Steve Faccenda
The picture is at the grand opening for Cigar Inn. The man lighting my cigar is Steve Faccenda Sr who was also known on the cigar boards as, TOJE. For those of you who did not know Steve Faccenda he was everything that a cigar rep should be, and everything a man should be. Steve had the heart of a giant. His warm personality, phenomenal advice and all around being will be forever missed.
When I first found out Steve had cancer he approached me and said, “I have good news and bad news, which do you want first.” I said the good news and his response was “In 2 years you might be the next CAO Sales Rep.” I asked him what was the bad news and he said, “I’ll be dead in 2 years”.
We kept in touch via the phone and the occasional email on facebook. Last month Steve requested him and I get together for a smoke and I knew this was not a good sign so I met with him at Fume Cigars in NJ and despite knowing that the end was near he was his usual jovial self. He leaned in to me and whispered, “Barry when I die you have my blessing to apply for my job”. I told him Steve stop talking like that you will defeat this and he looked at me, and shook his head and said, “I know what is coming”.
I share these two stories with you because I want you to know how Steve was brave despite what he was facing. I share these stories in hopes you will get an insight to how strong of a man he was. I was happy to call Steve a friend and blessed to have known him. I will miss Steve but I find comfort in knowing that every cigar smoker has gained a guardian angel.
Love you Steve!
Cigar Companies In Trouble
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…and I guess it just depends on what side of the table you’re sitting on. Despite many of the hardships that the tobacco manufacturers and retailers are currently facing, there seems to be a plethora of smoking options for the consumers. Cigars are being introduced in unique sizes, utilizing special wrappers and introducing intricate blends that make it possible for the smoker to locate at least a handful a cigars they consider to be “favorites”. In large part this is due to the “boutique” cigar manufacturer who seems to be more receptive in what the everyday connoisseur would like to enjoy. They are able to do this through utilizing the internet, social media networks and hitting the B&M’s one shop, one state, at a time. So with the boutique cigar makers thriving – does this mean that the larger, more established cigar makers are suffering during this time period? Are they in danger of completely going out of business by not adapting some of the tactics used by the “smaller guys”? Are any of these companies even aware of the changes they will have to bring to their companies?
In no way is the next part of my analysis trying to single out any specific cigar maker or company but rather the top three companies I, and I think everyone else, thought would never face a “do or die” type of scenario (If the conclusion is drawn that such a scenario exists).
Padron, Fuente & General
Padron & Fuente Cigars – The creator of a few cigars that all happen to rank very highly each year in Cigar Aficionado. Padron and Fuente have done a fabulous job of introducing a cigar that is great to smoke for everyone in every price range. They like to keep their options very simple and even introduce a new limited edition, high priced, cigar every so often to keep the fan base (and I suspect Cigar Aficionado) very happy. However, considering these things, has the Padron and Fuente company structure been too inflexible in working with retailers or becoming personable with the smokers in our community?
From a retailers aspect they have always stood behind their “quality” and refused to offer any great discounts or specials that can be passed on to their patrons through the B&M. The excuse was always made that the true smoker would always be willing to pay their inflated prices for the special cigars like the Anniversary or the Opus X cigar. Furthermore, they tend to abstain from doing live events on a regular basis with the presumption that their name is a known quantity, and no further live promotion need happen .
All advertising campaigns were also primarily reliant on the ratings given to the cigars via Cigar Aficionado and other small magazine publications. Occasionally both companies will publish some full page ads through these same sources. But they have yet to reach out to any alternative methods of advertising – online magazines, blogs or cigar radio programs. On the same note Padron feels no need to interact through social networking whereas Fuente does run its own cigar forum/community but has shied away from all other mainstream social media applications.
General Cigar Company – Now this behemoth of a cigar company operates in a slightly different manner. They tend to produce multiple cigars, multiple times a year, in multiple sizes, under multiple famous names – and yet always seem to lack in quality and flavor. Their distribution is huge, but seems to rest solely on the established name of their cigars, rather than the quality of their cigars.
It does not take great explanation as to why this is unsupportive of the local Brick and Mortar establishments. General will offer some slight discounts and incentives to purchasing and carrying their products, but it never allows the retailer to price at the same level as most websites or even Generals own online retail website. However, retailers have always been stuck in a corner, almost forced to carry the products, because of the famous names behind the brand. These are the most asked for cigars by the newbie smoker or holiday shopper.
This is a direct indication as to how General Cigar Company has chosen to spend their advertising dollars. Most of the ads that are being placed cannot focus on ratings, because they don’t get any, and are forced to emphasize the “famous” names. General does this by placing most of their ads in men’s magazines or any other publication that is read by the mainstream population who might opt for a cigar during a frequent occasion. It appears as if they haven’t cared about the cigar blogs, review websites, magazines or any medium that a frequent cigar smoker would choose to follow, but rather instead bank on their “famous” name instead. This means that they have also opted out of all social media (Is this a way of hiding from the criticism?).
The Changes Across the Board
During these times of hardship the smoker has to be more specific on his choice and the retailer can be more specific in choosing cigars for his clientele. I can provide some information that the “boutique” cigar market is taking a big piece of the pie both financially and in loyalty of smokers from the large juggernauts who are resting on their laurels. Each company has displayed a change in operation as they have now realized what side of the table they are really sitting on. While none of these companies will admit that the times are harder for them – I think it is.
Padron has come to the realization that the cigar, despite how great it may be, will not be sold unless the regular consumer feels some sort of bond with the manufacturer. They have now reversed the policy on events and will start doing appearances at local B&M’s across the country.
Fuente used to have the policy of shipping whatever cigars they choose for the specific account to receive whenever Fuente felt the B&M should receive it. This has also been reversed and is starting to ship cigars/orders, even the Opus X, to accounts as they request them.
General Cigar Company tried to appeal to the “boutique” market at the 2009 IPCPR by releasing a cigar that was “not associated” with the General line of cigars. Additionally, anyone who ordered this stick would also be required to place it in the boutique section of the humidor and make a promise to retailers that it would not be sold online. The only downfall was that they again, produced a cigar for the numbers and not for taste or quality. Now General cigars is connecting with bloggers by allowing them to preview and release information on certain products to help connect General back in the cigar community.
While these changes are being made everyone of these three have yet to jump into the social media realm (In Fuente’s case any further).
Are these first steps a sign that changes will be underway on how the companies interact/market/operate? Will they, or do they even have to, transition into the social media environment? Will the big guys really be able to compete with the boutique manufacturers (moving forward)? And specifically to General Cigar Company – will they stop relying on the “famous” name and start dedicating resources into creating a truly great cigar? As we have seen there are some like Gran Habano , La Aurora, CAO, Illusione, and Tatuaje (just to name a few), who are doing this already. These companies are sizable outfits, yet dedicated to utilizing the web and word of mouth for the advancement of their product. Or to put it simply – they are transitioning into the new world of cigar smokers and enjoying sitting on the good side of the table.
So until the big three aforementioned companies decide to hop on the modern technological bandwagon, they are doomed to see diminishing funds and market share. As many articles have pointed out this year, this will be the first time in history that print media will be eclipsed by online media advertising, shouldn’t the large companies come down off of their high horses and embrace the people and online market which is the cultural nexuses of this age? Or maybe they can keep relying in their name, tradition and … well whatever it is they are banking on.
Arturo Fuente, Cigar Maker
Arturo Fuente’s story starts in 1912, when young Arturo first opened the A. Fuente Cigar Company in the Ybor City section of Tampa, making cigars of imported Cuban tobaccos.
The factory burned down in 1924, leaving Arturo in dire straights financially. He worked for another cigar maker until 1940, when he reopened, operating first out of his home, and then moving to a factory. They continued importing Cuban tobacco until 1960, when the US embargo against Cuban imports was established. In the 1970s, the company attempted to move, first to Nicaragua and then to Honduras, but suffered fires at both locations, Finally, the company settled in the Dominican Republic in 1980, and currently produces over 24 million cigars annually in six factories and four plantations, employing 2,000 workers, including 500 torcedors.
Today, Arturo’s son Carlos and grandson, Carlos, Jr. oversee production. Their line offers a medium-to-full bodied taste, with the celebrated Hemingway series a little mellower, thanks to an additional 140 days of aging. Many of the natural-wrapper cigars (including the Hemingway series) feature Cameroon leaves, with Connecticut leaf used for maduros and 4 of the sizes are available in an Ecuadorian sun-grown.
A.Fuente Hemingway
Undoubtedly one of the most precious cigars and on the market only in small quantities, The Classic, Signature and Untold Story are inside a robust Maduro and it differentiates the Cameroon series. These cigars are aged for another 140 days before release which assures their particular mellow taste.
A.Fuente Don Carlos
Manufactured using carefully selected scarce vintage tobaccos, the Fuente Family developed this line: Don Carlos. These medium bodied Cameroon wrapped cigars were under development for a long time before Carlos Sr. gave his approval, assuring the buyer the finest quality cigar obtainable. Carlos Fuente Sr. worked to achieve the quintessential in full flavor, perfect wrapper color and excellent construction in every Don Carlos cigar. Today, cigar connoisseurs all over the world recognize that Don Carlos is outstanding and deserving of the distinction, “Pride of the Fuente Family”.
A.Fuente Anejo
These cigars were first produced in 2000 and have been rarely seen since that time. One of the most difficult cigars to locate, Anejo have the same binder and filler as the critically accclaimed Opus X cigars. A Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper is used.
A-Fuente Gran Reserva
Exclusively the best vintage tobaccos and hand craftsmanship are used in A-Fuente cigars, produced through a combination of skill and art. Every leaf is individually chosen out of a private family source set aside solely for the production of these cigars. Mixed along with the best Fuente tobaccos globally acknowledged for their superiority, the A-Fuente Gran Reserva is subsequently skillfully rolled using African Cameroon, Connecticut Shade or Ecuadorian Sun Grown, these wrapper tobaccos are the most expensive and sought after wrapper tobacco in the world.
The job of producing the A-Fuente Gran Reserva is reserved for the most talented cigar makers, using the exceptional expertise required to produce this distinctively blended cigar. Each crucial step is carried out totally by hand, to guarantee a unique completed cigar.
A Fuente cigars will be subsequently aged inside cedar vaults to a pinnacle of excellence to produce a superb cigar considered among the worlds finest.
Properly Preparing your Humidor
Having purchased a new humidor, you need to make sure that you properly season it before storing your cigars in it. Placing your cigars in the humidor will not get you the desired effect. In fact, if your humidor is not properly seasoned you will end up drying out your cigars rather than keeping them humid. This is because your humidor is most likely lined in Spanish cedar. If the wood is dry then it will actually absorb the humidity contained in your cigars. Not quite what you expected is it?
When you receive your humidor it will most probably be quite dry. The reasons for this are simple. First of all, if you’ve purchased a Spanish cedar lined humidor, manufacturer’s dry out the wood because Spanish cedar has been known to release sap. By drying it out the chance of sap leaking is significantly reduced. Secondly, if a humidor isn’t cared for it will naturally dry out on its own. The humidor you received has most likely been in shipping and storage for a quite a while so it has naturally dried out over time.
By preparing your humidor properly, you’ll ensure that you’ve created the right environment for storing your cigars. Use this step by step approach for the best results. It does take some time and effort but is well worth it.
Step 1: Calibrate the Hygrometer
Take one teaspoon of salt and place it in an open container. Using the lid of a small jar will work just fine. Place a few drops of water into the salt. Make sure not to dissolve the salt, the idea is to make the salt wet but not to have any excess water. The salt should look like more a thick paste than a liquid. Having done this, you can now place the hygrometer and the salt-filled container into a zip-lock bag. Seal the bag carefully and be sure not to spill anything out of the container. You should also leave some air in the zip lock bag so the hygrometer can read the moisture content in the air.
Leave it over night or check on it after 6-8 hours. Ideally your hygrometer will read 75%. Yours may not because most hygrometers have a margin of error. To compensate for the margin of error you have two options. You can either remember the margin of error (if it reads 70% you know it will always be off -5%) or you can adjust the screw on the back of the hygrometer, if it allows for it, until the needle reads 75%.
Step 2: Charge the Humidifier
Using either distilled water or a mixture of distilled water and propylene glycol, dampen the humidifier. You should make the humidifier pretty wet but not soaking,. Just make sure you don’t have any excess water dripping out of it. A good way of controlling this is to place the humidifier on top of some paper towels and let the extra liquid get absorbed by the paper towel. Place the humidifier back in the humidor.
Be sure to use distilled water in this step. In the short run using regular water will work but over time the minerals contained in that water will clog up your humidifier and you’ll have to purchase another one.
Step 3: Charge your Humidor
Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the inside of the humidor. This will help the wood absorb moisture more quickly. Make sure not so soak the wood, just leave a film of moisture on it. Fill a shot glass (or similar small container) with distilled water and place it inside your humidor. Close the humidor and let it sit over night. The next day, check on it to see if any water has evaporated from the shot glass. If the water level has gone down, refill the container with more distilled water and let it sit longer. Repeat this process until the water level stays about the same ion your container. Once it stays the same, its and indication that the moisture levels in your humidor have stabilized.
You cigar humidor is now ready for use!
Illusione MK Petit Corona Cigar Review
Name: Illusione MK
Vitola: Petit Corona (5 1/8 x 42)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium
Burn Time: 1 Hour
Average Cost: $7.40
The Illusione MK is the newest offering from Dion Giolito. As with all Illusiones, the stick is a Nicaraguan puro. The MK is made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras. This stick was recommended to me by my local B&M. I’ve been wanting to try the Illusione line for a while so this stick was a good place to start.
As with my other reviews, this cigar is accompanied by a glass of water.
Appearance
The cigar sports a chocolate wrapper showing some veins and seams. It’s a little rough looking, but I couldn’t care less. To me, the most important things when enjoying a cigar are flavor first, then followed by construction. The cigar feels firm throughout and it is finished by a triple cap. The wrapper gave off an aroma of sweet tobacco and the foot smelled like cedar.
Pre-light
The cap cut easily with my Xikar. The draw had a medium amount of resistance to it and I got flavors of cedar.
First Third
The cigar opened up to rich flavors of coffee. The lack of spice was a welcomed change from the recent cigars I’ve been smoking. The coffee flavors transformed into a cedar on the finish. The coffee flavors lasted about half an inch before giving way to cedar, but the coffee remained in the background for a bit. The smoke was very smooth and creamy.
The stick had some burn issues in the beginning, but it self-corrected after the first ash. The ash was about an inch long before I tapped it.
Second and Final Third
Beginning at around the second third, the stick had a nice combination of wood and leather, with the coffee gone. These flavors remained consistent throughout the second third and grew stronger by the final third. During this time, the burn remained level and the cigar never got harsh or hot, even when I finished with about an inch remaining.
Final Thoughts
I really don’t know what else to say other than I really enjoyed this cigar. It was a no-nonsense cigar that really delivered in the flavor department and the construction was good. So all in all, it was a great smoke.
Cigar-chomping FVR advocates non-smoking
MANILA, Philippines – Presidential frontrunner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III received yet another unsolicited advice on his nicotine habit, this time from an unlikely source.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who often chomped on–but never lit–his cigars when he was chief executive, told Aquino through an interview with reporters on Tuesday that smoking is bad for his health.
The 82-year-old claimed that he’s never felt stronger and better since he kicked his nicotine habit decades ago.
Like most former chain smokers, Ramos said he was able to end his use of cigarettes through self-discipline and sheer determination. He made it clear, however, that he’s not forcing Aquino to give up this habit if he’s not yet ready.
On Monday, Aquino admitted that he can’t quit smoking yet, reacting to calls made by certain individuals and groups.
Since being the Philippines’ most powerful person entails a lot of responsibilities, Aquino said he needs all the de-stress mechanisms he can get, and this includes smoking.
Among those who urged Aquino to kick the nicotine habit are former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, Sen. Pia Cayetano and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines.
More anti-smoking calls
Earlier, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the Presidential Security Group may have a hard time securing Aquino if he’s always smoking cigarettes outside of Malacañang Palace.
Citing Philippine laws, Cabral said Aquino may be restricted to smoke only in a specific room or 10 meters away from any government building, including the Office of the President.
“Lahat ng doktor ay umaasa na eventually titigil na manigarilyo di lamang si President-elect, kung hindi lahat ng tao (All doctors are hoping that not only President-elect Aquino will quit smoking, but also everyone else),” Cabral said.
For his part, Press Undersecretary Roger Peyuan said Aquino, as the Philippines’ next president, should not “go against the government’s anti-smoking campaign.”
“Siguro darating din iyong punto na makikinig siya at marerealize niya (Maybe there’ll come a time when he’ll finally listen and realize what he’s doing),” Peyuan said.
“The population is just rather concerned about the habit which may affect governance and ruling in our country,” Peyuan added.
Smoking is one habit that Aquino shares with Barack Obama,whose successful campaign for the United States presidency is considered a momentous political phenomenon.
Like Aquino, the US President has been struggling to get rid of his smoking habit since 2006.