Spring.
March Madness.
It's all here and so is the March Box from My Monthly Cigars!
Let's take a look at what the members are getting this month which includes BOTH 2024 releases of the Filthy Hooligan from Alec Bradley.
The Filthy Hooligan Black Market and the Filthy Hooligan Shamrock!
]]>With this final piece can you put it all together?
As a reminder, here are the links to the previous pieces:
Without further ado...the FINAL piece of The Fah King Major Announcement!
]]>If you've missed the past few releases about the announcement, here they are...
Now that you're all caught up knowing that there's only one piece left, have you figured it out yet?
Until then we are on pins and needles waiting for the final piece!
If this is your first introduction to this exciting announcement, you can find the previous posts with more information below.
As we add these pieces, it seems to be extremely close yet possibly so far away!
]]>As we previously learned, the unveiling of his big announcement is coming in the form of a puzzle and we need to put the pieces together to reveal his big news.
There's still more to come but for now it's time to start piecing this together!
]]>If you have not yet read the letter from the King regarding this announcement, you can find that HERE.
We expect to receive more puzzle pieces from the King soon so stay tuned!
And now, the first clue...
After you read the letter from The King below, you'll need to check back with the MMC Blog regularly for updates as we receive them from The Fah King.
Those updates will consist of clues that will eventually unveil this exciting Fah King announcement!
In case you forget, we'll also be sending out notifications through our email list and social media sites to remind you to check in.
Here is the letter...
]]>
Cigars are enjoyed in different ways at multiple times throughout the day as a way to relax and indulge in the rich, complex flavors of tobacco. Many times, people pair their cigar with a drink of choice such as coffee (like Fah King Good Coffee - shameless plug) or a nice bourbon or whiskey.
In the mood for cheese? Go ahead and grab some! You’ll want to choose a rich, creamy cheese like a sharp cheddar or gouda. These bold flavors can complement the earthy, smoky taste of a full bodied cigar.
We've started a new series where we've turned the tables on AI. Instead of us asking AI questions, we've tasked AI with asking US questions about cigars!
Before we jump into this topic, we want to make one thing abundantly clear when it comes to smoking cigars in public (where smoking is allowed of course)...
BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYTHING
When we say “be respectful of everything” we literally mean “everything”.
Cigar smokers in general are very conscious of the fact that not everyone enjoys cigars. In fact, only about 3.5% of the population actually smokes cigars! So unless you’re in a cigar lounge or sitting with a group of others smoking cigars along with you, odds are pretty damn good that you’ll be in the minority if you light up a cigar.
With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the things you can do when smoking a cigar in public to ensure you’re not offending anyone.
Note: We all know how the world works. You’re not going to please everyone. There’s always going to be the distinct possibility that someone in your vicinity is not going to be happy with your cigar. But again, we’re here to help you do what you can to limit that.
1. Respect non smoking areas
This one goes without saying. However, let’s take this a step further. Don’t be that jerk who is sitting there holding up your cigar and taking a pic for social media next to a non-smoking sign.
Just as you have the right to enjoy a cigar in designated areas, others have that same right to designate an area to be non-smoking.
2. Respect the people around you.
If you find yourself in an area that allows smoking, keep in mind that it’s most likely catering to those who smoke cigarettes. Cigar smoke is much heavier and thicker than cigarette smoke so you need to be respectful of those around you who may not enjoy it.
When smoking a cigar, be sure to keep your cigar and the cigar smoke away from people. Be aware of the wind direction so that you can politely blow your cigar smoke in a direction that does not blow directly into someone else’s face.
Depending on the size of the location you’re in, it’s also a good idea to ask if the people around you mind if you light up a cigar. Most of the time they’ll tell you to go right ahead because you’ve started off by respecting their space and the fact that they might not enjoy it, simply by asking.
3. Respect the location.
What do we mean by this? Well, we wouldn’t suggest smoking a cigar outside a hospital, a playground or a school. First of all, it's a bad look but overall it's simply disrespectful. The last thing you want to do is give other cigar smokers a bad rep. Bottom line…don’t be a jerk.
These are 3 great tips but let’s take a look at some examples. Here are some common places where cigar smoking might be allowed and how you should approach each situation.
- Beach
You might be thinking, “that’s a wide open space so of course we should be fine there!”. Well, you’d be wrong. If you find yourself on a beach that allows you to smoke, you’ll still need to be aware of the surroundings.
Don’t smoke near others. Move yourself to the back of the beach and away from people. When you’re on the beach you have zero control as to where the smoke will go. Not to mention there are plenty of kids around.
- Events for kids
Baseball games, birthday parties, etc. It’s not the ideal place to smoke a cigar. We will say that if you’re at a children’s birthday party and the other adults decide to have a small herf, by all means, light up. Just don’t be the only one puffing away while the kids are hitting a pinata.
Note: if you’re at a children’s birthday party and you’re the only adult, you have more to worry about than if you should smoke a cigar or not.
In terms of sporting events for your kids, there’s simply no legit reason for you to light up anyway. Just wait until you get home. Or, if you’re in desperate need of a cigar, go sit in your car and smoke there by yourself.
There are many more instances where you may have the opportunity to smoke a cigar in public, but we just wanted to touch on a few. You can take these and apply them anywhere.
We know cigar smokers in general are very aware of their surroundings and are as polite as possible when it comes to smoking cigars in public places. Sometimes things just need to be reiterated. But as you can see, with each item above, the common theme is BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYTHING. This may be hard for some people, but use common sense.
What other thoughts do you have on this? Comment below and let us know!
]]>The premium cigar industry has won its lawsuit against the FDA which challenged the FDA's deeming regulations for premium cigars, which would have subjected them to the same regulations as cigarettes and other tobacco products.
FINALLY! People are paying attention!
The US District Court found that the FDA acted improperly when it crafted the deeming regulations, specifically by failing to consider feedback from the cigar industry. Feedback that has been presented time and time again proving that cigars are not the same as cigarettes and vape.
As a result of the ruling, the deeming regulations do not apply to premium cigars.
What IS considered a premium cigar?
It’s a great victory for the industry and cigar smokers everywhere. So light up your favorite cigar and celebrate because we all deserve this one!
]]>We've started a new series where we've turned the tables on AI. Instead of us asking AI questions, we've tasked AI with asking US questions about cigars!
There are countless mistakes that people can make when it comes to smoking cigars but we know you don’t have all day to read those. Let’s face it, we don’t have all day to list them. Also, you don't have all day to read them. After all, you have cigars to smoke.
So here are the 5 most common mistakes we can think of…
1. Cutting the cigar past the cap.
If we’ve seen it once we’ve seen it a thousand times. The cap is there to hold the cigar together so cutting past that point will cause the cigar to unravel.
Remember, if you’re unsure of how far down you should cut, just cut a little at a time. You can always cut more off of the cap, but you can’t add more to it.
2. Torching the cigar when lighting.
You have a nice premium handmade cigar ready to be smoked. It’s cut perfectly because you avoided mistake No.1 above. You grab your lighter and your mistake comes in the form of shoving your lighter as close as possible to the foot of the cigar.
Right there your cigar is (no pun intended) toast. All your doing is creating so much ash and soot at the foot of the cigar, which now creates nothing but a burnt taste every time you draw.
3. Removing the band way too early.
So many times people will remove the band on their cigar either immediately before lighting up or just a few minutes into the smoke. Cigar bands are held together with pectin (vegetable glue) which is the same substance that keeps your cigar tightly rolled. Sometimes that pectin gets under the band and onto the cigar.
What happens next? You remove the band and you end up taking a chunk of the wrapper with you. Boom. Cigar, damaged.
To avoid this you should wait until the cigar is smoked to within about a half inch of the band. Then you can remove it. This way the cigar has had time to heat up a bit which in turn loosens the potential pectin stuck from the band onto the wrapper.
4. Puffing too frequently.
You’re enjoying your cigar and all of a sudden you see that it’s not burning properly. Maybe it’s starting to look more like a cone than a cigar. Well, that’s most likely because you’ve been puffing way too often on the cigar.
Puffing more than once every 30 seconds to a minute creates a fast burn of the tobacco. Generally, harder to burn tobacco (ligero) is rolled in the middle of the cigar while the rest (including the wrapper) are easier burning leaves such as viso or seco.
Bottom line: slow down.
5. Inhaling the cigar smoke.
You would think this one goes without saying, but you’d also be surprised how many people actually do it. It’s not on purpose though, they’re most likely new to cigar smoking and never had any guidance or tried to learn from blogs and posts such as this one.
Cigar smoke is meant to be savored and sifted through your mouth to grasp all the flavors and nuances prior to exhaling the smoke. Unlike cigarettes with all the added chemicals to make the smoke lighter for one to inhale, cigar smoke come from a natural substance (tobacco leaves) and has a thick character to it that would simply annihilate and destroy your throat and lungs if inhaled.
Want to stay up to date on this series? You can continue check back on the MMC Blog or you can follow us on X (Twitter) @MyMonthlyCigars as we'll be posting this series there as well!
We've started a new series where we've turned the tables on AI. Instead of us asking AI questions, we've tasked AI with asking US questions about cigars!
You’ve probably heard the “70/70 Rule” a million times. It suggests that you should store your cigars at a 70% relative humidity (RH) and at 70 degrees.
Well, you’ve heard wrong…sort of.
While the 70/70 rule is not the worst, it’s just not ideal for many cigars and cigar smokers. It’s more of a max level than an ideal level.
Let’s take a look at why…
Rule of thumb is that the higher the humidity gets, the more your cigars will:
On the flip side, the lower your humidity gets, the more your cigars will:
Temperature plays just as important of a role in storing your cigars as humidity and as mentioned above, 70 degrees is more of a max temp rather than ideal.
If your temperature and humidity get too high (72/72 and above) not only are your cigars going to be damp, you open yourself up for risk of tobacco beetles which thrive in high temperatures.
From there it only takes tobacco beetle eggs about 6-10 days to hatch. The larvae will then feed on the tobacco in the cigar for about 5-10 weeks. After that, the larvae will pupate and eventually emerge as adult beetles.
Not only is that gross, but you might as well burn your money instead of buying cigars since your cigars will be ruined. It just takes a little longer for tobacco beetles to ruin them for you.
So we recommend an ideal RH range for storing your cigars to be between 60-67%, and an ideal temperature to be between 60-67 degrees. 64-65% RH and temp is our preferred sweet spot.
If the temp or RH go a little bit lower, don’t panic! You can make simple adjustments to get them back to that ideal range.
We hope that this helps you when it comes to storing your cigars and keeping your investment safe so they are more enjoyable.
Want to stay up to date on this series? You can continue check back on the MMC Blog or you can follow us on X (Twitter) @MyMonthlyCigars as we'll be posting this series there as well!
]]>A perspective from the Owner of My Monthly Cigars, Nick G.
I’ve been saying this for a while now and it’s starting to come to fruition, so I’ll say it again loud and clear to reiterate the point:
Meta is NOT the place for the future of the cigar industry on social media.
Take a look at this notification we received on our Instagram account that prompted this blog post:
Sure we’ve been seeing these instances for a while now where cigar related posts on Facebook and Instagram have been throttled way back and hidden from their searches and algorithms. Ask anyone with a cigar related Facebook or Instagram account and they’ll tell you that they’ve seen a drastic decrease in impressions, likes and interaction.
We’ve also seen this on YouTube as well where many cigar accounts have either been flagged or outright removed from the platform for cigar related content. Just for simply giving reviews or presenting information. It has really gotten out of control and to put it bluntly, it’s bullsh*t.
The problem I have is that accounts that are tied LEGAL items/products are getting the virtual slap on the wrists. We all know that these algorithms can be (and basically are) controlled by the platform itself. So you would think that the easy fix would be to not show these LEGAL related posts to those who are underage. You can’t tell us that this is not possible to do because it would just be a flat out lie.
Do you remember when Black Friday hit the online poker world? Well, that's what I can totally see happening to the cigar industry when it comes to Meta. Of course in this case, tons of content will be lost instead of tons of money. Still extremely valuable, especially to an industry that is already handcuffed when it comes to advertising.
If you're not aware of the online poker Black Friday, on April 15, 2003 online poker sites were shut down out of nowhere by the Department of Justice and all bank accounts seized leaving many people in the dust and without their money.
Here's a much more in depth explanation of what happened. Online Poker's Black Friday
The cigar industry is one of the best and most down to earth industries out there. The people involved are well aware of the consequences of improper marketing to the underage demographic. While I don’t know everyone in the industry, I know more than enough to confidently say that none of them are purposely participating in this type of marketing.
The government and FDA have shoved this down our throats so much that it’s coming out of our ears. No one is out here trying to risk their business that they’ve busted their asses to build simply to have it destroyed because they are posing things about their company that they are proud of. And rightfully so, they should be proud. To build something in this industry is not an easy task and to have a piece of that taken away by someone who is influenced by others that have a vested interest against the industry (I won't say who those others may be) is just asinine.
The cigar industry is already extremely limited in their abilities to advertise. Facebook and Instagram have now taken that a step further and have essentially added themselves to that list of places that don’t want us.
One of my favorite sayings is “facts are not feelings” and it’s clearly a fact that Meta does not want the cigar industry.
Of course there’s the old “if you don't like it you can just change the channel” attitude, which in this case would be “use another platform”. While that’s true, it really has become a one way street of censorship and those affected are starting to realize that enough is enough.
Facebook and Instagram continue to allow anyone with a pulse to post false narratives, individual political views, medical info (from non medically trained people) and more. But when it comes to a cottage industry like cigars, they draw the line.
Well, I'm starting to draw that line myself.
Say what you want about Elon Musk and X (formerly Twitter), but in my opinion, this platform is far more suited to fit the cigar industry perfectly and allow those within the industry to grow and thrive.
X allows text, pictures, videos, interaction, real time conversations and more. All things you get from Facebook and Instagram already. You don’t see any throttling back of posts simply because they don’t fit the agenda of the platform ownership. In fact, it's quite the opposite with Musk and X. While it’s not entirely a “free speech” platform (nor should anything be the way the world is these days), it’s an ideal platform for businesses in the cigar industry to post, interact, and be proud of what they are doing and what they have accomplished without the fear of being sent to detention.
Facebook (and Instagram by default of Facebook's ownership) have had a stronghold for a long time as they were the only real true players in the social media game outside of Twitter. But they slowly alienated specific industries, including the cigar industry. I know much of the cigar industry sees this as well, but because of the stronghold by Facebook and Instagram, moving things to another platform is not the easiest task.
The cigar industry is REAL. It’s made up of REAL people who have a REAL product or service that many REAL people (of legal age) enjoy. So I kinda hope that this starts some sort of movement for the cigar industry to build their brands as strongly as possible by realizing there are other avenues that can work for us.
MMC will continue to post on Instagram and Facebook until we are removed from the platform and/or it’s no longer a viable option to use for social media and exposure purposes. Who knows, maybe Zuckerberg sees this and shuts MMC down completely. But in the meantime, we’ll be working on growing elsewhere so that when the day comes that Meta does ultimately decide to shut off the industry completely on their platforms, we’ll be ready for it because we built something just as strong, if not better, elsewhere.
I'll end with this…
If you look at the definition, it might as well say “similar to being self centered and full of yourself”. Which in my opinion, is exactly what those who run Facebook and Instagram are all about. Those within the cigar industry know that is not how we work and present our brands. So it makes complete sense that Meta (Facebook and Instagram) is not the place for the cigar industry to be in terms of social media.
If you agree with the points made in this post, I ask that you share it with others, both in and outside of the cigar industry. There's power in numbers. I'm not trying to start a revolution, I just want the cigar industry to start getting the respect that it deserves.
Thanks for reading my rant.
- Nick G
]]>Cigar smoking is not unlike other hobbies that require more tools than just the main event itself, which of course in this case are your cigars.
Cigar accessories can and will make your cigar smoking experience more enjoyable. Accessories will also help you protect your investment, which is key since you’ve spent your hard earned money on some premium handmade smokes.
With that being said, let’s take a look at 5 must-have cigar accessories.
CUTTER
Forget about what you’ve seen in the old time tough guy movies where a guy grabs a cigar, bites off the end and spits it out to the side, looking like a bad ass. Well, that look is merely a recipe for disaster and will surely kill your cigar smoking experience before you even begin.
You’re going to want to invest in a solid cutter that can get the job done right. There are a few different ways that people cut their cigars which of course brings into the play multiple different types of cutters.
There’s the straight cut, which uses a guillotine cutter. The v-cut, which uses a v-cutter. And then you have a punch cut, which uses…you guessed it, a punch cutter. Each of these specific cuts require specific types of cutters.
Tip: Our favorite cutter is the Colibri S-V Cutter. It’s a dual sided cutter that has a straight (guillotine) cut on one side and a v-cut on the other. It’s pricier than most cutters at around $75 however it's extremely useful, very durable, and you get 2 cutters in one! Not to mention Colibri allows you to register for a 2 year warranty on the mechanisms from time of purchase.
Lighter
Seriously, how else are you gonna get this thing lit up? When adding a lighter to your accessories you should look first for a decent torch lighter. This will ensure proper burn, plus it uses refined butane which means it’s cleaner with less effect on the taste of the cigar.
Other ways to light your cigar that are useful are soft flame lighters and wooden matches.
Tip: Don’t go spending a ton of money on a lighter. There are plenty out there that are not expensive and fit perfectly in your pocket. A lighter simply needs to work. At the end of the day you’re going to lose a lighter or two and the last thing you want is to lose an expensive lighter.
Humidor
You spent all this money on cigars, so where are you gonna put them? We’ll tell you where not to put them and thats just in a ziplock bag in the drawer of your desk. For a cigar to maintain its integrity, it’s required that you store them in ideal conditions. A humidor will allow you to maintain the proper humidity to store your cigars so they don’t become ruined. Humidors come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose one that fits your needs.
Bonus: We’re going to throw in a bonus entry under this category: travel humidors. A travel humidor is exactly what it sounds like, a portable humidor that you can bring with you outside of the house. Unless you want to lug your 300 count humidor to your friend’s bbq, but we doubt that’s something you really want to do. Travel humidors come in a variety of sizes but anything like a 5 or 10 count size is ideal and simple to carry around without it being a nuisance.
Tip: Go big. If you have 50 cigars, buy a 100 count humidor (at minimum) and not a 50 count. Cigars need room to breathe so that the humidity levels can circulate properly to all the cigars in your humidor. Also, if you’re at the point where you have 50 cigars on hand, at some point in the near future (faster than you think) you’ll have 75 and then 100 cigars. So instead of buying multiple 50 count humidors, just buy bigger to start so you have that wiggle room.
Ashtray
Unless you want a floor full of ash, you are going to need an ashtray. Ashtrays come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, so you can choose one that fits your style. It is important to have an ashtray that is large enough to accommodate your cigars and that is made of a material that will not melt or warp when exposed to heat. It really comes down to your preference. You can get anything from a single cigar ashtray up to a large one that accommodates 8 cigars at once.
Cigar Rest
Technically an ashtray provides you with a cigar rest. However, much like your humidor, you’re not carrying around an ash tray with you. And depending on where you are, you might not want to put your cigar down on the ground or on a table. A cigar rest helps you avoid this because it’s used to prop up your cigar from any surface and let’s the smoke burn and breathe as it should. This helps to keep the cigar burning evenly and prevents it from getting too hot. Cigar rests come in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and silicone. The great thing about cigar rests is that they are rather inexpensive and they fold up to fit in your pocket making the easy to travel with.
The world of cigar smoking has tons of different types of accessories. We wanted to focus on the must-haves. Here are some additional tips for you when it comes to choosing your cigar accessories:
Smokin' Butts and Tappin' Ash is a team of BBQ and cigar enthusiasts that not only have their own podcast, but they compete in BBQ competitions as well. The combination of cigars and BBQ was right up our alley and we know it'll be right up yours!
Hosts Dave, Travis, and Scott bring you tons of BBQ information on a weekly basis including their take on recent competitions, rubs they use for different meats, and even rubs and recipes they have developed themselves!
So where do we fit in?
MMC is now an official sponsor of the Smokin' Butts and Tappin' Ash podcast. Each episode, the guys will smoke a cigar from the My Monthly Cigars box and they want you to join them!
Listen to the announcement episode below where the guys had MMC Owner, Nick G, as a guest to announce the new partnership.
These guys smoke a ton of meat and that can take a long time. So during that time, what do they do? They enjoy a fine premium handmade cigar! On the show while smoking the cigars from the MMC Box, they'll talk about how different cigars pair with different types of BBQ so you can learn more about how these two worlds make a great pair!
We are excited about this partnership and cannot wait to see what the future holds with the guys.
So do yourself a favor and subscribe to the Smokin' Butts and Tappin' Ash podcast. And while you're at it, head on over to their amazing Facebook Group where you'll be connected with plenty of other people that enjoy cigars and BBQ just as much as you!
]]>If you're not a part of the group, you're missing out! Head HERE to request to join!
The contest was a caption contest to see who could come up with the best two captions for a photo that was a screenshot from the show Man vs Food. It was an episode that one of the hosts of The Cigar Pulpit Podcast was on a few years ago.
Here's the photo:
As you can see, the top two winners would receive The Fah King Deuce coffee sampler for FREE!
Here are your winners of the contest!
We run contests in the group from time to time that are only limited to those that are in the group. So if you want a shot at winning some prizes, having some laughs, and talking cigars with an amazing group of people, then be sure to join HERE today!
And don't forget to listen to The Cigar Pulpit Podcast every Tuesday and Friday!
]]>It's our birthday month! Cheers to year number 5 for My Monthly Cigars!
We have TONS of people that we could thank for all of our success during this awesome ride, but let's be honest, you don't want to read about that. You're here for the cigars!
We will however thank one group here, and that's all the members of #TeamCigars over the years. The continued support has been amazing and we feel like things are just getting started!
If you want to wish MMC a Happy Birthday, feel free to head on over to our Facebook Page and post a funny birthday gif on our wall.
Enough about us...let's get to the cigars in the June 2023 Box #49 which is the first box of our 5th year!
If you're not already a part of the club, check out the multiple options on our subscriptions page and find the one that works best for you!
]]>
You're about to sit down and enjoy the nuances of a great cigar. But for some reason (maybe you're new to cigar smoking) you feel like you just forgot how to use your hands and all of a sudden you're not quite sure how you should hold it.
Is there a right and wrong way to hold a cigar? Well…yes and no.
While there is no one "correct" way to hold a cigar, there are a few guidelines and considerations to keep in mind in order to make sure your cigar smoking experience is enjoyable.
The last thing you want to do is kill the mojo before you even light up. Maybe you find yourself in a situation where you don’t want to… well… look like an idiot.
Not to worry, it’s not rocket science and your hands work just fine (most likely). Like we said, there is no “right way” to hold a cigar but we’ve also said you don’t want to look like an idiot so we want to help make sure that doesn't happen.
With that being said, here’s a few tips on how not to look like a fool while holding your cigar. Who knows, maybe we can help you impress the new father in law or the big boss or your imaginary friend (yeah...we went there).
1. Avoid gripping the cigar too tightly:
Cigars have a sense of elegance to them so the last thing you want to do is grip a cigar like you’re squeezing your forearm strengthener. Holding the cigar too tightly can restrict the airflow and impede the burn, affecting the taste and draw. Instead, maintain a relaxed grip to allow for proper airflow and also to avoid looking like the Hulk.
2. Hold the cigar between your thumb and index finger:
While there are many ways to hold a cigar, this is the most common and conventional way. We're trying to pace you here, you can learn the other ways as you become a pro at this one first. Simply place the cigar between your thumb and index finger, allowing your other fingers to rest naturally. Just do yourself a favor and make sure your pinkie finger is not raised like you’re having tea at high noon with the queen.
3. Be mindful of the band placement: Bands come in many shapes and sizes. They’re part of the marketing life blood of a cigar that helps draw the eye of the consumer in a humidor full of pretty looking bands. Depending on placement of the band, it’s generally a good idea to hold the cigar on the band to keep your greasy fingers from touching the cigar and ruining the integrity of that lovely leaf that holds it all together. Once you’re within a half inch or so of the band, that’s when you can take it off. That’s because you’ll allow the heat from the cigar to loosen up the pectin (cigar glue) on the band to make it easier to take off. That way you’re not ripping up the wrapper.
4. Avoid touching the cigar with wet, oily or dirty hands:
What are you? A 3 year old? Clean your hands before you light up a cigar. Not only is it practicing proper hygiene, moisture or oil from your hands can affect the taste and quality of the tobacco. You can quickly turn a tasty wrapper into the taste of 30 day too old milk. Bottom line, for all that is holy, just clean your hands.
5. Rotate the cigar while smoking: As you smoke, you'll want to rotate the cigar between your fingers to ensure even burning. You're not a contestant on Wheel Of Fortune so we don't mean to spin that thing until you hit Bankrupt. Slowly rotate the cigar about a quarter turn every puff. This will help prevent the cigar from burning unevenly or developing a lopsided ash. If that happens, you immediately look like you don’t know what you’re doing and we're trying to help you do the opposite.
These are just some of the ways to make sure you're holding your cigar correctly. Remember, the primary goal is to enjoy your cigar, not look like you're about to crush a soda can to seem tough (this ain't the movies).
Cigars should be handled with respect. The art that goes into making a cigar is just that…art. So find a comfortable and relaxed grip that suits you. Don’t crush the cigar. Clean your hands. And for damn sure don’t raise your pinkie finger.
]]>Many of rely on these reviews when it comes to making a decision on whether or not we want to spend our hard earned money on a specific cigar. While that's a great place to start, and most reviews encompass the full experience of a specific cigar, the beauty of cigars is that they are so complex to the point where you may have a different experience than the reviewer.
Today we'll look at tasting notes and give you a list of the top 10 notes you'll find across all reviews. You can use these to give yourself a better understanding of what you're experiencing when smoking a cigar on your own without having previously read a review.
Before we go any further, if you want to read some great reviews that really grasp the essence of a cigar, and help you do the same, be sure to check out the cigar reviews from MMC's Official Cigar Reviewer, Luc Blanchard, on our Cigar Reviews page!
Now, on to the list of the top 10 tasting notes you'll find in cigar reviews!
1. Earthiness: A flavor often described as "damp earth," "dirt," or "soil" that can be present in cigars from certain regions or with certain tobaccos.
2. Woody: This tasting note refers to the flavors of wood, such as cedar or oak, which are often present in cigars that have been aged in wooden boxes.
3. Spicy: A spicy note can come from a variety of sources, including the tobacco itself, the wrapper, or the aging process. It can be described as pepper, cinnamon, or nutmeg, among others.
4. Creamy: A creamy taste is often associated with the smoke's texture and mouthfeel, but it can also be a flavor note on its own, like whipped cream or milk.
5. Nutty: This tasting note can range from almond to hazelnut to peanut, and it is often present in cigars made from certain types of tobacco or with certain aging techniques.
6. Sweet: A sweetness note can be found in cigars that are made with certain types of tobacco, aged in specific ways, or have a particular wrapper. The sweetness can be described as honey, caramel, or vanilla.
7. Floral: A floral note can be found in some cigars, which is often attributed to the wrapper or the specific tobacco used in the blend. It can be described as rose, lavender, or jasmine.
8. Leather: This flavor note is often described as a combination of earthy and woody tastes with a hint of sweetness. It can be present in cigars with aged tobacco, particularly in the wrapper.
9. Coffee: A coffee note is often present in cigars, particularly those with a darker wrapper. It can be described as espresso, mocha, or a general coffee flavor.
10. Fruity: A fruity note can be found in cigars with certain types of tobacco or in cigars that have been infused with flavors. The fruit flavors can range from citrus to berry to tropical fruit.
]]>And if we might say so ourselves, Box #48 does not disappoint.
This month features 4 well rounded premium hand made cigars that are sure to hit the palate in an enjoyable way.
The box includes a special annual release cigar from Punch called the Spring Roll and it comes in some extremely creative packaging! (pic below)
Sumatra, Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Habano, and more are featured tobaccos that round out the May Box.
This only means one thing...year number 5 is right around the corner and we can't be more excited about it! We have some great things planned and can't wait to roll them out to everyone!
Make sure to join us for the start of year number 5 as all new members will get a FREE Fah King Deuce!
Check out all the available subscription options HERE!
Box #47 means we are only one box away from finishing out our 4th year at My Monthly Cigars!
Trust us, the April Box is no slouch itself. This month features a $25 cigar.
So you might say "so what?"
Well, here's what... Robusto Box Members only pay $29.99 per box!
Oh and El Presidente Box Members only pay $49.99 which means they are essentially getting 6 cigars for free this month!
Enough about value (although that's the best part of the MMC Box), we haven't even touched on the fact that this month has a great variety of blends and strength. Also, members this month received a nice range of cigars that they could purchase for daily smoke all the way up to the celebratory cigar!
We're heading to the final month in May for the 4th year of MMC and we can't wait to have you all along for the ride moving into year 5!
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Or something like that.
Spring has just about sprung and My Monthly Cigars has yet another great box of cigars for their members in the month of March!
As usual, this month's cigars include a great range of strength. Cigars from mild-medium up to full body fill out the March Box.
Once again it shows that MMC truly is A Cigar Club For Everyone!