Halbardier’s Tahoe Ridge Winery, located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, now produces 13 varietals and 150,000 bottles of wine a year. But starting up the winery, which sits at 4,700 feet and can see temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees in winter, was arduous. He decided to grow grapes on a whim after moving to Reno from Sacramento. Not only did he not know a thing about the business, but he didn’t let it phase him that it had never been successfully done in Nevada. For the first eight years, every vineyard he planted had the same result: some 70% of the grapes died over the winter. “I was pretty much at the point where it was, ‘OK, we had given it a try,’” he recalls. “I had lost a lot of money.”
The breakthrough came when Halbardier learned about a cold-hardy grape varietal being developed at the University of Minnesota. In 2000, he planted around 500 vines using the university’s seeds. Come harvest time, Halbardier was shocked to find that almost all the grapes had survived the cold high-desert nights. “We were amazed. It was ‘Holy Guacamole!’ It totally surprised us.” That year, Tahoe Ridge Winery produced the first commercial wine ever made with Nevada-grown grapes. The 466 bottles of Chardonnay sold out in two weeks. In 2002, Tahoe Ridge made its first red wine, a Limberger, and the following year opened a tasting room and marketplace in Genoa, 42 miles from Reno. On a cold winter morning this past December, Halbardier had another premiere—he harvested the first ice-wine ever produced west of the Rockies.
Although Halbardier has found success, he is ever mindful of the long, laborious journey it took to get there. “Where we are today is a lot different than when we started. We don’t forget our roots.” He likes to remind his employees that the winery started with two barrels of wine and now produces 700 a year. From field to table, another dream harvested.
Nobody who saw the movie “Titanic” will ever forget Leonardo di Caprio’s exuberant proclamation “I’m king of the world!” And while the ships created in the image of HMS Titanic are no more, the experience of being treated like royalty is still available for all those who choose the seven to sixteen day seagoing experiences offered by Crystal cruises.
Crystal Cruises Ports Of Call
From the sunny Caribbean an the shores of Puerto Vallarta to the dazzling white of Arctic glaciers and ice floes; from the quaint Guernsey Isle village of St. Peter’s Port to the tropical breezes of Polynesia’ and from the Greek isles to Scandinavia, Crystal Cruises will transport its clientele to six of the seven continents in elegance and style.
The hospitality of Crystal Cruise ships does not end with their gangways. Crystal Cruise guests will enjoy onshore accommodations at the very best hotels in all Crystal Cruises ports-of-call, and will have access to onshore activities more suitable to James Bond than to the regular traveler. Crystal Cruises can arrange such adventures as Porsche test drives or MiG flightseeing.
Onboard Activities
Crystal Cruises will make sure that its guests are well-informed about the cultures they are visiting by providing lectures on the history and customs of local populations. Crystal Cruise ships have movie theaters showing new releases, name entertainment and plenty of live musical acts, including live Jazz at the Avenue Saloon, and cigar smoking at the Connoisseur Club. They of course offer casino fun, with their Caesar’s Palace Casino staffed by Caesar’s Palace professionals, and as a twist, offer bridge lessons for those with an aversion to poker.
All Crystal Cruises passengers have access to the ships’ fitness centers, where they can indulge in exercise lessons or yoga instruction. Swimming pools and Jacuzzis, driving ranges and putting greens, shuffle board and table tennis are all available.
The Dining Experience
Like all cruise lines Crystal Cruises pay special attention to their passengers’ dining experience. The Crystal Dining Room offers fine French cuisines at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with an alternative selection of vegetarian and low cholesterol meals. Other restaurants include Italian Prego and Asian specialties at the Jade Garden on the Crystal Symphony.
Those passengers who would prefer to take their meals on deck are pampered with a range of buffets and those who like to sleep in after an evening’s entertainment can find late breakfast at the Trident Grill and Ice Cream Bar. The British tradition of Afternoon Tea is observed each afternoon in the Palm Court, to music from a live string ensemble.
The three ships of the Crystal Cruises fleet are usually booked up months in advance, but the chance of feel like ocean-going royalty is worth the wait!
European discount cruises will not shortchange you on your shipboard amenities, gourmet meals and snacks, live music and stage shows, movies, and casino fun. You will be pampered by ship staff throughout your cruise and return from your onshore adventures each evening knowing that your cabin will be ready with a freshly turned-down bed so that you can get the sleep you need to prepare for the next day’s excitement!
You can also find more info on and .Best-cruiselines.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about Luxury cruises.
In tobacco-related news: Recent reports in several media outlets throw some light on the deepening problem that illegal small cigar factories, known as chinchals, pose for the Cuban government. It turns out that other United States neighbors face similar problems in managing the flow of tobacco.
A flurry of news reports suggests that Canada is having trouble controlling contraband tobacco–generally tobacco either stolen from producers or sold off-the-books in to avoid the country’s high tobacco taxes. The scale of the problem? No one’s entirely sure, but one of the largest Canadian tobacco companies has suggested that untaxed revenue from contraband tobacco is costing the country billions of dollars. And in a recession, that’s not chump change.
The same study (funded by industry groups) found that up to thirty percent of the tobacco used in Canada is illegal. That number balloons to forty or fifty percent in places like Ontario and Quebec.
One reason this is a serious issue is such tobacco, often sold on the super-cheap in bulk to consumers for a rate that amounts to pennies per cigarette, does not have to clear any health, safety, or quality control boards.
In addition, the larger the trade gets, the bigger the revenue that the government misses out on taxing–which creates big problems for a society with such a generous tradition of social spending. It also means lower sales for convenience stores and other legitimate businesses, not to mention the tobacco companies themselves, who figure their lost revenue at nine hundred million.
Where is this tobacco coming from? The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (who seize large amounts of the stuff every year) say it’s coming from the United States. More specifically, they trace some of the tobacco to the Akwesasne Mohawk reserve near Ontario, which extends across the US-Canada border. Thus the problem with enforcement: the tobacco is coming from a place that crosses national boundaries, and has a certain amount of limited freedom from both. Several levels of a couple different governments need to be enlisted in any effort to significantly reduce the tobacco influx … as well as, most likely, a study of who is producing this tobacco, and what economic, social or legislative changes might reduce their incentive to do so.
In the meantime, say critics, the Canadian government could at least prohibit sales of tobacco products such as rolling papers to those who don’t, you know, have a license to make or sell tobacco products.
In any case, news reports don’t mention a widespread illegal-cigar tobacco problem. And cigars do indeed represent a less attractive option for counterfeiters. Cigar aficionados are looking for better-quality cigar tobacco, and part of the reason for growing illegal cigar tobacco is that you don’t have to do quality control. Also, chopped-up cheap tobacco is easier to transport and hide than the full-leaf kind that tends to make a great cigar. Illegal cigar-making tends only to happen in cases where there’s a strong incentive to do so, as in Cuba … and people don’t exactly stream across the border for these great Canadian cigars.
Still, in a troubled economy, how long before we can expect to see similar problems arise in the other areas? In the meantime, the Canadians’ problem is one more reason to cigars from a trustworthy, known source.
provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.
Perhaps it’s because there’s a close cultural connection between great music and smoky bars. Anyone who knows anything about jazz knows that its truly legendary improvisers – Coltrane, Bird, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie – cut their teeth playing in bars so smoky that it’s a good thing everybody was too busy improvising to need sheet music.
Or maybe it’s because both cigars and music are contemplative pleasures. A casual smoker can get a quick tobacco-fix from a cheap cigarette, just as a casual music listener can enjoy the background hum of pop songs on the car radio. But to really enjoy a great performance, or a good tobacco, sitting still and paying attention are necessary.
In any case, music and cigar smoking seem to belong together, and some of the most famous musicians are (or were) cigar devotees – just as, it turns out, one of the most famous of cigar devotees is also a musician. Avo Uvezian, the maker of Avo cigars, is also a respected classical and jazz pianist, a Julliard graduate, and even the one-time official pianist of the Shah of Iran. After a successful musical career based first in his native Middle East, and then in the contiguous United States, Uvezian moved in the 1980s to Puerto Rico, where he opened a restaurant and bar and dabbled in cigarmaking. After customers at his Puerto Rico restaurant told him how much they enjoyed some cigars he’d had rolled himself, from a blend of tobaccos he hand-picked, he opened his own Dominican Republic-based cigar factory, working with noted cigar maker Hendrik Kelner. Now his company makes three million cigars a year, and Uvezian himself still makes music – his first CD, Legacy, was released in 2004.
For another example, consider the great trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who smokes, by his own estimation, four or five cigars a day. Music allowed the Cuban-born Sandoval to rise to fame in his native Cuba – and to defect from that country in 1990, during a long stint playing concerts in Europe (he now lives in Florida). Sandoval has played the horn for Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, Gloria Estefan and Johnny Mathis, Michel Legrand and Frank Sinatra. His technically flawless playing has resulted in his being the kind of musician whose work is often known by people who couldn’t name him – he is brought in as a session musician by some of the world’s finest and best-known (see above), and he often scores movie soundtracks. As his work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Leningrad Philharmonic prove, he’s even proved able to handle the rigors of classical music as well as jazz – sometimes doing both in the same concert.
The cigar-music connection is especially strong in Cuba, known as one of the world’s cigar capitals. Both cigars and music are staples of island life (the cigar remains one of the island’s most prominent exports), and the strength of both in Cuban culture depends partly on the nimble and intelligent blending of elements from everywhere – wrappers and fillers from different parts of Latin America, rhythms and melodies from the African coast, South America, US pop, Western European classical, etc. In other words, Cuban cigarmaking and Cuban music have both survived, and flourished, by mixing and melding.
For generations, cigar rollers were entertained by the sound of paid musicians or by music from the radio. (This tradition continues even now in the Dominican Republic, where workers at the Arturo Fuente factory, among other places, are treated to the work of performing musicians.) With this tradition in place, it’s no wonder that some of Cuba’s music legends got their start as cigar-factory entertainers; and since tobacco smoking has been a part of Latin American life far longer than it has in some other places – Columbus’s sailors noted it being smoked in what is now modern Cuba in the year 1493, so there’s many more centuries of lore to draw on its psychological and emotional associations are deeper and richer, providing better material for songwriters to mine. Thus famous Cuban songwriter Beny More, himself a former entertainer for the cigar-factory workers, touches on the song in a number of his classic compositions.
provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.
A battery-powered nicotine inhalation device, the Super ecig is an alternative to smoking tobacco through cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
Super Cigarette tobacco alternative is a popular, novel and satisfying way for smokers to enjoy smoking anytime and anywhere.
The way people look at cigarette and smoking will change with a new super cigarette product. It is an e cig which means that you don’t have to light it up, it doesn’t burn nor does it contain the toxic carcinogens found in regular cigarette smoke.
The Super smokeless cigarette is the best option as a model to use for first time users of ecigs. Combining ease of use with modern style, this is the perfect product for smokers who are planning to switch from normal to ecigs.
The Super Cigarette, more popularly known as the smokeless cigarette or ecig, is a small device, which imitates the look of an actual cigarette. It reduces the risk of fire hazard, as it needs only rechargeable battery to power up the micro technology process for functioning,whereas it requires a lighter to start smoking otherwise.
This new process utilizes liquid nicotine, otherwise known as e-liquid or e-juice. The e-juice produces a heated vapor which is inhaled only by the smoker, producing no secondhand smoke to irritate neighboring people.
Cartridges of Super ecigs deliver great value for money. On most super minis the cartridge size is so small you are lucky to get 4-5 cigarettes worth of smoking from them; however, with the Super Mini, you can smoke the equivalent of 10 cigarettes without having to replace the cartridge.
Now it is possible to enjoy a cigarette in the office, restaurants as well as on bus or plane travels. Use this new super cigarette to avoid bothering people with the smoke and odor.
You won’t regret trying the Super ecig from Totally Wicked. It’s a great smoking experience from some of the most respected and trusted worldwide suppliers of genuine super cigarettes.
For a limited time, we are extending to all our customers a special offer on the Super-ecig starter kit, along with accessories such as additional cartridges, spare super electronic cigarette batteries, super-atomizers and the best American- and British-made e-liquid in the world.
It is possible for you to sign up for free monthly starter kit giveaways as well as get the discount at our new website today itself.
Cigar smoking is all about shared pleasure. After all, it swept Victorian England and became a national pastime in part because it gave men something to do with their hands while they talked after dinner. And it took off during the so-called “cigar boom” of the 1990s in part because new publications, online forums, cigar clubs, and other social venues allowed cigar smokers to talk about their passion.
So it’s no surprise to find cigar-related events all over the social calendar of smokers around the world. In addition to the lavish, expensive Big Smoke conventions put on by Cigar Aficionado magazine – at least two a year, in Las Vegas and New York City – there’s the Ybor City festival in Tampa, Florida, free and open to the public. And that’s just November. Check out a few other, more-exotic possibilities from all over the globe.
The Dominican Republic is the world’s largest source of premium cigars, surpassing even Cuba (from which many of the country’s cigar-making families and technologies emigrated during the years after Castro). La Aurora, Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, and La Gloria Cubana, among many others, all operate there, and as of 2007, it has its own yearly cigar festival as well! Taking place in Santiago, the two-day Procigar Festival (the first of which took place March 5-7, 2008) featured cigar factory tours, visits to tobacco fields, chances to hobnob with some of the world’s greatest cigar makers, and cigar-and-liquor matchups. Companies such as La Aurora, General Cigar Co., and Tabacalera de Garcia, among others, participated, and the inaugural bow was successful enough to motivate a second – to be held February 16-20, 2009.
While you’re there, if you go, you may want to check out some of the other sights offered by this important Latin American cultural capital. The Dominican Republic was the first place permanently settled by Europeans anywhere in either American continent – the oldest cathedrals, universities, and European-made roads can all be found there. Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, butts up against its southern coast, offering breathtaking views (the Procigar Festival takes place far further north, in Santiago, but the country is not super-large in total area). Four mountain ranges decorate the country; the Cordillera Central (“Central Mountain Range”) approaches Santiago, so visitors to the Procigar Festival could also schedule a day trip to see Pico Duarte, the jewel of the Cordillera Central and the highest peak in the West Indies (over 3000 meters). And, of course, Santiago is itself located in the Cibao valley – between the Cordillera Central and Corillera Septentrional (“Northern Mountain Range”), which run parallel to each other – and it’s this rich and fertile area that houses most of the country’s farms, including its tobacco farms.
Or you could follow in author James Joyce’s footsteps and visit Zurich, Switzerland, where the expatriate Irish modernist polymath-writer completed large sections of his surreal novel Finnegans Wake, and where the Whiskyship sails every November. (What is it with November and cigar events?) This whisky-tasting event, which also offers three hundred premium cigars for the sampling, allows those with sharp noses and tastebuds to enjoy single malt whiskies from all over the world, and to enjoy the companies of folks with similar tastes. The 2008 Whiskyship will be the tenth such event. Switzerland, of course, features all sorts of other attractions – among other things, there’s the James Joyce Foundation, but also, you know, mountains and pristine lakes and thousands of years’ worth of European scenery – and would be worth a visit regardless.
Another possibility – albeit somewhat closer to home, at least for North American smokers – is the Nebraska Cigar Festival in Lincoln. Taking place in late November (which pits it against the Ybor City Festival and the two CA Big Smokes in drawing the attention of Midwestern cigar fanatics who don’t feel like going to Zurich), the one-evening event brings in cigars, munchies and a pair of drink tickets for those willing to shell out the admission fees and deal with early-winter Midwestern cold.
provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.
It might be said that the electronic cigarette is the best product that has ever came along for those who smoke. It has many undeniable advantages over traditional tobacco cigarettes and lot smokers are just now finding that out. Smoking cigarettes is one of the most difficult habits to give up and so many who smoke have tried time and time again unsuccessfully to stop. The electronic cigarettes is not being marketed as a tool to help you stop smoking, but rather as an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes; even though the electronic cigarette does deliver doses of nicotine like many stop smoking aids do. The decision and will power to quit smoking is as always in the hands of the smoker.
If you are tired of paying the outrageous prices for a pack of cigarettes today, the electronic versions are more affordable. They deliver the same smoking satisfaction without the tar associated with tobacco products that are burned. Electronic cigarettes have no carcinogens at all because nothing is burned. The nicotine solution is only heated by the atomizer that is activated by a rechargeable battery stick when you inhale. The smoke that is exhaled is really just water vapor. It is less harmful to others if it is harmful at all, than second hand smoke from regular cigarettes.
There have been numerous studies done on the <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.premiumecigarette.com”>Electronic Cigarette</a> and so far most of the findings have been that they appear be less harmful because of one fact alone, and that is the lack of the thousands of harmful chemicals that are in tobacco cigarettes. This fact however, is still being debated and not all researchers agree that electronic cigarettes are any better for you physically than tobacco cigarettes. That aside, there are advantages over tobacco cigarettes that are plainly obvious.
There is no bad odor from electronic cigarettes, as well as no tar residue in your body or your surroundings. They can be much more convenient to use for a smoker because there is no lighting involved. An artificial glowing red tip is as close to a fire as you get with an electronic cigarette. They will not burn anything. You can lay them down wherever you like with no worry of starting a fire. It is the numbers of filters that have to be disposed of is significantly reduced because one nicotine filter is equivalent to a half a pack of cigarettes or more. There are even less filters to be disposed of when you choose to the nicotine solution to refill your filters, which is even more economical.
Whether or not you believe that electronic cigarettes are a better smoking choice for you, must be decided by you. Many smokers have already switched over to this new revolution because it is less offensive to others and more convenient and cheaper for them.
The electronic cigarette is the best product that has ever come along for those who smoke. It has many undeniable advantages over traditional tobacco cigarettes and lot smokers are just now finding that out. Smoking cigarettes is one of the most difficult habits to give up and so many who smoke have tried time and time again unsuccessfully to stop. There is no bad odor from electronic cigarettes, as well as no tar residue in your body or your surroundings.
Attention, cruise fanatics! Tired of just lounging around on those hum-drum cruises? So are we. Fortunately, there are some new options out there. Good news: now you can book a cruise that blends adventure with relaxation. Check out some of these amazing cruises and explore the most beautiful parts of the world.
Western Caribbean
Experience the grandeur of the Western Caribbean on a 5-night cruise aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Century. See Miami, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman.
The revitalized Celebrity Century was made with relaxation in mind. New accommodations include 314 new private verandas, 14 new Sky Suites and 174 new stunning Concierge-Class staterooms with beautiful fresh-cut flowers, top of the line bathroom amenities and even a full pillow menu.
The expert crew aboard this magnificent ship will help you and your family stay relaxed and entertained for the entirety of your cruise. Movie lovers will delight in first run film screenings. If live entertainment is more up your alley, there’s an abundance of music and dancing for your viewing pleasure. Whether you’d like to mingle with fellow passengers, catch a new summer flick or spend some quality time with your significant other in a plush stateroom, you’re sure to be completely satisfied on this one of a kind cruise.
During your cruise aboard Celebrity’s Century, you’re guaranteed to find the ideal mix of excitement and relaxation. This ship accommodates nearly every activity that you may be interested in. Enjoy a refreshing morning swim or unwind in the whirlpools. Or take advantage of the rejuvenating spa and sauna treatments. Be sure to capture the best moments in the Photo Gallery and Photo . Enjoy jogging, golf, shopping, and a fully equipped fitness center.
Panama Canal
Excitement and leisure meet on a 14-night cruise aboard the fantastic Norwegian Pearl. Port stops include Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puerto Quetzal, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Miami.
The magnificent Norwegian Pearl will win you over instantly. This brand new ship offers the very finest amenities and can accommodate even the most selective vacationers. Explore 12 amazing dining establishments, and 11 bars and lounges where you can mingle and let loose. And you won’t want to miss the bowling alley and rock climbing wall. These staterooms and suites offer the very best in comfort and serenity.
Europe
For the absolute ideal European tour, try a 7-day cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess. London, Brussels, Copenhagen, Helsingborg and Oslo are part of this exciting journey.
This mammoth 2,600-passenger Grand Princess ship features a cutting edge design with some of the most imaginative amenities available on a cruise ship. With a ship this size, passengers have limitless choices and possibilities.
Lisa VanDyke is a freelance writer who writes about several topics including cruise deals.
This remarkable ship offers a vast array of activities that are sure to please each and every passenger. If you’re ready for some serious head to toe pampering, you’ll find just what you’re looking for at the impressive spa facilities. Or, you can head to the deck for some invigorating sport and gym activities. Indulge in some retail therapy with luxury shopping boutiques. Lounge by one of the serene pools with simulated coral reefs. The options for fun, excitement and relaxation are endless.
Asia
Explore the rich culture and immense natural beauty of Asia on a 5-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas. You’ll experience the breathtakingly beautiful Hong Kong, Sanya, Hue and Hanoi.
This amazing cruise gives passengers an unforgettable showcase of one of the world’s most outstanding coastlines. Allow the serenity and immense beauty of this unique sector of the world wash over you as you soak in unforgettable views from the deck. This ship is filled to the brim with amazing entertainment and leisure activities. 18-hole miniature golf, four whirlpools and a Solarium with a sliding roof are just a few of the impressive options available.
Alaska
Alaskan cruises are world renowned for the alluring natural beauty they offer. One of the very best Alaskan cruise options is a 7-day cruise on the Coral Princess. Princess Cruises includes visits to Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord and Whittier.
The Coral Princess is a decadent way to completely unwind and escape the grind of daily life. It offers a great selection of amazing dining options, such as specialty restaurants Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and the Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse, as well as a European-style casino, a classy cigar lounge and suave martini bar.
With all these options, there’s no reason why you’ll ever have to settle for a so-so cruise ever again. Smooth sailing to you. Ahoy!
Courtney Allen is a freelance writer who writes about several topics including
Starting up a new hobby can be intimidating. Going golfing for the first time with a bunch of guys who have been doing it for years can make a beginner feel self-conscious about his lack of prowess on the links. People just learning to play guitar will go for years refusing to play in front of others. Even someone learning to cook might be embarrassed to share a less than savory meal with his family.
Some people might not consider smoking cigars a hobby, but it certainly is a pastime and it has its own intricacies just like anything else. There are traditions and faux pas when it comes to smoking cigars that any old puffer at the country club will notice and call you out on in a heartbeat.
Good-natured as the ribbing may be, it can’t hurt to brush up on some cigar “do’s and don’ts” before you have a cigar among the aficionados. Included are some suggestions for classy cigars and accessories that will show off your sense of refinement and good taste.
1. It is not a race. Smoking a cigar should be a leisure activity. The best way to start is to smoke as if it is no big deal. Take your time and enjoy it.
The Ashton Magnum is a smooth and creamy cigar that is perfect for new smokers. The aroma and flavor is remarkably consistent so you won’t ever get a bad draw. Ashton Magnums are made from Dominican leaves and shade-grown Connecticut wrappers. It is truly a cigar to be savored.
2. Trim the end of your cigar with a cigar cutter. Don’t try to bite it off with your teeth. This may look cool in the movies but it will just leave you with an unsightly and decidedly uncouth mouthful of tobacco.
The Double Blade Stainless Round Cigar Cutter from Orleans is an inexpensive yet fully functional cigar cutter. In other words, it is perfect for beginners. It works with a dual-blade guillotine action, which ensures a shred-free cut. It is housed in a durable stainless steel case for a long lifespan.
3. Don’t grind out a cigar in an ashtray. Let it go out on its own. This is a handy technique for being able to re-light a cigar later on. It is also polite to not leave the smudged out remains of tobacco scattered around in an ashtray.
In your own home, it is also nice to have a relatively clean ashtray. The Flor De Gonzalez Ashtray is made of simple black porcelain with the company’s logo in the center. It is square with resting places for your cigar in all four corners.
4. If there is less than a quarter left, let it go out in an ashtray. When a cigar starts to get that short, it will begin to lose its flavor. Nothing gold can stay. When it gets to the ¼ mark, it is time to let it go.
Another practical and stylish ashtray is the Hexagon Crystal Cigar Ashtray from Orleans. It looks incredibly luxurious for its modest price. It has wide stirrups (that’s where the cigar rests) to accommodate bigger cigars and a deep bowl for plenty of ash.
5. Don’t show off. Nothing screams amateur more than someone who makes a big deal out of smoking a cigar. Cigar holders and fancy smoking techniques are the antithesis of the cool guy casually smoking a cigar. You are allowed to blow smoke rings though. That’s a cool trick that’s not overtly flashy.
The best way to look natural smoking a cigar is to find one that you enjoy. In the beginning, it is best to start with a milder cigar and work your way up to fuller flavors. The Montecristo #1 is a legendary Cuban-inspired cigar that is made in the Dominican Republic.
6. Don’t chew on it. You are not Peter Parker’s grizzled boss at the newspaper. You are not a grunt in World War II. Unless you are being shot at or trying to ruin Spider-Man’s good name, chewing on a cigar is just plain gross.
Fine cigars can be works of art and the Griffin’s Robusto Natural is not something that you chomp away at. It has a rich and mild taste that smokers of every level can enjoy.
7. Don’t ask for a light. Seriously, you are a cigar smoker now. You should be carrying your own lighter around. In the worst case scenario, ask the bartender for a pack of matches.
The refillable Xikar EX Windproof Flame Cigar Lighter is far more practical than it sounds. It looks good and is affordable without appearing cheap or flashy. It is a functional, fantastic lighter that gets your cigar lit. What else could you want?
8. Don’t be afraid to let it go out and re-light it later. If you have spent some money on a nice cigar, there is no need to smoke it all at once and no need to waste it. Just scrape the ash off and rotate it over a flame for a moment to catch it again.
The Davidoff Millienium Churchill is a full-bodied, hearty, Dominican cigar that you won’t want to let go to waste. These cigars are top-notch and have a complex blend of aromas and flavors. Don’t be afraid to let it go out and enjoy the rest later.
9. Take your time warming up the end before you light it. This prevents you from charring the tobacco.
The Vector Vulcan Triple Flame shoots out a powerful trident flame that will allow you to perfectly light your cigar without over-toasting it.
10. Don’t smoke one after another. You are not chain smoking cigarettes here. Cigars are meant to be savored. Take your time and enjoy it. When it’s done, it’s done. Get on with your life for a while before having another.
If you find yourself enjoying your new pastime of smoking cigars, you are going to want to eventually invest in a humidor to keep them fresh. The Capri Humidor is a lovely, affordable way to keep your cigars tasting fresh for a long time.
Smoking cigars isn’t like smoking cigarettes. It is a hobby, not a habit. It is the difference between enjoying a fine glass of wine and slamming whiskey before noon. Take to heart these tips and smoke in moderation and you will be on your way in no time.
William Patterson is a freelance writer who writes about luxury items such
Dubai has a fantastic assortment of international-standard restaurants catering to all budgets and tastes. With a large expatriate community from the Sub Continent, it’s little wonder there are some truly world-class Indian restaurants among the top-billings.
As Dubai is a Muslim city, many restaurants, especially at the cheaper end of the market, are not licensed to serve alcohol. In contrast, restaurants in tourist and business hotels almost always serve alcohol.
The restaurants below have been classified into three pricing categories: Expensive (over Dh500) Moderate (Dh150 to Dh500) Cheap (under Dh150) These prices are for a three-course meal for one with a bottle of house wine or equivalent, including tax.
Sales tax at 10% is added to all bills. Service charges at 10 to 15% are also frequently added but, if they are not, a 10% tip is expected. Expensive Al Mahara Making a fair stab at being the most expensive restaurant in Dubai, the Al Mahara often divides local opinion. Some say it is overpriced for what you get, but others swear by it, especially if someone else is paying. The experience begins with a three-minute mock submarine ride to the restaurant, located alongside a giant aquarium. This puts diners in the mood for savouring the high-quality seafood that has won the restaurant numerous awards, including the What’s On category for Best Seafood Restaurant in 2008.
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Tel: (04) 301 7600. Website: www.burj-al-arab.com Al Muntaha Al Muntaha, meaning ‘The Ultimate’ or ‘The Top’, in Arabic, has the best location in Dubai, suspended 200m (656ft) above the Arabian Gulf, at the top of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Service is immaculate and the slanted glass windows give the restaurant the feel of a great ocean liner heading out to sea. Al Muntaha also delivers on the plate: try the roasted prime beef rib with mustard crust. Reaching the restaurant in one of the world’s fastest panoramic elevators is almost – but not quite – enough to put you off your dinner.
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Tel: (04) 301 7600. Website: www.burj-al-arab.com La Baie This fine dining restaurant would not be out of place in a major European capital, with its mellow piano music, unfaltering service and elegant table settings. One of the most exotic starters is the marinated sturgeon carpaccio with caviar and yoghurt sauce, while a highlight among the mains (and rumoured to be the chef’s favourite) is the grilled hammour fish on a bed of green lentils.
Ritz Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Tel: (04) 399 4000. Website: www.ritzcarlton.com Verre Gordon Ramsay’s Dubai venture has proved a resounding success and is firmly established as the best place to eat in Dubai. The minimalist décor might not suit all tastes but the simple surrounds and the well thought-out lighting help focus deserved attention on the food. A nice touch is the chef’s specialities – tasty morsels of food that come between the impressive courses. Mains include ravioli of lobster, salmon with a fricassee of peas and horseradish or poached chicken on a bed of tagliatelle. The desserts are divine. The three-course lunch specials offer excellent value.
Hilton Dubai Creek, Beniyas Road Tel: (04) 212 7551. Website: www.gordonramsay.com/dubai Moderate Café Chic Top quality ingredients, smooth service and a menu that cuts deftly between the classics and some daring variations make this is a top dining choice. Relax afterwards in the cigar bar for supreme decadence.
Le Méridien Hotel, Garhoud Tel: (04) 217 0000. Website: www.dubai.lemeridien.com India Palace The emphasis at this popular restaurant is on Rajasthani cooking backed up by themed décor and artefacts shipped in from the region. The open kitchen is a nice touch, as are the family booths upstairs, with privacy available at no extra charge. The excellent-value menu features starters such as lentil soup and prawn bisque with fresh vegetables, while mains include chicken and vegetarian kebabs and a range of delicately spiced curries. Alcohol is not available but the lassis (yogurt-based drink) are excellent, especially the unusual lassi seasoned with salt.
Opposite Dubai Marine Hotel, Bur Dubai Tel: (04) 286 9600. Pierchic Seafood-loving trendies are flocking to Pierchic, in the glamorous Madinat Jumeirah development, the place to be in Dubai at the moment. Located on a wooden pier, with views of the expansive Arabian Gulf, the venue is perfect for trying some local and international seafood dishes. Mains include the likes of poached Atlantic lobster with snow peas, enoki mushrooms and passion fruit dressing, or Arabian chilled seafood platter laced with Iranian caviar.
Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah Tel: (04) 366 6730. Website: www.madinatjumeirah.com Cheap Cactus Jacks It may never win any culinary awards but Cactus Jacks seldom disappoints a hungry stomach. A Mexican theme for the décor includes Aztec fabrics and bright designs, as well as multicolour tiled pillars. The restaurant has a live DJ at weekends and things can turn quite wild after 2300, when the spicy Tex Mex food and the tequila kick in. Parties of eight diners or more receive a 30% discount on their bill.
Millennium Airport Hotel, Al Garhoud Tel: (04) 282 3464. Website: www.millenniumhotels.com Deira City Centre Food Court Of the many food courts that are dotted all around Dubai, this is one of the most popular. On is the full smorgasbord of international foods, with the only unifying feature being that all the stands are cheap. The most popular stands serve up simple Chinese and Indian specialities accompanied by boiled rice. They also have a play area for kids.
Deira City Centre Mall, Deira Tel: (04) 295 1010. Thattukada The excellent South Indian restaurant at the Palm Beach Rotana Inn serves great-value food. Diners sit on long, wooden benches and are surrounded by film posters on the walls. The Kerala-influenced dishes include kappa erachi (tapioca and chicken curry) and karimeem porichathu (fish fry) and are guaranteed to fill diners up without breaking the bank.
