CigarAccessories

What do you get the cigar smoker who already has humidors of various sizes that are stocked with rare and exceptional cigars, several upscale cutters and a collection of S.T. Dupont lighters? Davidoff has solved that problem for you this year. The Swiss tobacconist has devised an accessory that screams conspicuous luxury: the Davidoff cigar band. If the paper ring that comes on the cigar just isn't good enough for you, you can replace it with the leather-and-precious metal variant released only a few months ago and manufactured in a very limited quantity.

The use of this device is straightforward: remove the band from your favorite cigar, wrap the Davidoff alternative around the stick and fasten the clasp. Then, be sure to hold your cigar shoulder-high between puffs, to make sure everyone sees how it is adorned (that is the point, after all). Many cigar smokers are known to show off their labels, but none will be able to compare to the Davidoff ring.

When using this accessory, remember to remove it when the ember is an inch away – you don't want to damage the leather. Also, be sure to take it off before you toss the smoked cigar in the ash tray. It would be a shame to forget this item in the lounge (though whoever finds it would be pretty happy).

If cigar smoking is a visual affair for you, the Davidoff cigar band is the best way to be seen smoking. But, make sure you put it on a great cigar – or at least have the presence of mind to shove the "It's a Boy" label in your pocket so you don't get busted.

While we are constantly reminded of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we often lose site of the people serving. Sure, we support the troops and lament the fact that some are separated from their families for a year or longer ... with unfortunate regularity. But, these concepts remain abstract from those who don't don the uniform every day. Many have a friend or family member serving, but the vast majority is another step removed from the sacrifice. Chuck Ley, founder of the organization Cigars for Soldiers, is bridging the gap. His effort has added a personal and genuine touch to a "support the troops" message that the mainstream media has forced into cliché too soon.

Ley, like me, was a soldier. While my service entailed comfy pencil-pushing positions in Uijongbu, South Korea and Fort Gordon, Georga, he was an infantryman – the real deal – wounded in action in Mogadishu, Somalia. It wasn't the event immortalized in Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down, but few realize that we fought more than once over there. Though back in civilian life for more than a decade, Ley has not forgotten his time in uniform, and many of his friends continue to serve.

From time to time, Ley would get a phone call or e-mail from overseas, a friend in some far-flung place. The tone varied from casual inquiry to begging to near-demand: send cigars. How could a cigar-smoking former soldier refuse?

Smoking bans may ultimately keep cigar connoisseurs from buying that next lighter or cigar cutter, but there is a group – that may or may not smoke – that is buying cigar-related items aggressively. Collectors are being drawn to antique smoking-related items, even if their use has become less popular over the past several decades.

Pipes, ashtrays, cigar boxes and cigarette dispensers are on the list for this subculture. Others are drawn to packaging and advertising, scooping up old cigar bans, boxes of matches, in-store ads and other forms of "tobacciana." Some are even quite expensive.

So, when your kids get on your case about the stack of empty cigar boxes in the living room, just tell them that's how they'll get through college ... if they're lucky.

[Photo by Steve Zak]

The fact that cigars should be kept in a humidor is now news, much to the surprise, I'm sure, of even novice cigar smokers. David Cagan, general manager of BestCigarPrices.com, says, "Proper storage is crucial ... You wouldn't leave your hard earned money lying around, or leave your car unlocked in a bad neighborhood." Shortly after he uttered these words, I bet he thanked his publicist profusely for being able to place the dopiest of stories.

His advice continues, "Why would you leave cigars on your desk?" Well, for Wall Streeters, this no longer applies, so maybe they should remember not to leave them on the coffee table instead.

For those not in the know, this is good advice, particularly since cigars can develop problems if they aren't kept in a humid environment. Uneven or fast burns, harsh tastes, cracking, mold or tiny holes could ruin the experience, and in this market, having to toss a bad cigar hurts a little bit more. The rule of thumb for your humidor is 70/70: 70 percent humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you live in Scottsdale, AZ, you're about to have a new place to smoke. Pat Mitchel, owner of 21 Degrees Cigar & Accessories, is expanding his store with a Rocky Patel-sponsored lounge. Smoking bans have made lounges more important than ever to the success of the cigar trade, as customers are running out of places to smoke.

The engagement of sponsors is starting to gather momentum, particularly given tough market conditions in which every brand needs to find every advantage available. Sources say that Cigar Inn, in New York, entertained offers from several manufacturers before finally giving the sponsorship opportunity to magazine Cigar Aficionado.

Mitchell's sponsor, Rocky Patel, is excited to be participating in its first lounge, saying "Scottsdale is a good location, with good clientele."

The store pulls its name from the temperature, 21 degrees Celsius (just off 70 degrees Fahrenheit) at which humidors are kept.

Tickets for Cigar Expo 2009 are now on sale. The event takes place on Saturday, June 27 – starting at 2 PM. If you pony up for a VIP ticket, you'll also get to attend a dinner with the cigar manufacturers the night before. So, if you're in Easton, PA and have $150 to burn ($225 for the VIP level), this is an event to check out.

Famous Smoke Shop, the operation behind the festivities, will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year – as guests are likely to notice. "We're going to give this year's attendees the royal treatment," said Famous Smoke Shop Retail Store manager, Tim Carr ... and he gives some pretty compelling examples. "Not only will every guest receive at least 50 cigars, but we'll have plenty of entertainment, waitress service, a cigar menu, fantastic food, and some amazing raffle prizes."

The list of vendors participating this year is long and distinguished, including Altadis, Avo, CAO, Camacho, Davidoff, Joya De Nicaragua, Rocky Patel and General Cigar – along with many others. There's a good chance you'll find something you'll like.

You know the market's tough when cigar smokers talk about cutting back. The crisis is real when they actually do so. With the sale of boxes, humidors and high-end cigar accessories dropping (I have anecdotally) – not to mention a cigar tax increase that has moved quickly from specter to materialization – retailers are scrambling for ways to keep customers in their stores.

When I met with Don Pepin Garcia back in November to discuss his new release, My Father's Cigar, he mentioned the need to keep prices reasonable, citing long-term relationships with his customers as taking priority over short-term measures. But, it looks like this may not be enough – as evidenced by the "nub club."

Discount cigar retailer Famous Smoke Shop has put together a selection of six-cigar samplers, consisting of "nubs," and is pricing them favorably to keep cigar smokers engaged. This new program is intended to allow customers to try nubs without requiring them to shell out for full boxes. Each sampler has three pairs of cigars, each with different wrappers: Habano, Connecticut and Cameroon. Prices range from $27 to $34.50 per pack.

Promotions like this one drive home the fact that we're all in it together. The manufacturers and retailers don't want to see us curtail our smoking experiences or trade down to "lesser" cigars. They want us to smoke what we know we enjoy. At the same time, smokers realize that we have to do our part and continue to buy the sticks we like.

Cooperation is better than any bailout program.

[Photo by Steve Zak]