COME OUT , ALL THE STOGIE SMOKERS

[nomad]

Theres just something about sitting out on the porch kicked back enjoying a good cigar.
 

[BaldRob]

Being relatively new to the stogie world... I have found a couple that I like, namely Acid Toast and Acid Kuba Kuba.

Why don't some of the more cigar saavy sly guys post and educate the rest of us on cigars?

Also, my friend directed me to this website that offers great prices:  www.bestcigarprices.com

[BaldRob]

I'm up here in Canada and I can get real Cubans anywhere it been great but as the artical I read on a cigar site the cubans aren't as good as some of the others. Its still cool to get cubans leagally. I have enjoyed a few different ones since I've been here.

Bring some back... the law just changed not too long ago that you can bring in up to two (I think) boxes into the US!!

[nomad]

I'm up here in Canada and I can get real Cubans anywhere it been great but as the artical I read on a cigar site the cubans aren't as good as some of the others. Its still cool to get cubans leagally. I have enjoyed a few different ones since I've been here.

Bring some back... the law just changed not too long ago that you can bring in up to two (I think) boxes into the US!!

I'm not sure but I don't think I can "legally" bring back any Cubans but I sure will look into it more.

[BaldRob]

Well the information I got was wrong... I just went to the customs website and yep, Cuban cigars are still prohibited!  Sorry!

[PORKY]

well guys , heres a couple places to get some good prices   CIGARINTERNATIONAL.COM  and to find who has the best prises on what brand and where the factory reps are going to show  cigarcyclopedia.com   those r 4 here in the states   im trying to find my link to a site thats like CIgars for dommies  it helps to set humidors  to dry wet stogies  OR to rehumidify a dried out quality smoke   it sure would be cool to have our slycon where theres a cigar show going too but if anybody finds out what city it will be in please let me know asap    p.

[PORKY]

ACTION ALERT FOR ALL CIGAR ENTHUSIASTS!
Currently before the United States Senate is a proposal to fund health insurance on the backs of tobacco products to the tune of $35 billion (that's Billion with a B). Most egregious is the proposed tax rate on cigars of 53.1%, including a breathtaking 20,400% increase in the cap. This would make handmade cigars - a true mom-and-pop industry, a product enjoyed by choice an average 3 times per week - the single largest excise taxed item in the entire Internal Revenue Code....by a long shot.

This piece of legislation is called SCHIP (State Childrens Health Insurance Plan). Tonight this bill is being marked up in the Senate Finance Committee and is expected to come to the Senate floor for a vote as early as end of week. We urge you to call both of your U.S. Senators today and express your opposition to funding "SCHIP legislation" with punitive cigar taxes. As a constituent your voice will be heard. Please see phone numbers below for your Senators.

  our "representives" wont stop till they get some sort of hike thru, Bush has stated that he will veto it till it drops , they passed it the first time and he DID veto it , and congress couldnt muster enough support to override his veto .  BUT, they have said they will try anouther route .

[PORKY]

Do I Need a Special Solution for My Humidifier?


All of our humidors come with a standard humidification system that only requires distilled water.  There are activator solutions on the market that contain chemicals, such as propylene glycol (PG).  All you need to do with our standard humidification systems is to keep the humidifier filled with distilled water or a PG Solution and check the humidity level on your hygrometer every week.  When the humidity level drops below 65, add more distilled water or PG Solution to your humidifier.  If you want a more maintenence free system, we recommend upgrading your humidifier to an electric humdifier that uses distilled water.  One of the best on the market today is the Cigar Oasis brand that we carry.  The Cigar Oasis electric humdifiers come in two parts.  One section holds the distilled water and the other holds the motor.  Fill the resorvoir with distilled water and attach both pieces together. Place the unit into your humidor and plug it in.  It's that easy!  You won't have to check this type of system every week, but we recommend checking the level every month or so.  You should go several months before needing to refill the unit with distilled water. Under no circumstances should you use standard tap water!

 

[PORKY]

How Do I Restore a Dry Cigar?


Patience is the name of the game when it comes to restoring cigars that have been dried out due to a lack of humidification. Time and a slow re-hydrating process are the two essential elements required to restore the cigars to their original state.  Start by placing the cigars in a sealed box for a few days to allow them to breathe and adjust to their environment. After a few days, introduce your humidifier to the environment with a partially filled humidifier. Let the cigars rest and re-adjust to the new environment. Repeat this process during the course of the next few weeks until the cigars are supple to the touch. WARNING: Remember to be patient! If you introduce the cigars to an environment with too much humidity (like your already-charged humidor) you will shock the tobacco and it will cause the cigars to absorb too much humidity causing the wrappers to burst and you'll end up with cigars that will never be usable.

[PORKY]

How do I Properly Cut or "Punch" a cigar?


A SHARP cutter is a must if this is the technique you use to open your cigar. Position the cutter about 3 millimeters from the smoking end  of the cigar(crown) and rest the tip of the cigar in contact with the cutter. Using a quick, decisive motion, slice off the end of the cigar.Some people prefer to leave the wrapper ON your smoke and to slice thru the wrapper and all, CLAIMING that this keeps the blade sharper than when it comes directly in contact with the tobacco itself. ANOTHER sect , prefer to place the cutter (double blade prefered) DIRECTLY on the table top and then to place your cigar crown down into the cutter , giving a consistent uniform cut EVERY time If you prefer to "punch" a cigar, a sharp punch is a necessity. Place the cutting end of the punch(looks like a small straw with a sharp end) in contact with the end of the cigar and gently twist while pushing down(like a twist drill) into the crown/cap with a firm motion. This will cut out a little plug of tobacco from the end of the cigar.  This technique may save the "cap" of a cigar from falling apart in your mouth, UNLESS you are a "chewer" and then NOTHING will save your favorite smoke from falling apart .  PORKY

[PORKY]

SCHIP Cigar Tax Update
The debate in the U.S. Congress over proposed legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which could raise the federal excise tax on cigars from $.05 to $3.00 per cigar (a 6,000% increase), may now continue until December 14, 2007. A temporary extension of the existing SCHIP program at current levels has been approved though said date. If the U.S. House cannot pass a veto proof bill by December 14, then it is possible that the existing program will be extended again through September 2008, with no increase in the federal excise tax on cigars until that time. Unless you want to start paying $75 more for a box of cigars (either after December 14, 2007 or September 30, 2008), contact your congressman and voice your opposition to the proposed increase in the federal excise tax on cigars.

[rickybobby]

i  love a good cigar....just its gotta be mild and not too long. I want a nice 20 min or so smoke adventure that won't get me too high. I find that the darker robust stogies get me higher than any good green stuff ever could. Not really lookin' for that. I just love drinking an ice cold beer and enjoying a nice mild ceegar....

[triumphcorvair]

About two years ago I tried an ACID Atom cigar.  Great smoke!  It is not a flavored cigar but infused in an infusion room (no less) that has numerous floral spices and scents.  If you are looking for something different an ACID Atom would be a good choice.

A word of caution though about the ACID line of cigars, since they are infused they can "contaminate" other cigars in your humidor so store them separately.  Otherwise your good cigars could start tasting a little funny.

I'm glad to see the post on cigars.  If you are a newb and want more info the Club Stogie is a great forum, much like this one

A lot of the FOGs on that forum will help a new bro along and will generously "bomb" them with some great smokes to help them down that slippery slope.

[triumphcorvair]

ISOM's (Island South of Miami) also affectionately known as Cubans are in fact illegal here in the US.  With the EXCEPTION of the Pre-embargo cubans which can still be purchased here in the US.  Cigars will last almost indefinately if allowed to rest in a properly humidified temperature controlled environment (70 degree @ 68 -70 relative humidity).  Pre-embargo cigars are available from some premier tobacconists but they come with a hefty price.

Cubans cigars may have set the standards for quality smokes but there are a lot of cigar manufacturers such as Dominicans, Nicaraguans, Honduras etc. that are just as good in quality and much cheaper IMO. Many of the Cuban families went to Maimi and other islands to continue their tradition of making quality smokes.  Look on a map sometime and you will see that many of these places are all geographically in close proximity to Cuba.  The buzz now on most Cigar forums is what will happen to the embargo when Castro is out of the picture.  At this time who knows!

My advice is to read some of the Cigar reviews on the Cigar websites and then make a decision on what to buy from there.  The worst mistake you could make is to buy a cheap cigar and then formulate an opinion that all cigars are the same.  Some of your best moments of reflection will be a little quiet time with a good cigar and  a good drink.

[StogieStang]

Just wanted to say I smoke cigars also.  I average 1 per week.  More when the weather is nice, less when it's not.  I can't say I have any favorites yet.  I like to try different ones all the time.