I first fell in love with Andre Garcia when I spotted the Ostrich and Buffalo horn cigar carrying case at a local cigar shop. It wasn’t until IPCPR that I would get an in depth view of the entire collection (view more details here).

From lightweight modern styles of carbon fiber to traditional leather and woven styles, Andre Garcia brings a new luxury to traveling with cigars. Each carrying case provides elegance with a crush-proof design to keep your cigars protected.

The Zodiac collection presents the opportunity to customize your travel case with either a laser etched or hand carved engraving of your zodiac sign. Decorating the top of this cigar case is a beautiful camel bone, a thick and gorgeous material that allows hand carvings to be possible. Below is the Zodiac Cigar Case in St. Browns Cognac personalized with a laser etched Capricorn sign:

Next is the briefcase- and it is true elegance! This is for the serious cigar smoker who wants an added luxury brought to their travels. This case keeps your cigars secure and organized, and includes a compartment for a humidification pouch or device to maintain proper humidity during your travels.

This is a wonderful gift to reward yourself with or present to the cigar smoker who “has everything”.  Larger briefcases are available, such as the Ludwig collection, which provides you with a classic design in the best quality of material. These cases provide enough space for a laptop all while keeping your cigars protected and humidified.

Cigars are a very important part of my lifestyle, as is fashion and luxury. Collections done with so much thought and respect such as these prove the significance cigars have in this world. I like to show off my cases in public (all my cigars and cigar accessories) and remind the world that the cigar culture is beyond just “tobacco,” there is a passion involved and even a place for style.

Vintage fashion is something I am very fond of. The item I am here to introduce you to is not vintage but in fact made by a great friend. Every time I look at it I think vintage because of the timeless look and feel it carries. This is a wooden bracelet that has been designed with cigar bands. I say designed because Chancellor Karshens, the creator of this bracelet, took the time to think about how each band would look together from style and shape to color. He was also very clever to seal the inside of the band with the ribbon from a box of cigars- completing the theme with a strong sense of style!

There is a slight golden tint to the bracelet when it catches the light. I think that factor along with the ribbon that lines the interior makes me think “vintage”. It is a subtle thing- from a distance it looks like just another beautiful bracelet, but then when you get close you see the cigar bands. It makes me smile. I love how it isn’t obvious, almost understated until you really realize what it is.

Chance makes custom banded cigar fedoras, leather cuffs, flasks and more. I really appreciate his eye to detail and his placement of the bands. You can see his existing creations on his site at TOTALLY STOGED and maybe even get some ideas to have your own custom creations made.

I want to thank Chancellor for this wonderful bracelet- I adore it so much!! I enjoy showing it off each moment I can, and really enjoy the people who notice what it really represents. Cigars and fashion? Yes, I am a happy lady!

The first time I saw this “ash can” I knew I had to have one. As described- it is a portable ashtray from Xikar designed to fit in the console of your car and is great for the cigar smoker on the go. One of my favorite uses for it (in addition to using it in my car) is taking it with me to the patios of local restaurants and cafes where smoking is welcomed, but ashtrays are not provided.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to play the balancing act trying to rest my cigar on the edge of the table while I take a bite of food or a sip of my drink. It isn’t fun and becomes a distraction. With this portable ashcan I can now just set my cigar down without a worry. And because of the design, it doesn’t take up much space on the table either.

If you enjoy smoking a cigar in the car or outside on the patio- at home, at a restaurant, or by the pool, then this is for you. I have been so excited to get my hands on one and now I finally have it! Go ahead, show it off. It is the must have accessory your car has been waiting for.

*Xikar is a sponsor of this site, however I purchased this product from a local cigar shop.

Part of the smoking experience includes the accessories you use. They play a role not only in our style and attitude, but also a large part to how our cigar tastes. When it comes to preferences, there isn’t a right or wrong- just what you enjoy best.

For me, I find the most control and best experience when I use my scissors and a natural butane flame or single torch. All the items you see here in this video are from Xikar. I love the combination of style and function in their accessories- they also have a lifetime warranty!

The scissors are an elegant tool with a lot of control. You can make as large or as little as a cut as needed. I tend to take small cuts; you can always take away more and if the cigar happens to have an easy draw, then you have room to work with. I’ve been using the scissors for a long time and find them very comfortable, so it isn’t too often that I go to another style of cutter. In the past I have also enjoyed a punch or a v-cut. Again, it is a matter of preference. Each style of cut will give you a different experience. You may choose to take advantage of the different styles of cuts for different styles of cigars.

When it comes to lighting your cigar, my favorite is a natural soft flame. I like the traditional feel and how easy it is to control the heat. I never want to scorch my cigar, and with some of these large (and even multiple)  flames it can feel like too much heat at once. I like watching the tobacco dance on top of the flame, personally. It’s such a beautiful thing.

I also do enjoy using single torch lighters. Generally I will use them for touching up my cigar if needed, but if I am outside then I will use a torch to light my cigar as well. Wind can be frustrating and the experience should be a relaxing one. If I’m smoking a larger ring gauge then I don’t mind having more than one flame, but I think two flames is as high as I will go for myself. Any more than that and I feel as though I am dealing with too much heat. For some cigars the multiple flames are a benefit for giving an even level of heat- a blade of heat to light with. This is again where preference comes into play.

Where do you stand when it comes to cutters and lighters- what are you preferences? Most importantly, I want to hear why you enjoy the ones you do. I think it will be interesting to see, and we may all discover something new in the works!

cigar lighter

His name is Sam Moss. Sam’s son, Zach, was kind enough to share stories of his father with me. I am honored to introduce and share these stories with you in celebration of his new cigar line.

Sam comes from humble beginnings but has always had a passion for exploring the elegance of life’s pleasures. Once while he was living in Hong Kong, he walked into a premium tobacco shop and decided to live by the motto of “when in Rome…” and asked the man who was working there, “What’s the best you’ve got?” Without hesitation, the man pointed him in the direction of Davidoff. For Sam, this was the start of his respect for the brand and love for cigars.

Growing up, he watched his father and grandfather both smoke cigars. His father may not have been exposed to premium cigars on a regular basis, but since Sam’s discovery of the premium cigar industry it has only boosted his love for cigars over the years. In fact, it would be Sam’s late grandfather, Sammy, that he would like to pay tribute to with his own cigar line.

Sam will be launching his own cigar line featuring three entirely different cigars. He sought to go after creating a premium cigar to celebrate his love of smoking while blending a line that was reflective of his lifestyle. These cigars were handcrafted and perfected under the supervision of his good friend and fan of his Rebecca Moss line, master blender Henke Kelner of Davidoff.  The two have a mutual admiration for each other’s passion for their respective craft.  Their different styles led to a vibrant blend that took several years to fully develop after being put through the rigorous quality controls of the factory.  The cigars feature a mixed Cuban and Dominican wrapper grown in Ecuador, Dominican filler, and a mainly Dominican binder with a hint of Peruvian.

If it’s the little things that make you happy, the perfecto is Sam’s morning smoke that he always turns to when starting his day. This medium blend is short, yet most people say they smoke it to the end to savour the flavor. It is his favorite when coupled with a cup of coffee in the morning, as it is a creamy cigar.

The robusto is his daytime smoke.  Whether it’s while on the move with the top down on his car, or just grabbing a mid afternoon break to set his mind straight, the robusto is a smooth and full blend that asserts its presence without being overwhelming.

Then there is the toro, an awesome blend of complex flavors that builds up perfectly as it is fully enjoyed.  This is my his nightcap, an ideal smoke of choice when he wants to simply enjoy the fruits of his labor and forget about the rest.

I admire Henke Kelner’s passion for the palate and respect him greatly as a blender. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Kelner and sharing many great laughs and insights. I definitely look forward to experiencing the blends he and Sam have created. I love that there are stories involved, and I can only imagine the conversations, laughs, and memories created when making these blends. It is something I will be thinking of as I enjoy my smoke.

Life’s luxuries are more than about quality, they are about memories and experiences. They honor the things we respect and admire, involve history and relationships, and can often involve a connection with our family as well as the families of others.

Over the course of his career Sam has published award-winning books including “Pen Passion” that examined the artistic beauty of fine writing instruments as well as “A Time To Watch”, recognized by The New York Times as an artistic look into the history of luxury timepieces that was responsible for the explosion in the wristwatch market in the ‘80s. His pen line, Rebecca Moss, named after his late grandmother, has grown over the course of two decades into a luxury brand that deals exclusively in the production of the finest writing instruments and leather accessories that reflect his passion for pens while infusing his eclectic personality into his designs.  Each line is functional yet fashionable.

Sam was kind enough to have given me some of his writing instruments which I have fallen in love with. They are beautiful and perform as elegant as their designs. One in particular I want to share with you brings a smile to my face each time I use it.

Beyond writing well, the beauty of the design is something I appreciate each time I hold it in my hand. Something so simple and clever- the cap of the pen is held on magnetically. Whether you need it at the back of the pen while in use, or to cover the pen when you are done- the cap smoothly grabs a hold to the pen via a magnet. This is functionality meeting design and I adore it.

Sam and Zach felt like old friends when I first met them, and I hope to meet them again soon under a relaxing setting where we can talk and perhaps even conduct an interview. Thank you both for your great generosity, I look forward to when we meet again.

www.rebeccamoss.com

My newest ash tray is my oldest ashtray. This is the first ashtray I remember from my home growing up and until just now, I thought it was nothing but a memory. It may be slightly broken, but it is still beautiful and perfect to me. I still cannot believe it is here, it has been a long time since I last saw this piece.

Style has always played a big role in my life, and having this piece to use now is an absolute treat. I’m looking forward to having this ash tray “grow up” and be used for my cigars. It brings back a lot of memories and connections that I am grateful to enjoy today with where they have brought me.

Do you have any pieces from long ago that connect you with your passions?

I have been very happy with this cigar! And what introduced me to tasting this fine cigar was actually the lighter. I first fell in love with the lighter when I discovered it was a flint lighter with a torch flame (every time I am lighting it’s like a little fireworks show, beautiful). At the time it was just before the Angelenos cigars had been shipped or made available at least in my area, and the lighters were a clean solid color with the Prometheus name only. I was about to make my purchase when my tobacconist suggested I wait a few more days.

I’m delighted I did, just a few days later the Angelenos cigars and gift sets arrived. Wow, what a beautiful presentation and a great deal. The set was just ten dollars more than the lighter alone and came with two cigars. I like the design with the Angelenos name printed across and couldn’t pass up the chance for the cigars as well. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy them either!

I tend to smoke the more medium and full-bodied cigars, though I absolutely adore a mild cigar every now and then. When I do like a mild cigar, there must be some character and complexity- there must be a great taste. And this one delivered it beautifully. The Angelenos has a profile I wouldn’t compare to anything else, it is very unique and very elegant. There is a nice creamy buttery flavor with a pleasant spice through the nose and a hint of sweetness in the finish. Very lovely!

This is a cigar I can enjoy daily and not get tired of as well. I’ve enjoyed it both in the morning and evening hours, though most commonly earlier in the day. It is very quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

The Angelenos is named after the city of Los Angeles and is the newest line from Prometheus, creator of the God Of Fire cigars, and made by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. The Angelenos can be found in four sizes: lonsdale, toro, double robusto, and gran toro. Currently I have only seen the lonsdale and toro sizes released.

I highly recommend you experience a tasting. I think this is a mild cigar with a great complexity all cigar lovers can appreciate. Please share your tasting experiences with me in the comments!

I love style and cigars, so when something unique like this limited edition box from La Flor Dominicana comes up- I am very excited! With art design by Ruben Toledo for the bands and cigar box, this duo produces a magnificent piece worth looking into.

I was enjoying a cigar at the Santa Barbara Cigar Shop in Houston when the owner, Ken, came up to me and showed me this beautiful box of cigars. It is the El Museo Limited Edition Box and can only be found from elite tobacconists and select department shops. Only 2000 boxes are to be produced with a retail price of $600, so once they’ve sold out that will be the end of this particular cigar’s production- and the box will remain a collectors piece forever.

Ken has this lovely box available in his shop, and it is beautiful to look at and tempting to taste- but for the occasion it was created for, it is to be sold as a complete set with all profits donated to El Museo del Barrio.

La Flor Dominicana produces world class cigars of which I am very fond of. And it is nice to see a fine cigar paired up with a beautiful design for a great cause. I must say, I would love to indulge in one- it is oh so tempting to discover the flavors of this unique cigar.

The designer, Ruben Toledo, was born in Havana, Cuba in 1961. He is a painter, sculptor and illustrator. His wife, a fashion designer, Isabel Toledo was also drawn to the project. For the two of them it was a project of personal meaning from their own history, and one they were very happy to be a part of.

So there you have it cigars and style!

For more information about this project or the box design, visit Cigar Aficionado or El Museo.

I love an accessory with style and quality, and Atoll delivers it wonderfully with my new cigar case.

And my ring in case you wanted to see the detail of it- I think it looks lovely with a cigar in hand especially.