Fox 12 Portland reports that a fire ripped through “Roll Your Own” cigar shop in my home state of Oregon. Now, I understand this is “Roll Your Own” cigar shop, which doesn’t exactly speak volumes for quality as far as cigars go. But still, the idea of a shop so close to home going up in smoke… well, it’s just depressing. The article from Fox 12 is below. Click here to watch video coverage:
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PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) – A fire broke out Tuesday morning at a building that houses Roll Your Own cigar shop in southeast Portland, and firefighters rushed to the scene to stamp out the flames.
FOX 12’s helicopter showed the flames ripping through the shop around 7 a.m.
The fire-damaged building is home to Roll Your Own Cigars, Smokes and Accessories, as well as other businesses, and is located at the intersection of 158th Avenue and Division Street.
Portland firefighters attacked the fire from outside the building and quickly gained control. It appears a storage area on the back side of the building sustained most of the damage.
The Roll Your Own shop was closed at the time the fire broke out, and there were no injuries reported. It’s unknown how the fire started, but investigators are looking for the cause.
The fire investigation shut down Southeast Division Street between 157th and 160th avenues to allow for firefighters to work. Morning commuters were told to expect delays.
The first time I got one of these in my hand was from Tim a young man I met at the IPCPR who kept talking about this brand he was working with based out of NJ. The whole time I’m like blah blah, whatever man, because you hear this speech from everybody. I smoke everything it doesn’t have to be a full bodied powerhouse with loads of spice, leather, coffee, etc . to be a good cigar. Case in point Hoja de Flores! So here I am at the Miami cigar after party (thanks to Nestor, and Renee) With my 2 younger brothers having some rum, and Tim comes over and says what’s up!? “I need a cigar right now man” I said promptly. “ I got you Dave” Tim reaches into his bag and pulls out 3 Toros. I cut it light and from the first puff I knew I was smoking something good, very good actually. Here is the blend:
Review Hoja De Flores Vitola: Toro Wrapper: Criollo 98 Binder: DR Filler: DR
With hints of spice, earth, but the overall character is smooth with vanilla undertones. Damn it was good! The aroma had a lot to do with that as well, this cigar along with the Turei by Hispaniola and a few others are what I see the future of cigar smoking becoming. Quality, flavor, aroma, construction are more important than strength, power, every time. So check out Hoja de Flores you will not be disappointed.
September 27, 2012 (Jefferson, MO) – Proposition B, a proposed 150% tax increase on cigars and pipe tobacco, in addition to a 760% tax increase on cigarettes, is causing quite a stir in Missouri. Politicians claim the tax hike will help fund education and health care, while small business owners are criticizing the open attack on their businesses.
Opponents of the initiative, including the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), point out that none of the tax revenue raised by Prop. B is required to be spent on tobacco-related illnesses, but rather that a board of bureaucrats directs where the money is spent, even going so far as being able to fund their own special-interest groups.
“We elected these men and women to protect our businesses, not tax them into the ground. One group of business shouldn’t be continually attacked simply because some bureaucrats need to fund a project or initiative. All Missourians should pay their fair share in taxes, rather than one group being endlessly attacked,” said Curt Diebel, owner of Diebel’s Sportsmens Gallery in Kansas City, MO.
The IPCPR also fears that this tax increase will result in “border bleed,” the movement of tobacco sales to neighboring states with lower taxes, ultimately harming local businesses and forfeiting the tax revenue that the Missouri state government sought in the first place.
“Most small tobacconists throughout this country are mom-and-pop operations dotting the American Main Street. In an already tumultuous economy, the government should be focused on preserving jobs, not destroying them,” said Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR.
New York City Whiskey lovers are in for a treat this winter. Duke of Montrose, a new Scotch Whiskey bar, is scheduled to open on Fifth Avenue and Bergen Street, near Barclays Center.
The owners of the new bar are no strangers to Whiskey or to managing a high-quality establishment. The owners currently own another bar on the Upper East Side called Caledonia.
Below are a few selected quotes from this dnainfo.com article about the new location:
“Caledonia owner Steven Owen says the new bar, to be called Duke of Montrose — a title that’s linked to his ancestral Graham clan — will serve high-quality single malt whiskeys and a full menu of food. He hopes to open in December.”
“We’re really trying to bring something fairly sophisticated to the neighborhood with a Scottish flair to it,” Owen said.
Owen said Duke of Montrose will serve arena crowds, but the bar will be focused on neighborhood customers.
“Obviously we’ll cater [to the arena] but also to the local community,” Owen said. “Our establishment on the Upper East Side has been voted one of the best bars. We’re very intent on the community.”
Some photos, also from DNAInfo are below.
Owners anticipate the bar opening in December, pending license reviewCaledonia Scottish Pub, UESCaledonia Scottish Pub, UES
September 20, 2012 — Romeo y Julieta was created as a Habanos brand in 1875. Its roots lie in the literary tragedy of the same name by the British playwright William Shakespeare.
The brand rose to international fame during the early years of the twentieth century, after Don ‘Pepín’ Rodríguez was one of the first to recognize the importance of the bands as a success factor. During his hey day no less than 20.000 distinct bands were used in production.
Winston Churchill was one of the most devoted smokers of the Romeo y Julieta brand. Ever since his visit to Havana in 1946, his name has not only widely been used on Habanos bands, but also came to represent the best-known vitola within the brand: the Churchills by Romeo y Julieta.
Its balanced and aromatic blend, with filler and binder leaves selected from plantations in the Vuelta Abajo* (D.O.P.) zone, makes Romeo y Julieta the classic medium bodied Habano.
Today, Romeo y Julieta enjoys considerable prestige worldwide and offers one of the broadest size ranges among Habanos brands, all made totally by hand with long filler.
The new Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchills vitola was designed to complement the current Romeo y Julieta range by adding a format that is highly appreciated in recent years by Habanos enthusiasts.
The Petit Robustos Factory Name (ring gauge 50 x 102 mm in length) allows the balanced and aromatic flavor of Romeo y Julieta to be enjoyed in just 20 minutes. Its wide ring gauge and moderate length give the cigar excellent combustibility and provides in a short period of time a complete series of flavor nuances of the brands blend, made with filler and binder leaves from the Vuelta Abajo* (D.O.P.) zone in Pinar del Río, Cuba.
The new Petit Churchills vitola will be available in the classic Romeo y Julieta labeled Box containing 25 units.
They will also be available in aluminum tubes sold in cases containing 3 units in the following months.
Brand: Romeo y Julieta
Commercial name: Petit Churchills
Factory name: Petit Robustos
Measures: 50 ring gauge (19,84 mm) x 102 mm in length
Presentations: Labeled Box of 25 units
Davidoff Madison Ave. is having a special event this Thursday that you probably don’t want to miss. As per our announcement a few weeks ago, the Zino Platinum Ten Year Anniversary was celebrated (in part) with some new, artistically inspired boxes. Well, now is your chance to experience the artistic side of tobacco, and try one of Davidoff’s newest cigars.
We should have an FTNYC representative on the scene reporting, so we’ll get back to you with some photos and a recap of the event.
September 25, 2012 (Omaha, NE) — A recently proposed occupation tax in Omaha, Nebraska threatens to levy a 7% tax on sales of all tobacco products. The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) strongly opposes this “specialty tax” as it will be detrimental to area premium cigar and pipe retailers.
The tax is designed to raise funds for a University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) expansion. UNMC has $1.2 billion dollars available, which is more than enough to pay for the project. Taxpayers are wondering why they are being forced to fund the university’s expansion.
The IPCPR fears the tax can lead to “border bleed:” the movement of sales from local businesses to neighboring shops as well as to online and mail-order retailers in order to avoid onerous taxation. Small businesses, including premium tobacco shops, are extremely sensitive to swings in economy and taxation. Adding on yet another tax only compounds the problem in an abysmal economy and increases stress on businesses by driving sales out of the city.
“The tobacco industry is not a bottomless well for taxes, fees and the like. We are mom‐and‐pop, Main Street businesses in an industry struggling to survive under increasing scrutiny ad attacks from our very own elected officials, who we elected to defend us. The people who work in this industry shouldn’t have to go home every night fearing that their jobs are being regulated or taxed out of existence every time the government has a project they want to complete” said Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR.
This city-forced tax will certainly prove challenging as businesses struggle to regain footing and grow in this economy.
Hello smoke fans. Big Ronnie is back! Last time, we were talking accessories and reviewed some of my favorite tools. We reviewed the different types of cutters and lighters, and focused on style.
Today’s topic, however, is not about the what, but the how. I’m talking about what to do, and what not to do. That’s right, we’re diving deep into our cigar culture and focusing on etiquette. Nothing is sexier than confidence. In the following genius, I’ve laid out how to act “as if” when it comes to cigars. Try to pay attention, as you are about to be armed with knowledge and confidence. Take notes, print the post, whatever – as long as it sticks.
Should I light my friend’s cigar? Do I have to smoke if everyone else is smoking? Should I bring cigars to parties?
Slow the hell down with the questions already, I’ll get there….a little more soap box first:
First and foremost, cigar culture is awesome. Most cigar enthusiasts are more than happy to tell you exactly what they enjoy and why. Cigar shop staff are friendly and helpful. Ask questions, show interest. Don’t be a wallflower. Embrace being embraced by the culture, and dive right in. Pick up a copy of Smoke Magazine or Cigar Aficionado, try to find what interests you, then ask about it in your local shop. Foundational knowledge about what you like will help you as you go, but be prepared to learn every time you enter a cigar shop. Embrace it.
When starting out in cigars, it’s easy to slip into the deep end and find yourself overwhelmed. The most difficult feeling to shake is that of inexperience. Confidence derives from experience, so if you are a newbie, accept it. Start slow, and take the time to form opinions about what you smoke.
It can be intimidating walking into a humidor for the first time. Step #1, pick something in your price range, then repeat.
Talk about what you like with any cigar shop employee or customer in a humidor. I promise they will be receptive and answer all of your questions.
My recommendations below are targeted towards novice smokers. For those intermediate or advanced smokers reading, keep going, you’ll probably learn something. I’ve broken down my recommendations into 6 categories: (Please let me know if I’ve missed anything. I take suggestions.)
Local Cigar Shop
Club
Outdoor Party
Golf
Hosting Friends
Women
LOCAL CIGAR SHOP Most humidors are a wonderland of variety, strength and flavor. Take your time, try things out. Remember, you are the customer and need to feel comfortable about your purchase, every time. Here are some general tips about what to do and not to do at your local shop:
Ask Questions – Cigar shop employees always want to talk about cigars, that why they work there.
Ask for suggestions – You will get more than you can handle. Everyone loves to talk about what they like. When discussing Cigars with shop employees, Big Ronnie takes notes, you should too.
Focus on strength first – Mild, Medium, Full. New enthusiasts should start with mild, work your way up. Try several different mild smokes before progressing. Have fun and try as many as possible.
Share when possible – Who doesn’t like to get a free igar? I sometimes buy 2-3 of my preferred cigar so that I can share them with friends when I smoke. It’s always more fun for a few guys to taste the same cigar, as you can immediately compare and contrast different viewpoints on taste.
Tip the employees – If a cigar shop employee is very helpful, ask what his favorite smoke in his humidor is, and buy him one. Now, you’ve got a friend whose brain you can pick anytime. I know, it’s genius. You’re welcome.
Know the rules of the shop you are going to – Do they serve alcohol or are they BYOB? What are their hours of operation? What are the nearby food options? Knowledge is power.
Say “Thank You” and shake hands – Be friendly, introduce yourself, stay a while. Being perceived as nice, friendly and enthusiastic will get you places in this industry, even if it is just a few more minutes with a knowledgeable shop employee.
CIGAR CLUB
Cigar clubs are havens of camaraderie, friendship and good times. They should be viewed as public squares for all who share our interest. Some clubs require membership to receive special benefits, like discounts or members-only events. Here are some general tips about what to do and not to do at your local Cigar club:
Buy from the club you are smoking in – Most Cigar clubs are also shops with full retail inventory. It’s OK to bring your own cigars to enjoy, but if a shop sells cigars, buy one from them. It’s a classy move, especially if the shop does not have a cutting fee.
What’s a cutting fee, Big Ronnie?: A cutting fee in a Cigar club or shop means that you will have to pay a small fee (Usually 5$-15$, one time, not per Cigar) if you’d like to smoke what you bought somewhere else.
Make friends – Frequent visits to a Cigar shop will expose you to other Cigar enthusiasts. Be friendly, sit and smoke with them. Ask questions, give opinions. Be a dude.
Dress appropriately – Clothes do not make the man, but they absolutely shape the way you are perceived. Best foot forward guys, you are diving into a culture of affluence and achievement, dress like it. Personally, I loathe wearing neckties, so I usually skip the tie in lieu of a jacket. Personally speaking, I would never consider going to my Cigar club, The Grand Havana Room in anything less than Business Casual attire. No jeans, no sneakers, no caps.
PARTY (OUTDOOR)
Nothing is better than a Summer party. Horseshoes, Lemonade and Cigars! While this should be a no-brainer to light up, there are some considerations. Here are some general tips about what to do and not to do when at an outdoor party:
Can you smoke? – If you are not the host, be respectful and ask. If you do this in advance, you have the opportunity to ask if there will be other smokers at the party. If there are, you have the opportunity to share.
How windy? – If it’s windy out, a soft flame lighter will not be best. Bring a torch. Most Cigar shops sell inexpensive torches for just this issue (<$10).
Where will you ash? – Think about this in advance and avoid making a mess. Be classy with your cigars whenever possible, and they should be accepted. Act like a jerk, and noone will want you to smoke around them. Don’t be afraid to bring your own ashtray – the effort will be respected.
Be an Ambassador – Offer cigars, engage people in conversation, ask what they like. A great way to learn is through conversation. Don’t be shy.
GOLF
I always prefer to golf with a Cigar. It is a natural fit. Golf and Cigars are natural bedfellows, don’t fight it – embrace the union and enjoy golf that much more. Here are some general tips about what to do and not to do when golfing:
Make sure your course allows smoking – I know this is stupid, but NYC courses no longer allow smoking. I have not heard of any other regions restricting golf course smoking, but who the hell knows. Play it safe and call the course in advance.
Cheat! – I use my cigar as a directional marker before I hit. I lay my Cigar about a foot from my ball, pointing in the direction I’d like to hit. It makes it a bit easier for me to aim, without lifting my head. Of course it won’t make you a better ball striker, but for me, I’ll take any advantage I can get.
Bring enough butane – I find my cigar goes out a little more frequently while I’m golfing, so I typically need relight my Cigar more often. Don’t get stuck without a way to light up. This is especially important if you are the Cigar guy in your foursome who brought the goodies. Also, try to have at least one cutter and torch in each cart in your group, as that’s much easier than running across the fairway for a light.
Tip your caddy – …With a Cigar. They will love it. If they don’t smoke, tell him to give it to someone he knows that does. It’s a golf course, there are plenty of Cigar smokers.
HOSTING FRIENDS
Cigars with friends can be a great time. Sharing your passion with others can be hit or miss, though. Whether it be in a backyard over drinks, on a long walk, or after dinner; Cigars provide the opportunity for conversation, laughter and bonding – just make sure all are willing. Here are some general tips about what to do and not to do when entertaining friends:
Who smokes? Who doesn’t? – Be aware of this, and always remember to cater to the people who do not smoke as much as those whom you are enjoying a cigar with. Non-enthusiasts will find themselves outside of the fun pretty quickly. Try not to alienate those who don’t enjoy Cigars. It’s not their fault, no one is perfect.
Never pressure someone to enjoy a cigar – Cigars and Cigar culture can be intimidating for some. Inevitably, when not forced, people loosen up at their own pace. A novice smoker may feel embarrassed cutting or lighting a Cigar in front of experienced smokers. Let them feel comfortable at their own pace. They will. No pressure.
Ashtrays! – You never have enough ashtrays when several people are lighting up. Prepare in advance and make sure that your guests are comfortable. Also, just having ashtrays is not enough. Empty them.
Big Ronnie’s tip: Men shouldn’t cut or light another man’s’ Cigar. It is acceptable to light a woman’s Cigar for her if she wishes.
WOMEN
Ah, women. Most things men do are either in pursuit of them, or to make them happy. Don’t fight it. I understand the social connotations that Cigars bring with them. Cigar smoking men are often mischaracterized as neanderthals, who can only grunt for what they want. Like most people, if women aren’t guided through a new experience, they can miss the positives, zero in on the negative(s), and make their mind up that it’s not for them. Big Ronnie is not perfect, but thankfully learns from his mistakes. Learn from Big Ronnie.
When it comes to women and cigars, I have been fortunate. I have always had accepting, encouraging women in my life who embraced my hobby/passion/lifestyle/obsession (call it what you will). If you aren’t as fortunate, or need to improve your courtship rituals, I’ve laid out some easy tips that have never gotten me in trouble. Simple things to remember that will help your women enjoy being around you while you enjoy a Cigar. Here are some general tips about what to do when smoking with the fairer sex:
Teach – If possible (and unless asked), try not to cut or light a woman’s cigar if it’s her first time. Simply assure her she can handle it if she’s nervous, and take her through the lighting process, slowly. When it comes to cigars and women, do not rush. Encourage her to ask questions, and make sure you answer them.
Teach More – If possible, try a sampling of cigars with her. Choose several small ring gauge sticks progressing from Mild to Full. Smoke only half of each while tasting, discussing the tasting notes you both have. Compare previous notes as you move on.
Wine – Cigars are a large topic, with many varieties and types. Relate them to wine, if possible, if she is a wine connoisseur. Especially if she is not a cigar smoker, she will understand the regional differences in climate and how they affect the grape – I mean tobacco leaf – is affected by them.
Learn Together – Ask questions you don’t know the answers to in front of her. No woman wants to think that they are either with a man who knows it all, or who can’t take advice. Maybe try some cigars that are new to you as well, so that you can review them together.
Relax – You don’t need to know everything. She will not expect you too. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know, let’s find out”.
There you have it, Big Ronnie’s list of recommendations for maintaining and increasing your sexiness. The rest is up to you.
As always, please send me your feedback on this article or requests for the next one to rparisella@gmail.com. Thanks and have a great day all!
Thunder is a blend by Rocky Patel Cigars, and particularly Nimish Patel. I had the opportunity to meet Nimish at the Rocky Patel event at Studio Sq. That event is also where I received this stick for review. As far as pairings go, I paired this stick with Jameson triple-distilled whiskey, some Esperanza Spalding jazz, and some interesting weather that developed halfway through the smoke.
The wrapper on this cigar is a rich, dark brown that is very inviting. The color of the Habano wrapper pairs incredibly well with the green, black, gold, and white label. As an Oregonian, this reminds me of a nice foresty color theme that I appreciate. The cigar is packed very well, triple capped, and has a nice layer of oiliness. The draw is a bit tight, but from what I understand this is not typical of the blend.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Off of the foot of this cigar are notes of granola, manure, cedar, and coffee. The stick kicks off with a medium to full body smoke that features spice, pepper, coffee, and caramel. At about an inch in, the cigar develops a bit and the flavors become very “Patel.” Notes of coffee, dark chocolate, a caramel texture, and something distinctively fruity. In fact, I identified the fruit later as cherry and… pears! I’m not the only reviewer to notice a fleeting fruity note.
By the second third, it’s clear that this cigar will have some consistent burn problems, which other reviewers have also noted. Then again, the burn problem could be a partial result of the literal thunder that rolled in. Sitting outside in New Jersey for the weekend smoking, a big storm rolled in, flashes of lightning everywhere, and thunder too (pictured below).
Notes in the second third of this cigar included dark chocolate & wood. The caramely texture completely dropped off, revealing a much more earthy texture. As the smoke progresses, the chocolate becomes more and more bitter, which pairs nicely with the woody notes.
The final third was, unfortunately, quite a bit hotter than the rest of the cigar, and the bitterness of the chocolate became a bit overpowering, as did the earthy texture.
Conclusion
This is a cigar to try, but be aware that you will likely have some burn issues. This is a full bodied smoke – definitely not for beginners. It certainly doesn’t showcase my favorite flavor profile, but it was a unique and enjoyable smoke.
Davidoff recently celebrated their first “Golden Band” awards, recognizing the many cigar shops and business owners who help make Davidoff the brand that it is. It looks like it was a pretty lavish party, and hopefully will continue as a tradition next year.
“The inaugural Davidoff Golden Band Award Show honored those Appointed Merchants that truly embody the Davidoff standard of excellence. The first annual awards show was part of an exclusive Davidoff event on August 4th at IPCPR in Orlando, Florida. The Golden Band Awards materialized from the brand¹s success, rooted in decades of long-standing partnerships with trusted merchants. Davidoff has a long history of working with its family of retailers to help them expand their businesses, discuss best practices and grow the Davidoff brand, hand in hand. The awards are an opportunity to officially recognize these retailers for their commitment and passion for Davidoff.”
PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) – A fire broke out Tuesday morning at a building that houses Roll Your Own cigar shop in southeast Portland, and firefighters rushed to the scene to stamp out the flames.
Nothing is better than a Summer party. Horseshoes, Lemonade and Cigars! While this should be a no-brainer to light up, there are some considerations. Here are some general tips about what to do and not to do when at an outdoor party:
