Tampa Cigar Festival 2013… Unleashed!!   by CigarManDan – 12/21/2013

                                                   

In December 2008, at the very start of the great Financial Collapse, I was faced with the reality of being laid off from a healthy 6-figure salary in a midtown skyscraper in Rockefeller Center, New York City.  This was explained to me at the time as “downsizing”, but we now see it as the eradication of mid-level management based simply on salary levels.  Basically, management of my 126-year old construction company, then the largest privately held construction management company in the world, chose to put 150 Vice Presidents to work for a living in order to protect their golden salary and bonus system.  Ah, bygones.  I am in a much better place now.

The biggest disappointments weren't even close to being financial for me.  Gone was Central Park’s Poets Walk in springtime, the wonderful Dim-Sum houses of Chinatown, the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station for Happy Hour martini’s, followed by a visit to Cipriani’s directly across the way for dinner.  Bye-bye to LeBar Bat on West 57^th, Monkey Bar, and the Iron District.  So-long to Chelsea Piers, and of course my beloved 330 section of Madison Square Garden for so many Rangers home games.  No need for me to even mention the women, right?  Seriously, unless you’re from New York, or have been there during the spring season, how can one begin to explain the concept of Model and Fashion week?  One week each year where thousands of beautiful fashion models invade the City with no idea where they are going, bra sizes that far outscore their IQ levels, all in need of personal guides since telling them “Take the F train to Bryant Park” is like asking them to chart a course to the International Space Station.  Maybe those “Talent Scout” business cards that I had printed helped a bit too, I dunno.  

As I have mentioned before within this very Cigar space, in moving to the Retirement Capital of the world known as Central Florida, and finding the doorway to Cigar Import & Sales for all of North America right here in Tampa; well it emerged as a golden “silver lining” to my relocation from civilization.  It yanked me right in, and proved a welcome distraction from all that I so badly missed, especially those Ranger games!! One sec while I compose myself… … ok, I’m good.  Where, uh.. right, Tampa. 

Well, one of the amazing things that I loved here was the abundantly stocked Cigar stores, chocked full of fresh, flavorful, and amazing product inventory.  The Cigar establishment was so knowledgeable too, a friendly bunch of old souls that were more than willing to offer insights to a transplanted Yankee with so many dumb questions.  I was sucking in the information like a cribbed toddler opening their first E-Trade account on an iPad!  Needless to say, they kept bringing up the Annual Tampa Cigar Festival, a must attend event for the aficionado in training.  I had planned on attending for the last 2-years but timing and business travel kept getting in the way.  I swore that this year was going to be different, and it was.

I was sure to get my hands on two VIP tickets to the Cigar Dave Show event and counted the days while watching it selling out only days after ticket sales opened.  Shortly, I would see why.   I counted the days and was happy to see that it would coordinate nicely with my Brother-in-Law’s visit to Florida for Thanksgiving.  He arrived the Friday night before Thanksgiving, we sent the girls on a spa-day, loaded his Dodge Charger Rental car, and off we went. 

A 3ft Wide Pot of Hot Paella Yummo!

Upon arrival, a series of very friendly young ladies welcomed us, and provided us with our VIP packages, made up of badges, gift items, and 7 premium cigars.  We then headed to the VIP Tent and the set of the Cigar Dave show.  It was easy to find, we followed our ears to the fenced off VIP area where the Cigar Dave Brass Band was belting out smooth jazz tunes.  Upon providing our credentials, we entered the tent and headed directly for the grub.  Man did it look good.  I am not talking your average BBQ type fare here; I am talking fine Caribbean-Spanish delicacies like Chilean Sea bass, stuffed Citrus chicken, Spanish Paella Rice, and dirty roasted potatoes.  From there, we migrated to one of two open bars under the tent for locally brewed tap beers which went down all too easily in the 85 degree outdoor seating.  I was so impressed with what Cigar Dave and the Festival had put together, and we hadn’t even sparked my first fine Cigar yet!!

One very satisfying side effect was sitting at a table with a Boston Red Sox fan named Dale, who was sporting a genuine Sox Jersey, and his lovely lady.  This severely irritated my Yankee loving Bro-in-Law who that very morning stumbled out of his bed wearing a Yankee tee, pinstripe jammies, and Yank slippers.  I mean really, you can’t make this stuff up!

Outdoor Set of the Cigar Dave Radio Show

After eating quickly and before the General’s Radio show started, we went out to visit the Cigar Manufacturer and vendor tents outside in the park.  Every major and small name in the industry was represented all with fantastic cigars and accessories at heavily discounted event prices.  I picked up a Jetline 4-Burner lighter and Xikar Xi2 double malachite cutters for about 40% off the retail prices.  This will be a nice Beach set that I can use as the warm spring weather returns along with my currently faded tan.

The Cigar Dave Show Orchestra

Back at the VIP tent, we watched Cigar Dave interview virtually every big name in the industry.  The H. Upman company, the Fuente family, and the Padron group were all on the show.  They discussed their classic offerings, new directions and plans, and upcoming products.  We were finally able to light up one of the premium cigars and talked to other Cigar enthusiasts about their favorite stand-bys, likes, and experiences.  Even Mr. Yankee and the Boston World Series Champion were enjoying conversation together.  Amazing what good Cigars and booze can do huh?

We watched the General’s Cigar Lieutenant’s Deep Fry an entire Turkey in 45 minutes during the show.  Had an opportunity to meet Dave’s Cigar Dog Sultan, and even heard from the organization that training Sultan that Is now authorized by the Government to product companion pets for returning Soldiers with PTSD.  They even presented a soldier that is currently suffering with a dog at a cost of $42,000. I couldn’t leave the show without thanking the Soldier for his service and wishing him well on his recovery.  I will be sure to check on him throughout the year.

Festival View from the VIP Area

                                                                                                             

A Jam-Packed VIP Tent

This was a fantastic day.  What an amazing experience.  It had everything, Cigar knowledge and discussion, great smokes, good people, top shelf booze and cold beer, outstanding food, great music, gorgeous women, and good new friends.  I haven’t enjoyed myself like that in quite some time and was able to make some new contacts in the industry for this budding Cigar blog.  I want to thank the City of Tampa, the officials for the Festival, the Columbia restaurant, the Manufacturers and Vendors, and all of my fellow Cigar lovers for such a great experience.  I can’t wait for the 2014 Cigar Festival in downtown Tampa!

The Death of Liberty – One Cigar at a Time

The Death of Liberty – One Cigar at a Time

By:  Dan Mirabella, aka “CigarManDan”    -    10-20-2013

There aren't many things that really get my blood boiling these days, short of maybe Sophia Vergara and good Indian food.  But something has really tripped my trigger lately and it is completely driving me, well pretty much nuts.

Those political representatives, that band of senile nitwits, that we voluntarily place in office to serve and protect our civil rights and liberties under the constitution of our great nation, have once again joined to remove yet another of our freedoms and liberties.  These great thinkers of our time; have been totally jobbed by the power drunken fools at the FDA.  As a result, these Pork minded meat-heads are now performing the classic over-stretch; as they now regulate the Cigars we smoke, the way that we shop for them, how we order them, pretty much everything. 

                                                                         

H.R.1256

Or as it’s known by its formal name, “The Tobacco Control Act” reached the floor and was brought to vote back on June 12, 2009.  The purpose of this bill was claimed to be the protection of the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products. 

Protect children you say?  Stop the spread of Tobacco products among teens?  Prevent manufacturers from using additives to keep people addicted?  Educate on the true dangers?   Man, all that sounds so good that every conscientious and reasonable politician would say “Sure, hell yes, what a great idea”.  Take the vote, pound the gavel, and then we are off to the local watering hole for a few stiff drinks on our way to a nice cozy, lobbyist sponsored dinner.  Sorry folks, there is a lot more to this story.

Our Rights

Well, guess what got buried in this health forward, sensible legislation?  They expanded the provisions of this law to include rolled tobaccos, which our beloved fine Cigars now fall, within this vague and expertly shrouded law.  Are you also now confused based on the source rationale that they provided above?  Well, me too. 

Last time I checked, I have never seen children or even teens trying to sneak into a Cigar Store Humidor to buy a $10-$20 fine Nicaraguan or Ecuadorian hand rolled Cigar.  I have never had a teen ask me if I could reach the upper shelves of the Humidor to hand them down a Churchill, or Toro, or Presidente style Cigar.  Maybe someone somewhere has seen a rebellious group of kids sneak off into the woods to spark up a fine Davidoff, or a Rocky Patel, or Corona brand Cigar, but I sure as heck haven’t.  Further, a significant condition of this law is the ban of flavored Cigars completely.  So if you fall into that very large group of Cigar enthusiasts who enjoy an Amaretto flavored Cigar, or a Bourbon infused tobacco leaf, you are completely out of luck under this terrible law.  This will hurt the industry, drive up prices, and limit our selections, all based on some stuffed suit’s ill conceived conjecture that it will somehow lead to Cigar smoking by teenagers and minors.  That’s bad, really bad.

More personally, the ability to visit a fine Cigar store, walk through a humidor, admire the stock, ask questions, and learn from both management and fellow shoppers cannot be duplicated.  This law will make that entire experience illegal, and outlaw walk-in humidors in their entirety.  We would be forced to make purchases from across a glass case, talking to a salesperson, who may or may not, have any idea what they are talking about, or even care.  It really doesn't take a neurosurgeon moonlighting as a rocket scientist to see that this will all but kill your local Cigar shop, hurting the very foundation of our industry.

OK fine, maybe these cubical dwelling bureaucrats have seen something that we all haven’t.  Maybe they aren’t really trying to sell us swamp land in South Florida, so let’s move on.  Oh yes, what about the other protection minded fairy-tale?  Nice try politicos, but Cigars are NOT infused with any chemicals whatsoever to keep people addicted to them.  That would actually be rather difficult to do, since Cigars do not lend themselves to the same manufacturing processes as Cigarettes.  There are blending issues, aging, sustainability, transport, and control problems with even beginning to try to implement such a devious and vile practice.  Most of all, the basic difference is that people, aka voting aged adults, smoke cigars for the pure pleasure, not because they are being chemically induced into needing to.  It really is for the love and enjoyment that one extracts from fine Cigars.  So poof, there goes the other justification that the FDA had forwarded to gain a strangle hold over the Cigar smoking public. 

Ok, Then Why?

That’s pretty east to answer.  The same reason that most people do anything.  For the money of course.  The trick is in how they are trying pull it off without lifting the curtain. 

First, the Cigar industry is experiencing a run of unprecedented growth.  Inventories are abundant, sales are vibrant, and growth is steady.  This has been the case for approximately a decade, attracting the attention of a Congress that has been handcuffed in identifying and enacting new areas of tax revenues.  However, this was not always the case.  In the decade preceding it, the industry was in an extended tailspin.  Inventories were rotting and burned, sales orders could not be filled due to a severe lack of product.  Even when sales were completed, the product was average in quality at best.  Countries other than Cuba had not yet perfected the seeding, germinating, growing, picking, processing, and distributing processes that we enjoy today.  These countries now rival, and may even exceed Cuba’s Cigar making quality today. 

Second, all we need to do is to look at the types of people that smoke Cigars.  Your average demographic generally falls to the average middle to upper class male.  They fall somewhere within the 30-to-60 year age range?  I would say that is a fair enough assumption. What does this demographic generate plenty of?  You got it, money.  Money, that the government has not been able to easily get their hands on historically.  So what better opportunity to create a direct path to unrealized taxes than to build some conditions deep within a Health and Safety legislative initiative? 

Put these two components together and you have a perfect storm resulting in a hungry and needy governmental wolf staring down a fat juicy new tax lamb.

Who else benefits?  Well beside the government, this would allow the Cigarette industry, its powerful lobbyist army, and a crowd of self centered political appointees to offset the tremendous loss in cigarette sales revenue, justifiably heaped upon them by actions directly attributable to only themselves!   They have suffered tremendous losses from regulation and compensatory legal payouts from unsuccessful litigation. They received their just desserts, for infusing addicting laden chemicals into their product for the sole purpose to maintain addiction, to ensure a sustainable financial future.  Justice served, until these governmental dimwits opened an entire new road of financial recovery for these Cigarette manufacturing monsters.  Typical successful Governmental initiative strategy, no good deed shall go untarnished. 

How can the government hammer this home?  They control the import, transport, and sales processes.  Create additional laws and processes that will make it practically impossible for Cigar manufacturers to export their products, receive them at a United States port of entry, and transport them to market.  Uncle Sam will now control counts, types, components, display, customer access, and purchase processes.  This will all equate to large tax revenues, while trampling all over the concepts of both free enterprise and personal freedoms.  The end result will be much higher product costs, lower inventory counts, and limited selection for the consumer.  The classic recipe for Government inspired catastrophe.

                                                                    

So What Can We Do?

Please use the two links below to reach out to your local Politicians to let them know your views and concerns:

http://capwiz.com/cigarrights/dbq/officials/ – Find your local representative
http://cigarrights.org/# – Voice your opinion, add your name to the petition!

Don’t let your personal freedom and liberty be taken away in the name of new tax revenues.  None of the reasons that the FDA or Congress has provided in applying the conditions for “The Tobacco Control Act” apply to Cigars.  They are simply applying another back door hidden tax and attempting to put a direct stranglehold on the world of fine Cigars.  Therefore, we need to do something.  In addition to the two links above, write, call, picket, discuss, and advertise the injustice of this ill conceived government control of the things we love.  Not just for this issue, but anytime your personal freedom is violated or curtailed.  Don’t allow them kill liberty, one Cigar at a time.                           

                                           

LaPaloma Vintage Reserva Toro Connecticut Cigar- A review by CigarManDan

I received this Cigar as part of a Sampler pack order that I made with the Thompson Cigar Company.  The LaPaloma is a private label line produced by Thompson.  I was looking forward to trying out this Cigar as it was the only Cigar of the order that was not a national brand, and shared the familiar Davidoff Gold highlight on white label color scheme.  So, this Cigar was starting out with a couple of strikes against it, as this similarity was going to probably difficult to meet or exceed.

Upon first look, this Vintage Reserva Toro Connecticut model has a very nice color mix, falling somewhere between a tan and an olive colored wrapper.  The Cigar has very handsome wrap lines with no splitting or cracking visible.  Mine was a typical Toro style, advertised at 6”, with a nominal length of 5 ¾”.  It measured to a 50 Ring Gauge.  It has a nice sweet type fragrance at the head.  So far, so good.

I toasted the head with my trusty Alec Bradley table top lighter.  We were off to a nice even start, with and even draw, and that slightly sweet flavor making a slight emergence.    At about 1-inch through, the ash is stiff and flaky, with no re-lights or touch-up lightings necessary. 

I am noticing that much of the flavor to this Cigar is again that hinting, far off tease that sort of pokes you and runs away before you can catch it.  It leaves this experienced Cigar smoker considering this as a possibly good option for a person just finding the world of Cigars.  The flavor is very mild, the structure is excellent, and the ash and draw remained consistent throughout the smoke.  The entire duration lasted about an hour.

This is clearly an affordably priced offering from Thompson and may be an option for the Cigar rookies or intermediates out there.   Experienced smokers may want to look elsewhere for a budget Cigar, as it will leave you looking for slightly more robust and complex flavors.   If you fall into this category, I would suggest when ordering from Thompson, the Victor Sinclair Cabinet 99’, the Rocky Patel Autumn Series, or maybe a PDR 1878 Cubano Especial Natural.  Those are always reliable at a very reasonable price point.

I fully support online ordering, but where possible please never pass up an opportunity to help out your local Cigar retailer by giving them your patronage.  Share their experience and insights, browse their selections, and maybe even make a few new Cigar friends along the way. 

Cigars for Women... Really? Yes, Really.

by CigarManDan

                                                                                         

Volume 3 – 9/30/13

Well, I cannot say that I have been truly surprised by the growing popularity of Cigar smoking.  I have watched it flourish since about the time that we all breathed that collective sigh of relief at 12:01am on January 1^st 2000, when the world didn't just stop.  No, the banks didn't shut down, the stock market didn't crash, and the streets remained fairly pandemonium free.  Man, what a bust that was.  I have become increasingly involved with Cigars since that time, and have been watching how the industry and popularity of Cigar smoking has grown in the last 13 years. 

I had the privilege of working in New York City for almost a decade.   I visited many of the great Cigar shops of the City in my time there.  From Del la Conch, a beauty of a shop on 6^th near Central Park, to the wonderfully stocked Midtown Cigar on 5^th Avenue, to the Velvet Cigar Lounge downtown  in the East Village.  I have been to the Davidoff shop on Columbus Circle and to virtually every major bus & train station Cigar store in NY and NJ.  I have also seen Cigar Bars become the bastion of resurrection for this timeless tradition. 

        

In leaving civilization, finding the center of the Cigar world in Tampa & Central Florida has been a wonderful surprise.  Now I know how Magellan must have felt when he finally got off that boat, located a plush resort, and discovered “the swim-up bar”.  Further, my experiences with really great organizations like Corona and JC Newman have made the Sunshine State home for me now.  I have seen the gamut of Cigar smokers too, including college newbies, middle aged journeymen, to your fully domesticated, silver-topped Cigar Masters.  All unified in their total enjoyment of these wonderful little companions of relaxation and pleasure.  While it is a testament to the growth and exposure of the industry, it was not totally unexpected.  I mean, Cigar smoking has increased exponentially over time.

 

However, what has surprised me is the overwhelming growth of Cigar smoking among women.  Where I would never, ever see a woman enjoying a fine cigar in a shop or smoking club before, I cannot visit a Cigar bar now without usually seeing one, and sometimes several women puffing away and enjoying nice rich Cigars. 

This is refreshing, exhilarating, and downright tantalizing to the adult male mind, all at the same time!  Why the surge in Cigars among women?  What do they like about it?  And what do men love about them loving Cigars?  Alas, I will try to unravel these ageless mysteries and provide some occasionally insightful, and often unfunny commentary.

Why the Surge?  Cigars were historically a symbol of male power.  Maybe true once, but it is clearly not the case anymore.  I believe it’s rooted in the legacy of the post-feminist movement.   Feminism was born in the 70s, developed through the 80s, and reached maturity in the 90’s.  The problem was that feminism needed somewhere to go in the first decade of the new millennium.  And man did it face tough issues.  Taking on the complex topics of equal pay, glass ceilings, child rearing, healthcare, and political representation, feminism needed a place to kick back and rest its tired, aching, feet.  Hell, it’s 40 something years old now.  What better way to do that than enjoying a smooth rich cigar with a nice relaxing drink, right?         

The statistical facts say that the unprecedented growth of the industry and the tremendous number of people purchasing and smoking Cigars, simply had to also snare a large number of women along the way.  I guess that’s probably right too.  I personally will lean toward the feminist theory myself, as it is something that I think women would probably agree with, and one that makes me sound far smarter than I really am.

What do they love about it?   That’s easy.  What women primarily love about Cigars are the big, bold, and complex flavors.  The deep smooth textures, sizes, varieties, and tastes that Cigars provide for them are unparalleled.  From the smooth & creamy blends with vanilla, cinnamons  and cocoa flavors, to the earthier, nuttier, and darker varieties, they are all now available to women without restriction.  In comparing Cigars to how women were introduced to Cigarettes in the beginning of the previous century, a move made primarily to increase the sales and profitability of an addicting habit, Cigar smoking is completely voluntary.  It offers a variety of different experiences to women, which they now use as a collective “bitch-slap” response to the chauvinistic social restrictions historically imposed on them.

Of course, Cigar manufacturers are no dummies.  They have moved quickly to grow, process, package, and market lines to a new feminine demographic.  I mean heck, money is money.  The real beauty of it is that it hasn't been really necessary.  Women are moving to Cigars, and enjoying all the pleasure that they have to offer, based simply on the merits of the product.  In speaking to one Cigar store sales guy recently, there are clear favorites among the ladies in their purchase selections.  Their choices tend to be based primarily on size and length (some things never change).  The really wonderful thing about cigars is that identical leaf types are often produced in varying sizes, thicknesses, and styles.  Although the smoking experience is different in these varieties, it gives women a tremendous amount of flexibility in how they choose to mature their relationship with Cigars.

One other interesting difference from men is that women tend to smoke Cigars in direct proportion to their social calendars.  Unlike yours truly, who will smoke a Cigar whenever time and space permits, women tend to smoke Cigars in social settings.  Huddled around a fire pit with a group of girlfriends while enjoying a nice frozen cocktail, or down at the local Cigar bar, chatting it up with fellow patrons, these are all common environments for our Cigar smoking heroine.  So while the chance of seeing a lady smoking a Cigar while out mowing the lawn, or puffing away as she gives her engine a tune-up is still pretty slim, enjoying Cigars in social settings is an approach that is all her own. 

Why Do Men Love it So Much?   After many, many, hours of deep analysis of the male psyche, my answer would be complex, cerebral, and Freudian in nature.  That would of course be if I had one.  I don’t.  But what I do know is that it parallels how a man feels when he sees his babe in one of his business shirts, or when we see a really hot girl welding on one of those Car Shows on the Speed channel.  It’s the "Cross-Over Connection".  There is something that really gets a guy going when he sees an attractive lady doing what has typically been known as a “man’s job”.   Does it border on George Costanza’s pondering on why men love watching lesbians together?  I dunno, maybe.  But this is all well above my brain’s gigabyte capacity, so suffice to say that it is just damn hot to see.  We love it.  Women seem to love us enjoying it too. 

So there you have it.  Women are migrating to Cigar smoking in record numbers.  They are doing it because of the fantastic flavors, it works well in social settings, and simply because they can.  The baseless taboos of the past have been lifted, and women are enjoying all of the pleasure and enjoyment that Cigars have to offer.  We men are lovin’ the company and find it all so very stimulating.   So ladies please just keep enjoying your Cigars, and we guys will be sure to keep watching and supporting your new found pleasure.  All the way to the humidor.

Your Personal 5-Step Purchase Guide for Cigar Store Shopping - 
for Newbies & Those too Embarrassed to Ask for Help!.

On recent visits to Cigar stores, I have observed a trend that seems to affect many shoppers. They appear a bit overwhelmed at the number of selections and are unsure of where to start.  They have little idea on how to pick a few cigars to match their budget, tastes, and appropriate Cigar size & style to match their level of experience.

OK, so shopping in a Cigar store can feel a little like a coffee shop novice holding up the line on a busy workday morning because they don't know how to interpret the exotic flavor names and cool coffee lingo that the Java Insiders do.  What the heck is a Venti anyway right?  Like the blends, complexities, and sizes of coffee, so too are the rules of Cigar shopping.  Many novices, and non-novices alike simply don't have a set of rules to help them navigate the tremendous Cigar selections available to them.  Let's face it, many of these Cigar superstores can present a fairly daunting, and sometimes scary proposition:

Eeeek!!  Don't let the seemingly endless rows and shelves panic you just yet.  There are a few very basic rules that you can apply to your shopping experience that will definitely help you. They may even give you a fun, interesting, and satisfying Cigar experience (you can clear that image of Bill Clinton from your mind right about now).

Well, here are my 5 very basic rules to Cigar store shopping:

1.  Figure out your Price Point:

Generally, there are no rules for how much cigars can cost.  They can run anywhere from $2 to $100 each. 

So, it really falls to you to figure out how much you would like to spend.  Try to establish your overall budget for the purchase, and know about how many Cigars you would like to leave the store with.  The rest becomes a basic exercise in mathematical division. Remember the general rule; great tasting and enjoyable Cigars don't necessarily have to be expensive. There are many different values, bundles, promotional, and clearance items available to accommodate all budget ranges.  My personal quest in life is the pursuit of the perfect sub $5 Cigar.  I love a good bargain, and if you ever met my Mom this would make a lot more sense.  I digress, but the point is to make sure you set your price goals first.

2.  Know your tastes:

If you really are a Cigar Newbie, let me say Welcome!  This is a fantastic hobby on which you are about to embark, so sit back and enjoy the ride.  If you have any experience with Cigars, think about those enjoyable experiences, and what was really good about them.  Also consider those experiences that were not so good, or maybe even downright suckish.  That really helps in the navigation process by eliminating many, many, stock items cramming the rows and shelves. For you Newbies, let's review the elaborate and rather confusing Cigar style and sizing guidelines. 

3.  Picking Size & Style to match Experience Level and Tastes

When it comes to Cigar sizes,  its more of an Art than a Science.  This means that these sizing rules don't apply to all sizes, growers, blenders, or manufacturers.  If that wasn't confusing enough, there are two different methods for establishing and communicating the size of a Cigar.  

Sizing Option 1:  Ring Size & Length

Ring Size is the width of your cigar. You can get an idea of how thick your cigar is by taking     the ring size and dividing it by 64. This will give you the width in inches. A cigar with a ring   size of 64 would be one inch in diameter. A cigar with a ring size of 32 would be a half of an     
inch (32/64). From that, you can determine the basic nominal size of any Ring size.  The Ring Size will usually appear either on the Cigar's band (label), on the box, or on the store shelf itself.

The length of the cigar is often referred to in inches, so easy enough.  They range from shorties as small at 3-5 inches.  The general majority range from 5-8 inches long.

Sizing Option 2:  Exotic and Dorky Sounding Size Names

Lets face it, "Ring Size" and "Length" really doesn't pay the appropriate homage due such an elegant and stylish tradition, nor does it have a very sexy Marketing methodology.  So growers & manufacturers use an elaborate list of unique and confusing names for Cigar sizes. As mentioned earlier, and as that bad guy in Pirates of the Caribbean said, "its more of a set of guideline than rules".

Again, the names don't always directly match up to the exact sizes, and they are not 100% standard among each manufacturer.  But they do loosely correlate to the following:

• Newbies want to start on top with the Rothschild, down to about the Corona Gorda
• Intermediates, can safely go down to the Lonsdale or so without a risk of overload 
• Experienced smokers, can handle pretty much anything listed that appeals to them

Again, no hard, fast rules here, but this will give you a general idea of where you fall on the list.

4.  Pick something that catches your eye

Using the first 3 Rules above, browse with your eyes, feel with your fingers, and smell with your nose (this works best as you may look a bit silly feeling with your nose).  Pick up different cigars that appeal to you visually.  Smell for aroma, and feel for firmness and dryness.  Generally, the more moisture a Cigar loses, the harder and drier they become. This is usually a good indication of overall age and freshness.  There are countless numbers of cool sizes, shapes, colors, and smells that you will encounter in your shopping experience.  Find some Cigars that look really good to you, or represent something that you may want to try.  

I generally split my shopping experience in half.  One half is represented by those smokes that look interesting, those that I had seen or heard about and wanted to try, or based on my general likes/dislikes might be something that I want to give a go.   The other half are those "old loose fitting jeans" types, safe old standards on which I can rely for that smooth and enjoyable Cigar smoking experience.

5.  Rely on your fellow shoppers and store staff

I generally put a good deal of stock into how my fellow shoppers answer questions that I ask them.  They usually provide excellent, first-hand feedback, which can be helpful in making your purchase choices.  First off, Cigar smokers are generally friendly, content people.  They love Cigar smoking, are generally very approachable, and happy to share their experience & knowledge with you.  It's a bit of a "pass it on mentality" I believe.  We experienced Cigar folk extract a great deal of satisfaction in seeing Cigars becoming more and more popular. This helps us all with cost, selections, sales, and promotions.  One other cool thing that I really, really LOVE is that there are so many more women smoking Cigars these days.  I especially love to share any knowledge with women who smoke Cigars themselves. I'm sure guys understand that and agree!  Anyway, I have met many great people shopping and received some great suggestions and knowledge from them, so please don't be afraid to ask for their insights!

Cigar store staff can be very helpful as well.  However, there are a couple of things that you need to be careful of.  Generally store staff want to make as much money for the store, and thereby themselves.  Stands to reason right?  So they may direct you to some Cigars outside of your desired purchase price.  They also need to rotate stock as quickly as possible, so keep that in the back of your mind.  The reality is that the product does have a limited shelf life, so they are only doing their job by guiding you to what is best for both the store and livelihood. Often, if you decline on a suggestion that falls outside of your 4-Rules presented above, they will gladly help guide you to something that will work better on the second try.  So be sure to keep a smile, use their advice when it fits, or simply tell them that it may not be right for you and ask for alternate suggestions that will work better for you.  They have awesome knowledge, so be sure not to miss out on it!

OK, well there you have it.  CigarManDan's 5-Step Guidelines for Cigar store purchases. Please put it to the test, and provide me some good feedback on your experiences in Cigar store shopping. Online ordering does have it's place, but nothing beats and awesome Cigar store for the selection, bargains, knowledge, and awesome people that you meet.  Enjoy your purchasing, and until next week, keep em Long and Lit. 

Lessons on Bourbon by CigarManDan

                                   
A Humble Cigar Man's Lesson in Bourbon:

Talk about just plain weird.  I drained my defacto standard Makers Mark stock and stopped by the local liquor peddler out by New Smyrna Beach earlier today and picked the Venti Jim Beam Black Aged 8 years. 

This evening in position Poolside Humidor 1, I am listening to the Cigar Dave weekly show. He is reviewing Kentucky Bourbon in honor of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival taking place there next week and he chooses the Jim Beam Black 8 to review of 3 different types. Coinkydink?  I say Yes.  

But it gets odder yet, more later.  

Here are some interesting facts about Bourbon I learned.  

1. By a 1964 Act of Congress:

•   Its America's only native Spirit
•   Has to be primarily corn
•   Has to be distilled at no more than 125 proof
•   Has to be stored in a new oak barrel
•   Has 2 be stored for a minimum of 2 years in Kentucky
•   There are several more...

2. Here is a general rule on KY Bourbon:

        The darker the hue, the more complex the flavor

3. How to drink Bourbon:

•     Review the color, swirl in glass
•     Smell with lips open to absorb less alcohol Pre-taste
•     Sip past lips, let flow to rear of palate 
•     Do the Kentucky Chew, roll around your mouth and swallow
•     Gauge the burn factor as it makes its way to the breadbasket
•      Note any aftertaste and evaluate for flavor and overall experience

Ok, now where it gets really odd.  

Cigar Dave aka. "The General" (and a Cigar Hero of mine) pairs this fine aged bourbon with a Villa Dominicana Cigar.  These cigars generally have a mild textured blend using medium quality Dominican & Nicaraguan filler.  Mine had a Mexican Sumatra binder in an Equadorian wrapper.  A is a very pedestrian cigar at best, often bundled at a very affordable price.  So to compare the cigar I had lit, to the one that The General had picked as a match to this bourbon, I look down at the label because I don't remember what I had pulled from my Humidor, and I could believe I had grabbed the exact same cigar!!   Of all the cigar types in the world, I pick the same one.  Well, great minds The General and I, hehe..  Plain weird right?

Oh well, enjoy this fine combination of Bourbon and Cigar if you get a chance.  It's a nice match.  Till next week, keep em long and lit.