The Stogie Guys

Recently, I read two columns on smoking. The first, by Joseph Brown in the Tampa Tribune, explored and excoriated Tobacco Free Florida for its advertisement that claims 38,000 Americans die annually from secondhand smoke—1,000 more than the number killed in auto accidents.

The second, by Jane Brody in the New York Times, dealt with the difficulties of quitting cigarette smoking. And it was a statistic she presented that made me think about a vast difference in cigar and cigarette smokers. According to data she cited, 70 percent of cigarette smokers say they want to quit and many, many of those who try to stop fail rather quickly as a result of circumstances.

Think about that for a minute. Nearly three-quarters of those who smoke cigarettes want to stop. How many premium cigar smokers do you know who want to quit?

I’d guess the number is zero. When someone wants to quit smoking cigars they just stop. And they don’t start again unless they consciously decide they want to. (Oh, I’m sure there are people who smoke machine-made cigars and “little cigars” who inhale and are addicted to the nicotine. If you looked hard enough, you could probably find someone who inhales premiums and is hooked on the nicotine, too. But I’m talking about the other 99.9 percent of us.)

With so much anti-tobacco effort devoted to stopping under-age smoking so that young people won’t become addicted, it seems worthwhile to point out that cigars don’t present that problem. Cigar smokers light up because they want to, not because they need to.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS — I am happy to tell you from firsthand experience that the capital and largest city in the U.S. Virgin Islands makes for an absolutely wonderful vacation. That is, of course, if you’re into gorgeous beaches, terrific seafood, unyielding sunshine, and a laid back atmosphere that almost gives Jamaica a run for its money.

I happen to enjoy all of those things, and I’m having an unforgettable time catching up with my family in this Caribbean paradise. But I thought I’d take a quick break in the shade and share a few cigar-related travel tips about St. Thomas in case you’re planning a trip. And if you’re not, this photo I snapped a few days ago might entice you to consider the journey.

First thing’s first: St. Thomas is a wonderful place to smoke cigars. Finding a nice spot under a palm tree midday is as easy as finding sand in a desert—and the view is likely to be spectacular. If you didn’t bring your own cooler, beachside bars are happy to pour your favorite libation or any of their frozen specialties.

When you need a break from the sun and decide to head indoors, cigar smoking is likely to be welcome there too, especially since most bars and restaurants are of the open air variety. Unlike the British Virgin Islands, which enacted a smoking ban in 2006, St. Thomas continues to embrace freedom of choice and property rights. As a result, “No Smoking” signs are awfully hard to come by.

This, I think, is all part of the island’s easy-going lifestyle, which includes a widespread tolerance of open bottles in automobiles, drinking in public, and marijuana. Service will be slow at restaurants but, for reasons beyond my understanding, taxi drivers are excessively speedy on the island’s narrow, winding roads.

While St. Thomas is an exceptional place to smoke cigars, it is not a great place to buy them. Cubans are hard to come by (remember: it’s still the U.S.), Cuban counterfeits are readily available, and premiums will cost quite a bit more than at your local B&M. Since nonsmokers are more willing to try cigars at such a beautiful locale, prices are high.

So what’s a stogie enthusiast to do on such a smoker friendly, buyer beware island? Bring your own from home. I packed a hefty bundle for my father and I and that proved to be the right strategy. And since you only go through customs on the way back to the mainland, feel free to bring some Cubans in your checked luggage—just be sure to smoke ’em before your return flight.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

StogieGuys.com will be featured on the Livin’ Large with Geoff Pinkus radio show on WIND 560 AM in Chicago today. The show runs from 5-7 pm Central (6-8 Eastern) and Patrick A is scheduled to be on around 5:35 pm Central (6:35 Eastern).

If you have a question, you can even call in at 877-560-WIND to ask a question on the air. And if you’re not in the Chicago area, you can listen live here (if you miss it, a podcast will be available here).

–The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

What else can I say about this seminal 6 inch by 52 ring gauge tour de force that wasn’t already written by anyone else in Cigardom or by my colleague in his February review? Neatly presented in an ornate gold and black aluminum tube, this Cuban is complex and powerful with a smooth taste that resembles cognac. Despite its prohibitive price, I’m convinced every enthusiast needs to try at least one Siglo VI; save the first experience for a special evening after a big steak or seafood dinner.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar. The following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

Can you say special occasion cigar? At roughly $17 a pop, the price for this small cigar may seem hard to swallow. But, with the flavor combination of chocolate, leather, cedar, coffee, and a nice spicy aftertaste, this cigar has become my go-to special occasion cigar. Add in the effortless draw and razor-sharp burn, you can’t find a better cigar. Plus, this little number has a surprising kick.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by Jason T

photo credit: Jason T

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) We are still accepting entries to win a $30 gift certificate to FumeeWorld.com. Just fill out this survey and include a valid email address. Your answers will help us improve StogieGuys.com. Plus everyone who participates will receive an email with a coupon code for 20 percent off any purchases from FumeeWorld.com.

2) Those anti-smoking censors are at it again and this time the target is the new Incredible Hulk movie. the AMA is whining that William Hurt’s character, Gen. Thaddeus”Thunderbolt” Ross, is seen with a cigar throughout the film. They say that by showing cigar smoking the movie encourages kids to smoke, but you’d think they would be more worried about the fact that the movie has a man gain superpowers by being in the blast radius of a bomb, which would seem a far worse message for children.

3) Here’s an odd one: apparently Mel Gibson and Britney Spears held a meeting at the exclusive Havana Club cigar room this week. No word on what, if any, cigars were smoked at the superstars’ pow-wow.

4) Inside the Industry: CAO’s much-hyped new cigar will be called the Lx2 meaning ligero times two – much like CAO’s other lines the Mx2 (Maduro) and Cx2 (Cameroon). Punch Cigar’s pot-bellied, trash-talking mascot, Mr. Punch is celebrating a birthday with a series of promotions in July, including exclusive Punch humidor giveaways. Bucanero Cigars owner Robert Spoden (who we interviewed here) told European Cigar Cult Magazine that he wants to sell the highly-rated boutique cigar brand.

5) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up the Padrón Palmas. Stogie Review smokes the J. Fuego Delirium. Velvet Cigar reviews an Oliva Master Blends. Cigar Command puffs on a Padron 3000.

6) Deal of the Week: Here’s a nice deal for the Macanudo lover in you. For just $49, you get a box of 10 (5.5 x 49) Macanudo Cafe Hyde Parks, plus a spiffy Macanudo ashtray. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar

Back in April I had a rare opportunity to meet up with Tampa Bureau Chief George E in Florida for lunch, drinks, and a few cigars. Naturally, conversation quickly turned to how to improve StogieGuys.com.

We came up with some suggestions and bounced a few ideas around, but it occurred to me the best way to make improvements is to ask our loyal readers. This website, after all, is for you, and we want it to be the best daily resource possible for entertaining and informative material from the world of cigars.

So that you can weigh in, we’ve created this 10 question survey to get your opinion. We’ll be using the results to shape the content and direction of StogieGuys.com in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

As a bonus, we’ll be randomly selecting one reader to receive a free $30 gift certificate from our friends at FumeeWorld.com and every reader who fills out a survey will receive an email with a coupon code for 20 percent off everything at FumeeWorld.com. (Back in January, George E interviewed Fumée President Heather Waebil Haddad.)

Click Here to Take Our Survey and Be Entered to Win a $30 Gift Certificate for FuméeWorld.com.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

If you would like to elaborate on your answers or suggest improvements outside the realm of the questions in the survey, please feel free to leave a comment. For instance, I would be thrilled if you would share what one improvement you would make if you were the StogieGuys.com editor.

Thank you for your constructive criticism and feedback. We value your continuing readership, and we promise to continue working hard to make StogieGuys.com a great resource for all cigar smokers.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys