Hello smoke fans! Big Ronnie is back and today, we’re talking about herfs. What’s a herf? Good question. While performing my normal Google-research for this post, I was unable to find any real, legitimate sources online who actually acknowledge this term.
“A herf is a gathering of BOTL and SOTL to relax, unwind and smoke premium cigars. You won’t find any drug store cigars at a herf!
A herf can be as simple as two BOTL getting together for a smoke after work or it can be a full blowout with music, food, games, etc.
The main theme of any herf is relaxation and camaraderie, everything else is secondary – even the cigars.”=
BOTL = Brother of the leaf (Male cigar enthusiast)
SOTL = Sister of the leaf (Female cigar enthusiast)
I don’t LOVE that definition. Considering that I don’t see Merriam-Webster, or American Heritage adding it to their annual new words lists, I think I’ll attempt to rewrite it for our readers.
Herf: Noun
Definition by Big Ronnie
A herf is a gathering, party, occasion, get together, etc. where cigars are enjoyed. A herf can be mobile, and has no other rules.
I myself have herf’ed (past tense) on golf courses or backyard BBQ’s & birthday parties where a few guys steal away and enjoy a smoke. I’ve even been part of an impromptu herf at my crazy Cousin Al’s wedding.
Herfs (plural) are a good time because they involve cigars and cigar enthusiasts. Some herfing (adjective) happens without much planning, while other herfs are large, ritualistic annual events like Cigar Aficionado’sBig Smoke NYC, which was held on 11/29/12.
Whatever you choose to call a herf, make sure you fill it with friends, good times and premium hand rolled cigars. FineTobaccoNYC hosts herfs all the time – here are a few photos:
The Truth? You Should Insure Your High-Value Cigar Collection
You’ve probably heard the story about the lawyer who insured his cigar collection. According to the tale, he then filed a claim with his carrier because the cigars had all been destroyed by separate fires. A judge, upon hearing the case, ruled that fire was a covered peril in the policy and ordered the carrier to pay up. The kicker: When the lawyer accepted payment for the claim, he was promptly arrested for arson because he had “set the fires” himself when he smoked them.
Great story, right? Problem is, it’s a hoax.
So is there a connection between your cigar collection and your home insurance? The answer to that question is a resounding “yes.” In fact, there could be more than one.
First the bad news
One way your cigar collection might affect your home insurance policy is a definite negative. Unless you don’t actually smoke the cigars, you’ll lose access to a major home insurance discount available in some states. It’s called the nonsmokers discount, and it can save you up to 20% on your premium. It’s restricted to households in which no members smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products, and it’s in place because it lessens the chance of fire.
Now the good news
The good news is that your cigar collection is covered against fire, wind and other perils specified in your homeowners policy. The collection falls under your personal property coverage, which gives you help if the contents of your home are damaged by a covered peril. Coverage limits for your stuff generally are set as a percentage of the amount of dwelling coverage for your home. That’s the amount it would take to rebuild your home in case it is damaged by a covered event. Standard home insurance policies generally set personal property coverage limits at 50% to 70% of the amount of your dwelling coverage.
Make sure you have enough coverage
However, there can be a catch as your policy relates to your cigar collection. High-value items, including jewelry, furs and collectibles, are only insured up to a specified amount. If you just have a random selection of cigars you picked up at the corner shop, you’re probably in good shape. But if your collection includes a box of Gurkha’s original Black Dragon cigars, which sells for $115,000, or even a large number of Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas – at $32 a cigar – you could exceed the limit fairly quickly. The solution is to schedule an endorsement. That’s extra coverage for your high value items.
Regardless of whether you take the endorsement route or you’re comfortable with the limit as it is, you’ll need to list what’s in your collection on a home inventory. That’s a glorified listing, with receipts and photos when possible, of everything you have in the home. It will help you get your claim paid quicker. Keep several copies of the inventory, and make sure you have at least one offsite in case your home is damaged.
Make sure you have the right coverage
There is one other potential problem as well. Standard home insurance policies typically don’t cover damage from floods. You’ll need a separate policy for that. If you survived Superstorm Sandy, for example, but your cigar collection didn’t, you’d only received help for your smokes if you had flood insurance. Premiums vary according to the potential risk, but if you live in a lower risk area, you could pay less than $150 for coverage.
Is flood insurance right for your collection? Consider that it would also cover the rest of your home as well. If your collection means a lot to you, you might want to click here to find a licensed agent about how much protection you have for it and how much you need.
Smoking locations are on the decline in most western countries. Public smoking is now criminal in many U.S. states, and the FDA is now considering even more involvement in how and where smokers can get cigars. Don’t even get started with Canada, with its regulations and sometimes more importantly its freezing weather.
The popularity of private cigar smoking is increasing – more are willing to smoke in their apartments or homes (given the right ventilation), since they often cannot smoke in parks, beaches, and other public spaces. It has also led to a rise in social cigar events at home.
How can those without public places to smoke have better smoking experiences? A handful of Canadian readers here have asked what to do since smoking is near impossible to do indoors, and outdoors is cold. So here are a few suggestions for having good HERFs at home.
Invite the right people: nothing will kill a great night of conversation and fun like having a large group of strangers stuck at a table. If you do invite total strangers, be a good host and introduce others. Even worse is when a total ass shows up.
Use the right location: Sure, you can do a poker and cigar night in your backyard in the sub-zero Canadian tundra in the middle of the winter. Technically. But a space heater and big garage might be a better solution. If you’re smoking the summer, a back patio works great. In areas where there are no good places to smoke, compensate by throwing even better HERFs when the weather is right. Organize a month or more in advance, get some sponsors, and have a great time.
Set the right atmosphere: large fluorescent lights don’t set a relaxed mood. Loud, ear-piercing music doesn’t either. Whether you’re smoking indoors or out, there are plenty of things you can do to make people relaxed. Jazz and latin music are both generally excellent for smoking. Throw on some soft lighting, and if you are inside, be sure to account for ventilation – it is never fun to hate hanging out with friends because you can’t breath.
Bring extra cigars: every now and again, people will come and either forget cigars, or the game will go long past the single cigar they brought. If you are hosting, grab a few cheap sticks to keep the smoking going.
Those considerations are important for anyone wanting to host some cigar smokers for some relaxation. But what about the smokers in locations where social smoking isn’t allowed? Other readers have actually commented that they don’t have anywhere to smoke with others. That has meant they’ve had to get creative. Some have held hangouts on Google+, others through Social Cigar. And there are many other options, including anything from sharing photos on Instagram to playing party bingo online.
What do you do while hanging out and smoking with friends? If you have a unique suggestion or idea, drop it in the comments section below, or tweet us @finetobacconyc.
Since starting FineTobaccoNYC as a little blog about two and a half years ago, I’ve had the chance to meet some pretty influential people in the cigar industry. From cigar manufacturers, brand reps, lounge owners, and tobacco lobbyists, the list goes on. One thing I’ve found to be true in my meetings with various industry actors is that all of them have a story. Maybe they were former lawyers, like Rocky Patel. Perhaps they worked in law enforcement and decided to open their own shop. The stories are too numerous to count.
But count them we shall. First up is Patrick Vivalo of Rocky Patel cigars. I first encountered Patrick online, and was blown away by his personability and willingness to really delve into details. I wanted to know a little bit about what it is like to work with Rocky Patel, a company that is famous for its expensive parties, luxurious IPCPR booths, and numerous product lines. Below is that interview – enjoy!
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Patrick Vivalo of Rocky Patel Cigars
FTNYC: Rocky Patel is now clearly one of the biggest names in the business. How did you end up at Rocky Patel, and what has made you stay?
Vivalo: I started with Rocky Patel when we were still known as “Indian Tabac Cigar Co.” back in 2002. I first met Rocky back in 2001 while I was working at a local cigar lounge. Whenever he was in town (which wasn’t that often), we would smoke a cigar or two together. While we got to know each other we established a friendship and mutual respect. What has made me stay is Rocky’s hard work, passion and dedication not only to make a great cigar but to create a great team of people who are equally as passionate and dedicated to not only the company but to the cigar industry as a whole.
FTNYC: Working in the cigar industry, you must get to experience some pretty unique things, especially working with the Patels. I’ve been at events with both Rocky and Nish, and those guys can party. What is the most memorable experience you’ve had at Rocky Patel since joining them?
Vivalo: My most memorable experience working with the company… there are so many! On the professional side, I would have to say it was back in 2003 at our annual trade show (back then it was known as the RTDA, now IPCPR) when we launched the Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 & 1992. Retailers were used to the vibrant packaging of the ITC line & we went in the opposite direction with classic elegant packaging (of course the cigar was good too). That was a huge trade show for us as it was the beginning of the transition of the company. On the personal side, I would have to say December 19th, 2006. It was the day my sister passed away and Rocky made sure he was with me and my family the whole day. That meant a lot to me and I will never forget that.
FTNYC: The market for cigars is experiencing something of a resurgence now, with hundreds and even thousands of new brands popping up in the past decade or so. What makes Rocky Patel cigars stand out? If you had to distill Rocky Patel into one or two sentences, how would you describe its essence?
VivaloL: What makes Rocky Patel cigars stand out is the same as how have gotten to where we are today: passion, dedication and consistency. Rocky is known as the hardest working man in the industry. He built his brand by spending countless days, weeks, and months on the road doing in-store events and building his relationship with both retailers and consumers. Another big part to our success is our factory tours to Honduras. We take down hundreds of people every year (both retailers & consumers) to experience the art of cigar making first hand. With those two things, we have built a very local customer base.
FTNYC: We all know that the American cigar industry, particularly in large cities like New York, is under a lot of stress from local, state, and national regulations. What is one suggestion you would give to members of the cigar community who want to ensure their right, and the right of others, to enjoy a cigar?
Vivalo: To continue to ensure your rights as a cigar smoker and an American I suggest that you stay current on local and state issues by going to cigarrights.org. I think the CRA is vital to our industry as I am an ambassador and Rocky is a founding member. We are not only facing smoking bans and tax increases but the possibility of FDA regulation in the premium cigar industry. You as an American have the right and an opportunity to let your voice be heard by contacting your state and local congressman and representatives.
FTNYC: Any special up and coming cigars or projects that you’d like to clue our readers in on?
Vivalo: Those who were at the IPCPR saw some of the new, exciting lines we have introduced to the market. There were a few firsts for the Rocky Patel brand such as the Edge Habano (the first Edge made in Nicaragua but still with the Plasencia’s and is 100% Nicaraguan tobacco). Burn Naples, FL was inspired by Rocky’s cigar lounge in Naples, FL called Burn which is made up of 100% Honduran tobacco. We also made a cigar for Gary Sheffield called HR500 to commemorate his mile stone of being one of only 25 to accomplish the mile stone. We also came out with Private Cellar which a rich medium to full bodied cigar with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper (another first for a RP brand), Freedom and the Nording 50th Anniversary to commemorate Erik Nording’s 50th year in business.
What is your favorite Rocky Patel cigar? Who are some of your favorite up and coming brands in the U.S. today?
Vivalo: I think all of our cigars are great and there is a market for each and every one. There are so many that I enjoy, such as the new Freedom, Private Cellar, Edge Habano, Xen, Thunder,Decade, but I would have to say that the 15th Anniversary is my favorite. I prefer a medium to full bodied cigar and love Nicaraguan tobacco and the 15th has both. Flavor, balance & strength, if you haven’t tried a 15th and love a medium to full bodied cigar I suggest you go grab one after you are done reading the rest of this interview! I also enjoy quite a few other brands, I think it’s important to smoke other brands to stay in tune on to what is going on in the industry. Some of those are Padron, Tatuaje, Illusione, Liga Privada, 601, LFD & My Father to name a few.
FTNYC: Last question: your best smoke ever. Where was it, what were you smoking, who were you with?
Vivalo: The best cigar I have ever smoked (so many to choose from!), I would have to say the first Vintage 1992 I ever had. I would also have to say the first cigar I ever had. It was a Partagas Serie D 4 and it was on Christmas Day 1996, I was at my friends house and after dinner we went to watch the Bulls & Knicks in his smoking room. I, like many people who have never experienced a cigar, was hesitant due to what every non-smoker always preaches about how smoking is harmful. My friends father explained that he smokes cigars to relax and enjoy the overall experience. From that day I fell in love with cigars and eventually landed a job at a local cigar shop.
FTNYC: Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
Vivalo: I’d like to say that I feel fortunate to work in such a great industry as ours. It’s more like a brotherhood. There are a lot of great people (some of which I consider good friends). We work in an industry like no other, we do what we love and love what we do! I also just started writing Whiskey reviews for my good friend Thor at Cigar Press magazine. It is something else that I am very passionate about and when speaking with Thor we bounced some ideas around and he felt that he was missing that in his publication. Again, thank you and I am honored that you have given me this opportunity!
A photo is worth a thousands words. The photo below of a WWI vet is no different, though you might say it is worth a thousand cigars as well. The following is a post that dropped in the LA Times on November 7th, 2012. The article is basically a redux of an earlier article published all the way back in 1988.
You can find the full article here, and can read some highlights below. Props and thanks to Scott Harrison for writing it.
Sept. 13, 1988: Martin De Young, 100, says his greatest pleasure in life is smoking a cigar. De Young, a resident of the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, says he cut down to three a day, one after each meal.
Los Angeles Times columnist Charles Hillinger took the portrait of De Young, then wrote in a Nov. 25, 1988, column:
YOUNTVILLE, Calif. – The two World War I Army veterans sat side by side at the 40th annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Picnic and engaged in lively conversation.
“You got some age on me,” Martin De Young said to Homer Holmes, who turned 100 last February. De Young celebrated his 100th birthday in May.
“How come you live so long?” Holmes asked his younger friend.
“It’s the cigars,” De Young laughed, puffing away and revealing a toothless smile. “Cigars are the greatest pleasure of my life now. I smoke three White Owls a day, one after each meal.”
Asked if smoking isn’t dangerous to his health. De Young laughed and replied: “You must be kidding. I’ve been smoking cigars 85 years.”
Both men are residents of the Veterans Home of California, which houses 1,275 veterans of both world wars, the Korean conflict and Vietnam.
