Origin of the term “Stogie”
The name “Stogie” was coined in Conestoga, PA where inexpensive cigars were made for the drivers of the Conestoga wagons. Traveling from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, the Conestoga wagon drivers were envious of the fine cigars enjoyed by their affluent passengers. A cigar then, as it is today, was a luxury. Wagon drivers simply did not earn the wage necessary to indulge with any kind of frequency. So manufacturers in Conestoga, PA began making cigars in addition to their well know wagons, and pricing them for the drivers.
Cuban Cohibas
Cuban Cohibas (Cohibas are also made in the Dominican Republic) cigars hit the Cuban cigar stage in 1966. The Cohiba cigar brand name would became famous upon registration of the Cohiba brand in 1969. When it was finally brought to the market, it was by then the most coveted Cuban cigar in the world.
The origin of Cohiba cigars begins with one of Fidel Castro's bodyguards introducing Cuba's President to cigars privately made by Eduardo Rivera - at the time a top roller at the La Corona cigar factory in Havana, Cuba. The unique blend of tobacco, from the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba so impressed Castro that a high-security cigar factory was set up in El Laguito, to maintain an exclusive supply for 'El Presidente'.
The brand was officially named Cohiba (a Cuban Taino Indian word for cigar) in 1968 but was restricted to distribution within diplomatic circles until 1982, when it was made available to VIPs such as the King of Spain and other heads of state.
The tobaccos used for Cohiba cigars are quite special. It is grown at full length in selected plantations in the Vuelta Abajo region, in the province of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba.
Production began with three sizes, each a personal favorite of Castro - the Cohiba Lancero, the Cohiba Corona Especiale and the Cohiba Panetela. They were re-christened Laguito No.1, No.2 and No.3 - and the first two sizes featured a unique, tiny pigtail on their cigar caps.
In November 1992, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of Cuba (and even more importantly, its cigars), five new sizes known as the Cohiba Linea 1492 (the six former sizes have now been renamed the Cohiba Linea Classica) were launched at a cigar dinner at Claridge's Hotel in London. Named Cohiba Siglo (for century) I, II, II, IV and V, i.e. the five centuries since Columbus landed on Cuban soil.
Repairing your cigars
One of the most frustrating things a cigar smoker can encounter is having a wrapper unravel on them; especially if it’s a pricy primo. Alas, a cigar with a damaged wrapper can be fixed thusly. All you need is some liquid pectin. Pectin is odorless, tasteless, clear, and is used as the "glue" that holds jams and preserves together. It's also used for rolling cigars. Dip a fine, small paint brush into the pectin, lightly apply it to the wrapper, and carefully "roll" it back in place to reseal it. It really works.
Lighting A Cigar
First, you need the correct lighter. Some cigar buffs use cedar strips for the job, but I find these hard to carry around. Most
people prefer to use matches or a butane lighter. When using matches, wooden ones are the best, not only because they look cool but also because they stay lit longer. If you opt for a lighter, make sure it uses butane fuel, because just about anything else that you could use to light the cigar will affect the cigar's taste. Regular fluid lighters have an odor that can be transferred
to the cigar if the flame is allowed to touch the foot.
Take the cigar in your hand and light your flame source. Slowly rotate the cigar in your fingers as you lightly toast the tobacco
on the foot of the cigar. Try not to let the flame touch the foot as you rotate the cigar in your fingers. Put the cigar in your
mouth and continue to light as you rotate the cigar, gently puffing in every few seconds.
When the cigar is lit, remove it from your mouth and look at the foot to make sure it is burning evenly. If it isn't, you can gently blow on the foot causing it to ignite the tobacco that is not burning, or you can apply a flame to that area. If you have an area that is burning faster than the other areas, simply wet your finger and apply under the quick burning area to slow it down.
