My latest issue of Cigar Aficionado came in today, and after a quick scan I recalled a post I made a couple of years ago about the culebra cigar vitola, you can check that out here. With the possible exception of the tobacco pipe I wrote about, culebra cigars are one of the "funner" (is that a word?) cigars I have smoked...

Find Cigar Aficionado's review of the Partagas Culebra in the October issue. Click here for a preview.

TC-Keith

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Cigar-Reviews, Cuban-Cigars, Unique-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 10:34 PM, 0 comments links to this post

Wow... I bumped into this insightful observation, and I was in shock. It is pretty short, and worth the read.



I will be the first to admit that I do not keep up with US laws as they come and go, but this one is a real shocker. Apparently in late September of 2004, a law went into affect that not only makes importation of Cuban merchandise (including cigars) illegal, but EVEN buying them abroad is illegal. I am speechless. This is the stupidest waste of time I have seen since the $12 million sting operation to arrest Tommy Chong (of Cheech and Chong fame) and 55 others for selling glass pipes.

I am not going to go into all the other things that US Government should be doing, because we all know what is going on, rather I am going to ask a few questions. Drop your morality here, and just think legally:

• Is having sex with a prostitute in Canada illegal for a US citizen?
• Is smoking a marijuana cigarette in Amsterdam illegal for a US citizen?
• Is drinking a beer at age 16 in Austria illegal for a US citizen?
• Is consensual sex with a 15 year old in the Czech Republic illegal for a US citizen (not from South Carolina)?
• Is driving 100 mph in the United Arab Emirates (where they allow it) illegal for a US citizen?

I understand some of these laws are state laws, but I am making a point.

The "land of the free" needs to look the word "free" up in the dictionary, because that "freedom" is the rationale they use to send the "brave" into battle. Let us smoke in peace.

TC-Keith

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Cigar-News, Cigar-Travel, Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 1:56 AM, 1 comments links to this post

If you are in the Chicagoland area and want to check out a hell of a cigar shop swing by 8 to 8 Cigar shop in Villa Park. Although the guy running the show didn't appear to be serious cigar smokers, they provided all of the conditions to please us die-hard smokers.

I was absolutely impressed with 8 to 8 Cigar Shop. This was a very large square foot free standing store with a HUGE variety of cigars. In addition, they had a small coffee area, and much to my liking, a good selection of hookah shisha. I picked up 3 - 50 gram boxes on a nice 3 for 2 special. The shop was laid out well, and it looked good with wood cabinets, tile, and pub like green walls. If I was to have one complaint, it would be a ventilation issue, but I am sure the place was not designed for a 40 person crew all smoking cigars.

Prices seemed reasonable and fair, but i must again harp on the selection- it was great. From good to bad, from humidors to shisha, they had a little bit of everything.

I arrived at the cigar shop just by chance on my recent trip back to the US. My uncle heard of a cigar night/poker event held there, and we were to meet up with some friends of his that are looking at opening a Cigar Lounge and Shop. Very sharp groups of guy, I will be keeping my ears open about the project.

The event was sponsored by Camacho and had specials, free food, and a poker tournament that "prized" the top 3. The nice people at Camacho put on a nice event. I will be doing a review of a Camacho cigar soon. Probably a 65ish cigar on my scale.

Again, anyone in the area should give this cigar shop a spin.

TC-Keith

For more information:
8 to 8 Cigars
302 E. St. Charles Road
Villa Park, Illinois 60181
Phone: (630) 993-1234

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Cigar-Travel

Permalink posted by Keith @ 11:52 PM, 6 comments links to this post

I want to see a non-doctored photo of Hugo Chavez smoking a "Vohiba Lancero" before I smoke one of these. Ok, I admit it- bad joke... but I have to have some fun.

Honestly, I have never smoked a cigar from Venezuala, atleast not that I can remember. This is an interesting article that deserves a little read.

Everyone claims to have cigars that compare with the Habano, but in my opinion few have come even far from close (if that makes sense). Don Miguel Patino, president of the Bermudez tobacco factory in Venezuela, makes this claim. Don Miguel, I wish you the best.

Next trip to the states, I will see what I can find and give them a try.

Read the article HERE

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 11:04 PM, 0 comments links to this post

This situation will only get more difficult if/when things change. I have heard opinions that the non-Cuban companies that market the non-Habano Cuban brands have made deals with the original families that "lost" these historical brand names- most of which have left Cuba.

Cohiba, however, is different in that it was created after the Revolution. I feel that the historical brand names will end up back with the owners at the time of the Revolution, but what will happen with Cohiba? There are two Dominican Cohiba brands... Time will tell. On this one, I side with Cuba. I think that Cuba/Habanos S.A. will have the international right to this brand name.

I sometime think that Cohiba, now the most well respected brand name, was an brilliant positioning move by Habanos S.A. that will give them the ability to produce cigars for the U.S. market sometime in the future. An established name, that was not acquired by "eminent domain."

TC-Keith

Read more at ACN - Cuban News Agency

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Cigar-News, Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 2:35 AM, 0 comments links to this post

Take a look- He is a great man with a wonderful cigar. Story coming soon...

Keith

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries

Permalink posted by Keith @ 2:41 PM, 0 comments links to this post

Cigars: still a risk but less harmful

_____________________________________________

These articles always interest me. I remember on CNN's Larry King, seeing a doctor talk briefly about smoking, and he said the biggest problem with cigars is that it often converts people in to cigarette smokers. His accepting attitude made me feel like he was a fellow cigar lover. Let's admit it, many Doctors are puffing away on the golf course and elsewhere.

I have to admit that I do not understand health risk percentages very well. If I were to add up all my percentage increases of premature death, (like the 10% for cigar smoking in this article) I am well over 150% dead... The funny thing is, despite my poor diet, heavy drinking lack of exercise, and of course cigar smoking, I rarely get sick and usually feel pretty good (exception: the morning after if I drink too much).

I think a many people forget about the power of the mind, the adverse affects of stress on it, and ultimately how that affects the body. I am not a doctor, but I am speaking from my own experience, and I honestly believe that living a happy is the healthiest thing that we can do.

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries

Permalink posted by Keith @ 3:14 PM, 0 comments links to this post

There comes a point where, rather than create a new law, I wonder if our adept lawmakers are better off rethinking who we are giving the privilege of driving to....

I fully understand that driving a car is literally diving a several ton missile, but making smoking while driving illegal- come on. Heck, I even agree with the cell phone law- I do not like it, but I agree.

Although nonfatal, perhaps we could reduce the number of people bumping into each other on the street if we outlawed walking while chewing gum.

I have had a couple of accidents in my life as a driver, and NONE of them have had to do with the fact that I am a smoker (or drinker). I greatly enjoy smoking while driving, and the thought of it being illegal for safety reason makes me laugh out loud.

This is not a Big Brother issue, nor a rights issue, this is governmental stupidity at it very best.

If drivers are having trouble smoking and driving, I am going to go out on a limb and say, maybe they should not be driving at all. And, maybe they shouldn't walk and chew gum either.

Reports say that the law has little or no chance of passing, but I urge New Jersey lawmakers to focus other concerns, perhaps education or even just commonsense, in stead of wasting the taxpayer's money and resources on frivolous laws like this.

Bars... now cars?

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries

Permalink posted by Keith @ 11:52 PM, 0 comments links to this post

Not fair! I think that US Law should carry over into a US Military bases, atleast for ruthless dictators that are in cusdody.

If a criminal like Saddam can smoke in a US Military base, shouldn't US Citizens be able to smoke in their homes.

This doesnt add up to me...

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Cigar-News, Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 2:23 PM, 0 comments links to this post

Conneticut, Shade Grown, Maduro... Cigars have more suits than I do. Although, the wrapper is very misunderstood.

The wrapper is called "capa" in Spanish, which translates more accurately to cloak or cape. The function of the wrapper is simply that a cape or cloak- and think of the wrapper as a nothing more than a cape wrapped around the cigar.

The wrapper is a special leaf. Smaller almost insignificant veins, oily silk-like texture, and an elastic anatomy are the qualities of a good wrapper. To achieve this, nearly every aspect of the of the agricultural and production process is very different from that of the filler.

There are several variations of color based changing certain elements in the process. The most common variations are listed here.
Some are more common than others, some are more popular than others, and within each of these categories there are many variations.

Why do I say that the wrapper is misunderstood... Just like an idiot in a nice jacket, what is on the inside it what makes the cigar. Do not be mislead, maduro or oscuro wrapper are not stronger. Oscuro wrapper may leave a stronger taste in your mouth, but that is coming from the unsmoked tobacco and isn't a good sign at all.

So in short, do not be mislead, and do not be tricked, the wrapper does not make a cigar stronger, nor does it make it better (if it is garbage on the inside). Don't get me wrong, a beautiful wrapper is a great way respect a great cigar, but my advice is- Don't get too caught up with the wrapper.

A pampered natural wrapper is what I prefer, slightly dark, and a little shiny, although the best cigar I ever smoked actually had no wrapper at all. It's binder was prepared and humidified like a wrapper. It left a raisiny flavor in my mouth, and I loved every puff.

So don't get caught up, and Enjoy!

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Cigar-School

Permalink posted by Keith @ 10:35 PM, 0 comments links to this post