IN the Embajadores room at the Habana Libre hotel the air is thick with the sweet, honeyed smoke of cigars. Outside, Havana’s La Rampa street bustles with the sound of the early-evening crowd. A queue forms around Coppelia’s parlour, a favorite with the locals, reputedly making the best ice cream on the island.

Beyond, a short walk away, lies the Malecón, the weathered promenade that snakes its way around Havana’s northern coastline, busy filling up with Cubans who go there to meet, flirt, smoke and exchange gossip.

Back inside the Habana Libre, once the headquarters of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary armed forces, the Embajadores room is virtually full. Around 500 cigar aficionados, a mix of distributors, importers, specialists and enthusiastic smokers have gathered for the premiere of Trinidad’s Robusto T.

On that evening a year ago, it is the first time the cigar is smoked anywhere in the world. Among the aficionados it is well received. Of the many descriptions heard that night is woody, spicy, full-bodied and creamy. Many people compliment it on having a wonderful draw.

As the cigars are handed out on trays, all eyes turn to a small group of VIPs notable for their late arrival. Among them is David Soul, better known as the actor who played Hutch in the television series Starsky and Hutch. For a moment he’s in danger of upstaging Fidelito, Fidel Castro’s son, a regular at such occasions. Welcome to night three of the Festival del Habano, a week-long celebration of the Cuban tobacco industry. If you thought the world of wine appreciation was niche, try cigars.

One year on, anyone who is anyone in the cigar world will this weekend be flying into Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport for the 12th annual festival. They will get five days of cigar tastings, tobacco-plantation visits, seminars, factory tours and smoking, lots and lots of smoking.

It is, says Simon Chase, a former director of London-based cigar importer Hunters & Frankau and a festival regular, a chance to rub shoulders with the movers and shakers in the Cuban tobacco industry and experience the tradition of Cuba’s cigar lineage first hand.

It was through Mr Chase that I enjoyed my first experience of cigars in 2004. My first lesson was not to inhale – as with wine, cigar appreciation is all about the taste. (Although it is worth pointing out that the US National Cancer Institute warns that there is no safe tobacco, and cigar smoke, like cigarette smoke, contains toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that are harmful to both smokers and nonsmokers.)

“One tastes a cigar and smokes a cigarette,” Mr Chase told me. “In that sense it is an entirely different experience. Like a fine wine, each cigar is a blend of aged tobacco. So one doesn’t inhale, one gently puffs, rather like sipping vintage Bordeaux.”

With this in mind I was invited a few years ago to judge in a contest to ascertain which brand of Cuban cigars matched best with Scotch whisky. After sipping and puffing my way through a number of combinations, I found that the sweeter the beverage the better the match. So port and rum work very well with most cigars. Some whiskies and particularly red wine (although premium aged blends and sweeter single malts tend to be an exception to the rule) do tend to dry the palate, which can leave a nasty, bitter flavor. In the end we chose Macallan, a whisky noted for its mahogany color and distinctive nose of dried fruit, chocolate orange, wood spices and full, rich oak flavor; which we paired with a Partagas Piramides cigar.

It was on that first trip to the Festival del Habano that I was struck by the similarities between wine appreciation and cigar appreciation. Both are agricultural products, have long and distinguished histories, command the same attention to detail in production and packaging, and can age for many years.

Moreover, as a great wine is defined by the terroir of its vineyard, so the character of a fine cigar is intimately connected with the land where the tobacco grows.

A key fixture of the festival is a visit to one of Cuba’s tobacco-growing regions. The early-morning drive from Havana to Vuelta Abajo in the westernmost corner of the Pinar del Rio tobacco-growing province passes through a patchwork of fields filled with lush, green plants.

Visually, I found it reminiscent of Chile’s Maipo valley, although instead of vineyards there are tobacco fields. Around 80,000 acres of tobacco are planted each year in the region. The growing process lasts around 10 months ending with the harvest between January and March.

After the harvest, the leaf is taken to the farmer’s curing barn where it is hung, dried and gathered together before undergoing a natural fermentation. This process sweats out the impurities, reducing acidity, tar and nicotine, and creating a finer, purer flavor. The leaves are then hand-sorted into sizes before being baled up and transferred to the warehouse, where they are left to age for three years.

The next step mirrors the blending art found in the wine and Scotch whisky industry as each tobacco plot produces a variety of flavors, which the master blender, or ligador, selects. The final blend is then rolled in the many factory houses dotted around Havana. In that sense, it is one of the world’s last luxury-goods items to be produced on a mass scale by hand.

As a shorthand guide, those wanting a full-bodied rich cigar should look out for Partagas, Cuaba, Bolivar and Ramon Allones. Perhaps a little lighter, but still heavy are Cohiba, Montecristo, Vegas Robaina and Trinidad. Romeo y Julieta, Quintero, Punch and H. Upmann offer a lighter smoke. The most delicate flavors are achieved by Hoyo de Monterrey, San Cristobal de la Habana and Guantanamera, which creates a nutty, intense and fragrant flavour.

This year, at the 12th festival, there will be a presentation of a new size of Romeo y Julieta cigar created with women smokers in mind. Mr Chase welcomes the development but says, ironically, it is the male interest that has fuelled the recent interest in the product.

“One thing about cigar smoking is that it is predominantly a male preserve,” he says. “Over the years there have been quite a lot of male bastions assailed and taken over by the other gender. Here is one [cigar smoking] which is still a male preserve.”

Ranald Macdonald, managing director of the London-based restaurant group Boisdale, has been taking a group to the festival for the past 10 years. He says that the pace of economic change in Havana has been such that a decade has been comparable to 40 years in Europe. As a result there has been a general improvement in cigar manufacturing, and thus the overall quality of cigars has never been higher.

“Cigars now taste so much better than they did 10 years ago,” Mr Macdonald says. “This is down to a number of improvements but to give one example, from 2002 they have been freezing cigars which has eliminated tobacco-eating pests such as weevil.”

This weekend, Mr Macdonald’s group will be scouring the cigar shops of Havana to stock up on a year’s supply of tobacco.

“Havana is one of the most enigmatic places on earth,” he says. “And everything about it, from where it sprung from in the 17th century to what it went through in the 20th century to where it is now, makes Europe feel rather dull.” I’ll smoke to that.

By Will Lyons, Theaustralian
February 23, 2010

TALLAHASSEE — This just in from the pipe-dream department: Claiming it could be a vehicle to fight drug abuse, St. Petersburg Democratic Rep. Darryl Rouson has filed a bill to raise the tax on “smoking devices” sold in gas stations and tobacco shops.

“We all know the head shops, gas stations, and novelty stores in Florida are selling drug paraphernalia under the charade of being “tobacco pipes,’” Rouson said in a press release for HB 187. “If these items are to be available to the citizens of Florida, then we should charge a surtax on these consumers who are obviously using the pipes to do drugs.”

Normally, the chance of passing a bill raising taxes — much less allowing a Democrat in the minority party in Tallahassee pass a bill raising taxes — would seem pretty far-flung in the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature. But since these same GOP lawmakers just passed $2 billion in higher taxes and fees — and are staring at another $1.5 billion deficit next spring — who knows these days?

Rouson’s bill isn’t intended to be a revenue-raiser, of course. but last spring’s $1 billion tobacco tax “surcharge” was also pitched to cash-starved legislative budget-writers as a way to reduce smoking. So, why shouldn’t Democrats try the same tactic?

According to press release:

This bill will introduce a 25% sales tax on smoking devices.

This bill will reduce the amount of drug paraphernalia used in Florida by making smoking devices more expensive to the consumer.

The revenue from the surtax will be used for treatment programs, which will also help reduce substance abuse.

With less paraphernalia and more treatment programs we can expect less drug offenses in the court system and less inmates in the Department of Corrections. This tax will reduce the cost of prosecuting and incarcerating drug offenders to save Florida taxpayers money.

There’s nothing harder for a parent than to watch their child’s favorite sports team lose a big game. It means so much to them and you’re totally helpless to change the outcome.

On Saturday night I rushed home to watch the University of Southern California vs. Ohio State game.

I sent a one-word Blackberry message to my son JT, a student at USC who loves his school team.

“Nervous?”

His answer was also just one word.

“Very.”

I tapped a message back to him: “Don’t worry, I’m about to light a lucky cigar.”

I imagined he would smile when he read it.

I thought back to a column I had written eight years ago. This is it:

Two weeks ago I was in St. Bart’s with my family. My 12-year-old son JT and I had a mission to find a place where we could watch the Jets game.

After many inquiries we heard that a local bar, the Santa Fe Club, would have the game on. On Sunday we left the beach early and drove the dangerous roads to the bar. Coming out of the bright sun into the dark bar was a shock. The bar was filled with Miami and New England fans who were cheering their teams into the playoffs. If you remember, the situation was this: Either Cleveland or Miami had to lose their game and the Jets had to win their game in order for the Jets to get into the playoffs. It was a long shot, to say the least.

When we arrived we learned that Cleveland had already won their game and Miami was winning by 11 points over New England with just five minutes left to play.

“Let’s go, Dad. It’s over. The Jets are finished,” JT said, fighting back the tears.

“Wait a minute. Wait a minute. It’s not over. Don’t give up.”

“I just wanted to see the Jets get into the playoffs,” said JT, head down. “Let’s go, I can’t watch this.”

Now, in the annals of fatherhood, every once in a while you get lucky and pull one out of your ear. I want to be a great father to my five kids, but most of the time I bumble. I don’t communicate. I come from a long line of well-meaning but lousy communicators. But this time I got lucky.

“Ordinarily, I would agree with you, JT. But this time I have this,” I said, dramatically pulling a Cuban cigar out of my pocket. “This is a lucky cigar and if I light it and smoke it, Miami loses and the Jets will win.”

JT took a step back and looked at me as if I was out of my mind. No, I wasn’t crazy – I was desperate, and if you’re a parent you know what I mean.

From the first puff, my cigar voodoo worked. Puff one, the Miami kicker shanked one and New England had the ball. They scored. They made a two-point conversion. JT was now looking at my cigar with respect. I was smiling. New England was scoring. Miami was choking.

Now the score was tied. We were in overtime. Then, in overtime, with JT hiding his head in a corner because he couldn’t bear to look, I puffed away as the New England kicker kicked a long wobbly field goal to win the game.

JT and I high-fived each other. Now the Jets had to win their game.

“Dad? Do you have enough of the lucky cigar left for the Jets game?”

I looked at my half-smoked cigar and replied, “I don’t know, it’s a long game.”

“Dad, did you ever smoke cigarettes?”

“Yes, I did a long time ago. But I haven’t touched a cigarette for 25 years.”

“They sell them here. Would you smoke a lucky cigarette if your lucky cigar runs out?”

I didn’t hesitate for a second. “Of course I will.”

The cigar was like the eternal flame. It lasted as the Jets won the game easily. I put my arm around JT’s shoulder as we happily walked out.

“The thing that gets me,” I said, “is that the Jets will never know it was my lucky cigar that got them into the playoffs.”

JT looked at me and laughed.

Sometimes the great moments in a father-son relationship, moments that will be remembered for the rest of their lives, happen in the strangest of places. This time it was a dark, dank bar in St. Bart’s called Santa Fe.

Last Saturday night I sat alone in my living room watching the Ohio State University of Southern California the game with JT, who was 3000 miles away but seconds away by Blackberry Messenger.

USC was losing until the last 90 seconds. I was on my second lucky cigar, a little nauseous, but when it comes to lucky cigars you have to stay with them until the end. Then, in a wild finish, USC won, and I must admit that I was so happy that JT was so happy that I had tears in my eyes. Maybe it was because the room was so full of cigar smoke. That’s what I told myself: Those lucky cigars could bring tears to your eyes.

If you wish to comment on “Jerry’s Ink,” send your message to jerry@dfjp.com

The D.C. Council already came for your single beers, now they want your cigars, as well.
In 2004, a bill championed by then Councilmember Adrian Fenty, banned the sale of single bottles and cans of beer. Its passing drew protests from owners of small grocers and their poorer customers. Now Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander wants to do the same for single cigar sales at gas stations and convenience stores.

Her reasoning is that some customers frequently buy single cigars so that they can hollow them out and pack them with marijuana to create blunts. Tobacco store owners worry that such a ban could seriously affect their sales because their customers often buy premium cigars one or two at a time.

While presumably well-meaning, the bill would only ban one of several ways that pot smokers go about getting high, while punishing business at the same time. Expect some backlash from this one, as well.

Sep 10, 2009 Nbcwashington

Selection
As with wines, you’ll need to try a variety of cigars to home in on your taste. And your budget. Some good choices to start out with are the Leon Jimenes Robusto ($6), the Montecristo #3 ($8), the Ashton Cabinet #6 ($9.50), and the Davidoff 5000 ($16). For special occasions, I like the God of Fire by Don Carlos, Robusto 2006 ($57 for three).

Cutting

The most common type of cutter is the double-blade guillotine, which you can find at any cigar shop. Cut about a quarter of an inch below the head of the cigar. Jrcigars.com suggests this easy method: Lay the cutter flat on the table, stand the cigar straight up in it, and cut.

Lighting

Always use wooden matches or a butane lighter. Roll the cigar while puffing, and once you feel it’s properly lit, blow on it to evenly distribute the burn.

The Ring

Leave it alone. At least until you’ve smoked down to that point. If you try to take it off before then, the glue on the ring could stick to the paper and tear apart the cigar.

Storage

Cigars are made to be smoked, not stored. But if you plan on keeping them longer than a week, you’ll need somewhere to store them. Until you’re sure you like smoking and are ready for a humidor, try an inexpensive option like the F.G.T. Enterprises Connoisseur Humi-Pouch ($2.95), which can store cigars for up to three months.


© Esquire

New York City, – Despite millions of tax dollars coming to the cash strapped state of New York from the sale of tobacco products annually, New York City is taking actions that will ban the sale of some of those products throughout the city’s five boroughs. In addition, the city is moving toward posting gruesomely graphic anti-smoking signs at the cash registers of the city’s 12,000 cigarette retailers.

“I’m going to assume that these are well-meaning people, but they are moving down a very slippery slope and do not realize the errors of their ways,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. The IPCPR is joining the National Association of Tobacco Outlets and the Cigar Association of America to campaign against these actions.
The New York City Council is reviewing Proposed Introduction No. 433A that seeks to ban the sale of flavored cigarettes, flavored cigars, flavored chewing tobacco and other flavored tobacco products. At the same time, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene wants to put graphic anti-smoking signs at cash registers where cigarettes are displayed, the first such action in the United States.
“They claim that banning the sale of flavored tobaccos is supposed to protect youth from purchasing these products. Age laws are already in place forbidding the sale of tobacco purchases by youths. Anyway, most flavored tobacco products have been included in recent federal legislation giving the Federal Drug Administration regulatory power over cigarettes. There is no reason for New York City to waste time debating whether to assume that authority,” said McCalla
The IPCPR, an association of some 2,000 premium cigar store owners and manufacturers and distributors of premium tobacco products and accoutrements, also argues against the proposed anti-tobacco signage at cash registers because, among other reasons, it is discriminatory against a minority.
“About 20 percent of New York adults smoke, so that makes them a minority and that makes such signage discriminatory. Maybe they should consider putting signs in the candy sections of stores warning of the dangers of obesity and in the beer and wine sections proclaiming the dangers of alcoholism and drinking and driving. It is a slippery slope, indeed, and smokers and non-smokers alike should be against having the government tell them what to do,” he said.

###
Contact:
Tony Tortorici
678/493-0313
tony@tortoricipr.com

For the first time in the history of Drew Estate, the company best known for making infused and flavored cigars will be making a non-flavored, premium national brand for a third party—namely Dion Giolito, the man behind Illusione cigars.

The new Illusione Nosotros, which translates to “us” in Spanish, refers to the collaboration between Giolito and Drew Estate founder Jonathan Drew. While this is not Drew Estate’s first foray into the world of non-infused premium cigars, this is the first time that Drew Estate will be making a traditional premium mark for someone else.

“Moving into the traditional market for us was a real challenge because many cigar smokers had a preconceived notion about Drew Estate,” said Jonathan Drew. “They thought of us as the ACID guys or the infusion guys. It was really the opening of our factory Gran Fabrica Drew Estate that moved us towards all areas of tobacco, including the nonflavored traditional market.”

Fort Wayne’s first cigar bar has been snuffed out before it even opened – but its owner says he’s not about to quit.

“I’m not looking for a loophole, but we are working on options. This is very frustrating. I put my whole savings into this place,” said Dan Hoffman, who was notified by Indiana Excise Police Friday that his Esquire Cigar Club at 1036 S. Thomas Road violated state liquor laws, even though he never intended to sell alcoholic beverages.

The problem, Hoffman said, involved his plan to allow club members to bring in their own liquor and store it in individual lockers. Although Hoffman contends charging an annual membership fee made the business a private club, he said excise police informed him they consider the Esquire a public business – and unable to accommodate alcohol without the necessary permits.

“(The police) were really cool, but it’s B.S. They cited about 30 different codes,” Hoffman said.

The business remains open, he added, but for now will only sell cigars, which members will be able to smoke because the Esquire is considered a tobacco store, and therefore exempt from the city’s no-smoking law.

Therein lies Hoffman’s Catch-22: If his business is legally considered a bar, he can’t allow customers to smoke. If it’s a tobacco shop, liquor is forbidden – at least for now.

“I couldn’t believe it. We tried to bring something cool to Fort Wayne, and tried to do it right. I want to be a good citizen and provide employment to people,” said Hoffman, who spent about $300,000 renovating the 120-year-old Wayne Township No.2 School, which was moved to the current site last year from its original location on Illinois Road. Hoffman said he researched the law, but apparently was given some bad information.

“But we’ll be OK,” vowed Hoffman, who plans to offer reduced membership rates during the summer months to attract customers.
News-sentinel

A schoolhouse built in the 1890’s is reopening with a new goal.
The building was moved a quarter of a mile in March of 2008, to make room for the Orchard Crossing Shopping Center.
The new tenant is the “Esquire Cigar Club.”

It is a retail cigar store with an attached private cigar club.

Owner Dan Hoffman wants to provide a place for social networking, and rare cigars.

Hoffman says, “From the time you walk in the door, we want a place where you can check all of your worries at the door. Come in, have a drink, smoke a cigar, do some work, have a nice conversation … just a real nice relaxing place.”

Esquire Cigar Club will host a “sneak peek” on Thursday night.

The grand opening will be this Friday morning.

© Indianasnewscenter