Why Do You Smoke?

 Following many threads on the web, reddit et cetera I notice a bunch of reason people are smoking cigars for a variety of reasons.

It's a hobby to some.
A relaxation tool. A poor reason im my mind. The act may relieve stress but nicotine certainly doesn't.*

An act for special occasions. A birth, a death or graduation.

The Act
*And then I found myself slowing down to smoke. I'm reading or listening to music, no text messages, no Facebook. Wait...I'm not talking back to the television?

Pick a stick. Clean it up - remove cellophane and band(s). To some the band is a sign of something. Bragging?
Cut or punch the end. And then light it, inspect the burn and relight if needed.  The clock has moved and my mind is at ease, mellow.

And then depending on the length it can last half a day or more.

Still not inhaling? Check. No blowing shapes of smoke as a sport. 
If I need solitude I leave the fans off so the smoke chases people away.

So I guess I enjoy the smell, the act and the peace of doing little brings.

Why do you smoke?

What drew you in and what keeps you coming back for another?

Lemme know below.

Cheapness, No Not Zappa

 I smoke inexpensively. It's a must.
So I look for and find the least expensive smokes made by man. And with the truism, you get what you pay for, I get some less than desirable. But surprisingly many are good. Really good.

I scour and found "Black Abyss." Alls forms, Torpedo, Churchill, et cetera. Two style of wrappers, Connecticut or Dark - Dominican & Nicaraguan.

They don't go out.

They possess a deep chewy taste, think dark beer.

Cheap, two bucks a stick. Hell, the shipping was as much as five of them.

They smell amazing. The room reminded me immediately of my older relatives and their cigars. I think the aroma was what first drew me in.

Cons:

The bands, two of them stick to the wrapper tearing it when removed.

The wrap of the Connecticuts is loose. A lot of air.

The wrap on the rest is tight.

Today's smokers are much younger (well, everyone is) and see cigars in a different light. Like language they shape the future leaving us old farts behind.
This isn't a hobby to me. It's a very enjoyable discipline. I don't look for, "pairings," what drink goes with which smoke. I've learned to have a sugary drink. Sugar counteracts the nicotine reducing or relieving nicotine poisoning. 

Another goody for the cheapness in me.

"I need a little more cheepness please."
F.Zappa

Postscript
The inexpensive lighter I bought in January is running fine. And I learned the draw enhancer is actually a stick pin to hold the cigar allowing you to enjoy it to the very last.

Thickness Counts

 I recently went through a few cigar samplers and they had relatively thin to El Gordo.
And I've decided that I enjoy fatter sticks.
Not the, 'you need a fist to hold it' thick but generally thicker is better, to me.

They are wrapped more tightly for the most part. They burn more slowly and the wafting smoke is the taste rather than overpowering after an exhale.

Yes, subjective to be sure.

What's called 'full body cast' at Boneshaker. The exhale is full of flavor, no burn. And a funny aside - I use the draw enhancer to savor every last drop from these cigars.

Length is not a factor...yet. A nub or a Churchill works for me.I'm not the type to calculate how much smoke time I have. It's all a calculus of flavor. Which particular flavor works at the moment.

I've also taken to V cuts at the cap. It tends to leave more cigar and allows the smoke through a more narrow opening. Taste over smoke volume.

If you feel otherwise I would very much like to hear it.

Boneshaker Boneyard

Five pack,  torpedo form and dark.  6 x 5.2
In beer speak, these are chewy. 

Forget the flavor adjectives, these taste like tobacco. Thick and woody. They linger hard and long, so watch out if anyone in your circle doesn't enjoy the smell. They are strong.

They make for large intact ash. If the wrap, its tightness, impress then you'll like this a lot.

Very inexpensive, $11 for five. With shipping, $4.25 a piece. 'Cheap' fits. Worth every penny.
Eminently a nice smoke that'll impress no one but the smoker or a real tobacco enthusiast.

Lets face it, there is a ton of attached snobbery with cigars nowadays. If you don't smoke a pedigree or use a bic lighter you'll be dismissed.
I like what I like and care very little for backslapping elevation of the practice. Or habit. I'm reminded of the old saw,"I've been smoking three a day for forty years and I'm not addicted yet."

I really enjoyed these and will be buying them again.

Oliva Blends 3

 

Oliva is known for one off runs. Basing production on a varying number of leaves means new cigars each year. It's normal for the production runs to be small and therefore very hard to find. Improved growing techniques have made for large enough runs that they are available for us to enjoy.

Dark Robustos, light Churchills, and more. Made with broadleaf USA wrappers all with unique taste and a well done uniform construction.

I recently picked up an Oliva sampler. Five smokes of different sizes and tastes. $18 + shipping.
Allow me to start with a dark Robusto 5.0" x 50.

They are tightly rolled to maintain an even burning experience. 

They look inviting. The aroma unlit is dark and woody. Surprisingly mild too.
Once lit they are creamy, full taste with an nice draw. As the smell fills the room it expands and is easily noticeable. 

Rather than my wifes normal reaction, she almost enjoyed this. There is a small almost menthol bite to it. It isn't overwhelmingly thick or harsh. A fragrant layer of outer the wrapper combined with the fine Nicaraguan blend of Habano seed, ligero tobacco makes for a fine smoke.

Like everything else these days, the price for a cigar has risen substantially. To pick up a good cigar for around $12 seems a bargain. 

I'm guessing that I'll enjoy the rest of the sampler. I'll let you know, more to follow.

Years ago, lighters began to evolve. Hi-tech took hold. They became windproof, more efficient and very expensive.
Fast forward to today and the knockoff market has exploded and actually produce nice hardware for one fifth of the pricey originals.
They no longer copy looks to deceive customers (Well, some still do), in fact they are trying to innovate. And I say trying because the current vogue is to cram as many cigar related tools as possible.

Look at this third of a pound monster, 136 grams. It's a virtual swiss army knife for cigars. A circular punch, 'draw enhancer' - a rod to drive a tunnel and a cutter. A fuel window, flip top cover that acts as a holder when closed. Oh yeah, a windproof twin jet lighter, that's light on the use of butane.

$24.50? There's a voice saying, "it'll break or something," Again I'll let you know.

I'm Back - JR Cigars Alternative Montecristo Eduro Five Pack

Short version.

I drank myself into a wheelchair. I now have a new set of challenges. Blogging faded.

Now I've learned and adapted enough to appreciate a nice smoke again.

Along with eggs the price of cigars has climbed a good forty percent since 2016; the last time I was here. So I restart this blog with my search for inexpensive yet decent smokes. Right?

JR Cigars of North Carolina was carrying the least expensive cigars of five sites that I explored.

An  Alternative Montecristo Eduro Five Pack for $13.99 (tobacco tax & shipping - $25.42)

First is a pet peeve.
When you pack an item you surround it, all six side with packing material. Nowadays it is the practice to place the item in the container and then add packing material. Leaving one side in contact with the outer wall of the box subject to damage.

Secondly I feel $9.99 to ship five cigars a bit excessive.

The smoke is 5.25 x 54 - a fair size. Dark in color. It's ad states,
"They are medium to full in body and loaded with mouthwatering flavors that are reminiscent of the real thing; they’re as close as you're going to get to the real deal without breaking the bank. JR Cigar is the ultimate place to buy premium cigars online."

I taste coffee. It's thick and mellow. JR rated the strength as a five out of ten. Since I haven't had any nicotine in three years I expected a rush of nicotine poisoning. There's been none.

The wrap was sloppy and dried out, not unexpected in an inexpensive smoke in an unsealed plastic tube. I'll moisten the others before consuming.

It is also more air than leaf, the wrap is loose fitting. For five dollars and eight cents, it's exactly what I expected. Inexpensive which means flaws and yet tastes good, draws easily, stays lit with long periods of inactivity.

Would I buy them again, yes.
Would I subscribe, no. Another pet peeve, another column.

12/16/2024

Victor Sinclair 55 Series Blue Label Maduro Churchill

Strong aroma, earthy smells that are harder than usual to identify.

From another site, this description:
"These babies are handcrafted with a blend of premium long fillers from five different countries of origin, and all aged for five years. Maduro-wrapped, medium to full-bodied Blue is robust and complex with a light, fruity finish."

Light fruity finish is right! That's it. Fruit! And chocolate.
Wait...Antique Fruit? 5 Years old!
It is very strong, and yet not overpowering. Hefty, if I can apply the word.

About $4 if you can find them. ***