Humidification Devices

Whether you are new to cigars or an old hat at it, keeping your cigars fresh and properly humidified can be a process of trial and error. The Rh level that you choose to store your cigars at is entirely up to you and will be discussed at another time. The device that you choose is what I will be addressing. When most of you (and me) bought your first humidor, the humidification device that came with it was most likely some green floral foam in a vented container. You charged it with some 50/50 Propylene Glycol/distilled water solution and seasoned your humidor to get the desired level of humidity. This device required you to recharge it every so often depending on many variables such as temperature, humidity of the ambient air and how often you accessed the humidor. These devices release water vapor constantly and can over humidify your cigars very easily especially when your humidor becomes empty. So if you are like me, you look for something that will release humidity only when needed. So after I researched it, I went hi-tech and purchased the "Cigar Oasis" to do the job automatically. The Oasis constantly samples the air and determines when to add humidity to reach the user set level. This is a nice unit but it does have it's drawbacks. The first one is the size of the unit, it takes up the same space as 9 cigars and the vents on the top and the side must not be blocked. The second drawback is that it must be plugged in, so you have to locate your humidor within the close proximity of an electrical outlet. This can really detract from the beauty of a nicely finished humidor to have a cord running from it. So I searched for a device that is as small and simple as a floral foam device but with the accuracy of the Cigar Oasis. In my quest I discovered Rh beads. These special little beads only require distilled water, no PG solution. They not only release humidity based on a predetermined Rh level, but they also absorb excess humidity that can be cause by the change in ambient Rh levels or overly humidified cigars that were added to the humidor. This device is as simple as it gets. Get yours at Cigarmony.com . One other item that you might want to add to you humidor is a wireless hygrometer which allows you to monitor your humidor without having to open it, but that is a topic for another post.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Oliva Tobacco Angel 100

This is my first time trying the Angel 100. It is a Maduro 42x6.00. Medium bodied and strength with a peppery earthy taste. Got it in a sampler from JrCigar. I usually smoke atleast a 50 ring and needed to slow down so as not to overheat the smaller ring cigar. I would like to try a larger ring. Lots of nice smoke that smells great. 6+ rating.

Chas

Smok'em if you got'em

Lighting a Cigar...Which Apparatus Do you Choose?

When is comes to lighting a cigar, everyone has their preferred apparatus and technique. Through the years I have experimented with matches, cedar, butane torches and Zippos. Matches are nice because they have a soft, cool flame which doesn't burn the cigar too fast. You rotate the cigar while slowly drawing the flame into it. The only problem with matches (and cedar) is that if you purge the cigar slightly, the flame will blow out and you will have to light another match which is a pain. Butane torches allow for precise aim and fast lighting but if you are outside (and who isn't these days) it is hard to see the small blue flame and one would have a tendency to over light or cook the cigar. I have always liked using Zippos and for a while, I used the Z-Plus butane insert that converts it to a torch. But these days, I have gone full circle and use a stock Zippo with it's soft, cool flame to light all of my cigars. Unlike the match and lit cedar, if the flame goes out, a quick flick and it re-lights. Some people think that the lighter fluid taints the cigar, but I have never tasted any fluid in my cigars. So, which ever method that you choose to light your cigar, light it even and don't cook it.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Henry Clay Honduran Hermoso

This is the Robusto size Henry Clay Honduran with a medium brown EMS wrapper. Nicaraguan filler with a Nic/Dom/Hon binder. Easy draw with a uniform ash. Medium earthy flavour. I have smoked several Henry Clay's through out the years and the funny thing is that the cigars that I get in sampler packs are different than the ones that I buy by the box. The box versions are always squished and harsh where as the sampler cigars are nicely shaped and have a smooth taste. I won't buy a box of them for this reason. I like the "good" ones, but I don't always want to buy sampler packs. Rating on the good ones is a 7, boxed version 2.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Free Tickets for Baseball Fans who get Rectal Exam at Brewers Game

Yes, you read it correctly. Outside of the Miller park, trailers were setup to give complementary rectal exams and in return for your openness, you would get a free ticket to the Brewers game. Now that is what I call taking one for the team!

Chas

Remedios Don Victor Pyramides Flor Fina

This cigar is a 6x54 with kind of a box press look to it. A Connecticut shade wrapper with Mexican binder and Dominican filler. The flavour is a little spicey with a white pepper taste. As the cigar progressed, a hint of cedar was present. This cigar seems to be unravelling on me which progressed from the hole that can be seen in the photo. I have another one that I will have to look and smoke and see if the poor construction is an isolated incident. Price point is $2.00 to $2.50 each. Rating is a 6+.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Romeo Y Julieta Reserve Maduro

Romeo Y Julieta Reserve Maduro is a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapped cigar. The wrapper is a dull dark mottled brown with prominent veins running through it. The binder is Nicaraguan and the filler is Nic/Peru/Dom. This one is a Toro shape. The taste is leathery with a hint of mocha. The cigar is very firm to the touch. The ash is very white and even and the draw has just a little bit of resistance to it. Price point on this cigar is in the $5.00 to $6.00 dollar range. Rating 5+

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Heather Waibel at FumeeWorld.com Needs Your Help!

Heather Waibel from Fumee is having a fundraiser sale to help her generate funds to open her cigar shop in Texas. Head over to www.fumeeworld.com and check out what she has to offer (sorry guys, I have her dance card all filled up!). She also accepts pure donations.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

DogWatch Radio Podcast

For the best and one of the oldest Cigar podcasts, head over to www.DogWatchsocialclub.com and download the DogWatch Radio Show. Bob and Dale will entertain and educate you on not only cigars but on Florida weather, Colorado weather, home owners tax and even vintage truck restoration!! Check it out. (the show can also be downloaded via iTunes).

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Nintendo to release "No Touch Breasts!! Fight!!"

This new game from Capcom is suppose to teach women how to use self defense skills to subdue a would be attacker. Not sure what Capcom was thinking and maybe it loosing something in the translation?

Chas

Rosa Cuba Nicaragua

The Rosa Cuba Nicaragua cigar the I am smoking today is the Flor De Rosa model in a 5.50x48 size. It is constructed with an Ecuadorian Sumatran wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Dom/Hon/Nic filler. The body is medium with a mild earthy flavor. I am enjoying a Cafe Mocha and find that the chocolate brings out the sweetness in the cigar. This is a major value cigar at 65 cents each in a bundle pack. Pick up a bundle and add it to your everyday smoke list. Rating 7.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

DIGG and Kevin Rose are under attack!!

Yesterday on Digg posters started posting the HD DVD encryption key and fearing a law suit, Kevin and the rest of the Digg staff started deleting the posts. This started a full on attack on Digg to post the key as quickly as it could be deleted. I hope that Digg survives the legal issues.

Chas

Nat Sherman 1400 series Maduro

Nat Sherman 1400 series Maduro Double Corona is a dark brown (almost black) cigar with a rich smelling wrapper. The size is a 7x48 with a spicey taste with a hint of mocha. Full flavoured and bodied. I chose a Sea Dog Root Beer that is also full flavoured (hey Bob and Dale, this Dogs for you). The wrapper is Ecuadorian Sumatra with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The shape is Parejo. This is an hour and a half to two hour smoke so commit some series time to this big cigar. Nice and solid ash and heavy thick smoke.

Rating is a 7+.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em

Sancho Panza

Sancho Panza is a box pressed mild cigar with an earthy flavor. It is a 5.50x50 Connecticut shade wrapper with DR/HON/NIC filler. Not too complex in flavour. I enjoyed a Strawberry Crush Soda with the cigar, yummy. This Sancho Panza is a good everyday smoke. Rating is a 6+.
Chas

Smok’em if you Got’em

Castro a no-show at May Day parade

Hmm...Castro has not been seen in public since his illness but Cuba's government still insists that he is "in charge"...I smell a "weekend at Bernies" situation going on. They need to stick his head out the window and wave, hey it worked for the movie!

Chas

Steve Jobs: "People want to own their music"

Steve Jobs stated that Apple is not planning on offering music through iTunes via a subscription model because he thinks that people would rather own their own music rather than to rent it. I have to agree with him and now that iTunes is starting to offer DRM free music, people who download songs from iTunes will truely own the music that they pay for with no strings. Bravo Steve!!!

Chas

Jose Marti Robusto

Jose Marti Cuba Libre is one of my favorite cigars. This one is a Robusto (5x50), con shade wrapper with a Dominican filler. It has a smooth creamy taste with hints of vanilla and cedar. It has lots of creamy smoke and it is a cool smoke. Because of the creamyness of this cigar, I chose the Moxie Orange Cream Soda which compliements the flavor perfectly. Draw is always perfect and the quality in construction rivals the best. Price point is $1.60 to $2.00 ea. Pick one up and try one. Rating is a 9.

Chas

Smok’em if you Got’em

Dell set to offer pre-loaded Ubuntu "within weeks"

According to un-named sources, Dell will begin to ship systems using Michael Dell's favorite opperating system, Ubuntu. The linux distro will be ver 7.04 on "select" Dell models. Thanks for giving us a choice Dell!!

Chas

Montequilla Suprema Calidad

The cigar that I am smoking this evening is the Montequilla Surprema Calidad. The beverage that I chose to drink with this cigar is Sioux City Sarsaparilla, which is a strong Root Beer. I got this cigar when I ordered the “Herf in a Box” cigar kit from JR Cigars. It has 20 hand rolled premium cigars for $24.95 in a suitcase shaped box, very cool packaging. The meaning of the name is “Supreme Quality Butter” but this cigar is not sweet or buttery but harsh and strong. This cigar is strong in nicotine and will give you a buzz. Strong straw flavor which is quite bland. Price point is $1.20 to $2.00 ea. Leave this one on the shelf. Rating 4.


Chas

Smok’em if you Got’em