Jun 18 2013

Sit down and have a smoke…

Leather Club Chair

Leather Club Chair

Leather and Cigars go together like..well, leather and cigars. Its a long love/love history with roots from across the pond.

The leather club chair was first introduced in England in the 19th century. During that time there were “gentlemen’s clubs” where men would get together to drink, smoke cigars and discuss the issues of the day while sitting in comfortable leather chairs….Sound familiar? (If not, be sure to ask about our exclusive club memberships.)

Today’s Club Chairs are not much different from the original ones. There are leather club chairs for every budget, and any of these would be a great addition to your smoking room:

 

Bradington-Young Leather Chair $2700

Bradington-Young Leather Chair $2700

This first choice is made from top of the line leather, and features hand-nailed studs and classic styling. It’s definitely a splurge, but one you will enjoy for years to come.

Black Team Chair $1000

Black Team Chair $1000

Show your team spirit! This top grain black leather club chair has an interchangeable center pattern, and you can insert your favorite NBA, NFL or NCAA team logo. Pretty slick for around $1000.

 

E Peterson $300

Comsy Brown Club Chair  $300

 

Trying to get the Mrs. to agree on a chair? Try this one: it  it is basic enough to work with contemporary décor and stylish enough have an air of professionalism and traditional design.

 

Lawn Chair: PRICELESS

Lawn Chair: Priceless.

We know that it’s not really about the chair. It’s about the smoke. Who needs a fancy chair when you’ve got a good cigar? Enjoy this summer in a lawn chair with your favorite beverage and a BCC Cigar, and it’s all good, isn’t it?

Or, better yet, join us at any of our venues and enjoy smoking as it should be, with great surroundings and good company.

 


Jun 6 2013

Top 5 Cigar Gifts for Dad

This Father’s Day, skip the tie and get Dad a gift he will really use and enjoy. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 gifts for the cigar loving Dad.

 

#5. Buy Him a Cigar Cutter (Dad Would Really Like to Stop Clipping Cigars with his Teeth):

Cuban Crafters Cigar Cutter

Cuban Crafters Cigar Cutter

We have cutters ranging from $10 -$45 dollars in each of our locations. Tony recommends the Cuban Crafters Cigar Cutter. It’s rugged, works well, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

 

#4. Buy Him a Desktop Humidor (Dad’s Tired of Storing His Cigars in a Roll of Socks):

Cigar Humidor

Cigar Humidor

 

It’s a fact: most of us don’t need a big closet sized humidor. We just want the cigars we have to last and maybe something sleek for our desk. Good quality desktop humidors are easier to find than ever, and we have several in stock at all of our locations. Prices start in the $30  range.

 

 

#3. Buy Him a Cool Ashtray So He Can Stop Using that One He Stole From The Bar:

 

Brick House Ashtray

Brick House Ashtray

 

Because cigar ashtrays are no longer black and white. They have style, personality and class. This  ashtray with the Brick House logo and design will look great in any room! And yes, we have it in stock at all three locations.

 

 

#2 Ditch the Tie, Forget the Surprise Vacation,  Give Him a Great Lighter

lighter

The Xikar Executive Lighter


The lighter makes the difference. invest in the best. We suggest the Xikar Executive. It retails for around $30, and has a lifetime warranty.

#1. Stop Obsessing Over Which Cigars to Buy,                          Just pick some!

My Father Cigars

My Father Cigars

Especially on Father’s Day, you just can’t go wrong with a cigar from the My Father line. 6 of the top 25 cigars (according to Cigar aficionado) were from the My Father cigar line. Try a No. 1, a Centurion, a Don Pepin Garcia, or a Jaime Garcia Reserva cigar. Or come into the shop and let one of our experienced tobacconists guide you to the best selection for your dad’s personal tastes. This Saturday, June 8th, from noon-close you can even meet Jaime Garcia himself and pick up a box of your favorite cigars to share with Dad.

Cigars are the perfect way to celebrate events, and Father’s Day is no exception. Make dad feel special with a gift he’ll appreciate. If you lucky, he may even share with you!


Jun 3 2013

Broadway Cigar Spotlight: Groucho Marx

 

Groucho Marx was perhaps the most amazing comic mind the United States ever produced. His over-the-top signature look of thick glasses, grease-paint moustache, and of course the trademark cigar, is forever etched into the collective consciousness and can be seen on novelty shop counters to this day.  A famous story goes that Groucho’s wife, who hated his cigar-smoking habit, was once so disgusted by his ‘stinky old cigar’ that she ordered him to extinguish it or go and find a new wife. Considering that Groucho had three different wives over the course of his life, and divorced each and every one of them, we’re pretty sure we know how that one ended up.

 

Marx splurged for a 10-cent pure Havana after spotting an advertisement that promised “thirty glorious minutes in Havana.” When the cigar lasted only 20 minutes, Groucho demanded a replacement. Somehow, each subsequent cigar met the same fate, until after the fifth one the merchant wised up and tossed Groucho out.

Which non-Cuban cigar do you think Groucho would prefer today?

 


May 30 2013

Go Big Or Go Home


Cigar smoking in general has an aspect of a celebrating. With more and more restrictions being placed on where we do things, and how we do them, a safe haven for cigar aficionados is a great thing to find and hold on to. Not to mention in doing so we enjoy a bit of a thumbing our nose to the killjoys.


While thumb to nose is fine and dandy, we are not alone in noticing the upswing in cigar dinners, cigar events, and cigar smoking in general. Cigar events are a time to live, laugh and smoke cigars; what is not to like about that?


Cigar events also offer a unique opportunity for cigar lovers to meet and celebrate the pleasures of smoking fine, handmade cigars alongside fellow aficionados. Watch for one of the biggest events Broadway Cigar Company does annually this coming month of June.  The My Father event.  You will get all the details soon.  BCC is now finding ourselves happily participating in not only cigar events, but golf tournaments, various festivals and fundraisers. All benefiting tremendously by the addition of cigars to the mix, of course.


For right now, join us in our Big Celebration of both cigars and life. We celebrate daily. We celebrate big. And we celebrate at Broadway Cigar Company.


May 28 2013

Have a ‘GAR


Story

In researching this cigar, some of us just got the joke. The name ‘GAR’ is short, or slang for ‘cigar’.  Bright. Could have also been something to do with pirates.


The name Gar is both that and the initials of the owner- George A Rico. George is the son of Don Guillermo Rico, whose family has been in the cigar business dating all the way back to the 1920′s. He moved here in 1995 – where he worked as a cabinet maker making cigar boxes- still with a foot in the door of the cigar industry. George worked for his dad for 9 years and then opened up his own cigar factory.  Pops, instead of being a rival was awfully proud of him and actually helped promote his son’s new company.


Cigar

We taste a blend of spice and pepper to start. There is a full on taste- but not over the top. The smoke is awesome and creamy. It smells of sweet spice. Finish is a good long smoke and will take you a good hour. Expect a medium to full bodied cigar.


Verdict = A staple in our humidor.


May 23 2013

Bringing Sexy Back- the Smoking Jacket


The only person seen sporting this type of apparel nowadays is Playboy tycoon, Hugh Hefner.  A fond memory is of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and the like, all making it the ultimate in cool to have a jacket appropriate to wear specifically to smoke in. The original intent was to protect the clothing of the gentleman from absorbing smoking odor.


Even if you don’t smoke, the jacket is wonderful for lounging, for an alternative to the tuxedo at formal events, or elegant attire for entertaining at home. Consider them as essential attire for the well-appointed man. Consider them for groomsmen, wedding gifts or cigar clubs. Endless possibilities, limitless elegance and most women find them sexy, as well as the men wearing them.


Since most of us are not Hugh Hefner, we make do with what we have. But the issue still stands on how to remove or prevent the smoking odor from attaching itself to you and your clothing. After a non formal poll at Broadway Cigar, we have assembled a few things the regular cigar people have tried to get the smoke out.


First and foremost, washing, and fresh air. This is the first line of defense. Febreze is also popular. We have even heard that Wrinkle Release is marvelous, with an added benefit your clothing loses the wrinkles as well as odor. A clothing brush taken to a sports jacket before spraying or having cleaned is also beneficial.  Also it’s good to try for removing smoke odor from your auto is to set two plastic bowls filled with white vinegar- one in the front of your car, the other in the back seat. The vinegar will absorb the odors and leave the car with removal of the vinegar bowls.


Fortunately for you each Broadway Cigar has smoking areas where you do not have to worry about the odor, or if you are properly attired for smoking.  Though we would love to see it make a comeback; smoking jacket is optional.


May 21 2013

Cigar Accessories

There is a fine art to smoking cigars. To look like you know what you are doing and really enjoy the complete cigar smoking experience, there are several accoutrements that you will need to acquire for your cigars.  BCC is here to help. Always. Everyone has their own take as to what is a must have and what you can really do without.

 

Our top five must haves:

 

  1. Quality Lighter.  From inexpensive to top shelf. Some even come with a built in bullet punch.  Some people prefer matches, cedar, we have even seen a cigar lighter made from a camping fuel container.  A nice lighter is always a good investment. (side note, bring your lighter in to BCC and we will fill it for you)

  2. Cigar Cutter. We know several aficionados who totally wing it and bite the end off. Cowboys. Renegades. Get’s the job done. For those slightly more refined,  several types of cutters are in existence – all a matter of taste. There is the guillotine cutter, a v-cutter, a punch, and the perfect cut, among others.

  3. Humidor.  From the cool-a-dor made from a camping cooler to a high end Burl wood one that holds all your premium cigars. Your humidor is the ticket to maintaining your cigars in a ready to smoke, aged and perfectly hydrated state.

  4. Ashtray. The cool ones that state the name of one of your favorite sticks, to crystal or basic black. Ashtrays are necessary, ask the carpet.

  5. Cigar Caddy.  The way to take your cigars out and about. According to your need there are ones that hold only a few cigars and fit in your pocket, all the way up to those holding enough to share.  In a pinch we still see the handy and ever popular zip lock bag. Zip lock bag cigar caddy people? You know who you are. Not passing judgment.

 

BCC’s  very own, trained professionals, Tony, Karl, Greg, Rick, and Tom are available to point you in the right accessory direction, whatever your budget is.


May 16 2013

Buy your cigars at Broadway. Problem solved.

There is a saying we have all heard, you get what you pay for.  The Internet has become the go to place for ordering premium cigars at a low price.  Several downsides to this include that you must wait for the cigars to be delivered.

Premium, high quality cigars should be ready to smoke once they arrive at your home. If the cigar was made correctly, including being allowed to age correctly and being stored properly, it should be ready to light up. This is generally not the case.

Premium cigars are going to taste better if you allow them to rest in your humidor before you light one up. You can never be exactly sure how the cigars were stored once they were loaded on a delivery truck. Secondly, you do not know what conditions the cigars were exposed to while they were being shipped. Think about how your suitcase is handled, pushed around during the journey, and most probably a few extreme temperature fluctuations while en route.

Cigars do get some amount of non humidified resting time while they are being shipped. If they were properly packaged, the packaging materials should help shield and insulate them. The most common complaints are about cigars that were shipped ground, which usually takes three to five days.

Regardless of how long it takes for your cigars to arrive, we recommend letting your cigars rest in your humidor for a minimum of one week before you light the first one. By allowing your new cigars to rest in your humidor for a week or two, you will allow them to adjust to the conditions they will be stored in, inside of your humidor.

While this process might seem slow, it is important to go at a steady pace. Cigars are comprised of many layers of tobacco, and if the layers of tobacco are unevenly hydrated, it can cause your cigars to burn unevenly, crack, and warp, rendering them unsmokeable. If the cigars are introduced to, and shocked with too much moisture, they will be at risk for bursting.

This is all only a matter of opinion.  The next time you order cigars online, smoke one on arrival.  Put the rest of the cigars in your humidor. Smoke one in a weeks time,  wait  another week and smoke another,  etc.  You will be able to see, and taste, the difference.

To avoid the wait, and the worry, we recommend buying where you know the cigars have been properly stored and cared for- right here at Broadway Cigar Company.


May 15 2013

My Father Cigars & Jaime Garcia June 8th

 

My Father Cigars are a staple in quite a few humidors, a classic stick admired by many. Get to meet the man behind some of the magic, Mr. Jaime Garcia himself at our My Father Cigars event! Saturday, June 8th join us at the Broadway Cigar Portland location from 12pm-close for an epic event. We’re bringing you all sorts of new fun, like our latest BCC girls, offsite liquor tastings, a summertime worthy barbecue and, of course, a prized meet and greet with famed aficionado Jaime Garcia. Plus, expect two new event surprises!

Who: My Father Cigars and special guest Jaime Garcia
When: Saturday, June 8th from 12pm- close
Where: Broadway Cigar Company Portland, 3615 NE Broadway

Register here today for this once in a lifetime event!


May 14 2013

Casa Magna Review

Two of the greatest minds in the cigar industry, Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plasencia, came together to create the Casa Magna. This cigar is rolled at Nestor Plasencia’s factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Manuel Quesada is from Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Their family was from Cuba and had worked with tobacco since the late 1800′s and the 1974 opening of their factory in Santiago was their first venture into cigar making.  He is to have said they started the business with $100, a chair and a phone.  Quesada started the business with his father and brother until they were both in a tragic accident. There is a great article and interview in Cigar Aficionado magazine about Manuel, and his life a few years back.

 

Nestor Plasencia is also from a tobacco growing family and emigrated from Cuba after the revolution in 1959. As a result of a revolution in Nicaragua in the 1980′s he lost his tobacco farm and factories there. At this time he moved across the border to neighboring Honduras.  Today he again has factories in Nicaragua but keeps his primary operation in Honduras. His company is the one responsible for the manufacture of 30 or so cigar labels, including Rocky Patel and Swisher International.

 

We wonder how the two met and how the conversation went. This cigar is a Nicaraguan puro, and is medium to full bodied, with both the binder and filler from Nicaragua. Perfectly wrapped in an oily Colorado wrapper, this stogie gives off hints of cocoa and sweet cedar. Super smooth smoke.

 

Casa Magna Belicoso – Notes of caramel, toffee, cocoa, coffee and cedar. Oily Colorado wrapper.  Rich and full bodied.

 

Country – All Nicaraguan leaf grown in Esteli, Nicaragua for ‘strength, balanced by the sweeter and milder Jalapa leaves.

 

Details – Full flavor, rich coffee notes, balanced by a cedary sweetness hint of raisins. Complex.

 

Verdict = Very nice cigar!