CigarFox

Is there a cigar aficionado on your gift list?  Wondering how to choose a decent cigar for a friend or loved one?  Even if you know nothing about cigars or choosing a good cigar, just learning a few basics can help you sniff out (sometimes literally) a good cigar to give to a friend.  

Fortunately, cigars have now entered the mainstream.  Once the symbol of the rich and powerful, it’s easier than ever for just about anyone to purchase a good cigar.  Of course, you probably won’t be able to buy your friend a box of top-tier Cuban cigars, but you can definitely buy them a good quality cigar that will put a smile on their face.  

First, visit your local tobacconist or specialty smoke shop for the best quality and widest selection.  Avoid ‘drugstore’ cigars.  Although they may be inexpensive and convenient to purchase, drugstore cigars are usually filled with preservatives and generally of poorer quality.  They may contain, at minimum, saltpeter, paper, glycerin, and other preservatives and irritants.  You should make sure that the cigars you purchase are made of 100% tobacco.  If you have any questions regarding the cigars ingredients, ask the salesperson.  An experienced and knowledgeable sales clerk will be able to tell you extensive information about the ingredients.  

Your local tobacco shop is a good place to shop because you will generally be allowed to smell and touch the cigars.  Squeeze the cigar gently.  A good quality cigar will give a little when squeezed.  The cigar should be firm, with no excessively soft or hard spots.  Never buy a lumpy cigar. Look at the wrapper.  If you notice any drying or discoloration, best not to buy it.  Ideally, the wrapper should be tight and smooth.  Inspect the color of the tobacco to make sure it is even.  Do this by inspecting the end of the cigar.  Some color variation is normal, but if the color changes abruptly, chances are the cigar was not rolled properly.  A cigar that is not rolled properly may result in an uneven burning and unpleasant odors.  

If you’re not sure how much your friend smokes, choose a longer cigar.  Longer cigars tend to have a ‘cooler’ taste—an excellent choice for beginners. If you know your friend is an experienced and regular smoker, choose a cigar that is greater in diameter.  These cigars tend to have a richer flavor that experienced smokers will appreciate.

About the Author:

Check my new Buy Chairs and Kids beach chair web pages.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Buying Cigars as a Gift

Partagas Serie P No.2 Cuban Cigar

Ship Cigars from Canada?

ok so i was thinking on going to cuba to buy a little piece of heaven, a.k.a cuban cigars. the thing is if i leave them at a friend’s in canada and he later ships it to me, can the federal government press charges to me? also is the federal government allowed to open mailing?

I had three BOXES in my suitcase when I came back from Iraq. If they find them in customs or in the mail, they may take them, and they may not. You take the chance.

That said, I have found there are a lot more legal cigars that are a whole lot tastier than cubans. When Castro took over the tobacco farms, many of the growers left with their seeds to other countries. The ones who stayed were government controlled and don’t really care about the product.

The displaced growers are now in other countries with cuban seed, and are selling their cigars legally in the US.

Cuban cigars are the “forbidden fruit” and thus are still sought. Truth be told, they aren’t really that good.

Matt and Mello feel Mellow!

Casual cigar owners often ask themselves: is a humidor really necessary? The answer is: only if you care about the quality and taste of your cigars.

After all, for some smokers, the after-dinner cigar is more symbolic than anything – a conspicuous display, perhaps, of taste and leisure, or a social or familial ritual. If, however, you smoke for taste – which is the best reason to smoke – you should probably invest in a humidor: a specially-constructed box designed to maintain your cigars in near-70% humidity and at a proper temperature when they’re not being smoked.

To understand why humidors are so important, remember what a cigar essentially is. It’s a set of rolled-up tobacco leaves that have been cut, dried, cured, and fermented, then maintained at a very slight but essential level of moisture. If the cigar dries out completely – as can happen in open air, at the wrong temperature, or in low humidity – it loses its taste. If it’s kept in an airtight environment, on the other hand, the necessary low level of moisture will, over time, cause mold. A cigar requires a very special set of conditions in order to maintain optimum taste.

The humidity in which cigars are stored is important because of the specific conditions in which most tobacco is grown. The natural climate for most such areas is in the neighborhood of 70% relative humidity; the tobacco plant has evolved for such a climate. Thus, humidity control is the sine qua non of a humidor – without that, it’s not a humidor but a box with cigars in it. Humidors are able to maintain a relatively consistent humidity level partly because of the relatively porous wood used to line them (Spanish cedar and Honduran mahogany are popular choices for this reason).

Most humidors also, of course, have some sort of device that maintains moisture levels; some use hygrometers, which indicate interior humidity. (Digital hygrometers tend to be more accurate, though they lack the old-fashioned appeal of dial hygrometers.)

When packing your humidor, make sure you leave some room between the cigars to allow air to circulate between them. (Again, you want to avoid an airtight fit, which would promote mold. On the other hand, too much empty space will allow that all-important humidity level to drop. Check on your cigars frequently, at least once a week, to ensure that nothing needs to be adjusted). The cigars should, at best, exude a small amount of oil when stored; this is a sign that the humidor is working. Slight amounts of water can be added if cigars start to dry out.

If your cigars suffer an attack of tobacco beetles – a species of beetle that preys on tobacco and can sometimes bore through a humidor – you’ve probably been keeping the temperature in the box a touch too high (tobacco beetles flourish at temperatures over 75 degrees.) Remove the affected cigars and put them in your freezer for 48 hours, then move them to your refrigerator for another day, following which they should be safely returnable to the humidor.

Spanish-cedar humidors are a popular choice. This wood, as mentioned above, holds moisture well, maintaining humidity, and it holds an aroma many consumers find pleasant and complementary to that of the cigars themselves. It’s also slightly favored for keeping tobacco beetles out, and it doesn’t warp in high humidity.

When you buy your humidor, “season” it by applying a moist cloth to the interior wood and then leaving a small, closed container of water inside the humidor for 12 hours. If the humidor “drinks up” most of the water, leaving the container near-empty after 12 hours, repeat the process for another 24 hours. Once the water stops evaporating, the humidor is ready for your cigars!

About the Author:

CigarFox
provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1000 different brands! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The ABCs Of Cigar Humidors

Partagas Spanish Rosado

Advert Collection 33

Blissful conditions beyond compare in one of America’s most hopping, exciting cities is what you have when you visit Miami, Florida.

Miami Florira

This is truly one of Florida’s most exuberant vacation spots. Natural Health Magazine rated this city one of the most healthiest cities in the United States. It is no wonder with all the beautiful people and ethnicity happening here. It pampers it’s tourists by offering not only beautiful beaches, but the glitz and glamour of South Beach where you can develop an attitude as if you were on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. To this, add beautiful beaches, some of the greatest salt water fishing, diving – – is it any wonder this is truly a haven for vacationers of all ages.

There is definite international flare in shopping and you are offered an upscale bountiful marketplace to enjoy with some of the classiest specialty stores around. There are two major outlet malls where prime shopping exists. Their malls are some of the most beautiful in the United States containing not only stores, but beautiful gardens and waterfalls in the inside of the mall.

You will definitely have no trouble finding things to do in Miami. Between the beaches, shopping, you can also take many of the tours which can lead you into the Everglades on an airboat or some of the echo-adventures. This is truly a Florida vacation resort to behold. You can go into the various sections of the city. Try Little Havana with its Spanish heritage and the dynamic community with such a Latin flare, it is unmistakable. Listen to the waves of Spanish music or go to the cigar shops where you can see them roll Cuban cigars. There are museums, art galleries, studios and may cultural events that take place, some right in the middle of the streets when they have their festivals.

Travel down through Little Haiti where there is a flare of Louisiana in the Creole cooking and community brimming with the spices and traditional style of their culture. Slip into Overtown where the African-American community has the famous Lyric theater where you can see shows with stars from Hollywood performing.

You can’t tour Miami unless you hit Bricknell Avenue, named after William and Mary Bricknell, founders of the greater Miami area. This area never seems to shut down and harbors many after-hour clubs and restaurants where you can stay up all night and sleep until noon.

You can’t overlook the sports scene in Miami, either. Home of the Miami Dolphins, NFL football team, one of the most prominent college teams in the Miami Hurricanes, the NBA Miami Heat. Not to also forget the Marlins, hockey in the Panthers and the Calder Race for boating at its finest.

There is no way you can escape the multicultural delights in cuisine that Miami offers. With your patelitos, merenguitos for Spanish flare, Cuban and Columbian restaurants.

Every March, thousands of revelers flock to the grand Hispanic street festival called Calle Ocho to celebrate the finale of Carnival Miami. Little Havana is one of the best places to experience Cuban culture and Latin cuisine. There are such exotic flavors in the international restaurants and even the new Floribbean or New World dining. There isn’t a tastebud that can’t be satisfied with all the wonderful menus and delectable dining fares in this city.

Don’t forget one of the oldest parks and racetracks to visit at Hialeah Racetrack. The beautiful track offers a fun time watching either dogs or horses while you sit in the grandstands surrounded by palm trees and the color array of flowers.

Don’t forget to enjoy your Miami stay by obtaining a vacation rental. For the price of a hotel, you can be relaxing on the balcony of a luxury condo or beautiful Miami vacation home. Enjoy all that the beautiful city of Miami has to offer. You will probably return year after year to take in all the excitement.

About the Author:

www.bookfloridarentals.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Miami Vacation Rentals, Vacation Home Rentals Florida, Florida Vacation Condos, Naples Attractions

Cigar My African Grey Timneh Talking Parrot

A few months ago, I got an invitation email from American Express to join e-Rewards, the program that rewards you for your time and your opinions from leading companies. In a nutshell, they award you bonus points for completing surveys online. I signed up for the program because I was interested in earning more points for my Hilton HHonors® Platinum Credit Card from American Express. For more information about this credit card, check out my blog on Four Usefule Credit Cards With Reward Bonus.

Just for signing up, I immediately received 500 Hilton HHonors bonus points. Also, I received a welcome gift from e-Rewards that includes

1. $10 off a purchase of $20 or more at eBags
2. $10 off your next in-store purchase of any one item priced at $20 or more at a Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center location

It was a few days after that I started to receive emails from e-Rewards to complete surveys online. Over the past 3 months, I have completed roughly about 40 surveys. Each survey takes between1 to 10 minutes to complete. My total reward points is currently at $56.

Rewards:

Today I logged into my account to see what type of rewards I can redeem. To my surprise, some do the rewards are quite decent. Some of the highlights are:

• $15 in Borders Bucks can be added to your Borders Rewards account
• six (6) coupons, each valid for one (1) free Movie rental (one (1) free rental per month for six (6) consecutive months) at any participating BLOCKBUSTER® store in the USA.
• coupons at eBags, Neiman Marcus Last Call, FORZIERI.com, Levenger.com, sonystyle.com, Omaha Steaks, Steak and Ale, Zales.com, FTD.com, Snowbird
• free subscriptions to zagat.com, Blender, Inc., Working Mother, Vibe, Interview, Fast Company, Seventeen, Harper’s Bazaar, Golf Digest, Radar, Lucky, Outside Magazine, Latina, Boating, Elle Décor, Cosmopolitan en Español, Golf Magazine, Computer Shopper, People en Español, Cigar Aficionado, SHAPE, Travel & Leisure Golf, BusinessWeek, Hallmark, Essence, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, Siempre Mujer, TV y Novelas, Vanidades, Hispanic, Everyday Food, The Wall Street Journal, Wine Spectator, Martha Stewart Living, Star
• bonus miles for American Airlines AAdvantage®, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks®, Continental Airlines OnePass, US Airways Dividend Miles, Delta SkyMiles®, Flying Blue Miles
• $50 E-Cert for travel on Northwest Airlines
• Hilton HHonors® Bonus Points

How to Join

To join e-Rewards, you must request an invitation from one of the sponsor companies. One of the easiest way to join, is sign up for Hilton HHonors® Platinum Credit Card from American Express.

Once your application accepted, you’ll be notified via e-mail within two weeks

About the Author:

Click here for more hot deals from MyFavDeals.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Paid Surveys: E-rewards

Mutoh ValueJet Large Format Printer – from SignWarehouse.com

I wonder why older cigar smoking men always seem to love liquorice?

My older partner in the UK bought a kilo of the stuff and when he didn’t have a cigar in his mouth or hand he was snacking on the stuff. I wonder why cigar smokers like himself and maybe other older cigar smokers seem to crave liquorice??? He ate a quarter of a kilo in one day and had to clean the black stains off his false teeth that night.
He also eats a lot of choc as well. It makes me wonder if eating covers the cravings when he cant smoke

Hmmmm…..I’m a cigar smoker and I HATE black licorice

I love cigars!

The making of the “Cuban Cigar” video (Part I)

Meeting and connecting with the right person is no mean feat, and when you find your perfect match, you want to plan the most romantic date possible to get things off to a good start. With so many restaurants, attractions and possibilities on offer it can be confusing trying to decide on the best option. Depending on your budget, and you and your date’s preferences, you could choose from a myriad of venues – from exclusive to low-key, each offering its own special charm.

To give you some inspiration, here are some of the top date destinations across Gauteng:

• The Blue Train

For those who never take half-measures, a trip from Pretoria to Cape Town on the famous Blue Train offers unsurpassed luxury and indulgence. From the exquisitely prepared cocktails enjoyed in the pre-departure lounge to the beautifully bedecked interior, champagne and fine dining, this is one experience your date will not forget in a hurry! This option takes a lot of planning, so perhaps save this dating in Gauteng option for when you and your partner have gotten to know each other well. Prices are available on request, booking essential.

• Dinner Theatre at The Performer

Creating the perfect blend of fine dining and entertainment, The Performer in Pretoria’s Menlo Park offers a relaxed and enjoyable date venue which is perfect for second or third dates. Various performers can be enjoyed, with the added benefit of scrumptious meals and fine South African wines. Prices vary depending on the evening’s line-up.

• Moyo

A firm favourite with any Gauteng single or couples, Moyo offers award-winning cuisine and five levels of unsurpassed African splendour. Enjoy local and African delicacies, divine cocktails, fine wines, cigars and the stunning atmosphere of this popular restaurant, with excellent service and the ideal subtle privacy that makes it ideal for a romantic date.

• Coffee and Cake Amongst the Roses

Perfect for a first date venue, Ludwig’s Rose Farm in Pretoria has a beautiful little eatery called Spiced Coffee that has that special something – set against the backdrop of thousands of roses, you and your date will be able to enjoy delicious coffee and a selection of cakes. Perfect for that all-important date, the scenery and scents are sure to be a great ice-breaker!

• Pamper and Luxury

For couples who have reached the point in their relationship where things can progress further can enjoy the luxury and indulgence of one of Gauteng’s top spas. Botanical Spa at the Westcliffe in Johannesburg offers a wide range of soothing, calming, pampering and revitalising treatments that are sure to leave you both feeling refreshed and energised. Prices vary according to treatments, and booking is essential.

• African Dancing and Drumming

A date that is sure to have you both moving to the beat, Drum Cafe in Newtown, Johannesburg offers a range of dance and drumming lessons. With traditional African sounds, and a sense of fun and movement, this is a fairly low-key date that will leave lasting memories and a new sense of appreciation for the many talents that South Africa has to offer. Let your hair down and find love as you enjoy the rhythm of drums and marimbas.

The perfect date is not always about lavish touches and expensive meals. The most romantic dates are ones that are thoughtful, inventive and creative – leaving your date impressed and touched at your resourcefulness.

Haven’t met that someone special yet? Consult dating services such as Match VIP and find the perfect partner today.

About the Author:

Bianca Jones shares her views on finding the best dating services to ensure help for dating in Gauteng.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Gauteng dating tips: choosing the perfect venue

Jazz Band, Bilton Wine Estate Cigar Lunch

What would you “My Friends” put in a time capsule for Fidel Castro?

One of my many kids did a book report on President Castro and now has to make a time capsule about him

What would you “My Friends” put in a time capsule for Fidel Castro?

A bomb BOOM!

Didier Houvenaghel on his book, The Cigar: From Soil to Soul