cigars

The Art of Making Cigars (video)

Our partners at Voyage.TV visited Graycliff Cigar Co.
in Nassau, Bahamas and were given a The art of making cigars

behind-the-scenes tour of all that is involved in making cigars. Watch the above video and you will learn how to make a cigar and all about the three leaves that are used in making a cigar--one for the flavor, another that makes it burn and a third which gives it firmness.

The Graycliff Cigar Co., which began production in 1997, offers tours and cigar rolling lessons. For more information, visit Graycliff's website.

Tags: awards-main, Bahamas, cigar, cigar manufacturing, cigars, Graycliiff Cigar Co, luxist-awards, Nassau, the art of making a cigar, the+bahamas, thebahamas, video

Five Smokin' Valentine's Day Gifts for Cigar Lovers

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Valentine's Day cigar gift

Cigar smokers should be the easiest people in your life for whom to shop, with a clear interest that is easy to address. But, if you want to go the extra mile, finding that perfect present can be daunting. This is especially the case on Valentine's Day, when you really want to send a loving, thoughtful message. Obviously, the smart move is to take the pressure off yourself, tell your loved one that he or she is in fact a loved one and celebrate what you have with each other.

Of course, we're rarely that easy on ourselves at this time of year!

If you have a cigar smoker in your life, here are five ideas from Vin Lee, CEO of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club, to make Valentine's Day a bit easier for you ... and a bit enjoyable for him or her:

1. S.T. Dupont Limited Edition Shaman Series Lighter: got a grand to burn, so to speak? This impressive piece will set you back $1,000, but it's sure to impress. The white pearlized lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlays is stunning, and whipping this lighter out to ignite a cigar is a clear sign of taste.

2. Bugatti 3 Chrome Satin/Chrome Polished Traditional Flame Lighter: this one won't hurt your wallet as much as the Shaman (at only $150), but it will nonetheless garner plenty of attention. And, it's one of Lee's favorites.

Tags: bugatti, cigar, cigar accessories, cigar smoking, cigars, Colibri, davidoff, lighter, lighters, st dupont, valentine, valentines day, valentines-day, xikar

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Make the Right Champagne and Cigar Choice for New Year's Eve [EXCLUSIVE]

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

What will you cut and light when you pop the cork on New Year's Eve? People may agonize over champagne choices, but cigars don't always get commensurate attention. Fortunately, Vin lee, CEO of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club, was on hand to provide his recommendations for the biggest party night of the year. Below are his top five cigar and champagne pairings, designed to make your first sip and puff of 2011 ideal.

Lee is particularly excited about the new year. "Now is the time for the world to celebrate its recovery and success," he said. "For the New Year, from Dubai to Paris and from New York to Beverly Hills, it is time for the world to rejoice in what we have and who we are. Coming together with a glass of bubbly and a fine cigar, let's welcome 2011."

Let's take a look on what's on the Beverly Hills Cigar Club's list:

Tags: arturo fuente, beverly hills, Celebration, champagne, cigar, cigar club, cigar lounge, cigars, davidoff, Macanudo, new years eve, Veuve Clicquot, zino, zino davidoff

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Cuban Cigars Confiscated More Than Ever, Retailers Rejoice

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Now even I want to hang out in the TSA smoking area.

Nearly every cigar smoker who's gotten nailed bringing Cubans back into the country has hatched some sort of conspiracy theory about where the snatched goods go. Invariably, the imagined plot ends with the TSA propping its feet up at the Grand Havana Room – or some other swanky establishment – puffing away on what should have been ill-gotten gains.

And it looks like their inventory is about to go up, according to the Associated Press.

After the recent package bomb attempts on flights from Yemen to the United States, it's getting harder for Americans to smuggle contraband cigars into the country. For those accustomed to ordering online from countries such as Switzerland, the results aren't what they used to be. Homeland Security is taking a closer look at packages coming into the United States, and it's coming up with tobacco.

At O'Hare, which usually nabs around 2,000 Cuban cigars every two weeks, the tally has reached an astounding 100,000 over the last fortnight, and continued largess is expected to be confiscated.

There's one group that's happy about this though: tobacconists. Every Cuban cigar ignited is an unmade sale for professional tobacconists, so this could offer the domestic business a little bit of a bump.

[Via Gawker, photo by Steve Zak Photography]

Source

Tags: cigar, cigars, cuban cigar, cuban cigars, tsa, TsaRegulations

La Sirena Cigar Launch Party in New York City

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The world just got a new cigar! I've been waiting for this launch for months, having first heard about it last winter. And, if ever there was an open secret in the cigar industry, this was it. The La Sirena line of cigars, manufactured at Don Pepin Garcia's My Father Cigars factory and distributed by Miami Cigar & Company, is the latest bold and powerful Nicaraguan stick to take a place on tobacconists' shelves. It is unmistakably a Pepin creation, with rich flavors and the sort of kick that inveterate cigar smokers are bound to appreciate.

La Sirena was launched at a dinner in its honor held last week at De La Concha in Manhattan. "Full house" was redefined, as customers packed themselves into the Sixth Avenue retail establishment ... while more than a dozen others made it no further than the waiting list. Even with Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke going on at the same time, the presence of Nestor Miranda, Janny Garcia and Arielle Ditkowich demonstrates the excitement that had built around this product. And, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars stopped by to offer his regards (and announce with De La Concha General Manager Ron Melendi that the store would begin carrying Johnson's Tatuaje cigars).

Gallery: La Sirena Cigar Launch, De La Concha

Gallery: The Guests at the La Sirena Cigar Launch at De La Concha

[photos by Steve Zak Photography]

Tags: big smoke, cigar, cigar aficionado, cigar dinner, cigar lounge, cigars, nestor miranda, new york, new york city, nicaragua, NicaraguanCigars, pepin garcia, tatuaje, tatuajes, tobacco

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Time for a Smoke: Frederique Constant Meets Cohiba

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

Swiss luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant has collaborated with classic cigar brand Cohiba on a new limited edition watch and humidor set. The timepieces are designed to evoke the masculine sophistication of the Cohiba brand. The luxury watches feature an elegant case inspired by Toro shaped cigars, an ivory colored dial, tobacco brown Roman numerals and a hand-sewn tobacco brown calfskin strap.The humidor is designed to hold the watch as well as several Cohiba cigars. The watches will be available in a limited run of 188 numbered pieces in stainless steel for $1,650 and 188 pieces in rose gold plate for $1,750. Constant and Cohiba will launch the exclusive timepieces at an event on Sept. 22, 2010 at Club Macanudo in New York.

[Perpetuelle via BornRich]

Tags: cigar, cigars, Club Macanudo, Cohiba, Frederique Constant, humidor, mens style, New York, smoking, stainless steel, timepieces

Look for the Berlin Wall to Rise in New Orleans at IPCPR

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The cigar industry's major annual convention occurs in New Orleans next week, and there are plenty of new products being announced. From lifestyle brand Hammer + Sickle, which includes both vodka and cigars, look for the "Berlin Wall" to be introduced.

Celebrating the twenty-first anniversary of the fall of communism in Europe, the Berlin Wall cigar is rich, flavorful and medium-bodied, according to a statement by the company. It will be packaged in a handmade marble box, said to be a first for the cigar industry. The cigar will deliver "a complex and powerful interplay of wood, spice and leather flavors with an earthiness reminiscent of pre-embargo era Cuban offerings."

According to Eric Hanson, Chairman of Klin Spirits, "As a company, we would not be here without the fall of the Berlin Wall and the way it significantly transformed U.S. – Russian political and industrial relations," stated Eric P. Hanson, Chairman of Klin Spirits.

[photo and video courtesy of Cigar Reader]

Tags: berlin wall, cigar, cigars, europe, lifestyle, lifestyles, vodka, vodkas

Six Cigar Celebs Tease Their Secrets for IPCPR

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers annual show is right around the corner, and you can expect some new product to be unveiled in New Orleans, this year, as usual. The plans for the year run the spectrum. EO Brands unveiled its new cigar labels, the first visible change following the company's merger with Rocky Patel, and Drew Estate will reveal that it has something big coming out this year. But, why listen to me talk about it? I've had the chance to catch up with a number of cigar industry personalities recently. So, watch the videos below to hear it straight from the source.

Drew Estate
There's always something interesting brewing at the Drew Estate factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, and this summer is no different. Marvin Samel, co-founder of the company, hints that something interesting is coming his year.

Gallery: Cigar Celebrities at Cigar Expo

Jonathan Drew, Drew Estate, and Pete Johnson, Tatuaje

Tags: cigar, cigars, drew estate, New orleans, rtda, tatuaje

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Macanudo & Playboy Launch $2 Million Vegas Contest

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Events, Wealth

Macanudo, America's number-one-selling premium cigar brand, is teaming up with Playboy to launch the Macanudo Millionaire contest, offering a shot at winning a cool $2 million in Las Vegas while surrounded by some of the world's sexiest women. Consumers of legal smoking age can visit their favorite U.S. tobacco shop between now and August 31 to purchase a specially-marked four-pack containing Macanudo Café, Maduro, Robust and Gold Label premium cigars. On the pack are details about how to enter the contest via brief essays expressing a desire to win the trip to the strip and the chance at the $2 million prize (you can also enter the contest just by visiting macanudomillionaire.com). Two lucky winners and their guests will get an all-expense paid, three-day, two night trip to the Palms Hotel and Casino in Vegas. While in Sin City, they will be treated to a VIP evening at the Playboy Club at the Palms, where they will be accompanied by three Playboy Playmates who will stand in for Lady Luck when the contestants and their guests are dealt a hand of poker. If either the contestants or their guests receive a straight flush, they will win the $2,000,000 prize. Click here to see the official rules.

Tags: cigar, cigars, contests, gambling, Las Vegas, Macanudo, Playboy, Playboy Club, Playboy Playmates, poker

Cigar and Beer Pairings in Beverly Hills

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Cigar Reader Summer Cigar Cheatsheet

When you crack open a cold one this summer, what are you going to cut and light to go with it? Vin Lee, CEO of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club, has put together a list of cigar and beer pairing recommendations for your Fourth of July festivities, with eight ways to celebrate the birth of our nation. My favorite is the My Father #1, but I've always been a fan of Pepin Garcia's work. What's your choice for the best barbecue weekend of the year? Leave a comment, and let us know.

[spreadsheet courtesy of John Biggs]

Tags: beer, beverly hills, cigar, cigar club, cigar lounge, cigars, summer

La Casa del Habano: The Top Cigar Shop in St Barths

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

It didn't take me long to feel like I was at home in La Casa del Habano. Every inveterate cigar smoker knows the importance of having a great cigar shop to call home, and one of the travails of traveling is that you leave yours behind, not knowing where (or with whom) you'll smoke on the road.

If St. Barths is in your future, there is no better place than La Casa del Habano. Look for the traditional wooden Indian out front; you should be able to see it as you're entering Village Creole in St. Jean, where the tobacconist is located.

Inside, put yourself in the expert hands of Sandrine, the store's owner and managing director. Many Americans are familiar with only the major Cuban cigar brands; it's tough for us to keep pace with the new products being released from the "island south of Miami." Sandrine will acquaint you with the old and new of what we aren't permitted to have here in the United States.

Gallery: La Casa del Habano, St Barths

Vegas Robainos at La Casa del Habano, St Barths

Tags: cigar, cigar shop, cigars, cuban, cuban cigars, CubanCigar, cubans, partagas, St Barths

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Fewer Cigar Smokers Want Cubans, Production Drops

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The Cuban cigar industry is struggling under the dual pressures of smoking bans and economic malaise. Consumers around the world aren't buying as many sticks, and Cuba is cutting production. In Pinar del Rio, only 22.4 million leaves were harvested this year, off 14 percent from 26 million last year. Local media reports: "There was a reduction in planting due to limitations in resources caused by the economic crisis," according to the Financial Times.

With 70 percent of the market – not including the United States – the Cuban cigar business is a global force. So, its financial performance has broad implications, and the data doesn't look good:

According to the most recent report released by the government's statistics office, the industry has fallen on hard times in recent years, with production of cigars for export down from 217m in 2006, to 123m in 2007 and 73m last year as the business drew on its inventory.

Export cigar sales plunged to $218 million last year from $243 million in 2008 ... but keep in mind that the effects of the late 2008 financial crisis didn't really come to bear until 2009.

Of course, consumption in the United States is unchanged, because you can't go below zero. Nobody smokes Cuban cigars in the United States because they're illegal ... right?

Gallery: La Casa del Habano, St Barths

Source

Tags: cigar, cigars, cuban, cuban cigars, CubanCigar, cubanos, cubans, Habano, habanos

A Cigar Smoker Invades Rick's Cabaret ... and Brings Davidoff Surprise

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Last week, cigar smokers took over the roof of upscale gentlemen's club Rick's Cabaret in Manhattan. With a view of the Empire State Building, not to mention the impeccable local talent, dozens came to cut, light puff and imbibe.

The event, organized by Barry Stein the man behind the cigar blog "A Cigar Smoker," attracted a large and varied group of cigar smokers, making the Rick's roof feel like your local cigar shop (though with the obvious differences). As hors d'oeuvres were passed and drinks sipped, on-the-spot back rubs were delivered expertly by roving masseuses, and cigars were abundant. Conversation flowed freely and easily, especially with my new blogging buddy the Social Vixen.

Gallery: A Cigar Smoker Event at Rick's Cabaret

Tags: cigar, cigar lounge, cigars, CigarShop, davidoff, DavidoffMadison

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Five Cigar Recommendations for Father's Day

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

I'm about to celebrate my first Father's Day, so when I heard that the Beverly Hills Cigar Club had a few cigar suggestions for the occasion, I opened the e-mail immediately. In past years, I would have written the blog post for everyone else ... this year, I have something at stake!

Vin Lee, CEO of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club, has put together an interesting menu of cigars for Father's Day this year. From this list, I'd go with the Oliva Serie V, though my personal favorite these days is the 601 Trabuco (hint, hint).

Let's take a look at the five cigars Lee offers up as Father's Day suggestions:

1. CAO America Monument Pinstripe Torpedo
The wrapper on this cigar consists of two leaves arranged to deliver a pinstriping effect. One is a golden brown Connecticut Shade, and the other is a chocolate brown Connecticut Broadleaf. The filler comes from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and the United States. Notes Lee, "Warm summer nights this Father's Day, heat up the Kalamazoo 900 Grill and let Dad light up America while he slow grills his special burgers. No, he still won't tell you what's in the sauce though."

Tags: beverly hills, cigar, cigar club, cigar lounge, cigars, colombia, costa rica, dominican republic, fathers day, fathers-day, FathersDay, honduras, Mexico, nicaragua, NicaraguanCigars

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Wine-Inspired Cigar Released

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Hendrik "Henke" Kelner has been busy this year. The blending guru not only released the Puro d'Oro and the new De La Concha house cigar, but he's also created Second Growth, a brand inspired by wine for importer Eric Hanson. It was launched on May 26, 2010 at Club Macanudo in Manhattan.

The Second Growth sticks tend to be on the mild side, writes David Savona of Cigar Aficonado, and they were made specifically to pair with fine wines. The boxes are built from used wine barrels. Said Hanson, "I purchased 50 barrels from a second-growth Bordeaux chateau."

The cigar comes in one size: 7 ¼ by 54. It sells for $32.50 a stick, and only 1,000 boxes were made.

Interested in more from Henke Kelner? Check out his thoughts on the Davidoff Puro d'Oro.