Cigar Captain

There are so many tobacco treasures to be found lately that the Cigar Captain has decided to make available his deals on a daily basis.  Check back frequently as these unbeatable cigar deals won’t be available for long. The Captain is still searching for good cigar related content. All you bloggers out there feel free to contact us and guest post.

It is time once again for me to give my wonderful readers the newest piece of great cigar news. Although no trip to Vegas is involved this time, I am ever so pleased to announce the arrival of a new major cigar company, now looming over the horizon. As of later this year, Ernesto P Carillo, formerly of the Swedish Match/General Cigar lineage, will start shipping cigars from his new company – EPC.
In a note to the public, Mr. Carillo announces:

Dear Valued Customers and Friends,
As many of you know, I recently departed from Swedish Match/General Cigar Company to start a new cigar company, EPC Cigar Co., with my son, Ernie, and my daughter, Lissette. As my father once dreamed that I would enter the cigar industry, I have long dreamed of working with my children. Needless to say, I am extremely excited about the realization of this dream and the future of EPC Cigar Co.

Now, I’m sure this gossip is exciting enough to stand on its own – but it comes with an additional piece of great news. By the end of November EPC will be shipping their first cigars:
E. P., Carillo Edición Inaugural 2009 (limited edition) in November 2009, and S. E. P. Carillo (core line) in April 2010.

Both of these cigars are exquisitely intricate, medium-bodied, and characterized by the smoothness and delicacy of their aroma and flavor. With an Ecuadorian wrapper aged for 3 years, a 5-year aged Nicaraguan-Dominican binder and Nicaraguan-Dominican filler, this wonderful blend of exotic tastes is a new cigar you don’t want to miss! Pre-order your Carillo cigars online today

The air is buzzing with excitement and tension. Last week, I first heard about the Macanudo Millionaire contest, and I can already taste Vegas. My nights are haunted with dreams of the casino, of waking up in a bathtub filled with hundred dollar bills, of hitting the jackpot at a machine, of the magnificent fountain show at the Bellagio, of watching each and every (and believe me, there are too many to count) Cirqu Du Soleil on the strip. My days are wasted salivating, daydreaming of a free trip to Sin City – where anything goes, and the windows in the hotels don’t open – for fear of what the inebriated tourists might do. I’m exhilarated 24/7 just dreaming of the possibilities.

For those of you who do not know about the Macanudo Millionaire Contest: You must be living under a rock. Seriously? This is the biggest and best promotion in the cigar world bar none, sponsored by America’s favorite cigar. However, I’ll forgive you for this slip in popular knowledge just this once, because I am THAT excited.

Allow me to explain. Macanudo, one of the biggest cigar makers in the world, is teaming up with Playboy for the promotion of the century. They will award one EXTREMELY lucky S.O.B consumer and THREE of his/her friends with an ALL-EXPENSE PAID trip to LAS VEGAS! While on the strip, the winner and their guests will spend a VIP evening at the Playboy Club in the Palms Hotel and Casino, accompanied by TWO Playboy Playmates, who will be on hand for luck when the contestant gets to spin the Roulette for a chance to win ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

“Please Sign Me Up as Soon as the Program Starts!” (Sep 14, 2009) would be the only proper response to this situation. Luckily enough, the sign up for this contest is a reward in itself – the purchase of any Macanudo cigar package on www.mikescigars.com.

Macanudo Café has a wonderfully mellow Connecticut shade wrapper, an exotically flavorful blend of Dominican fillers, and an exclusive, select binder grown in the St. Andres Tuxtla Valley in Mexico. The serene taste is a slice of heaven. The Macanudo Maduro is a medium-full bodied dark cigar with an all-American broadleaf wrapper, Connecticut shade binder, and Mexican filler. This smooth, rich experience is stronger than the café but not at all overpowering. The Macanudo Robust is even darker than the Maduro, with a Connecticut shade wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder, and a very full-flavored, rich blend of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos. Finally, the Macanudo Gold Label is the premium of the bunch, with a lighter Connecticut wrapper, Mexican binder, and an exclusive blend of Dominican and Mexican filler. Enjoy the cigars, and the prize that comes with it.

VEGAS, HERE WE COME!

It’s night time in Prague, Czech Republic. An unidentified black car pulls up to a nondescript building, and a man steps out. He checks his surroundings, and finding the coast clear, takes the elevator to the 5th floor. He briskly walks down the hall and steps into an office, clearly knowing where he wants to go. Suddenly, he stops short; he senses someone else in the room with him – someone dangerous. A voice speaks up. “M really doesn’t mind you earning a little money on the side, Dryden, but he’d just prefer it if it wasn’t selling secrets.” Dryden’s suspicions are proven true. Bond. James Bond.

Ian Fleming’s series about the British agent, 007, is a timeless classic that will never get old. Although many people believe the newer movies bring shame upon the legacy that is Bond, I myself continue to enjoy watching Bond, be it Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig, kick major ass.

The history of the Bond character is a long and winding one, but full of fascinating insights on the actors, the characters, the movie industry, and Ian Fleming himself. For example, while Sean Connery is famous for having played the first Bond, he was in fact the second Bond. The first James Bond was actually an Americanized version of the character, named Jimmy Bond, played by Barry Nelson on a television show based on Casino Royale, in the 1950’s.1  And while many consider Connery the best Bond, he was not Fleming’s choice. Fortunately for Connery, the Scottish born actor hit the part of the gentleman spy right on the target. After filming seven Bond movies, in which there were over 80 kills by Bond, 6 women seduced, and 5 martinis sipped upon, Connery stepped down and gave the role over to George Lazenby, who was successfully – yet with no specific notability – play Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The next Bond – rumored to have been Fleming’s favorite – was Roger Moore, who in this role for seven movies (he could not have done eight, for then he would have outdone The Sean Connery), made 77 kills. Notably, Roger Moore brought the character of Bond to its roots, smoking cigars instead of cigarettes, drinking Bourbon instead of Martinis, and being the first (and one of only two) British actors to play the British agent. Next up was Timothy Dalton, who, although he only stayed for two movies, made significant strides in enhancing the depth of Bond’s character. Focusing less on the macho of Bond, and more on his growth throughout each film, Dalton added layers of emotion to the British spy. The most recent two Bonds, of course, are Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. While Brosnan brought back Bond from his 6 year hiatus, many fans feel he was unable to fill the character’s huge shoes. These fans are also unsatisfied with Craig’s performances. Though Craig’s Bond is as masculine as the books portrayed, there is still something missing.

Perhaps the 007 Series has passed its heyday and is no longer relevant. Thus, public will never be satisfied with Bond again. Like I said though, I have no qualms with any Bond, as I enjoy the stories too much to allow bad acting or too many effects to ruin them for me.

After studying the Bond movies and books this past week – torrential downpours have kept me indoors – I was thrilled to find this special on 898 Short Royale, which includes an exact replica of the Bond attaché case. The cigar-carrier briefcase is truly the best re-make I’ve seen of the bond replica – and trust me, I’ve seen my share of misses – with all silver and chrome polishing, and a spring-loaded latch to boot.

And if this priceless piece of Bond memorabilia wasn’t enough – the inside contents of it are highly marketable products themselves. Packaged inside the briefcase in the grey soft inlay foam, are a double guillotine cigar cutter and a Hygrometer-Humidifier set, along with premium cigars. To think this all comes free with a box of 898 Short Royale; Needless to say, I spared not one minute to add this to my collection of Bond fanaticism.

The 898 Short Royale, of course, is a pies de resistance all on its own. The latest from the Matasa, Dominican Republic factory, this artfully delicious smoke is full of mouth-watering tastes; with smooth and creamy notes of chocolate and almonds, the mild- to medium bodied smoke is a relaxing companion to Bond’s action-packed stunts. Creatively packaged in a small, husky 4”X55, the cigar is truly a work of craftsmanship.

* Casino Royale was later spoofed, with David Niven – one of the first actors that auditioned for Bond – playing Jimmy

I would like to start off this post a little differently than the rest have been thus far. Instead of talking about my recent adventures, I’d just like to talk about something that’s been on my mind lately. Patriotism. Well, the lack of it actually. There was a time when Red, White & Blue were the classiest colors a citizen of the USA could wear. Soldiers were honored as men who were gallantly risking their lives for their country. Living in the land of the free was the highest point of pride.

Unfortunately, in today’s day and age, young people are ashamed to live in America. They seem to feel guilty that their homeland has the plethora of benefits, for which our ancestors worked tirelessly, which other countries lack. They’re ashamed of their indoor plumbing, electric air conditioning, daily showers, expensive cars, and online shopping. Since the young people of today never really had to work for what this country has earned, they feel ashamed of everything we have. However, one thing I wish they’d just understand is that while they may not directly deserve it, their ancestors deserve for their descendants to have it. Therefore, we must remember to never be ashamed or feel guilty for our homeland. “Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

On the subject, I’d like to recommend the Camacho Liberty, Christian Eiroa’s salute to our “Land of the Free.” Another barber-pole striped delicacy, this 6”X56” slice of heaven is shaped in the style of the Corojo. With alternating strips of creamy natural and sensually dark maduro wrappers, the rich blend of exotic tastes comes together in perfect harmony. This cigar is truly an honorable tribute to an honorable country. God Bless America (and good cigars!).

Arghh the past two weeks have been quite hectic. President Obama opened peace talks with China, Dwayne Wade was pressed with law suits over business deals gone awry, and I visited the big apple!

The majestic Statue of Liberty, exhilarating Empire State Building, the stately miniature Arce de Triumphe in Washington State Park, the serenity of the Strawberry Field in Central Park, the aroma of a thousand different restaurants, the cohabitation of a million different cultures. The bustling streets. The luxury and lavishness. Nothing compares to NYC. You could see why I make it a point to visit my home town at least twice a year.

One of the highlights of this trip was the evening I spent at Times Square. Recently converted to a pedestrian mall, it was blissful to sit back in a lawn chair and watch the bedazzling light shows above, while I entered a quiet, private world where I could no longer hear the angry yells and car horns of the heavy traffic a few streets down.

In this quiet place, I remembered growing up on the streets of this city. While my upbringing spanned some of New York’s darkest decades, I recall stories my father used to tell me of the island’s golden years. Some of his best were from his earliest memories, when he was but a young boy – before even the Great Depression. He used to run down to a small barber shop on his block, where he would sit for hours at a time listening to the conversations going on; from business men to taxi drivers, old friends of his father to teenagers just out of high school – this barber shop served as a microcosm of the eclectic city in which it lay.

Stories like those make me yearn to visit those days. I am deeply saddened by the fact that I was not blessed to be born in those early days, when life was easy and a good burger cost 20 cents. When I’m feeling down about this, the only thing that can bring up my spirits is a good smoke. And what better cigar than one that looks like the old-time barber shop poles, candy-cane stripes and all.

The Felipe Gregorio Dos Capas is a masterpiece exotic blend, the culmination of years upon years of hard work and research by Felipe himself. An exclusively premium Costa Rican Piloto Cubano filler to add layers of intriguing complexity to its taste, combined with a Dominican Habana 92 binder, this full bodied cigar is a fiesta! The Barber Pole appearance of the cigar is created by the diagonally interwoven contrasting wrapper leaves, which not only give it an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, but a distinctly exciting blended taste. The expert mix of Connecticut-Sumatran wrapper with Dominican tobacco creates a silky finish that interacts deliciously with the smooth nuttiness of the tobacco inside. It really helps you forget, if just for a little, that the times we live in are not so simple.

Ahoy there, maties! Sorry for the delay between posts – I’ve been out having adventures. The seas here in South Florida have been mighty rough and the skies have been stormin’. So after barely avoiding another fatal run-in with mother nature, I decided to lay low for a bit – let the sea  get her frustrations out on somebody else for a change.

Well, needless to say, I quickly bored of sitting at home watching re-runs o’ Lost. So, I got off my keister and went explorin’. I found a great store in South Beach that rents segways, and spent the rest of the afternoon zooming up and down the boardwalk, people-watching and making new friends all the way. It really reminded me of a few days I spent on the port of Tel Aviv, while I was cruising the Mediterranean. Those were the days. Actually, it reminded me of the days I spent at any port I ever had the luck to visit. Ports feel like home to me.

Feeling homesick for my days on the open ocean, I trudged down to the water, and on my way there stopped in a little cigar shop. This hole in the wall did not have much variety, but one specific cigar really caught my eye, with the mood I was in. The Macanudo Café Port, espected for its diligent work, the Macanudo brand  from the General Cigar Corporation, has yet to let us down. Their newest release, this 4 ½ X 60 cigar, eloquently captures the essence of a good, sweet cigar in a sweetly small size. Like the original Macanudo Cafes, they are grown and crafted solely in the Dominican Republic, with the best Connecticut shade wrapper, Dominican fillers, and a delicious binder from the St. Andreas Tuxtla Valley of Mexico. The aromatic smoke completely distracted me from my despondency. I bought a box and enjoyed it with the salt water spraying my face and a soft ocean breeze blowing against my skin. Though stuck on land, this cigar let me have a little piece of home.

Be sure to take advantage of this week’s cigar deal while supplies last!

Father’s Day is suddenly around the corner!

Camacho’s new Executive Traveler Case is the perfect gift for the on-the-go smoker. An ideal companion for the traveling cigar connoisseur, the Limited Edition case is designed to hold twenty of Camacho’s Ultra-Premium Blends. It actually comes equipped with twenty Limited Edition 11/18 “Signature Blends” Camacho cigars – so you don’t have to spend extra time buying cigars for dad to fill it with.

Not only practical, this gift is sporty and stylish. Made of black leather with gold trim, the case insulated with isothermal neoprene to stabilize the temperature inside. With a removable inside, to allow the case to act as a sophisticated bag, this really is the gift that keeps on giving. Even if your dad was not a cigar lover, he would still enjoy his new fancy briefcase, tackle box, book carrier, lunch box, first aid kit, camera case, tool box, toiletry pack, or collector case – and you would enjoy twenty Ultra-Premium Blend Camacho cigars.

These cases are big hits. The best sale I found is from Mike’s Cigars, who’s selling these fabulous cases for $125.95 – less than half the original price! – as a Father’s Day special.  Check out the Captain’s Special, only 50 in stock!