Thursday, June 11, 2015

Learning About Flor De Oliva Cigars

 The Oliva family have been around for generations and they are a huge tobacco grower in Nicaragua. The Flor de Oliva cigar is affordable, but it has a flavor that is outstanding. It is made with the highest quality and uses Nicaraguan tobacco for the filler, wrapper and binder. With a medium body and earthy flavor, you won't be able to resist this cigar. Read on to learn more about Oliva cigars and the history behind them.




What Makes The Flor De Oliva Special?


The Flor de Oliva is special because of its price point and the flavor of the cigar. it is made with Nicaraguan and Dominican long leaf tobacco and has a Sumatra wrapper. After a long aging process, the cigar tastes rich and creamy. The flavor builds as you smoke the cigar and the price is just unbeatable.

What Is The History Of Oliva Cigars?

Oliva cigars started with Melanio Oliva in Cuba in 1886. Later, his son took over operation and it has stayed in the family ever since. Political unrest eventually caused the company to start over again in Nicaragua. Today the Oliva family is the second largest Cuban seed tobacco grower.

Oliva cigars are made with first rate tobacco and they are hand rolled. You can buy the cigars with four different wrapper types, including Corojo, Sumatra, Maduro, and Connecticut Shade. The Flor de Oliva cigar is medium bodied and comes in four sizes.

What Does The Flor De Oliva Taste Like?

The Flor de Oliva has a smooth taste and you won't notice any flaws. The wrapper has a luster and it feels firm and smooth. When you draw it before you light it, you will notice a earthy, cedar taste. There is also a floral note that is very seductive.

The Flor de Oliva is easy to light and has an even burn line. The cigar tastes clean and doesn't have a lot of nicotine. People who have smoked the cigar taste notes of cedar, pepper, and spice with a creamy finish. The last half of the cigar gets a little more earthy and spicy. Overall, the cigar is excellent.

How Are Flor De Oliva Cigars Made?

The cigars are rolled by hand which means that some extra work goes into them. Each cigar is made with three parts, which are the wrapper, binder and filler. After the types of tobacco are chosen it is time to make the cigar. The filler will be chosen which is the inner part of the cigar. This is a special blend of tobaccos that gives the cigar its special flavor.

Next, the binder will be wrapped around the filler. The purpose of the binder is to hold the filler together and separate it from the wrapper. The binder also helps to regulate the burn of the cigar.

Now it is time for the wrapper. The wrapper holds the filler and binder together and it is the first thing you see on the cigar. The wrapper also accounts for a large portion of the cigar's flavor. After the cigar is wrapped, a cap goes over the head of the cigar which is what you will clip when it is time to smoke your cigar. The cap also keeps the wrapper from coming apart when you clip the cigar.

How Do You Store Your Flor De Oliva Cigar?

Unless you plan on smoking your new cigars right away, you will want to invest in a humidor. A humidor allows you to store your cigars indefinitely as it replicates the environment in which the tobacco was produced, which is hot and humid. A humidor maintains a temperature of around 70 degrees with a humidity level of 74 percent.

You will want to invest in the best humidor that you can afford, but you don't need to overspend. Basically, you want to make sure that the seal on the humidor is good and that it will hold in the heat and moisture.

If you are looking for an affordable cigar with a great flavor profile, the Flor de Oliva is a great choice. It has a smooth, creamy finish and burns for a long time.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

The Pro Cigar - Dominican Cigar Event For All




In Santiago, Dominican Republic, the Pro Cigar is thrown on a regular basis. It is designed to support those that are part of the Association for the Dominican cigar manufacturers, a festival that is sponsored by the Procigar Association. There are many people and companies that are part of this Association, and each Festival welcomes several hundred guests that come out every year. Many of them travel from about 20 different countries which will include industry associates, consumers, retailers and suppliers. Considered the cigar country, the Dominican Republic is actually the number one producer of exports for premium cigars. It has been this way for over 20 years, and the Tabacalera de García factory plays a large role in making it possible for this festival to continue every year.

Reasons To Attend The Festival Like This

there are several reasons why you might want to consider attending one of these events. Anyone knows that by going to festivals or get-togethers that are focused on cigars, you can get to try out the new products that are coming out. The more festivals that you attend, the more exciting it will be to be part of this limited group of people that enjoy smoking cigars. Let's take a look at what happens at this festival so that you can look forward to everything that it has to offer.

What Happens At The Festival?

There are several things to do at the festival which include checking out the new cigars, attending a beach day, and there is also a dinner party for all attendees. There will be cigars, and whiskey that is single malt which can be paired very nicely with the cigars that are offered. A goodie bag is also part of the festival, something that can be obtained as a result of registering for the event. Special edition cigars, along with cigar assessories like ashtrays in a polo shirt are promotional items that are part of this bag valued at about $300.

How To Dress

There are going to be many people at the dinner, all dressed in white traditional attire. Special cigars will be given to every guest. It is a nice atmosphere, along with a closing ceremony, where people can enjoy dinner and a show. Some of the proceeds from the event will actually be donated to children that are ill, as well as the elderly that do not have a lot of money. By dressing in this manner, you are being respectful of the event itself, and showing your continued patronage for all that it represents.

Different Levels Of Sponsors

There are several different of sponsors that are coming to the event, each having contributed a certain amount of cash. Starting with bronze, he goes to silver, gold and then platinum, all of which are in part responsible for the continuation of the festival that so many people attend to your after year. Without this level of sponsorship, the event would not be a success. It's not just about the money. Sponsors are actually using this event to their advantage by giving them free publicity for their company, allowing them to generate more sales for the products of the cell, making this a win-win scenario for, participants and those that are in charge of the festival itself.

How To Take Part In This Dominican Cigar Event

Much of this information is available on the Internet although you can probably get the information that you need from your local cigar shop. There are probably people that you know that have attended the festival link and provide you with the information that will allow you to contact the proper people to get started. The more events that you attend, the more in the know you will be in regard to the new types of cigars and products that are being made available. In the same way that people attend festivals for a variety of different reasons in order to get in touch with manufacturers and distributors, they will be able to test out the new products, make connections with like-minded individuals, and simply be around those that have the same interests and sell the same products, allowing everyone to have a good time.


Photo Credit: Sheila Dee

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Punch Double Corona Cigar: Detailed Review




The Punch Double Corona Cigar is one of those cigars that has hit the market and become a wonderful option for enthusiasts to select and enjoy. If you are into a powerful cigar that is going to let you enjoy every single puff, this might be the one for you. However, it is important to break down what this cigar is all about and whether or not it is worth your time and money. Let's take a deeper look into what the pros and cons of this cigar and if you should be buying it for your collection.


Excellent Taste


The taste is fascinating. It has a delicate hint to it that is hard to ignore as soon as you take the first puff. It is not spicy and does not have the sweetness that people might not enjoy. It is the combination of flavors and scents that makes it aromatic and a joy to behold. You will enjoy all of it right from the start to the very last puff that you take.


The taste is definitely a plus point and the first thing that has to be listed here as a pro.


Burns Well


The burning of the cigar is something that has to be checked via draw testing and that is the only way to ensure you are getting the right results in the long term. The manufacturer has done an excellent job of ensuring the cigar is burning as well as it should. You will never have any issues with any of the cigars that do pick up because that is key.


The burning of the cigar is never going to trouble you for anyone that is serious about not seeing their cigar get wasted because of this.


Consistent


This is something that has to be used as an identifier of this cigar. The Punch Double Corona Cigar is fascinating with regards to how consistent it is from start to finish. You are never going to feel as if the cigar is lagging as time goes on. This is key because the entire experience has to be perfect as that is what you are paying for as soon as you get your hands on the cigar in the first place. No one wants a cigar that might have the right amount of punch at the start, but then fades.


Easy To Hold


The cigar is easy on the hands and that is a factor a lot of people don't even consider as soon as they are doing their research on the open market for what their next purchase is going to be. Is the cigar easy to hold in your hands or is it too bulky? This might not be an issue for a lot of people, but it has to be looked at and that is what this review does. It is indeed quite easy to hold and you are never going to have issues with this particular concern. It is quite easy to hold and you will in fact enjoy it in your hands.


Aesthetically Build


The overall design of the cigar is nice on the eye and you are going to enjoy the fact that it will become the talk of the town as soon as you hold it. It is easy on the eye, aesthetic as a whole, and just has this simplicity to it that is beautiful. This is key when you are looking for a cigar that has an aura to it and these Punch Double Corona Cigars do provide that in abundance. It is hard to match this with other options.


Can Become Too Gentle Over Time


This is something people have complained about, but in the end it is more nit picking than anything else. The reason for this is simple, as you get more and more used to the cigar and what it has to offer, you are going to adjust to it. This is when you have to ensure you are using a good humidor and letting it sit for a while in order to enjoy the entire pack as you should. However, this is indeed a remarkably potent option with scotch or your drink of choice.


Concluding Opinion


At the end of the day, the Punch Double Corona Cigars are excellent and should be added to your collection, if you want to ensure you are getting something that has a bit of quality to it and has the long lasting ability that most people are after in this day and age. Don't just go with any cigar that is not going to provide you with the complete package with regards to longevity and quality. This indeed does get quite close and is going to be racing upwards on the open market as time goes on.

photo credit: .Smokey Hot? :P. via photopin (license)

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

My Review Of The ELeaf iStick 50 Watt Box Mod




I have been into electronic cigarettes and vaporizers for quite a few years now. In fact, I can confidently say that I am somewhat of a veteran when it comes to these sorts of things. I have a whole plethora of different mods and vaporizers that I have tried out throughout the years. I am fairly certain that I know what makes a good vaporizer or mod, and what doesn’t. Hence, when one of my favorite vaporizing devices started to become faulty, I decided that I needed to get a new box mod. This is my review of the ELeaf iStick 50 that I have recently purchased and used.

I had heard many great things about the ELeaf iStick 50 from a couple of friends of mine. If you’e into the entire vaporizer and electronic cigarette scene, you can probably relate to the fact that you have many friends that are also into the scene. Every week, I meet up with friends that are into this sort of stuff and share experiences with new mods, e-liquids and so forth. One of my good friends simply couldn’t shut his mouth about the iStick 50. He said that basically everything about the box mod was simply astounding. From price to the ease of use, he vouched for the iStick 50. Hearing this from a trusted friend, I knew that it would be a good idea to try this box mod out, seeing as I needed a new one.

The first thing that I noticed about the box mod was the fact that it was so affordable. You will find that there are many mods on the internet that will cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, one of my good friends have spend thousands of dollars on single mods. Hence, when I found out that the iStick was only around $50, I was very relieved. I really didn’t have the means to fork out a lot of cash on something such as this, so I was glad it was so cheap. Furthermore, I found that many of the good retail sites I was looking at had some great deals for the iStick 50 as well. I eventually found a coupon that allowed me to get 20 percent off the retail price, which called for even more savings.



The ELeaf iStick 50 is one very well designed mod. I was amazed to see that there were many different color variations that you could choose from. Everything from a matte black to bright pink were available. Seeing this, as well as the low price, I decided to order 2. One for me and one for my girlfriend. The design of the mod is very sleek and stylish. It was certainly designed not to be eye-catching, but luxurious, in a more understated fashion. The size of the mod is also quite small and easy to carry around. This was perfect for use whenever I may found myself out and about, craving a bit of a vapor.

I have been using the ELeaf iStick 50 for around 5 weeks now, and I am extremely impressed. If not for every other reason stated in this review, the simple fact that it continuos to work just as well as it did the first day I got it is amazing. My girlfriend and I are certainly glad that we decided to invest in this super little box mod. I would recommend this box mod to anyone who is into vaporizers and electronic cigarettes, whether you’re a novice or a veteran. This is something you really don’t want to miss out on.


Photo Credit: János Csongor Kerekes

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

A History Of The Dunhill Cigar Brand



The Dunhill cigar brand is a brand that was originally produced in Cuba by a company called Cubatabaco, on the behalf of Alfred Dunhill of London. In tobacco terms, the Dunhill Cigar brand is relatively young, because production of the brand began in 1982, although Dunhill was selling other tobacco products on an exclusive basis long before then. The Cubatabaco company was responsible for making the cigars until 1991, and after that the production was moved to several other countries. Today, the brand is now owned by British American Tobacco.

The History of Alfred Dunhill's Tobacco Projects

Mr Alfred Dunhill opened his first tobacco store in 1907. The store was located on Duke Street in London. Because this was before the Cuban Revolution, Dunhill was able to form distribution agreements with numerous Cuban Cigar makers, and was able to market and sell several hard to source brands, including the Don Candido line, and Dunhill's very own Seleccion Supremea range. He had deals with prestigious cigar makers such as Romeo y Julieta (the original Cuban variety) and Montecristo.



Dunhill's contacts and purchasing power meant that he became the supplier of cigars to prestigious clients, including George VI and Sir Winston Churchill. According to company lore, when Dunhill's Jermyn Street store was destroyed during a bombing attack in the London Blitz, employees from the store called Winston Churchill, at four o'clock in the morning, to reassure him that the private collection of cigars that he had deposited into the shop's humidor had been moved out of the store, and were safe.

Following the Cuban Revolution, Dunhill was able to maintain a relatively good relationship with the communist government's tobacco monopoly. He was able to stay in touch with Cubatabaco and earned exclusive rights to Don Candido, La Flor del Punto and Don Alfredo. He also retained access to some Seleccion Suprema sizes that were made by marques which were still trading after the nationalization of the tobacco industry.

In 1967, Alfred Dunhill Ltd's tobacco branch was sold off to become a separate entity. Later, in 1981, the tobacco blending part of Dunhill pipe tobaccos was handed off to Murrays of Belfast. It remained there for more than 20 years before being transferred to Orlik of Denmark in 2005. This move was noticed by fans of Dunhill's pipe tobacco varieties and sparked a lot of debate about the change.

Dunhill Blends

The Don Candidoline of cigars was created in 1935 and is one of the more popular brands to be sold by Dunhill. The cigars were intended to serve as a super-premium offering - a sort of upgrade to the El Rey del Mundo blend that was owned by Vega and that was exclusively distributed through Dunhill. The Don Candido cigars were produced at the Briones Montoto factory in Havana, which was formerly used by Romeo y Julieta. These cigars are highly collectible and are known to command huge prices when they are offered up at auction.


The Don Alfredo line was created for Dunhill tobacco in the 1960s. This line was produced at the Jose Marti Factory, which was previously known as the H. Upmann factory.

The La Flor del Punto blend was another exclusive Dunhill blend. It was introduced into the Dunhill line after the Don Alfredo range, and was made at the Partagas Factory. It boasted the iconic White Spot on the cigar band for a long time, but the spot was removed from the band when the Dunhill Cigar blend was released.

Work on the Dunhill branded cigars began in 1977, but the first cigar in the line was not released until 1982. Initially, the cigars were released to just ten countries, but that later expanded to thirty. Unfortunately, Dunhill did not do well as a brand. The company struggled to compete with Davidoff, another high-end cigar maker that operated in the private label space. When Cubatabaco proved unwilling to get involved in the competition between the two labels, Dunhill refused to renew their contract. They went on to give up the rights to make cigars altogether, and instead passed on those rights to the British American Tobacco brand. Hence, original Dunhill products are now highly sought after by buyers.

 Photo Credit: Torrenegra via Flickr.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

What To Know About Camacho CT Churchill Cigars



For those of us looking for a less intense, yet flavorful experience, this cigar may be right for you. It's pretty difficult for companies to make a mild cigar without sacrificing what we are all looking for, flavor. Somehow, one of the famous cigar around is the  Camacho CT Churchill cigars are lighter on the tongue, yet they come with a blast of flavor that one could only describe as amazing.

Great Cigar For Beginners

Those who have never smoked cigars before, or don't even smoke at all, may be a little more sensitive to the harshness of some brands on the market. Excessive coughing is often the response of a first time cigar smoker. That's because your throat, and mouth need time to adjust to having smoke in them. this adjustment period can be made more comfortable by choosing a mild, yet still flavorful cigar. If you're just starting out, a Churchill's perfect for you.

The flavors

Those who are ever lucky enough to have tried a Churchill cigar will notice a variety of flavors. That's because it's made with two very fine, and special strands of tobacco. Honduran, and Dominican will dazzle your senses. Although the strands are different, and add a lot of complexity, they still blend together nicely.

Camacho CT Churchill cigars blend extremely well because they're tightly pressed in boxes during manufacturing. They're also rolled by some of the most highly skilled men in the business. Sense this cigar is generally made by hand; you can trust that each one will look as though it was made with care. The workers love their jobs, and know their way around a cigar.

When smoking this cigar, the first interpretation of the flavor I could come up with has a sort of a coffee, and chocolate note. the cigar had a little nutty taste as well, like Walnut. The smoke was smooth and even, and the cigar remained clean burning throughout the entire smoking session. I was able to identify all these flavors despite the cigars mildness. This company really does have a way around the whole, more mild=less flavor rule.

Where To Purchase

Cigars international is probably one of the best online sellers of cigar products. They're many other tobacco stores online that may have more competitive prices. As long as you're using the internet, you might as well look up multiple places before deciding on a purchase.

It isn't necessary to purchase this product online. They're many tobacco stores in your neighborhood that carry Camacho cigars. It's even possible to find this type of cigar on sale at a mini mart. The price of the cigars going to be a lot higher if you don't buy it at a store that specializes in tobacco. They're discount tobacco stores that can offer you an amazing deal. At the discount tobacco store near me, they only charge about half of what Walgreen's does.

The Price

These cigars are generally cheaper then a lot of the ones currently on the market. This goes for about all the cigars Camacho makes. The fact that these cigars are affordable, only adds to their ability to make a great, first cigar. I mean, if you've never smoked a cigar before, and don't know if you like them, you're probably not going to want to invest $50 for five of them. That's usually what cigars cost, but not these. these cigars are available online for as low as $30! That's for a pack of five. Judging by the site, or store you use, you can expect to pay somewhere in between $30-$40. So, if you discover that you're not actually a cigar smoker, it will be no big deal to you.

Buying a larger lot of cigars will save you money. these cigars can be available for about $150, if you buy twenty of them. Twenty cigars will last you a month, as almost no one smokes a while cigar in a day. It's perfect for those not looking to have to run back to the store.

You'll Love Them

If you're a beginner, or just a cigar lover looking for something a little lighter, you'll love what this cigar can offer you. It's time to take advantage of the amazing flavor offered by it. You'll love that it won't make you cough. You're going to especially appreciate the rich flavor.
photo credit: SteveGriff.com via photopin cc

Sunday, December 21, 2014

History Punch Cigars and Its Popular Brands



Learning about Punch cigars is a great thing one should do since they are the leading cigars produced in Cuba by Habanos SA. This is a Cuban owned company that specializes in manufacturing top quality cigars. The punch brand cigars have a great history.

 They were first registered in 1840 and named after one of the character featured in the European puppet show. The brand soon became a household name and also did well in countries such as Great Britain where it was sold in great numbers. 1874 witnessed the first change of ownership of Punch brand Cigars. The brand was purchased by Luis Corujo . 10 years later, the brand was sold again. This time round, it was purchased by Fernades Lopez Manuel.

Up to this date the boxes bands of the punch cigar still bears the name of Fernandez Manuel. Lopez retired in 1924 but died after a short while. Before he died, he had passed ownership of the brand to Comas Esperanza Valle who held it for a few years before the crash of the stock market in 1929. It should be noted that the punch cigar brand experienced losses way back in 1930 when the cigar industry in Cuba faced financial hardships.

During this time, the brand was purchased by Palicio y Cia who made sure that it become one of the companies that dominated the cigar industry by specializing in cigar margues. The company manufactured other brands such as Hoyo de Monterrey, La Escepcion and Belinda. This made the company retain its popularity in Britain and it became very popular with British smokers. The embargo set on Cuba by the United States made things difficult for Fernando Palicio and as a result he fled from Cuba and settled in Florida. While in Florida, he sold his cigar lines to Dan Blumenthal of Villazon Co. and Frank Llaneza . The duo have continued to manufacture Punch, Belinda Cigars as well as Hoyo de Monterrey.

Meanwhile the production aimed for the American market was being undertaken by Honduran tobacco. When Cuba nationalized the tobacco industry, Punch continued to produce its brand. Up to now, it is still popular and produces Cuba cigar line. Some of the brands that are associated and produced by the company include Churchil, Double corona, eponymous Punch , Connoisseurs, and super selection no. 2.

In addition, Punch produces two machine made cigarillos that includes Cigarritos Reserva and the Cigarritos. Although Punch has not been selected for any edicion Limitada, it is a popular brand for the edicion Regional series of cigar manufactured by Habanos and which are meant for the local markets. When you learn more about Punch Cigars, you will understand why its brand are valued and loved by smokers ever since they were introduced in 1969. The reason for the popularity of the cigars can be attributed to the fact that Punch cigars are classic and the fact that the brands are known to live to their name.

The full flavored taste associated with the punch cigars was derived from Ecuadorian wrapper, Dominician tobaccos Nicaraguan tobacco, and a rich blend of Honduran tobaccos. Cigar insider, Cigar aficionado have particularly praised the brands with Champion front marks and the large –ring Magnum being awarded 91 and 90 ratings respectively. Cigar Cyclopedia has also recognized the collection and has awarded them A rating. In fact the two are often referred to as the pride of the Punch cigar lines and are thought to be the best of Hondurans. The smooth smoking qualities that the punch Cigars have results from Connecticut shade wrapper not forgetting the blend it receives from the premium Honduran tobacco.

The cigars are not strong and chances of overpowering new smoker are not there. The Punch Gran puro is a top brand made from proprietary tobacco selected from San Agustin Valley in Honduran. It is a big cigar loved by the smokers because of its size. It has a satisfying taste, spicy flavors and is sweet.

The cigar has received praises and A rating from cigar cyclopedia. In the street, it is referred to as a best buy cigar On the other hand the Pura Rare Corojo is not only a rich tasting, but is a cigar of distinction. It is reddish brown with shades of lustrous. It is medium in size, round and has a rich finish.

 The cigar is delicious and has received an eye rating of 92 from Cigar Aficionado. It has a rich flavor and was developed according to taste and preferences of smokers. It contains the rich Nicaraguan Ometepa tobacco cultivated for upper cut. Punch Grand Cru is another brand that is tenured by smokers. It is bold; full flavored and is a top selling cigar. It is one of the brands that is thought to bring more revenue to the company.

Photo Credit:  Mike Oliveri via Flickr.com