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Top 10 Cigars Of 2003; Kahlúa Revúa
(Posted December 9, 2003)
*** IN THIS ISSUE ***
1.
Feature Story: "Top 10 Cigars of 2003" (as picked by our readers)
2. Survey Says: Do you attend cigar tasting events?
3. Smoker's Ed (Cigar Terms & Tips): Cigars and cold weather
4. Site Improvements: Samplers
5. Rating Lunatic: Kahlúa Cigars; La Fontana Black Churchill; Helix X550
6. Cigars in the News: Smoke Shops Offer Refuge
*** FEATURE STORY ***
"Top 10 Cigars Of 2003" (By Brand and Style)
This survey proved to be very interesting. I received 123 responses.
The results were a bit of an hodgepodge, in that, about half the
submissions showed only the brand, while the others did include the
specific brand and style (name). The Top 10 brands are listed by
popularity and contains numerous ties, followed by the cigars that
came up most often by style/name. Last, I've listed by my personal
Top 10 cigars. Thanks to everyone who took part in the survey.¶
Shop Talk Readers' “Top 10 Cigars” By Brand
1. Arturo Fuente
2. Padron & Padron Anniversario 1964
3. Partagas
4. Ashton VSG
5. La Gloria Cubana
6. Excalibur 1066; Montecristo
7. Opus X; Hemingway; Excalibur
8. Don Carlos; La Gloria Serie R; Macanudo; Romeo Y Julieta
9. Toraño Exodus 1959; Romeo Y Julieta Vtg; Punch
10. Partagas Black; Partagas Serie S; Punch Grand Cru; Punch Gran Puro; C.A.O. Brazilia; Cohiba
Honorable Mentions - Other brands that received multiple votes
(in alphabetical order)
Avo XO
Don Tomás Cameroon
Helix
Hoyo Dark Sumatra
Hoyo De Monterrey
La Aroma De Cuba
Onyx Reserve
Sancho Panza
Zino Gold
Shop Talk Readers' Top 10 Cigars (and then some) by Style/Name
1. Padron 3000 (nat & maduro)
2. 8-5-8 Flor Fina (nat & mad)
3. Padron 1964 Aniversario Torpedo (nat & mad)
4. Arturo Fuente Chateau
5. Don Carlos No. 2; La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 5
6. Hemingway Classic
7. Ashton VSG Sorcerer; Padron 2000; La Gloria Cubana Wavell
8. Excalibur 1066 Merlin; Ashton Classic 898; Macanudo Hyde Park Cafe
9. Punch Punch; Montecristo No.1 & 2; Excalibur Epicure
10. C.A.O. Brasilia Gol!; Toraño Exodus 1959 Toro; Ashton VSG Illusion
Gary's Personal Top 10 Cigars (for now)
1. Avo Maduro, No. 2
2 Padron Aniversario 1964, Exclusivo Maduro
3. Partagas Spanish Rosado, "Ramon Y Ramon"
4. Natural by Drew Estate, Root
5. Zino Platinum Scepter, Grand Master
6. La Aroma De Cuba Robusto
7. Punch Grand Cru, No. 2
8. Padron, 2000
9. Fonseca, Toro Grande
10. Flor De Oliva, Robusto
Gary's 10 Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)
Toraño Exodus 1959, Toro
Fuente Don Carlos Robusto
Davidoff Classic No. 2
C.A.O. Maduro, Robusto
Macanudo Vintage 1997 No. 8
Avo XO Intermezzo
Hemingway Short Story
Arturo Fuente 858
Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend Chimp
St. Louis Rey, Toro
***“SHOP TALK” ANNOUNCEMENTS***
"The Feds Stole My Lighter" Feedback
The response to last issue's (Nov. 25) lead story about Mike and his
problems with the Transportation Security Administration was huge!
Many readers had similar problems with the TSA including some other
stories of their own. I'm compiling them into a follow-up article that
will appear in a future issue. Stay tuned!
"The Women Of Famous Smoke Shop"
Part 1 of my series on women cigar smokers debuts in the next issue of
Shop Talk (Dec. 23). If you're a woman who's serious about cigars, send
me a line and I'll get your story into an upcoming issue. Email me at
and put "Lady Smoker" in the subject bar.
Shop Talk Is Moving To Once-A-Month
Starting in January, Shop Talk will go from a biweekly to a monthly.
With so much on my plate, I've been cramming to meet the deadline and
I'd rather have those extra days to keep the quality of the information
up to the standards you've come to expect. Plus, I'll be able to expand
some of the departments. Hope you're not too disappointed, but we all
get too much email as it is, anyway.
Last Minute Holiday Gifts
As a rule, I don't do any marketing in Shop Talk, but since it IS the
Holiday Season, I thought you'd be interested to know that from now
to Dec. 21st, we're featuring a different sampler on the home page of
the web site at a nice price. If you're interested click here.
SURVEY SAYS DEPT.
Do you ever attend cigar tastings?
We hold a lot of cigar tastings at our retail store and there's always
an air of excitement when cigar smokers gather to try something new.
This is actually a two-parter: First, tell me if you do or don't attend
cigar tastings (The Big Smoke counts) and then let me know if the
tasting resulted in you purchasing and/or converting to the brand.
Send an email to: and in the SUBJECT bar,
type or copy & paste Cigar Tastings.
Survey Results for November 25th: You write the headline!?
This was a real BOMB-O! Received only a few responses, so I guess we won't be doing anything like that again. Thanks to those of you who did send in your headlines.
Cigar Terms & Tips (Collect and trade em'!)
Homogenized Binder - Binder made of chopped tobacco leaf and cellulose. Scorned by purists, it facilitates machine production and can facilitate the burn of certain products.
Cigars and Cold Weather
I remember reading in a newsletter that with the season's change you were
going to be headed indoors and "cigar hibernation". As I live in Austin,
Texas and it never gets particularly cold, I can sit outside year-round
and enjoy my cigars (though summers can be tough).
The question I have however, can it be "too cold" to smoke a cigar? I
figure as long as I can stand the temps, I will sit on the patio and
enjoy myself. But can smoking a cigar in temperatures at or below
freezing harm the experience/cigar (beyond a hurried outing when it's
really cold)?
Until then, I look forward to the colder temps which actually allow
me to sit outside in the evenings. Soon I may have to , wear a
coat!
Sincerely,
Steven Hendrickson, Austin, Texas
OK Steve, don't rub it in. ;-)
Actually, if it's REALLY cold out, cigars are likely to burst and crack on
you. The heat inside the cigar combined with the cold can often cause the
cigar to expand to the point of splitting the wrapper and the dryness of
the cold, not to mention a little wind, will quickly dry out a wrapper
sometimes causing it to peel and blow off. Not pretty.
A well-humidified Maduro or other cigar with a thick wrapper like an Joya
Antaño 1970, C.A.O. eXtreme or Astral Talanga Valley, may be the answer. Paper
thin Connecticut shade usually won't survive sub-freezing temps. Of course,
the better quality of the cigar, the most likely the wrapper is more
flexible and will withstand a variety of temperatures. I look at it this
way; cigars were born in warm places to be smoked in warm places. Besides,
I don't think I've ever really enjoyed smoking a cigar in temps below 50
degrees - even in the garage!
*** 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.
“Shop-Talk” Archives
Want to catch up on your Famous Smoke "Shop Talk" reading or reference an article, tip, or other bit of information that appeared in a past issue? Go to our Famous Smoke “Shop Talk” archives page.
FAMOUS-SMOKE.COM HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
Finding Cigars In Samplers
We just completed a modification to the sampler search function, on the Cigars page of the website:
Samplers will no longer be listed by the manufacturer. For example, our nationally advertised 9 cigar sampler was listed under "General Cigar Company"). Now the samplers will be listed by the manufacturer of each of the sampler's components.
Let me give you an example: To locate the 9 Cigar Sampler you may now search on ANY of the brands
that collectively make-up the sampler (Ex: Cohiba, Macanudo, Partagas, Sancho Panza, Excalibur, Crème De Jamaica, La Gloria Cubana etc.) This goes for all the brands we stock.
RATING LUNATIC DEPT.
Kahlúa "Robusto" (Nicaragua)
Mild / 5" x 48 / U.S. Conn. Shade
This new smoke from Drew Estates is fantastic! I'm not a big fan of flavored cigars, but I made a single purchase just to try them out. I smoked the Robusto on the way to work, and when it was done, I kept
the butt and chewed on it for a couple of hours, it was so tasty! I'm defiantly buying a box of these!
- Chris in Virginia (December 3, 2003)
Kahlúa "Torpedo" (Nicaragua)
Mild / 6" x 54 / U.S. Conn. Shade
Awesome smoke, not to overwhelming, smooth draw, flawless construction. Nice for a change of pace. Have smoked the torpedo & robusto, both the same in quality. Just wish they weren't so friggin expensive.
- B-Man, Rahway, NJ (December 1, 2003)
A great smoke. This is by far the finest flavored cigar i've ever smoked Overall performance was fantastic,I give it a 90 rating.A great after dinner cigar.
- Richard Martindale, Temecula, CA (December 8, 2003)
La Fontana Black Label Maduro "Churchill" (Honduras)
Full / 7" x 48 / Jamastran Maduro
Excellent cigar...I received a box on Tuesday and on Sunday evening I checked my humidor....PANIC..only 4 sticks left...Yes I placed an order for another box immediately. Equal to Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970.
Wonderful full-bodied cigar. Great price at Famous. Seen listed on other site for "double the price". Keep them in stock...They are on my list of favorites, as will others once they try one of these fine sticks.
- Ron Michalek, Willow Grove, PA (December 4, 2003)
Helix "X550" (Honduras)
Med / 5" x 50 / U.S. Conn. Shade
I have been ordering from Famous for a year or two and am always looking for a deal. I found one in Helix 550. The draw, taste and head are the most important things in a cigar and this one delivers on all three. The price is right were it needs to be for a daily cigar smoker with a watchful wife.
- Vance Barnes, West Bend, WI (December 3, 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
Smoke Shops Offer Refuge
In New York City, displaced smokers find a lone oasis in the lounges of tobacco retailers
By Joe Finora (www.smokeshopmag.com)
It's tough being a cigar smoker in New York City these days. The smoking ban imposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg is driving cigar lovers into fewer and fewer "safe havens." As a result, several cigar shops, which already had lounges, are experiencing a wide variety of effects from smokers seeking shelter from the storm.
"It's been an absolute boon," says David Kitchens, general manager at Davidoff of Geneva's flagship New York City store, but they've had to make several physical improvements to the shop in order to fully accommodate
smokers. Mostly this has entailed installing improved ventilation, filters, and insulation at various points within the building to keep neighbors satisfied. But the payoff has been worth the effort, according to Kitchens.
"We spent three to four months correcting ventilation problems. It was very expensive," says Kitchens. One of the more unusual projects included installing a smoke eater in a neighbor's space but tying it to Davidoff's electrical system. Other jobs included caulking cracks and adding insulation in previously empty interior wall space.
"We're trying to be accommodating to the walk-in smoker," says Kitchens, who adds that since people cannot smoke in restaurants they're coming into his shop. The result: customers linger longer and learn and buy more.
To read the entire story, click here.
*** GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR! DEPT.***
Cigar tasting events in our retail store at 1100 Conroy Place, Easton, PA
Please call 610-559-8800 for more info and the special offers associated with these events.
Fri, Dec 12: CAO Criollo Tasting - 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.
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
Wolverine in X Men 2
- Bob Deane, Simpsonville, SC
(Sorry, I couldn't find a shot of him from
the movie with a cigar,
but ladies, eat your
heart out. ~GK)
Other Famous Cigar Smokers Caught “Infumare Delecto”
In Cozumel Mexico, smoking a CAO Gold purchased
from Famous Smoke Shop. A brewski on the ground.
At least the wrapper was still on the cigar.
- "Don"
The attached is a pic of my son Wade and his first
Elk. He likes Romeo Y Julieta. - Lyle Hart, Deadwood, SD
(Yes, he's over 18)
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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