The box makes a wonderful gift for cigar lovers you know, whether beginners just getting into the craft or aficionados with a storied history of the leaf. Like anywhere else, Christmas in the Dominican Republic is a season of vibrant, festive traditions.

“From the joyful sounds of Aguinaldos echoing through neighborhoods to the warmth of La Cena Navideña shared among families, this unique season reflects the spirit of togetherness and celebration,” says Iturbides Zaldivar, La Aurora’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

The bundle is uniquely curated “to embody that spirit, offering cigar lovers a taste of Dominican excellence wrapped in the festive soul of the holidays.”

What’s In the La Aurora Holiday Box?

You get 10 cigars total, two each of the following:

• La Aurora Original Blend Connecticut 1987 
• La Aurora Preferido 1903 Cameroon 
• La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol 
• La Aurora 120th Anniversary 
• La Aurora ADN Dominicano

If you do the math, that works out to about $13 per cigar which is a pretty good price. Especially since you’re getting the new Family Creed Fuerte Sol and the delicious La Aurora 120th Anniversary in the mix.

I had a chance to review the Fuerte Sol and I came away with a positive experience, to say the least. Featuring a thick, beautiful Mexican San Andres wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and mixed fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania it’s a notch up, pepper especially, from what La Aurora generally proffers. It’s a delectable treat, with flavors like cedar, wood, cocoa, baking spices, toasted marshmallow, caramel, subtle earth, anise and licorice. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The post La Aurora gets festive with a holiday bundle appeared first on The BS Lounge.

I’ve said this before in several places, but I’m not a big seltzer guy. I’ll usually drink soda and sweet drinks when I smoke, it helps offset the nicotine. But the Mitra9 beverages are sweet enough that it works well. Moreover, because they’re seltzers and not overloaded with flavor, it helps bring out the flavor notes in the cigars. The trick is pairing things correctly. For example, the kratom seltzers come in a bunch of fruity flavors like black cherry, dragon fruit, raspberry lime, root beer, cream soda and so on. Meanwhile, the kava seltzers have some more inventive flavors like paradise lychee, orange dreamsicle, strawberry watermelon and a couple of others. Root beer and cream soda are easy to pair and go with almost anything, but the fruity flavors, not so much.

Exploring Mitra9’s variety

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

• Profile: Mostly sweet
• Primary Flavors: Miscellaneous
• Best Prepared: Chilled or on the rocks

Both the kava and kratom seltzers from Mitra9 give you a slight buzz. It’s a feel-good buzz, like you’ve had a few beers. If you’ve ever had THC drinks, it’s comparable to that experience. You don’t want to be driving after you’ve had these, and you don’t need to drink a lot to feel the effects. When paired with a cigar, which is already relaxing enough, it’s a fantastic experience overall. In fact, I’ve found that drinking these and smoking enhances the entire event. Maybe it’s my overactive imagination, but I swear I tasted a lot more than I usually do on both accounts.

As mentioned above, kratom beverages come in a wide variety of flavors, while the kava drinks come in a handful. Berry, black cherry, dragon fruit, raspberry lime, tangerine, tropical, watermelon, cream soda, root beer, midnight cola and citrus sun for kratom. Paradise lychee, lemonade, orange dreamsicle, and strawberry watermelon for kava.

You can also buy shots, like energy drinks, and powder packets, which you mix in water. I won’t mention those again as they’re not really anything you’d pair with cigars. But if you’re interested, it adds to the Mitra9 offerings, and they’re also quite good.

Breaking down the pairings

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

I’m an Aganorsa fan, so you already know I paired some tasty sticks like the Rare Leaf Maduro and Corojo. But I also tried a few unique pairings. Montecristo Bardstown Bourbon, Southern Draw Kudzu, Boneshaker Lunatic, Casa 1910 Cavalry, Zino, Casa Carrillo Pledge, AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Habano, Davidoff Escurio.

Here’s what I would recommend:

• Mitra9 Midnight Cola and Root Beer goes with: Anything, but something dark like a maduro is delicious.
• Mitra9 Cream Soda goes with: Habano, Cuban or Connecticut.
• Mitra9 Black Cherry, Raspberry Lime or Dragon Fruit goes with: Oscuro.
• Kava varieties like Orange Dreamsicle and Strawberry Watermelon: Connecticut.

My top pick is the Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio with the Root Beer kratom seltzer. I also had the Aganorsa Supreme Leaf, which is a salty smoke, with the Mitra9 Black Cherry, the latter of which has more of a tart flavor to offset the cigar.

One of the beautiful things about cigar pairings, especially when it comes to drinks like this, is that the experimentation is the best part. Yes, absolutely you can end up with a bad pairing, but it’s fun to taste test and mix and match. Just don’t do it on a day when you’re expecting a particular experience — those days and nights it’s always best to go with what you know.

Mitra9 Kava and Kratom Seltzers: Closing statements

All-in the Mitra9 drinks are an excellent non-alcholic alternative, especially if you still want to feel that relaxed buzz. You could keep drinking to enhance the experience, though I personally wouldn’t as one or two seltzers is enough. They pair well with a cigar, especially when you mix the flavors with the right blends. I’ve left some recommendations above, but really, it’s a lot of fun to experiment and try them out with things you would smoke normally.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can always mix the seltzers with some soda to make them a little sweeter. Root Beer flavor mixes well with root beer or vanilla cream soda, obviously. The cola goes well with cola. Black cherry with a cherry or fruit soda. You can figure out the rest.

I would recommend these to anyone interested. I’m not normally a seltzer guy, but the flavors are enjoyable and just sweet enough to be tasty.

Briley specifics:

• Recommended: Yes
• Would I drink them again? Yes.
• Will I buy more? Yes, I already have.
• My preferred pairing: Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio and Mitra9 Kratom Root Beer

The post Mitra9 Kava and Kratom seltzers: Pairing with a cigar appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The latest release, the La Aurora Family Creed Series: Fuerte Sol, proves they understand the highs and lows of the cigar industry — from one extreme to another. I mean, you’d expect that to be the case with over a century in the industry, but stranger things have happened.

Just what the hell am I talking about? Pull up a chair, grab a drink or a snack, light one up and let’s get talking.

An established relationship

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

As you likely know, if you’re here, I have a history with La Aurora. I had the unique opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic and tour the facilities and tobacco fields. But even before that, I was familiar with the brand and have long supported Dominican tobacco, something that’s not common in the industry.

There are a lot of people that don’t like Dominican cigars or tobacco, for whatever reason. Either they think it’s too mild, especially when compared to Nicaraguan-sourced cigars, or they don’t like the flavor profile and quality of the cigars. For me, La Aurora has always been a standout and its most recent offerings are no exception. From the 107 to the delicious 120th anniversary, La Aurora’s cigars are a staple in my humidor.

I tend to smoke stronger cigars

But let’s not forget, I’m also a big fan of Aganorsa. I love Nicaraguan-grown tobaccos and I usually smoke stronger, full-bodied cigars. That’s a significant contrast to most Dominican cigars, even those from EP Carrillo (now Casa Carrillo). I might work some Dominican-sourced offerings in there, but they’re hardly the only types of cigars I smoke. And if I’m being real, I have to be in the mood for something mellower, I’d usually grab AJ, Aganorsa, or bolder, spicier blends out of my humidor.

The point I’m trying to make here is that I smoke a wide variety of cigars from various brands and regions, and I’m not just a one-trick pony. And although I have a storied history with the brand, I’m not above calling out some bullshit — from any brand. I’m talking about those marketing gimmicks where they promise something special or unique and it’s a Fugazi.

Let me be clear, La Aurora’s Fuerte Sol has none of that behind it. Intrinsically, it’s unique compared to the brand’s current portfolio, and takes things in an entirely new direction, legitimately.

Fuerte Sol tasting with Manuel Ynoa and the La Aurora team

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Alongside a few big names in the media camp, I sat down on a virtual call with some other enthusiasts, the La Aurora team and the brand’s master blender, Manual Ynoa — the man responsible for most of its cigar creations.

I had done this before with the launch of the 120th Anniversary, which is delicious, by the way. This time, we were tasting both the Fuerte Sol and the new E. Leon Jimenes 110 Anniversario dominican rum (about $100 for 750ml). The idea was to test out the pairings between the two and see how the flavor profiles and experience complement one another.

These virtual tastings with La Aurora are always a treat. It’s not just about pushing their new cigars or products, but they walk you through the development process, the brains behind the operation, and much more.

What happens during a virtual tasting?

You get a backstage view of everything going on at the company, and there’s a lot going on for sure. But also, it’s a chance for Ynoa and the rest of the team to interact with people who have an affinity for the brand and its cigars. We all get the unique opportunity to share our experiences, thoughts, and sort-of a mini review. The goal for La Aurora there is to collect valuable feedback for future iterations.

Guided, we lit up the Fuerte Sol and tried a pouring of the rum. We discussed the flavors, what’s in each product, what the initial goals were for the La Aurora team, and what they were trying to achieve with them, and then we had a candid round of questions and feedback.

What struck me the most was the experience of the Fuerte Sol. Don’t get me wrong, the rum is excellent. It’s a dark, sweet pairing that would go smoothly with almost anything cigar wise, but it particularly brings out the darker notes of the Fuerte Sol.

Why the La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol is “different”

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Even before you light it up, if you just peek at the description, you’ll know right away the brand has gone in a slightly different direction here. The Fuerte Sol wrapper is a delightfully brown Mexican San Andrés leaf, but the fillers are mixed with Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Pennsylvania tobaccos. This is not a Dominican puro, and it’s quite a bit stronger for it.

It’s bolder than La Aurora’s usual portfolio. Don’t get me wrong, the 120th is delicious, the 107 and Maduro variety tend to be medium to full-bodied, and the ADN and Hors D’age are also stand-outs. But the Fuerte Sol is a spicy, peppery delight.

It’s medium to full-bodied with flavors like dried fruit and raisins, lots of leather, baking spices, pepper, and even notes of rum or liqueur. Where before I might smoke a La Aurora cigar at the beginning of my session, the Fuerte Sol, I’d be happy to smoke in the middle or even at the end, depending on what I chose as my lineup.

It’s an excellent merger of Dominican DNA and Nicaraguan and mixed tobaccos that put the brand on par with some of its competitors, at least in the bolder space. It also fills a gap in the La Aurora portfolio for someone that likes their cigars stronger and more fulfilling.

On the call, it was also made clear that some of the La Aurora crew felt this might be too much of a bold move in a different direction — a big departure — and there was a question whether cigar audiences would like the change or not. Personally, I think they hit it out of the ballpark and I’m excited to see where this goes from here.

It took over 70 tries to find the right blend

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

This wasn’t an overnight success. Ynoa and the team shared that they tested and blew through over 70 different blends before settling on the one used in the Fuerte Sol. It’s a quick glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak, at what it takes to find an exceptional crafting. We often don’t see that from the consumer side. We just see a single cigar blend launched and we might take it for granted, heaping it with praise or otherwise. But usually, there’s a lot of work done to get to that point, including hundreds if not thousands of burned, tasted, and smoked cigar potentials.

While they have nothing concrete to announce yet, La Aurora did toy with the idea of releasing some of those other blends the team was fond of during testing. They also made it clear the Family Creed series will continue, so there will be more releases in that product line.

For now, I just think it’s inspiring this tiger is changing its stripes. I, for one, am excited to see the entire industry moving in new, semi-experimental directions. It’s great to see my guys — La Aurora — one of the brands leading that pack.

The La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol is already out in Robusto (5 by 50) and Toro (5.8 by 54) sizes, although sold out currently at most retailers. They also have a Gran Toro (6 by 58) size releasing soon.

In Robusto size, the Fuerte Sol is about $310 for a box of 20, or $16, give or take for a single. Neptune Cigars has them for reasonable prices if you want to give them a try.

The post Over 120 years in, La Aurora is still innovating with Fuerte Sol: I’m here for it appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The Cigador is a single-cigar travel humidor, crafted to match the premium and elegant style of the greater industry. Imagine a tactical, sleek design, or an all-wood polished and exquisite design and you’re halfway there.

The Cigador is a single-cigar travel humidor

Source: The Cigador

Source: The Cigador

Like most accessories, you can find a Cigador that matches your personal style and interests. The elegant wood versions come in African blackwood, Cocobolo and titan silver, and more. You can also opt for the more practical tactical series — pulled a Dr. Seuss there — with a lightweight aluminum cylinder and composite exterior, textured almost like rubber. The tactical one comes in a few unique colors like purple, green, red, and so on.

A built-in hygrometer, resting center stage, shows you the current RH level inside, perfect for storing your most precious daily smokes. A hydrating cap at the top accommodates either distilled water or hydration packs. Meanwhile, each Cigador can hold cigars up to a 60 ring gauge. Those big boys that you’d find Leif Lunatic smoking won’t fit, unfortunately.

Basically, you pop open the top, slide in your cigar, close it up, and away you go. You’ll need to carry a lighter and cutter with you, but something tells me you probably have that covered anyway.

Why would I want a Cigador?

Source: The Cigador

Outside of making a fashion statement, because the premium-variety look stunning, they’re ideal for carrying a single cigar. You might not always want to lug around a bigger case, or you might not even have time for more than one cigar, depending on where you’re going. These travel humidors are perfect for something like that.

Because they also incorporate humidity, you could essentially leave the cigar in the case for a few days, especially if you’re going to leave it in your car or somewhere like an office.

If a single cigar humidor is not for you, then you might also want to check out the Cigador X Klaro humidor kits, which are more traditional in design.

Either way, it’s a pretty cool idea. It’s also another way to accessorize your favorite hobby, especially if you’re a true cigar aficionado. You might even be able to match your suit, if you can pull it off. If that’s you, godspeed. I don’t wear suits. Too hot and I sweat like a racehorse.

If you want one, you can grab them at Cigador official, Best Cigar Prices, and a few other online retailers starting at $90 per humidor.

The post Don’t need a big travel cigar caddy? Check out the Cigador appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Maybe you came across them during your cigar journey. Or, maybe this is your first time hearing about them. At any rate, I wanted to share a few I know about, and underrated or not, you’re really doing yourself a disservice if you don’t check them out. If you haven’t tried some these brands, give them a shot when you get the opportunity.

Adrian Magnus

Billed as ultra-luxury, you better not enjoy these cigars in shorts and a tee. If you do, they’ll send a muscled guy after you. Okay, I’m just being a wiseass, but you get the idea. Skilled artisans hand-roll these cigars with precision and care. Better yet, they age most of the tobacco for five, twelve, or fifteen years.

From the 1808 and the Supremos, to the Ultra-Premium Black Black or XO Cognac, you’re getting a smooth, incredible experience regardless of which label you choose. Honing in on the Supremos, it contains seven-year-aged tobacco with Dominican origins in a medium to full strength profile. Nothing can prepare you for lighting one up the first time. But when you do, oh man, you’re in for a real treat.

ADVentura Cigars

Talk about a real uncharted or swashbuckling feel. ADVentura embodies all of that and more. Born out of a collaboration between “tobacconist, marketer, sommelier, Marcel Knobel” and a young master blender from the Dominican Republic, Henderson Ventura, these premium cigars are every bit as unique as their namesake.

Take a journey through the lineup, starting with The Explorer, and then move on to conquer Blue Eyed Jack’s Revenge, La Llorona, and Piece of Heart. Wherever your feet land, on whatever soil, you’ll be well prepared for the locals with one of these bad boys, and incredibly good times. I always try to work an ADVentura stogie into my weekly rounds.

Aria Exclusives

Smooth, rich, and traditionally Dominican, the Aria Exclusives lineup includes handcrafted cigars from la ciudad corazon. With humble beginnings, this brand is an up-and-comer. Most of its lineup is simply named. Aria labels take inspiration from the tobacco they’re crafted with. Don’t let that shy you away.

The Connecticut, San Andrés, Habano, Corojo Habano Maduro, Eternal Knot Rose and Eternal Knot Gold are all designed to be smooth, relaxing smokes ranging from mild to full-bodied. I know that’s quite the range, but it also means they have a little something for everyone. I recommend the Eternal Knot Gold. It’s a medium to full-bodied smoke with flavors like earth, spices, roasted nuts, cedar, leather, and a lingering sweetness.

Black Label Trading Company

Source: Black Label Trading Company

If you haven’t seen me in person yet, and let’s be honest, most of you haven’t, I have a few skull tattoos. The macabre, especially skulls, has always fascinated me, and it makes sense since I’m a writer. So, it also makes sense that I’d be somewhat drawn to Black Label Trading Company, an Oveja Negra Brand that has marketing absolutely littered in skulls and the macabre. They’ve been around since 2015, and the brand’s tobacco is hand-crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. If and when you light one of their cigars up, you’ll see why that matters.

Between its core lines and the intermittent, limited release, Black Label Trading Company offers some stunning blends. The Royalty, Lawless, Morphine, Salvation, Last Rites, Orthodox, they’re all delicious. But let’s pick out the Last Rites to examine more closely. It features an Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper, Honduran binder and Honduran and Nicaragua mixed fillers. And it’s brimming with dark, toasty flavors, exactly what you’d expect from a macabre-inspired blend. Cedar and wood, rich chocolate, coffee, spices, and an abundance of cream await.

Black Star Line

A Chicago Firefighter by trade, a cigar aficionado by night, Adetola “Aric” Wimberly-Bey, Black Star Line’s founder, was mentored by none other than Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate. Made at some of the most legendary factories like El Titan de Bronze, Fabrica de Oveja Negra, and La Zona Factory, every release in Black Star Line’s lineup is unique and backed by years of passion and unparalleled craftsmanship.

The War Witch is made in Nicaragua by Aganorsa Leaf. Rosewood 1923 is made by Fabrica de Oveja Negra. Marun is made by La Zona. The list goes on, and, at the risk of repeating myself, every blend in the Black Star Line inventory is worth checking out. I love me some Aganorsa stuff, as you probably know, so that’s where I spend most of my smoking time. Yes, sir.

Casa 1910

Capturing the proud spirit of Mexican born tobacco, and the Mexican Revolution, the brand’s cigars and tobacco hail from the San Andrés valley in Veracruz, Mexico. Established in 2021, it didn’t take long for the brand to make a name for itself in the industry, and every release continues to leave an indelible mark. Manolo Santiago, one of the brand’s founders, was a former marketing manager for Habanos S.A. in Mexico. Point being, these guys know their shit.

From the Revolutionary Edition to the Cavalry Edition and Soldadera Edition, with individual blends in each of those labels, plus some limited releases, there’s a lot to love here. Revolutionary includes the Tierra Blanca, and the Cuchillo Parado, for instance. Words do not do this brand justice. Go take a look when you can.

Drunk Chicken Cigars

Established in 2019, Drunk Chicken cigars are handmade in the U.S.A.. The brand’s stogies mirror flavor profiles you’ll find elsewhere in the premium cigars industry. If you’re interested in how the industry works, you can read insights from the brand’s founder directly on her blog.

If you just want to smoke some delicious cigars, you can’t go wrong with the Mother Clucker, Fat Hen, Homicidal Hen, or Living the Dream. Seriously, give them a try. The brand is proof that not all the top cigars come from outside of the country.

La Galera

Dominican through and through, La Galera, or Las Galeras, offers a staple of high-end, premium smokes that don’t really buck the norm, but who cares, because they are phenomenal. The brand’s founder, Jose Arnaldo Blanco, or “Jochy,” as he’s known, certainly has the experience and chops to craft a beautiful, experiential cigar.

The core lines include Connecticut, Cojoro, Maduro, and 1936 Box Pressed varieties. Followed by the finer selection of Anemoi, Imperial Jade, and limited releases, like the 85th Anniversary. What do they all have in common? They’re one-of-a-kind experiences rolled into a tightly packed bundle of tobaccos.

Lovely Cigars

When I think about underrated cigar brands, this one tops the list. Hailing from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lovely Cigars has revitalized a historic brand once called Ain’t They Lovely. Green Bay was a major Midwest producer of cigars, believe it or not, which were shipped via the Fox River and the Great Lakes. Back in the 60s during the Cuban embargo, quality tobacco became real hard to find, and the brand wound down.

Of course, what’s more interesting is the brand’s current lineup of cigars, all handcrafted in Nicaragua at the Tacasa S.A. factory in Esteli. Notable smokes include Ain’t They Lovely, the No. 162 and the new Bay City Cigar line — with Connecticut and Maduro versions. I have had them all and they’re delicious.

Platinum Nova

Source: Platinum Nova Cigars

Labeling themselves a “family-owned boutique cigar company,” Platinum Nova delivers ultra-premium, limited edition cigars that not only come exceptionally crafted, but deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. Because that last part sounds like a cop-out, and something any marketing team would cook up, I implore you to give these a try. You’ll immediately understand why that’s being said here.

The Platinum Nova Park Avenue, for instance, features Dominican filler tobaccos, a Nicaraguan binder from Esteli, and an Ecuadorian 2000 wrapper. It’s a silky, smooth blend that’s full of chocolate, coffee, and pepper notes. Or, how about the Platinum Nova Toro? It features Dominican fillers, a Dominican Piloto binder and a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. Dried fruit, leather, cinnamon, chocolate, nuttiness and lots of sweet notes await anyone who lights the Nova Toro up. They can be pricy, but I’d argue the experience is worth it.

Stolen Throne

Established in 2018, Stolen Throne offers both staple collections and limited releases, most Nicaraguan at their core. But they also feature some unique flavor notes that pair exceptionally well with hard beverages. Don’t worry, if you don’t like bourbon or scotch, they work fine with some Pepsi, too.

Take the Crook of the Crown, the brand’s original blend. It features an oily San Andrés Maduro wrapper, Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan fillers. You’ll pick up flavors like cherry, nuts, mulled wine, red spices and beyond. Trust me, you want to check these guys out.

The cigar industry is constantly evolving: More underrated cigar brands are always on the horizon

In just the last decade, the cigar industry has exploded to include a wide variety of “boutique” brands — yes, using that word made me shiver. That continues to evolve, with more and more underrated cigar brands popping up all over the place. Not just in the age-old markets we’ve come to expect, like Nicaragua and Cuba, but elsewhere.

What you should take away from all of this is that there’s a lot to explore and there will be a lot to explore going forward. Maybe the next time you come across a brand you’ve never heard of, give it a try? I always try local cigars, but I also live in Florida where there are a lot of small, local brands, too.

The post Underrated cigar brands to watch: Give these a try appeared first on The BS Lounge.

But not everyone has the privilege of community. By that, I mean, there are some who don’t have friends or family that smoke and don’t know many people who do. Maybe you don’t want that solitary experience and want to join some brothers or sisters of the leaf? I get it. So, it makes sense the next question would be how to find or meet people to enjoy cigars with? I have a few ideas on that, let’s discuss.

Head to a local lounge or shop

Cigar lounges especially are an excellent hot spot to engage with fellow cigar smokers. Everyone there is either already smoking or planning to at some point. Maybe they brought a few cigars of their own, or maybe they’re purchasing everything in the lounge. Either way, they are in there to smoke and enjoy themselves.

Now, that doesn’t mean that every single person you see in a lounge or cigar shop is approachable. Some of those folks might still want to smoke in peace. But I’m willing to bet most would be okay with discussing cigars and rubbing elbows with fellow cigar enthusiasts. Strike up a conversation. Ask what cigar they’re smoking, what their favorite labels or brands are, and maybe even where they come from. There’s no harm in trying. If they don’t want to be social, they’ll let you know.

Check out a cigar club

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

There are both local and remote cigar clubs, the latter of which you can join via social media networks, online communities and so forth. Local clubs usually meet up in your area to either smoke, trade cigars, or discuss the industry. Both options are great opportunities for meeting new people who love cigars as much as you.

Some of those clubs do have requirements, but it’s nothing crazy. Typically, it’s about being localized and being able to participate in events, gatherings, and beyond. By simply participating, you’ll meet a lot of new people, friends, and cigar lovers.

Engage on social media

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

X, formerly known as Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, all of these social networks have cigar-related communities you can join. You might not meet up with a lot of those people in person, they’re usually spread out across the country and sometimes even the globe, but you can still have some great conversations. Better yet, some of those communities have virtual events or v-herfs, where they meet up on camera and smoke and chat.

I’ve participated in a few v-herfs myself, including brand-organized events — like a virtual tasting with La Aurora — and they’re always a lot of fun. It’s a unique experience for sure, but it’s also a fantastic way to make some connections in the cigar community or the industry overall. There are a lot of communities like this centered on a particular brand. For example, the Aganorsa Acolytes page and community are perfect for anyone who enjoys Aganorsa Leaf cigars. You may also gain access to exclusive deals, merchandise and events.

This is also an excellent way to try new cigars, because the community — me, included — is always shipping new sticks to others to share our love of the leaf. We love when we can share our favorite hobby, nay, lifestyle with others.

Attend some cigar events

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

This one is a no-brainer, but you can attend local cigar events to meet like-minded people. Sometimes, they’re hosted by lounges or clubs, other times they’re actual brand-organized events like Big Smoke or the Tampa Cigar Bash, which I have a lot of fun at every year.

I’ve been to several events and every time I meet new people from varying places. Just last year, at the Tampa Cigar Bash, I met a group of guys from Wisconsin, Iowa, New York, and a few other states. The point is, you’ll get to spend some time with people that enjoy smoking and collecting cigars and they’re from all walks of life, which is phenomenal. The cigar community is as diverse as the cigars themselves.

The post How to find people to enjoy cigars with appeared first on The BS Lounge.

So, usually, when you go with a bigger size cigar, you’re sacrificing some of that flavor, and if you like spice and pepper — a bit of a kick — you might lose some of that, too. That can be a good thing for cigar enthusiasts who like a more mellow or relaxing cigar. For others, that’s not so good, because you’re losing some of that peppery experience. The same can also be true of certain sizes, like Lanceros, which is a skinnier ring gauge. You’re trading away power and flavor complexity.

However, there’s one brand in particular where all of this goes out the window. Aganorsa. They blend their cigars to size and it doesn’t matter how big they are. You get the same experience across an entire label, which is frankly incredible.

Understanding the implications of blending to size and its importance requires considering how most cigars are crafted.

Here’s why it matters that Aganorsa blends to size

Source: Jon Tyson / Unsplash

Cigars are made using all tobacco leaves. Tobacco leaves form the filler or center, thicker tobacco makes up the binder, and then the wrapper, on the outside, is also, you guessed it, tobacco. Naturally, the blend is influenced by the types of tobacco leaves used in a cigar. Changing up the type of leaf — like Maduro versus Connecticut or San Andrés — changes the flavor and the experience. But that’s also true of the rest of the tobacco used in a cigar, including the filler.

The more filler that’s packed inside the core, the tighter the cigar, the better it burns — typically — and the better the experience for the smoker. That’s why cigars that have loose filler tend to burn improperly or tunnel.

Larger cigars often have a looser draw when compared to their smaller counterparts. That’s because more tobacco has to be packed in to accommodate the extra space, which often results in more air. You could also infer that’s why the flavor or “kick” tends to suffer. There are more gaps inside, albeit small and barely noticeable, but it’s still enough to change the smoking experience.

Aganorsa does not do this when crafting its larger cigars. Instead, they blend to size, making sure that there’s always enough tobacco filler to accommodate the larger surface area. More importantly, they test the blends in the bigger sizes to make sure you’re getting almost exactly the same experience as you would when smoking a smaller variant. You have the same experience no matter what size you’re smoking.

When you’re looking at a massive cigar, like the JFR Lunatic Maduro, The Size That Shall Not Be Named, which is a 100 ring gauge, you’d expect a much more mellow blend and a different experience. That’s not the case with what Aganorsa makes.

Aganorsa is one of few brands that does this

Source: Aganorsa Leaf

Every time you smoke an Aganorsa, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible experience for that vitola. It doesn’t matter how big you go, you lunatic, you’re in for one hell of a smoke.

That might sound like an endorsement or a veiled advertisement, but it’s not. Sometimes, what you experience with one brand is remarkably different from what you’ll experience with another, and it’s important to call that out.

The post Aganorsa blends to size, but what does that mean? appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Are Cigar of the Month clubs worth it?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Right off the bat, the answer is going to be both yes and no. It really depends on you. Here are some questions to ask yourself before subscribing:

• Is a monthly subscription in your cigar budget?
• Do you like trying new cigars every month or do you stick to the same labels?
• Are you a min/maxer when it comes to adjusting cigar costs?
• Do you only buy cigars during a sale or via big deals?
• Does the Cigar of the Month club feature brands you like?

Addressing these questions will help you decide not only whether or not a subscription is worth it, but also which subscription(s) you should be looking at. Most of the major retailers have a monthly subscription like this. For example, JR Cigars has one, Smoke Inn has one, as does Holt’s Cigar Company.

Each subscription offers different cigar brands and labels

Source: Valiant Made / Unsplash

Subscribing to the right Cigar of the Month club is going to be crucial to your enjoyment. Why? Well, each club offers a curated selection of cigars, and depending on which club you join, you may or may not be limited to select brands that the retailer carries.

“The answer is […] both yes and no. It really depends on you.”

Just to provide an example, JR’s Cigar of the Month club features smokes from Montecristo, Oliva, Crowned Heads, AJ Fernandez, Aganorsa Leaf, H Upmann, Alec Bradley, Drew Estate, and more. Compare that to Cigars International’s Cigar of the Month Club, which may include Macanudo, Romeo y Julieta, Rocky Patel, Cohiba, Gurkha, La Gloria Cubana, Tatuaje, and beyond.

Moreover, the cigar count in each subscription can differ, too. Cigar International’s base subscription, Original Club, only comes with four cigars each month. If you want more, like a bigger bundle, you’ll have to pay more for a higher-tier subscription. JR Cigar’s club includes five, meaning you’ll get one more each month.

And, of course, the cost for each club differs. It’s $22 per month for Cigar International’s Original Club, $31 per month for JR Cigar’s subscription, $35 for Holt’s Cigar Company, and $35 for Smoke Inn. There are many more clubs out there, as well. Starting at $50, Luxury Cigar Club is another great example.

It’s a no-brainer, but look at what cigar brands and labels are offered for the subscription you’re interested in before you buy. Each one will be different but that also means it’s totally possible to encounter a COTM club that’s not the ideal fit for your tastes.

How can you vet a Cigar of the Month club?

Source: Charles Etoroma / Unsplash

Take it social. Look up the brand or club on social media, and places like Reddit and other cigar communities. You’ll be able to see right away what kind of cigars are included each month. A lot of influencers, reviewers and YouTubers will do unboxing videos. Many will even share their thoughts or reviews on new cigars they try.

“Think about what flavors you like in a cigar. Do the previously shipped COTM bundles match that profile?”

It’s pretty standard stuff here but if you notice a lot of the cigars featured don’t jive with your personal tastes, well, avoid that particular club.

What is your monthly cigar budget?

Source: Ernest Roy / Pixabay

As much as many of us would love to, unless you’re filthy rich, you don’t have an endless supply of money to divert to this hobby. That means, you probably have a budget or limit for how much you’re willing to spend each month.

Consider that budget before subscribing to one of these services. It may cut into funds you use for cigars you really love. That could potentially mean trading cigars you’d prefer to smoke for cigars you don’t necessarily enjoy.

Think about it. If you’re getting four or five random cigars each month, premium or not, you’re going to run into some that you don’t like. Some folks prefer to stick with what they know and love. If that describes you, it’s a safe bet you won’t like these COTM clubs.

Do you already have a lot of random cigars in your humidor?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

If you’re anything like me, you’ve grown your cigar collection over the years through a ton of different avenues. You might have purchased some, been gifted some, acquired some at events or in special deals or bundles, collected a bunch of freebies, and so on. If your humidor is already littered with a bunch of random cigars you’re never going to try — maybe you should avoid the COTM clubs.

There are never any guarantees that you’re going to like the cigars these clubs ship you. You could potentially have a month or two where every cigar in the batch is unlikable. But, it’s also true that the opposite could happen, where every cigar they send you, you absolutely love. That’s the gamble you take.

Do you only buy cigars during big sales or discounts?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

If you’re a bargain-hunter, you may want to avoid COTM clubs. They can be excellent value if you love the cigars you receive. But if you’re just stowing a bunch of randoms in your humidor you’ll never touch, well it’s obvious you’re throwing away money.

For the most part, the cigars provided in these COTM bundles will be available for a good deal. With JR, for example, at $31 per month that works out to about $6.20 per stick. If you’re getting some sticks that are above that cost — and there’s a high chance you will — then it’s an excellent deal.

Is a Cigar of the Month Club worth it?

In the end, the best judge of that is you. Worst case scenario, you subscribe for a month or two, find out you don’t like what they’re shipping, and then unsubscribe. You don’t have to stay active indefinitely and some of the clubs allow you to pause a shipment. There’s only one way to find out.

The post Are cigar of the month clubs worth it? appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The two lighters I purchased for this include the Upallant 5-in-one cigar lighter, and the Moniup all-in-one torch lighter. They’re both similar in design, with multiple tools built into the lighter like a draw tool (cigar needle), V cutter, and cigar holder. I wanted to know how well these tools worked, namely in a pinch when you don’t have anything else on you, and whether or not they’re worth the purchase. Both are priced at about $28, but if you time, it right there are recurring promo codes offering a discount. I did purchase both lighters with my own money — I was not sent these for free.

The Upallant 5-in-one cigar lighter

Source: Upallant

Built-in Tools:

• Triple jet torch
• Cigar holder
• V-cutter
• Cigar punch
• Cigar craw enhancer (cigar needle)
• Butane fuel-level window

Price: $28

The Moniup all-in-one torch lighter

Source: Moniup

Built-in Tools:

• Dual jet torch
• Cigar holder
• V-cutter
• Butane fuel-level window

Price: $28

Upallant versus Moniup: Amazon cigar lighter head-to-head

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

At first glance, both lighters look remarkably similar, but the designs are different enough that you can tell them apart. The shell or casing is stainless steel, with a carbon-fiber-like finish on the Moniup, and a unique, honeycomb-style finish on the Upallant. Both are attractive and while I wish the branding on the Moniup was slightly more obscure, they both feel very premium for affordable lighters from Amazon of all places.

Filling them was a cinch. They both have fuel ports on the bottom so you just plug the butane nozzle into the port and let the tanks fill. If you don’t already know how to fill a torch lighter with butane it’s about as close as you’ll get to a fool-proof process as possible. They also both have windows on the side so you can see how much butane is left — and it’s just as helpful for filling up the lighter with fuel.

Since they’re both stainless they are somewhat heavy compared to a smaller, plastic lighter or something made of similar materials. The Upallant weighs about 8.8 ounces according to the store listing and the Moniup weighs about 9.9 ounces. That’s not so heavy or bulky that I wouldn’t want to take them with me to a lounge or somewhere on the go. They fit nicely in your pocket but if you have a cigar bag or holder of some kind they should fit well in there, too.

Not that you’ll be caressing these with your hands like a precious ring, but they do feel great to hold. The finish isn’t so intricate that they are overwhelming to the skin. And as I said, they’re not too heavy to handle, even filled, they feel just right.

Lighting a cigar, using the tools: The big test

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The dual flame torch of the Moniup and the triple flame of the Upallant lighter are purportedly windproof. It just so happens that it was pretty darn windy during the time of my review so I had the opportunity to test this out. That claim is untenable at best. Both lighters still kick on and the flame is there, but the wind makes it difficult to light a cigar evenly without some kind of defense or shield in place. I do think that’s fairly obvious if you’ve ever tried to light a cigar before — like on a cruise where you’re basically in a wind tunnel. That’s not a fault of the lighter makers but reality. However, the claim itself — that they’re windproof — is true. Both lighters still work and fire up even on a windy day. If you’re trying to light a campfire you’ll be just fine.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The tools on both lighters are functional and work exactly as you’d expect. The V cutters are great, but you’re definitely going to need to keep them clean so be sure to keep the gunk off. The cigar punch on the Upallant is excellent if you forget your favorite cutter or a spare. And the cigar draw, the needle that’s like a PerfecDraw, works great to loosen up a cigar that’s rolled too tight. Only the Upallant 5-in-one cigar lighter has that cigar draw tool, though.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The cigar holders are positioned differently for each lighter but both work well. The Upallant lighter features a holder on the rear side, so you have to lay the lighter down flat on a surface to use it. Meanwhile, the Moniup holder is positioned right on the top, above the lid for the torch. Comparatively, I like Moniup’s positioning a lot better for a couple of reasons. First, the lighter stays upright and the cigar rests on top. Second, it’s more convenient to interact with when it comes to picking up your cigar and taking a draw. That said, both holders are functional and do what they need to. Plus, the heft of the lighters ensures they won’t topple or lose your lit cigar, even if you bump the table or something.

Why should you buy one of these lighters?

If you need a lighter, a spare, or just want something multifunctional to bring with you to the lounge or events, both of these options are excellent. They would make fantastic gifts for any cigar lovers you know, too.

Having used both, I could recommend either one. Look at the tools, compare, and choose the one that fits your needs. If you’re never going to use a cigar draw tool, for example, you’ll be just fine with the Moniup lighter. If you think you’ll need that tool, however, it’s only included on the Upallant lighter so spring for that instead. There are V cutters on both, and yes you can use them to make X cuts. Either way, you’re getting some kind of cutter built-in. Yet, the Upallant also has a cigar punch on the side, which brings its tool total to five gadgets versus the Moniup’s two — a holder and a V cutter.

If I had to choose one of the two, honestly, I like the Moniup lighter better. I like the cigar stand on the top, and I almost always have tools on me so I don’t need the extra gear. If you want those extra tools, like the punch and the cigar draw needle, then go with the Upallant instead. It helps that they’re both the same price.

• My Preference: Moniup all-in-one torch lighter
• Tools: Upallant (5) versus Moniup (2)
• Flame: Moniup dual flame versus Upallant triple flame
• Design: Carbon fiber (Moniup) versus honeycomb (Upallant)

Disclaimer: I used affiliate links from Amazon in this article. Purchasing either lighter through those links directly supports my work. Thank you.

The post Amazon cigar lighter head-to-head: Moniup versus Upallant appeared first on The BS Lounge.

I’m not a big tequila guy. I mostly stick to whiskey and bourbon when I want something strong. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a good pour every now and then. So, when I had the opportunity to try some delicious tequila from a relatively young brand I took it. And man, am I glad I did.

Exploring Mijenta

Source: Mijenta

Mijenta’s Maestra Tequilera Ana María Romero has “over 25 years of experience” in the industry, and like any Master Blender in the world of cigars, she’s fine-tuned her craft to capture “the artistry of flavor.” Of course, her specialty is in the world of spirits. After a few glasses of the Añejo, I can absolutely see that as true and I wholeheartedly agree.

The Añejo is one of four tequilas available as part of Mijenta’s lineup. The brand also has Blanco, Reposado and Cristalino, all outstanding tequilas.

Tequila Añejo

Source: Mijenta

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

• Profile: Sweet
• Primary Flavors: Vanilla and oak
• Best Prepared: Neat or on the rocks

Distilled in stainless steel tanks, fermented without fibers and aged in French Oak, American White Oak, and Cherry barrels, and Acacia casks, this 40% abv (80-proof) tequila is brimming with flavor. The agave is sourced from the Los Altos southern region in Mexico.

It goes down smooth, with very little burn, but it pairs exceptionally well with medium to full-bodied cigars. That’s primarily thanks to the sweet flavors, light pepper and spice that hit the palate. Some of the more prominent flavors I picked up during my tastings include: Vanilla, caramel, cherry, chocolate, oak, cinnamon, butter, floral notes and even some spiced cream. As you might expect, natural agave flavors remain pretty strong throughout, as well.

Someone who is merely sipping on the tequila without a cigar pairing might find the pepper a bit much, but I thought it was fantastic.

Breaking down the tasting

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Some excellent cigar pairings might be the Sacrificio Maestro, San Lotano Requiem Habano by AJ Fernandez, Southern Draw Rose of Sharon, La Aurora 120th Anniversary, and Davidoff Yamasa.

What’s interesting is that the experience evolved as I continued to drink, a progression you might come to expect from aged spirits like this. But in the Mijenta Añejo’s case, it vastly changes the session, not unlike the usual, complex cigar. The pepper, cherry, chocolate, and some of the more subtle notes sway in and out, dancing on your tongue and blending with the more prominent flavors like vanilla and caramel. It’s truly a unique experience even more so when you’re pairing it with something good.

The final verdict for me is that I would definitely drink this again and will likely be getting some more for myself soon.

MSRP: $200 per bottle

Recommended Buy: Yes, if you like tequila or agave.

Disclosure: Mijenta sent me the tequila to try with a couple of Sacrificio cigars, which I’ll be reviewing in additional coverage.

The post Mijenta Tequila Añejo: Sipping with a cigar appeared first on The BS Lounge.