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Cigar travel cases; What do you pay for your everyday cigars?; ‘Seconds’ and more. . .
(Posted October 28, 2003)
*** IN THIS ISSUE ***
1.
Feature Story: The Smoke More Traveled: Cigar Travel Cases
2. Survey Says: How much do you spend on your "everyday" cigars?
3. Smoker's Ed (Cigar Terms & Tips): ‘Seconds’
4. Site Improvements: Missing cigar brands
5. Rating Lunatic: Excalibur 1066 Lancelot; Bayamo Robusto; La Aurora Preferido Red Tube
6. Cigars in the News: World's Longest Cuban cigar
*** FEATURE STORY ***
    
The Smoke More Traveled: Choosing The Right Cigar Travel Case
AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON approaches, many of you are sure to be traveling.
If you don't want to leave home without your precious primos, you'll
need something to carry them in. Following are some of the choices
with regard to travel cases that are available to you when you're
ready to "hit the road, Jack."
If you're like me, it's pretty tough to leave home without taking some
of your favorite cigars with you. But before you board that plane, train
or automobile, you'll need a portable storage case that will keep your
precious cargo out of harm's way. Travel cases come in practically every
style and material you can imagine. Whether it's an elaborate attaché
case humidor or a simple "two-fingered" leather case, the case MUST do
at least two things: 1) protect your cigars and 2) keep them fresh. Just
as important is selecting a case that will properly hold the cigar size
and style you smoke.
First, let's talk about pocket cases. Telescoping "fingered" cases are
good for long cigars, but fingered cases can cause problems if you're
toting cigars with different ring gauges. Most telescoping fingered
cases are designed to hold a wide range of ring sizes, but are better
suited for cigars of similar ring gauge since they tend not to be very
flexible. When selecting a fingered case, be sure to choose the size
best suited for the cigar size you smoke. Also be sure the case slides
open easily and that the inside is smooth, especially if you're looking
at leather cases, which can also add a leathery taste to your smokes.
You may want to opt for a wooden or metal tube style case. Moreover, the
latter type can usually keep the cigars fresh for up to three days, but
the trade-off is they can be heavier, which doesn't make them practical
as true "pocket" cases. Some pocket cases even include small humidifiers
to ensure your cigars will stay fresh, but if you're returning home on
the same day, make sure you put any un-smoked cigars back in your humidor,
as most pocket cases will only keep cigars fresh for about a day.
Attaché cases come in a variety of sizes, materials and price ranges,
too. The better cases come with a humidification device and are lined
with cedar and foam insulation to maintain a "home humidor" environment
and protect the cigars from damage. These are great for extended trips.
Some manufacturers even sell accessory kits for customizing your travel
humidor. Many cases come with pre-formed slots to hold the cigars firmly
in-place, but others do not, which may cause your cigars to roll around
if they get jostled.
So, before you decide which case is right for your particular travel
needs, kick the tires; inspect the case for size, quality of materials
and functionality. The rule of "caveat emptor" greatly applies here.
You've invested good money in your cigars. Protect them properly and
they'll love you back.
If you have questions about any of the many travel cases we sell at
Famous Smoke Shop, please call our customer service line at 800-672-5544
and we'll be happy to help you choose the case that's right for you.
Happy trails! ¶
SURVEY SAYS DEPT.
How much do you pay for an "everyday" cigar?
Cigars are no different than most other consumables in that you often
get better quality at higher prices. On the other hand, cigars are like
wine. You can buy an expensive French wine and pretty much expect to
get a good bottle, but if you KNOW wine, or cigars for that matter, you
can get a very good buy for your buck in a much less expensive brand.
ON AVERAGE, what do you spend apiece on your regular, "everyday" cigars?br>
Send an email to: and in the Subject line, type or copy & paste, the following:
Less than $2
$2 - $4
$4+ - $7
$7+ - $10
$10+ - $12
More than $12
As always, your comments are welcome.
Survey Results for October 14th: Do you smoke in the house?
Wow, did you respond to this question! 243 people chimed in to our poll
on smoking in the house. The part I love about doing these surveys is
reading some of the comments that go with the responses. This one covered
everything from romance to adventure and intrigue. Surprisingly, more
people than I expected said they smoked in their homes (37%). I wonder
if I should have excluded the basement, but it's in the house, so I
counted it. Garages did not make the 'in the house' cut. It was also
good to read that many of you have built your own custom smoking rooms.
I think one person called his the "Man Room." Not surprisingly, the
majority, by a 51% margin, did not smoke in their homes, while
12% said they could, but preferred not to. Here are the totals:
YES, I smoke in the house: 90 (37%)
NO, I do not smoke in the house: 124 (51%)
I can smoke in the house but PREFER NOT TO: 29 (12%)
Thanks to everyone who participated. Here are some of the more
entertaining replies to "Do you smoke in the house?"
"No, but I am thinking of buying a bar and starting a private club just
so I can sit somewhere warm and smoke." - P.H.
"I can also park my Harley in the house, but prefer not to." - Jerry
"Yes.I do smoke my cigar in the house, this is confined to the basement
TV area where I have a Csonka Air Purifier. It works extremely well,
even my Mom when she visits does not complain about the cigar smell.
So I have it made!" - R.W.
"NO, MY wife would kill me." - C.W.
"Yes i smoke in the house and i get nagged at the full hour or so."
- Steve
"No. I find it to be a lot more courteous to non-smokers, as well as, not
stinking up all the furnishings, clothing, etc. that may come in contact
with the smoke. I don't mind the smell of the cigar when I'm actually
smoking, but carrying around a stale stench with me wherever I go doesn't
appeal much to me or to others. Plus smoking outdoors separates the true
blue fans from the wannabes. Anyone can sit inside relaxing in an air
conditioned or heated room, but the real fun is braving the elements.
Neither 100 degree heat nor a foot of snow shall entrap inside and keep
me from enjoying a good cigar." - R.P.
"I am married and have my wife's blessing since she says it is my home
as well as hers." - Frank
"My response is a 1.5. I smoke in the house, but only when my wife is
out for the day, or at least several hours, giving me time to air the
joint out! I put a large fan in my library window, open a window at
the other end of the house and enjoy. Then when done, I toss the butt
into the back yard, empty and wash my ashtray, and spray everything
in sight, letting the exhaust fan run for another 15-30 minutes. I've
gotten pretty good at this. Mostly I smoke in the car while driving or
out on the back patio or the front courtyard. - W.D.
CIGAR TERMS & TIPS (Collect and trade em'!)
Vega - A tobacco plantation. (In Spanish, the term "vegas" means "fertile valley.")
‘Seconds’
I see many smoke shops offer "seconds" at a reduced price. What are
"seconds"? Does that indicate a substantial quality difference?
- Jay Beaton, Billerica, MA
"Seconds" are most commonly sold in bundles. These are the cigars that
didn't make final inspection. Either the color of the wrapper didn't
meet the standard for the box, or they were rolled a little too tight,
too veiny, or the cap wasn't applied well. Sometimes they're cigars that
they just made too many of, also called "overruns." But the blend is
exactly the same as the boxed cigars. Some examples of good "second"
cigars would be El Credito, National Brand and Dominican Generals. You
may find a couple of clunkers in the pack, but if you want to save money
and still get a good cigar, generally speaking, they're a good way to go.
*** SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DEPT.***
Have a question about the care and feeding of your cigars or another
cigar-related topic? 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
Missing brand from our list? Let us know.
We sure carry a lot of cigars at Famous Smoke Shop, but we can't carry
them all. If you're searching on the "Master Cigar Search" page, you will find the following text:
Is there a cigar brand you don't see in our list? If you cannot find a
cigar brand that you want to try, or a brand you often smoke, among our
brands list, let us know! Just click here and type in the brand you're
looking for.
When you click on the link a window will appear, which asks for a cigar
brand. When the brand is entered and the submit button is pressed, 2
possible results may occur:
1) If the brand DOES NOT exist in our current list of cigar brands,
then the brand will be written to a table, which we can review at a later
time and the window is simply closed.
2) If the brand DOES exist, the window will be closed and you will be
redirected to the search results page for that specific brand.
RATING LUNATIC DEPT.
Excalibur 1066 "Lancelot" (Honduras)
Size: 7¼" x 54
Wrapper: Cameroon
A big stick with a wonderful aroma from the delicate Cameroon wrapper.
Very cedary with a semi-sweet finish. This one drew a little hard in
the first third. Smoke was very thick. Ash burned solidly with a
silver color. A relaxing, hour-long smoke. (80) - G.K.
Bayamo Robusto Natural (Honduras)
Size: 5" x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Conn. Shade
What a pleasant surprise. Is it just me, or is this cigar surprisingly good for the price? I got
it in the robusto sampler pack and it was the only one that turned my
head. Very pleasant, distinctive flavor and a good draw and burn.
- Roger in Seattle (October 23, 2003)
La Aurora Preferido "Red Tube" (Dominican Republic)
Size: 5" x 54, double perfecto
Wrapper: Conn. Broadleaf Maduro
The best that it is. I will smoke nothing but La Aurora Red Tube. Please
tell everybody not to buy them so that I can have them only for myself.
- Sammy Pinto, Paterson NJ (October 16, 2003)
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!
CIGARS IN THE NEWS
In case you missed it, this AP article was published back in August.
Cuban Cigar Maker Breaks His Own World Record
HAVANA, Cuba (AP) - A Cuban cigar maker has shattered his own record
for the world's longest cigar by rolling a 45-foot-long stogie, the
Guinness Book of World Records said. It took Jose Castelar Cairo five
days to manufacture the cigar - a feat that far surpassed his 35-foot
cigar that set the record in 2000. The latest and greatest cigar was
rolled in November, but only recently certified by Guinness. Castelar
proudly displayed both Guinness certificates on Thursday. Castelar's
first milestone was a 9-foot cigar he and his buddies rolled in 1999
as a way to attract passing tourists.
"We never thought the cigars we were making would be for Guinness,"
said Castelar, who has been weaving together Cuban tobacco leaves for
43 years.
Castelar is a cigar maker for La Triada, a shop located in a historic
colonial fort that once protected Havana from enemy invasions and pirate
attacks. His recognition by Guinness was announced on the same day that
officials shut down an illegal cigar factory - one of 100 dismantled
since the beginning of the year for trying to pass off mediocre smokes
as authentic Cuban brand-name cigars. Cuba has a thriving black market
in cigars. Some illegal factories manufacture mediocre cigars, then
attach the labels of authentic, more expensive makers and distribute
them in tourist areas.
A box of 25 Esplendidos that costs $25 on the street sells for $300 in
the official state-run stores. ¶
*** 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.
Coming Soon!
* Punch Photo Shoot - Star in your own Punch cigar ad
* Appointed Davidoff Merchant Grand Opening
* Cigar rolling
*** EYES ON THE PRIZE DEPT.***
Cigar Sightings
Congratulations to the Florida Marlins on their World Series victory.
Could this cigar sighting have come at a better time, or what?
J. Koval sent this in as well as our Web Master, Chad Kercher, who also
included the following excerpt from a Worlds Series article he found in
The Morning Call Sports section. After Marlins club owner, Jeffrey Loria,
handed Manager, Jack McKeon the keys to a black Mercedes convertible:
The cigar-puffing, 72 year-old McKeon said the car is loaded with features.
"The only thing it doesn't have," he said, "is a humidor."
Other Famous Cigar Smokers Caught “Infumare Delecto”
The Dintinger brothers enjoying your cigars.
- John Dintinger, Bethlehem, PA
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.
That's all folks. 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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