CigarFox

Did you wait until the last minute to get a gift for your cigar lover? Well, it might not be too late to get something he will love, but you need to look in the right places.  Everyone gets caught up in buying the perfect gift, but there are generic gifts out there that are perfect for any cigar smoker.

As a cigar smoker, I know that there are certain things I can always use when it comes to smoking a cigar. Of course, some of them are toys. Some are fancy and some are not, but the real functionality of these cigar accessories is of the utmost importance. All cigar lovers need nice cutters, lighters, and travel cases. What’s more, if you can get us a nice cigar accessory tool with some cigars thrown in – the entire better!  I have some great suggestions for the 2009 Holiday Season that can get you out of a pinch and that I’m certain any cigar lover would want!

First, Diamond Crown is a premium cigar maker and they also make some of the nicest accessories on the market.  They’ve released a 2009 Edition of their leather traveling case with 3 cigars included.   The leather on this case is very soft and feels exquisite and the cigars are some of the most sought after cigars on the market.

Secondly, the God of Fire Lighter Set and the God of Fire Cutter Set are two very hot options for any cigar lover.  The set comes with 5 limited edition cigars and each also comes with a limited edition lighter or a limited edition cutter.  These are absolutely perfect gifts for any cigar smoker.  Trust me; we’re always looking for our elusive favorite cutter!

Finally, I would suggest that you look over some cigar samplers that might get your giftee into something new.   During the Holidays all of the major manufacturers put out limited edition gift-sets and samplers and they typically have something special to offer in each set.   Arturo Fuentes puts out a beautiful e

xtremely Rare Sampler every year.  Oliva has released two 5 cigar samplers this year and the Oliva V Sampler comes with a special shape.

Again, I would encourage you to look around at the obvious cigar gifts out there and try to find something special for your cigar lover that is hidden in plain sight.  Every cigar smoker loves a good cutter or a good lighter because we’re always losing them!   Good luck and Happy Holidays!

About the Author:

Still wondering for cheap and discount cigars, if yes! You should visit texcigars.com which offers the high quality cigars to choose from a collection of premium cigars, accessories and cigar samplers.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Last Minute Cigar Gifts

DiamondCrown talks-part1

A few years ago, in 2006, the Nevada legislature imposed a public smoking ban.

The new rule doesn’t apply – as yet – to the storied casinos of Las Vegas, where smoking is still allowed on gaming floors. And of course Nevada is hardly the only recent state to impose restrictions on public smoking. Indeed, it joins over thirty states (at this writing) with such laws on the books. If you are reading this from the United States, it is likely that a similar law applies to your area: half the country’s population is currently under the jurisdiction of a public-smoking regulation of some kind.

But the idea of a smoking ban passing the Nevada legislature seems almost like a kind of spiritual defeat for cigar smokers: after all, what could more epitomize “cigar cool” than the mental image of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, cigars and drinks in hand, finger-popping their ways through the floor of a Vegas casino?

It just symbolizes a fact that’s made passionate smokers’ lives a little more difficult over the past decade: in the interest of public health (and out of consideration for asthmatics and others), more and more city councils and state legislatures are choosing to ban public smoking outright, or are limiting it to certain licensed facilities.

Arguments about the effectiveness or appropriateness of these bans to one side, we can all agree that they mean that smokers have to put a little more energy into planning vacations. For a person who loves the taste of a good cigar, for whom relaxation doesn’t become meaningful until there’s a stogie involved, there’s no point in a vacation where you can’t even smoke in your hotel room. With smoking bans underway in Atlantic City (and this ban extends to casinos) and similar one-time bastions of cigar culture, frustrated cigar smokers are turning to a new option: the cruise ship.

And why not? Cruise ship vacations offer the ultimate chance to “get away from it all,” a continuous expanse of blue water, and the opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the country (and world). Few cruises are completely smoke-free, with most offering, at the very least, designated smoking areas that might include cigar bars or lounges. So it’s hard to go completely wrong – wherever you book your passage, you’ll almost always have at least some chance to smoke.

More and more luxury cruise lines don’t allow smoking in living quarters – that’s one downfall. After all, the next person using your room might be a nonsmoker, and it doesn’t make economic sense for cruise ship directors to designate permanent “smoking” and “nonsmoking” rooms; such a move would involve logistical nightmares during booking. But luxury quarters often include balconies, where smoking is sometimes still allowed.

The recent case of a cruise line headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida gives smokers an indication of what they can expect. The cruise line, according to some reports, lost millions in bookings after instituting a partial smoking ban in 2007. But compared to those bans that have caused smokers such dismay in Atlantic City and Ottawa, the Florida-based cruise line’s smoking ban doesn’t even apply to the on-ship bars and casinos.

Indeed, the cruise ship industry seems to be following the opposite track of most US states and municipalities – as they grow more restrictive toward smoking, cruise lines are growing more permissive. One completely smoke-free cruise ship line went out of business awhile ago; another once-smokeless line changed its policies to allow some smoking on the boat.

Smokers will likely want to evaluate cruise line policies prior to booking as there are has examples of ships with almost smoke-free policies. Smoking on such lines may only be permitted in two designated areas – and if you light up anywhere else, you could be kicked off the boat! (That presumably doesn’t mean you’ll be forced to walk the plank, but it’s probably not worth finding out.)

Another rule of thumb mentioned by several travel writers: if you’re looking for company as you smoke, go for a cruise line with a high number of European and Asian clientele. Citizens of many of these countries often still smoke in higher numbers than do contemporary Americans, and there is a Spain-based cruise line that currently sports the least restrictive smoking policy out there.

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, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – A Smoke At Sea: Cruise Ships Offer Smoking Vacations For Cigar Fans

Cigar Shop Expansion

Cigar lighters come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and they are one of the most important accessories for any serious cigar aficionado.

There are many brands available on the market today, most of which can be purchased at one of the numerous online cigar stores found on the Internet. One of the most popular and respected models, the IM Corona Double Corona Lighter, is flint reliable and holds butane released by a patented dual nozzle. It, along with many other brands, is available at Cuban CraftersÂ’ online store.

Other popular brands include the Colibri 3003, the ST Dupont Gatsby and the Blazer Z Plus. Lighters can run anywhere from just a few dollars to over $100. The most expensive models, such as the Colibri Vortex II, are made of hand-crafted silver and boast wind-resistant flames and built-in cigar punches. Many of these high-end cigar lighters are available from the Cigar King, an online provider of some of the finest cigars and cigar accessories.

Lighters are just one set of the many products available to a serious aficionado. Various types of humidors, chests, boxes, cutters and portable humidifiers can be purchased to preserve and display a collection, or enhance the smoking experience.

During the U.S. cigar boom of the 1990s, the demand for quality accessories like cigar lighters was stronger than ever. Riding a wave of popularity ushered in by public the endorsements of celebrities and by the emergence of online availability for discounted brands, cigars have seen dramatic sales increases, particularly among younger generations looking to emulate the elegant, debonair lifestyle touted by magazines like Cigar Aficionado. Though many still swear by the notion that a cigar can only be properly lit by a match, the cigar lighter has become an indispensable accessory for the serious collector and casual smoker alike.

Cigars Info provides comprehensive information on cigar smoking, Cuban cigars, discount cigars, humidors, lighters, boxes, and more. Cigars Info is the sister site of Humidors Web.

Total Cigar Talk — (4 of 6) — Humidors

If You Love Cigars, You Need a Humidor

Even if you’ve only recently started enjoying fine cigars, you should buy a quality humidor before your collection grows further. The cigar box that came with your cigars is fine for shipping, but it won’t keep them in prime condition over the long term. As you well know, some cigars need to be kept for 6 or 7 years before they reach their best smoking condition. If you don’t have a good humidor, that cigar will be ruined before you can smoke it.

Decide Which Type of Humidor You Need

The first step to buying a humidor is deciding where you’ll keep it and how big it should be. Do you want one for your home, office, country club, or for travel? If you have a small collection that you keep at the club, a 12-to-20-cigar humidor should be sufficient. Twelve is probably best for traveling. A home or office humidor can hold 100 or more cigars. If you want to display it on your desk, a 100-cigar humidor that enhances your décor is best. If you have 300 cigars, then a cabinet humidor might be a better place to store them. Cabinet humidors can be plain, designed to be kept in a closet, or large decorative boxes suitable for display.

Look for Quality Workmanship and Materials

With those decisions made, start shopping. The best humidors are made of wood dried to a 6% moisture content. The wood should be solid hardwood, not plywood. The surface should be smooth, no cracks or lumps. Travel humidors can be made out of metal to protect both the cigars and the case from damage. If possible, carry your travel humidor on the plane, but it should be safe in your suitcase as well.

The humidor’s lining should be Spanish cedar or Honduran mahogany. Spanish cedar is not the same as the cedar lining your closet. Closet cedar is much too strong for cigars.

A Good Humidor Maintains Ideal Conditions

The humidor should be large enough to hold your cigars comfortably and loosely. If you enjoy more than one kind of cigar, look for a humidor with dividers to keep the tastes from bleeding together. Check the closed lid to make sure the box seals firmly when full.

Most humidors come with a hygrometer and some kind of humidification device. The hygrometer will be either an analog dial or a digital read-out that displays the humidity level of the box. Both work equally well, so it’s just a matter of personal preference. Humidification devices come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and formats. You’ll frequently see tubes filled with distilled water or humidification fluid and plastic rectangles that contain humidification crystals. A larger humidor may have an electronic humidifier to accurately maintain the humidity between 70 and 72%.

Proper Humidor Maintenance Is Key

Once you receive the humidor and have the hygrometer and humidification device conditioned according to the instructions, you should let the box humidify for a few days before adding cigars. Keep the humidor away from sources of direct heat, air condition, direct sunlight, and drafts. All four will dry out the box and could damage the cigars inside. You should open the humidor every few days to let fresh air circulate into the box.

A humidor is the only way to store and maintain your cigars in their proper condition. Quality humidors don’t have to be expensive. You can find an attractive humidor at an affordable price and spend the rest of your money on amazing cigars and other necessary cigararette accessories.

About the Author:

Lisa Becker is an avid home decorator and writes for
Fireplace Mantels 123
: Shop For Your Perfect Fireplace Mantel and Surround. Her expertise regarding fireplace mantels and surrounds provides insight into the world of interior design and home decorating. For the rest of the article, check out
Fireplace Mantel
Ideas and Buying Guide.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Buy a Humidor

Southern Sun’s new hotel in Hyde Park offers a perfect oasis for leisure and business travellers to Johannesburg, the economic epicentre of Africa.

Located at the the Hyde Park Shopping Centre, one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive suburbs, the four star hotel offers 132 contemporary designed guestrooms, fine dining, a fitness room and panoramic views of the city.

The rooms feature a media-hub giving guests seamless technological integration. When connected via a VGA cable, the television automatically detects a laptop and guests can charge any USB-based device and dock iPods, iPhones and MP3 players, as well as view digital recordings.

Southern Sun Hyde Park, which cost more than R180 million to build, also offers two boardrooms, a generous function room, an exclusive whiskey bar and cigar lounge, and an outside pool and bar area where guests can drink in the leafy northern suburbs of Johannesburg.

This prestigious Southern Sun hotel boasts the first African bice Ristorante, part of the global Italian-themed Bice  chain, while Eastern cuisine is on offer at Daruma Sushi and Tempura Bar. These menus are available throughout the hotel.

The two internationally renowned chefs who were brought on board – Daniele Fabris and Goda Katsumi – gained extensive experience at several top restaurants worldwide, including the famous Annabel’s Club in London.

The Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel gives guests easy access to one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious venues for boutique shopping, dining and entertainment.

Since its opening in September, the Southern Sun Hyde Park has already become a destination in itself for Joburgers, who visit the hotel to dine, relax and meet friends or business associates, while enjoying the magnificent views and high-quality service.

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – New Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel offers perfect oasis for visitors to Johannesburg

Rock Thomas Interview with the Cigar Aficionado Eben Miller

Cigars have mold, I think – what do I do?

About 3 months ago I purchased my humidor, Andorini, I took all the precautions for preparation. This morning I found a white/grey’ish substance, (mold I think), on my cigars. It is very spotty, powdery looking and the most affected was the ones closest to the humidification unit. Doing some research on the Internet I wiped down the cigars with distilled water and a paper towel, very gently, and used isopropyl alcohol on the interior of the humidor and let to air dry. I’m not sure if its mold or blume, I believe its mold because it not crystalline in nature. I don’t see any mold on the interior of my humidor, visible that is. Can my cigars be cured or saved? I’ve read you can put them in the freezer/frig after cleaning them to stop the mold from coming back, is this good idea? Help?????

when in doubt just throw them out. go to the store or website you bought the humidor from and tell them about your situation and i’m sure they can help you. and if they can’t they might sympathize with your situation and give you a discount or something. it’s worth a try. i would not smoke them though. i’ve smoked many a fine cigar and never with mold on them! if the mold made them better, don’t you think you’d see more moldy cigars at the store?

Charlotte Cigars Air Purifier

Humidor Humidification Issues?

I had bought a new Humidor about a month ago and am having a hard time trying to maintain the humidity level in it. I had exchanged the original humidifier with the DryMistat tube, but the highest that I have seen the humidity level has been 61% but, majority of the time the level is in the low to mid 50% level. I have an accurate digital hygrometer and I know it is not in an environment which is excessively dry or in altering conditions, plus I am not opening/closing the box very frequently. I have tried using 50/50 activator solution and tried to put another DryMistat tube in and it is still at the 50% humidity level. I can’t figure out the problem, especially since I seasoned the humidor for a week when I first bought it and know that it’s not the DryMistat tubes because I am housing my cigars in tupperware, for now, without any problems.

It sounds like your humidor is still absorbing moister. Did you “season” the humidor? If not, you will need to do that. Take your cigars out, wipe down the inside of the humidor with a damp cloth. Then place the damp cloth (make sure you use distilled water) on a piece of plastic (a freezer bag or something similar) and leave it in the humidor for a couple of days. Then remove the rag and let the humidity go down. cheaphumidors.com is very good about answering questions that you might have also.

The Cigar Oasis Electronic Cigar Humidifiers Story

Due to standardization in living styles of people, the culture of cigar smoking has been increased like never before. Cigarette smoking has been considered as pastime activity, while cigar smoking is a culture. In fact, most of the cigar aficionados smoke cigars on various occasions such as marriage anniversary enjoy a night of poker with friends; celebrate business deal and so on. These days, keeping in mind requirements of cigar lovers, high end cigars are also available, which are made and rolled by hand. They are available with quotation “totally by hand”, hence people can recognize them and their value. There are some cigar accessories also available in the market.

Cigar Accessories

Cigar cutters, lighters, humidifiers, ashtrays, cases and tubes are some of the popular cigar accessories that should be kept by a cigar aficionado. Humidors keep a cigar in suitable temperature and humidity, hence the tobacco leaves do not get dry out or becoming brittle. There are various types of humidors available in the online as well as offline market. In order to cutting the ends off the tubes before lighting up, there are a plethora of cigar cutters available to please avid cigar lovers. There are two types of cigar cutters available in the market. One cuts the end off of the cigar and another pierces a hole in the end of the cigar.

Cuban cigars

Cuban cigars have been considered as one of the best cigars in this world. This is because the weather in Cuba is ideal for growing tobacco. Fonseca, Partagas, Trinidad, Bolivar, Quintero, Cohiba, Punch and Cuaba are some of the popular Cuban cigars that have got due attention from cigar lovers.

Cigar’s Online Market

With the passage of time, the passion of cigar smoking has been increasing more than ever before. In fact, today you can see a huge gap among cigar smokers in comparison of past years. Various types and sizes of cigars are available online; therefore it is suggested to buy them from an online store. By purchasing cigars from an online store, you can save money and protect yourself from the fake cigars. Purchasing cigars online also saves you from going here and there as online stores offer home delivery.

About the Author:

GothamCigars.com provides the freshest selections of premium Cigars, humidors, cigar samplers and tobacco cigar accessories. It is your best choice for buying discount Cigar online.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Smoking Cigars is Healthier than Cigarettes

Cigar Oasis ULTRA electronic cigar humidifier

If I put slightly stale cigars into a humidor, will they be any better or less dry?

I was meaning to buy a humidor before going on a month long trip, but forgot and now my cigars are slightly dried out…If I put them in a humidor now, will they get any better/less dry or will it not make a difference? I would assume it would help a little since the humidifiers in humidors put moisture back into the tobacco right?

Yes put them in the humidor right away! Its going to take a while maybe a week or two but you cigars will come back to life just be patient. Next time when you travel think about investing in a travel humidor you can buy them in all sizes and this will protect them in case you forget about them when your traveling the next time. Good Luck.

How to roll a cigarette (WITHOUT THE GLUE/GUM)