The cigar lounge

[JoeyArnold]

AMR, what? Anyways, seriously speaking, is smoking a cigar sinful or bad at all? Is it simply not sin because it's not bad for us or because the Bible doesn't mention anything about cigars?

AMR says, in the next post, "Oatmeal Joey Arnold, you are too off topic from the Opening Paragraph (OP)."

AMR is wrong, however, because I am never off-topic, ever.

The OP question is about cigars, built on the assumption that cigars are morally acceptable. I am only addressing the deeper issue that is at hand. If cigars are morally acceptable, then we can talk about our favorite kinds of cigars and our favorite things we like doing with our cigars, how we like smoking them, what flavors, brands, styles, with who, how often, and to why we do them, also.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

AMR, what? Anyways, seriously speaking, is smoking a cigar sinful or bad at all? Is it simply not sin because it's not bad for us or because the Bible doesn't mention anything about cigars?

Seriously speaking, JA, see the OP.

Try to stay focused on the topic as laid out in the OP instead of derailing the stated topic. Perhaps you might start another thread to discuss these matters and maybe some may chime in.

AMR

 

[rocketman]

Three cigar smoking tips:

At home I use a crème brulee torch for lighting cigars. They are inexpensive, around $25-$40, and yield a rapid light evenly.

When lighting a cigar, first blow out through the cigar once the flame has been applied. Releases toxic flame gas.

Buy a draw poker or have one made by someone who has access to stainless steel thin rods and can file one end into a very sharp point and coil the other end into a ring that fits most index fingers. A draw poker will often salvage a tightly rolled cigar or one with a bad filler plug. In a pinch, wire snips and a metal coat hanger can be used to fashion one up quickly, too.


AMR

I have had to salvage a few with a poker in my day this is never a pretty operation I have also split a few wrappers this way... In my business travels I was in Chandler for 3 mos. I was having cigars at a place called matchstix over by the fashion center have you been there?

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

I have had to salvage a few with a poker in my day this is never a pretty operation I have also split a few wrappers this way... In my business travels I was in Chandler for 3 mos. I was having cigars at a place called matchstix over by the fashion center have you been there?

Matchstix closed down, despite a promising start. The owner vanished in the night leaving many of us in a lurch. I think he may have started up something like this lounge in Gilbert, AZ now. I liked going there once a month or so and enjoying a long smoke, a beer, and using the wi-fi access while lounging on some very nice sofas. The owner used to have some very nice events weekly where the various cigar manufacturers would show up and plenty of free cigars flowed.

The locale has recently re-opened as another cigar lounge, Cubanos Cigar Lounge. Last time I visited, about a month ago, the humidor had slim pickings. Time will tell if the spot can build itself back up to what it was when Matchstix was there.

Using a draw poker is tricky. You have to be gentle and have a firm grip on the cigar. And yes, I have ruined a few cigars as you note. But, then again, they were DOA anyway.

AMR

 

[rocketman]

Matchstix closed down, despite a promising start. The owner vanished in the night leaving many of us in a lurch. I think he may have started up something like this lounge in Gilbert, AZ now. I liked going there once a month or so and enjoying a long smoke, a beer, and using the wi-fi access while lounging on some very nice sofas. The owner used to have some very nice events weekly where the various cigar manufacturers would show up and plenty of free cigars flowed.

The locale has recently re-opened as another cigar lounge, Cubanos Cigar Lounge. Last time I visited, about a month ago, the humidor had slim pickings. Time will tell if the spot can build itself back up to what it was when Matchstix was there.

AMR

Yes I was a regular there when I was basically living across the street at the Marriott. The owner was very gracious I must say. I really love the Chandler area it's a nice place.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Yes I was a regular there when I was basically living across the street at the Marriott. The owner was very gracious I must say. I really love the Chandler area it's a nice place.

Chandler is coming into its own since I moved here from Chicago in 1991. Since around 2007, the city is regularly appearing on best places to live lists.

Recent no-smoking bans have crimped my cigar smoking style, but there are still places where one can still light up.

AMR

 

[JoeyArnold]

Are cigars better and cooler than cigarettes?

By the way, in other news, some may think that I do in fact hijack threads, like this one. I disagree. Because I love cigars. I'm just trying to get to the root of the issues, still.

Mr. Religion disagrees with what I am saying. The rules of TOL, by the way, are sometimes contradictory, too, sometimes, if you think about it, also, because some may think this forum isn't a chat room, but at the same time, those same people will turn around and get upset if threads become unresponsive within the course of say hours to days or less, because people are so not patient.

Cigars seem fine, too, anyways, by the way, right?

Anyways, speaking of being off topic (not under-topic): here is Mr. AMR:

Heh! Yes, America tilts Westward, and whatever is not properly tied down rolls into California.

Funny how my words are automatically regarded as off topic, when in fact they are actually under-topic.

 

[rocketman]

Chandler is coming into its own since I moved here from Chicago in 1991. Since around 2007, the city is regularly appearing on best places to live lists.

Recent no-smoking bans have crimped my cigar smoking style, but there are still places where one can still light up.

AMR

Well Brother, I live out in Commie central, the land of fruits and nuts, California. The only state where everything enjoyable is illegal, and everything that is reprobate legal. I buy some cigars from a local shop/friend because I don't want to see his business fail but, I buy from JR also. Here in CA there is a 65% tax on all tobacco products we call it the meathead law named after the meathead Rob Reiner who authored the bill Prop 10. Boy, Archie had this guy pegged LOL.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Well Brother, I live out in Commie central, the land of fruits and nuts, California. The only state where everything enjoyable is illegal, and everything that is reprobate legal. I buy some cigars from a local shop/friend because I don't want to see his business fail but, I buy from JR also. Here in CA there is a 65% tax on all tobacco products we call it the meathead law named after the meathead Rob Reiner who authored the bill Prop 10. Boy, Archie had this guy pegged LOL.

Heh! Yes, America tilts Westward, and whatever is not properly tied down rolls into California.

Good for you in supporting the local cigar proprietor! I do try to spread around the money among the various shops in my area. That said, there are some I avoid as they offer cigars among racks of porn magazines and other related items. I once walked into one with my son in tow unawares of what was on display and beat a hasty retreat, all the while my teen-aged son (at the time) was asking, sheepishly, "Dad, what's the hurry? Let's look around a bit."

AMR

 

[JoeyArnold]

The bigger the cigar the better.

 

[rocketman]

Heh! Yes, America tilts Westward, and whatever is not properly tied down rolls into California.

Good for you in supporting the local cigar proprietor! I do try to spread around the money among the various shops in my area. That said, there are some I avoid as they offer cigars among racks of porn magazines and other related items. I once walked into one with my son in tow unawares of what was on display and beat a hasty retreat, all the while my teen-aged son (at the time) was asking, sheepishly, "Dad, what's the hurry? Let's look around a bit."

AMR

Yes, this is an unfortunate reality of our debased society. I do like the westward tilt analogy it is quite appropriate. The Prop 10 tax is a sad unfair thing for small tobacco shops. The guy I speak of was injured on the job many years ago and was living on disability prior to opening this shop. He was so proud that he found a service that he could provide in spite of his disability, that he loved, and got him off the public dole. That was until Rob Reiner and friends decided that all things tobacco were evil and should be taxed for the public good. It has pretty much devistated this mans business but, he hangs on with the regulars. I have a box of assorted cigars I keep in his humidor and I go down for an occasional smoke/friendship. I believe the worlds problems could be solved over a good cigar LOL.

 

[vegascowboy]

This will sound odd coming from someone who lives in Las Vegas, but are any of you cigar aficionados familiar with a good cigar lounge here that you found during a visit?

I am new to the cigar world. I have smoked a number of them that were given me as gifts and such, but I have always been a pipe guy (who prefers to smoke at home or out on a hike and so forth).

I am quite fascninated by this thread and I think I'd like to explore cigar smoking further. I have a good friend coming into town in April, and I think it would be enjoyable to take him to a good cigar lounge. I can (and have) googled cigar lounges in the city, but I'd like to hear from personal experience if any of you have any.

 

[rocketman]

This will sound odd coming from someone who lives in Las Vegas, but are any of you cigar aficionados familiar with a good cigar lounge here that you found during a visit?

I am new to the cigar world. I have smoked a number of them that were given me as gifts and such, but I have always been a pipe guy (who prefers to smoke at home or out on a hike and so forth).

I am quite fascninated by this thread and I think I'd like to explore cigar smoking further. I have a good friend coming into town in April, and I think it would be enjoyable to take him to a good cigar lounge. I can (and have) googled cigar lounges in the city, but I'd like to hear from personal experience if any of you have any.

Sorry, I can't help you I usually by a cigar and enjoy it in the casino while playing cards. I have never looked for a lounge but, Ill bet that there are some good ones in Vegas.

 

[Yorzhik]

I like a cigar, but I don't know anything about what is a good one. I used to go to the local store and just take the salesman's advice. I tried a pipe but stopped after I realized I couldn't do what I really wanted - to talk with friends, not fiddle with my pipe. My son-in-law smokes a pipe, so maybe I'll find out from him what I need to do to keep it lit without so much fiddling. But as far as I can tell, since he likes to smoke his pipe alone, that cigars are for gatherings, and a pipe is for being alone.

 

[rocketman]

I like a cigar, but I don't know anything about what is a good one. I used to go to the local store and just take the salesman's advice. I tried a pipe but stopped after I realized I couldn't do what I really wanted - to talk with friends, not fiddle with my pipe. My son-in-law smokes a pipe, so maybe I'll find out from him what I need to do to keep it lit without so much fiddling. But as far as I can tell, since he likes to smoke his pipe alone, that cigars are for gatherings, and a pipe is for being alone.

I like both but, I have to agree pipes are great for silent thought (they do require a lot of fiddling) while cigars for me are best enjoyed with others. Although I do enjoy having a good cigar in my man cave alone with an adult beverage and some good smooth Jazz in the background. Very relaxing, to get away from the wife and kids and just gel....
Pipes can be good too though, If you get your hands on some good european tobacco I particularly like Davidoff Scottish blend, and many navy flake blends. Stay away from the sweet off-the-shelf mixtures and you may find the pipe quite enjoyable. Don't initally pack the bowl too tight, get a good burn going then lightly while smoking pack it tighter and you'll have more luck and not fiddle so much while smoking. What I really don't like about pipes is the constant cleaning to keep the pipe smoking good and not tasting rancid. Occasionally I will clean the pipe with Brandy or Cognac then allow it to dry well afterword this works but, the maintenance is a pain. Cigars are so much easier. Enjoy, both are good

 

[vegascowboy]

I like both but, I have to agree pipes are great for silent thought (they do require a lot of fiddling) while cigars for me are best enjoyed with others. Although I do enjoy having a good cigar in my man cave alone with an adult beverage and some good smooth Jazz in the background. Very relaxing, to get away from the wife and kids and just gel....
Pipes can be good too though, If you get your hands on some good european tobacco I particularly like Davidoff Scottish blend, and many navy flake blends. Stay away from the sweet off-the-shelf mixtures and you may find the pipe quite enjoyable. Don't initally pack the bowl too tight, get a good burn going then lightly while smoking pack it tighter and you'll have more luck and not fiddle so much while smoking. What I really don't like about pipes is the constant cleaning to keep the pipe smoking good and not tasting rancid. Occasionally I will clean the pipe with Brandy or Cognac then allow it to dry well afterword this works but, the maintenance is a pain. Cigars are so much easier. Enjoy both are good

Pipes only require a lot of fiddling because people often are out of practice or never learned good techniques for lighting them from the outset. It is a bit of an art, I believe. (Not knocking you, rm, it's just a general comment because I've heard a number of folks mention that they have a hard time keeping pipes lit.)

Anyway, this isn't a pipe lounge, so I shall derail it no further. My apologies, Knight. :e4e:

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

I like both but, I have to agree pipes are great for silent thought (they do require a lot of fiddling) while cigars for me are best enjoyed with others. Although I do enjoy having a good cigar in my man cave alone with an adult beverage and some good smooth Jazz in the background. Very relaxing, to get away from the wife and kids and just gel....

Well, I guess you are fortunate to smoke a cigar indoors at home. I have never in my married life smoked a cigar in my home. If I could hermetically seal off my study and install filters, I perhaps would try it, assuming the wife would agree, but then again, I worry about the condition of my books around all the smoke. I smoke several per day, so it would be a real issue for me.

AMR

 

[vegascowboy]

Well, I guess you are fortunate to smoke a cigar indoors at home. I have never in my married life smoked a cigar in my home. If I could hermetically seal off my study and install filters, I perhaps would try it, assuming the wife would agree, but then again, I worry about the condition of my books around all the smoke. I smoke several per day, so it would be a real issue for me.

AMR

A hermetically sealed cigar lounge...I'm trying to picture that AMR. :think: You may be on to something. A great many gentleman around the world would shake your hand heartily if you can develope a good one!

 

[rocketman]

Well, I guess you are fortunate to smoke a cigar indoors at home. I have never in my married life smoked a cigar in my home. If I could hermetically seal off my study and install filters, I perhaps would try it, assuming the wife would agree, but then again, I worry about the condition of my books around all the smoke. I smoke several per day, so it would be a real issue for me.

AMR

Oh, you missed that AMR... I said I enjoyed in my "man cave" this is not in the house but, in my workshop in the garage LOL. I do have it set up with a comfortable chair and sound. Oh yes, a lock on the door to keep out the riff-raff. I bass fish a lot so, I will also tinker with my equipment while I enjoy my smoke. Tonight I am going to try a "Punch Upper Cut Ometepe" I have never tried this cigar so I'll let you know how it goes. It sure smells good.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

A hermetically sealed cigar lounge...I'm trying to picture that AMR. :think: You may be on to something. A great many gentleman around the world would shake your hand heartily if you can develope a good one!

Oh, you missed that AMR... I said I enjoyed in my "man cave" this is not in the house but, in my workshop in the garage LOL. I do have it set up with a comfortable chair and sound. Oh yes, a lock on the door to keep out the riff-raff. I bass fish a lot so, I will also tinker with my equipment while I enjoy my smoke. Tonight I am going to try a "Punch Upper Cut Ometepe" I have never tried this cigar so I'll let you know how it goes. It sure smells good.

Now I am less given over to envy, knowing that you are outside and not in your own home, RM.

I don't know if it still is in use, given the California anti-smoking laws, but the cigar "lounge" (one leather chair) in the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel was a sealed environment, that included an separate ventilation system from the rest of the hotel.

And I sure miss lighting up at my local Morton's Steakhouse in the bar. Now you have to go to an outside patio. Sigh.

The very best place in Phoenix for indoor cigar smoking, with a full menu and bar, is Magnums:

http://www.magnumscigarwineliquor.com/

More close to home is Tinderbox, where I usually bring visitors to lounge around in the private club area (BYOB, too!):

http://www.tinderboxinternational.com/store_pages/p185.htm

AMR