Now what if I were to tell you that you have an alternative? I just heard of a new product from USACIG, Inc. and Hop-on, Inc. dubbed “The Electric Cuban Cigar(TM).” I am sure you’re heard of similar products before – we have even featured electric cigars in the past. The big difference that this new product offers is that it is supposed to taste just like Havana Hand Rolled Cigars.

To be honest, I am not quite convinced about that promise. It is hard enough to copy the authentic Cuban cigar experience with a “real” cigar – the one that you actually smoke till only ashes remain – how much more for an electric cigar? Still, the companies seem to be pretty confident. The president of Hop-on, Peter Michaels, says:

“We are working with a couple of sources in Latin America that who have access to the authentic plants used in the making of the famous Havana Cigars. These plants were taken on a boat out of Cuba to another foreign country, carried by mules over hundreds of miles through treacherous mountains and ended up in the fields where we have access to. We will use the natural nicotine from the tobacco plants and capture the flavors of the world famous cigars. Because the US has a trade embargo with Cuba, we are forced to take these steps in order to provide the most authentic flavors. The Electric Cuban Cigar will come in a collector’s wooden box with 5 Cuban flavored cartridges. Smokers can enjoy the real Cuban cigar taste!”

For $199, I am not sure I am willing to chance it and get disappointed. Would you give this a try?

Cigars are rare today, and unless people are the standard cigar addicts, only a few can see people regularly smoking cigars in public. Cigars have become a preserved commodity, usually being lit and puffed during occasions such as a new job, new promotion or a closed deal with partners. Triumph has therefore been associated with cigars, a call to celebration and relaxation in most cases.

Cigars symbolize quality and achievement. Most people would not know why this practice is followed but nevertheless perform it on occasions that call for it anywhere in the world.

Starting the first of July, the tax on tobacco will increase. This means one thing: the prices of cigars and other tobacco products are going to go up as well. And, if there is one thing that cigar enthusiasts would not like to happen, this is it. There is no way around it, however. The government has made the decision, and the taxes are going to increase, so we might as well face it.

Now on to the good news…it is just the beginning of April. That means that Utah cigar enthusiasts still have at least a couple of months to stock up on their favorite cigars. Even better, smoke shop owners in Utah are making moves to prepare for the tax increase.

If you go to Utah, you will see shops left and right offering excellent deals. The reason for this is that they are actually cutting back on orders. It’s not that they do not want to keep doing business, but a lot of them are small businesses, and they do not have that much cash laying around to buy as much as they used to. This is even harder on them as they will have to pay the 51% difference in tax on their existing inventory by July 1.

What are you waiting for? Get those good deals now and prepare yourself for the tax increase!

In February of this year, the Cohiba Behike was launched in Havana, and the tag line “setting a new standard among smokers worldwide” was used. Naturally, the interest of cigar aficionados was caught, and the fact that supplies of the cigar will be limited has only helped fuel the flames. Law of supply and demand at work here!

Where there is smoke, there must be fire, right? While the cigar has not yet been released for sale, privileged people have already tried it. Mitchell Orchant is one example. He is a cigar merchant operating out of London, and he was one of the select individuals who was able to smoke a Cohiba Behike during its launch. He swears by the cigar, and is proud to declare that he as 1,000 people on his waiting list for the cigar.

What makes this particular cigar that great? Orchant says that “this is perfection in a Cuban cigar… the Cubans have got every aspect of this cigar right – the brand, the size, the taste. And of course it’s unique because a rare leaf is being used in its blend, the first time such a leaf has been used in a cigar.”

It will be for sale in June – I suggest you go find your source as early as now.

That’s exactly what happened with the remaining half of a cigar that Sir Winston Churchill smoked way back in 1941. According to the “original” owner of the half-smoked cigar, Sir Winston Churchill was smoking the cigar when he was suddenly called to an urgent meeting with his cabinet. In response to the call, he tossed the cigar aside. A staff member then “rescued” the cigar and kept it as a souvenir. (I know I would probably have done the same thing if I were serving Sir Winston Churchill.) More than simply keeping the half-smoked cigar, however, the staff member decided to send it to a friend who then kept it well preserved to this day.

Aside from the fact that the cigar was smoked by one of the greatest statesmen who ever lived, what makes the cigar special? For a selling price of $7000, it should be pretty special, shouldn’t it? Well, among the thousands of cigars that Churchill smoked in his lifetime, this one has a personalized label with his name on it! Now I know why it sold for that much…even though it is not “smokable” anymore.

From what Patrick of the Stogie Guys say, though, that money would be very well spent if one decided to become a member of CXIII Rex. He was given the privilege of going on a special tour of the lounge. The owners of the lounge are the same owners of the Landini Brothers restaurant, which is already well-established part of the Virginia-Washington scene. Due to the Virginia smoking ban, the brothers decided to come up with their own high end – very high end – cigar lounge that will be open to members only.

Patrick describes the lounge’s features:

“…a well-stocked walk-in humidor, a selection of top libations and small-batch wines, ample seating, wireless internet, private humidor lockers, and the like. But this club, slated to open in late March, will also feature more luxurious accommodations. Included will be a state-of-the-art air ventilation system, an access-only elevator, an all-female wait staff, and a private cigar blend crafted by none other than Rocky Patel.”

More than luxury, it seems to me that one will be impressed with the size of the establishment. It looks like the Landinis are really going all out with this project of theirs. Unfortunately for me, I’d probably never get around to seeing it.

As a matter of fact, some representatives of the cigar company have gone on to say that they are morally opposed to Tiger Woods and what he currently symbolizes. Then again, when they think of business, they believe that it would be good for them. After all, not everyone has the same stand on the scandal. And we have to be honest, for some, it is not that big of a deal.

Furthermore, Jeff Borysiewicz, founder of the cigar company, says that this is a chance that he probably wouldn’t have gotten had not the prominent athlete fallen from grace. There is truth to that – his offer is really peanuts compared to Tiger Woods’ major deals. With Accenture pulling out – quickly followed by other companies – Tiger Woods will probably need new sources of funds.

Borysiewicz also says that golf and cigars go together – and he is quite right in saying that. So indeed, while the “womanizer” might not appeal to a certain crowd, Tiger Woods just might prove to be profitable for Corona Cigar Co. Then again, he has to accept the offer first.

Do you think he should?

This year, Big Smoke is going to be held at The Venetian Resort, Hotel, and Casino. What can you expect from the event? On Friday and Saturday night, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, traditional Big Smoke Evenings will be held. Participants can mingle and meet likeminded people and enjoy excellent cigars, drinks, and food together. The best thing about these evenings is the wide array of cigar manufacturers, which will offer one sample cigar to each participant. Each sample is free, although in actuality it is covered by the ticket price. There will be 25 producers present in this year’s event. Some of these are Prensado, Arturo Fuente, Ashton, CAO, Carlos Toraño, Casa Fernandez, Casa Magna, and Cusano 18 – Double. Seminars are also going to be held.

Cigar Aficionado provides registration details:

Join us for the entire program for $550. This fee includes Saturday and Sunday seminars, Saturday lunch and one “Big Smoke” evening (either Friday or Saturday, you select).Or, attend a “Big Smoke” evening for $240 per ticket each night.

Why not stay for the weekend at the Venetian and enjoy all the gaming, entertainment, and award winning fine dining available. Make your hotel reservations directly with the Venetian. Call toll free 1-888-283-6423 or 1-702-414-1000 Code RBSMK09. Take advantage of our special $249 rate for Palazzo (newer, grander, 5 star). Or, reserve online at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/RBSMK09 ($249 rate is near the bottom of Venetian price list).

Last week, the very same Wallace Reyes started work on another cigar, which he hopes will break the previous record. His target is to roll a cigar which is 180 feet in length. USA Today tells us the story behind his goal:

“We gonna show Tampa and the world basically that this is still (the) cigar capital of the world, that we’re still making big things here,” Reyes said.

A 180-foot cigar would shatter the old world record by more than 35-feet. Reyes says it will take him 30 pounds of tobacco and more than 100-hours of work to finish his cigar. He is making his record setting cigar in 10-foot sections at the Ybor City Museum and it will be assembled and displayed on November 21st at the Tampa Cigar Heritage Festival.

Same person, same place, same festival. Would he break his record? Reyes says that they do not have the facilities to create the cigar all in one go. As such, he has to work on one segment at a time. The whole cigar will then be assembled in less than a month. All that work on one cigar! I bet that when he breaks the record, it will be all worth it!

Photo courtesy of USA Today

Just recently, a Cuban cigar roller broke his own records. Jose Castelar Cairo (Cueto) is not a stranger to the longest cigars in the world. The Caribbean News has this report:

Cuban cigar roller Jose Castelar Cairo (Cueto) will receive officially his fourth Guinness Record certificate, this time for his 45,38 meters long Habano cigar.

Cueto works in La Triada store, of the Grupo Caracol. He told Opciones that he was very happy with the acknowledgement and that he receives the record on behalf of Cuba, a country known for producing the best cigars in the world.

You know what I like about this story? The guy is not a faker. I mean, he has his records but he continues to work and do what he loves doing. And better yet, he keeps trying to outdo himself and breaking his own records. I’ll smoke a cigar to that!