Smoke Signals

Just over two months ago, I decided to take heed of the suggestions, request, urgings and outright demands from other bloggers and their commenters. Hence, "Smoke on the Water" came to be, and I've been enjoying the ride so far.

But before I could really think about publishing a blog of my own, I had to let some concepts percolate in my mind. To me, it wouldn't be enough to merely have a site upon which to write. There are now over a million blogs out in the 'sphere. While I don't expect mine to be the best, I sure as hell didn't want it to be even mediocre, much less the worst.

In my forty-five years, I've enjoyed many a passion in my life. Some have run their course, others remain and grow stronger. Obviously, the two most noticeable from my blog are cigars and sailing. It is from these that the name of this site; "Smoke on the Water", was inspired. The fact that it's also a huge '70s hit from Deep Purple didn't hurt any, either. So, having a concept...a base from which to write, I set forth to, if nothing else, entertain myself.

Much to my surprise, I've gathered more than a few regular readers, and I'm grateful for each and every one of you. Hell, a few of you even comment now and then. Thank you!

I first began to enjoy and appreciate premium cigars back around 1986 or '87. That was back when managers and executives could keep a humidor on their desk. Tom would open that box and pull out cigars like I'd never seen. Rich to the touch, and with indescribably delicious aromas, both before and after being lit. As one who'd always recoiled at the vile spew from the typcial drugstore cigar, this was most intriguing.

Curiousity being what it is, I accepted his reccomendation to try a Don Diego Corona. The rest, as they say, is history.

I'm often asked questions about "which is the best cigar?", or "what do you reccomend?" Great questions, impossible answers. Your palate is different from mine, and I highly doubt that we'd order the same items from the same menus on a daily basis.

That said, I placed an order with JR Cigars over the weekend. I expect the shipment to arrive tomorrow, as I upgraded the shipping to UPS 2nd day. Just in time, too. These babies are going with me this coming weekend to be shared among friends. Only the best will do.

If you're interested in trying some great cigars, but without having to commit serious bucks for boxes of twenty or twenty-five, (normal, for premium cigars), the deal that JR Cigars has going on with these five-packsi s a great opportunity for you to try a few of each, without breaking the ol' piggy bank.

Here's what's in the shipment that's on the way to my office:

El Rey Del Mundo Rectangulares

These Honduran beauties are exquisite in the quality of their construction, their perfectly even burn, but most importantly, their wonderfully deep, rich flavor and velvety-smooth smoke. A bit stouter than a "beginners" cigar, but certainly not a knock-ya-on-yer-ass kind of smoke. These are a bargain, even when purchased at full list price.

La Gloria Cubana Wavell

Bummer that JR doesn't have photos available. The Ecuadorian grown Sumatra wrapper is one of the world's finest. Hell, if JR did have the picture up, a mere glance might even make a non-smoker want to try one. They smoke every bit as good as they look, too.

Por Larranaga New Blend Cuban Corona.

Having long been a fan of the Por Larranaga, I'm looking forward to this new blend. You'll notice in the description that this cigar is rated as "mild to medium". If it's anything like the classic Larranaga, it's also as smooth to smoke as a chilled Bailey's Irish Cream Whiskey is to drink. I must confess, Por Larranaga, along with The Griffin's, has long been a favorite "bathtub cigar" of mine. Yep, run me some lobster-hot water, give me a double shot o' Maker's Mark, a good book to enjoy with the soak n' smoke. Only one problem though. No tub here on the boat.

And finally, I ordered a full box of one of the benchmark cigars of all time.

JR Ultimate Corona (Maduro)

From the catalog:

Our world famous brand, the JR Ultimate, is crafted using only the best tobaccos in the famed Villazon factory. This cigar is every bit as good as (or better) than any ultra-premium brand on the market - bar none. It is available in a vast array of sizes, shapes, and wrappers, from light-green, fire-cured candela to darkest oscuro. JR Ultimates serve as proof positive that you do not have to spend a fortune to smoke the very best cigars. This brand has won an unprecedented 10 grand gold medals in international competitions.

The catalog in this case, is right. I strongly recommend these fine cigars. That said, most tobacconists don't carry the JR brand cigars, as they're really competition against the premium lines. But the Ultimate truly is a premium, and then some.

So then, if putting my scant, hard-earned money where my mouth keyboard is strikes you as a good endorsement, then do yourself a favor and order a few for yourself. Or for me, if you wanna buy me some. *heh*

Any of the Cigar Purveyor links under "Smoke Filled Rooms" on my sidebar are excellent and trustworthy sources for cigars via mail or internet order. In another post, I'll discuss the pros and cons of mail/internet sales vs. your local tobacconist. Both have their pluses and minuses, both have their "buyer beware" pitfalls.

For now though, light 'em if you got 'em.

Comments

[Anne]

I have a formula for blog visitors: 95% will either just drift through or lurk, 30% will comment with what they think you want to hear, 1.5% will say what they think, and that last .5% will say something mean just because they are relatively anonymous and can.

I value my 1.5%.

[Ms Anna]

Sometimes I comment just to say "hello, I've been here, keep up the good work."

[Key]

..Just try to make me hold in my opinion.

Commenting is what it's about. Everyone should do it. DO IT, I SAID! Seriously, feedback is nice.

Glad you're around, Jim. I'm proud to have been on the "cattle-prod to your ass" team; I couldn't have picked a better ass to motivate. ; )

[Jim]

Thank you, ladies for your hanging' around and reading, and especially your comments.

I'm curious though.

Which of the cigars I wrote about did you order for yourselves?

Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[Sam]

You've got it going on my man - you've got it going on...

[Da Goddess]

I'm sorry I'm late to the "glad you're blogging" party...but, I think you'll notice that I tend to go in fits and spurts based on my work schedule. I rarely get to read any blog every day anymore.

That said, I'm glad you're blogging. Intelligent, feline inclined, and ruggedly handsome to boot. Always makes for a pleasant journey.

(Did you like that ruggedly handsome part? Did ya?)

[chris]

Thanks for the advice on the smokes. I think I may go the sampler route though, and get 3/4 five packs.