cigars

New Cigar Dinner Lets You Pay IRS Again!

Let's face it: even the best accountant in the world leaves the high net worth community paying more taxes than you would like. You drop all kinds of cash to the IRS every year, and it sucks. It really does. So, do you want to send that government body more?

That's the question Orlando banker Jeff Ramsey is asking.

He has organized a cigar dinner at Foxwoods in Connecticut to help rescue the house currently (and perhaps temporarily) owned by Jim Thorpe and his wife, Carol. Thorpe, once a pro golfer, won't be able to join you at the dinner ... because he's in prison after "losing a two-year legal battle with the IRS."

The dinner will include silent and traditional auctions to fill the financial void left in Thorpe's life by the IRS.

For $200, you can head up to Foxwoods on June 21, 2010, smoke a few cigars and dine with other civic-minded aficionados who are eager to give Thorpe a hand. For another $1,500, you can play in the ProAm golf course the next day.

Note: This is indirect IRS support. Your money will not go directly to the government agency.

Source

Tags: cigar, cigars, golf, irs, jail, Jim Thorpe, prison, tax, taxes

Virtual Cigar Factory Tour: The Drew Estate Manufacturing Process

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Have you ever wondered how your favorite Liga Privada cigar finds its way in a box and on a cigar shop's shelf? Well, if you can't make it down to the Drew Estate Cigar Safari resort for a few days, check out this interview with Marvin Samel, one of the founders of Drew Estate. On a recent trip to New York, he explained the entire process, from seed to ash. I'd say you'll learn the secrets behind the Drew Estate cigars, but as usual, lips remain shut tight when it comes to the infusion process!

Gallery: Drew Estate Cigar Factory

Cigar Safari: the resort section of Drew Estate

Disclosure: I was invited to cover this event for Cigar Reader by De La Concha, and wasn't charged anything. It was free for all invited. Each guest received a Dirty Rat cigar, a few slices of pizza (or more, depending on hunger)and some cognac.

Tags: cigar, cigar lounge, cigars, CigarShop, drew estate, new york

Unsmoked Churchill Cigar Fetches Thousands

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Auctions

Sir Winston Churchill memorabilia was good for more than half a million pounds. A collection belonging to Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. went under the gavel at Christie's, with 84 lots finding new homes. One of them was an unsmoked Havana cigar, which sold for £2,125. It soundly beat the auction's presale estimate of £1,500.

Included with the cigar was a note from the prime minister to Christopher Dunn, with whom he was dining: "Sir Winston Churchill... gave me this cigar at Luncheon – Hotel de Paris [Monte Carlo]" 12 April '63."

Forbes developed this collection over 30 years, and it sold for a total of £577,063 ... and it's only the first of three auctions from this private collection. The ultimate total is expected to exceed £1 million.

Source

Tags: auction, auction houses, auction-house, auctions, Christies, ChristiesAuction, ChristiesAuctionHouse, churchill, cigar, cigars, forbes, havana, Winston Churchill

I Smell a Dirty Rat: Drew Estate Talks about Its Rarest Cigar

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

You probably won't find the "Dirty Rat" on the shelves of your local cigar shop. The rare corona-sized stick is too expensive to manufacture for mass distribution, so it's rolled in small quantities for the Drew Estate staff and is shared with friends and at cigar events. The unique cigar is worth a smoke if you can get your hands on it. It's smooth and flavorful with a solid construction and a great draw.

Cut and light a Dirty Rat, and you'll certainly be the envy of the cigar shop.

Gallery: Dirty Rat Cigar Event: Drew Estate and De La Concha

Marvin Samel of Drew Estate and Ron Melendi of De La Concha

Marvin Samel of Drew Estate Smoking a Dirty Rat

[Photos by Steve Zak]

Disclosure: I was invited to cover this event for Cigar Reader by De La Concha, and wasn't charged anything. It was free for all invited. Each guest received a Dirty Rat cigar, a few slices of pizza (or more, depending on hunger)and some cognac.

Tags: cigar, cigar lounge, cigar shop, cigars, CigarShop, corona, drew estate, esteli, nicaragua

Cigar History: The Evolution of Drew Estate

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Have you ever wondered how the Acid and Liga Privada cigars came to be? I had the opportunity to sit with Marvin Samel a few weeks ago, and he explained how a company that started as a pushcart in the World Trade Center mall became one of the largest in the cigar industry.

What started with outsourcing to La Rosa, a small rolling shop in Manhattan, and single-stick sales underground downtown has grown into an international force, with large factory (and small tourist) operation in Esteli, Nicaragua, cigars in humidors across the country and committed customers eager for anything from coffee infusion to the more traditional Liga cigars. It's been a wild ride, according to Marvin, but the future definitely looks bright.

Drew Estate will be in New York on June 24, 2010 for a cigar dinner. Smoke a "Dirty Rat" cigar, and learn more about this unique Nicaraguan-and-America success story.

Gallery: Drew Estate Cigar Factory

Disclosure: I was invited to cover this event for Cigar Reader by De La Concha, and wasn't charged anything. It was free for all invited. Each guest received a Dirty Rat cigar, a few slices of pizza (or more, depending on hunger)and some cognac.

Tags: cigar, cigars, drew estate, esteli, manhattan, new york, new york city, nicaragua, NicaraguanCigars

Genco Berk's DeLight Humidor

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Genco Berk considers cigars to be "an earthy product, which for cigar lovers can create heavenly pleasures," and believes that a humidor should be more than just a cigar storage box. Disappointed by the selection of humidors on the market he decided to design his own and created the DeLight Humidor. Taking its inspiration from ancient Chinese coins, the square center represents Earth and the circular exterior represents Heaven, a tie in to the emotional experience of cigar smoking. The square/circle theme is repeated on the lid as well as the interior, which is lined in Spanish cedar for optimum humidity control.

The DeLight Humidor is Genco Berk's first humidor design and is available in a limited edition of 300 pieces, each personalized with the owner's name and edition number, at a price of $4,400 each. Watch for Berk's second humidor to be released later this year.

Via Robb Report

Source

Tags: cigars, genco berk, humidor

Blend a Cigar in Five (Not So) Simple Steps

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

You cut your cigar, put a flame to the other end and experience a collection of tastes that is unique and fulfilling. But, have you ever thought about what makes it all possible? I'm not talking about the broad strokes. Sure, there's a guy who picks the leaves, another who roles them and so on. It doesn't take much to figure that out. Rather, I'm talking about the real details ... such as knowing to look for a leaf that may not be as long as the others, which can alter the flavor at the foot (or lead to intensity toward the end).

Blending and rolling is both art and science – we all know that – but the detail and care required likely exceeds your imagination. I've sat at a rolling table (briefly, on two occasions) and have a new appreciation for what goes into this task. When I sat in a conference room at the La Aurora factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, though, I got a feel for the role of choice in constructing a cigar. And, to be honest, I was terrified. Making a great cigar doesn't start with the rollers: it begins with the arbiters of taste.

How do they do it? Here are five steps that may look easy on your screen, but they are terribly difficult in practice (especially with my palate).

Gallery: Developing a Cigar Blend at La Aurora

Cigar loggers begin to prepare their blends

Tags: cigar, cigar manufacturing, cigars, dominican republic, dominican-republic, tobacco, tobacco industry, TobaccoCompanies

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New Cigar: Nestor Miranda Collection 1989

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The Nestor Miranda Collection 1989 just hit the streets, and it is worth the 45 minutes you'll need to commit to it. Rolled by Pepin Garcia, it is inspired by Nestor, who told Pepin he wanted a cigar "that can be sold at a very reasonable price point, in deference to the prevailing economic conditions."

Like the other cigars in the Nestor Miranda Collection, the 1989 is available with one of two wrappers. One is a Rosado, for smokers preferring a medium-bodied cigar. The other is an Oscuro, for those who want something a little fuller. It comes in three sizes: Robusto, Toro and Torpedo.

I smoked the Torpedo with both wrappers and found it thoroughly enjoyable, and fans of Pepin's work will notice his handiwork immediately. As with most of Nestor Miranda's cigars, its body that you notice immediately, rather than flavor, though he certainly isn't deficient in the latter.

Interestingly, the 1989 is included in the 10-cigar sample pack currently on sale through the Cigar Rights of America. A one-year membership is included.

[Photo via Facebook]

Tags: cigar, cigars, nestor miranda, nicaragua, NicaraguanCigars

Cigar Interview: Padron Discusses Coming Limited Edition

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The name Jorge Padron is known to even occasional cigar smokers, and the anniversary lines – such as the 1926 and 1964 – are certain to make the connoisseur salivate. I had the chance to catch up with Jorge a few weeks ago, when he came to Manhattan to attend a cigar dinner in his honor. The company has a new limited edition cigar coming out this year, which I, frankly, can't wait to cut and light. Watch the video to see what Padron has to say about the quality of his cigars – past, present and future.

Gallery: Jorge Padron Cigar Dinner

To keep the FTC happy: I did not pay to attend the Padron cigar dinner at De La Concha. I was hosted by Ron Melendi, the store's general manager. That said, do you think I would have paid for the dinner, just to have the chance to interview Jorge Padron? Of course. Also, I would have shown up just to interview him and participate in the event if I hadn't been invited by Melendi.

Tags: cigar, cigar lounge, cigars, CigarShop, jorge padron, manhattan, new york, new york city

Churchill Cigar Stub Found in Malta

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Winston Churchill was rarely seen without a cigar, and his trips to Malta were no exception. So, it's unsurprising that the tiny nation's history is littered with the stubs of Britain's war-time leader. Just recently, one of them was discovered, attached to the glass frame of a photo of the prime minister.

The cigar was found by Wigi Ebejer, grandson of Gabriel Ebejer, secretary of what is now the San Gabriel Band Club. During WWII, he worked for the Demolition and Clearance Department, which cleaned up around the Clock Tower in Vittoriosa shortly after the war's end. He received the cigar stub from a man remembered as Mr. Nappa, who worked as a cook at the Governor's Palace. Nappa received it from Gabriel Debono, a messenger with business for Churchill. Debono used the smoked cigar as proof of his legitimacy.

There are several of Churchill's "empties" in Malta, and there is a market for them as collectibles. Prices can run from hundreds to thousands of euros.

Source

Tags: cigar, cigars, collectibles, malta, Winston Churchill

Welcome the New La Aurora Cigar at Your Local Shop For Free

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

If you haven't lit up a La Aurora Serie 107 Anniversario yet, you've been missing something special. The cigar, which celebrates La Aurora's 107th year of operation in the Dominican Republic, actually caught me by surprise.

This cigar was not nearly as light as I expected it to be, bringing a lot of character and complexity. It was a bit spicy and stayed interesting from foot to ash. The medium-bodied cigar was great for me as late morning stick, but your specific timing may not be the same. The La Aurora 107 has a Sun Grown Ecuadorian wrapper and contains filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic aged more than six years.

So, you could always get one of these cigars the ol' fashioned way ... you know, buy it. Or, you could wait until April 30, 2010, when 107 cigar retailers across the United States will be giving away 107 La Aurora 107 robustos.

Tags: cigar, cigars, dominican republic, free cigars, la aurora, nestor miranda, nicaragua, tobacco, tobacco industry

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Bespoke Louis Vuitton Humidor Trunk for $68,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

A stunning Louis Vuitton humidor trunk capable of holding 1,000 cigars is being offered for sale by London's Pullman Gallery for $68,000. The bespoke "Malle Cigares" is based on a 1926 design known as the Stowkowski trunk. The hinged doors open to reveal a superb marquetry-inlaid removable humidor and a fully fitted interior, comprising two small drawers for cutters and accessories above a further nine humidified drawers graduating in size. All the drawers are cedar lined with divisions and drawer fronts in lacquered rosewood with leather and brass pulls. The lid of the trunk is lined with suede and the exterior is covered in Vuitton's famed monogram canvas with brass trim and side carrying handles in leather. Truly one of the world's most exclusive humidors, it took nine months to create.

[via Luxury Launches]

Tags: cigars, humidor, London, Louis Vuitton, luggage, Pullman Gallery, trunk

Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda Dominicano

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Nestor Miranda puts together a solid cigar. So, when I heard about the new Dominicano, I was pretty excited. With both Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco, I figured it would be a bit different from what I normally smoke from Nestor – and had a sense that the cigar would be exciting. Well, Nestor Miranda did not disappoint. Check out the video to get a feel for what the Dominicano is like.

Do keep in mind, this is a reasonably hefty cigar, just north of medium-bodied. So, if you smoke three times a year on the golf course or only at bachelor parties, save some money, and buy something you can handle. This is a great cigar for regular cigar smokers.

Disclosure: Miami Cigars provided the samples to me. But, the opinions expressed here are my own.

Tags: cigar, cigar review, cigar reviews, cigars, nestor miranda

Eddie Ortega: End to Cuban Ban Won't Matter for Brands

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The effects of an end to the Cuban embargo are the subject of endless speculation in the cigar world. From smokers to company execs, it seems like everyone has an opinion on how much inventory would be available, product quality as Cuban factories rush to meet demand and how willing fans of non-Cuban brands would be to part with the sticks they have spent years enjoying.

One issue, the impact on brand ownership, doesn't get as much air time in cigar shop conversations, but it does come up – especially within the business. Eddie Ortega, the man behind the 601 line, among others, writes on his blog, "In recent years, the registered trademark owners in the USA of most Cuban brands have either been acquired or have merged with European companies who have worldwide distribution rights of most of the Cuban brands." Quite simply, the need to tangle over ownership rights may be settled already, because of European interaction with Cuba.

Gallery: Eddie Ortega at Pepin Garcia's Farm

Pepin Garcia and Eddie Ortega Viewing Tobacco Leaves

Source

Tags: cigar, cigars, cuba, cuban, cuban cigar, cuban cigar ban, cuban cigar embargo, cuban cigars, cubans

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New Cigar: De La Concha Selection Premium

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

It's always risky to introduce a new cigar into the market. In addition to the normal new product launch challenges, there is no shortage of sticks out there today, to the point where Eddie Ortega decided not to bring anything new to shelves this year. In New York, however, the local shop where I cut and light has made space in the humidor for a new house cigar, the De La Concha Selection Premium.

This is the store's second house blend, following the Grand Reserve by Pepin Garcia, which was released in late 2003. Unlike the Nicaraguan cigar, the new blend is banded and sold in boxes (the Grand Reserve is bundled). But, that's just the beginning of the difference. The Selection Premium is a fundamentally different cigar. It's made by Davidoff, which owns De La Concha – and it tastes very much like a Davidoff product. There are some clear similarities to the Millennium, with which the Selection Premium shares a wrapper, and it is more complex than the Grand Reserve, which tends to be a tad more linear and emphasizes boldness over complexity.

Tags: cigar, cigar review, cigars, davidoff, new york, new york city, smoking

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