Cigarticles

August 22, 2008 Daniel Miranda, 38

Daniel Miranda of Miami Cigars, son of Nestor and Marianna Miranda Miranda succumbed to brain cancer this morning in Miami, after a four year fight. Read more...
August 21, 2008 Vintage Cigars?

Is 'vintage' a good descriptor of cigar tobacco and the resultant cigars? Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Frank Seltzer (Mowee) investigates the word 'vintage' and its applicability to cigars. Read more...
August 18, 2008 General Cigar Appoints GM of Business Ventures

General Cigar, a subsidiary of Swedish Match, has announced, via a company press release, the appointment of a new General Manager of Business Ventures. Richmond, VA—General Cigar is pleased to announce that Debo Mukherjee joined the company as general manager of business ventures, effective August 11, 2008. Read more...
August 08, 2008 Paradox of Smoking in UK : Finely Aged Cubans

The news that a self-employed painter and decorator taking a break in his own van and sharing a fag with his mate had the dubious honour of being the first to be fined for smoking at his workplace made for a good silly season story. Greater Manchester councillors want to use their powers under local government legislation to impose local age restrictions in local cinemas to classify any film that "glamorises smoking" as over 18, regardless of other content that might be glamorising gratuitous sex and violence. But not much of this is new to Simon Chase, marketing director at Habanos UK agent Hunters & Frankau, from when he learned the trade. Read more...
July 31, 2008 House of Reps. Pursuing Tobacco Regulation

In this report from the Associated Press, the House of Representatives has passed its first bill--Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act--to have "health authorities" regulate tobacco on the Federal level. Read more...
July 30, 2008 Drugstore tobacco sales under fire

Ann Zimmerman of the Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that the City of San Francisco is making an effort, through the Board of Supervisors, to ban the sale of tobacco products at drug-stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell pharmaceuticals or other health-related services. Read more...
July 29, 2008 CRA to Hold Fundraiser

Cigar Rights of America will hold a fundraiser in August to raise money for the smokers' rights organization. The Meeting of the Masters will be held in New York on August 19th, 2008 to kick off the CRA Freedom Tour. Read more...
July 24, 2008 Cigar Weekly 2008 Blind Review #2

Reyes Family Cigars Premier Perfecto (5.5 x 58) Compiled by Doug McGuire (Mad Dawg) The story of this atypical review necessarily begins in late 2007, when Frank Santos (Marketing Director for Reyes Family Cigars) sent me a cigar for a personal review. Frank told me only that this was a prototype blend for a new cigar line that Reyes Family Cigars (“RFC”) was in the process of developing. Read more...
July 24, 2008 Imperial Tobacco Delists on NYSE

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC ("Imperial Tobacco") today announces its intention to voluntarily delist its American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and terminate its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Read more...
July 21, 2008 Is Marathon Runner 101 or Only 94?

Are cigars key to longevity in the UK? Second article inside a week documents another senior still plugging along smoking cigars and drinking. The strange tale of Buster Martin: When he ran the London Marathon this year at the reputed age of 101, he was hailed as the oldest person ever to complete one. Then it emerged that he might be 'only' 94. So who is he? And can Patrick Barkham track down the truth behind . . Read more...
July 17, 2008 IPCPR Former RTDA 2008

Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Frank Seltzer (Mowee) recounts the highs and lows of this year's International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers gathering in Las Vegas. Read more...
July 17, 2008 Whisky, cigars and a long, happy life

DEFIANT Jack Priestly is still puffing on cigars and downing whisky at the age of 100. The retired baker has puffed an estimated 153,000 cigars and 715,400 cigarettes since his first drag at the tender age of nine. His other vice is whisky, which he took up on the advice of his mother-in-law. He has taken a tot in his tea for 75 years and never looked back. Read more...
July 07, 2008 Cigar Weekly 2008 Blind Review #1

The following description of the Casa Toraño Lancero Maduro was provided by Bruce Lewis, Brand Manager – Toraño and Dunhill Cigars: The Casa Toraño Maduro was introduced late last year but first orders were filled in the early part of this year. It is not a limited release, but what I would refer to as an exciting new release for Toraño. In the first few months of this brand being available to the public, the response and feedback has been extremely positive. Cigar Aficionado have already awarded it two ratings in the 90’s. The cigar features a naturally fermented CT Broadleaf maduro wrapper which brings a sweet, rich flavor and aroma to this medium bodied smoke. A Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler complete the blend. As you are aware, there has been increasing interest in the Lancero size and this was one of the reasons to introduce this cigar in this size. More importantly, though, the Lancero size in this blend allows consumers to fully appreciate the rich, sweet characteristics of the maduro wrapper. The Lancero is 7” x 38 and all sizes in the Casa Toraño Maduro line are handmade in Nicaragua. Read more...
June 18, 2008 Imperial Tobacco Interim Report

Imperial Tobacco has issued their 2008 Interim Report. Click where it says "Read more...." to see highlights and a link to the entire report. Read more...
June 13, 2008 Story of the Tatuaje Black

Pete Johnson tells a lovely story on how he came to the decision to make the Tatuaje Black in homage to a Gentleman. Read more...
June 06, 2008 If I feel like having a cigarette, why shouldn't I?

Another editorialist, from the Independent" begins to push back at the encroachment of the "Nanny State" and "advocates." Read more...
June 04, 2008 Cigar Rights of America

Finally, someone besides the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR,) formerly the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers Association,) is organizing to defend cigar smoking, cigar smokers, and the cigar industry. FIGHTING TO PROTECT YOUR FREEDOM TO ENJOY CIGARS * “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” * “Land of the Free” * “No Taxation Without Representation” Read more...
June 03, 2008 For the Love of Cigars in Tulsa

The lore and allure of a fine cigar smoked in a great venue with good friends and exemplary libations, tempts smokers to drive hours for their refuge. Read more...
May 30, 2008 Capitol Hill Premium Cigars Leads WaPo Report

In a feature article on private gatherings and clubs at Washington D. C. pubs and watering holes, the lead group is the upstairs lounge at Capitol Hill Premium Cigars & Tobacco. Chris Utley, a mechanical contractor, pays $450 a year to belong to an exclusive members-only lounge above Capitol Hill Premium Cigars & Tobacco, where cigar aficionados can hang out and enjoy a drink and a smoke. Utley estimates he has been in almost every day since December, when the tobacco shop opened. "It's the whole atmosphere," he says between puffs on an enormous Cuba Aliados cigar and sips from a snifter of cognac. He gestures at the leather couches, the flat-screen TVs, the older men joking at the bar. "It's real relaxed. Everybody knows your name." Read more...
May 30, 2008 Smoking? It's seriously good for the Treasury, Macmillan told Eden

Newspapers in Great Britain are reporting on the release of formerly confidential papers.The newly public documents include memos and notes during the government of Prime Ministar Harold Macmillan, a pipe smoker, who downplayed the dangers of smoking. For the record, Macmillan lived to be 93 years old. Here is the Independent's Jonathan Brown's take on the subject. Read more...
May 22, 2008 Cigars and Smokers to Perish Predicts Piece in Toronto Sun

The demise of smoking, and men who smoke, is predicted in the Toronto Sun, as is proof of overpriced goods, and the slow decline of a legendary tobacconist. Read more...
May 22, 2008 Ontario Smoking Laws More Harsh on the Law-Abiding than Criminals.

Anybody wonder if they'll ever actually put smokers in jail? Give them time because if you weren't already feeling like a pariah, wait until June 1! The Toronto Sun published this article noting that new laws on the books in Canada treat legal tobacconists with more restrictions and fines than black market tobacco sellers. Read more...
May 14, 2008 Cigar Roller Popular at Pop's

Fort Worth store boasts a popular torcedor crafting their store brand in house as well as out for events. The 38-year-old Cuban, who has been hand-rolling cigars professionally for 18 years, was the star attraction at a demonstration hosted on behalf of the Miami-based Guantanamera cigar line at Pop's Safari Room in Fort Worth. Outside, it was a balmy spring day; inside, the air was filled with fragrant tobacco smoke. Read more...
May 14, 2008 Swedish Match Names New CEO and CFO

In a press release, Tuesday, Swedish Match, a global group of companies with a broad offering of market-leading brands in smokeless tobacco products, cigars (including General Cigars, among others,)pipe tobacco and lights products, named a new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The appointment of Lars Dahlgren (promoted from the CFO) and Joakim Tilly (38) can be seen by some as a long-term, youth movement by the company. Read more...
April 30, 2008 Anti-Tobacco Groups Push Harsh Ohio Tax

Tobacco lobby claims legislature is "abolishing tobacco prevention" as Ohio Voters Prefer Raising Tobacco Tax to Raiding Tobacco Endowment to Fund Stimulus; New Poll: Nearly Two-thirds of Ohio Voters Support Tobacco Tax to Fund Stimulus Package and Tobacco Prevention Read more...
April 30, 2008 Casa Cubana of Montreal Decries Use of Children in Anti-Tobacco

Anti-Tobacco Industry Using Kids To Promote Their Private Agendas and Further Misrepresent the Facts Read more...
April 21, 2008 William Styron, JFK and the Havana

Noted Twentieth century author's memoir includes his time with JFK and contraband. Reviewed by Marc Weingarten Read more...
April 15, 2008 Pro-freedom, not pro-smoking club

Essayist and Editorialist tempts fate in newly banned Fort Wayne, Indiana. Read more...
March 31, 2008 CWer Featured in Anti-FDA Spot

CW member featured in R. J. Reynolds funded TV advertisement. Read more...
March 28, 2008 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes; Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. More often--especially today--it's a political statement.

Kinky Friedman. Texas Monthly. Austin: Mar 2008. Abstract (Summary) Instead, we have a Houston city councilman who told former mayor pro tem Michael Berry, explaining why he voted for a citywide ban on smoking in bars, "What if I want to bring my kids to the bar?" Common sense is going up in smoke, folks. Read more...
March 25, 2008 Joya de Nicaragua Choose Drew Estate as Distributor

Since their recent break with Manuel Quesada, Joya de Nicaragua has been in negotiations with other cigar manufacturers to reach a distribution agreement. Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca, CEO and owner of JdN stated that the relationship with Manuel Quesada's SAG will end by mutual consent on April 28, 2008. In the company's just promulgated announcement, Cuenca named Drew Estate as the new distributor. “Drew Estate's commitment to adopt my vision of JOYA DE NICARAGUA and its goals was the key factor in my decision,” states Dr. Martinez Cuenca, “The fact that they have their own in-house sales force and marketing department were important ingredients also. Plus the most obvious factor is the success they are having in increasing their own market share within the highly competitive US market. We feel an alliance between our two companies will be a win-win situation for all including cigar stores and consumers nationwide.” Read more...
March 24, 2008 Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Join Cigar Weekly’s Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) as he recounts his wintry, snow-bound cigar escapade in the countryside this past December-January Holiday Season. Read more...
March 18, 2008 Reyes Family Cigars Launches New Website.

At the end of November, Puros Indios went through major changes, the public changeovers continue today with a new, improved web site coming online. Read more...
March 17, 2008 Cooleridors

CW Contributing Editor Jeff Lackman (grtrx) gives us a step-by-step guide for converting any sealable plastic container (not just a cooler) into a fully functional humidor. Read more...
March 06, 2008 A Trip to the Mexican Riviera and Playa del Carmen

CW Contributing Editor Michael Connelly (ConMan) documents a well-photographed week spent with his wife on the Mexican Riviera. Read more...
February 19, 2008 Fidel Castro Steps Down

In a letter addressed to the Cuban people late on Monday February 18, 2008, Fidel Castro resigned as President of Cuba. Read more...
February 14, 2008 My Ice Chest to Humidor Conversion

Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Mark Steinberg (mrtapes) details a recent project of his where he converted an antique ice chest into a humidor. Read more...
February 04, 2008 Life, Computers and the Partagas Serie D No. 4: One Man's Journey

Join "Cigar Weekly’s" Bob Granata (Cloud9Bob) on a personal odyssey that leads to the discovery and true appreciation of one of the world’s great cigars, the Partagás Serie D No.4. Read more...
January 07, 2008 Smoking in the City of Lights

As a smoking ban finally settles over the country of France, Cigar Weekly member Ken “Stalebread” Coleman (Osnat45) shares a personal perspective on places to smoke and buy cigars in Paris. Read more...
December 20, 2007 A. Fuente & the Cigar Factory

Read about a trip Cigar Weekly member Luis Molina (Mr. Puro) took this past August to the Dominican Republic. Luis had an opportunity to visit A. Fuente Factory No. 1, Château de La Fuente and the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation (CFCF) Complex. Read more...
December 14, 2007

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December 04, 2007 CAO TO BE EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR FOR TORAÑO AND DUNHILL

December 4, 2007 Also, more developments in the cigar industry, CAO International has announced a distribution partnership with Carlos Toraño, Inc. Both concerns, "are pleased to announce that the companies have entered into a strategic distribution agreement whereby CAO will become the exclusive U.S. distributor for all Carlos Toraño Cigar brands. At the same time, CAO will also become the exclusive distributor for all Dunhill Cigar brands. The agreement will be effective January 2, 2008." CAO was purchased by European tobacco giant Henry Wintermans in early 2007. Read more...
November 30, 2007 PUROS INDIOS BECOMES REYES FAMILY CIGAR

Coming into the final months of the calendar year, during the retail frenzy of "holiday shopping" in the American milieu, events are happening in the cigar industry. Occurrences are being reported that many casual smokers might miss. Those cigar smokers "in-the-know," however, would consider them to be important news. Read more...
November 26, 2007 Hot Springs Chronicles

November 26, 2007 Join Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Tom Chapman (tchapchap) on a whirlwind tour of five eastern U.S.A. cities that "turns boring stuff into a cigar adventure”! Read more...
November 01, 2007 Trek to Honduras – Cigars from seedlings to smoke!

In mid-September, several BOTL's (Brothers of The Leaf) from Houston made a pilgrimage to Honduras with the objective of learning as much as possible about the growth, production and manufacture of our favorite leaf, on a trip hosted by a Houston area B&M (Elite Cigars) and the staff of Rocky Patel Cigars. Neil Noffsinger (Road Hawg) chronicled the trip in words and photos and submits the following article for your leisure perusal. Read more...
August 14, 2007 RTDA MEETS FOR 75th Time Part 1

A number of Cigar Weekly Members including moderators , Thomas Bender (TommyBB,) Jeff Slatton (Jefslat,) Doug McGuire (Mad Dawg,) and members Castanza (Todd Golomb,) 1RedDawg (Jeff Hogan,) Ed Guevara (Cubano67,) Hockeymaniac (David Schwartz,) Luis Molina of Don Juan Cigars in Metairie, Louisiana (Mr. Puro,) and new member Jess Fields (Mercado Libre) attended the annual trade show of the Retail Tobacco Dealers Association; and brought back these sights, tastes and recollections of what's new in cigars for 2007 and 2008. Part 1. Read more...
August 14, 2007 RTDA MEETS FOR 75th Time, Part 2

August 14, 2007 by Thomas Bender In the second installment of a four part series, we discuss some of the new cigars and cigar-related products making their debut at this year's RTDA. These events occurred on Monday, August 6h. Read more...
August 14, 2007 RTDA MEETS FOR 75th Time, Part 3

August 14, 2007 by Thomas Bender In this, the third installment of a four part series, we discuss some of the issues facing the tobacco industry, the RTDA and how to begin combating the anti-smoking/tobacco tax issues. Also, we discussed some of the exhibitors we met on Tuesday morning, August 7th. Read more...
August 14, 2007 RTDA MEETS FOR 75th Time, Part 4

August 14, 2007 by Thomas Bender In the third installment, we discussed some of the issues facing the tobacco industry, the RTDA and how to begin combating the anti-smoking/tobacco tax issues. Also, we discussed some of the exhibitors we met on Tuesday morning, August 7th. This is the final installment of the four part series. Read more...
June 01, 2007 Zurich - A Perfect Cigar Weekend

June 1, 2007 by Tom Bolivar Zurich is not only the home of 200 plus Banks and one of the most expensive cities in the world. No, Zurich is as older than 2000 years and has a lot to offer the tourist. And maybe I have to mention that the cigar shops are amongst the finest in Europe! Read more...
April 09, 2007 Travelogue: Havana - From the City to the Farm and Back (Part 3 of 3)

In this third and final installment Lawrence and company wander around Havana, smoke more cigars, drink more mojitos and tell more stories. Read more...
March 12, 2007 Travelogue: Havana - From the City to the Farm and Back (Part 2 of 3)

In Part Two of a three part series, Lawrence Leung (the nub) and a group of Canadian herfers pay a visit to Robaina's farm. Read more...
February 26, 2007 Cigarticle: Cigars and Spirits

CW Member Michael Herklots (mherklots) describes some of his favorite pairings of cigars and spirits. Read more...
February 19, 2007 Travelogue: Havana - From the City to the Farm and Back (Part 1 of 3)

Lawrence Leung (the nub) gives a puff by puff account of nine smoke filled days in Cuba. Wandering the streets of Havana along with twenty amigos, he sifts through the city’s best humidors, searching for one last cigar, another mojito and a seat at the ultimate herf. Read more...
February 12, 2007 Cigarticle: Building a Herfatorium

February 12, 2007 CW Member Bryan Phillips (Herfin Bigdog) solves a need by building a "Herfatorium" Read more...
December 26, 2006 Cigarticle: A Wing and a Prayer - Traveling With Cigars and Accessories

December 25, 2006 Just in time for the busy post-Christmas travel season, CW Member Roger Farnsworth (ElkTwin) lets us in on a few tips for taking our hobby on the road. Read more...
December 11, 2006 A VERY Private Club: New Jersey's Metropolitan Society

December 11, 2006 By George Koodray, Metropolitan Society Board Secretary Metropolitan Society You really never could smoke cigars at many establishments - even when they allowed "smoking." That's why, back in July of 1994, thirteen men, not knowing what that evening might ever lead to, got together at a restaurant that permitted dining and cigar smoking in a designated area. Read more...
November 26, 2006 Cigarticle: Cuban Cigars - A Reputation for Excellence

November 27, 2006 CW Member Roger Farnsworth (ElkTwin) discusses the reputation of Cuban cigars as the best in the world. Read more...
October 16, 2006 Cigarticle: What Do Your Taste Buds Taste?

October 16, 2006 Each cigar smoker possesses unique senses of smell and taste, and has their own way of expressing fragrance and flavor. In this column, Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) explores the relationship between sensory perception and cigars. Read more...
September 11, 2006 Cigarticle: Remembrances of The Boom:

September 11, 2006 CW Members Thomas Bender (TommyBB) and Jason Clabaugh (BigO) compile comments from other members. Recently a newer member of Cigar Weekly's forums, Javier (Big Cubano) started a thread in the Smokin' Post room asking older members "I hear about the boom all the time. Can any of you enlighten me on the history of the cigar boom?" This is a compilation of those answers he was given, re-written as a panel discussion. It will not be in the exact order as the posts on the thread; however the content is taken from there. Read more...
September 04, 2006 Cigarticle: Feeding Frenzies - Rumor, Fear and the Madness of Crowds

September 4, 2006 CW Member Roger Farnsworth (ElkTwin) muses about the power of marketing in the cigar world. You're sitting in your desk chair enjoying a fine cigar and leisurely checking new postings on the cigar bulletin board you frequent when all of a sudden everything changes. Your pupils dilate and perspiration breaks out on your upper lip. Your respiration quickens along with your pulse, and almost involuntarily you reach for the phone and start dialing. What happened to instill this sense of urgency, this borderline state of panic? Was it a national emergency? Or a perhaps it was a disaster of biblical proportions? No, the reason for this reaction was a message that Consuegra 84 torpedoes are in stock at a well-known cigar retailer. Read more...
August 07, 2006 Cigarticle: The Glory Days of La Gloria Cubana

CW Member Roger Farnsworth (ElkTwin) discusses the phenomenon of El Credito and La Gloria Cubana during the heady days of the '90s Read more...
July 24, 2006 Cigarticle: RTDA report Las Vegas 2006

CW Member Frank Seiltzer (Mowee) reports on RTDA 2006 in Las Vegas Read more...
February 27, 2006 Cigarticle: La Aurora

CW Member Frank Seltzer (Mowee) describes his recent trip to La Aurora factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Read more...
January 17, 2006 Second Hand Smoke

Cigar Weekly contributing editor Frank Seltzer (Mowee) discusses the phenomenon of second hand or "Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)" Read more...
April 29, 2005 Cigarticle: Purchasing Cigars Over the Internet

CW Member Reuven Zasler (rubyz) discusses the pros and cons of buying cigars over the Internet. Read more...
July 22, 2004 Up In Smoke - Column No. 2

Cigar Weekly member and columnist Jason Rhine (Rhino) discusses cutter, punchers, piercers and blades. Read more...
June 12, 2004 Trip to Camp Camacho - Part 2

On a recent trip to Honduras, Cigar Weekly member David Cooper (DaveC) had an opportunity to visit and document his experience at Camp Camacho, as well as spend some time with Christian Eiroa from Caribe Imported Cigar. He was joined on this trip by his pals from Tobacco Plaza in Great Neck, NY. The following is the second of two parts. Read the first part here. Read more...
April 08, 2004 Trip to Camp Camacho - Part 1

On a recent trip to Honduras, Cigar Weekly member David Cooper (DaveC) had an opportunity to visit and document his experience at Camp Camacho, as well as spend some time with Christian Eiroa from Caribe Imported Cigar. He was joined on this trip by his pals from Tobacco Plaza in Great Neck, NY. Read more...
May 20, 2002 Smoking your way around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

CW Member Claudia Ellis (BonVivantess) and her husband Gil (ragic) recount a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Read more...