Lady And A Cigar: Nikki DuBose

What is the most famous movie or TV appearance by Nikki? Submit your comments here and get a chance for a link to even more looks at this cigar-laden lady.

More Nikki DuBose here.

Review: Cuba Libre Unico

Spanish for “Free Cuba,” the Cuba Libre brand signifies Nestor Plasencia’s hope of one day returning to a homeland that embraces liberty. Like so many of today’s best cigar makers, he fled Cuba after the Castro regime took over his family’s thriving tobacco operation and confiscated their factories and fields.

With five generations of Cuban tobacco cultivation as a compass, Nestor reestablished the family business in Nicaragua to make use of the fertile Eselí and Jalapa Valley regions. Today his successful factories turn out many Rocky Patel blends, some Gurkha lines, and the Alec Bradley Maxx.

Cuba Libre, Nestor’s take on a value brand, is appropriately made from 100 percent Cuban-seed tobacco. The filler and Nicaraguan binder are covered by a smooth yet veiny wrapper with a reddish hue and a wrinkled complexion.

This cigar is by no means unattractive—the sharp box-press adds character and the red, gold, and blue band is appealing—but something about the appearance compels me to mentally liken it to a typical house brand. Maybe it’s the haphazardly applied cap. Or maybe it’s the prevalence of soft spots from head to foot.

Notwithstanding the Unico’s torpedo-like frame, and despite the fact that I only clipped a bit of tobacco off the top, the pre- and post-light draw is easy. Too easy, if you ask me. The flavors from this six and ¼ inch by 54 ring gauge cigar seemed to be watered down by each airy puff.

When I could sort through the taste in the voluminous tufts of smoke, I found mild- to medium-bodied flavors of earth, leather, and traces of pepper. Some acidic or sweet notes would have helped balance out the predominantly dry profile.

Aside from the hollowed-out draw, the physical properties were excellent—especially considering the price range. Boxes of 20 Unicos go for $75-90, and you can find singles for less than $3 apiece in various online samplers.

That’s ultimately why this cigar makes a decent golf course or barbeque companion: It offers good construction and consistent flavors for little cost. It just doesn’t have enough complexity or personality to be the main event.

Cuba Libre has a compelling story but, in the end, I am neither disappointed nor impressed with the Unico.

source: stogieboys.com

Lady And A Cigar: Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek is in more movies than I have had a chance to see, but - without question - I want to see more! Latina with a stogie... says a lot.

More Salma Hayek here.

Review: 5 Vegas Miami Torpedo

Dubbed 5 Vegas’ “most elusive” creation, the Miami line is handmade by Don Pepin Garcia’s El Rey de los Habanos company. Five of the sizes, including this Torpedo, are made in Pepin’s Tabacalera Cubana S.A. factory in Estelí, while the sixth shape—a thick Toro with a shaggy foot—is made at the company’s factory in Little Miami. But like my colleague pointed out in his review of the Churchill vitola, 5 Vegas oddly makes no mention of Pepin on their website.

This is curious, obviously, because you’d think 5 Vegas would want to highlight any connection to Pepin given the famed cigar maker’s superstar status in the industry. As it turns out, the Garcia most involved with the production of the Miami is actually Don Pepin’s daughter, Janny.

At any rate, the Miami blend’s six vitolas feature Cuban-seed fillers, Nicaraguan binders, and Nicaraguan corojo wrappers. The flavor is touted as “Cuban-esque” in various marketing materials.

With the arrival of prelight hints of dark chocolate and earth out of the cellophane, the Torpedo (6.1 x 52) has the look, smell, and feel of a real winner. The toothy wrapper’s scant veins and virtually invisible seams showcase craftsmanship and care.

In what has almost become cliché to write, read, and smoke, the taste begins with Pepin’s trademark burst of black pepper spice. Not much nuance; just heavy-handed, simple, and predictable.

The flavor undergoes a welcome transition into notes of coffee, onion, and leather after the first inch. While more balanced and less aggressive than the beginning, this new combination isn’t exactly complex or unique. It is, however, significantly more agreeable than the overly bitter taste that dominates the final third of this $6-8 cigar.

Construction across the two Torpedos I smoked for this review wasn’t a problem. The draw is easy, the cut clean, and the burn never requires any touch-ups. I just wish the ash were a little less flakey.

With or without Pepin’s name, this 90-minute smoke is decent but not memorable.

attribution: stogieboys.com

Lady And A Cigar: Sharon Stone

No rabbits cooking, but still dangerously intriguing.

More Sharon Stone here.

Tips For Cigar Etiquette On The Golf Course

Golf and cigars go together perfectly: you’ve got hours outdoors, you can ash your cigar anywhere without getting dirty looks (except for the greens), and compared to the rest of society, golf courses generally provide cigar-friendly environments.

And there are plenty of entrepreneurs looking to cash in on this match made made in heaven with all kinds of specialty golf cigar gadgets ranging from cigar tees to hold your cigar to golf bag humidors. But we’re here to tell you that dropping a 20 spot on that cigar cutter/divot repair tool or any other gadget is completely unnecessary.

If you follow these four tips, you will have a more enjoyable cigar experience on the course without having to buy anything that average Stogie Guys doesn’t already own. Sadly, we have no tips to offer that will improve your golf game.

1. What to smoke? The golf course is no place for small cigars. Courses can get pretty crowded on the weekends, so you have nothing but time. Grab something at least as long as a toro (6 inches). The golf course is perfect for churchills or – if a smaller ring gauge is more to your liking – a lonsdale. Remember your cigar may sit unsmoked for a while as you four-putt, throw your putter in the sandtrap, and then retrieve it and find that your stogie went out. Larger cigars have a higher tolerance for re-lighting than small ones.

Also, don’t break out that super premium cigar on the links. It will be wasted as you are distracted by your sub-par golf game. Keep the Cohiba in the humidor and try to find a value cigar. Three stogie cigars are perfect for golf.

2. How to light your cigar? While golf courses are perfect for smoking a stogie, the wind that never seems to be blowing at your back can make lighting a cigar awfully difficult. If blocking the wind with your hand doesn’t get the job done, you may want to try using a hat to block the breeze. As always, a torch is preferable to matches.

Finally, while toasting the edges is still the best way to light your cigar, on the golf course you might skip that step if just keeping the flame lit proves difficult. If you do light the cigar without first toasting the edges, be sure to give your stogie a few big puffs immediately after lighting it to make sure it is completely lit.

3. Where to put your cigar? While you swing you probably will need to put the cigar down, but with no ashtrays there may not be an obvious place to put it. Plenty of places hawk special “cigar tees” but really all you need is a flat non-flammable surface: golf carts, tee box markers, or even carefully balanced on a wood (with head-cover removed) in your bag. The most abundent cigar holder of all also works well: the grass next to your ball (as long as it isn’t wet or dusty).

But remember, like your sand wedge, you should leave your cigar on the green (not on the fringe or in the ruff) while putting so you don’t forget it in the excitement of that 40 foot eagle putt. Of course the easiest way to not forget your smoke is by leaving it in your mouth.

4. How many cigars to bring? The standard is one for every nine holes, but if you have a bunch of slow-playing old ladies ahead of you, this may leave you with a few hours without a cigar on the back nine. So maybe three is really the ideal number.

Also, make sure the cigars don’t get damaged in your bag. A simple leather case will work perfectly. So do cigars that come in their own tubes.

source: stogieguys.com

Lady And A Cigar: Tia Carrere

Many remember Tia from the Wayne's World era. It's amazing how stunning she still looks, more than 20 years later. When Wayne and Garth employed their famous, "shhwing!" term with Tia, they probably didn't have cigars in their pockets.

More Tia Carrere

4 Famous Ladies With Cigar Tendencies

Susan Lucci: Originally known for her role on All My Children, Lucci eventually became infamous for being a lady who could not catch a Daytime Emmy break. Between 1978 and 1998, she was nominated for 18 awards, but failed to win any. This made her the butt of the joke among some members of the media. Finally, in 1999, the joke ended when she won a long awaited Day Time Emmy. She has also appeared in a variety of primetime TV shows and made-for-television movies. She made an appearance on the cover of Cigar Aficionado in 1999.

Demi Moore: Originally known for her roles in teen-targeted movies, Moore has become one of the leading actresses in Hollywood. From movies such as Ghost and G.I. Jane, she has made a name for herself onscreen. Off screen, she has been the source of controversy on more the one occasion. Whether it is for posing nude during her pregnancy or for her marriage to a much younger man, Moore has found herself the target of the tabloids. But, she has muddled through with grace and perseverance, refusing to apologize for her choices. An avid cigar smoker for years, she was featured on the cover of Cigar Aficionado in 1996.

Sharon Stone: Lauded and ridiculed for performances, Stone has received everything from a Golden Globe to a Razzie. A former fashion model turned Star Search winner turned actress and producer, she has been in the spotlight for decades. She turned heads when she modeled nude for Playboy in 1990 and turned heads again when she (nearly modeling nude) shot an infamous scene from the film Basic Instinct in 1992. Though there is some media speculation that she is no longer a smoker, Stone was featured on the cover of Cigar Aficionado in 2004.

Gina Gershon: Appearing in a slug of television shows, including Ellen, Just Shoot Me, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Ugly Betty, Gershon has done a bit of everything. She has appeared on movies as well as Broadway productions. She attended Beverly Hills High School with Lenny Kravitz, and has been linked to John Cusack and Owen Wilson. Gerson had bit parts in many notable 1980’s films as well as larger parts in some cult classics. She was featured on the cover of Cigar Aficionado in 1998.

Famous Women Cigar Smokers - Video

How many of these women do you recognize? Seeing Jennifer Lopez here made my head snap in full-attention to the video. I mean, J-Lo smokin' a stogie? Aye-chee-wah-wah.

Smuggling The Green Gold

News from Malawi: Police Arrest Tobacco Farmers

Malawi police have arrested 170 tobacco farmers from Mchinji District for allegedly attempting to smuggle tobacco to neighbouring Zambia. Mchinji Police Station Officer in Charge Assistant Commissioner James Munthali confirmed the arrest saying the farmers wanted to smuggle the country’s green gold using unchartered routes.

“These tobacco growers were arrested at Kapiri Trading Center and right now they are in custody at Mchinji Police waiting to appear before the court on Thursday,” said Munthali.

The police boss said the 170 tobacco growers attempted to illegally cross the boarder with 424 bales of tobacco on Wednesday morning.

According to Assistant Commissioner Munthali, the law enforcers have also seized the 14 tracks which were transporting the bales to Lundazi.

Meanwhile, Munthali said police have intensified patrols in the district in order to stop farmers from illegally taking their tobacco to Zambia.

Most farmers have requested government to open the boarders so that they sell their tobacco in neighbouring countries where prices are reportedly far much higher than the local ones.

A month has now passed since the tobacco markets opened in Lilongwe, Chinkhoma (Kasungu) and Limbe but there is still no hope in sight for improved prices for the country’s major forex earner. There has also been high rejection rate of bales.

Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) has described the season as the worst in recent years.

According to some farmers interviewed by Nyasa Times, in Mozambique buyers are offering a minimum of 2dollars (K300) per kg while at the local auction floors the leaf fetches as low as 53 cents (K76) per kg.

The development comes barely a week after tobacco growers in Malawi asked President Bingu wa Mutharika to open the borders for them so that they can explore better tobacco markets in Mozambique and Zambia.

Many tobacco farmers in Malawi’s boarder districts such as Mchinji, Kasungu and Mzimba usually sell their tobacco illegally in Zambia where the leaf fetches almost double the local prices.

Since the 2011 tobacco market opened some four weeks ago, growers have been increasing complaining about the low prices buyers are offering. On the other hand, buyers say they are offering low prices because the quality of tobacco is very low.

This year’s minimum prices were set at USD2.83 (K430.16) per kg for flue cured while burley was put at $1.80 (K237.60) per kg, which are relatively lower than those set during the last growing season.

Through tobacco exports, Malawi gets about 60 percent of its annual foreign exchange. Malawi is one of the world’s major tobacco growing countries and is the highest grower of burley tobacco.

source: tobaccoreviews.net

Gurkha Grand Reserve

The Grand Reserve is the flagship brand of Gurkha Cigars. This magnificent cigar is infused with the finest cognac in the world, and handmade from the finest tobaccos. The premium Connecticut shade wrapper gives this Honduran made cigar a rich, creamy flavor with a hint of spice and promises a pleasantly light finish you will truly enjoy.

Grand Reserve Packaging Length Ring
Robusto Natural Churchill Natural Torpedo Natural Churchill Maduro Torpedo Maduro	Bundle of 30 Cigars Bundle of 30 Cigars Bundle of 30Cigars Bundle of 30 Cigars Bundle of 30 Cigars	6 7.5 6.5 7.5 6.5	50 52 53 52 53
Cognac Infused, Connecticut Shade Wrapper, Dominican Binder, Dominican Filler.

http://www.gurkhacigars.com/index.cfm

Cigar Smokers Love A Good BBQ And Round Of Golf

BBQ utensils shaped as golf tools, conveniently packaged in a golf bag. Pick yours up here.

29 Reasons To Buy More Cigars: End of the List

50. It's a vintage smoke!
51. After learning more about cigars, my tastes have changed.
52. I need stronger fuller flavored cigars.
53. I need a morning cigar.
54. I need a midday cigar.
55. I need an evening cigar.
56. I've only tried 19% of the cigars in Bob Curtis' cigar database.
57. On can never have too many cigars.
58. My wife collects barbies -- I collect cigars.
59. You can't get arrested for smoking and driving.
60. If I order by the box mail order -- I save the 13% GA tobacco tax
and 6% sales tax -- Who could resist such a bargin.
61. I have full cans of butane that I need to use before they go bad.
62. I need to make sure I have plenty of stogie on hands -- never know
when it will snow in GA and we won't be able to leave the house.
63. I need to make sure I have enough to light all those fireworks on
the fouth of July.
64. Tax season is almost upon us -- and I am sure that we will be
getting a refund.
65. I didn't get what I wanted for the holidays.
66. If I don't deserve them -- who does.
67. I just got my discover cash back bonus -- for all the stogies I
charged last year -- these few boxes are really free.
68. Don't complain -- it gets me out of the house to walk the dogs.
69. Look how much I save ordering by mail -- could you imagine what it
would cost to go to the Dom. Rep to get them.
70. If I can find enough brands from one place that I like -- we can
go on vacation there next winter.
71. Nothing goes better with a piece of apple pie than a cigar.
72. I don't have nearly as many as (name a cigar smoking buddy)
73. There are hundreds of different brands -- I only have a few.
74. If you think that this is alot -- you shouild see what they have
at (name your local shop).
75. Would you rather that I go out drinking to the local nudie bar?
76. Cigar smokers make better lovers.
77. Cigar smokers are the most considerate and caring husbands.
78. I still have a full bottle of PG -- what else am I going to
humidify with it?

source: Tony Muller, Richard Hsiung and friends

This Time: 24 Reasons To Buy More Cigars

25. Well, I turned the page in the catalog and saw these beautiful cigars.
26. They pricing was so good that I have to buy a few boxes.
27. Such a nice looking humidor deserves to be FULL of Cubans!
29. I tried a single and it was great, so I have to buy the box!
30. Wow! These are a great value!
31. I need the empty boxes to store the bands. (And these new boxes will
result in MORE bands, which will require additional boxes!)
32. You can't get these anywhere else!
33. I need to buy them retail since it takes 9 months from the manufacturer.
34. You can order directly from the manufacturer!
35. The more I use my expensive cutter and lighter, the cheaper the "per
cigar" cost becomes. ($50 for 5 cigars = $10/ea - doesn't make much
sense, but if it's $50 for 5,000 cigars, that's merely a penny per
smoke!)
36. Cigars are so relaxing, it'll save me a bundle in shrink money.
37. They taste so good, I have to buy more.
38. The wrappers are so dark and oily.
39. They're calling to me.
40. Cigars are the hot trend right now.
41. My friends started buying by the box.
42. Everybody is buying by the box.
43. The ones I have need to be aged, so I have to buy ones I can smoke.
44. I need to buy more so they can marry.
45. I need to buy more because I took off all the wrappers of my cigars
and found out they don't marry.
46. They go so well with vintage port (insert favorite drink).
47. All the celebrities smoke them.
48. My boss smokes them.
49. My employees kept giving them to me, and now I like them too much
to stop.


source: Tony Muller, Richard Hsiung and friends