Cigars 101-How to Smoke a Cigar!
By Randy "Tank" Tantlinger
OK sweetheart, if you want to look like some backwoods hick; then keeping smoking your $12.00 cigar like a rookie! However, if you'd like to learn a little something; then pour yourself a smooth Hendricks gin and tonic and listen up. The Ole' Tanker gonna educate you about the basics.
1.) Whats in a cigar? The tobacco plant has several leafs per plant. Some leafs get thrown away. The others comprise the cigar. There are three layers of leafs.
The Filler: The middle of the cigar. There are two leafs used as the filler. The “Secco” leaf is the thinnest and mildest and holds the body, Second is the “Ligero” leaf it is stretchy, thick leaf and holds together well. Most of the nutrients in a cigar are in these leafs. Here is where your robust flavors, aromas and spices are found. It's the heart and soul of a fine cigar.
The Binder: This leaf is thick and stretchy. It wraps around the our fillers. After the binder is wrapped; the cigar is placed in a hand press.
Wrapper: The roller wraps the delicate wrapper leaves around the Filler and Binder leaves.
2.) What are sizes , shapes and gauges?
By all accounts there are well over 21 sizes of cigars ranging from small to extra large. Best known are: (Smallest) is Nub ,Corona, Robusto , Bellicosa, Churchhill to Diadema (Extra Large)
3.) What are ring gauges gauges? The cigar gauge is the diameter of the cigar. It is broken into 64th's of an inch. The bigger the gauge the rounder it is and the longer the cigar will burn. I nice Diadema 60 Gauge will burn about two hours. A small 4 inch 42 gauge Corona maybe 30 minutes.
4.) How do I cut a cigar?
A.) Cut: The “Cap” is the rounded edge on a cigar. Do not cup the whole cap off; the cigar will unwrap! Make a small cut at the tip of the cap; leaving most of the cap in place.
B.) Punch: The punch puts a hole through the cap and allows and nice smooth draw.
5.) How do I light or “toast” a cigar?
This is important. If you light it wrong it will burn uneven. Get yourself a nice lighter. Do not put the cigar in your mouth. Roll the cigar in your hand as you let the flame dance around the edges of the cigar. Do this for a minute. Then blow on the cigar. Again roll the cigar and let the flame dance on the edges and the body of the cigar for another 30 seconds to a minute. Blow again on the cigar until you see glowing red amber all the way around the diameter. Now take a few gentle puffs to allow the heat and smoke begin to work through the cigar and unleash the flavors of the filler leafs. Now enjoy!
6.) How do I hold a cigar while smoking?
If you watch most old school cigar manufacturers from Miami or central America you will see that they hold their cigar vertically when they aren't smoking. This allows the cigar to continue to burn from the tip up and to continue the smooth, even, slow burn.
7.) How long should I let the ash get?
The ash is a sign of quality. A well rolled cigar will have a long, long ash. Maybe even as long as an inch or two. With that said, it's your choice on how long that ash can get. I have a bad habit of smoking until its falls off and Genesis and Phil Collins are exploding through my speakers and ash goes flying all over the leather seats of the Mitsubishi 3000-GT and they get into my tumbler of ice cold Hendricks gin with lemon and lime. I drink it anyway; it adds flavor!
8.) What do I do with the ring wrapper label?
If you are over the age of 8 and you are still trying to “impress people” then leave the label on and go see a shrink loser! Otherwise, take the ring label OFF!
9.) How do I age and store my cigars?
70% humidity is the exact ingredient to age your cigars to perfection. Like a fine wine cigars only get better with time. Aged five years a cigar should be at it's peak of flavor. Anything beyond ten years and it's flavors are weak and mild. Store them in a nice cedar humidor that you can monitor at 70% humidity. Keep them out of direct light and they will always be a friend you can turn to in times of sorrow, joy, laughter and even tears!
OK, there's my two cents on how to look like a pro and not a “shamoe” while smoking a cigar. Tank out!
TANK'S REVIEWS
BERGER&ARGENTI:
Their ENTUBAR is a cornacopia of flavor and a damn good smoke!
Here's what their website reads:
"ENTUBAR® is a full-bodied, super-premium cigar brand that merges ‘Old World’ cigar making with ‘New World’ innovation. ENTUBAR® is a truly unique creation that pays tribute to the time-honored Cuban cigar making technique known as ‘entubar’ while also establishing an innovative patent-pending process of cigar manufacturing not seen in the premium cigar industry before.
Each deeply aged Nicaraguan filler leaf is carefully rolled into itself creating delicate ‘scrolls’ of rich, flavorful tobacco. This age-old method ensures open chambers of air flow from the foot to the head of the cigar, creating a superior draw. What makes this new brand stand apart from all others is the revolutionary manufacturing process and appearance of the ENTUBAR® cigar. The ligero tobacco that lend the cigar its unique full body is bunched independently before being ‘re-bunched’ directly into the center of the remaining ‘entubar’ rolled filler blend. This ligero ‘channel’ ranges the full length of the cigar and extends ¼” beyond the finished trimmed foot, creating a startlingly unique ‘fuse like’ appearance that virtually assures a perfect conical burn, long white ash and a rich, complex mosaic of flavors directly focused to the aficionado’s palate. Due to the meticulous small batch production of ENTUBAR®, only a limited number of tobacconists are authorized as ENTUBAR® merchants in the United States.
COSTA RICAN:
“Costa Rica-Pura Vida-The Good Life”
Costa Rican cigars are “Pura Vida”. “Never smoked em'”, you say? In this case ignorance is not bliss! Your ignorance is inexcusable and keeping you from enjoying the best that man and earth has to offer! You may inquire, “Tank, if they are so damn good; why haven't I heard of em'?” Good question Bozo! The vast majority of Costa Rican manufacturers are “boutique” shops. Meaning they don't pump out hundreds of thousands of cigars a year; then spend millions on ad campaigns. No, they are just simple mom and pop operations that “hand craft” each and every cigar with love, caring and understanding. They only make a limited number of premium cigars per year. Do your taste buds a huge “flavor-favor” and fill your humidor with these delicious treats.
There are two reasons C.R. cigars are so incredible. 1.) The Soil. CR has over 100 different "micro-climates" ranging from dry and dusty to tropical rain forests. Combine these various regions with volcanic nutrient rich soil, cocoa beans, water, and environment and you get the best soil to grow tobacco. 2.) The Seeds and the Growers! "Pre-Castro"; ever hear the term? Simply put, "novice" cigar smokers assume that "Cuban Cigars" are the best on the planet. 60 years ago before the communist scumbag team of "F. Castro" & "Che Gorilla" murdered and enslaved the good people of Cuba ; Cuban cigars were the best in the world. IE: "Pre-Castro". Today Cuban soil is depleted and the linage of the original seeds has been lost due to lack of proper care. All that is left is the legacy. If you want to impress your pals; give them a C.R. cigar and then tell them why the are the best!
Generations of tobacconists worked hard to cultivate the land in Cuba to blend the world's most awesome cigars. After Castro's “military junta” many tobacconists fled the county for the freedom of C. R. With them they brought the knowledge of how to grow, blend and master premium cigars.
Most importantly they also brought with them “Pre-Castro” tobacco seeds! The genetic identity of these seeds is traceable back 200 years ago to Cuba's hay-day as the world's best cigar crafters! The purity and germination of these seeds is the soul of the C. R. cigar!
“Basic to all agronomic endeavors is seed”, says Dr. F.B/ Ledeboer, V.P. Of Agronomy and Research at Loftis Pedigreed Seeds Inc. You gonna argue with him sweetheart?
Today we benefit from the nutrient rich volcanic soil of C. R. combined with the knowledge of the world's best cigar craftsmen and “Pre-Castro” seeds.
Now, let's lite em' up!
If smoothness, taste and aroma are your desire; then look no further than these treats! If you buy cigars on line and have been left disappointed; then worry no more! These are premium limited production and hand crafted to perfection! Most major manufacturers are getting product to market in short order and they compromise product integrity. Not “Bucs” they age their leafs 5 years! “Bucs” are blended from a variety of tobaccos and they smoke “Purge Free”. Meaning, when you "re-light" a “Buc” you resume the smoothness and softness like it was your very first puff! Try all their cigars! I like the “Treasures of Costa Rica Puro”/ “92” Rating. “Bucs” are premium hand rolled cigars at great prices! Try one of their 22 blends.
http://www.bucanerocigars.com/
BRUN del RE
“Brun del Re's” traces their cigar manufacturing roots to Italy. Today the family has their store/factory, “Mundo de los Puros”, in C.R. They craft four distinct and magnificent cigars labels. Each is hand rolled with the highest quality tobacco leaves to satisfy the taste buds of a variety of cigar enthusiasts. The “Premium”, “Gold”, “Colonial”, and “Connesuer” come in four sizes: Churchill, Torpedo, Robusto and Corona. Class and elegance combine with a rich and varied cornucopia of dazzling flavors in each puff. If your peace of mind is found beneath the silence of the stars, a glass of chardonnay and a fine cigar; then you simply must become a good friend of the “Brun del Re” family of cigars.
http://www.brundelrecigars.com/
VEGAS de SANTIAGO:
For eighty years in the mountains of Puriscal, C. R. “Vegas de Santiago” has been crafting mystical hand rolled cigars. With reverence and respect each leaf is grown and cultivated. Here the union of the seed and volcanic rich nutrients of the earth make love. Their passion birth's the world's tastiest tobacco leaves! You will spend years discovering the pleasures of each of the blends. “Capa Connecticut” is a suave and even burning smoke. “Capa H2000-Claro” is a light Habano style, very aromatic and tasty. “Capa H 2000-Oscuro” is very smooth, with warm undertones of earthy spices and chocolate! And for the ultimate in decadence enjoy “Equadorian H2000” and see if it doesn't measure up to a Partagas! And these are only the beginning! http://www.vegassantiago.com/
Don Benigno Cigars:
"Don Benigno fled Cuba ten years ago and moved to San Jose, Costa Rica.
Benigno Arronte-Millo was was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba in the 1950s. Pinar Del Rio, right in the middle of the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba, is known as the international capital of tobacco cultivation. Pre-revolution Cuba had hundreds of cigar factories throughout the country. One of these factories, Ceniza (Spanish for ash), was owned by Benigno's grandfather. Benigno, at a very young age, was involved in Cuba's tobacco world!", wrote True Cigars.com
Here's the deal. I'm not going to review each of his cigars. I have smoked them all! Trust me! It's simple! Log onto http://www.benignocigars.com Order the Don's cigars!
Want to experience the best golf and cigars on the planet? Log onto www.costaricangolfadventures.com and tell my pal Landy Blank you want to come and visit. He'll hook you up good brother. Tell him “Tank” Tantlinger told you to call. Until later baby, “Pura Vida”.
NICARAGUA:
"LA AROMA DE CUBA"
La Aroma de Cuba is one of the world's best selling boutique cigar brands, originally distributed by Ashton, the brand is now made under the close supervision of Don Pepin Garcia, one of Nicaragua's best manufacturers.
Only a big name in cigars like Don Pepin Garcia can rejuvenate a brand like La Aroma de Cuba, a famous turn of the century Cuban brand made famous, in part, by Sir Winston Churchill who often described the cigar as one of his favorites. Using Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos, La Aroma de Cuba is one of the most popular boutique brands coming out of Nicaragua.
Although regularly enjoyed by celebrities, heads of state, and world leaders, the blend keeps cigar lovers all over the world coming back for more. Enthusiasts have come to expect unmatched consistency from the brand, each box tasting the same as the last. In past issues of Cigar Aficionado, the brand was recognized for its quality and flavor, receiving 93 ratings. Make no mistake, Pepin elevated this brand to a whole other level as it offers almost identical characteristics found in the original blend, except with a richer flavor and a more pronounced finish.
Rock and Rollin. Smokin and Puffin!
By Randy "Tank" Tantlinger
"Hello baby, I'm gone, goodbye. Half a cup of rock and rye. Farewell to you old southern sky. I'm on my way - on my way"
"Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo-Grateful Dead Circa 1972"
Yeah Baby, I'm on way way out the door to the Dominican Republic. But before I go I gotta tell ya about some gold I done found sweethart! Golf season is winding down, football season is kicking off. But Babydoll I can love my cigars 365! And that includes Christmas morning.I'll tell you what, if I was to open a nicely wrapped gift box of La Aroma de Cubas I'd be a happy boy! Throw in Ms. September of Playboy fame and I'm set for the day.
Here's what the boys over at Ashton Cigar, the blenders of this fine smoke are saying.
"La Aroma de Cuba is one of the world's best selling boutique cigar brands, originally distributed by Ashton, the brand is now made under the close supervision of Don Pepin Garcia, one of Nicaragua's best manufacturers.
Only a big name in cigars like Don Pepin Garcia can rejuvenate a brand like La Aroma de Cuba, a famous turn of the century Cuban brand made famous, in part, by Sir Winston Churchill who often described the cigar as one of his favorites. Using Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos, La Aroma de Cuba is one of the most popular boutique brands coming out of Nicaragua.
Although regularly enjoyed by celebrities, heads of state, and world leaders, the blend keeps cigar lovers all over the world coming back for more. Enthusiasts have come to expect unmatched consistency from the brand, each box tasting the same as the last. In past issues of Cigar Aficionado, the brand was recognized for its quality and flavor, receiving 93 ratings. Make no mistake, Pepin elevated this brand to a whole other level as it offers almost identical characteristics found in the original blend, except with a richer flavor and a more pronounced finish."
Five difrent sziez and gauges from Churchill to my favorite fatboy the "Imenssa" are hand rolled. The incredible richness, texture and flavours will explode in your mouth and dance on your tongue. If you ever saw and heard Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead blend a thousand rythems and sounds into a tapesrty of splendour; then you now have a comparision to the La aroma de Cuba. Log onto www.ashtoncigars.com to order them.
Gotta say with 2010 winding down and my end of year review around the corner; the race is on between the Vegas de Santiago Costa Rican Blends and now the La Aromas!
TEA PARTY CIGARS!
http://www.teapartycigars.com/
I love smoke filled and tax free air!
by
Randy "Tank" Tantlinger
Taxes! Taxes! Taxes! Dear goodness the next thing you know the government will be taxing the air we breath. I can see it now...."OK, Mrs. Smith please step onto the scale. Good, very good 185lbs. Now please breath into this. Thank you. Nice, very nice. OK, one last thing please run ten minutes on this tread mill. Thank you", Nurse Cratchect would say.
Then , "OK, based upon our 'hyper-inflated income to expenditure to the consumption amount of oxygen formula' supplied by the government; we have concluded that your 'Official Oxygen Tax for 2011' will be $5.00 a day", says the IRS Man as you head out the Doctor's office door!
Enough with the Taxes! Pay your own way Nancy! So in response to all the crazy taxes and government oversite ; the boys at Blackcat Cigars have launched their own revolt in the form of the "Tea Party Cigar".
These revolutionary babies are a deep, dark Maduro that make a bold statement. Their lovely aroma combines with a delicate smoke. No need to flick that ash boys; she's wrapped just right and tight! A "52 Ring" makes this bad boy thick and fat; just the way I like my ladies! The filler is a Honduran leaf and the Binder is from the jungles of Nicaragua.
Hit up their website at www.teapartycigars.com or give them a call at 1-800-220-9850.
Here's what the distributor has to say:
"In 1773, George Washington, Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson and others met and formulated the type of government that they wanted for the new nation they hoped to create. What we now have is NOT the government our forefathers created with its big government, high unfair taxes, and the government involved in most every aspect of our private lives.
Today is the time to contemplate and effectuate the changes necessary to return America to a position that truly enables us to pursue 'life, liberty, and happiness". The best way to accomplish this is at the ballot box. The next best way is by firing up a Tea Party Cigar.
While smoking your Tea Party Cigar, you can contemplate what has gone wrong and how you might fix our government.
The Tea Party Cigar is handmade by world-renowned Nestor Plasencia. Medium to full-bodied with a bold, rich taste and hearty aroma, the Tea Party Cigar features perfectly aged tobaccos that will give you pleasure cigar after cigar."
So smoke up boys while the air is still tax free!
Oh, by the way. Look for my Golfin' Around TV Show on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area this Summer. Check out my website at www.golfingaround.com
I love smoke filled and tax free air!
by
Randy "Tank" Tantlinger
Taxes! Taxes! Taxes! Dear goodness the next thing you know the government will be taxing the air we breath. I can see it now...."OK, Mrs. Smith please step onto the scale. Good, very good 185lbs. Now please breath into this. Thank you. Nice, very nice. OK, one last thing please run ten minutes on this tread mill. Thank you", Nurse Cratchect would say.
Then , "OK, based upon our 'hyper-inflated income to expenditure to the consumption amount of oxygen formula' supplied by the government; we have concluded that your 'Official Oxygen Tax for 2011' will be $5.00 a day", says the IRS Man as you head out the Doctor's office door!
Enough with the Taxes! Pay your own way Mrs. Pelosi!!!! So in response to all the crazy taxes and government oversite ; the boys at Blackcat Cigars have launched their own revolt in the form of the "Tea Party Cigar".
These revolutionary babies are a deep, dark Maduro that make a bold statement. Their lovely aroma combines with a delicate smoke. No need to flick that ash boys; she's wrapped just right and tight! A "52 Ring" makes this bad boy thick and fat; just the way I like my ladies! The filler is a Honduran leaf and the Binder is from the jungles of Nicaragua.
Hit up their website at www.teapartycigars.com or give them a call at 1-800-220-9850.
Here's what the distributor has to say:
"In 1773, George Washington, Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson and others met and formulated the type of government that they wanted for the new nation they hoped to create. What we now have is NOT the government our forefathers created with its big government, high unfair taxes, and the government involved in most every aspect of our private lives.
Today is the time to contemplate and effectuate the changes necessary to return America to a position that truly enables us to pursue 'life, liberty, and happiness". The best way to accomplish this is at the ballot box. The next best way is by firing up a Tea Party Cigar.
While smoking your Tea Party Cigar, you can contemplate what has gone wrong and how you might fix our government.
The Tea Party Cigar is handmade by world-renowned Nestor Plasencia. Medium to full-bodied with a bold, rich taste and hearty aroma, the Tea Party Cigar features perfectly aged tobaccos that will give you pleasure cigar after cigar."
So smoke up boys while the air is still tax free!
Oh, by the way. Look for my Golfin' Around TV Show on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area this Summer. Check out my website at www.golfingaround.com