humidor

The Classicist: Bespoke Leathergoods from Norton MacCullough & Locke

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style, The Classicist

Norton MacCullough & Locke, the new London firm committed to producing the finest custom-made trunks, jewelry boxes and homeware in the essence of 1920s bespoke British luxury which The Classicist first wrote about earlier this year, is introducing a new collection of custom-made small leathergoods. Founded by veterans of Hermès, Claridge's and Patek Philippe, Norton MacCullough & Locke creates only individual, hand-crafted pieces. NML's Head of Design Lester Ng and CFO David Manchee developed the collection to incorporate both function and practicality whilst retaining the Norton MacCullough & Locke aesthetic and principles. Ranging from iPhone and iPad cases to card holders, document wallets and passport covers, each piece in the new collection is hand-crafted in England by specialist leatherworking artisans, utilizing the finest materials and traditional techniques.

The firm offers a range of leathers, colors, finishes and personalization options to ensure that each bespoke piece is both unique and exclusive, giving the consummate bespoke experience. There's no need to travel to London to commission them however; the luxe accessories can be purchased by downloading the bespoke order form from the Norton MacCullough & Locke website. Following approval of a visual sample (and payment confirmation), the pieces will be created and delivered within 4-8 weeks. In addition to the styles, materials and personalization options offered via the site, Norton MacCullough & Locke will source specific leather types and colors for your piece upon request, specializing in exotics ranging from ostrich, crocodile and lizard skin.

Gallery: Norton MacCullough & Locke Bespoke Leathergoods

Tags: bespoke, crocodile, exotic leather, humidor, iPad, iPhone, leather, leathergoods, London, luggage, luxury travel, mens style, Norton MacCullough Locke, travel, trunks, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: Bespoke Leathergoods from Norton MacCullough & Locke”

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

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

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Tags: cigars, genco berk, humidor

Union Jack Collection from Viscount David Linley

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Decor, Men's Style

The latest design from bespoke cabinetmaker (and nephew of the Queen of England) Viscount David Linley is a line of elegant accessories featuring an inlaid Union Jack motif. Consisting of a humidor, jewelry box, tea caddy, cufflink box, and large and small picture frames, the exquisite and extremely British pieces pieces are finished in walnut with the flag artfully rendered in a marquetry of burr oak, burr walnut and ripple sycamore. Like Linley himself, the Union Jack boasts a royal lineage; the flag originated in 1606 after King James I of England was crowned, uniting the kingdoms of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The humidor, for about $2,000, is lined with Spanish cedar wood and has a built-in humidifier and hydrometer to preserve cigars. The jewelry box, for about $1,800, is lockable and lined in red faux suede with a compartmentalized, removable tray. The tea caddy, for about $1,000, is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces, and comes complete with a supply of Fortnum & Mason Royal Blend loose leaf tea. The cufflink box, for about $650, is lined in beige faux suede. The picture frames come in a large and small size for about $440 and $400.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: bespoke, British royalty, David Linley, England, Fortnum Mason, humidor, jewelry, Queen of England, tea, UK, Union Jack, Viscount Linley, walnut, wood

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

Bespoke Vuitton Humidor Trunk for $27,800

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

In 1925 Louis Vuitton created a special trunk in its iconic monogram canvas to house a portable set of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica for the traveling scholar. A later owner adapted the rare item to a more practical purpose, turning it into the world's most stylish portable humidor. The trunk was professionally refitted to house 500 cigars in removable boxes lined with seasoned Spanish cedar along with a removable humidor in burled American walnut. The lid of the trunk has been lined in Spanish cedar as well and inset with decorative burled walnut panels. London's Pullman Gallery is now offering the one-of-a-kind piece for $27,800.

[via Luxury Launches]

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

Cuban Cigar Festival Punctuated with Million Dollar Humidor Auction

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Auctions

The annual Habanos festival ended Friday with a million-dollar cymbal crash. The week-long event attracted cigar merchants, smokers and collectors from around the world to select, sample and savor ... all leading up to purchases, of course. The main attraction was an auction of ornate cedar and mahogany humidors packed with hecho a mano cigars, ultimately fetching $1.09 million. Hundreds may have attended, but only a small fraction walked away with that level of satisfaction.

The celebration came on the heels of an announcement by Habanos S.A. that its revenue only reached $360 million last year, an 8 percent decline from 2008. The new Romeo y Julieta that was unveiled at the event, designed to appeal to women, is ostensibly a direct response to two consecutive years of revenue declines. Since women comprise only 5 percent to 10 percent of Habanos' customers, the company is hoping that there's room for growth. The company is also relying on an economic recovery in Spain, which is its largest market.

Despite the new "ladies' line," the focus in Cuba last week was on the auction. The top humidor to move contained the new Cohiba Bieke cigar, fetching $681,000, close to two-thirds of the total. According to Oscar Basulto, Vice President of Habanos, this is the top premium cigar on the market – though I'm sure there are a few people in Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic who would disagree.

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Tags: auction, cigar, cigars, cohiba, cohibe-behike-cigar, cuba, cuban, cubans, Habano, habanos, havana, humidor, humidors, romeo y julieta, RomeoYJulieta

The Ultimate Luxury Gift Crate for Men - Cognac & Cuban Cigars

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Spirits, Books, Men's Style

King's Crate, a new company based in Toronto, has launched a line of luxurious new gift crates created specifically for men of refined tastes. The collection is crowned by the Havana crate (above), which includes a stylish humidor, ashtray and cigar cutter, three Cuban cigars (Cohiba, Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta), your choice of Havana Club rum from Cuba, Courvoisier cognac or Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch, Pastiglie Leone Italian candies in a nostalgic pinup girl tin, cashews and roasted peanuts, and a copy of Schott's Food & Drink Miscellany. The price ranges from $196 - $270 Canadian depending on which booze you choose. Of course, the Cuban cigars and rum are only available in Canada (which has no Cuban embargo) and alcohol is limited to customers in Ontario at the moment, but the company has other crates filled with gourmet goodies and stylish accessories which can be sent anywhere. Each gift arrangement comes packaged in a handcrafted, reusable cedar crate.

Tags: Canada, cigars, Cuba, Cuban cigars, CubanCigars, gift basket, GiftBasket, gifts, humidor, Kings Crate, KingsCrate, Ontario, rum, Toronto

The Classicist: Bespoke British Luxury from the Fine English Company

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Cigars, Decor, Art, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

The Fine English Company is a recently launched line of luxurious furniture, luggage and lifestyle accessories reminiscent of Britain's colonial past with a contemporary flair. Founded by former financial consultant Benedict Wormald, the company was born out of a desire to trade in his city lifestyle in London and turn a lifelong passion for classic British design and antiquities into a business. The Fine English Company's products combine traditional craftsmanship with its detailing of exotic animal skins, rare and native woods and veneers to create a range of collectible and desirable objects betokening the best of bespoke British luxury,

With 15 years of experience sourcing unusual items and commissioning bespoke products, Benedict worked tirelessly to create the Fine English Company's first collection, a selection of which is now available at Holland & Holland, the famous London gunmaker established in 1835 and holder of the Royal Warrant. The core range includes steamer trunks finished with exquisite detailing and exotic zebra and giraffe skins, for £2,750 - £5,750. Larger furniture pieces include traditional leather armchairs, sofas and footstools, and club-style fireplace fenders upholstered in tweed, zebra and giraffe skin giving them a contemporary flair.

Fine English also has range of smaller items for sporting gentlemen including traditional handmade slippers with leather soles in a range of animal skins, bold tweed, and for the pocket pirate, a skull and crossbones. Also available are a number of iconic humidors for the busy plutocrat with rich wood finishes such as ebony, macassar and walnut, some decorated with the skull and bones (£2,500) or iconic Union Jack. Also a collection of stunning bespoke pocket knives featuring William Morris acanthus engraving, 18k pink gold with gold lipped pearl details, Damascus steel blades and ivory from the woolly mammoth, rivaling creations from the world's finest gun and watch makers.

Gallery: The Fine English Company

A well-curated collection of fine antiques is also on offer, drawn from military, architecture, automotive, aeronautical and sporting pursuits and restored to perfection. Of course the company offers a complete bespoke service as well; if you can conceive of it, Wormald promises to make it happen - he claims to have never turned down any client's request. From unique taxidermy - one recent example being the finest Van Ingen Tiger to be seen in Europe - to whole games rooms, gun rooms, dramatic architectural statement pieces and even a mahogany WC seat with the skull and bones motif, Fine English will furnish it to your requirements.

Tags: antiques, bespoke, exotic animals, ExoticAnimals, Fine English Company, FineEnglishCompany, furniture, Holland Holland, HollandHolland, humidor, hunting, London, luggage, Royal Warrant, RoyalWarrant, shotgun, sporting, trunk, UK, zebra

Featured Smoking Lounge: La Casa del Habano Montreal

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Cigar enthusiasts will find everything they could need at La Casa del Habano, Montreal's upscale smoking lounge. Located on la rue Sherbrooke Ouest, it is easily accessible from the city's downtown hotels and provides a relaxing destination for tourists who crave a Cohiba and business travelers who need to unwind following a marathon of meetings.

As the store's name implies, you'll only find Cuban cigars in its walk-in humidor. Be sure to see an attendant before trying to enter (the humidor, that is), as the door is kept locked. The employee will also help you with your selection, introducing you to the latest releases – which can be important, given their unavailability in the United States. As you peruse the shelves, prepare yourself for a bit of sticker-shock, as Canadian taxes do hike up the prices. But, for the cigar that will make the next hour magical, it's worth the sting.

Though you may want to pick up a few sticks for the road, make some time to smoke at least one in La Casa del Habano's large, comfortable cigar lounge. It seats close to 20, with large leather chairs and couches throughout the room and four seats at the full bar. The lounge offers coffee, espresso and a variety of cocktails, completing the experience you'd expect to have in the top shop in Montreal.

Gallery: Casa del Habano, Montreal

Tags: canada, cigar lounge, CigarLounge, cigars, cuban cigars, CubanCigars, humidor, humidors, montreal, smoking, tobacco

Continue reading “Featured Smoking Lounge: La Casa del Habano Montreal”

Cigar, Pipe Collectibles Gaining Momentum

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

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]

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Tags: ashtray, ashtrays, cigar, cigar accessories, CigarAccessories, cigarette, cigarettes, cigars, collectible, collectibles, collecting, collection, collections, humidor, humidors, lighter, lighters, pipe, pipes

CAO LX2 Photo Contest Winners Announced

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

If you're not following CAO on Twitter, you're missing something ... specifically, free cigars. There were more than 100 entries on Stogie Fresh, with the winning prizes far from trivial. The top spot came with an LX2 Limited Edition Humidor, with #2 getting a box of CAO LX2 cigars and #3 picking up an LX2 sample pack and a CAO ashtray.

Participants were certainly varied, with entries running from classical to truly creative. Cigars wore suits, brandished light sabers and sat alongside pints of beer. This is why judges had a tough time whittling down the final 40 to three winners and a few honorable mentions.

The winner, who posed a CAO LX2 on a craps table, probably won the judges over with his tag line: "Always a good bet."

If you're on Twitter, keep an eye on @aocigars, as this isn't the only contest I've seen.

Source

Tags: cao, cigar, cigars, contest, humidor, humidors, tobacco, tobacco use, TobaccoUse

Humidors Protect Cigars According to MarketWatch ... Duh

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

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.

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Tags: cigar, cigar accessories, CigarAccessories, cigars, humidor, humidors

New Rocky Patel Cigar Lounge to Open in Scottsdale

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

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.

Gallery: Rocky Patel Cigar Lounge, 21 Degrees Cigars

Vault door at the Rocky Patel cigar lounge

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Tags: cigar, cigar accessories, cigar aficionado, cigar lounge, CigarAccessories, CigarAficionado, CigarLounge, cigars, humidor, humidors, lounge, lounges, rocky patel, RockyPatel, smoking, smoking ban, smoking bans, SmokingBan, SmokingBans

Narrow Exception in Works for Nebraska Cigar Bars

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

A split Legislature in Nebraska is struggling over whether to exempt cigar bars from a statewide smoking ban. The clock is ticking, as it takes effect on June 1. The measure, Legislative Bill 355, would limit smoking to half a dozen bars across the state – specifically, locations that have installed the appropriate humidors and air-handling equipment.

This is not a proposed repeal of the smoking ban. Instead, it's a small exception that would allow adults to consume a legal product ... and it would prevent several businesses from forced closure. In today's economic environment, common sense would dictate that the government doesn't need to put even more pressure on companies that are struggling to survive.

To qualify under the bill, a bar would have to show the State Liquor Control Commission that at least 15 percent of its revenue comes from the sale of tobacco. Few establishments would qualify, according to State Senator Scott Lautenbaugh. Any that tried to skew the results – e.g., by "selling cigars for $15 with a free steak dinner" – would prompt a movement to change the law.

Again, common sense suffers, as it would be tough for a "cigar bar" to stay open if it was giving away expensive meals.

[Photo by Steve Zak]

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Tags: cigar bar, cigar bars, CigarBar, CigarBars, humidor, humidors, lincoln nebraska, LincolnNebraska, lounge, lounges, nebraska, omaha, smoking, smoking ban, smoking bans, smoking laws, SmokingBan, smokingbans, SmokingLaws, tobacco

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