Lighting your Cigar

I often hear many debates on the proper way to light a cigar. Some say a wood match is the only way and others say the handy torch flame is quicker and easier. It seems there is usually a direct correlation between the cedar match and the “seasoned” cigar smoker. In the pre-torch era the only alternative to lighting a cigar with a match was to do so with a Zippo or other non butane lighters. Because of the petroleum based fuel used in Zippo lighters an unpleasant taste was often left lingering in a smoker’s cigar. The cleanest way to light a cigar then was to use sulfur tipped wood matches. Once the sulfur burned off the flame was kept burning from the cedar wood. The cedar would leave no unwanted taste in the cigar thus making it the most desirable way to light a cigar. Fast forward to present day and the invention of the butane fueled torch flame. Butane, unlike petroleum based fuels, is colorless, odorless, and clean burning. Like the match, the torch leaves no lingering aftertaste and in fact because of the sulfur used in matches, is cleaner burning than the match. Most all cigar smokers from the Zippo era will share the same thoughts on proper lighting techniques; you don’t use lighters. In the end it comes down to a matter of preference and shouldn’t be a reason to be scrutinized. Really there is no right or wrong way in the enjoyment of cigars, just products of an era.

C.A.O. Event

It was a fun filled evening of laughter great food and of course great cigars. Cohiba Cigar Lounge played host
alongside Tim Ozgener of C.A.O. Cigars. The night commenced with a dinner at the Geisha house where fine
dining clashes with sophistication and elegance. The sake and sushi were as flavorful as the rooms décor as
were the cigars provided by Tim Ozgener. The illuminated ambers of Americas, Italias, Brazilias, and Criollos
lit up the night sky as smokers one by one set their cigars ablaze. The night was capped off with drinks and
giveaways at the Cohiba Cigar Lounge where everyone conversed and relaxed in the laid back atmosphere and
concluded what was a joyous night to remember.

Castro's Best

Cohiba, a Taino Indian word meaning “bunches of tobacco leaves” has always used the finest of tobacco leaves since their induction in the cigar world in 1966. Cohiba was the primary cigar for Fidel Castro and often given to foreign dignitaries and diplomats as gifts. Cohiba was finally available to the public when it was unveiled at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and since has been the flagship cigar of the Habanos line. The Siglo VI size was introduced to the Cohiba line in 2002. The uniquely blended cigars boast complex flavors of cocoa, hint of honey, cedar and finishes with a creamy hazelnut taste. Its ligero and seco filler leaves have undergone a third fermentation process in which the leaves are aged in barrels to add an extra bit of smoothness to the cigar. The cascading flavors and aromas linger even after the smoke has ended. With its 52 ring gauge and 5 7/8” length the Siglo VI gives the smoker ample amount of time to enjoy its complexity of flavors. Although unavailable in the United States many Americans have traveled outside our borders in search of this unique and unequalled cigar. If you have the opportunity to smoke one, seize it.

Ellipse Lighter

There is no question the lighter has evolved from its early days as a tinder box. These days, cigar smokers have an array of choices when it comes to lighting their cigars. Duel flame, cutter, compass, navigation, sun roof and alloy wheels come standard on most lighters you can find in any cigar shop. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been on the golf course many times and have been relieved to have my triple jet lighter on hand. There have also been many times I’ve burned my fingers trying to light a 60 ring gauge cigar with an inch long cedar match. Cigar smokers are bombarded with choices for a reliable lighter. Here to clear the haze is XIKAR. The XIKAR Ellipse Lighter has all the power any smoker needs in any situation. Its triple triangular shaped flames ignite the biggest of ring gauge in seconds, and do so all while displaying its fuel consumption in a small window. The Ellipse fits firmly in the hand and strikes smoothly with just one pull backwards. The one thing that sets XIKAR apart from the rest is its promise to satisfaction. The Ellipse, along with the rest of their product line, is backed with their undisputed lifetime warranty program. If your XIKAR product malfunctions for any reason just return it for repair or replacement. If simplicity, performance, and reliability are what you
look for in a lighter, the XIKAR Ellipse Lighter is the
lighter for you.
Check out Xikar for more quality products

The Hat Trick

Men’s fashion has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. The slacks and sports coats of yesteryear have been replaced by the tattered jeans and iron crossed t-shirt by today’s men. What happened to the days when a man could walk into a bar and set his coat and hat on a hook without looking pompous? Nowadays mid-aged men can be spotted wearing trendy Ed Hardy t-shirts with True Religion jeans and maybe a thick silver bracelet to complete the outfit. The styles of the 40’s and 50’s are long forgotten and by comparison by today’s standards, unhip. If there is one piece of apparel I miss the most it has to be the fedora. A simple straw material strung together with a brim and a nylon accent can add a touch of class and sophistication to any man’s wardrobe. Many stars like Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp have the same nostalgic feelings and have resurrected the style of the fedora. Though it does take some confidence to wear one any man is capable of doing so. My biggest piece of advice to anyone trying to sport the look is to know that you look good in it. Know that you are a trend setter and many wish they had the confidence you have to break away from the monotonous NY Yankee hat or the bad boy beanie cap and relic in the envy men will have as you strut down the boulevard..

Check out Worth and Worth for some stylin hats

The Beauty of Cigars

There are many things my eyes have seen that have brought a smile to my face. Like the sight of plume on a well aged cigar, or the shimmer of the sun against the body of 69 GTO. There is one sight far rarer than cars and plume, a sight that I have searched high and low for and if seen can turn around the grimmest of days. If you haven’t gathered from the picture above I’m referring to the sight of a beautiful woman smoking a cigar. Cigars have long been and forever will be a gentleman’s tradition, but with the change our nation has embraced with our presidency so should our social acceptance of the female cigar smoker. There is nothing more attractive than seeing smoke billow from the mouth of a beautiful lady. Women have a certain demeanor and presence when they smoke. Some sort of empowerment comes over them and gives them a lost sense of swagger. I for one am doing all I can to encourage women. Next time you see a beautiful woman smoking a cigar, appreciate her. Thank her for her efforts in the push for women smokers everywhere. Buy her a cigar and keep this trend going..

La Liga Privada No. 9

This new edition to the drew estate family bears the same surname as the acid and natural line but that is where the similarities end. The smooth beautiful broadleaf ligero wrap shines and glistens against the black white lion encrusted band. The aromas of sweet coffee entice the pallet, and deliver that flavor on the first draw. A creamy spice tandem unveils itself midway through and sends the taste buds soaring and yearning for more. The final scene is a complex, rich, creamy flavor that seems to increase with every draw until all that’s left is an ashtray ash and a fraction of a cigar. Drew Estate has always pushed the envelope with its creations of aromatic and unique blends. With the La Liga Privada Drew Estate has once again filled bound and wrapped smoke able bliss and continues their journey to the Rebirth of Cigars.

Visit Drew Estate for some of their other lines.