Morientes50 Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 My Grandpa was the first to turn me on to CC's. He visited Cuba almost every year in the 90's with a legal travel visa and would bring back 2 boxes from a cigar store in Havana. He would give one box to my uncle and shared a few sticks from his box with me. My eyes lit up everytime I saw him pull out a box and cut open the seal. As I learned about cigars, I would ask him about stuff like flavors (e.g., chocolate or nutmeg). He never knew what the hell I was talking about. He told me something along the lines that you shouldn't analyze things like that and that cigars were to help enjoy time. He suffered a serious health calapse four years ago (he almost died) and now doesn't smoke cigars, but I will always remember his approach to smoking cigars. It struck me as very zen (though i'm sure he doesn't know what zen is). I remember that when I smoke: not to analyze it too much. Cigars make me happy in the moment and help me enjoy my surroundings more. So my question is: what are your favorite places to smoke cigars? Or your favorite memories that included a cigar? My favorites include smoking at the beach, at my cousins wedding and smoking with my grandpa on his patio.
Guest rob Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 Good post. When I'm smoking my bread and butter stuff I never sit back and try to analyse the flavours or quality. The cigar is usually familiar enough to me that I subconsciously rate it according to the others I had... but only in terms of consistency, draw etc... With new experiences I do try and guage what I'm tasting.. and if it's hitting my taste buds and senses right I may try and delve a little deeper for explanation of what i like about it. If on the other hand, I find I'm not enjoying the cigar... I just sit back and enjoy it for what it's worth (if I can). Favourite moments are Xmas 2008. Perfect weather, an amazing lunch, beautiful wine... and the best damn Uppman Sir Winston I have ever had. I felt like I was the luckiest guy on earth. The planets all aligned for me that day. The are of course other moments that I reflect on.. but that one was a standout.
genevapics Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 Very good post. For me it is sitting out back on my patio. I like listening to the birds, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, the neighbors young children playing out back, or sometimes nothing more than the sound of quiet. For me, a regular production cuban cigar, a good book/magazine/journal and solitude. Pure bliss. When friends come over, just listening to the tall tales we tell each other and enjoying their laughter. Like many here, it is the camaraderie of the moment.
sounddust Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 I cherish the rare opportunities when I can smoke indoors. An old leather chair. A double scotch. A good book. Watching the smoke envelop the sweet silence around me.
Colt45 Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 Though I have enjoyed smoking in the company of others, I normally prefer solitude. One cigar that pops into mind is a Bolivar CG that made me forget where I was, what time it was, etc. I still think it was laced I don't think I over analyze while I smoke, but I think being able to discern elements adds to the enjoyment. I think when you've reached a certain point of understanding, you can actually let go and not have to focus as much - kind of like a musician who has complete mastery of their instrument. They don't have to think about the notes, they just play them. As a disclaimer, I'm not suggesting in any way that I have a complete mastery of anything - not even an incomplete mastery....
jwm8592 Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 I also really don't try to analyze or over analyze as it may be, I just try to take in whatever surrounding I'm in at that time. But I will say I do love to pull out a nice smoke when my neighbors are out working in their yard, cutting the grass, weeding or some other menial lawn care task. I would imagine they get a kick out of seeing me relaxing on my back patio w/my stogie and beer while they are working their asses off
Stalebread Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 . . . I'm not suggesting in any way that I have a complete mastery of anything - not even an incomplete mastery.... Zen.
sounddust Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 Knowing what Thou knowest not Is in a sense Omniscience -- Piet Hein
Rogers72 Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 A great post! I envy you guys who were able to share great cigar moments with your fathers/grandfathers. My father and grandfather would both enjoy the occasional cigar but both died way too young for me to be able to share that with them. I still think about them and others who I miss dearly everytime I smoke. I think that's part of why I enjoy it so much.
sinnyc Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 I'll take a different tack here. I enjoy smoking a good cigar with friends as much as I enjoy smoking alone in my office or porch. I like to smoke them to mark a special occasion such as a wedding or birthday but also to remember someone now gone. They raise my spirits higher when I am happy, relax me when I am anxious, engender thoughtfulness when contemplative, and soothe me angered. I don't have a favorite place to smoke cigars; I have favorite cigars that I have smoked in various places at various times. Great topic! - Tim
jeromeroselli Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 The reason I started smoking cigars as a 'hobby' was because I always found myself buying cigars or having them in times that I enjoyed most- Accomplishments, family gatherings, weddings, birthday's, etc. I parlayed that into my life as an enjoyment I can experience any time I want. I think it takes a certain kind of person to take smoking a cigar to a spiritual level. The other side is that anything you love doing is spiritual for you.. Whether you're a wine lover, a golfer, a sports fan, have a love of automobiles, or are fascinated by a beautiful looking and tasting cigar, it's going to float your boat and get you by, man. Everyone's got their thing.. Talk to someone with any type of passion and you can find something in common with them even if your passions are entirely different. -jeremy
Morientes50 Posted February 21, 2009 Author Posted February 21, 2009 I can imagine a Zen master hitting a monk over the head with a stick and telling him to "smoke the Habano, don't intellectualize it!!" But I think I've seen too many old Japanese films But seriously, what Jerome says hits the mark for me. I'm not a religious person and smoking a CC is probably the most 'spiritual' thing I do. I guess it started that way for the Taino Indians (They were wiped out in Cuba by the Spanish). At the very least, it feels a little more than just a hobby. I smoke slow (a mag 46 takes me almost 2 hours) so I guess if I smoked a 'Montecristo A' I'll really feel in touch with reality
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