Al Remp of Thompson Cigar takes you through the process of purchasing cigars from a tobacconist. Dont be afraid to ask questions of your local tobacconist any true cigar lover is happy to share information with fellow Lovers of the Leaf, and is sure to have a wealth of advice and recommendations for you. As always, if you have any cigar questions for us, we at Thompson Cigar are happy to help too.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) March 16, 2006

Al Remp, a 46-year veteran of the cigar industry and currently a product specialist and trainer at Thompson Cigar Co. of Tampa, has begun writing a series of historical pieces and advice columns for Cigar Blog 101.

Remp started his career as a cigar salesman in 1960 and has since worked with some of the world’s most renowned cigar makers. His educational focus for cigar lovers highlights the basic tenets of cigar smoking: Appearance; Taste; Aroma and Construction. Remp’s posts will blend history of the cigar industry with useful tips for everyday enjoyment.

“Your introduction to cigars – regardless of the fact that you are either a long-time cigar connoisseur or are still seeking that perfect pleasure, rests with when you enjoy them,” Remp said recently on Cigar Blog 101.

This new site for cigar aficionados and beginners will also include lifestyle tips and timely cigar news. Cigar Blog 101 has a variety of RSS subscriber buttons for users and a growing number of links to well-established cigar sites that promote the industry.

Cigar Blog 101 is sponsored by Thompson Cigar Company, the oldest mail order cigar company and leading online retailer of cigars in the United States. Thompson Cigar Company, founded in 1915, offers exclusive and national brands of cigars, as well as humidors and cigar accessories.

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Electronic Cigar

How many times have you attempted to stop smoking but have failed to do so? Yes I thought so – not good is it? No doubt – like many of the people who read this article I tried, and failed, numerous times to quit smoking before eventually managing to find a top quality stop smoking technique that worked for me.

I would manage to stop smoking for one week, two weeks and on one attempt even managed as many as three weeks before falling off the wagon, as they say – or is this saying solely in relation to alcohol? Well who cares at the end of the day? I am sure you understand what I mean.

I would then have a voice in my head, what I call “my demons”, who would speak to me and would say something along the lines of:

“You are doing really well, why don’t you have just one cigarette for old times sake? You deserve it. It is only one, it does not mean that you are going back to become a fully fledged smoker.” Electronic Cigar

Now I have no idea why but for someone reason I would listen to this voice and would have that “one” cigarette. The problem being that one would lead to two and two would lead to three etc.

So how did I eventually learn to stop smoking? Well a friend of mine, Tony, advised that I needed to focus on two things at the same time, not just quitting the fags. He stated that when you just concentrate on attempting to stop smoking your whole focus and thought process is always on “smoking”. He suggested that I should attempt to lose weight at the same time, this way I could be battling two fronts at the same time and would be therefore not just solely thinking of cigarettes all of the time.

I decided to give it a go and it worked like a dream. I now feel like I could run a marathon! Electronic Cigar

Welcome to the Thompson Cigar YouTube channel, a resource for aficionados and newcomers who are interested in everything about cigars, from the basics to new product reviews, interviews, and more. Thompson Cigar talks to experts and casual smokers alike about their smoking experiences while also providing useful tips and advice for fellow lovers of the leaf. Come here for all your cigar news and information. We look forward to hearing your feedback!

Novice cigar smokers are like newbies at any other occupation or hobby. They need a little guidance to learn what works best for them or what suits their individual tastes. When it comes to cigars, it’s wise to start with a mild one and work up to bolder smokes.

When deciding on a starter cigar, begin with your eyes. Look for cigars that are of a medium size and have a light brown or even a tan wrapper. The color of the wrapper should be uniform. The wrapper should be of a medium thickness. Avoid any cigars that have discolored wrappers or whose wrappers appear cracked. Next, lift the cigar to your nose and test the scent without lighting it. It should have a fresh aroma—you’ll know the difference as soon as you smell one that doesn’t. The cigar should feel firm but not hard. Too loose and it will burn too fast or fall apart. Too tightly packed and it may prove difficult to draw upon.

Buy your first cigars from a reputable dealer, not from a machine. Talk to the staff at a reputable tobacco shop that specializes in a wide variety of cigars and then go with their recommendations. Take advantage of their smoking rooms so that you can focus on the experience of each new cigar as you try it. Like fine wine or rich chocolates, the better quality cigars will be obvious. Your favorites will also quickly rise to the fore.

The Wrapper

The outside of the cigar is the first sign of a quality cigar. They also contribute to the flavor and aroma of smokes, and should be taken into consideration when choosing your first cigar. Darker wrappers should be avoided at the beginning as these generally encase bolder flavored cigars. While the novice smoker may eventually prefer cigars of stronger flavor, it is wise to focus on the mild to medium smokes at first.

Connecticut Shade wrappers are considered by many to be the best non-Cuban binding for today’s cigars. They are also the most common wrappers used on mild cigars. But mild never means cheap. Connecticut wrappers are expensive and, as a result, they wrap most of the expensive cigars made today. Sweet and woodsy, they are grown in the shade and primarily in the Connecticut River Valley of the United States.

Colorado wrappers are medium brown in color—perhaps with a hint of red—and they bring a smooth taste to the cigars they wrap. They are usually associated with Cuban or Dominican tobaccos, and are a favorite among cigar smokers.

Claro wrappers are light tan and they have an extremely mild taste. Shade-grown in Cuba, these are removed from the tobacco plants before the plants are fully mature. They are slowly dried until they are ensured of providing smooth flavor to any cigar on which they are used.

A Few Cigars to Try

One of the classic cigars, the Macanudo Hyde Park has a mellow flavor that comes from double-aged Dominican tobaccos and silky medium brown Connecticut Shade-grown wrappers. This relaxing smoke leaves a hint of vanilla on the palette.

If you think you’d like a hint of coffee in your cigar, try the Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente. These cigars have a velvety taste that appeals to new smokers. Surrounded by Connecticut broadleaf wrappers, they use only the highest quality tobaccos, ensuring smoker satisfaction.

Ashton Cordial Natural cigars are made from aged Dominican tobacco and wrapped in Connecticut Shade-grown wrappers. Creamy in flavor and aroma, these cigars are perfect for beginning cigar smokers.

The Baccarat Churchill Maduro is blended with mild Honduran tobaccos. It is a hand rolled cigar with sweet, dark wrappers. In this case, don’t let the dark wrappers make you step away from this cigar. Mild and affordable, this is a cigar that is enjoyed by beginning smokers as well as connoisseurs.

Antonio y Cleopatra brand cigars offer mild taste that is created in Puerto Rican. Although machine made, these reasonably priced cigars are made with tobacco that comes from Cuban seed. The sweetness of these smokes begins mild but rises smoothly to a more medium flavor. These might provide that next step up in flavor for beginning smokers who are ready to try something a little stronger.

Another mild tobacco comes in the form of the La Flor Dominicana Macheteros cigar. These premium cigars are handcrafted using Dominican tobaccos rolled in mild or medium Connecticut wrappers. The flavor and aroma are perfect for the beginning connoisseur.

Don’t Be Overwhelmed

A cigar smoker in training can easily feel overwhelmed at the choices that are available in cigars. Differences in color and size, flavor and aroma, and price must all be considered. That is why it’s a wise newbie who seeks advice and then follows it from those who were beginners before him.