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Arandoza Blue Label Robusto Cigar Review

This 5×52 stick features a dark tan wrapper with a firm pack, fine tooth and oily rough leather feel with minimal veins, tight invisible seams, double cap and pungent wet earth and hay aroma. First light reveals a perfect draw with good thick medium bodied smoke output showing flavors of a smooth leather on the draw quickly followed by a deep pepper and earth through the long finish. Moving through 1/2 way 25 minutes in, the ash held for the first third, draw is still great and the body has dropped to medium while the smoke thins. Flavors are similar, dropping the deep earth and pepper just leaving a sticky, creamy leather with tiny touches of spice on the short finish. Ending at 45 minutes, body is back to medium-full with copious amounts of smoke, draw flavors have moved to a parched dry wood and earth with a long smooth finish. Thank you very much to Arandoza Cigars for providing me this sample for review!


Glass Pipes for Smokers: Habano BarCafe Has a Wide Selection!

by Anonymous

I haven’t touched the MJ since I was a teen. 18 to be precise. However at one time I was a green grass specialist. hehe. When you smoked the way I did you had it all (except for money, because I spent most of it on all my special friends), as the tobacco fanatic I was, I had to have unique ways to smoking it. You know, bongs, hammers, water pipes, and of course your standard cheap gas station glass pipe.

These pipes are about 3 to 4 inches long, and usually come in tye dye like colors. No 2 glass blown pipes are alike when it comes to color. They are for the most part all the same shape.

These glass pipes have a mushroom shaped head, with a dip into the mushroom. Dis’ is where yah put de’ tobacco mon’. Next you have the pipes shaft, ‘Dis’ is how yah hold da pipe mon.’ In the shaft is a long hole that connects to the mushroom heads hole. ‘Dis’ is where yah put yah lipz mon.’

These glass pipes come in beautiful colors of the rainbow, blue, green, orange, white, yellow, pink, red, black…. okay, you ged da picture mon?

I used to smoke from a standard 3 inch pipe. It was easy to plop into my pocket, glove compartment, or purse.

These pipes hit nice, they hit hard, smooth, and best of all mon, cleaning them is a cinch! Booyah!

Now some pipes are special mon, some pipes change colors for a groovy psychedelic change. Dah more you smoke mon, the prettier da pipe. Understand, you following me?

This piece was not to promote drugs, ohh no, it was to get those who already smoke, understand what other methods of smoking are out there. Ah, hah! The glass pipe is by far the easiest, breeziest device I’ve come across. Seeing how there are close to NO reviews on glass pipes, I would grace the Internet with one of the first. Or second, whichever it’ll be. There are a lot of smokers out there, like it or not, they ain’t goin’ nowhere mon.

Okay, so now you are wondering where to get your pretty glass pipe right? Okay, pull up an easy seat, and listen mon, I share de’ secret.

Most of these lil’ bitty guys can be hard to find, however, depending on where you are from they can be found everywhere and anywhere. Here on Long Island, these glass pipes are sold in gas stations all over the place. They sell them from $10.00 to $159.00 depending on how fancy you get em. (Yep, some come in weird animal shapes, and private part shapes). You can also find them in the city of course, they are sold by vendors on the streets everywhere, they are sold in head shops, and sometimes you can even pick them up for free.

Also be careful with yer pipe mon. They break easy if you drop em.

Take care, stay safe, and enjoy de new pipe mon.

Cigar Review of Montecristo White Label

Montecristo, perhaps the most renowned cigar brand ever made is on the review chopping block at .  Some cigar enthusiasts hate them, and the hype built around the brand, and some embrace them and love the brand and all that it stands for.  Originally from Cuba, eventually Montecristo opted to transplant some of their Cuban seeds to the Domincan Republic in order to continue to sell to the United States as many other cigar manufacturers did at that time.  Perhaps the greatest aspect of the Montecristo brand, is the consistency they’ve managed to keep in regards to their brand identity and quality.

Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Connecticut/Ecuadorian Shade grown

Size: 7.0″ x 54 Churchill

Lighting and Construction: The Montecristo White Label was absolutely beautiful, sporting a silky smooth wrapper and a sheen that glares off of any form of ambient light.  Opting to use a torch lighter, the Montecristo was easily lit and smoke gasped out from the end with the easiest of draws.  The wrapper was rolled tightly, and the cigar was firm but not hard, with a slight amount of give if enough pressure was given when between the fingers.

1st 1/3: The initial third was extremely smooth and mellow, with an amazing airiness and light feeling to it. The White Labeled Churchill tasted of wood, with a lightly gray colored ash.  The clouds of smoke were easily made by one of the easiest draws I’ve encountered yet.  With a 7″ length, this cigar requires time to smoke, and this leads to a relaxation that will be desired months after smoking.

2nd 1/3: As I entered my second third, the draw began to tighten up, but still remained pleasant and easy.  The cigar remained airy and smooth, while the complexity of the cigar began to intensify.  Light pepper and cream, accompanied by a delicious milky aftertaste began to linger after every draw.  The burn remained very even, and required zero adjustments, making this relaxing cigar ever the more so.

Final 1/3: The burn continued to remain even and slow, while the final third exposed hints of more wood and ash.  The cigar became slightly more full towards the band. Despite the full flavored strength that was  increasing, the cigar never drifted far from its amazing mellowness.  The finish was mild and smooth with a balance that was remarkable and perfectly predictable.

Conclusion:.  Setting aside from the hype of the legendary brand, I attempted to smoke this cigar with an open mind and not let the reputation taint my opinion prior to actually experiencing it.  The Montecristo White, is a mouthwatering cigar that is deliciously smooth and creamy.  The construction is on point, and one should expect no less from a household name and price point that reflects that famous name.  This being said, I am a true fan of Connecticut wrappers, and I realize that not all of you are.  However, I extremely encourage you to give this cigar a chance and I believe you will not be disappointed.  If you do decide to enjoy one of these, I may encourage you to try a Rothschild first, as the 5.0″x52 size may be a more enjoyable and faster smoke then the Churchill I reviewed.

Lastly, please let me know if you’ve smoked this, I would really enjoy knowing your thoughts on the Montecristo White!  Habano BarCafe  954-926-2006

Top 10 Most Asked Questions About Cigars

At Cigar Aficionado, one of our missions is to educate readers about the finer points of cigar smoking and to provide the most complete and accurate information possible to help smokers further their enjoyment of cigars. We try our best to answer readers’ questions.

In no particular order, here are answers to 10 of the most commonly asked questions about cigar smoking. If you’re new to cigars, you will find this section invaluable, and if you’ve been smoking for years, you may learn some things you had not previously considered.

Q. My cigars are overhumidified. What can I do to restore the humidor to optimal conditions? Can the cigars be saved?

A. In most cases, the cigars can be saved. Overhumidification is a problem, especially prevalent during summer or in warmer, more sultry climates. But there are ways to combat it, and to ensure that your humidor stays in top shape year-round.

Adding cedar strips to the humidor—you’ll find these in many cigar boxes—will help maintain optimum moisture levels. Put a strip or two on the bottom of the humidor, a strip in the middle, and another on top, and you’ll watch the humidity reading drop as the cedar absorbs the humidor’s extra moisture. Just keep an eye on the cigars, and add or remove cedar until you’ve reached the desired humidification.

The one thing you should not do is simply leave the lid of the humidor open—this can lead to wild fluctuations in humidity, and turn cigars that are too moist into dried-out cigars in a short time. Another thing to consider is the number of cigars in your humidor; if you have a very large box containing few cigars, the smokes may absorb more than their proper share of humidity.

Q. Although I generally use guillotine cutters, I was recently given a stylish wedge cutter. What’s the difference, and will I damage my cigar?

A. Wedge cutters were conceived decades ago, when the average cigar was much thinner than it is today. They were designed to open up a larger opening to channel the smoke, which is a consideration for lonsdales and coronas but generally not an issue for thicker cigars such as robustos. As a general rule, we prefer guillotines, as cigars cut with wedge cutters can accumulate tars that do not build up when using a straight cut. Also, wedge cutters tend to be imprecise in comparison with straight cutters, and you run the risk of damaging the cigar.

The third type of cutter that has become popular is the bullet, or lance, cutter. This type of cutter makes a circular hole in the head of the cigar, and it, too, has its drawbacks. First, it is easy to pierce the cigar too deeply, creating a tunnel near the head that makes the cigar burn hot. Also, as with a wedge cutter, the bullet hole left in the cigar’s head allows tars to build up near the mouth of the smoker, frequently altering or souring the cigar’s taste.

Q. I’ve noticed a powdery substance on several of my cigars. What is this, and need I be concerned?

A. If the substance has a whitish color and can be easily dusted off the cigars without leaving residue, fear not. What you have in this case is “plume” (also called bloom), a natural occurrence caused by the cigars’ sweating off some of the oils that are inherent to tobacco. Just dust off the cigars prior to smoking them.

If, however, the residue is more of a bluish color and leaves a stain on the wrapper when you dust it off, the cigars are the victims of mold. Mold is frequently caused by high temperature and humidity levels, so keeping your humidor near the optimal 70 degree/70 percent humidity mark will help avoid this problem. Also, mold can be caused by not using distilled water in your humidification device, so know what sort of water you are using.

Q. Occasionally some of my cigars will develop holes, and I’ve seen some small bugs crawling around my humidor. What should I do?

A. Beetles cause one of the most devastating problems found in humidors because they can quickly decimate a cigar supply and are difficult to combat. Beetle larvae are microscopic and occur naturally in tobacco, and, despite the quality control efforts of manufacturers, are frequently in cigars that make it to market. Once the temperature reaches 72 degrees, the beetles can hatch; they crawl through the cigars, creating those small round holes that essentially destroy a once-good smoke. But they can be combated by keeping a vigilant watch on your humidor’s temperature, and perhaps by installing a beetle trap in your humidor. In addition, beetle larvae can be killed by freezing the cigars. Just put them in your freezer for three days, then move them into the fridge for one day. After you’ve frozen the cigars, though, take care to slowly acclimate them to rehumidification, lest the wrappers on the cigars crack

Other bugs you may occasionally run into are wood mites—small, white insects that are often the result of opening a fresh wooden box of cigars. The good news is that these mites won’t harm the cigars, and they don’t live long enough to seriously damage your humidor.

Q. My tobacconist sells many box-pressed cigars. Why do manufacturers do this? Is there an advantage to box-pressed smokes over round cigars?

A. Box pressing is a stylistic decision, and it neither makes a cigar better nor worse than a round cigar. Lots of people favor the feel of a box-pressed smoke, and some manufacturers feel box pressing can correct potential construction flaws. But it is an aesthetic decision as to whether you prefer this style of cigar. Box pressing says nothing about the quality of the cigar, nor of the person who smokes it.

Q. What is the best way for me to age my cigars?

A. Many collectors choose to age their cigars in boxes, keeping like cigars together. Also, it’s a good idea to age cigars at a slightly lower temperature and humidity level than normal, and then to move the aged smokes to a desktop humidor when you’re ready to begin smoking them.

Many cigar brands, especially Cuban brands, are available in cabinet presentation, where the cigars are banded together with a ribbon in a format that makes them ideal for aging and long-term storage. While aging boxed cigars is certainly acceptable, these cabinet-packed smokes make even more attractive aging candidates, and therefore frequently command higher prices at auction.

Q. Many cigars are sold in individual cellophane overwraps. Should I remove the cellophane prior to placing the cigars in my humidor? What about tubes and bands? Are cigars best stored “naked”?

A. Cellophane serves several purposes on a cigar—in states that require each cigar to have a warning label, it makes this notification much easier to accomplish, and it prevents damage to the cigars from excessive handling in cigar shops. But once you’ve bought the cigar and are placing it in your humidor, we recommend you remove the cellophane. Cellophane will prevent humidity from reaching the cigar, and you’ll find the cigars will respond to humidification better if the overwrap has been removed. The same holds true for cigar tubes, whether glass or aluminum; these tubes will completely close off a cigar to humidification if left on. However, if you intend to transport your cigars \(such as in a coat pocket\), it may be a good idea to keep a few tubes or cellophane overwraps handy to protect the cigars during transport.

As far as bands are concerned, it’s a matter of personal preference. Some people like to remove them, but when possible, we generally choose to keep the bands on \(outside of our tasting procedures, of course\). First, it makes identifying the cigars much easier, and it also prevents inadvertent damage to the cigar’s wrapper that can occur while removing the band.

Q. Can I use my Zippo lighter to light a cigar?

A. It’s probably not your best option. We suggest using wooden matches or, better yet, strips of cedar called spills. These will light your cigar without imparting to it the taste or odor of the oil found in lighter fluid. If you wish to use a lighter for your cigars, we recommend one that uses butane as its fuel, as these types of lighters are odorless. However, some smokers insist on using their old Zippo lighters, which may have sentimental value. If you’re one of these people, just make sure that when lighting your cigar, the flame of the Zippo does not touch the cigar’s foot. Once the cigar is lit, you may also choose to give the cigar one (and only one) outward puff, to clear it of any impurities caused by the lighter fluid.

Q. My grandfather always dips his cigars in Cognac or rum. Is this a good idea? Why does my tobacconist warn me against it?

A. Your grandfather probably started doing this decades ago, when cigars were shipped drier and humidification technology was not what it is today. Dipping the cigars in those years helped impart moisture to a dry cigar. Today, however, cigars are generally shipped and stored in optimally humidified conditions, and dipping a cigar in Cognac or rum will only serve to make your cigar soggy. What’s more, the smoke will not taste like what it was dipped in, another reason we strongly recommend leaving the Cognac or rum in a glass, and enjoying it alongside your cigars.

Q. I’ve been told you should only smoke a cigar halfway. Is this true? How can I tell when a cigar is done?

A. The golden rule here is that a cigar is done whenever you’re no longer enjoying it. But as a general maxim, we smoke our cigars about half to two-thirds of the way down. The reason is that a cigar gets hotter and more powerful the further down you smoke it, and its flavor changes as tars and moisture build up near the cigar’s head. Smoke it too far, and you risk ruining the great flavor you’ve been enjoying. But this is simply a suggestion—if you’re still enjoying the cigar as its lit end is about to burn your fingertips, go right on smoking it. Cigar smoking, after all, is about enjoyment.

Cigar Smoking Is Healthy!


As is already pretty obvious, I am an avid cigar smoker. I like to smoke while I play golf, cook dinner on the grill, sit around a campfire, or just relax out on the back porch on a beautiful evening. As much as I enjoy, my girlfriend hates it. I get a lot of flack from her and other haters about the “healthiness” of cigar smoking.

I make the case that cigar smoking is not nearly as bad for your health as smoking cigarettes because you don’t inhale the cigar smoke. If you do inhale, I’m surprised that you are still alive! It is very clear that cigar smoke is way worse, about forty times, than cigarette smoke. Cigars don’t burn nearly as hot as cigarettes and they are also not filtered, so their smoke is certainly not the greatest thing for your lungs.

I have also heard that smoking cigars can cause you to get stomach or throat cancer because the tobacco ends up in your saliva while you are smoking. I don’t know about you guys, but when I smoke, I spit. Sorry about the crudeness, but there’s just no other way to say it. I love the taste of a good smoke, but I am not anxious to swallow while I’m smoking. Am I alone on that island? Anyway, I am just not convinced that, unless you smoke four or five cigars a day, that you are taking in enough smoke or tobacco to cause any sort of physical harm to yourself.

Question; is anybody out there addicted to cigars? I don’t mean addicted like you love to smoke them. I mean addicted like you will get the shakes if you don’t smoke for a while. I, personally, have never heard of someone getting addicted to cigars. Obviously, their cousin, the cigarette, is highly addictive. But that is in no way true about cigars!

So in review, cigar smoke does not get inhaled, it is not addictive, and cigars are not smoked nearly as often as cigarettes. So will you haters out there quit comparing the two!?Cigars may not be as healthy as carrots, but I am making the case that they are not damaging to your health at all. They are certainly not nearly as bad for you as the cigarettes that the haters compare with cigars.

So here is what I need from my fellow smokers, help a brother out! Let me know what you guys think or know about cigars and how they affect your health. Does anybody know anyone who has ever gotten a disease or illness that was directly related to cigar smoking? We need to silence the haters, and one of the best ways to do that is to ruin their argument about how unhealthy cigar smoking is! Talk to me