StogieCast.com a cigar Blog for cigar enthusiasts!

Well it’s been awhile since I blogged here.
I’ll explain that in another post sometime…

But all the extenuating circumstances in the world could not stop any cigar blog from posting on this day.

Today the AP is reporting that Castro has resigned.
He will NOT seek or accept another term as Cuba’s “President.”

In the end I doubt this means much for the cigar world.
His brother ain’t much better… and unless/until Castro is dead i doubt anyone will change anything there too much.

Still…
We haven’t SEEN Castro in some time. Just “Official” photos and some writings.
Maybe he’s already dead and this is a big show.

Rocky Patel Cigars and Nicotine

So I was reading a nice article in the El Paso Times… (don’t ask how I find this stuff) about the return of cigars to the mainstream in the city. Shops are popping up and business is booming.

A nice article in these times where the news is often about legislation this and that.

One part of the article got my attention in particular though.
The shop owner they were interviewing said:

“There are no additives; it is all natural tobacco. One company, Rocky Patel, actually goes through the trouble of trying to get the nicotine out of the cigars.”

Is that true?
I’ve never heard that.
It’s kind of an interesting topic - worth some follow up research if it’s true.

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.

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?

The Big Smoke - Chicago - April 10th

I’d love to go - but it’s the kind of think you want to go to with friends, and none of my regular cigar buddies are going.
So I’ll have to live vicariously through some one else.

If you’re not familiar with the Big Smoke it’s a series of events put on by Cigar Aficionado.
The summary on their side says:

“… Your ticket price includes more than 25 handmade cigars from the premium cigar producers that attend each “Big Smoke” across the country. You can enjoy a variety of premium spirits, wines, and beer and explore the fine cigar accessories on display. Indulge in delicious food from leading local restaurants. Cigar Smokers Welcome!”

Sounds like fun to me!
Some of the larger events (at least a few I’m aware of in the past have) also offer seminars on rolling your own cigar, or pairing a cigar with spirits, or a cigar smoker’s breakfast.

If you go post a comment and let me know.
Maybe you can be a StogieCast.com correspondent!

Schwarzenegger Cigars from Californa Governor Terminator

Despite the characters involved in this post this is NOT a political post.
I just thought it was kind of funny.

Sent in a special humidor, Complete with the Seal of the Governor of the State of California, these were special cigars. Official Arnold Schwarzenegger cigars. He even autographed the inside.

Hey Arnold…
You can call me irrelevant too.
I’m a big fan … and I’m sure I would be of your cigars as well.

Travel the world, smoke cigars, and watch big game!

Hi folks.
I found the following site quite by accident but I’m glad I did.
It isn’t really a cigar site - but the post I stumbled upon mentioned the group of travelers sitting at their safari camp smoking cigars when they heard a lion in the distance.

The next morning they got some great pictures, and even some video footage of a lion kill. At some points they are close enough to smell the lions breath.

And that’s pretty much the premise of the site.
The site’s mission statement is “Have Camera, will travel… just about anywhere!”
How cool would it be to travel the world smoking cigars and watching big game?!

eh…maybe when I win the lottery.
If you are interested the post I read and enjoyed is HERE.

A cool Cuban shirt suitable for fun or business

I found a couple of links that I thought you may enjoy.
They sell guayaberas … a traditional Cuban shirt.
The kind you see all the cigar rollers wearing.

Actually according to Wikipedia the shirts popularized by guava pickers.
A Cuban legend that tells of a poor countryside seamstress sewing large pockets into her husband’s shirts for carrying guava (guayabas) from the field.

Genreally they have four pokets, but some have two now-a-days.
I have to admit… I kinda want one or two of these.
Once I lose 15 lbs.
I’m not buying any more clothes until then.

Winter + Cigars = More Work.

As we draw to the close of another winter (I hope) here in the Midwest I thought I’d share another good “common sense” Blog over at Cigar101.

The premise of their post is the effects of cold weather on your cigars.
And what could happen to cigars that are shipped (and perhaps left on the porch) during the winter.

But I think the best little tidbit there talks about what happens once you get them inside. It’s a reminder we all need to hear more often. In the winter you must be more vigilant with regard to maintaining your humidor’s RH%

I shamefully admit I have had a hard time keeping up with this battle.
I bought a cigar oasis some time ago because I thought it would help.
And to be fair it did. But even with the mighty oasis I must refill the reservoir much more often in the winter. (thankfully not as much as I did BEFORE I got the oasis)

The only part of the article I didn’t agree with was the standard advice of 70/70 humidor conditions.

I personally like to keep my RH% at 65-68.

PSSSSST, lady - you want cigars?

I stumbled upon a great editorial piece from an Australian news site, and I thought you may enjoy it.

It details a trip to Cuba… something we U.S. residents can only do vicariously.
Here’s a taste of the article:

“Intrigued by the offer and eager to bypass the expensive state-run cigar shops, we follow our little salesman and a boisterous woman who appears to have joined the negotiation down a bustling cobbled street.

When we reach a blue wooden door, the woman darts inside and I am directed to follow her.

Her arm yanks me into the alcove behind the door, where she pushes a varnished wooden box of 25 fat Cohiba cigars into my hands.”

It’s a very nice read if you happen to have your PC or laptop on while you smoke tonight. The full story is here.

Cigars Vs. Pipes Vs. Cigarettes

Brandon told a very nice story about his grandfather, a special pipe, and his journey to learn of and smoke the heir loom.
It really is a touching story, and very similar to the stories one often hears when a cigar or pipe lover describes how they came to the “hobby”.

My grandfather was also a pipe smoker.
I loved that smell. And being a novice pipe lover myself I truly enjoyed the article.

Brandon even quotes one of the studies out there that indicates the “second hand smoke” issue is less a health issue than a political one.

The article ends questioning the wisdom of blanket smoking bans that go so far as to outlaw smoking… in tobacco shops.
I’m 100% with you Brandon.

But Brandon gets a bit off course when he starts comparing the risks associated with various tobacco products.

“Cigarettes are especially dangerous and, due to their addictive nature, are best not to be smoked by anyone - ever. Perhaps cigars are less threatening because they are smoked less often, but even they, if smoked at all, should be used as a treat on rare occasions. In my opinion, pipes are the least harmful form of tobacco use because the pipe smoke is not inhaled and the pipe acts as a filter.”

Brandon you’re right about cigarettes.
What makes them REALLY dangerous are all the additives that are added. Far from pure tobacco there’s all sorts of chemicals and evil things put in there.
That’s one of the reasons cigarettes need no humidification unlike cigars and pipe tobacco.

But from there I think I have to raise my hand a bit.
For instance did you know that Cigars are generally NOT inhaled?!

It is very rare that a cigar aficionado inhales the smoke. The cigar smoke is meant to be rolled around and tasted.. not inhaled.
Much like the pipe you are learning about. In fact I’d say the percentage of “inhalers” is probably about the same for pipe and cigar smokers.

I’m curious… as an admitted new comer to pipes, and with no experience with cigars… how many cigar smokers did you talk to before writing this? I’m not trying to denounce your process at all but as a writer with an audience I can’t help but feel there was a missed opportunity to address a wider set of misconceptions.

I mean putting cigars any closer to cigarettes than pipes is a disservice to anyone who appreciates tobacco as a hobby vs. a habit.
To us cigars, and pipes, are like a fine wine.
Cigarettes would be…. Malt liquor… or… Mad Dog 20/20… or anything available in a “forty”.

My only other criticism (and I mean all of this as constructive criticism) is that MOST of the time pipes do NOT act as a filter. I’m the first to admit that I am a novice when it comes to pipes, but my “teachers” in this arena as well as my own experience indicates that while it is true filters are available for some pipes… most of the time the shaft of the pipe doesn’t have one. It’s not any more filtered than a straw.

I’m not sure if his article accepts trackbacks but if not I’ll email Brandon and ask him to chime in here.
I think he wrote a great article, and it’s not at all surprising that he had some misconceptions about cigars as a new comer to the world of fine tobacco. But I think it’s important that anyone making a “hey this is different than all those other things!” type statement take a moment to understand those other things.

And Brandon if you do read this…
Enjoy that pipe it sounds like one of those rare and special heir looms that is meant to be used, and loved.
Sitting down with a nice blend and thinking of your Grandfather sounds like a much better tribute than looking at a pipe under glass.