Great New Year's Resolutions For Cigar Smokers

If you’re an avid lover of the leaf, it would be a good idea to include some cigar-related resolutions as you look forward to 2013. There are plenty of things you can do to make yourself a more educated and informed cigar consumer, as well as a more active part of the cigar community. Here are some ideas to think about for 2013:

Try something new
It goes without saying that there are tons of new cigars that come out every year – at the last two IPCPR trade shows, the number of new products seemed to number around 800 each year! That means that your local tobacconist has lots of new cigars that you've likely never tried, or there are some classics on the shelf that you never got around to sampling. Make it a point to try some new cigars in 2013. You’ll broaden your palate, taste the work of different master blenders and regions of the world, and enhance your appreciation for and understanding of just what kind of flavors a great cigar can produce. This is a great time to be a cigar smoker – don’t miss out on some of the best cigars to have ever been released.

Learn about cigars
With all the information available on the Internet, it’s easy to learn almost as much as you want about the cigars you smoke. But beyond that, you should learn about the cigar-making process as a whole: the terms, the “seed to smoke steps” and so on. One great resource is the Tobacconist University handbook, which you can purchase on Amazon.com among other places. Think of it as a textbook for the cigar industry – it is loaded with terms and pictures that will not only make you much more knowledgeable about how your favorite cigar got into your hands, but it will make you much more appreciative of the entire process as well.

Start up a conversation with someone at our cigar shop
One of the many great things about cigars is how they can bring people together. Next time you buy a cigar at our shop, enjoy it with us. Start up a conversation with someone you don’t know. You just might make a new friend or business associate.

Smoke different vitolas of the same cigar
Just because cigars of different sizes have the same band on them, they don’t all taste the same. The ring gauge of a cigar – how wide it is – plays a huge role in determining the taste because of how it affects the amount of tobacco that’s able to be used. Next time you’re reaching for a cigar, grab a different vitola and see how it compares to the one you normally smoke. If you’re up for a real challenge, smoke the biggest and smallest vitolas of the same cigar at the same time. Your palate will be in for a real treat.

Join Cigar Rights of America
The plain and simple truth is that your ability to smoke a cigar is constantly under attack by people who oppose tobacco products of all shapes and sizes and don’t care where you smoke your favorite cigar. If you do nothing else on this list, become a member of Cigar Rights of America. This organization fights for your cigar rights at all levels of government, from city to state to federal, and they need your support. There team of lobbyists speaks up for you on a daily basis to make sure that your right to enjoy a premium handmade cigar are protected. A basic membership is only $35 per year, and you get two free limited edition cigars just for signing up. Give it as a gift to your cigar buddies as well – every individual who enjoys a cigar needs to be a member of CRA.

Write a letter to your elected officials asking them to defend your cigar rights
Cigar Rights of America has made it incredibly easy to track proposed legislation in your area that could affect your cigar rights, from smoking bans to increased taxation. They've developed an online tool that allows you to contact your elected officials and speak out against any proposed laws or actions that would hamper your cigar rights. Take the time to write a letter or call your elected officials and let them know that you are a cigar smoker, you vote, and you’re watching what they’re doing to protect your cigar rights.

Support brick & mortar stores like ours in your city & keep your dollars local
Cigar retail locations like ours are the backbone of the tobacco industry and we need your support. It’s become easy to order cigars online with just a few mouse clicks, but when you do that you’re missing out on the expertise that our store has to offer, as well as the camaraderie and conversation that comes from enjoying a cigar with us. In addition, by supporting our shop you support our local economy, keeping your money in the community as opposed to sending it out of state. 

Make 2013 your best year of enjoying cigars by adding a cigar-related resolution to your list. If you do, you’re guaranteed to get more out of your next cigar while helping support your local shop, community and the industry as a whole.

www.palmdeserttobacco.com

Sweet Cigar Pairing: Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Sun Grown Robusto With Bacardi's Reserva Limited Rum

Ever had Bacardi Reserva Limitada Founder’s Blend? The answer is likely “no.”

There was a time when you needed a connection to the Bacardi family to sample their rum of this caliber. And even when they made it available to the general public, you still had to go to their distillery in Puerto Rico to buy any. But in the last two years the company has made Bacardi Reserva Limitada available within the United States, albeit in a very—hence the name—limited quantity.

If you get the chance to try it, do it. The extra-aged rum, originally produced as a personal blend for the Bacardi family, is an exceptional dram—complex and chomping at the bit to be enjoyed with a cigar.

The Founder’s Blend was originally produced by the current Maestro de Ron (master of rum) Luis Planas to honor Facundo Bacardi Masso, who started Bacardi in 1862. In 2003, the blend of rums aged in lightly charred American white oak barrels was first released to celebrate the inauguration of the Bacardi Visitors Centre at the Bacardi distillery in Catano, Puerto Rico, which was the only location at which it was available. In 2010 the company decided to share with the rest of us, but in very limited numbers (1,000 six-bottle cases).

Now, the precious liquid that comes in cork-sealed numbered bottles has become more widely available, although the bottles are no longer hand-numbered and the oldest age rum in the bottle has been shortened from 16 years to 12. Not to worry, the experience remains a rollercoaster of sweet sensations.

While it is something of a splurge in the rum world at $119 (compare to the excellent Bacardi at about $25), if you’re a real rum hound, you’re in for a treat.

PALATE: All kinds of sweetness rush out to meet the tip of the tongue: honey, molasses, maple syrup and cane sugar. As it spreads out over the palate it dries slightly, revealing a panorama of caramel, vanilla, cashews, toast and saffron. A complex mouthful that is nevertheless ardently sweet.

FINISH: All the flavors of the palate linger on in the finish and become somehow richer until at the very end Christmas spices arrive for a slow dance with the roof of the mouth.

CIGAR PAIRING: Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Sun Grown Robusto
Starts out as a tangy smoke and warms to with coffee-bean character, cardamom and black cherry. The Reserva Limitada draws out rich wood and nuts from the cigar, as well as giving it a savory quality and smoothing its edges. The cigar returns the favor by giving the sugary rum a kick that results in a spicy pop.

www.palmdeserttobacco.com

How To Calibrate Your Humidor's Hygrometer

MATERIALS NEEDED:

- Small sandwich ziplock baggy
- Bottle cap from 2 liter soda bottle (works best)
- Table salt
- Hygrometer (whichever one you want to test, digital or analog)

Now that you have all of your materials handy, follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to effectively checking the accuracy of your hygrometer.

STEP 1: Fill bottle cap with standard table salt; fill about 3/4 of the way up.

STEP 2: Add tap water to the bottle cap to saturate the salt. If you see water floating on top of the salt, you’ve added too much water. Easy fix for this is to grab a paper towel, and soak up all of the excess water. You want more of a slurry consistency of water and salt. Again, if you see water actually floating on top of the salt, soak up the excess with a paper towel.

STEP 3:  Place both hygrometer and bottle cap (with salt/water mixture) inside of a small ziplock baggy. Wait 4 hours and come back for a reading check.

STEP 4: If your hygrometer is perfectly accurate, it will read 75%. Most hygrometers will be +/- 3 %. If your hygrometer is digital and has a calibration button, follow the directions that it came with to calibrate to 75%. Digital hygrometers have a calibration button you push, while analog hygrometers have a screw which allows you to adjust the needle accordingly.

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What Causes Cigar Tunneling?

Tunneling, a circumstance in which a cigar's wrapper leaf doesn't burn, causing a cave-like formation in the foot of the cigar, can be caused by several factors:   The purpose of the binder leaf is to help all of the tobaccos burn at approximately the same rate. Therefore, if the wrapper is too moist, too thick, or too oily, it may not burn at the same rate as the filler and binder. (Maduro and Oscuro wrappers tend to be much oilier than most shade grown and other "natural" wrapper leaves.) 

Another cause of tunneling is when the wrapper is not neatly rolled around the bunch causing a gap between the wrapper and binder. It may not be noticeable to the naked eye, but all the wrapper needs is a minuscule bit of gap between it and the binder to cause tunneling.  There is also a condition called "double bunching." If a cigar is properly rolled all the leaves will "fall into line" when its lit and you'll get a nice clean ash. It's a rare occurrence, but what happens is, during the bunching process the binder gets doubled back causing it to be too thick. Because there is now "more" combustible tobacco in the mix, the cigar will tunnel.  

Finally, make sure you get a good even burn at the foot when lighting your cigars. The leaf at the center, normally the Ligero, burns slowest, so if the surrounding tobaccos burn properly you should get a well-formed cone or "cherry" when you tap off the ash.

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Does Size Affect A Cigar's Aging Process?

In the same way that it affects a cigar's flavor when it has just been rolled.

The key here is the number of leaves used in the blend, which affects a cigar's complexity. If you season a pasta sauce with salt and pepper only, you're not going to get a very complex sauce. But if you throw in some oregano, some basil and a couple bay leaves, now you've got several flavors working together.

It's the same with cigars. A thin cigar blended with only two filler leaves just isn't going to offer the depth of flavor of a cigar made with four or five leaves.

Aging a cigar brings out its essence. It allows the flavors of the blend to mature, mellow and marry with one another. So it follows that the thicker the cigar—the more leaves used—the greater the benefits of aging. While it's true that tobacco strength is also an important factor in a cigar's ability to age—a lonsdale made with hearty Cuban-seed filler, for example, will probably age better than a mild Churchill with a Connecticut shade wrapper—that doesn't alter that general rule that, within a given blend, a thicker cigar will usually age better than a thin one. That's why panatelas and petit coronas, even strong ones, are rarely set aside for extended aging.

www.palmdeserttobacco.com

Valentine's Day Gifts For That Special Cigar Smoker

Do you have a cigar smoker for whom you need to buy a Valentine's Day gift? Here are some great Valentine's Day gift ideas for that aficionado in your life:

1. Get your cigar smoker some educational books for Valentine's Day. Enjoying a good cigar is much like enjoying a good glass of wine - it takes a bit of education to really taste the nuances in the cigar's flavor. Cigar books can be good reads and your cigar smoker will be pleased to open one on Valentine's Day.







2. Cigars are a great Valentine's Day gift! Pay attention to the type of cigar your lover normally smokes.Cigar smokers probably have already figured out what type of cigar they like. Try and snap a picture of your lover's normal cigar to bring with you to our store. We can help guide you to similar cigars. We have educated personnel to guide you in making the best choice for a Valentine's Gift for your cigar smoking loved one.

3. A good humidor is a great Valentine's Day gift for the cigar smoker. A good humidor will protect a good cigar by storing it in the correct humidity. Leaving cigars out in the air will dry them out and change the quality of the cigar. A good humidor should be lined with Spanish Cedar. Spanish Cedar is a wood that responds well to humidity which is the goal of a humidor - keeping the cigars within the right humidity for storage.




4. If your Valentine travels a lot, a smaller travel humidor is a great gift. A travel humidor will maintain the cigars at the right humidity when your someone special is on the road.







5. A good cigar cutter is a must to get a good smoke draw. Your Valentine will thank you for this gift. Sure, your cigar smoking Valentine may bite off the end of the cigar and spit it out but how gauche. Instead, invest in a good cigar cutter for a clean cut and the best smoke draw.



6. If you want to help your Valentine quit cigarette smoking, we have electronic cigarettes. There's even a fake little puff of smoke that comes out of the end when one puffs.

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Recommended Holiday Champagne And Cigar Pairings

1. Perrier Jouet Blanc de Blanc Flower Bottle ’99 paired with Arturo Fuente Opus X Perfecxion

Wine Spectator gave this fine champagne a 90 rating. Aromas of yogurt and yeast introduce the rich, powerful ’99 Perrier Jouet Blanc de Blanc Flower Bottle, a champagne with fine density and lovely texture. 

One of the rarest and highest rated brand in the world, OpusX has a world- renowned reputation for quality and class. It is full-bodied with a rich, robust flavor.  

2. Moet & Chandon Champagne Brut Rose Imperial paired with Padron Anniversary 1964 Series “A”

The most extrovert and seductive expression of the Moet & Chandon style. This champagne reflects the richness of the region’s best vineyards. Instantly seductive. Wine Spectator Rating: 91. 

A box-pressed cigar with a very even burn and a lush draw that saturates the entire palate with complex layers of spice, nut and wood flavors before a toasty finish.  

3. Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvee paired with Davidoff Zino Platinum Crown Series Rocket

The Bollinger style is always rich, with an intensity of flavor. Wine Enthusiast Rating: 94, Wine Spectator Rating: 93.

A thick torpedo that smokes well, forming a large, solid ash as it burns. It starts out papery but warms to show some nutty and savory notes. A light, mild- to medium-bodied cigar.  

4. Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut ’98 paired with Montecristo White Churchill

Elegant vintage, classy and refined, with notes of tobacco and leather. The finish is light, with a hint of herbal tea. Wine Spectator Rating: 92. $59.99.

Creamy, mild and smooth, the Montecristo White is a favorite for aficionados who appreciate a complex smoke without an overwhelming amount of strength.

5. Domaine Carneros Brut Rose paired with Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Illusion

A top choice by Connoisseurs Guide, the NV Dom Carneros Brut Rose Cuvée de la Pompadour celebrates the life and times of Madame de Pompadour (the great courtesan and mistress of Louis XV) who is credited with introducing champagne to the court. 

A thin, pressed cigar that is dark and oily with a lush draw. The flavors are woody and toasty with some peppery notes, citrus zest and a coffee finish. 

6. Deutz Champagne Brut Classic paired with Macanudo 1968 Toro

The distinctive house style that has made Champagne Deutz one of the most respected of all Champagne houses, is reflected in this fine non-vintage champagne. Wine Enthusiast Rating: 93. 

A dark cigar with lots of cedar flavors. The Toro’s taste is complemented by significant notes of toast as well as black cherry. 

7. Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label paired with Rocky Patel Decade The Forty Six

Clicquot’s signature non-vintage Brut, loved for its crisp, full flavors, consistent quality and bright yellow label. It has a persistent sparkle and elegance. 

Short and box-pressed with even combustion and a full draw, this cigar is spicy and meaty with sweet, woody notes and a coffee bean finish. Medium bodied and well balanced.  

8. Chandon Spark Pinot Noir Brut Reserve paired with CAO LX2 Toro
Wine Enthusiast called this vintage “one of the best Chandon bubblies.” Rating: 93 

The Cao is a dark, solidly rolled cigar. The draw gives some resistance but, after savory first puffs, layers the palate with leather and coffee bean notes that usher in sweetness. 

www.palmdeserttobacco.com