblazoned tissue paper packaging hide a gorgeous wrapper with a lovely aroma. An all-ligero Dominican puro, this slow burning stick is a great combination of spice and sweetness in a medium-strength package. Not always easy to find, it’s well worth tracking down for a great change of pace.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

I’ve been smoking some fine cigars this holiday season, but perhaps none as complex or expertly balanced as the Belicoso Extra (6.75 x 52) from Paul Garmirian’s 15th Anniversary line. True, the smoke normally costs upwards of $14. And the one I smoked for this write-up had been resting in my humidor for over 18 months. You’d expect a lot from such an investment of money and time. What I found thankfully met my expectations: excellent construction and a wonderful, full-bodied profile of cedar, melon, cinnamon, and pepper. If you haven’t tried the 15th Anniversary yet, you’re missing out.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday (and on special occasions midweek) 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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

Released by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo (along with the Oliva I recently tried), this Toro is part of a series of cigars celebrating Atlantic Cigar’s 15th year of business. It features a maduro Brazilian Habano wrapper around Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The result is an extremely balanced cigar with medium-bodied flavors, particularly milk chocolate, coffee, and cedar. It’s another impressive creation by Carrillo with notable amounts of sweet, earthy flavors. Combine that with flawless construction and it’s easy to recommend.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

The No. 13 Lancero is the fifth size in Joya de Nicaragua’s Cabinetta, a line that boasts Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos along with dual wrappers (Ecuadorian shade and Nicaraguan criollo). It measures 7.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 38 and retails for just under $8. As un-traditional as it may look, the cigar has a classic profile of toast, cream, coffee, nut, and spice. Construction is top-notch, and the mild- to medium-bodied flavor pairs well with a morning cup of joe.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday (and on special occasions midweek) 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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

Relatively new from Miami Cigar & Co., Añoranza is made with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco, including an oscuro Habano wrapper. My robusto burned flawlessly and produced loads of full-bodied flavors and thick, powdery smoke. Earth and unsweetened cocoa were the primary flavors, but notes of black pepper spice, cinnamon, and cedar were also apparent. Not a cigar to be trifled with, Añoranza is a flavor bomb, making it a good candidate for the conclusion of a multi-cigar evening. It’s especially nice with bourbon.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys