However, in addition to knowing all the “latest and greatest,” a well-trained tobacconist will have a solid understanding of all aspects of premium handmade cigars (and other tobacco products as well).

This takes study.

There have been a great many books written about premium cigars.  Some of these cigar books are outstanding and will take their rightful place as classics, some are strictly utilitarian, and a few are outright lousy.

Below is a downloadable list of the cigar related books that I keep in my personal library.  I can say that although there is no book in this list that does not contain at least one piece of useful information about premium handmade cigars, some are clearly better researched and written than others.

Over the coming months, I will begin reviewing these books for CigarCaptain.com and rating them using a 5 Star system.

I hope that you will find this list of books a useful resource as you further your appreciation of fine, handmade, premium cigars!

Good smoking!

Marty Klausmeier
Managing Editor, CigarCaptain.com

Download “A Cigar Smoker’s Recommended Reading List” (.PDF file)

From writer/director James Orr and hosted by Cigar Aficionado author and editor James Suckling, Cigars: The Heart and Soul of Cuba was released mere months ago.

Chronicling Suckling’s trek across Cuba in search of the answer to why Cuban cigars are “the best cigars in the world,” the movie runs just shy of one hour.  Featuring great photography and incredible scenes from across the island, this movie promises to be a great watch.

Coming next week, our review of “Cigars: The Heart and Soul of Cuba,” in On the Smokey Screen.

Stay tuned!

Don Jaime Partagas, creator of the original Cuban Partagas cigars, is shown in this portrait painted in Cuba around 1850.  The Partagas factory in Havana, Cuba founded and built by Partagas to produce his namesake cigars still stands and is in operation today.  The factory is considered by Cuban travel experts to be one of the “must see” stops during a trip to Cuba.

Today, you can enjoy a Partagas cigar from the Dominican Republic.  Considered by many aficionados to be among the finest Dominican cigars, the Partagas features an aged, African Cameroon wrapper and a medium bodied Dominican filler blend.  Add to this a zesty, Mexican binder and you have a cigar that maintains a wonderful medium body with loads of spice and cedar scents.

One of my favorite pairings is a cold can of beer and a Partagas No. 4, a 5″ by 38 ring corona.  Great on a warm summer day!

You can find great deals on Partagas cigars at Mike’s Cigars of Miami…

I first tried this technique about three years ago when I put some Tabak Especial robustos into a used Starbucks bag to see if the coffee aroma of the cigars would increase.  Well, after a few months in the coffee bag and another month resting, these cigars were the like a double espresso straight up and a punch in the mouth.  The coffee aroma had increased profoundly and the smoke developed a thickness and richness the originals didn’t have.

After my initial success, I decided to try the experiment with some non-infused cigars as a substrate.  Since it’s the oil that coats the interiors of used coffee bags that convey the aromas to the cigars, I selected a cigar with a thick, dark Connecticut shade wrapper and a mild/medium profile, the Nick’s Sticks robusto natural by Perdomo.

It is important to use a cigar with a thicker wrapper since the leaf will be in direct contact with the coffee oils inside the bag.  Cigars with thin, fine wrapper leaves may not take to being wetted by the coffee bean oils and run the risk of splitting.  It is equally important to use a coffee bag that contained whole bean coffee not ground beans.  Using a bag that contained ground beans will result in grounds becoming stuck to the cigar and a huge mess!

To make your own, coffee infused premium cigars, just follow these simple steps:

Begin by assembling your supplies:

Coffee bags and cigars for making coffee infused premium cigars

One used, coffee bag  from whole bean coffee (either zip top or roll close top)

One large (quart sized) heavy duty zip lock bag

Cigars, preferably a mild to medium line with a heavier wrapper

Permanent marker for labeling your cigars

You can use either a roll top (left) or zip lock (right) coffee bag. Whole bean coffee only!

The first step is to remove the bands from the cigars to be infused.  This will prevent the paper of the bands from becoming saturated with coffee oils and staining or soaking the wrapper leaf underneath.

Gently place the cigars into the roll top coffee bag

For the roll close type of coffee bag, gently place your cigars into the bag.  Flatten the bag to remove most of the free space around the cigars.  Do not crush the cigars!  Fold the top of the bag down until just above the ends of the cigars and close with the included metal closure.

Roll the coffee bag closed and secure with the metal closure

Tuck the rolled bag inside the labeled, quart sized zip lock storage bag and store.

Place the closed coffee bag into a labeled zip lock storage bag

If you have the zip lock type of bag, label the outside of the bag with the type of the cigars you are infusing and the date the process started.

For a zip lock type bag, label with the date and brand and place cigars gently inside

Gently place your cigars in the coffee bag and carefully express the majority of the air from the bag.  Seal the bag fully.

Remove most of the air from the bag and close the zip closure

The oils inside the coffee bag will maintain an appropriate humidity level as they infuse the cigars so long as they are sealed airtight.  I have found that after approximately 6-8 weeks, the cigars will have absorbed about as much coffee flavor and aroma as they will from the process.

The finished products ready for a few months rest

At this point, I like to remove the cigars from the bags and store them in labeled zip lock type storage bags.  I store my finished cigars in the sealed bags inside one of my “cool-a-dor’s” and find that sealed, they maintain good humidity for at least 6 months.

As some have pointed out in response to part one of this series, this is a time intensive process suited to the cigar hobbyist rather than the casual smoker.

However, with the looming FDA regulation of premium cigars and the very real threat to flavored and infused cigars, these techniques could prove valuable should the day come when you can no longer purchase premium, flavored or infused cigars.

Good smoking everyone!

Marty K.

Under the new law, cigarette, chewing tobacco, “roll your own” tobacco, and cigars of any kind, including premium cigars and Cuban cigars may not differentiate their product on the packaging with anything more than the name of the brand and its “variant”.  Within the plain packaging, individual units are not labeled, named, or in any other way made distinguishable from other brands.

The article, which addresses the legal challenges the law faces is written by two gentlemen from the legal profession, not physicians, and is the first that I have seen that shows the actual, new packaging….

Examples of Australia's "plain packaging" for tobacco products; copyright Commonwealth of Australia. Released by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing in conjunction with the Plain Packaging Act of 2011.

I know that the text on the side of these packages is a little hard to read, so here’s what it says:

“The toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke damage your blood vessels, damage your body’s cells and attack your immune system.”

I think that it is fair to say that few people that smoke believe that the practice is healthy for them.  In fact, basic human instinct tells us not to shove a burning wad of leaves into the hole in the center of our face.  That’s why they call smoking an “acquired” taste.  However, the same can be said for alcohol, fatty foods, sugary treats, etc., etc., etc…

Do we really need to have these graphic and disturbing photo images on our cigar boxes?  Of course the answer is a resounding “NO!”  But thankfully the leaders of the health care industry and the brain trust leading the American Nanny State are here to save us…

Give me a break!

Now is the time to step up and do something!  The future of the entire premium cigars industry is seriously in jeopardy.  How much more before they simply make smoking illegal?  Moreover, what’s next?

Do the right thing, hit the Cigar Rights of America homepage, sign the petition, join the organization.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

If you don’t, who will?

Martin Klausmeier, CCT
Managing Editor, CigarCaptain.com
CRA Ambassador, Wisconsin, USA

Join Cigar Rights of America today.

Sign the petition to support H.R. 1639 / S. 1461 and SAVE OUR SMOKES!

The La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club

Brand/Line:  La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale

Purchase date:  10/7/2011

Smoke date:  10/14/2011, 10/26/2011, 12/12/2011, 1/27/2012

Vitola:  Corona Extra

Name:  Club

Size:  5 ¾ x 47

Purchase price:  $97.05/box of 25 || $19.45/5-pack || $6.75/single

Packaging:  Cellophane wrapped singles

Country of Origin:  Dominican Republic

Wrapper:  Honduran grown Connecticut seed hybrid

Binder:  Mexico and Nicaragua (double binder)

Filler blend:  Nicaraguan and Dominican ligero plus proprietary Nicaraguan and Dominican leaf

Manufacturer:  “Team La Gloria” and El Credito Cigar Factory

Blender:  Yuri Gullieri and Michael Giannini

Distributor:  General Cigar Co.

Appearance:  The four LGC Artesanos Retro Especiale Club cigars that I smoked for this review were all wrapped in a light tan, dry wrapper that had a slightly rustic appearance and an occasional thread vein.  Two cigars had small water spots on their wrappers.  All cigars were wrapped in a left hand fashion and had well formed, rounded heads.  The antique looking band used on these cigars, combined with their outward appearance gave these cigars a “vintage” look that I love.

Construction:  The cigars felt well filled, without any appreciable soft spots.  The foot of the cigar revealed a nice mix of light and dark toned tobacco leaves.  The heads were spot on, round, and well formed.  Over all, these cigars look amazing.

Cut and light:  I opened each of the LCG’s using my Xikar Xi1 grip cutter and used either a single jet or triple jet torch to light each.  All of the cigars cut beautifully and lit easily, regardless of the lighter I used.  The initial cold draw is full and open and reveals a slightly grassy taste.

The Smoke:  Initially, the La Gloria Cubana Retro Especiale Club delivered light tobacco flavors with what I would consider a mild/medium bodied, earthy and sweet smoke.  The finish in the first portion of the cigar was very clean and on the short side.

As I neared the second third of the cigar however, the flavors and aromas really took off.  Woody, sweet smoke with spicy aromas and a richer, longer finish developed as the overall profile of the cigar became more medium/full and more tasty.  By the mid-point of the cigar the flavor profile had developed into a pleasantly spicy, sweet, medium to full bodied smoke.  Fruity notes popped in here and there as well as a slightly flinty taste, both of which complemented the overall taste and contributed to what I consider to be a relatively complex smoke.

The burn was dead-on throughout the entire smoke and even at the very end, the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club never burned hot.

Smoke time:  60 minutes

Discussion:  I received my La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club cigars back in October, 2011.  I smoked the first of the four cigars after they had had a week to rest in my review humidor.  I smoked my first LGC Artesanos Retro on a warm, fall afternoon on my deck with an unsweetened, unflavored iced tea.

What I remember most about the first cigar I smoked was the incredible flavor that was present throughout the cigar.  At one point, and I know many will disagree with this, I even thought to myself that this cigar was reminiscent of a Fuente Fuente Opus X.  I’m not suggesting that these two cigars are comparable, but the thought did cross my mind.

The second and third cigars I smoked mirrored my original experience, although the spice had mellowed slightly and woody tones became more prevalent.

I smoked my final La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club on my son’s birthday at the end of January, almost four months after I received it.  This final cigar, with the additional box time on it was a different cigar than the others.  The spicy notes not only mellowed, but had blended with the previously noted citrusy-fruity component to create a different flavor than I experienced in the first cigars.

The mellowing and blending of the flavors and aromas of the cigars that occurred over those four months lead me to believe the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club is a cigar that will continue to develop as the cigars are aged.

Why I like this cigar:  I have been a huge fan of La Gloria Cubana cigars for years and keep several of their lines in my personal collection.  When I first saw news of the new La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale line I was very excited to try it and I admit that I may have been suffering a slight case of cigar-Stolkholm syndrome as I tried the first stick.

The La Gloria Cubana Retro Especiale is a great looking cigar.  The antique looking band, the somewhat rough looking wrapper, the throwback boxes all come together to create a very appealing visual product.  The cigars have the appearance of well-aged, Cuban cigars.  And there’s a bit of the taste of old Havana in there too.

At $6.75 per stick, the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club is a reasonably priced grand corona.  At this price point, I can’t think of too many other cigars that I would place above the LGC.

For newer smokers looking to try something with a little more strength and complexity the La Gloria Cubana Retro line is a good choice that I’m sure will be enjoyed and appreciated.

Marty Klausmeier, CCT
Certified Consumer Tobacconist
Managing Editor, CigarCaptain.com

This week we conclude our survey of cigar cutting tools with the grip cutter, the “V-cutter,” and the cigar scissors and discuss the pros and cons of each.

To begin, let’s review the basic types of cutters.  Cutters can be divided into the following categories:

-          Cigar punches

-          Guillotine cutters

-          Grip cutters

-          V-cutters

-          Cigar Scissors

The Basic Types of Cigar Cutters (clockwise from top) a cigar punch, a cigar scissors, a V-cutter, a grip cutter, a double bladed guillotine cutter

Grip cutter:

The grip style cigar cutter is a relatively new addition to the world of premium cigars.  Functioning on the same basic principle as a double bladed guillotine cutter, the grip cutter features two blades contained within a housing and connected at their bases by a pivot point.

As with the guillotine cutter one uses a grip cutter by starting with a firm grip on the cigar in one hand and the opened grip cutter in the other.  Most grip cutters have a locking mechanism which, when released, opens the blades fully.

The head of the cigar is advanced into the aperture of the cutter and the blades are brought into contact with the cigar.  As with most cutters, the blades should be twisted slightly to score the wrapper leaf at the cap.  Once the wrapper is scored, a quick and decisive snap will close the blades and complete the cut.

On a personal note, my go to cutter is a Xikar XI1 grip cutter… I prefer my Platinum finish model, just saying.

[For step-by-step instructions on using a grip cutter click here]

A guillotine style cutter (left) and a grip style cutter (right)

V-cutter:

Certainly the most interesting type of cigar cutter is the “V-cutter.”  The V-cutter works by removing a wedge shaped chunk of tobacco from the head of the cigar.  The resulting cut should allow ample draw through the slit shaped opening.

There are three basic styles of V-cutter: the bench style cutter often found on the counter of brick and mortar cigar shops; the plunger style (shown below); and those with a guillotine-style frame and function such as the Montecristo Slimeline Samurai V-cutter.

Some cigar smokers shun the V-cutter as they find that the shape of the cut can lead to a build-up of tar as the cigar is smoked causing a bad taste to develop.  On the other hand, many smokers swear by the “Cross cut” that can be created by making two perpendicular cuts with a V-cutter, resulting in an X-shaped opening.

The biggest problem with V-cutter type cigar cutters is that the blade is usually fixed and as such, impossible to sharpen.  Speaking from personal experience, a dull V-cutter will not cut, and will tear the cap of the cigar rather than neatly slicing.  This will invariably result in a less than enjoyable smoke.

Finally, V-cutters can be used to open a pointed end cigar such as a torpedo, but I don’t recommend it…

[For step-by-step instructions on using a V-cutter click here]

The classic style of V-cutter uses a plunger like blade to cut the cigar cap.

Cigar scissors:

Without doubt the most elegant method of cutting a cigar is with an exquisite pair of cigar scissors.  The drama that can be created using this cigar cutting tool and the flair with which they are used can create a mystique that other cutters simply cannot replicate.

Cigar scissors are tools that are designed for the sole purpose of opening the heads of premium, handmade cigars.  With extremely sharp, curved blades the cigar scissors should be used to remove only a thin slice of tobacco from the head of round headed cigars or a small portion of the head of pointed cigars.

As with the guillotine cutter and grip cutter, the blades of the cigar scissors should be opened fully before the cigar head is introduced.  Gentle contact between the blades and the cigar followed by a slight twist will score the wrapper leaf of the cigar.  Follow the scoring, without releasing pressure on the blades, use a quick clipping to remove the remaining cap.

Cigar scissors can be sharpened either at home or by a decent hardware store.  A high quality pair of cigar scissors, like those found in the Dakota 150 count humidor and accessory package from Mike’s of Miami, is an heirloom that can be used and enjoyed by generations!

[For step-by-step instructions on using a cigar scissors click here]

Cigar scissors showing the curved inner blades.

I hope that these articles have helped you gain some insight into which type of cigar cutter most likely fits your personal style and how to properly use these tools to enjoy your premium cigars.  Odds are that over your cigar smoking career you will end up with more than one cutter; always remember that a sharp blade is needed for a perfect cut.  If your cutter isn’t up to snuff, you can find a huge selection of all types of cutters at Mike’s Cigars of Miami!

Good smoking!

Marty K.

(Read Part One of this series here…)

Cigar scissors can be used to open any vitola, rounded or pointed head, with ease.  Most cigar scissors can accommodate any ring gauge cigar further increasing their utility.  These capabilities make the cigar scissors one of the most useful tools any cigar aficionado can own.

Using a cigar scissors does take practice.  However, once you’ve mastered these simple steps, you will be able to open your cigars with flair and dazzle your cigar smoking friends.

To make a proper cut using a cigar scissors, just follow these simple steps:

Begin by placing the scissors comfortably on your hand as you would any other scissors.  Open the scissors completely.

Place the scissors on your hand comfortably and open completely

With a firm grip on the cigar, introduce the head of the cigar into the opening of the scissors until only the very end is in the cutting path of the blades.  Remember, you only want to remove a thin slice of the wrapper leaf from the head of the cigar!

Hold the cigar firmly and introduce the head into the opening of the cigar scissors.

Bring the blades of the scissors into contact with the wrapper leaf covering the head of the cigar and with gentle pressure and a slight twist of the wrist, score the leaf with the blades of the scissors.

Bring the blades into contact with the wrapper and twist slightly to score the wrapper leaf.

Without releasing pressure on the blades, snap the cigar scissors closed completing the cut.

Maintain pressure on the blades of the cigar scissors and snap closed swiftly

Open the cigar scissors and allow the cut end to fall away.  The cut from a cigar scissors should leave a wide opening in the head of the cigar and an ample draw.

The finished cut made by a proper cut using a cigar scissors

With practice, with a cigar scissors you will be able to perform surgically precise cuts when opening your premium cigars.  Like Tom Cruise in “Cocktail,” you can swing your scissors from your fingertips, spin them in dazzling circles, and even flip them from hand to hand, creating an almost mystic air to your opening efforts.

Keep in mind the basics when using a cigar scissors; do not cut below the shoulder of the cigar as this will cause the wrapper to unravel ruining your smoke, score the leaf at the head prior to cutting to prevent tearing, and use a quick, firm snap when you close your scissors to complete the cut.

Good smoking!

Marty K.

Recently the Aging Room M356 line by the Oliveros Cigar Company received an outstanding “94″ rating from Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar Insider.  The M356 line is a new, limited run production composed of all Dominican ligero tobaccos which were originally reserved for a different production.  The limited quantities of these fine leaves did not yield sufficient amounts for the originally planned run so the leaves were stored.  Only now, through the magic of brand owners Rafael Nodal and Hank Bischoff, have these leaves found their rightful place in the M356 line.

Follow along with me as I smoke my way through the entire line-up of Aging Room M356 cigars and Oliveros’ other award winner, SWAG Puro Dominicano…

The Aging Room M356 line-up: Presto, Rondo, Mezzo, and Major

The SWAG line-up includes the Lavish, Quickie, Infamous, Fierce, and Ego.

Don’t they look tasty?

Marty K.

To properly cut a premium cigar with a V-cutter, you must start with a sharp instrument then follow these simple instructions.  (Note: if you have a guillotine style V-cutter such as the Montecristo Slimline Samurai V-cutter, follow the basic  instructions for using a guillotine cutter here.)

Caution:  V-cutters do not usually do a good job cutting pointed head cigars, proceed at your own risk!

A closer look at the business end of a V-cutter and its blade.

Begin with a firm grasp of the cigar in one hand.  Grip the V-cutter with the other as illustrated in the photo below.

Grasp the V-cutter in one hand as shown in the photo and the cigar in the other.

Line the head of the cigar up with the opening at the end of the cutter, not he side holes.  (The holes on the sides are designed to cut pointed head cigars, but usually tear the wrappers.  Again, proceed here at your own risk!)

Place the head of the cigar fully into the opening of the V-cutter.

Introduce the head of the cigar into the opening of the V-cutter as far as it will go, gently.

Holding the cigar straight, quickly plunge the blade through the head of the cigar.

When using a V-cutter, unlike other cutters, scoring the wrapper leaf with the blades is not possible.  To make a proper cut, always apply swift, firm pressure with follow through to complete the cut.

Finally, release the blade and allow the plug of cut tobacco to fall free.  Blowing over the cut surface gently will help dislodge any tobacco fragments left by the cutting blade.

Release the blade mechanism and let the cut plug of tobacco fall away.

When sharp, the V-cutter creates a more than adequate opening in most cigars.  For those cigar aficionados who prefer this style cutter, there is no equal.  Many smokers are discovering the “Cross-cut” method, which creates an “X” shaped opening in the head of a cigar using two perpendicular slices with a good, quality V-cutter.  This cut is especially effective with some of today’s 60+ ring gauge cigars!

As always, remember not to cut below the shoulder of your cigar or the wrapper will unroll; use quick and decisive pressure and follow through the cut for a perfect V-cut every time.

Good smoking!

Marty K.