I thought you all would like to know that our retail shop was voted the SECOND BEST CIGAR SHOP IN ST. LOUIS!!
Sure enough you can read about it here:
Top Hat Cigar Voted #2 In All of St. Louis
This was part of the FOX 2 HOT LIST Contest- Let’s all celebrate with….what else but a fine cigar??
 Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com  |
Among fans, lighting premium cigars with Zippo lighters has traditionally been moderately debatable. This stems from the indisputable fact that the fuel employed by these lighters has a chemical flavor and smell to it. Even cigarette smokers who use Zippos often don’t inhale the 1st one or two puffs of their cigarettes. This flavor can foul the flavor of a premium cigar and, for that reason; many smokers avoid fluid-filled lighters in preference of other strategies. Zippos use liquid lighter fuel to supply a flame. This lighter fuel is an oily substance that has a particular taste and odor.
Cigarette smokers who use these lighters shortly learn how to not inhale the 1st puff off their cigarettes when they light it with a Zippo. This is because the taste of the lighter fluid washes thru the tobacco and becomes very clear each time one takes a puff off their stogie. Most cigar smokers avoid those lighters because of this. Cigar lighters using Butane fuels often come provided with cutters built into the lighter itself. This gets rid of the need to carry around a clipper separately. These lighters produce a reliable flame and get many lights off a single reservoir of fuel. Because of that, they’re generally the most well liked technique of lighting up among those that love a fine cigar, but don’t want to buy skoal online. Butane lighters are available in configurations that have multiple jets of flame. This provides a awfully wide lighting area which is of plain benefit to those preferring a wide gauge cigar. It also makes the method of toasting the cigar simpler as more of the stogie is held over the heat right now. These lighters, for the main part, are equally as windproof as is a lighter which is stuffed with lighter fluid. They hugely go beyond the other gourmet method of lighting a cigar, cedar strips and matches, is convenience and flexibility, too.
Butane lighters have realized the level of quality linked with their liquid-filled brethren. Properly cared for, the top of the range lighters can be anticipated to last many years. Some of the lighters are easily heirloom-quality items. While liquid-filled lighters will always have their charm, the fact still is a fine cigar deserves a clean flame from which to be lit. This may really only be supplied by a butane lighter made for the purpose.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
In our ongoing effort to educate your mushy brains about cigar history, here’s something even I didn’t know until I recently ran across it-
read on about Ybor City: a piece of the big built up area of Tampa, Florida, which owes its start to three Spaniards who came to the US in the 19th century: Gavino Gutierrez, Vicente Martinez Ybor, and Ignacio Haya. Ybor immigrated to Cuba in 1832, at the age of fourteen. He worked as a clerk in a food store, then as a stogie salesman, and in 1853 he began his very own stogie factory in Havana. Labor issues, the heavy price list on Cuban cigars, and the beginning of the Cuban Revolution in 1868 caused Ybor to withdraw his plant and his employees to Key West, Florida. While his company there had been successful, work issues and the lack of an appropriate fresh water supply and transport system for distributing his cigars led him to consider moving his company to a new location.
Gavino Gutierrez came to the US from Spain in 1868. He settled in N.Y city, but he traveled often to Cuba, to Key West, and to the small city of Tampa, Florida, on the hunt for exotic fruits like mangoes and guavas. During a trip to Key West in 1884, he convinced Ybor, to go to Tampa to analyze its aptitude for stogie making. That very same year Henry Bradley Plant, an entrepreneur from Connecticut, had finished a rail line into Tampa and was in the act of reinforcing the port facility for his shipping lines. These methods of transport would make it easy to bring over tobacco from Cuba as well as distribute cigars. Now of course we can just buy tobacco online. Tampa also offered the warm, damp climate compulsory for cigar manufacturing, and a freshwater well.
After visiting Tampa in 1885, both Haya and Ybor were determined to build cigar factories in the area. Gutierrez surveyed an area 2 miles from Tampa, even drawing up a map to show where streets might run. Ybor bought 40 acres of land and started to create a factory. He continued to make cigars in Key West too until a fire hit his factory there in 1886. Later on Ybor spent all his time on the operations in the Tampa area.
In Ybor, most families made their money from stogie making, while the jobs of masses of other staff centered round the cigar trade. As an example, some employees created the unique wooden cigar boxes in which the cigars were shipped and which, in most American homes, came to be used for holding keepsakes. Other employees made cigar bands, which once were picked up by youngsters all over the land. Ybor city ultimately out-produced Havana. By 1900 Tampa’s Ybor city had become called the “Cigar Capital of the planet”. Ybor city kept on growing and prospering through the 1920s and into the 1930s.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
Today is review day, where we will see how a little more fru-fru-ee cigar burns- the
Drew Estate Java Toro Maduro
The Java line from Drew Estate is the collective work of two guys: Jonathan Drew as well as Rocky Patel. That’s why we list the cigars under the Rocky Patel line on our website. The line is not one meant to blow smokers over, as it is meant to provide more of a soothing experience with the infused coffee-themed flavors. Besides its Maduro edition, the Java line also comes in a Latte edition, which has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. They all look very good.
The Drew Estate Java Toro Maduro measures 6 x 50. It also comes in other sizes as well: the 5×42 Corona, the 5×46 Wafe, the 5×58 The 58 Super Toro, and the 5 1/2×50 Robusto. The Toro is composed of a Nicaraguan filler as well as a Nicaraguan binder. Topping it all off is a nice Brazilian Maduro wrapper. The Java Toro is a smoother cigar considered to be medium-bodied, which I agreed with.
Undoubtedly, the first thing most will notice when looking at the Java Toro is its box-pressed shape that gives it rigid, close to perfect square corners. The construction of the cigar is superb. A bit of oil is noticeable on the dark wrapper, which is nice. There are also some large veins present. A decorative band near the head of the cigar displays the Drew Estate Java name. There is also a band near the foot that says Maduro in a large gold font. Both bands are a rich chocolate color accented with gold that are almost camouflaged by the cigar’s dark wrapper. The cigar has a cold taste similar to hot chocolate. The scent given off is similar. Squeezing the Java Toro, I can tell that the cigar is on the softer side and not tightly packed.
Once in action, the Java Toro Maduro burns like a charm. No touching up or re-lighting is necessary as the burn is even throughout. A light-colored long ash is produced, and the draw is good too.
The flavors within the Drew Estate Java Toro are pleasant. The dominant taste is that of cocoa, which seems to be present from beginning to end. You will also get some notes of coffee. A chocolate mocha-like flavor is also noticeable. The flavors are simple, yet enjoyable. It’s definitely a medium-bodied cigar that would go good with a cup of coffee while you are reading your newspaper.
While the Drew Estate Java Toro Maduro may not be a cigar that wows you, it is definitely a solid smoke. The construction is pretty much flawless. The flavors are somewhat monotone, but coffee lovers may really enjoy it. I am one and I really enjoy this cigars from time to time. It is smooth enough for beginning smokers too. I am not sure I would recommend it to those who love cigars with some kick to them, as it may be a little underwhelming. Also, if you are one who prefers to have several different flavors within a cigar, you might want to give this one a pass, as it may grow old too soon. The Java Toro Maduro is a bit on the expensive side, with a single going for around $7.50 each. It is also available in boxes of 24. Even if the price is too high to spring for a box, you might want to pick one up at our shop to give it a try sometime!
If you are looking for some chew instead of the Java, then I’d look at the Grizzly Tobacco site. Have a good day!
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
I have finally found the perfect cigar. This is the Best Cigar that I have ever had the pleasure of smoking. I recently checked out my local tobacco store and came across the La Aroma De Cuba Belicoso. I have tried La Aroma before, and they were fine. But there was an advertisement that one of the staff showed me about how the new La Aroma has a new blend of tobacco that is used for all of their cigars. So, I decided to try one, and I was extremely happy that I did. This cigar is so smooth yet robust with a hint of spice. I have decided on switching to this cigar from now on. They are more expensive than my other cigar, but is worth the extra money to have a flavor that I will enjoy. It is really nice to sit down and relax with a cigar and a glass of scotch. I would say this is the thing that I most enjoy about life. I asked my friends if they had tried the new blend, and offered them to try one of mine. They all have agreed that this is a great cigar and worth every penny. We all agreed that it was the best burning cigar that we have had in a long time. The whole reason I started to look for a new brand to try, is because my others began to burn unevenly. At first I thought it was the way that I was lighting it, but since I have been smoking for years, it seemed like I had just forgotten how to light a cigar. Come to find out it was the cigar brand. I am not sure if they had switch wrappers or binders, but since the la aroma never has given me a problem with lighting it or getting a good draw I have decided to switch. I recommend this cigar to anyone looking to try something new. I promise it will be the Best Cigar they have ever smoked.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
Tobacco use was embraced by folks living in the mid-1800s. It was smoked in cigars & pipes and chewed in plug form. Both men and women used tobacco, and in those days children began smoking at a shockingly early age. Tobacco use also varied among economic and social factions. 
Cigars: Most well-to-do gentleman would take delight in puffing on fine cigars. Indeed, fine cigars were considered to be quite a status symbol, and the conspicuous consumption of them was any gentlemen’s right and in fact his due. Cigars were often stored in boxes and humidors of fine craftsmanship, fashioned of precious metals or rare woods.
A “lady of quality” would never consider smoking, as it just was not done.
The Victorians even had “drawing rooms”, originally the withdrawing rooms, where ladies would go after dinner to socialize, while the men lingered over the dining table with their brandies and cigars. The men would discuss topics unfit for feminine ears, while drinking and making as much smoky odor as they pleased. Sounds good to me!
Considered a manly pleasure, it should be noted that the few rebellious and reckless women who smoked cigars fully intended to raise eyebrows. Others were of the “fallen” type, who had no status to lose by doing as they pleased.
Pipes: Tobacco smoked in pipes spanned the social order, and only the quality of the tobaccos and pipes set the classes apart.
Wealthy gentlemen consumed finely flavored tobaccos in pipes of superb craftsmanship. These pipes were fashioned of cunningly carved stone, rare wood, or painted and glazed porcelain. Stems could be short or long, straight or curved. A gentlemen might have an extensive collection of pipes, displayed with pride in his domicile. Humidors would be crafted of fine materials.
The middle class gentleman would likely have a favorite pipe of fine wood, figured clay, or carved stone. He would procure the best tobaccos he could afford, kept in a nice tobacco tin for freshness. A few middle class women smoked pipes, but many tried to imitate their betters by avoiding such un-lady-like behavior.
The lower classes used corn cob pipes, or home carved wood. Men and women enjoyed their pipes with great gusto. The tobacco was not usually of the better quality.
Chewing Tobacco: This was the most widely used method to enjoy tobacco during the 1860’s.
“Chawin” tobacco is not chewed, it is placed in the mouth between the cheek and gum and allowed to settle in. The nicotine juice was absorbed through the gums and swallowed, then the spent wad was spit out. Workmen usually adopted this method because they were too busy to fiddle with pipes and such. It was widely practiced and most establishments featured a spittoon to preserve their flooring.
Most of the tobacco processed and sold in the US was plug tobacco, intended for chewing. The US and CS military supplied its officers and soldiers with plug tobacco, so soldiers had to acquire cigars and pipe tobacco on their own.
Cigarettes: Although these items were indeed around during the Civil War, they were not really considered manly and did not enjoy widespread use until mass manufacture began in 1864. Two brands of cigarettes made in the US before 1864 were Century and Durham. Cigarettes had been manufactured in England since 1856, but their use was not widespread within the states.
Cigarettes were manufactured exclusively in Northern factories and would have been a scarce item for Southerners. As American cigarettes were relatively expensive and not widely available, it seems reasonable to accept that only a small fraction of tobacco consumed was cigarettes.
Snuff: This usage had fallen out of favor in the US, and was only rarely snorted by the youth of the leisure classes for the nicotine “jolt” it provided. It tended to cause profuse sneezing and was considered vulgar.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
Tobacco plants that are grown particularly for wrappers beneath a shaded tent are called Shade Grown. The explanation these leaves are grown in the shade is to keep their surface smoother and stop the veins from becoming too huge. Leaves grown straight in the sun, in fact, are made to become proofed against the heat and grow thick with more veins. In opposition to Shade Grown wrappers, tobacco grown in direct daylight, called Sun Grown, produces a thick, dark wrapper. The Trinidad Cigars use a prime Ecuadorian Sumatran sun-grown wrapper. If grown properly, Sun Grown wrappers will have more sweetness.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
Premium cigars are still hand-made. An experienced cigar-roller can produce lots of excellent, virtually matching, cigars each day. The rollers keep the tobacco moist especially the wrapper and use specially designed crescent-shaped knives, called chavetas, to form the filler and wrapper leaves quickly and precisely. Once rolled, the cigars are kept in wooden forms as they dry, in which their uncapped ends are cut to a uniform size. From this stage, the cigar is a complete product that may be “laid down” and aged for decades if kept as near to 21C ( 70F ), and 70% relative humidity, as the environment will permit. 
Once cigars have been acquired, proper storage is mostly accomplished by keeping the cigars in a specialized wooden box, or humidor, where conditions can be thoroughly controlled for long amounts of time. Even if a cigar dries, it can be successfully re-humidified as long as it hasn’t been handled carelessly and done so steadily. Loss of original tobacco oils will seriously affect the taste.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
Each brand and kind of cigar tastes different. While the wrapper does not wholly identify the flavor of the cigar, darker wrappers tend to produce a sweetness, while lighter wrappers usually have a “drier” taste. Whether a cigar is mild, medium, or full bodied does not correlate with quality. Different smokers will have different preferences, some liking one good cigar better than another, others disagreeing. Some words used to describe cigar flavor and texture include: spicy, spicy ( red or black ), sweet, vicious, burnt, green, earthy, woodsy, cocoa, roasted, aged, nutty, creamy, cedar, chewy, fruity, leathery and oak. If you would like to try a sweet cigar that is not being offerred by many cigar sites out there anymore, go to Top Hat and get some Tampa Sweet Cigars. They are a great yard-working smoke which thankfully we in the midwest are starting to need again!
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
If you remember we hosted a party to benefit the Montecristo Relief Organization last Fall, before the big Hatian earthquake. I thought I’d pass along an update from Altadis:
MONTECRISTO RELIEF ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti this week causing catastrophic damage, human suffering and loss of life, The Montecristo Relief Organization is immediately donating $25,000 to Food For the Poor, a group already on the ground in Haiti providing vital assistance. Food For the Poor is responding to this terrible tragedy by supplying desperately needed nonperishable food and water to the earthquake victims immediately and will continue to provide ongoing aid and relief for rebuilding efforts.
MONTECRISTO TO MATCH DONATIONS
In addition, the Montecristo Relief Organization will match dollar for dollar the first $125,000 in contributions made by Altadis U.S.A. employees, customers, consumers and vendors. If you would like to contribute and have your donation matched by the Montecristo Relief Organization, please send your check made payable to Food For the Poor to:
Montecristo Relief Organization, Haiti Earthquake Relief
c/o Altadis U.S.A.
PO Box 407179
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7166
Help and support is needed immediately, so time is of the essence. The Montecristo Relief Organization will match funds donated by April 15th. We thank everyone in advance for joining us in this vital relief effort.
The Montecristo Relief Organization was established in 1999 by Altadis U.S.A. after several devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean killing thousands of people, injuring millions and causing unimaginable suffering. Since its inception the Montecristo Relief Organization has donated millions of dollars to build homes, schools, medical facilities and provide scholarships and economic opportunities to victims of natural disasters in the Caribbean and the United States.
| Written by Eric | Cigar Reviews and Related Topics www.tophatcigar.com |
Posts
