Dr Joe Show on Dave Garafalo's Shocking trip to Cuba

[Fuzz]

Off topic, but I was stopped in November at US Customs as I was transmitting through LAX, to Australia. On the document that asked where I had been previous to arriving on US soil, I told the truth and said Mexico and Cuba. The officer was advising me that he had to confiscate items purchased in Cuba.... even though I was not even leaving the airport and just transmitting through. He went through my bags and wanted to see what I had. He was quite adamant that he had to confiscate the ashtray - and it was only my pleading my case and politely seeking his reconsideration that he let me pass to through with it.

I would say to the Customs dude, prove to me that I purchased these items in Cuba.

[Duxnutz]

Off topic, but I was stopped in November at US Customs as I was transmitting through LAX, to Australia. On the document that asked where I had been previous to arriving on US soil, I told the truth and said Mexico and Cuba. The officer was advising me that he had to confiscate items purchased in Cuba.... even though I was not even leaving the airport and just transmitting through. He went through my bags and wanted to see what I had. He was quite adamant that he had to confiscate the ashtray - and it was only my pleading my case and politely seeking his reconsideration that he let me pass to through with it.

Should have asked to see a supervisor. The US confiscations cite 'trading with the enemy act' as their reason for confiscation. Your an Australian citizen and we have no qualms with Cuba.

I've actually talked to US customs officials about this in LAX face to face and they just laughed. I don't think they are hard asses as a rule.

[free85]

I enjoy his show. His approach fits him. Some people try to be "that way" (a little gruff, intense, etc) and you can tell it's just an act. It seems completely authentic with him. Big points for that from me. And he does seem to study the subject.

[SparklePony]

I read this article because Dave Garafolo is the owner of my local B&M. I actually laughed out loud at his "shocking conclusion," because the evidence was so flimsy. One of the great holes in his knowledge was that the vast majority of vitolas are different sizes. Sure, there are some major vitolas that share the exact RG and mm length, but as we all know, that's not generally the case. Anyone who has spent 10 minutes on this website or reads about the factory names would KNOW THAT.

It's not possible for sorters to simply "brand" rolled cigars based on wrapper color alone. Proper Habanos are precisely measured to the millimeter. We all know that. That's just one hole I found. Being shocked (SHOCKED, I tell you!) by the youth of the tobacco is another laughable "problem." Well, DUH.

Dr. Joe could've been a little more gentlemanly, if you ask me. But his conclusions are basically sound.

[CoCigarSmoker]

I've been watching the Dr. Joe episodes while doing my last couple cigar reviews and I must say I've learned a lot. Thanks a lot for posting the link for us newbies!!

Cheers,

Seth

[Colt45]

One of the great holes in his knowledge was that the vast majority of vitolas are different sizes. Sure, there are some major vitolas that share the exact RG and mm length, but as we all know, that's not generally the case.

I'm not sure I follow, so please forgive me if I misread you, but vitola is simply a size. Julieta No.2 (churchill), robustos, dalia, etc, are vitolas. Montecristo, Bolivar, Partagas, etc are marques, marcas, brands.

I only watched a little bit of the vid, and were I wearing undies, they wouldn't have gotten in a bunch. I've not met any of the panelists, so in all seriousness I mean them no disdain, but I did get the impression of the cigar version of "Wayne's World".

Come to think of it, reminds me of Rob, Ken, and Smithy on the deck.......

[SparklePony]

I'm not sure I follow, so please forgive me if I misread you, but vitola is simply a size. Julieta No.2 (churchill), robustos, dalia, etc, are vitolas. Montecristo, Bolivar, Partagas, etc are marques, marcas, brands.

I only watched a little bit of the vid, and were I wearing undies, they wouldn't have gotten in a bunch. I've not met any of the panelists, so in all seriousness I mean them no disdain, but I did get the impression of the cigar version of "Wayne's World".

Come to think of it, reminds me of Rob, Ken, and Smithy on the deck.......

There I go again, typing after a three martini lunch *hic*.

I meant to say that there are very few vitolas that cross marcas. There are some (Monte No. 2/Upmann No. 2, etc.) but in many cases, a vitola is unique to a marca. Therefore, it is improbable, at best, to think that sorters in Cuba decide which marca a particular cigar is headed for by color alone. That was Mr. Garofolo's ridiculous assertion.

[leftimatic]

I wish I could sit through the long windedness of anybody blathering on about cigars. I can't even sit through more than about five minutes of Rob and Ken and they are entertaining. I just can't understand half of what they are saying.

Personally I would rather sift through the comments made by the guys here on FOH and then muster up my own opinion. The info I have gotten just reading the posts here in the last year have opened up a world bigger than youtube ever will. One thing I have learned is I must conduct more research. Much more research.

As for people slamming this and thats CC or NC. Go ahead. I am old enough now to confidently form my own opinions. Thats the only one that counts.

[Ubergosupro69]

There I go again, typing after a three martini lunch *hic*.

I meant to say that there are very few vitolas that cross marcas. There are some (Monte No. 2/Upmann No. 2, etc.) but in many cases, a vitola is unique to a marca. Therefore, it is improbable, at best, to think that sorters in Cuba decide which marca a particular cigar is headed for by color alone. That was Mr. Garofolo's ridiculous assertion.

I might be wrong here, and I should add that I agree with your point that rollers don't slap random bands on a bunch of cigars of the same vitola, but I believe that all marcas share all vitolas. Number 2 is not the name of a vitola, it is just the name of a cigar Montecristo makes and a cigar Upmann makes which both share the torpedo vitola. Robusto, corona, lonsdale, churchill, etc are examples of other vitolas.

Also, I should apologize for being a bit pedantic. Like I said, I think we're all in agreement here.

[Smallclub]

but I believe that all marcas share all vitolas.

Are you serious? It's absolutely not the case.

[SparklePony]

I might be wrong here, and I should add that I agree with your point that rollers don't slap random bands on a bunch of cigars of the same vitola, but I believe that all marcas share all vitolas. Number 2 is not the name of a vitola, it is just the name of a cigar Montecristo makes and a cigar Upmann makes which both share the torpedo vitola. Robusto, corona, lonsdale, churchill, etc are examples of other vitolas.

Also, I should apologize for being a bit pedantic. Like I said, I think we're all in agreement here.

As a fellow pedant, I can appreciate it! I could have said that the factory name of the Monte No. 2 is Piramides. That's the exact same vitola as the Dip No 2 and the Upmann No 2. But many other belicosos aren't officially Piramides, they're Campanas or Petit Piramides or Rodolfos or Petit Belicosos. That's what I'm talking about, and apparently Dave Garofolo doesn't know that.

[Trevor2118]

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

Cigars can be described using three names:

Market or Commercial Name - Vitola de Salida

This is the name that the cigar is sold under. This name appears on price lists and the cigar packaging. It is a specific name and identifies a single unique cigar.

Factory Name - Vitola de Galera

This is the name used by the factory to define a specific cigar type or "vitola" (that is, the ring size, length, shape and cap finish). This name might appear on catalogue lists but it does not appear on the cigar box packaging.

There are a number of cigars made in this Vitola de Galera that are sold under different market names (Vitola de Salidas).

Common Name

This is the common (or slang) name for the cigar and is used in general terms to identify a particular group of cigars with a similar shape, ring size and length. This name is not used by the factory.

Using these Names

These terms are often loosely used and can cause confusion. Sometimes a specific cigar adds to this confusion.

For example in the Cohiba brand, there is a Cohiba Robustos. It has a factory name Robustos and has a common name Robusto.

One needs to be clear on which term is being used.

[leftimatic]

I wish I could sit through the long windedness of anybody blathering on about cigars. I can't even sit through more than about five minutes of Rob and Ken and they are entertaining. I just can't understand half of what they are saying.

Personally I would rather sift through the comments made by the guys here on FOH and then muster up my own opinion. The info I have gotten just reading the posts here in the last year have opened up a world bigger than youtube ever will. One thing I have learned is I must conduct more research. Much more research.

As for people slamming this and thats CC or NC. Go ahead. I am old enough now to confidently form my own opinions. Thats the only one that counts.

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

Cigars can be described using three names:

Market or Commercial Name - Vitola de Salida

This is the name that the cigar is sold under. This name appears on price lists and the cigar packaging. It is a specific name and identifies a single unique cigar.

Factory Name - Vitola de Galera

This is the name used by the factory to define a specific cigar type or "vitola" (that is, the ring size, length, shape and cap finish). This name might appear on catalogue lists but it does not appear on the cigar box packaging.

There are a number of cigars made in this Vitola de Galera that are sold under different market names (Vitola de Salidas).

Common Name

This is the common (or slang) name for the cigar and is used in general terms to identify a particular group of cigars with a similar shape, ring size and length. This name is not used by the factory.

Using these Names

These terms are often loosely used and can cause confusion. Sometimes a specific cigar adds to this confusion.

For example in the Cohiba brand, there is a Cohiba Robustos. It has a factory name Robustos and has a common name Robusto.

One needs to be clear on which term is being used.

See this is what I'm talking about. Learn something new everyday.

Thanks Trever

[Ubergosupro69]

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

Cigars can be described using three names:

Market or Commercial Name - Vitola de Salida

This is the name that the cigar is sold under. This name appears on price lists and the cigar packaging. It is a specific name and identifies a single unique cigar.

Factory Name - Vitola de Galera

This is the name used by the factory to define a specific cigar type or "vitola" (that is, the ring size, length, shape and cap finish). This name might appear on catalogue lists but it does not appear on the cigar box packaging.

There are a number of cigars made in this Vitola de Galera that are sold under different market names (Vitola de Salidas).

Common Name

This is the common (or slang) name for the cigar and is used in general terms to identify a particular group of cigars with a similar shape, ring size and length. This name is not used by the factory.

Using these Names

These terms are often loosely used and can cause confusion. Sometimes a specific cigar adds to this confusion.

For example in the Cohiba brand, there is a Cohiba Robustos. It has a factory name Robustos and has a common name Robusto.

One needs to be clear on which term is being used.

Quoting your own popular cigar website to set us all straight... touche!

[Trevor2118]

Quoting your own popular cigar website to set us all straight... touche!

Sometimes we all have to brush-up on the basics.

[danny]

Another here that's been watching tons of his videos. Really informative and honest. Love the rants here and there!

[PaulP]

Is Dr Joe a physician or does he have a Phd?

[HarveyBoulevard]

Is Dr Joe a physician or does he have a Phd?

I think he is either a Dermatologist or a Podiatrist

[CanuckSARTech]

Is Dr Joe a physician or does he have a Phd?

I think he is either a Dermatologist or a Podiatrist

Proctologist.