Do you chew your cigars?

Read a little article in the Dayton Daily News … a sports piece I think.
Or maybe an opinion column by a sports writer.

Anyway he was mentioning that cigars are a no-no in every major-league press box.
But that doesn’t stop him from sticking unlit ones in his mouth.

The name of the article was “No smoking, but you can still chew on cigars“.

I’ve never been a big fan of “Chewing” a cigar.
Gnawing on the end of a cigar (lit or otherwise) just makes the cut rough…
and can get little pieces of tobacco in your mouth - not to mention the possible damage that can be done to the draw and overall smoking experience.

Still … I know plenty of people who do this.

So I’m interested in YOUR feedback.
Do you prefer a pristine cut cigar throughout or is there some macho “chewing” going on when you smoke?

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Salem cigar and tobacco shop owners work against smoking ban

In Salem, N.H several dozen cigar and tobacco shop owners are working together to oppose a smoking ban in bars and restaurants.

Even though cigar and tobacco shops are exempt from the ban, the groups sees this as a potentially very bad thing for their business.

David Garofalo, who runs the Salem shop “Two Guys Smoke Shop” said:

An interesting point that I honestly haven’t considered a great deal as it seems the best we can EVER hope for is an exemption these days.

Also I am always tempted to believe that much of the bulk cigar purchases being made these days is moving online.
The deals are just so much better online when you’re buying a box or more.

For me anyway local cigar shops have become a place to try new things, meet BOTLs, and share a cigar and conversation.
And while the social aspect of the cigar shop is a very important one (for our national culture let alone we cigar smokers) giving the local tobacconist every reasonable chance to compete with the online world is also a pretty important thing.

Garofalo goes on to say that he would like the state to stay out of regulating where people can and can’t smoke and let business owners make that decision.

Wow what a novel Idea.

Preach on brother Garofalo!
The StogiCast.com crew is with you in spirit.
If we can help - don’t hesitate to make contact!

(soruce: boston.com)

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Camacho to introduce new Triple Maduro cigar.

How the heck did I miss this?
Camacho is introducing a new “Triple Maduro” cigar.

This cigar will use Maduro leaf - traditionally used as a wrapper - throughout.
Filler, binder and wrapper.
Maduro.

Camacho has been working on this blend for about a year.
It’s described as a medium to full-bodied with a very rich flavor, and will ship in the coming months.

It will be available in four sizes, 4½ X 50, 6 X 60, 6 X 54 (Figurado) and in Camacho’s own 11/18 size which has a 56 ring gauge.
Inital production is estimated to be jut under 300,000 cigars.

The marketing collateral (and Christian Eiroa, President of Camacho Cigars) said “The biggest challenge was to get these thick leaves to burn and taste right together. We did it! The cigar is awesome! Just wait until you try it!”

Sounds excellent.
I’m looking forward to it already!

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Denver fights for it’s right to party.

A court in Denver recently declared the state’s smoking ban unconstitutional.

The Judge said the ban did not allow bar owners an opportunity to establish their businesses as cigar bars, which are exempt from the ban.

Although a federal judge said the state has the right to decide where smoking is and isn’t allowed, and this recent ruling said the ban was not clear on what it takes to qualify for the cigar-bar exemption.
The D.A. said the contradictory rulings may force the state Supreme Court to step in.

Apparently there’s a group of business owners that have banned together to fight the ban.
Calling themselves The Coalition for Equal Rights … StogieCast.com wishes them luck.

(Source: AP, Summit Daily News)

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Oh No! - Indiana considers statewide smoking ban!

My own state has been drinking the no smoking Kool-Aid.

The Indiana House has approved legislation that would establish a statewide ban on most indoor smoking.
The bill passed… but on an unrecorded vote.
Cowards!

It was attached as an amendment to a major health care bill that may eventually include a cigarette tax.
It would prohibit smoking in enclosed public places, sports arenas and indoor places of employment.

Thankfully it would not apply to retail tobacco stores, bars, public areas leased for private functions or a business that has no employee other than the owner.

Still it’s a precedent I’d rather not set.

The bill is eligible for passage in the House tomorrow and according to the news is likely headed to a joint House-Senate conference committee where compromises will be sought.

Wish me and my fellow Hoosiers luck as we try to avoid this slippery slope.

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New AVO Cigar is on the way!

First some CYA type stuff.

As you know from my “Why should I read this Blog?” post I read A LOT of cigar news.
And some of it I’ve subscribed to.
The Cigar Insider for instance.

I really don’t want to get in the habit of relaying what I see in the Cigar Insider.
It’s a subscription based newsletter so when I do mention them I try to overtly mention the source, give ample links to their site, and only give highlights.

The same will be true with this post.
If you want the insightful, well written, in depth stuff please consider subscribing to The Cigar Insider.

But here’s a two second tidbit of good cigar information they passed along recently:

• AVO is launching a new cigar to celebrate musician Avo Uvezian’s 81st birthday
• Cigar is called the Avo L.E.07
• 5 5/8 inch by 48 ring Toro.
• Sounds like it will be nice medium to full bodied smoke.
• The L.E.07 comes unbanded in boxes of 20.
• They will retail around $11.50 per stick.
• Only 4,000 boxes were produced.

Sounds good to me!

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La Unica Cigars - Here we GROW again…

More news on La Unica.
Cigar Insider is reporting that J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is planning to release a new size in its La Unica brand.
The article says it was created to commemorate the brand’s switch from bundles to boxes.
(see the related articles below for more info on that)

Anyway here’s the two second scoop in a nutshell.

• Apparently called the No. 600, which
• Will measure 6 inches by 50 ring gauge
• Will retail around $4.95
• First brand extension since La Unica was launched
• Counting the new 600La Unica will have six sizes in its portfolio.
• Made by the. Fuente family.
• Connecticut shade (Natural) or Connecticut broadleaf (maduro) wrappers

For more information, or to sign up for the Cigar Insider Newsletter, visit Cigar Aficionado.

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Arturo Fuente Añejo #77 (Cameroon “Sand Shark”)

Well, I am back! I haven’t been around with a review in quite a while, so I thought it was about time. About a month or so ago I reviewed the Arturo Fuente Añejo #77 “Shark”, a specialty maduro cigar distributed by Arturo Fuente:

http://stogiecast.com/cigar-reviews/arturo-fuente-anejo-77-original-maduro-variety

Today I thought I would review a rather uncommon variation on that theme I got the privilige to try, the “Sand Shark”!

Cigar name: Cameroon Wrapped Añejo Shark No.77
A.K.A.: “Sand Shark”
Vitola: 5 5/8″ x 54
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: ?? unknown
Filler: Anejo blend
Released: 2006 @ CFC, 11/2006 via Holts
Quantity: ~2,000 via Holt’s “Carlito’s Way” sampler

Notes: This cigar is identical to the regular release Añejo Shark No.77, except that it has a Cameroon wrapper in lieu of the normal Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper found on the Añejo line. Comparison photo.

These cigars are made on occasion for Cigar Aficionado owner Marvin Shanken, because of his penchant for Cameroon wrapped cigars. The Shark was actually made and named because of Marvin Shanken (Cigar Aficionado owner). Carlito named it for him because he loved it so much when he gave it to him on a visit to his office. Thus he called it the Shanken Shark.

The “No.77″ designation comes not from the ring gauge of this cigar, as it does for the other cigars in the Añejo line, but rather from a more amusing reason altogether. Carlito took his kids to Sea World in Orlando, FL, and there noticed that some of the sharks in the tank had two pectoral fins, which looked sort of like two 7’s.

This cigar was also released in November, 2006 as part of the Carlito’s Way sampler from Holts. A kind fellow “Brother of the Leaf” sent me this sampler as a gift. The sampler includes the following:

1 Arturo Fuente Anejo Special Release Cameroon Shark (5.88 x 64)
1 Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art Maduro (4.88 x 60)
1 Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Wizard (6 x 56)
1 Fuente Fuente Opus X Belicoso XXX (4.63 x 49)
1 Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfecxion X (6.25 x 48)

(Thanks for the research help.)

Having had a couple of Maduro #77’s before I can say that this is a fascinating variation on on that theme. You get that fascinating half box press figurado that is unlike anything you will find elsewhere, with the interesting lighter twist. When I removed the cellophane from the stogie, the wrapper while veinless and beautiful, looked a bit less sturdy than its counterpart, which raised a concern (that thankfully came to fruition). Upon lighting there was no problem whatsoever with the wrapper.

This cigar was smooth and mellow like a regular Anejo, with complexity to spare, spices and a bit of coffee, leather and a obvious tobacco taste being the strongest notes to pick out. Also, I seem to be able to pick out a note, almost a feel, in all anejos that must be the result of the cognac aging (which I presume occurs on the cameroon wrapper as well), a pleasant little twist on the tongue. That said most of those notes can be found in the regular anejo, but there is also the delicious tangy note that comes from Fuentes Cameroon Wrapper. Almost all cameroon wrappers seem to impart this note too me, and in this case it presents a fascinating twist on a cigar I love. It balances out the spicyness well. While it may not pass the maduro version for the #1 place for anejos in my heart, it is a delicious variation. If you can get one try it!

TomC

The Smoking Lounge

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Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

The weather has been so great that the other night I lit the Tiki Torches, sat on my deck after sun down and enjoyed a nice cigar.

The cigar was a Rocky Patel Vintage 1992.

A VERY nice smoke indeed.

“Vintage cigars” (or cigars wherein all the tobacco used is from the same year) are relatively rare. Making such a cigar obviously limits the production, as well as the variety of tobacco you can use to create the blend.

This particular cigar though got it right.

Rocky Patel founder of the “Indian Tabac” cigar company chose to put his name on this cigar, and I don’t blame him.

The cigar is BEAUTIFUL.
Dark, gorgeous, somewhat toothy wrapper, with a little bloom.
Constructed VERY VERY well, and smelled very nice.

The cigar is a very mellow, but medium bodied smoke.

As expected it started a bit mild and worked its way up.
It never got “hot” or overpowering.
It was consistently mellow, even as the cigars “power” amped up.

Very herbal in taste to my palette with a hint of woodsy… cedar like notes.
The ratio of which began to shift to the other side as the cigar neared it’s end.

Very well done.
It’s no wonder Cigar Aficionado Magazine gave this cigar an amazing 92 rating.

I can’t wait to try the Rocky Patel Sun Grown.
I hear it’s a real powerhouse.

Wanna try this cigar? (aff)

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