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Rating Cigars; How Did You Start Smoking Cigars?; Potent Smokeables and more...
September 2, 2003
*** IN THIS ISSUE ***
1.
Feature Story: Cigar Rating Criteria
2. Survey Says: How Did You Start Smoking Cigars?
3. Smoker's Ed: Cigar Terms & Tips
4. Site Improvements: Find Single Cigars Fast!
5. Rating Lunatic: Puros Indios Maxima Reserve Robusto; Partagas Robusto
6. Cigar Sightings!
Greetings, Fellow Cigar Lovers,
As September commences and another summer fades into the mist, many
of us here in the northeast take it as a sign that the cooler weather
will soon be approaching, taking us closer to that dreaded winter
cigar hibernation. Those of you lucky enough to live in the western
and southern part of the U.S. get to enjoy cigars all year round.
Only those of us in the northeast who can find a place to smoke
indoors, have a club they can escape to or a significant other
willing to allow cigar smoke in the house will be able to continue
enjoying our delightful pastime after October. But let's look at the
bright side. There's still a good amount of time left to enjoy your
favorite cigars. I hope this summer you had the chance to try some
new cigars and added them to your humidor. If you did, this issue
should interest you because the feature story is about how to rate
cigars. And if you like waxing nostalgic, this week's survey asks
how you started smoking cigars, plus lots more. Enjoy...
*** FEATURE STORY ***
Rating Cigars, Or How To Be A Good Judge Of Character
What's behind the ratings you find in the cigar magazines? In one
of our first issues, we tackled the subject of whether the flavors
described in a cigar are real or imagined, but the bigger question
is how these "professional" cigar smokers determine whether a cigar
is a "1" or a "10." One thing's for sure: As subjective as rating
cigars may be, especially when it comes to taste, most, if not all
experienced cigar smokers use pretty much the same criteria. Here
are some guidelines to help you determine whether you would buy a
box of a given cigar or whether it would be better used as mulch.
When rating cigars there are 5 main categories to consider:
1. Overall Appearance: (consistency of wrapper color, uniformity of
the wrapping, sheen of the wrapper leaf, appearance of the cap)
2. Draw: (how easy or hard it is to draw smoke through the cigar)
3. Burn Rate: (too slow, too fast, uneven)
4. Construction: (too loose, too tight, soft spots)
5. Taste: Not things like nuts, leather and wood. More like smooth,
bitter, creamy, light, powerful, spicy, etc.
At what point did these "tastes" present themselves: 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 of
the way into the cigar, or consistently during the entire smoke. For
instance: The cigar may have started out with a light pleasant taste
but increased in strength half way through smoking.
The "complexity" of a cigar would also be part of the Taste criteria.
Some cigars have a rich, full body from start to finish, others build
in complexity as they smoke. Complexity could be described as not just
one taste, but several tastes either during the entire course of the
smoke or simultaneously at any given point.
"Finish" is another. This is determined by the flavors left on the
palate after taking a puff. Mild cigars tend to have a more subtle
finish, whereas fuller-flavored cigars have a very distinct finish.
These last two factors have more to do with the sensitivity of your
taste buds than anything else. Concentrate on the five primary taste
criteria and you'll become a very good judge of character.
*** SURVEY SAYS DEPT.***
How Did You Start Smoking Cigars?
We almost always remember our firsts. How about the first time you
smoked a cigar? Was it the beginning of a beautiful friendship that
opened a door to a fascinating new world? Did you dive in head first
or did the taste for premiums develop slowly over time?
In my case, I just decided one day that I wanted to start smoking
cigars. I was about 25 and something about them, just out-of-the-blue
intrigued me. Both my grandfathers smoked cigars, which may have had
something to do with the justification of it. When I was in High School
my Dad had taken up cigars to wean himself off of cigarettes, but the
Winstons won the day and he eventually quit smoking altogether.
I would shop at a certain cigar store in Manhattan and not knowing
what the hell I was doing, would try just about anything that looked
appealing. This was 1981 and I settled on this cheroot-looking thing
that I don't think was even a premium. I think it was a dry-cured cigar,
very rustic looking, but it had a great aroma and looked cool. They came
in a box of 50 and at the time they were $25 a box. I was also dating
a girl at the time who worked for porn king Al Goldstein. Now, Al
actually does have other interests besides porn including a passion
for cigars. My girlfriend worked on a little newsletter he published
called Gadget, which had nothing to do with sex and everything to do
with the latest in electronics and futuristic toys. At this time, she
told me that he was also starting a newsletter called Cigar. This was
way before Cigar Aficionado came along and she offered me a free sub-
scription. This is really where I learned about premium cigars. Lighting,
cutting, blends, it was all in this great little monthly newsletter that
was printed on brown paper. Come to think of it, it looked a little like
Cigar Insider. Unfortunately, it didn't make it, but it was ahead of its
time by almost a decade. Maybe some of you reading this newsletter once
subscribed to it.
Well that's my story. Actually, there's a second part to it, but I'll
save it for another time. Now it's your turn.
How did you start smoking cigars?
Send an email to: and in the Subject line, type or copy & paste either:
1. My own curiosity
2. A friend
3. A family member
4. Celebrity or Character (Groucho, Clint, DeVito, Kramer, Monica, etc.)
5. Event (wedding, party, etc.)
6. On vacation
7. Cigar Advertisement
8. Other (please describe in a sentence or two)
Survey Results for August 19: Do You Chew Your Cigars?
Out of 112 responses, here are the results, overwhelmingly in favor of
the smokers.
Yes, I chew my cigars: 24 (21%)
No, I only smoke my cigars: 80 (72%)
Do Both: 8 (7%)
Here are some interesting remarks that some of you sent in:
"Yes, I chew my cigars...I learned it from my grandpa. He always told
me that the best chewing tobacco you could get was out of cigars. We
both always finish the cigar off by smoking it. I like to chew on
mine for anywhere from 10 minutes to sometimes an hour or two."
"No I only smoke my cigars... If I wanted to eat them I'd buy that
crap in a can that makes the funny designs on peoples jeans."
"Yes, I chew my cigars...it is helping me lose weight."
"No I only smoke my cigars...Chew gum, smoke cigars!"
"Yes I chew but only after I smoke it. I am banished to a small room
in the back of the house that has a window unit A/C and a old gas heater
so it is not connected to the vents and I have to open windows when I
smoke. It is such a hassle to smoke that after I smoke I leave just
enough to chew for a couple of days and then I light up again!"
*** SMOKERS ED. DEPT.***
Cigar Terms & Tips (Collect and trade em'!)
Double Corona: Also called a prominente. A big cigar, generally 7 1/2 to 8 inches by a 49 to 52 ring gauge.
Potent Smokeables
I have been a cigar smoker for years and have savored many brands.
Every now and then I run across one that almost floors me it's so
strong. Why are some cigars such power houses? Is there more nicotine
in more aged cigars? Where does the "punch" come from? - Joseph Busuttil, Sedona, AZ
Yes, there is more nicotine, but it might interest you to know that
tobacco actually loses some of its nicotine potency during the aging
process. The "punch" you refer to comes from blends that use mostly or
all Ligero filler. Ligero is the most "potent" of filler leaf and burns
the slowest, too. Ligero is exposed to the most sunlight, which causes
the leaf to darken and produce more resins, hence more nicotine. But
not all Ligero is the same either. The type of tobacco, its origin and
how it's cured play a big part in the strength of the blend. Dominican
Piloto Cubano has a certain flavor and strength, San Vincente another,
Honduran Talanga Cubano another. Add a sun-grown wrapper or a Maduro
wrapper and you've got yourself an even more powerful cigar. But if the
tobacco has been cured and aged well, they should be especially smooth
in spite of their power. As the demand for more full-flavored cigars has
grown, the effort to make them smoke more smoothly has also increased,
which is the case with many of the cigars that debuted last year and many
you'll see in the months ahead. As Jose Oliva told me, a good strong
cigar should be felt in the stomach, not the throat. That's when you know
it's good. But be careful. Some people are more sensitive to nicotine and
may get a little nauseous and even dizzy.
*** SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DEPT.***
Have a question about the care and feeding of your cigars? Send your questions and comments to me at: . I will try to respond as quickly as possible, but some replies may take a few days.
Subcribe To Famous Smoke Shop-Talk
If you'd like to subscribe to Famous Smoke Shop-Talk, simply click on the "Your Account" link in the left margin and check the box that says, "Email me your newsletter (issued every other week)." While you're there, you can also subscribe to our Weekly Email Sale. It's packed with money-saving specials on cigars, humidors and accessories you won't want to miss.
*** FAMOUS-SMOKE.COM HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS ***
Searching for Singles
You really like that cigar you tried in the sampler and want to buy a box, but maybe you
found yourself a little short on cash this week. Or maybe you're not
ready for a box yet and want to try a few more first, maybe in some other
shapes. No problem! There's a chance that very cigar may be available
as a single. When searching for cigars by brand on the cigar page,
you'll also notice a search option for single cigars. You can select
any brand we stock from the drop down menu. To check it out, click here.
*** RATING LUNATIC DEPT.***
Puros Indios Maxima Reserve Robusto (Honduras)
Size: 5" x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua, Brazil, Dominican Republic
Binder: Nicaragua
Smooth-looking dark brown, sun-grown wrapper with an interesting
marble pattern running through it. First light: Smooth, earthy wood
and coffee aromas. Draw and burn were near perfect producing a firm,
silvery ash. One inch in, cigar took on a very rich-tasting, thick
smoke with mostly woody and leathery aromas. About halfway, the
cigar began to burn unevenly but straightened out in the last third.
By this time the cigar had a significantly full flavor predominated
by a cedar flavor with a nice slightly nutty taste. (87) ~ G.K.
Partagas Robusto (DR)
Size: 4 1/2" x 49
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Filler: Dominican, Mexican
Binder: Mexican San Andrean
This was the smoothest cigar I have tried yet. It was so smooth it
made me want to listen to soft jazz, drink highballs, and flirt with
loose women in revealing clothing; well I’d like to do that anyway,
but the truth is I am married and the wife makes me smoke in the garage,
and frowns on the highballs. That’s OK because this cigar was so smooth
it seemed to make it all OK. There was no hint of spice, only creamy
goodness that slightly got heavier in the last 2 inches. It did not
ash once. That is a first for me, I smoked the whole cigar without it
once ashing. My only complaint is the length, it really needed to be
longer so I could spend more time with it, putting it out was a real
heartbreaker. I am definitely buying these again.
- Self Proclaimed Pontificating Master Of Spamku, Pflugerville, TX
(Customer reviews are selected at random and may be edited for length, not content.)
(AGREE/DISAGREE? Your opinion may be similar or completely different and is also appreciated, so don't be shy. Rate the cigars you smoke on our web
site. What you say can help others make a more informed decision, even you!)
*** GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR! DEPT.***
Cigar tasting events in our retail store at 1100 Conroy Place, Easton, PA
Call 610-559-8800 for more info and offers associated with these events.
Saturday, September 13: 1st Annual Famous Smoke Shop Cigar-B-Q!
Join us for a full-blown picnic for all Famous Smoke Shop customers and
their families. Co-sponsored by 99.9 FM, "The Hawk." Food, drinks and
live music will be provided, plus cigar specials. One of the highlights
of the festivities will include a Zino Platinum Scepter cigars tasting! For all the details, please call the store at 610-559-8800.
Coming Soon! - Punch Photo Shoot - Star in your own Punch cigar ad
*** EYES ON THE PRIZE DEPT.***
Cigar Sightings
I recently went to a showing of the movie "Bad Boys II" and I happened
to see that "Johnny Tapia" [Jordi Mollà], the crime lord, was smoking
a Cohiba, It was sitting in his ash tray in one of the opening scenes.
- Tom Luppi, W. Springfield, MA
Other Famous Cigar Smokers Caught "Infumare Delecto"
Hi, Gary!
It is me smoking an H. Upmann Cuban cigar last week in Canada, I forgot
the size though, I think it was double corona. I brought some back
home, Upmann and my favorite brand Romeo Y Julieta, stuck them in my
side pocket and did not trigger the metal detector at the airport.
The "Opus X" hat I am wearing was ordered a while back from your catalog.
Thanks,
- Enrico Deasis, Antioch, CA
WANTED! Cigar-smoking photos of you and/or your friends. (See next paragraph for details.)
Have You Made A Cigar Sighting Recently?
It can be from a movie, TV show or a celebrity you've seen elsewhere or in-person puffing on a primo. If you can name the brand of the cigar, even better! Or send in a herfing photo of you and your friends to me at
and please put "Cigar Sightings" in the subject line. Limit: 1 sighting or photo (preferably, a JPEG) per email.
Until next time, Happy Smokes!
Gary
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Copyright © 2003 Famous Smoke Shop - PA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Portions or all of this information may be reprinted freely, provided this
link, http://www.famous-smoke.com, remains intact.
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