Curly Head Cigars & More

So, my town has passed a smoking ban for all public facilities, with only a few exceptions. I’m so tired of my constitutional rights being taken away, I’m going crazy. I can’t fathom the reason non-smokers have such a assertive personal opinion on what us smokers do. I understand that smoking is unhealthy, but I made a conscience decision when I took up smoking, aware of the fact it was unhealthy. Just because non-smokers want me to cease, doesn’t mean that it is going to happen. Smoking in bars has been a allowance, but most restaurants include a chosen smoking section. If non-smokers don’t want to be in the smoke, don’t sit down in the smoking section, you are not coerced to sit in that section. And as well as the jobholers of these pubs that comment they are tortured by second hand smoke, what a joke. I held jobs in the hospitality industry for more than 10 years, and I know that almost all of thefellow workers were smokers.  Dealing with people, always, drives you to smoke.  Also, I have never overheard one non-smoking co-worker ever complain about cigarette smoke while working in the smoking section. Putting a smoking prohibition in restaurants and bars, ultimately will only save me money, because I won’t go out after the first of the year.

I have made a decision this holiday to plead for trustworthy Christmas Gifts that my wife can determine comfortably for me. My first choice, as always, is my favorite smoke from cigar-humidor.org . She doesn’t even have to leave the home, she can go on the internet (I have all my favorites sites saved) and enter the order there. As far as anything else, she can go to the local store and choose a gift. She mentions every holiday that I am utterly baffling person to buy for. But we have been inseperable for over 15 years! And if she doesn’t know the things I admire by now, I quit. I always mention every December, “I want cigars”, I puff on 1 or 2 per day, and that adds up. I bought a humidor for storing my cigars, “what’s that for?” my love askes. Well my love, it’s to keep my smokes lively. So, if you get me some for christmas I can store them in that for a few months and pull one when I am ready to enjoy one. Although I have to say, I got blessed with luck last year, my love purchased me a lighter that was ingraved with my initials. The prior year, she got me a fishing pole, unfortunately I said I would like to go fishing again someday. Well, I went fishing one time in two years, but guess what, I still puff 1-2 cigars a day. So what do I want for christmas this year? I want Cigars, and whatever else would just be an secondary enjoyment.

The simplest method of identifying cigars is by the method in which they are made. Cigars are either rolled by hand, or manufactured by machines. The beginner smoker may be tempted to start by trying those machine made brands sold in Drug Stores, such as Parodi. However, the Beginner should consider spending a few more pennies and moving up to hand rolled cigars, which are sold on the web or at a local tobacco retailer.

Daily Smokers Vs Connoisseurs
TypicalIndividual cigar smokers have their own unique tastes, and have their own individual budget. Those who are smoking multiple cigars per day may need an “everyday” cigar that is less expensive. Therefore, the taste and cost of machine made cigars can be very appealing to some smokers. However, to the aspiring or experienced connoisseurs, the ones who enjoy an occasional cigar as a special treat, the hand rolled cigar is worth every dime.

Rainy day Mondays always get me down, sounds like a song I used to sing, but that is the way I would describe last Monday. Cold, damp, and untypical for our summer weather but that is what greeted me when I stepped out on the patio to test drive an old friend, the Arturo Fuente Curly Head.

The funny name and the plain packaging are a couple of the reasons I picked them up at TopHat Tobacco a while ago. Plus I was doing a little of my own research into finding and reviewing good or even great smokes for under $4.00 a stick.  The packaging is a clear cellophane wrapper with the words A. Fuente in white script, nice and simple. The cigar is 6 1/2″ long, a ring gauge of 43, and surprisingly has no cigar ring. Darn! I would love to see the cigar ring art for a stick named Curly Head.

The natural wrapper was tan, very firm, with a few veins, a crinkly texture and a moderate tobacco aroma. The cap had an ever so slight taper or tip to it so I used my cutter on it. Before I lit it up I noticed the foot was so loose it actually allowed flecks of tobacco to fall out!

The Arturo Fuente Curly Head lit easily and had a sweet smell on the startup. Even though it appeared to be packed loosely, the stick burned evenly, required no touch ups and had a good draw, start to finish.  Better than I can say for a lot of more expensive smokes!

The smoke volume was moderate and I managed quite a few smoke rings during this smoke session. The ash was sturdy enough for the test and not drop off unexpectedly.

My initial draws on this stick surprised me, it presented a sweet straw-like quality and a hint of vanilla for my palate to enjoy. In the back of my mind I’m thinking, this won’t last, not for $3.49 a stick, it’s too good to be true! This wonderful mild flavor lasted for about 2/3’s of the stick and then for its finale, the Curly Head Cigars, finished the last 1/3 with a peppery bite.  Nice!

This oddly named cigar, with its simplistic presentation, was making some very good impressions as I smoked it to the end. The flavor, price and presentation makes the Arturo Fuente Curly Head a good value and would make a great addition to your humidor as an everyday smoke.