Happy Cigar Day!

We just received this internally from an employee reminding us that it's Cigar Day, according to the greeting card industry...



Click here to see the virtual card for Cigar Day.

Humidors - Cigars in cellophane or not?

Storage of Cigars - Either in cellophane or out of cellophane has been a question posed by many cigar enthusiasts. There are those who will always remove the cello, claiming that in doing so, allows humidity to aid in the needs of those cigars to maintain a slight firmness and never dry. The claim that cello is not porous.

And then there are those who believe that keeping all cigars in the humidor in their factory cello prevents a Nicaraguan from transferring its particular tobacco taste or aroma to a milder Dominican. Or maybe a slightly spicy Honduran transferring to a Nicaraguan.

Does it occur? We can't say. My cigars don't last that long. We believe it is a matter of opinion and perception. A simple solution, have a seperate humidor for each country.

However, it has been noted that the new flavored cigar category, with so many distinct flavors could possibly transfer their unique qualities to traditional cigars. It has been suggested that a separate humidor for flavored cigars also be considered.

We are anxious to hear from you, pro or con. In Cello? Out of Cello? Flavored Storage?

By Al Remp, product specialist and trainer, Thompson Cigar.

Tampa Palms Cigar Club dinner

Our resident cigar expert, Al Remp, spoke at the Tampa Palms Cigar Club dinner last month. We just got this picture in and wanted to share some of our new friends.

Al's the guy in the middle with the tie. Pictured from left to right: Bob Hoyard, Rick Ivester, Al Remp, Brian Willingham, Colm Conway (#1 Regular Guy from CigarBlog101) and Mike Wood.

Cigar Blog Special - Gurkha Signature 101

Cigar Review by Corona Chris, Thompson Cigar product specialist.

The Gurkha Signature 101 blend has been a limited production Gurkha since 2004. We have not been able to repeat this best selling offer until now. When you have the experience and patience of the Torano family creating a rare blend, the entire cigar industry takes notice. K. Hansotia the creator of Gurkha, had the Torano family craft a Maduro like no other. This Gurkha Signature 101 blend took 4 years to create, and is one of the smoothest, medium-bodied smokes that you will ever taste in a Maduro. Our limited supply of Gurkha Signature has been aged an extra three years, and will be in a 6 x 52 size.

During this limited time offer we are including a travel humidor complete with a hygrometer, humidifier, and a double bladed cigar cutter. Take advantage of this $100.00 value, for only $49.00 before they are gone for good!

Buy the Gurkha Signature 101 travel humidor deal today.

Congressman Tom Tancredo - Thanks for being a Thompson Cigar Customer

ABC News' Jake Tapper reported on his blog today about a well publicized flap in Congress over a cigar last week. The incident between Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colorado and Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. has made headlines but Tapper dug deeper.

Apparently Rep. Tancredo likes to shop from us. We'd like to say thanks. Tell all your buddies to read our Cigar Blog 101 also....

3 Regular Guys Cigar Review - CAO Brazilia Gol!

Super 8 Cigar Sampler Review Courtesy of the 3 Regular Guys at Thompson Cigar.

So the 3 Regular Guys have slacked off so much on our cigar reviews that we now have to share the stage with this Corona Chris guy. If the intention was to motivate us to get back to providing you guys with reviews of cigars, it worked.

But seriously, not only are we glad to have Corona Chris onboard, but he’s also a great resource for us. Another perq is that he works in our retail store so when we hang out there talking cigars with him it’s not too much of a stretch to call it research instead of skipping out on our other work.

Our next stop in our trek through the Super 8 Sampler (we promise we’ll wrap this one up and move on SOON) is the CAO Brazilia Gol! As mentioned in a prior post about the Criollo, this is Tim Ozgener’s breakaway cigar where, in addition to cooking up some flashy and rather non-traditional packaging, he also wanted to showcase Brazilian tobacco in its own right instead of being just a filler component. Well, the way he went about this couldn’t make us much happier!

The Brazilia is a great maduro cigar offered in a variety of sizes (we reviewed the Gol! 5 x 56 –a perfect robusto). The filler and binder are Nicaraguan tobacco and the wrapper is a stunning Brazilian leaf. This cigar is an ideal combination of ingredients and craftsmanship and it shows. While reviewing our tasting notes it became abundantly clear that this cigar could only have gotten more accolades from us if the Padron was not in the Super 8 mix. Colm probably summed it up when he waxed poetic and said, “The only thing that would make this cigar better would be to make it a Nicaraguan puro!”

We mostly agree, however this cigar cannot and should not be a Nicaraguan puro. It’s the Brazilia and what makes it the Brazilia is that incredible wrapper. Because of that wrapper, which mellows this smoke sort of like how the beach in Rio mellows the pace of life, this cigar has strength, full body and complexity but makes sure there’s no edginess at all. If you smoke a Brazilia that has a bit of an edge or bite to it that stick was the victim of abuse somewhere in its youth. Instead it should smoke smooth as silk and deep with hints of cocoa and dark chocolate. Should you detect any hint of bitterness it should only be as it relates to the tastes of dark chocolate.

Dave enjoyed every bit of this cigar. From the appearance and pre-light aroma of oiled leather to the medium to full bodied smoke which reminded him of a wood fire in a fireplace and tasting of black licorice and chocolate. His cigar burned evenly all the way to the band and produced a white ash that starkly contrasted with the dark wrapper. Basically this sounds like a contender to be his comfort cigar.

Colm brought up the consistency of CAO cigars and as such only cautioned the smoker to ensure she has enough time to sit down and properly smoke this cigar. Aside from that to him this cigar was very nice, smooth smoking, having hints of cocoa, with a good complexity and well-balanced. The construction was great; he took note of its great ash and even burn. Colm puts this cigar on his list of sticks that he would eagerly recommend to anyone –which we presume is also inclusive of people he likes.

Scott picked up on the same excellent construction characteristics of this stick and loved the cool full-bodied smoke that yielded a medium length clean and light finish. This is a big ring cigar and his favorite size because this cigar basically smokes itself. He also found the taste had a dark chocolate bitterness that rounds out to a woody coffee taste. The toasty smoke starts on the front and side of the palate and ends lingering over the center. This stogie is just all around pleasant and satisfying.

Our only peeve with the Brazilia that we could dig up is that it’s spelled with a “Z.” Take a look at the band –“handmade” is written in Portuguese but the English spelling of the nation is used. As a perfect robusto the Brazilia Gol! is named after the Brazilian Portuguese word for “goal!” In that regard even if it’s not spelled Brasilia this cigar definitely scores in our world! GOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL!

Get your Super 8 Sampler by clicking here >>.

Cigar Deal on Woot.com Today Only

Visit Woot! today only for an exclusive cigar sampler deal - the Extreme 12. Look for the link in the top right hand corner called side deal.

12 Premium Handmade Cigars Plus a Free Leather Travel Case - $29.95 at Thompson Cigar.

Cigar Storage in Freezing Weather

We are all aware of the dramatic change in the weather, 42 below zero that has hit portions of the U.S.- the question has been asked- “Will this affect my cigars in route to my home during shipping?”

If the shipment arrives to your home, and sits out exposed to the cold for several hours or days, in below zero temperatures, no harm. However, when they are brought in to a warm home we suggest you allow them to acclimate to the warmth before smoking.

If after you open the box, the cigars feel very hard- not the usual firm as is perfect construction, and before you place them in your humidor collection- simply wait 24-hours- they will return to normal. A second comment is that with home heat; recheck your humidor more frequently.

Remember the gauges should read 70-70, and with the heating of your home- there occurs a normal drying. So check your cigars and gauges daily.

By Al Remp, product specialist and trainer, Thompson Cigar.

Avo Legacy - Inventory Special

We just finished doing inventory, and every year we find hidden treasures that have been lost, mislabeled, or forgotten inside our massive humidor here in Tampa.

This year we found an amazing rare smoke, the Avo Legacy. It was released in 2004 as a limited edition Avo in one size. It was the only limited production Avo to be released that year, and can no longer be found. It is an extremely smooth, medium bodied Dominican, that is a must have for any “Collector” (Thanks Al).

The Avo Legacy box has 12 great looking Belicosos (5 ¾ x 48) inside, plus it comes with a limited edition CD (12 Tracks), composed and recorded by Avo himself! Since we have been aging these smokes for 3 years for free (our mistake), we decided to offer it as a Cigar Blog 101 special and give our readers the chance to grab one of the last 20 boxes in our inventory at the original 2004 price of $144.00! Click on the link below for a detailed look at this rare Avo before they are gone.

Avo Legacy

Cigar Review by Corona Chris, Thompson Cigar product specialist.

Cigar Club tips from Al Remp

Recently I attended a very new cigar club- 25 members, that had all cigar lovers could ask for- good friends, good discussions, good cigars, before and after food and beverages, plans for the next meeting, exchanging cigars, and a very cordial evening.

As the cigar industry continues to grow, this type of venue, has and will always be important, if you are a club member, congratulations, if not, I will give some pointers that I have witnessed.

First, you will need a location- it can be a local tobacconist, or a local eatery (smoking of cigars encouraged).

Secondly, gather names of local cigar smokers, this is simple if your local tobacco shop displays a sign-up “Join our Cigar Club” sheet. When names are gathered- someone has to be a leader- remember this is a social group- egos stay out.

If you have a plan for the first meeting- it should have a charter- the reason you will gather and develop a name.

Then you are ready to invite someone from the cigar industry.

All manufacturers will participate, but they must have a structured meeting schedule- and they “will come”.

Food and/or beverages are from Gourmet to BBQ- beverages- optional- and some beverage suppliers are anxious to attend cigar club meetings- someone in the group knows someone, etc.

Keep all meetings informational- several hours of length- with a strong willing desire to come to the next one.

How Fun-cigar clubs do that!

By Al Remp, product specialist and trainer, Thompson Cigar.