Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.
Tuscaloosa News just ran a story recently on R&R Cigars, a new cigar hangout that opened in January in Tuscaloosa, AL. The opening of the shop is good news for all of us, as it counts as just one more hang-out for people who love to puff on fine tobacco while they are traveling.
From the looks of it, the shop has a great selection, and they have really gone out of their way to create a relaxed environment. One of the fascinating things to me is that it looks like it is based out of a house, or a building that looks like one anyway (pictured above). That certainly would feel out of place in New York City, but hey no one is judging.
Anyway, a hat tip to the owners of the soon to open new shop. Way to support a great hobby and community. Best of luck to you. If you are in Alabama, give them a visit!
Get in touch
Address: 2720 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, USA
Telephone: 205-722-2741
Hours: 10AM-9PM Monday to Saturday
12pm-8PM Sundays
E-mail: reagan@randrcigars.com
October 22, 2012 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc., makers of the super premium cigar brand Gurkha, was recently awarded a prestigious Golden Label Award for the printing, design, innovation and technical execution of the 125th Anniversary cigar band.
The coveted Golden Label Award ceremony was held at the contemporary Vienna Platinum Center in Vienna, Austria, organized by Brigl & Bergmeister, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of label and paper products. Out of 12,000 entries, Gurkha reigned highest cigar brand out of all 5 categories. Working in close collaboration with TSO printers (Holland), the Gurkha 125th Anniversary band artwork features a detailed and ornate design, incorporating state of the art printing techniques to emphasize the strong logo and identity of the Gurkha brand.
“We are very honored to receive this award,” said Kaizad Hansotia, Chairman of Gurkha Cigar Group. “This is even more special as this year celebrates 125th Anniversary of the Gurkha Cigar. The artwork took over a year to develop, where the goal was to create an intricate design that highlighted the strong tradition and authenticity of the brand”.
The Gurkha 125th cigar blend is also an award winner, having recently received the company’s highest ever rating of 96’ points. The unique blend features an oily Brazilian Cubra wrapper, accompanied by an Ecuadorian, Habano binder and a complex combination of Nicaraguan, Brazilian and Dominican fillers. This intriguing medium bodied cigar encompasses a very smooth and complex taste profile, with flavorful notes of rich tobacco and subtle hints of sweet spice, vanilla and chestnut. After much anticipation, the 125th Anniversary will be shipping to cigar stores nationwide in the coming weeks!
World renowned for their packaging and design, this is the second award that the Gurkha Cigar group has won in 2012 for their design and artwork, having already won the SAPPI European Printing Award for the printing, design and execution of the popular Gurkha ‘Royal Challenge’ artwork and crest.
Nat Sherman has been a landmark of New York City for decades now (and most of the 20th century). So it made sense when the producers of CNBC’s “How I Made My Millions” decided to feature the Nat Sherman brand. Take a quick look at this video though. You get an idea not only of Nat Sherman’s brand, but also how the cigar industry developed in New York City during the early 20th century.
What do you do when your cigar stops burning like this…
And starts burning like this…?
photo courtesy stogiesontherocks.com
Few things throw off the cigar smoking experience like a canoed burn. There are a few ways to correct this issue that don’t involve throwing your cigar into the backyard in a rage. Here are a few suggestions, one of which you may not be familiar with, but first, a few “do nots” of touching up your cigar.
Do nots of touching-up a cigar:
1. If you are using a flame to touch-up the cigar, be careful not to burn the wrapper of the cigar with the flame. So much of the flavor comes from the wrapper that burning it prematurely will release the flavors oils on the wrapper, and therefore the flavor. Don’t let it happen!
2. Don’t clip your cigar just because you’ve had a burn that gets uneven. It is totally unnecessary.
A few ways to touch up our cigar:
1. Traditional flame approach: hold the cigar close enough to the match where the overhanging part of the wrapper slowly smokes and turns to ash, but do not let the cigar touch the flame. This will ensure that the wrapper doesn’t light on fire and prematurely burn.
Depending on how uneven the burn is, it is possible that the cigar has actually drifted from being completely lit, so it may be important to actually relight the cigar.
2. Using the purge to straighten the burn: One of the lesser known ways of straightening the burn is simply by pushing air outward through the cigar 2 or 3 times, then pulling in. Pushing air through the cigar not only purges the cigar and improves flavor, but it also pushes the ember in the cigar forward and out, catching the pieces of the binder and wrapper that weren’t burning before.
A tip here though: don’t purge too hard or you risk pushing the ash off of the cigar, which could complicate the burn even more. Pushing too hard could also overheat the ember and crack the binder/wrapper.
3. Using a torch lighter: The same principle as with a match. Aim the torch at the uneven wrapper/binder elements, and without lighting the whole cigar on fire, gently burn even the burn.
4. Turning the uneven portion so that it faces downward: I’ve always found this trick to touching-up my cigar to be pretty non-effective, but you’ll find cigar smokers on forums all over the place that swear by it as a method. Just don’t hold on to this method for too long. If it doesn’t work, try a purge, then pull out your lighter.
BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS PREMIUM OFFERINGS FOR THE GIFTING SEASON
Ballantine’s, the No. 1 whisky in Europe, is launching a trio of stylish gift packs for its Ballantine’s Finest and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old expressions ahead of the festive period.
Building on the successful ‘Beyond’ global marketing platform, Ballantine’s 12 Year Old has received an intriguing makeover for this year’s seasonal gift pack. Inspired by a world of visual illusion and hidden messages, the gift pack reinforces the brand’s reputation for original and creative thinking.
The new, eye-catching gift tin uses Ballantine’s 12 visual equity and age statement to create a textual pattern that features the silhouette of a hidden bottle. Debossed tasting notes are strategically placed to be discovered inside the lid of the gift tin, which also features an embossed logo and age statement. Further enhanced by a combination of print techniques and finished with a gloss varnish, the gift tin aims to entice consumers to pick it up to experience its tactile qualities and further explore its innovative design.
Peter Moore, Brand Director for Ballantine’s, comments: “The new Ballantine’s 12 gift pack will bring to life the brand’s ‘Beyond’ positioning with an intriguing and intelligent design that is sure to capture the audience’s imagination.”
In addition to the Ballantine’s 12 gift tin, Ballantine’s Finest is launching two gift packs ahead of this year’s festivities.
A special gift tin includes the striking Ballantine’s Finest visual cues, in line with the popular expression’s new outer carton. A wrap-around design highlights an embossed crest and logo on both sides, while a debossed seal and signature is placed to be discovered inside the lid.
Aimed at a younger audience, an alternative gifting offering for Ballantine’s Finest is a stylish carrying zip case pack. Made of high density nylon, the pack includes an engraved tin-plate plaque to complete a more youthful, modern appeal.
“Our gift packs for Ballantine’s Finest and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old include something for everyone,” adds Moore. “We expect them to be extremely popular with people looking for eye-catching and stylish gift options in the run up to Christmas.”
Gift packs are available for 70cl, 75cl and 1L products. The limited edition packs will be available in more than 40 markets from the beginning of December 2012.
Notes
About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s Finest is a complex blend of single malts and grain whiskies from four renowned whisky regions of Scotland – Islay, Highlands, Speyside and Lowlands. Its elegant signature style is a balance of soft and sweet, due to the key malts of Glenburgie and Miltonduff.
About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com
