VirtualeCigars

Cigar Review - Cuban Crafters Honduran Maduro

2007-11-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

Cuban Crafters has really done a great job selecting cigars. The Maduro Honduran Churchill is a top grade cigar. The nearest brand comparison would have to be the Maduro Rocky Patel Legends which cost three times as much. This cigar is rich and spicy, yet smooth and sweet at the same time. These cigars are around $39.95 and are only available in limited quantities. Get them while you can!

Please Veto Current S-CHIP Plan President Bush

2007-11-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

S-CHIP passed the House but should again face veto by President Bush. If so, Pelosi said they will extend the current system and vote again around election time 2008. Overheard at the last session regarding the changes to the bill, "You can't roll manure in powdered sugar and call it a donut..".

Please Veto this, Mr. Bush.. Don't put people out of work for a politcal cause when other solutions can easily be found re: funding S-CHIP.

No one wants children who live in poverty (or <=150% poverty level) to suffer without healthcare and immigrants who live amoung us must also have health care. Unless you keep your flock healthy, then diseases will persist. Besides, it is the decent thing to do.

I see no reason to destroy the cigar industry or any other honest business in doing so.

Cigar Tax Alert!

2007-10-07T19:59:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, October 3 President Bush vetoed H.R. 976, legislation enacted by Congress to fund a $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation will return to the House, which will vote first to override the veto. House leaders have scheduled that vote for October 17 in order to allow them more time to milk the issue politically while continuing to put intense pressure on fellow Congressmen to join them in overriding the veto.
This legislation carries an especially punitive tax on handmade cigars - a tax that will unequivocally cause the cigar industry to atrophy. Don't misunderstand, this isn't about just paying a little more for cigars and showing a little compassion. With the stroke of a pen, if the House successfully overrides the veto, this legislation will wipe out many retailers and distributors, put in jeopardy thousands of American jobs and literally hundreds of thousands more in Central America. This legislation is the opposite of compassion, and punitive taxation without representation like this is tyrannical. This federal cigar tax is the single biggest threat the tiny cigar industry has ever faced and time is of the essence. Cigar enthusiasts of all political stripes - and clear-thinking people everywhere - need to band together right now to sustain the President's veto.
Pressure your House Representative to sustain the veto - the House vote is expected to be extremely tight and the threat of overriding the President's veto is very real.
Click here to take action - urge your Congressmen to sustain the veto by VOTING NO to a veto override. The very survival of the handmade cigar industry, most importantly jobs, are at stake.

Oh SCHIP!

2007-10-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

The New York Times today reports:

"If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
Democratic lawmakers say votes to override the president's veto will be held in mid-October. That effort is not expected to succeed.

No mention of the tobacco tax yet..Cross your fingers!

Cigar Review - Tony Alvarez Robusto

2007-09-23T02:22:00.000-07:00

Tony Alvarez Robusto is an excellent cigar! These medium body long filler Habano cigars are available at Cuban Crafters in boxes or bundles. I have found these to be excellent smokes. The construction is solid, like a real cuban. I have never gotten one of these that was plugged or too loose, they are always just right. Just as described they are "light and creamy with complex licorice & cedar flavors. They also have sweet notes of nuts and finishes with a mild chocolate undertone". You will find these to your liking, I know I have for the last 3 years!

Wine and Cigars

2007-08-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

Barley Wine and Cigars: A Dynamic Duo by: Jennifer Jordan
The saying, “it’s lonely at the top," is true for cigars. A type of smoke that makes the Marlboro man look weak rather than rugged, cigars have a way of excluding themselves from the group. Yet, you can’t fault the cigars. They might not want us to elevate their reputation and status by deeming them synonymous with luxury and sophistication; for all we know, cigars are standing in the background - looking lovingly at pipes and cigarettes - yelling, “Can’t we all just get along?" Luckily, cigars might have found something to relieve their loneliness: they just may have a lifelong companion in barley wine. Upon performing research, I was surprised to find how many websites laud the combination of cigars and barley wine. And, naturally, I was even more surprised to find these websites weren’t just the ones that sell barley wine. For those not familiar with barley wine, the simplest way to remember it is by the term “barely wine." Truth be told, barley wine isn’t really wine at all; because of its high alcohol content, it only thinks its wine (ironically, after a few too many bottles, I sometimes think this same thing about myself). With wine like characteristics, the big difference is in the ingredients: barley wine is made with grain instead of fruit. If it were cereal, barley wine would be Wheaties while wine would be Fruity Pebbles. Still, barley wine is not without some fruit flavor. It displays both sweetness and bitterness at the same time, giving it a unique taste among beers. While it originated in England, barley wine is available worldwide. However, when sold in the US, barley wines are required to be sold with the label, "barley wine-style ales," thus avoiding confusion for the wine-seeking consumer. Barley wine is sometimes aged, much like wine, and used for celebratory occasions. It is this last sentence that undoubtedly makes the ears of cigars - with their penchant for celebration - prick up. Cigars and barley wine compliment each other nicely. With a slightly peaty taste, barley wine does maintain some whiskey-like characteristics and, as most of us know, cigars have never found a whiskey they do not like. Unlike wine, barley wine doesn’t always go well with food, but, luckily you don’t eat a Churchill. Many cigars, depending on your individual palate, do well with barley wines, in particular Old Nick Barley wine, which, according to many consumers, is one of the best barley wines on the market. Overall, the key to pairing a good barley wine with a good cigar is to keep the tastes in cahoots, you don’t want the flavor of the beer and the flavor of the cigar fighting each other for your attention. It’s also a good rule to pair up beers of lighter color to cigars with lighter wrappers. This may help keep one from overpowering the other. When it comes down to it, barley wine and cigars are good friends, and you just might find yourself - as you beg to be included - asking the duo to become a trio.
About The Author
Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

A Cigar for the Lady?

2006-12-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

Women and Cigars by: Jennifer Marie Jordan
For years, the art of cigar smoking has fallen under the category of a male activity, like rebuilding carburetors or prostate exams. But, time has a way of changing things; it is the ultimate makeover. While decades ago women were consumed with burning their bras, they are now becoming intrigued by burning something else: cigars.
This may seem like an odd concept. Cigars maintain a certain masculinity that eludes women: the female gender has always been equated with more feminine smokes, mainly cigarettes. Even old Hollywood films are filled with women smoking cigarettes. From the Bacalls to the Hepburns, women were portrayed in sensual manners, their lusting voices coming through a crowd of cigarette smoke. Men, on the other hand, were portrayed as powerful, smoking their cigars and plotting to take over the world.
Now, women are taking the bull by the horns and the cigar by the head, throwing away their Virginia Slims for something that demands more presence. It may seem like an odd concept, this women and cigars thing. But the reason females everywhere are turning to stogies is the same reason men turn to them: a cigar gives the smoker a sense of power, of freedom, and the ability to show off without coming across as arrogant: there is no such thing as an unconfident cigar smoker.
But, there’s more. Because women have become major players in the corporate world, climbing the corporate ladder with speed and eloquence, they have also become major players of the amenities that come along with the corporate world: the company cars, the jetting off to Paris, and the business meetings at cigar bars.
With theses advances in the corporate world, women have found themselves with more disposable income. While they certainly treat themselves to mainstream female activities – going to spas, getting a pedicure, dying their hair at the first sight of a gray strand – they’ve also adopted activities once reserved only for men, including cigar smoking. A cigar has long been held as a luxury of the businessman – a way to celebrate a promotion or a successful merger – and women are grabbing on to that luxury, using cigars as a way to celebrate their own successes.
But, the advances in the corporate world aren’t always good. Along with professional advancement comes stress, a lot of it. It’s always included, as if part of some sort of anti-benefits package. With the accumulation of stress, women have searched for a way to relieve tension and unrest, a way to grip a sense of control. A cigar facilitates this grip, calming the nerves and providing an outlet for release.
While all the above are solid reasons women are having a love affair with cigars, leading a Smoking Renaissance, the art of tradition adds another major component. Cigars are about camaraderie with coworkers and friends, celebration of accomplishment, and traditions of intellect and sophistication. They are all about things in which women deserve to have a hand.
When it comes down to it, cigars are also about power and prestige. And now, so are women.
About The Author
Jennifer Marie Jordan is an editor and staff writer for www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Presidential Smokes!

2006-12-15T03:58:00.000-08:00

The White House Cigars by: Jennifer Marie Jordan
Ah, the cigar. Emanating power and prestige, it's kind of like a Rolls Royce, but much easier to put in your mouth. Because of this esteemed reputation, it's not surprising that cigars have been smoked by many of our nation's past presidents. Whether scratching at the back door or sneaking in through an open window, cigars have found their way into the White House during several presidential terms. We all know that JFK was an avid fan of Cuban cigars, and we know that Bill Clinton also put cigars to use - albeit strange use - but use nonetheless. However, what we might not know is that 20 of the past 43 presidents have smoked cigars. From the Civil War to the Cold War, presidents have turned to cigars in times of trials and times of joy. While some smoked cigars less zealously, the following is a list of presidents who were passionate cigars smokers, stopping just short of nominating Henry Clay for their presidential cabinets. Zachary Taylor The twelfth president, Zachary Taylor was known as a hero of the Mexican War and elected president in 1848. A soldier who had dedicated his life to military service, Taylor was an avid cigar smoker. However, ever a "man's man," he would only smoke cigars in the presence of men who were also cigar smokers. Known as "Old Rough and Ready" because of his choice of clothing, Zachary Taylor died in office after eating the ever-so-tasty combination of cherries, milk, and pickled cucumbers. Ulysses S. Grant If ever there was a president who was a true cigar connoisseur, it was probably Ulysses S. Grant. A Civil War hero, Grant was elected as the 18th President in 1869. Never doing anything in moderation, he was rumored to have smoked 20 cigars per day. In fact, one legend states that he smoked over 10,000 cigars in a period of five years. During his campaign for the presidency, his cigar smoking was used as a propaganda-laden ploy with the emergence of the song, "A Smokin' His Cigar." With lyrics that went, "The people know just what they want. Less talk and no more war. For President, Ulysses Grant A-smoking his cigar," US Grant was portrayed as a peace-loving man, calm and collected during times of strife. Once he was elected, Grant took his love for the cigar even further and was rarely photographed without a cigar in hand, or in mouth. Chester Arthur The 21st President elected in 1881, Chester Arthur was society's president, known for lavish clothing, midnight suppers, and meals filled with champagne and expensive cigars. Fired for bribery and corruption in earlier years, Arthur grew to be called "The Gentleman Boss," showcasing politeness, social stature and the luxuries of the times. This ultimately brought him, and the cigar, to a new level of honor and caused the journalist Alexander K. McClure to write, "No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired… more generally respected." William McKinley According to legend, William McKinley, the 25th President, was the inspiration for the Wizard in the movie the Wizard of Oz. The elusiveness of the Wizard is fitting for McKinley's elusive cigar smoking. While he was never photographed with a cigar, and rarely seen in public smoking, when alone it is rumored that he was borderline obsessive about this luxury. In fact, the White House Chief Usher once stated that McKinley had a passion for cigars unlike any other president. Whenever he was in the White House, there was always one in his mouth. Warren G. Harding Warren G. Harding, the 29th President elected in 1921, was widely known as a President more concerned with playing poker and golf than running the country. However, he did have some good qualities. One of these was the fact that, prior to declining health, he personally answered all letters from US citizens. Another good quality was that he was a cigar smoker, one who was so particular about the aroma of his cigars that he hauled his cigar humidor from Ohio to the White House. Richard Nixon Richard Nixon, the 37th President elected in 1969, may have uttered the words, "I am not a crook," from the highest mountain top, but he never would have been caught saying, "I am not a cigar smoker." Although he wasn't a habitual cigar smoker, he did indulge as a sign of camaraderie with other world leaders. In fact, Nixon's term was the last term in which cigars were offered after dinner for men to enjoy in the Green Room. From Presidents who fought in the Mexican War to those who oversaw the Vietnam War, our leaders' hands have embraced cigars for centuries. While Richard Nixon was the last President to smoke cigars, we can rest assured that there will be many more. Because we live in a Democratic nation, where we have the power of the vote, we can almost guarantee it.
About The Author
Jennifer Marie Jordan is an editor and staff writer for www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Don't forget to check out the weekly cigar specials at Famous-Smoke.com and Gourmet Cigars at CubanCrafters.com

Getting the Best Deals on Premium Cigars

2006-12-12T06:08:00.000-08:00

I have found that getting the best deal on cigars simply means finding the right place to buy them. I have located four terrific places to get your cigars. Whether you like to buy singles, samplers, bundles, boxes or bid at a cigar auction, Famous-Smoke.com has it all. Also, take advantage of the email specials, some are weekly, some are one day specials and some are just whenever the shop chooses. Either way, you can't beat the prices they will offer to you. At Famous-Smoke, I got a bundle of 25 hecho a mano long-filler Perdomo Remainders(These are extra production, not a sandwich cigar) for only $15.00 using a one day email special that they offered, and even shipping was FREE! Many brands of premium cigars are FREE SHIPPING at Famous-Smoke also.
Another favorite place of mine is Cuban Crafters.com. The cigars that they sell are Premium Gourmet Cigars. If you are like me and insist on a good tasting aged cigar, then you will love CubanCrafters. My favorite thing to get is the sampler, or the most excellent brown label Don Kiki botella, this full bodied one will wake up even the dead. They also have bundles, closeouts and really fast shipping!
Cigars International is also a great place to get cigars. They have lots of email and weekly as well as a one day special. Today's one day special is a Graycliff sampler with 20 cigars for only $99.00, it will be gone bythis afternoon, what a steal! CI is friendly and helpful over the phone as well as having all you need on their website. Their company logo is a smiley face..Cool guys!
Finally, the classic, Thompson Cigar Co., one of the oldest and best cigar retailers around. Thompson has a large selection of the finest premiums and an excellent house brand, I like the Vintage Special Reserve myself. Lots of specials, humidors, regular or flavored cigars, anything a cigar smoker could want.

Gifts for Him

2006-12-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Giving the Gift of Cigars by: Jennifer Marie Jordan
Tis the season for a stogie, fa la la la la, la la la la…… For the past few holiday seasons, I’ve found that gifts are getting harder and harder to give. Not only has creativity fallen through the cracks, but presents are not as monetarily feasible as they once were: there are televisions for sale that cost more than my car. Because of this, holiday shopping has become an increasing burden, not only for me but for many others. As we find ourselves trapped somewhere between the shopping mall and the holidays of yore when the true meaning wasn’t showcased on a display stand at Macy’s, we think about how it used to be. There was a time when the holidays were about more than purchasing the latest brand of technology or the most expensive cashmere sweater. It used to be so easy. A tie, a purse, even a bar of soap attached to a rope all fell into the category of a suitable gift for, back then, it was merely the thought that counted. But lately, these gifts have lost their ability to be accepted, and they aren’t the only ones. I have found that even the hand made card I give my parents as a gift each year is becoming met with less and less enthusiasm, no matter how much glitter I add.. Still, we haven’t lost this battle yet. With the onset of the season we are given the opportunity to reinvent the true spirit of the holidays; we are given the ability to give a gift that says something grander than simply, “I have a huge limit on my credit card.” One way we can do this is by giving the gift of cigars. Why Give Cigars as a Gift? Cigars may not seem like a run-of-the-mill holiday gift but, in this age of overblown commercialism, their lack of reputation should work in their favor. Instead of representing brand name hand bags or a clothing line overseen by a professional rapper, cigars represent what the holidays are really all about: friendship, celebration, and happiness. Giving a cigar as a gift conveys that some actual thought, and not just your paycheck, went into the gift giving process. Cigars, possessing a meaningful stigmatism, are often exchanged in the same manner friends exchange a knowing glance, or a comforting pat on the shoulder: they are exchanged in a way that makes them about something more than simply a meeting resembling a swap meet. What Kinds of Cigars to Give? The type of cigar to buy simply depends on the recipient. For a cigar novice, cigar samplers make excellent gifts, giving the novice the ability to sample a variety of cigars, finding one he or she truly enjoys. If you don’t purchase a sampler, then a box of mild cigars – such as the Macanudo from the Dominican Republic or the Casa Toraño from Honduras - usually works best for beginners. For the cigar connoisseur, purchasing a box of their favorite brand – or a brand you know they are dying to try – is an excellent way to go. And, for novices and connoisseurs alike, enrolling them in a cigar of the month club will almost always be met with enthusiasm: it’s the gift that never gets extinguished, at least not while the membership is valid. What are Some Unique Cigar Gifts? You may find that some of the people who you know love cigars are already well stocked, seemingly having more tobacco reserves than Cuba. For these people, a more unique cigar gift may need to be purchased. From a custom made cigar box to an ashtray engraved with a sentimental message, from an inscription laden cigar cutter to a leather cigar case, any kind of a cigar accessory makes an excellent holiday gift. Perhaps you know someone who could use a humidor or a person who, forever asking others for a light, is desperately in need of a Colibri. For those who want to add in even more sentiment, purchasing a cigar lover one of their favorite brands and having the band engraved is a present that likely can not be rivaled, providing you with the rare opportunity to give a gift that can be both used and cherished. Where to Buy Them? The holidays are a time of mayhem, as people crowd shopping malls, the masses fill department stores, and those with a dial up Internet, surfing the Web to look for gift ideas, wait an hour for a page to load. However, a great amount of this can be avoided if you know what you are buying before hand, giving you the ability to get in, get out, and get home in time to take the turkey out of the oven. Cigar gifts are one of the easiest gifts to buy, with many local cigar and tobacco shops having a large variety of cigars, and a large selection of accessories. The Internet, a portal that allows you to avoid lines and crowds, also provides several online resources that enable you to purchase any tobacco related item under – or grown in – the sun. Many of these online shops offer discounted prices and shipping for free. Giving the gift of cigars or a cigar related item rarely goes up in smoke. Getting away from what has become the new traditional idea of holiday gifts – designer jeans, video games, car stereos – ironically evokes some old holiday tradition, a tradition filled with goodwill, friendship, bliss, and, of course, tobacco seeds.
About The Author
Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Honduran Cigars

2006-12-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

Honduras Cigars: Spreading the Seed by: Jennifer Marie Jordan
Many people may think of Honduras and recall a memory from 7th grade that involves a map of Central America, a pop quiz, and a prayer. For the avid cigar smoker, however, Honduras is thought of as much more. One of the biggest tobacco producers on our planet, cigar lovers think of Honduras as a virtual Mecca, a place where tobacco seeds go to make their parents proud. Honduras, located near Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, is a country made up of an instable history, one that involved fights for independence, hurricane devastation, human rights violations, and political diversity. Together these have all caused Honduras to be among the poorest countries in Central America. But, unlike some of its adjacent countries, Honduras is rich with cigar making ingredients: when Central American neighbors want to borrow a cup of tobacco, the door of Honduras is one of the first places they knock. Honduras is a segment of Mesoamerica, the nickname given to the land that reaches from Mexico to Costa Rica. Because Mesoamerica is located in an area home to a wide range of animals and plants, it's known as a biodiversity hotspot, an area with diverse resources that are threatened by destruction. At last count, Honduras was in possession of over 6,000 species of plant, with one of these being tobacco. Similar to the cigars made in the Dominican Republic, some Honduras tobacco has Cuban roots, with many tobacco growers fleeing Castro's rule and planting themselves, and their seeds, in other countries. In fact, the early 1960's saw expert cigar makers come over to Honduras from Havana, with approval from Castro's government, to help with tobacco growing techniques. While initially intending to return to Cuba, some of these experts remained in Honduras, keeping with them their knowledge from Cuba's tobacco past and the tools for Honduras' tobacco future. The climate of Honduras is extremely appealing to tobacco growers, with an environment that allows all varieties of tobacco seeds to thrive, particularly Cuban seed tobaccos and Connecticut seed tobaccos. This growing environment ultimately allows the tobacco grown in Honduras to be full-bodied, flavorful, strong, and in possession of a heavy aroma. The cigars from Honduras have worked to make a name for themselves, becoming a cigar that connoisseurs routinely seek to take out for a smoke. With the fertility of the land, the natural resources, and the knowledge passed down from generation to generation, tobacco makers in Honduras have been able to perfect the growing of home grown seeds, delivering cigars that are 100 percent Honduran. Many Cuban companies continue to work on Honduras lands and many American companies have also taken root in the cities of Danli and the San Pedro Sula. Established as cigars made of the highest quality, cigars from Honduras sell frequently in the US, with only cigars from the Dominican Republic selling more often. This popularity has transcended continents, as Honduras cigars have started to gain popularity in parts of the United Kingdom, like a cigar sent off for a successful European tour. While Cuban cigars were once without competition, viewed by so many as the only cigar on the market that could not be rivaled, Honduras cigars are beginning to gain momentum, challenging Cubans to a bout of greatness. When it comes to the cigar loving population of the US, it may only be a matter of time before cigars from Honduras beat Cubans; since Cuban cigars can't get into America, they will have to forfeit. As Honduras cigars gain in reputation, the country of Honduras also begins to gain ground, rebuilding from past destruction and turmoil. As the demand for Honduran cigars increase, the amount of acreage used to grow tobacco increases and the amount of revenue the country of Honduras receives from exports begins to rise as well. If this keeps up, we can only hope that someday Honduras will be as rich as the cigars it produces.
About The Author
Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

Cigar Storage

2006-11-27T15:08:00.000-08:00

How To Store Cigars by: Mike Keesling
Cuban cigars originate from the Caribbean, which has a tropical climate very different to Europe. As a natural product, your Havana cigars need to be kept carefully. They are used to being in a warm climate with a relatively high humidity. Therefore they will need to be protected from extremes of temperature and humidity (particularly low humidity). This is particularly difficult to achieve in air conditioned and centrally heated buildings, where the air tends to get de-humidified and cigars can dry out very quickly. Some cigars come in aluminum tubes which can help preserve them in dry climates, however they tend to mature at a much slower rate than 'naked' boxed cigars. Maintain a temperature of 16 C to 20 C and a relative humidity of 65% - 70%. In the UK you will need a humidor to maintain the humidity of your cigars at various times of the year: Humidity At the least, keep your cigars in a tight fitting cupboard, drawer or box, away from radiators and other sources of heat. Pick the coolest indoor spot in your house. Leave the cigars in their original boxes as this will help preserve them, stop them from being damaged, and prevent any cross-tainting of flavours between different varieties of cigars stored in the same area. If the humidity in your make-shift humidor is low, a damp sponge in a cup will serve as a basic provider of humidity. When you purchase your cigars from Tomtom, they will be packed in an airtight zip-loc bag, which will maintain the humidity of your cigars while you transport them from the shop to your humidor. These bags are a very efficient short term humidor, however we would not recommend that you leave your cigars sealed in these bags for more than one month. Although humidity will be maintained, cigars also need to be exposed to some fresh air to allow them to 'breathe' and age correctly. A variety of desk-top and travel humidors can be purchased (see 'Accessories') and are an essential item for the dedicated cigar smoker (more information below). Temperature The danger of excessive temperature (combined with too much humidity) is that the cigars can either go moldy or be damaged by weavil attack. If cigars go moldy, this is generally not a problem, as long as it is spotted reasonably soon and the mould (or bloom) only appears on the wrapper leaf. The mould can be removed with a soft brush (e.g. a badger shaving brush) and then the cigar can be returned to store in the correct conditions. If mould gets into the end of the cigar, we recommend that you do not smoke it. Weavil, or tobacco beetle, is a more serious problem. If you see any small holes in your cigar, you should take immediate action. Please call Tomtom for further advice. Never store cigars near direct sunlight or for long periods exposed to sea breezes (salt will not enhance your smoke). The lower the temperature, the higher the humidity required to compensate. Desk-Top Humidors There is a very wide selection of these humidors on the market. The basic design requirements are that they are sealable (and generally lockable!), but allow the cigars to breathe. This is normally achieved by leaving the base of the box unvarnished: and no portion of the inner cedar box should be laminated. The box contains a fitting, which provides the humidity: this is normally a pad containing a sponge or chalk, which can be dampened. The box may also contain a dial showing humidity and temperature. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the box, the harder it is to maintain a steady level of humidity within its confines. These humidors do not regulate temperature. The price range starts from about 125 for a plexi glass humidor, which will hold approximately 50 cigars to 2000 and above. A comprehensive selection is shown on our accessory page. Fabulous humidors can also be created out of antique boxes which many families have inherited as writing slopes or medal cases and which have since become redundant. This is a very cost-effective way of storing your cigars in a unique and personal humidor. Travel Humidors Ranging in price from 100 upwards. These are not suitable for long-term storage of cigars, however they are essential if you are moving about: the wrapper leaf on a handmade cigar is very thin and delicate and will easily damage. The safest way to prevent this is to keep the cigars in their original box, in tubes or in a purpose-built travel humidor. Cigar Cases Generally these do not offer humidification systems built in, but will protect your cigars if you take them in your pocket for the day. There are some metal tubes with hermetically sealed screw tops that will act in the same way as a cigar tube and seal in moisture. The majority are made from leather and offer protection from damage as well as limited protection from fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Reviving Dried-Out Cigars This is not an exact science and not always successful. Dry cigars need to be rehumidified very slowly and with care. We suggest you speak to us Footnote We do NOT recommend that cigars are kept in a refrigerator for storage. It is likely that the cigars will be dried out by this process and irretrievably damaged.
About The Author
Mike Keesling is a freelance writer and cigar afficiando. His favorite cigar emporium is Ceniza Lounge http://www.cenizalounge.com in Pasadena, California.

Cigars

2006-03-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

The Secret of Cigars by: Don Richards
Cigars are comprised of surprisingly few component parts. Unlike cigarettes, which usually have filters, two different kinds and colors of paper, and filler ingredients other than tobacco, cigars are all tobacco. What makes one cigar so different from another is the type of tobacco, where it’s grown, when the leaves are picked, how the picked leaves are cured and fermented, and how the finished leaves are cut and rolled. Because cigars are made in so many parts of the world, there is a diverse range of product, as you’d expect.
Wrappers
The outermost layer of cigars is called the wrapper. It is made from the widest part of the tobacco leaves, and it has a big impact on the cigar’s flavor and aroma. Cigar wrappers vary in color, and because the wrapper color is what is most visible, cigars are often described by the wrapper color. Here is a list, from lightest to darkest:
* Double Claro: very light color (sometimes with a green tinge); color comes from leaves that are picked while still immature and cured quickly.
* Claro: light-brown or yellowish-brown color, which is the result of tobacco plants grown predominantly in shade.
* Natural: light-brown or brown.
* Colorado Claro: medium-brown; most often associated with Cuban or Dominican Republic tobacco.
* Colorado (or Rosado): reddish-brown.
* Maduro: dark-brown; very popular color among serious connoisseurs of cigars.
* Oscuro: very dark-brown to oily black; typically exudes a pungent aroma and deeper flavor.
Fillers
Cigars are composed mostly of whats known as filler tobacco. Cigars can have filler comprised of three basic types: Seco, Volado, and Ligero. Cigars with Seco filler are drier and have a lighter flavor. Volado filler produces a mid-range of flavor. Ligero is the darkest, oiliest filler, producing cigars with lots of bold flavors and aromatic smoke.
One reason to choose thicker cigars (Churchills or Double Coronas, for example) is that these cigars obviously have more room for filler tobacco. This gives the cigar maker the ability to add blends of Seco, Volado, and Ligero varieties. You will find that these bigger cigars generally produce more varied and complex flavor combinations.
Filler is either whats known as long or short. Long filler in cigars is comprised of whole tobacco leaves, whereas short filler contains a chopped mixture of leaves (sometimes just the leaves), stems, and other plant materials. In most cases, cigars with long filler are of superior quality.
Binders
Many low-end cigars only use wrappers and fillers. But the better quality cigars youll find on the market use another component binders. Binders are an intermediate layer of more elastic tobacco leaves that help cigars hold the filler material together in a more cohesive manner. The best cigars have binders that also add another complementary flavor to enhance the overall smoking experience.
About The Author
Don Richards who loves fine cigars can show you how to keep your cigars at their best. Learn more Tips about Cigars at http://www.CigarHumidorNews.com.
callthecaptain@mac.com

Poker and Cigars

2006-01-19T15:08:00.000-08:00

Poker and Cigars - Together Forever? by: Jeff Hudson
At one time those who sat at a poker table considered cigars and poker as part of the same package. They freely puffed on their cigars as they rolled their hands over their piles of poker chips. Men skilled at the game of Texas Hold’em were usually equally skilled at the art of lighting and maintaining a smoking cigar. The cigar enthusiasts at BuyDominicanCigars.com mourn the day in age when this scene was easy to find. Many of us think this pastime may become a thing of the past unless the current trend is reversed.
At the dawn of the last century, and for a period that lasted until well into that century, all manner of gambling establishments were populated by cigar smokers. Blackjack tables, as well as poker tables had rings of cigar smoke floating above them.
A host at a poker game or at a game of blackjack might be called on to provide an implement for the cutting of one or more cigars. Such hosts needed to furnish guests with more than poker chips and a pack of cards. They also had to provide their guests with plenty of cigar ashtrays. Preparations for a long poker or blackjack game demanded more than just the accumulation of drink and snack foods. Such preparations also included the purchase of extra butane lighters.
Now however at the start of the 21st century things have changed. Now the city and state rules and regulations have called for a ban on the use of cigars at a game of Texas Hold’em. In fact, if one now walks into a gambling casino one cannot find a single soul puffing on a cigar. There may be cigar smokers at such establishments, but they no longer feel free to smoke while they play poker. A visit to Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA uncovers the confined area into which the cigar and cigarette smokers have been moved. It is a small room in the corner of a larger room. It usually contains several small chairs and one large chair. That large chair has the ability to provide someone with a message.
Customers just slip a quarter into the arm of the chair and then sit back for five minutes. Then the frustrations that those same customers might have felt at not being able to smoke a cigar while playing poker are apt to disappear. And of course one is free to smoke a cigar or a cigarette is this same room. Because the smokers are unable to busy themselves with the playing of poker or blackjack, these rooms frequently have on the walls some interesting posters. Since Inglewood is located close to the Filmmaking capital of the world, most of the posters focus on early Hollywood and the early entertainers.
Even if one has no interest in smoking a cigar, and even if one has no desire to get a message, still it is fun to examine those posters. A close examination might allow one to find the picture of Kirk Douglas when he was just a young man. One could look at that picture and appreciate why he became such a star. One might also wonder what he would say now regarding the current rules, rules that prohibit the once accepted combination of cigars and poker.
About The Author
Jeff Hudson is the owner and creator of BuyDominicanCigars.com, a site that offers a wide range of premium cigars from the Dominican Republic and other fine cigar producing countries.
info@buydominicancigars.com

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Cigars

2006-01-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

Enjoying Really Good Cigars by: Jeff Lakie
When you imagine cigars being smoked does the image of seasoned, robust, and wealthy foreign men sitting around with brandy swishing in their snifters come to mind? That is probably not an uncommon image, but it is not accurate for this modern age of cigar connoisseurs.
These days it would not be surprising to find a group of women in a cigar shop. More commonly there will be men. It could be men from every walk of life, every income bracket, and any age all enjoying cigars. And you thought all cigar smokers were alike? No more than all cigars are alike. That idea would actually offend many people in the right circle.
Obviously there are your run-of-the mill cigars. There are also cigars that are costly, aromatic, and have a life all their own. In researching the time and consideration that goes into creating the latter type of elite cigars you might be amazed that the process is quite similar to that of wine production. The finest cigars begin with the tobacco plant from which it originates. The grading moves forward to encompass where it is grown and when it is harvested. The truly great cigars end with it totally mattering if a master handler is at the wheel for the curing process.
Cost for the primo cigars will vary greatly. Taste will also vary. People who have humidors in their home might be true connoisseurs but anyone who appreciates a good smoke can benefit from the variations available. Both cost and taste are affected greatly by the care and attention master tobacco handlers provide. Knowing when and how many times to turn the tobacco leaves is an essential part of the totality of a great cigar. There is a true gift to knowing when the leaves have sweated properly.
The leaves are graded and separated. Each grade level produces different taste and cost of cigars. Many specialty shops throughout the United States offer cigars in all sizes and grades to the public. And in a society where smoking in public has fast become an invasion of air space these shops offer a place to smoke. Enjoying really good cigars indoors with other people around you is not a far-reaching dream.

About The Author
Jeff Lakie is the founder of http://www.cigar-box-purses.info and http://www.cigars-online.info websites providing information on Cigars.
ArticleCity.com - Enjoying Really Good Cigars

Welcome to VirtualeCigars!

2006-01-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Have a smoke