Category Archives: Take a Cigar For a Walk

by | March 25, 2011 · 10:29 pm

La Gloria Cubana Serie N Contest and a Visit to NYC!

In honor of La Gloria Cubana Serie N Day, I’ll be giving away two (2) Five packs of Serie N JSB (5½ x 54) to two people who leave a comment on this page. Winners will be drawn randomly on or around Wednesday, March 30, 2011. I will also be giving away five packs for the next 3 weeks, so stay tuned!

I had the honor and pleasure of participating in the Serie N day webcast, and, in case you missed it, I asked how they could possibly manufacture the Serie N cigars with the light tobacco leave “N” and sell it for a reasonable price.  Having recently seen all the steps that go into the manufacture of a cigar, it’s incredible that the cost can be kept as reasonable as it is, and the “N”s are hand applied.  If you look at a box of Serie N cigars you will notice that all the “N”s line up and are nice and straight.  This  is a testament to the attention to detail paid to this one little distinctive feature.  The cigars smoke great, and if you like maduro cigars with some oomph to them, the La Gloria Cubana Serie N is well worth a try.  General Cigars was very generous in providing samples as well as the cigars for these contests, many thanks to all involved in this very special event. It was fun to participate in this event, and I always appreciate the opportunity to embarrass myself!

We took a family trip to New York City today (Saturday) and I had an opportunity to stop by De La Concha and pick up a few cigars.  It’s very convenient that the store is right around the corner from Tiffany’s, where my wife always likes to visit.  Of course, I spent more than I normally would on cigars, but I wanted to try some of the New York only cigars that have been released recently.  I picked up a La Aurora Broadway, a couple sizes of the Alec Bradley New York Series and a Gurkha Para la Gente.  These cigars were created specifically to help out New York State cigar retailers after the cigar taxes were raised.  The cigars were pricey by my standards, but probably provide the retailer with better margins than other cigars.  I wanted to pick some up as much for the novelty as anything, and I’ve never had a Gurkha, believe it or not.  Maybe I’ll have a “NY Cigar Week” in the coming months!  As a side note, we walked at least 50 blocks on our visit, but I passed on having a cigar because it was so crowded, cold and windy I wouldn’t have enjoyed it.  How many miles is 50 city blocks?

That’s it for now, leave me comments to win a 5 pack of great cigars, and remember, I’ll be selecting two winners on Wednesday!

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

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by | March 8, 2011 · 5:31 pm

Take A Cigar For A Walk: Tommy Takes a Diesel for a Walk

While I’m busy packing up for Cigar Safari,  Tommy Berry is filling in with another installment in the “Take A Cigar For A Walk” series:

“Man, how I love the fact that others have begun to take a cigar for a walk! This week, I will share one occurrence with you where I took along an old favorite…that did the job again! I walked Sunday night with a Diesel Unlimited. I love these smokes so much, that I was really not willing to smoke it while walking…but I have to say that I enjoyed the smoke even more! The Diesels are full bodied, and it really helped this particular walk as I had had several days with no walking…a good “pick me up!” Anyway, the woodsy taste of this smoke was really noticeable during the walk,. It burned very nicely (as they all have for me while walking) and I was very pleased that I never had to stop and correct any burning issues or relight…I was able to just keep on trucking…getting in a hard 75 minute walk.

I want to share with you that I have noticed on some other walks where I took along a “not so favorite” cigar…that it was really a drag! If I am smoking something I don’t care too much for…then I am not as motivated to keep on trucking. So my advice to myself…and you…smoke what you like and don’t bother smoking “throwaways”! this is to be pleasurable…walking has never been fun for me…but it is now with a great cigar!

Long “walking” ashes to ya! –Tommy”

 

Another fine cigar sacrificed for the sake of fitness!  I love the Diesel Unholy Cocktail, I’ll have to try the Unlimited one of these days.  There are those who would recommend against smoking as a part of a fitness regimen, but I say if something works to motivate someone to do something healthy it can’t be bad.  Walt at StogieReview.com recently wrote an article about cigars as a motivational tool (here) and I’d like to thank him for the mention and encourage him and anyone else who’s following to keep walking!

Time for me to get ready to head off to Cigar Country, Keep up the good work Tommy and thank you for contributing!

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

 

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by | March 2, 2011 · 7:11 pm

Take a Cigar for a Walk: La Gloria Cubana Serie N, and Some Odds and Ends

I decided that since the weather was starting to get a little nicer I would dig into some of the cigar samples I received at last years IPCPR show.  The La Gloria Cubana Serie N is one that has been taunting me…every time I see it’s jet black wrapper in the humidor I want to smoke it, and I finally gave in to temptation.  The sample I received was a No. 49, which measures 5.75″ x 49 and, since it was a pre-production sample, did not have the lighter tobacco leaf “N” on the body of the cigar.  The presentation of these cigars is very cool.  The come in a bright red hexagonal box, with the layers of cigars turned 120º (correct me on this, I didn’t do well in Geometry).  As I mentioned, the regular production has an “N” affixed to the wrapper in a light tobacco leaf so you know what it is after the band is removed I suppose.  This example was full of flavor, although it was a little rough around the edges.  I enjoyed it though and look forward to trying these again.  The one annoying aspect was that it wanted to burn up one side, and I had to touch it up several times.  Only a minor distraction, and I feel as if I gave it enough time in the humidor so I can safely say it wasn’t my fault!

Tommy Berry has been quite busy with work and life and I had to pester him for a contribution this week!  Here’s what he had to say:

“To be honest with all of you, I have not walked since the last review…due to my schedule and I have been lazy for the past week…once I get home around midnight each night. I have had a major deadline at work to meet…and my four year old son has had Strep for the past week. It has just been crazy for the past week…however…what does this all mean? E-X-C-U-S-E-S! Excuses, that’s right…I allowed myself excuses to fail for the past week at walking. But, I say…no more! I will go out tonight and enjoy a walk with a great cigar!

Since I have no “Take A Cigar For A Walk” review – I thought I’d better fess up to what is really going on, and that is me allowing life to get in the way of becoming healthy. This is one of my problems that has caused me to get to the point that I am in anyway…excuses! So, with your help…your support…I will no longer have an excuse. I will walk…enjoy a fine cigar…and think about how much BETTER I feel once I get in from the long walks! Thanks for your continued support!

Long “walking” ashes to ya!

-Tommy”

Lets all give Tommy a raft of sh…..I mean some words of encouragement and support!

On another note, I received a message from Joel, who was one of the “lucky” recipients of a Hamilton House Torpedo a few months ago.  Joel wrote:

I finally torched the Hamilton house torpedo that you so graciously sent me. It was a very well constructed cigar. It burned very evenly. It was mild and smooth, with moderately restrained flavors. I enjoyed it very much and would consider purchasing some HH cigars if I ever came across them. Thanks again!

I’ve been quite impressed with these myself, especially at $40 for a box of 25 delivered.  I’ve payed a lot more for cigars that weren’t as good.  Thank you Joel for the feedback and I’m glad you enjoyed the cigar.

I’m going to have a contest in the coming weeks, it will something along the lines of “how many cigars did I smoke in Nicaragua”.  I’ll start it after I come back so that your guesses don’t have any effect on how many cigars I actually smoke.

That’s all I got this time, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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by | February 27, 2011 · 9:10 pm

Wooden Indian Drew Estate Cigar Event, a Joya de Nicaragua and a Chateau Real

Saturday I took a drive with my friend Kyle down to the Wooden Indian Tobacco Store in Havertown, PA for a Drew Estate Event.  This store has one of the only Liga Privada branded lounges in the country and has a very nicely stocked humidor.  The new location is much more comfortable than their old one, which was very small and located tucked into an odd corner in a large strip center.  The store is now, quite wisely I think, located right next door to the Havertown Fire Company.  Marvin Samel, co-owner of Drew Estate, Dave Lafferty, Regional Sales manager, and the local rep, Kevin McCormack were there, as well as Alan Price, our local Cigar Rights of America Ambassador.  I was very fortunate to be able to get some much needed advice on traveling to Nicaragua in the coming weeks from Marvin and Dave, as well as a couple that just made the trip in the last few weeks.  I picked up a couple of Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Robustos that I enjoy quite a bit, and suggested the same for Kyle.  I kind of pride myself on being able to recommend a cigar that I think someone my enjoy, I’m sure all of us cigar nuts can do that to some extent, and Kyle really enjoyed the cigar.  I really like these myself, they are a nice, smooth, good tasting cigar that’s made very well.  The dos capos presentation is interesting and eye-catching, but I don’t really think it adds too much to the flavor of the cigar as far as I’m concerned.  I smoke this one well past the transition to the maduro wrapper.  It was a nice afternoon hanging out with the Drew Estate guys and an old friend who I don’t see very often (but lives within spitting distance of me).

Going a little out of order this time.  Friday evening my wife wanted a cup of decaf coffee from Wawa, which for those in other parts of the county is a very popular convenience store that has pretty good coffee. I grabbed a Chateau Real Gran Cru Perfecto and took a walk.  The closest Wawa is about a mile and a half away, so that’s a three mile walk with a great cigar.  I have really been enjoying these cigars since getting a box over a year ago.  They are perfectly made, have a great cocoa/coffee flavor and at 6″ x 54 fit the walk nicely.  The dark San Andreas wrapper is beautiful and tasty.  I have some questions about these for the factory when I visit.  I’ve smoked a bunch of these as well as the Small Clubs and really enjoy them.  I’m afraid the coffee wasn’t as hot as it could have been by the time I got home (temps were probably in the 40s), but I warned against that going into this, but it was a great walk with a wonderful cigar.

That’s all I have this time, I hope to have another update from Tommy for Wednesday so stay tuned.

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

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by | February 23, 2011 · 7:43 pm

Take a Cigar for a Walk: A Short Story And A Note from Tommy

After a particularly difficult day which included more of the demon snow and various work related lunacy, I decided to dig deep into the humidor and pull out a lonely old Fuente Hemingway Short Story for my evening walk.  For many years this was a favorite of my wife’s, and every one I came across went her way.  This one has been in my humidor for the better part of a decade just waiting for her to ask for it.  She informs me that that day will probably not come as she has gotten away from cigars, so I decided last night was the night to smoke it.  As I said, it’s been many moons since I enjoyed a Hemingway of any size, so I clipped it a lit it up.  It took a few minutes to burn past the tip and open up, but when it did I got that wonderful, although milder than I remembered, Cameroon goodness which I enjoy so much.  For a tiny cigar this one lasted for my entire 1+ mile walk and even had a little left for the all-important cool-down period on the front porch.  I haven’t priced these recently, but I remember when they were $103 a box, and $4 was a lot to pay for a little cigar, but this is a cigar that everyone who likes cigars should enjoy.  I’ve smoked most of the Hemingway line and the only one I never cared for was the Classic, which always had a metallic taste to me.  I bet I haven’t had a Signature in 10 years.  I may have a couple more floating around the humidor, I thin kI have a Work of Art in both Cameroon and Maduro wrappers, and there might be a Best Seller hidden someplace.  I’ll wait for warmer weather to smoke them as they are all well aged and I may have missed some of the subtleties of the Short Story smoking it in the cold as I did last night.

Here’s the latest from Tommy Berry:

This past week was a bit different for me! I spent some time outdoors, which with a desk job as an architectural designer is a nice change every now and then. I spent two days doing some surveying for a current project. Now, I could have smoked me a cigar or two…or even three each day…but I failed to remember my traveldor. However, I spent a total of six hours walking…walking…climbing…and only getting to enjoy my Copenhagen Moist Snuss/Snuff. (A habit that I don’t wish on anyone…but I guess it’s a cowboy thing down here in Texas!) Anyway, I was able to get in a lot of constant walking…a lot! It was a blast to be outdoors, but I have to admit that from my recent walks…I am very sore! That though is a plus…as obviously I am exerting some energy during each walk. I hope to get out for some time with a cigar and the next walk tonight (Monday).

With all of this going on, I have failed to “weigh in”. I have a goal to use this challenge to not only get healthier…but to lose weight as well. Soon, I will begin to update you with my current weight…helping more with accountability…in regards to actually losing weight…which will require eating less and properly…more often.

I would love to hear from some of you, if you are being challenged by this (in addition to those that have already commented on past posts) and what your thoughts and/or suggestions are.

Until next time…long “walking” ashes to ya!

Great to hear Tommy moving in a positive direction with his personal goals!  Let’s continue to support him through comments here or wherever you might encounter Tommy, as well as by taking a cigar for a walk yourself.  My offer still stands to publish any other guest reviews you wish to submit.

I’m going to try to make it to The Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop in Havertown, PA Saturday as they are having a Drew Estate event.  They had sponsored a recent Cigar Safari Trip and I’m looking forward to hearing about their trip.  I’m sure it will be the subject of a future article.  They have one of two Liga Privada Lounges in the country and it’s very nice as well as an enormous walk-in humidor.

Tommy stole my “Until the next time” line, so Adios Amoebas!

CigarCraig

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