Take it off?

Or leave it on?

What should you do with the cellophane wrap you’ll find on many cigars? And why is the wrap there in the first place? Let’s start with why it is there and dispell some myths at the same time.

First, if you think that cellophane is any indication of the quality of the cigar — either good or bad — then you’re wrong. You’l find some very expensive sticks individually wrapped, but you’ll find some cheap ones dressed up that way as well.

(more…)

Since several of the sites online that have published cigar reviews in the past have stopped doing so for various reasons, I’ve decided to start offering reviews here at Cigar Envy. In doing so, I claim no superior knowledge nor technical tobacco expertise, and the reviews will be based on my own highly subjective views of what makes a cigar good and smokable.

In short, I’ll be telling you what I like and trying to justify why I like it.

To start off, I wanted to tell you a little about what the reviews will contain. Up front, you should know that I have very broad tastes in cigars. I like bold, full-bodied sticks, medium-bodied smokes, and mild ones as well. I enjoy a good Maduro, but I’m also very fond of Cameroons, Connecticut Shades, Candelas and all shades in between.

(more…)

Happy Birthday J.C. Newman! This fall J.C. Newman Cigar Co. celebrates 110 years of cigar artistry. In honor of this special occasion, they have launched the 110th Anniversary Contest so consumers and retailers can celebrate and win some exclusive prizes. The 110th Anniversary Contest grand prize offers consumers a chance to win a Florida Beach vacation and a tour of the J.C. Newman cigar factory in Tampa.

“It is not every day a company turns 110 years. We could not have done it without our consumers and retailers and we thank them for their support all these years,” explains Eric Newman, president of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. He continues, “To thank them for their loyalty to our company we want to give them an opportunity to win some special prizes.”

(more…)

From WBBM Newsradio 780 in Chicago:

“The City Council Health Committee on Wednesday put off a vote on an ordinance to ban smoking in restaurants and bars after representatives of the restaurant industry asked for more time to review proposed amendments to the law.

“The committee’s decision prompted boos from anti-smoking activists who crammed the City Council chambers expecting the ordinance to pass out of the committee, clearing the way for a vote by the full City Council Thursday.

(more…)

The Chicago City Council is expected to pass a law tomorrow banning indoor smoking throughout the city. Following the example of New York City and Boston, the law would prohibit smoking in vitually all indoor work and public places — including restaurants and bars.

The Illinois Restaurant Association is on record as opposed to the law, and is hoping for concessions to be made that will not affect business. Mayor Richard Daley has stressed the need for compromises. It looks like those voices of reason are going to go unheard.

The city attempted to ban smoking two years ago, but the law did not pass.

From Jon Huber at CAO International:

“CAO, one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, was awarded an almost unheard of two perfect ‘10′ ratings from Cigar Buyer Magazine in the Autumn 2005 issue.

“Cigar Buyer, the magazine for cigar trade professionals, is one of the UK’s leading authorities on the premium cigar industry. All cigars were rated on a scale of 1-10 and were evaluated in six categories: appearance, combustion, draw, flavor, aroma and balance. Both the CAO L’Anniversaire Maduro Robusto and the CAO Black Gothic each received a perfect score of ‘10,’ each garnering an “Editor’s Choice” distinction in the process.

“CAO unveiled two new releases, CAO Cx2 and CAO The Sopranos^(SM) Edition at the RTDA 73rd Annual Convention and International Trade Show last month.”

Congratulations to the folks at CAO International, who continue to produce top quality smokes. CAO International, Inc. was founded by Cano A. Ozgener in Nashville thirty-seven years ago and produces six cigar lines that have been rated 90 or above, by Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider.