Cigar Club

If you have just discovered the wonderful world of cigars, welcome aboard the ship called, "aficionado". You have now embarked on a voyage that will probably go on for the rest of your life. No worries there because it's going to be the most relaxing trip you have ever taken and there's no way that you would want to get off the boat in any case. Thousands of new smokes are awaiting your personal judgment. Exclusive, high-rated brands will accentuate important occasions. In your search for a favorite smoke, you are going to learn about the different flavors associated with different wrappers, fillers, and brands.

You are going to learn about humidors and how to protect your treasured collection of cigars. In joining a cigar of the month club, participating in cigar auctions, and buying cigar samplers, you are going to add to your collection without breaking the bank. You will discover when and where to enjoy your prized possessions as well as more common, everyday smokes. With time, you might try and enjoy flavored smokes crafted by the creative folks at ACID. You might find out that you like Swisher Sweets or Backwoods Smokes more than the hand-wrapped brands. No matter where this voyage takes you, it's guaranteed to be a good one.

Find all of your cigars and smoke-related needs at the Thompson online cigar store today!

If you just joined the cigar smoking club, don't be surprised if it seems rather overwhelming. It actually should be considering the history, creativity, and fine art of cigar making and smoking. The world of the aficionado is no small place. There are hundreds of brands of cigars to choose from that involve different wrappers, fillers, seeds, flavors, and other factors that can be a source of confusion for people new to the good life. Although personally discovering the world of smokes on your own is the best way to learn about it, it's always good to have a few tips from seasoned aficionados:

• Try a different brand every time you smoke: Even if you have already settled on the smoking just one brand, you probably haven't been exposed to the huge variety of flavors and experiences associated with other types of cigars. Make efforts to try as many cigars as possible to discover the best for each smoking occasion.
• Sign up for a cigar of the month club: This is probably the best way to learn about and try a large variety of high quality smokes without spending big sums of money in the process.
• Get a humidor: Cigars need specific, proper storage or they can go bad in more than one way. Buy one of these as soon as possible to preserve and age your treasured smokes.

Buy all of your cigar needs at Thompson cigars today and save!

The world of cigars is meant to be explored. Every aficionado has his or her own favorite brand of smoke but that doesn't mean that it has to be the only cigar you enjoy. The love and appreciation that most cigar makers have for fine smokes means that there are hundreds of high quality cigars to choose from. In addition, since the quality of tobacco leaves can vary by year and region, even brands you have smoked in the past might pleasantly surprise you in 2012. You might also want to branch out and give flavored smokes a try. If you are used to smoking mild cigars, why not treat yourself to a highly-rated robust cigar?

With so many cigars just waiting to be tasted, it would be a big shame to not broaden your smoking horizons. One of the easiest ways to do this by joining a sampler of the month club. Sign up for the Thompson Cigars sampler of the month and you get 5, carefully chosen, high quality smokes each month. They come with information that gives details about each type of cigar to enhance your experience. It's almost like meeting with the experts from Thompson Cigars to discuss and smoke some hand-picked favorites.

Sign up for your personal monthly cigar tour and find all of your smoke-related needs at Thompson Cigars today.

Cigar smoking can be enjoyed in any number of ways but joining a cigar of the month club could make be the most worthwhile. When you are a member of a cigar of the month club, you save time, money, and know that you are going to get five, high-quality smokes each and every month. The following are just a few of the reasons why it's worth it to sign up for a cigar of the month club membership:

• Variety: Get a membership and get five new cigars every month. With the wide array of cigar brands available, you can be assured that interesting, quality smokes will arrive at your front door every month.
• Expert's choice: If you have a hard time deciding which cigar to try, you are a perfect candidate for the cigar of the month club because expert aficionados do the choosing for you. People that have been in the business for decades and truly know their smokes are bound to pick out some excellent cigars for your enjoyment. They also share their expertise by providing you with a newsletter that gives details about each premium smoke.
• Savings: You save money when paying for a membership because it would cost much, much more if you bought a box of each cigar brand separately.

Sign up for the best cigar of the month club and enjoy fresh, quality smokes delivered to your door on a monthly basis.

While the rating of cigars does involve a fair degree of subjectivity, the people that do the judging are cigar experts that have known the ins and outs of cigar smoking for many years. That said, they probably know what they are taking about. If they give a cigar a high rating, they didn't do it for nothing. The tastes are probably going to complex and the experience well worth the high price paid for such quality smokes. Nevertheless, there are times when we would rather pay a bit less for cigars with high ratings.

Here are a few ideas for spending less to enjoy highly rated cigars:

• Cigar samplers: There are all sorts of samplers available but some definitely include high-rated cigars. In fact, a few samplers only include cigars with high ratings. Buy these and you get the chance to smoke such quality cigars for far less than buying each brand by the box.
• Cigar of the month club: Although you never know what you are going to get, the experts are only going to pick smokes that they have personally honored with a high rating.
• Look for overruns and discards: Some companies such as Rocky Patel offer cigars with blemishes at a lower price. Other than the difference in color, these are just as good as the smokes that passed quality and control.

Find high-rated cigars for low prices at the best online cigar store.

Trying different cigars is one of the true spices of life but there's also a lot to be said about finding your favorite brand. For those who prefer the same type of cigar as their first smoke, the search ends just as soon as it starts. They stay with that original smoke because it made such a big first impression. Who can blame them for preferring the cigar that converted them into an aficionado? When the familiar smoke is great each and every time, why change it? A lot of people feel comfortable with the same smoke but even they admit the desire to try a different brand of smoke now and then.

For others, finding a favorite brand is an ongoing challenge because such aficionados admit that they don't feel inclined towards just one type of cigar. They enjoy several brands and types of cigars because each has its own unique texture and flavor. Too many good smokes to pick just one but that doesn't mean that every cigar they try is a favorite. There are always a few stand outs in every category of smokes. The best are the cigars that win awards and are given a rating of 90 or more. 

Whether you have found your favorite smoke or not, try a sampler of 90 plus rated cigars or join a cigar of the month club from an online cigar store. You just might discover a whole new set of favorites.

In running a business, factors such as hard work, determination, and vision are equally important. If you excel at just one of these attributes, your business has a good chance of being successful. Combine all three of these factors, though, and your business, product, or service is bound to be exceptional. This is clearly demonstrated by the Padron company story.

In 1962, Jose Orlando Padron arrived in Miami, Florida to start a new life. Like many Cuban refugees, he came with nothing more than a dream and the willingness to work hard. His vision was a cigar factory that would make high quality cigars that rivaled those of Cuba. First, however, he needed to save up money to start his business. Jose had difficulties in finding a job but he never gave up on his dream. A friend at the Cuban refugee office gave him a hammer as a gift after Jose mentioned that he had carpentry skills. He actually used that very hammer to work as a carpenter and save up the money to build his first cigar factory.

For this reason, a picture of that hammer is a signature aspect of the Padron brand. It's a sign of the humble yet determined beginnings of a company that now produces the best smokes manufactured in Nicaragua. Feature a Padron cigar in your cigar of the month club and experience the unique flavors of Jose's realized vision.

Rick from Colorado County, Texas reviewed the DON ELIAS 2-FER NATURAL CHURCHILL

The Don Elias Churchil was suggested as a substitute for my normal club cigar which was out of stock. I was not disappointed.

Bottomline: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Rating:

Pros: Easy To Light, Good Draw, Undamaged Wrapper
Best Uses: Everyday
Describe Yourself: Aspiring Aficionado

When you have a humidor the size of ours, occasionally stuff gets misplaced (hey, we drive golf carts through our humidor…give us a break). Such was the case with Don Elias, cigars from the bygone boom era that inadvertently ended up hidden behind boxes of more recent product. Seeing these again was kinda’ like seeing an old friend for the first time in years. Made from choice Dominican long fillers, these smokes were considered “A List” in their day, fetching well over $100 per box. Now, with only six sizes and a few boxes left, we’re ready to bid bon voyage to our pal at bargain basement prices. Take care of him for us, will ya’?

Chief from Balad Iraq reviewed the VERY EARLY BIRD SPECIAL COMBO

Excelent for starter cigar club good selection and variety

Bottomline: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Rating:

Pros: Easy To Light, Good Draw, Great Flavor, Undamaged Wrapper, Well Constructed
Best Uses: Everyday
Describe Yourself: Aspiring Aficionado

In the past, our Early Bird Special consisted of bundles of machine made short filler cigars, a significant bargain in their own right, and quite popular with many of our customers who recognize value. Now, with the advent of easy access to high quality tobaccos and greater availability of hand rollers it becomes possible to offer the new combo at significant savings. Thus, the new version of the Early Bird Special — The Very Early Bird Special.

Those of our customers who get up very early and call us right away to cash in on this deal will receive five bundles of handmade cigars from the Caribbean and Central America. Under different circumstances, these are cigars that would easily sell for twice the price. Here is your chance to get in on our famous Thompson bargain cigars. Act now because, like all such specials, the supply is limited. Selection may vary due to availability.

"BEAR" from MEMPHIS, TN reviewed the BELMONDO VINTAGE RESERVA CIGARILLO MADURO

This Belmondo cigarillo is "big" on flavor, quality, and value. This is one of my current Club selections and a very fine smoke. I can pretend I'm Clint Eastwood as I wind down with my Belmondo.

Bottomline: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Rating:

Pros: Easy To Light, FIRM ASH, Good Draw, Great Flavor, Undamaged Wrapper, Well Constructed
Best Uses: Events, Everyday, Gifts, Quick smoke, Special Occasions
Describe Yourself: Aspiring Aficionado, Neophyte Smoker

Whatever your favorite more expensive Dominican smoke, Partagas, Montecristo, Davidoff, Romeo y Julieta, you’ll find an inexpensive but equally mild and flavorful match among the Thompson brands, Order your supply of these Dominican dandies and get in on the spectacular deal while you enjoy some truly wonderful cigars. These are the long-filler cigars upon which we have made our reputation, the ones our customers confirm as their perennial favorites. Using the finest tobaccos to be found, made especially to our specifications by the world’s most experienced manufacturers, Thompson’s Belmondo is the cream-of-the-crop, once again proving that a great cigar need not be an expensive one as well. We’ll put this brand up against any out there, and we’ll let the smoker decide.

As someone who fondly remembers the 1980s, I was excited to see "The A-Team" revived for the big screen in 2010. Obviously nobody could exactly replace the original Hannibal, Face, B.A. and Murdock, but the new actors were fine and it kept me out of trouble for close to two hours, so it was worth the trip to the theater.

Liam Neeson had perhaps the toughest job replacing George Peppard in the Hannibal Smith role, but one thing I noticed is that they gave him a key prop -- cigars. Peppard's Smith was always chomping on a stogie when he said "I love it when a plan comes together," and Neeson got the same treatment.

That involved a little sacrifice on Neeson's part, as he started the movie as an ex-smoker who soon found he had to quit all over again. Since the movie was filmed in Canada, he smoked Cubans (though some Padron cigars, like the Padron Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro Toros, would have fit the bill nicely had they filmed it in the States).

Now, Neeson says he wants any sequel to show the stars with nicotine patches instead of cigars. Good luck with that. Guess he won't be joining the Thompson cigar club anytime soon.

I've sadly put the golf clubs back in the basement, taking them out of my car trunk for yet another season. While there are those who don't mind playing in freezing temperatures -- my father-in-law being one of them -- the cold and wet weather we experience in the winter months makes getting out on the course for a round a dicey proposition. I made it official by taking the Perdomo 4-Finger cigar case out of the bag, and placing the cigars back into the humidor.

That doesn't mean I intend to let the clubs gather dust, however. There are plenty of ways to stay sharp in the winter.

When there isn't snow on the ground, I'll spend some time on the weekend hitting the driving range that's open year-round. It's rarely crowded this time of year, which means I'm in less of a rush and the afternoon is a form of relaxation as well as practice. I can smoke Cohiba cigars and not feel like I'm holding anybody else up when I take my time between shots trying to figure out why my seven-iron is acting more like a nine, or whether I will actually get one of my drives airborne.

If the weather won't cooperate, there are plenty of drills I can do inside. Putting on the carpet is classic, though the only thing I worry about there is whether my aim is true. It messes up my stroke if I start to worry about getting it perfectly in the center of the cup, since the ball rolls much faster on the green than it does on my rug.

I'll also spend a lot of time practicing my grip while I watch TV. I'll alternate between using a training club I have that forces my hands into the right position on the shaft and one of my usual irons, hoping to get comfortable. As someone who grew up playing baseball rather than golf, the golf grip is something I always struggle with, and winter marks the perfect time to try and get that more ingrained into my system.

Anyone have any other useful golf tips to share?

If you're looking to be young, hip and trendy, Zino Cigars are for you. Or at least, the company is marketing them to your demographic.

The Zino Platinum Scepter Series is a partnership between the Oettinger Davidoff Group and the marketing folks. It's chasing the young hip-hop crowd, and though the marketing jargon can be painful to read (check out their website and you get text like:

Let's be honest: Fore cigars could be awful and I'd still have to have them in my humidor just because of the name. Fortunately for me, they are actually very good cigars available here at less than two bucks apiece.

Fore cigars take the time-honored connection between cigars and golf to a new level. The name is the popular golf term that I yell about a dozen times per round, and there's the golf ball and clubs on the radio for anyone for whom that wasn't obvious. It looks, honestly, like some novelty you'd give out as a joke on the first tee at the start of a round, and when you do that odds are good that any cigar aficionado in the group would smile, say "that's cute," and put it away in favor of whatever he brought himself.

But in this case, they'd be making an unfortunate decision. Fore cigars aren't some random collection of leftover leaves packaged to make a quick buck. They're straight from the field and factories of Augusto Reyes, with Dominican Olor and Piloto Cubano mixed fillers topped off by a Connecticut wrapper. It's an excellent handmade Dominican cigar at a bargain price.

When I yell "Fore" on the golf course, odds are about 95% that it will still be because I've hit a golf ball into the next fairway (or in one memorable case, directly over the head of my wife's uncle on the adjacent green, which made for an awkward moment at the 19th hole afterwords). But at least now, there's a chance I'll be calling for one of my Fore cigars instead.

For whatever reason, Miami Suites cigars remind me of a bygone era, in which men and women went out on the town (both wearing hats, naturally) and had their martini glass in one hand and a premium cigar in the other.

Well, the martini has long since come back into style, although it looks a bit different. Now they're trendy and come in a thousand different flavors, and whether the martini you get is something great or a $12 dud depends largely on the recipe behind the mix and the skill of the bartender making it.

Flavored cigars occupy a similar position. Everyone seems to be trying their hand at augmenting their tobacco with some sort of flavoring to make it more appealing to folks who like something a little different. Some do it well, but the tobacco itself is second rate so the mix doesn't work. Others start with premium tobacco but don't have the right recipe to make something worth smoking. And then there are those who get both parts of the equation wrong.  Better not to even discuss those.

Miami Suites cigars do this well, particularly for a short cigar that finishes quickly. Thompson Cigar has these cigarillos in Rum and Irish Cream flavors, and if you want a nice little flavored cigar to go out on the town with, these can make you feel as trendy as one of those 1920s starlets at the coolest club in town.

If you're looking to get a gift for a cigar lover and don't know what their tastes are, cigar accessories always make a safe gift. In particular, I'd like to extol the virtue of cigar cases as excellent options for when you are in doubt about what to get.

First, the caveat. You're very unlikely to be getting the recipient the first cigar case they have ever owned. Odds are good that they already have one or more lying around. If the only purpose of a case was to transport a cigar from the humidor to the smoking location, they would be purely functional objects that would sell for pennies and that nobody would care about.

But most cigar cases aren't like that. They're designed not just to serve and protect premium cigars, but to carry them around in the style that they deserve. Let's be honest -- whipping out a cigar from a Xikar Envoy Single cigar case is a lot different than breaking something out of a tubo. The latter is purely something that keeps a cigar fresh, while the former is designed to impress as much as the smoke that comes out of it.

That's why the cigar smokers I know tend to accumulate cases like golfers do golf towels or extra clubs. Just because you have a little bit of something doesn't mean that you don't want more, and that's particularly true with goods like cigar cases that come in so many different colors, sizes, and styles. It doesn't matter whether the person you're buying a present for already has a dozen cases ... he still will want more, and he'll realize that as soon as he opens the gift.

The weather is turning chillier on the East Coast, and soon we'll have the frozen turf of another winter. Hopefully, we at least won't have another three months of blizzards, but the cold is pretty certain to return.

You might think that would cause the golf clubs to be put in the garage until springtime. But if you did, you clearly don't know me very well. My father-in-law will golf in any weather, and many of my friends are not far behind in their desire to play, which is why I have cold-weather gear for when we hit the course on some December morning.

I also have cold-weather cigars for the golf course. In fact, I have two types.

When the weather is frigid but dry, I like something intense like a Gurkha Master Select Maduro Toro. I can feel that one in my bones, which takes the place of the cold air and warms me up as much as my weatherproof parka. And since I tend to play better in the winter -- my topped drives and iron shots get that extra roll on the frozen fairway -- there is less concern about keeping it lit between strokes.

We also sometimes play when it's cold and damp, on mornings when the smarter 95% of the population is still under the covers. Those are the times I break out something like the White Horse Maduro Toro. They are good and powerful smokes, but they also are cheap enough that I'm not going to be irritated if they get ruined by the wet weather. I can smoke them as long as they last, and if they become too soggy to deal with, any money wasted is a lot less than what I am likely to give away on my golf course bets anyway.

If you're a newer cigar smoker, you may be approaching the time of your first big humidor purchase. The holidays are a great time for a cigar humidor upgrade, since everyone is in a giving mood and it's a great excuse for treating yourself -- or having someone else treat you, which is even better -- to something that's worthy of your growing collection.

But if you're new to the game, here's some advice. Get a bigger humidor than you think you need right this second.

I don't get any commission from selling large humidors over small ones. But I do know from first-hand experience that getting something that seems "just right" right now means needing to buy another one sooner rather than later.

First of all, humidor capacity often isn't what you think. The maximum number of cigars that will fit in each depends on different variables, like the size and gauge of each. Besides, you don't really want your cigars jammed to the brim of the humidor -- it doesn't look as nice and it makes it easier to make a mistake and leave it open a crack at the end of the night.

Also, you'll find that you tend to acquire cigars much faster than you think, particularly once everyone knows you smoke. Unless they really know their stuff, most folks won't give you single cigars as gifts -- you'll get cigar samplers, or Cigar of the Month Club offerings. Those can pile up in a hurry, and you'll need to store them somewhere until you get a chance to enjoy them.

You may want to consider something like the Lucky 7 humidor. It holds more than 200 cigars plus all the accessories you'll need, and even if you can't fill it right away, don't worry. It will be crowded soon enough.

Julieta from Danville, CA reviewed the SAMPLER OF THE MONTH 3 MONTHS

I gave this product as a gift and they ended up sharing with me. I love the accompanying literature that gives you the background on each cigar. THis has helped me as we've smoked each new cigar. Not all the cigars are of my personal liking though. A risk you take with a sampler of course. Newsletter even provides you with a place to rate your cigars. Nice for future purchase records.I only purchased the 3 month sampler this time. Next order I will select a different sampler for a gift. I love to share!

Bottomline: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Rating:

Pros: Easy To Light, Good Draw, Great Flavor, Undamaged Wrapper, Well Constructed
Cons: Firm Draw
Best Uses: Educational, Everyday, Gifts, Special Occasions
Describe Yourself: Aspiring Aficionado

Cigar Club 3 Months! Give yourself or a cigar loving friend a monthly journey of learning about and enjoying premium hand rolled cigars. This membership is for both cigar novices and cigar experts; it allows you to taste some of the best cigars the world has to offer.
Each monthly package will be delivered with an informative newsletter. This newsletter will not only explain the cigars you received in great depth, but also offer great cigar advice, terminology and discounted products. And best of all, FREE SHIPPING!

There's a new Internet celebrity in town, even if nobody seems to knows his name. Instead, they call him by an obvious nickname: "Cigar Guy."

He's obviously a golf fan who came to the attention of the world thanks to Daily Mail photographer Mark Pain. Pain found himself in the line of fire from an errant Tiger Woods shot at the Ryder Cup, and kept shooting even as the ball was rocketing towards him. The picture itself is fantastic, but most eyes are drawn to the distinctive-looking gentleman to Woods' left, gleefully smoking a cigar and presumably looking forward to the photographer getting whacked with the ball. Search for "Cigar Guy Ryder Cup" and you'll see what I mean.

Ever since that picture hit the web, creative Photoshoppers have made him the star of numerous other famous scenes, from the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to a classic Muhammad Ali knockdown pose. Nobody may know who he is, but he's now one of the most famous faces on the Internet, at least for the next 15 minutes.

There's also no word on what cigar he was smoking, but whatever it was I'm sure he could buy cigars online right here that are worthy of his newfound fame. And, if you want, take one of your quality cigars to the next big sporting event and get yourself into the ranks of modern celebrity as well.