Cigars, Cigar Information and where to find Premium Cigars, Discounted Cigars and even Cheap Cigars

WE’RE ON THE CASE!

Plus: A Malaysian Tour of Havana!

Los Angeles, November 29 – I’m heading to rainy Portland, Oregon for a convention this week, so I’m considering what cigars to take and what case to take them in.

I wish I had a case like the ones shown above . . .

These are beautiful leather cases with rich, oily finishes made in West Bengal, India. The leather is so hard that it’s doubtful that the famed gorilla of those 1960s Samsonite commercials could do any damage to them.

Moreover, they are lined in genuine Spanish cedar, making them excellent storage for any trip.

Happily, you don’t have to go to India to get them. They’re offered at retail under several brand names, notably Craftsman’s Bench from the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and the Savoy brand from Holt’s Cigar Co. They retail from $35-55 each depending on size.

You have a choice of black or tan from Craftsman’s Bench or black from Holt’s, in sizes to hold 5, 8 or 10 big-ring cigars. Just put your favorites inside, throw the whole thing into your suitcase and forget about it. But what about humidification?

No problem. Another great item is the DryMistat humidification tube, which will set you back $7.95 at most retailers, or from Holt’s or Famous Smoke Shop. It’s the size of a double corona and has crystals inside which radiate humidity through really tiny holes all along the tube. Just fill it with tap water (!) and you’re good to go. Best of all, it can be used over and over again up to about a year.

It’s a great gift item for any smoker. Sweetie, are you reading this column?

Steals and Deals:
Best from our update efforts for the CigarWire Comparison Shopper spreadsheet:

• J-R Cigars:
J-R has added the La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurado line at attractive prices:

> Flechas Especiales (6 1/2 x 49), 20 for $103.95;
> Piramides Clasicas (7 1/4 x 56), 20 for $115.95;
> Selectos de Lujos (7 1/4 x 54), 20 for $119.95.

• Mike’s Cigars:
Nice prices on three brands that appear to have no connection to each other at all:

> ISOM (for Island South of Miami), made by the Tabacalera Perdomo, all sizes offered at $20 off per box, now $38.95 to $47.95 for boxes of 24.

> Montecruz Negra Cubana from the Dominican Republic, now $5 to $46 off per box depending on size, most shapes now $49.95 for boxes of 15, 30 or 40.

> Onyx Reserve No. 4 (maduro) in those great Altadis tins, regularly $15.00 for four, now $10.95 – the best price we have seen yet.

From the Cubador:
The Malaysian Star reported on its trip to a Havana cigar factory last week with familiar highlights for anyone who has visited any of the large Cuban facilities:

• 70% of the workers are women;

• Tours are accompanied by a well-trained (i.e., indoctrinated) guide and cost 10 Cuban pesos. According to the reporter, “The tour guides are pretty sharp and like the feared security personnel of the old Soviet Union, are quick to admonish and punish.”

• The reporter noted that a Cohiba Siglo VI costs $18 U.S. in the government store, but workers were selling cigars off their tables at $2 for five!

• The Star reported that rollers earn the equivalent of $20 a month, but are paid piecework. However, the factory provides free meals during work hours, housing is subsidized as is power, water and health care.

Final shot: “It seems that tobacco grows well in the western part of Cuba – where no other thing seems to grow.” Ouch!
~ Rich Perelman

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