Cigar(s) of the Month(s): A Rocky Patel Bonanza! (Also, Bite me, FDA) (Also, join the CRA!)

I'm hoping this giveaway takes up some of the slack of going AWOL. Speaking of slack, I've mastered the slacker lifestyle when it comes to the blog. But I'm trying to be better! And I know you'll forgive me because I'm giving shit away, and you can be easily bribed. (No judgments. So can I.)

So without further ado,* I give you this:  (Wait. I'm not giving it to you yet. One of you can win it. Go to the bottom of the post for the actual Rafflecopter giveawayness.)



At least all this can be yours. Who knows what else we'll throw in!

We're at the point now that we could really use another 2,000-count humidor to go with these:



And this:

Actually overfull now... :(
And the shelves were bowed when we got it.
 

They're all super-full now! Like, "air-flow isn't flowing optimally because there's literally no room to breathe" full. 

When Valentino wasn't looking (or so I thought), I pulled these Rocky Patels from the masses to give to one of you. He caught me. But since I had already made the promise, at least in my head, he didn't chop off one of my hands.**

This arm-waving did happen, though:

So back in the old-timey days (pre-August 8, 2016), many cigar companies were kind enough to give me cigars to give you.

Then August 8 happened, courtesy of the FDA, and now, among other iron-fist rulings, cigar companies are no longer allowed to give away cigars for any reason, unless a cigar shop does not yet carry that blend. Then they get one to try.  This also means no charity donations, including to overseas troops. And no free cigars for you unless they come from our personal humidors.

Rocky and Valentino

In honor of Rocky Patel's visit to Rhode Island last year right about this time, we thought the selection apropos--even if it also means I have to go back to school shortly. ::weeps openly::

Rocky Patel (the man) is also an amazing supporter of Cigar Rights of America,*** so really, full-tilt serendipity brought this post together.  (If you aren't a member of CRA, do it now. Tell them I sent you! And pay attention to all the options on the Rafflecopter giveaway--there are bonus entries if you're a member or become one!)

In the meantime, enter, share, win. Maybe we'll even have more than one winner! (Don't tell Valentino!)

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*Much Ado about Nothing is one of my favorite plays!

**Theres a place for a really dirty joke here, but I'll let you make it on your own; that way you can feel really clever at my expense. You're welcome.

***Full disclosure: I am a CRA Ambassador, so this is an official shake-down.****

****Kidding! I'm kidding! It's an UN-official shakedown!

Cigar of the Month Giveaway or: Mutiny and the Bounty

Annnnd, we're back--from CigarFest, that is.

6:00 a.m. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.

We have lots to tell you, and many, many pictures to show you (although if you follow us on Instagram*, you can see all the pics as they pop)!

The waiting really is the hardest part.

Although with this set-up, not as difficult as you'd think.

Housemates

The whole motley crew (not the band)

The crew on the verge of entering. We were so close...
and yet so far (from all the awesome)

Inside CigarFest from the Drew Estate section

 

Part of the first day's cigar collection

After the first day, I started to worry about where we were going to put everything (above) upon our return home.

Naturally, I'm going to give a minute portion away as thanks for reading our blog, for putting up with our shenanigans, and because where the F am I going to put all this!?!?

Here's the bounty!

As Valentino reads this, he's right now in the throes of heart palpitations. He hates giving his stuff away. I love giving his stuff away.** He may be captain of this ship, but as first mate, I call for a (temporary) mutiny! So...several winners--an no, you don't get to pick what you want. And NO, you aren't getting the Feral Flying Pigs or the Angels Shares lurking in the background there. (After all, I don't want to give the poor guy an ACTUAL heart attack!)

How can you enter? Check out the Rafflecopter below! Jump through the hoops and you could be a winner!

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*Follow us at @thecigargal on Instagram and @cigargal on Twitter.

**Technically, it's OUR stuff.

April Cigar of the Month! Sobremesa!

A couple of weeks ago,* we had the pleasure** of travelling north a wee bit to Kurt Kendall's Twins Smoke Shop for a Steve Saka Sobremesa Seminar and Shindig. (Also in  attendance, his awesome wife and partner-in-crime Cindy! Hi Cindy!)

If you've met me, you know I am such a nerd, which flares at embarrassingly (mostly for Valentino) high levels. So while the rest of the dozenish folks sat back, relaxed, and listened to Steve tell us tobacco tales, I did this:

Nerd level: Expert!
Also, if I relax, I fall asleep.

I'm taking the Certified Retail Tobacconist (CRT) exam while we're at IPCPR this summer. Rather than studying the book, I'd probably learn more by following Steve around,*** listening to him Talk Tobacco. You guys! He knows...all the things! And generously helps you understand all the things too!

As a matter of fact, tonight Valentino and I get to woohoo**** it up with him again! He's hosting a Sobremesa tasting at Millonzi's in West Warwick, RI, thanks to Paul Joyle and Mr. J's Havana (in the same town). Don't worry--I'll have a new tablet to fill!

We know what you're thinking (because we thought the same thing): What's a sobremesa and is it catchy?

Short answers: An awesome thing and I wish.

You know when in the movies (not so much in real life) after dinner the characters sit around the table chatting, drinking, enjoying a cigar and each others' company? That is sobremesa--appreciating life and its simple pleasures. No direct English translation, either in words or practice, exists. That makes me have the sad. Anyone interested in starting a Sobremesa Lifestyle Movement (SLM) with me? I'll try not to fall asleep when I relax!

Steve's Sobremesa, the first cigar from his Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, is composed of an Ecuador sungrown wrapper, Mexican binder, and long filler from both Nicaragua and the US and created at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in Nicaragua.

Your vitola choices (so far)!
[Source]

Have you ever seen over a dozen guys simultaneously swoon? That actually happened when the (not-so) dirty dozen(ish) all lit up during the Twins' event. Throughout the smoke, the lot mentioned cocoa and earthiness, but as the evening progressed, chatter moved on to cedar and creaminess. As a professional second-hand smoker, I found the cocoa most notable--when I picked my head up from the notebook, at least. Oh! And Valentino gave Sobremesa the highest praise: He purchased a box, which is now mostly gone. Thankfully, a restocking will soon commence! Maybe even today! Wheeee!

We've gotten some members of the French Alliance
to organize the giveaway for us.
There's always that one guy perpetually on coffee break, isn't there?
He's living the Sobremesa lifestyle. At least that's what he told the general.

Working hard for you.

Many winners this time around!
Exactly how many will require math.
Math is dumb.

Steve, the very awesome and generous Steve, gave us a ton***** of these cigars to share with you, thus making the Sobremesa this month's Cigar of the Month.  How can you be one of many winners? Start here:

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*Another example of the time-space continuum issues frequently occurring in Penny World.

**It's a little over an hour drive. I fell asleep in the car almost instantly. I. Am. Awesome.

***NOT in a creepy-stalker way. More like a Deadhead/groupie kind of way.

****Haha. And this is irony at its best.

*****Exaggeration

January Cigars of the Month: La Flor Dominicana!

We have a January COTM Winner!

Congrats to Benjamin H!!

First, congrats to Bob L, who is walking away with this bounty of goodness, less the Lego construction worker, because that is all mine. (We need him to cut the cigars for us, obviously:

We'd planned a La Flor Dominicana event for January, and, like the marketing geniuses we are, chose this month's giveaway to correspond. But incidences beyond our control occurred, essentially a turf war in the Mean Girls vein but with old Italian guys at the hub. A stalemate occurred. Our event, literally stuck in the middle, fell victim.

We're regrouping and rescheduling, so the LFD even will still occur, just, sadly, not in the next couple of weeks.

Rather than reneg on the promised giveaway because the event was postponed, we're pushing through and that just means we'll have to have another when we have a new date!

In honor of the LFD-ness, we're giving away this collection, squirrelled away from our first LFD event in September:

See how I'm offering these to you graciously and his little Lego self is freaking out?
Just so you know, this is a perfect representation of his real-life freaking out.

As you would expect, Valentino is quite up-in-arms about me giving away "his" cigars. I reminded him these, technically, weren't his, never having made the trek into inventory. They've resided in the giveaway annex, which he doesn't know about. Or didn't, until I wrote that last sentence.

We'll probably add something to this six-pack of deliciousness, like maybe a hat or shirt or something, in addition to bodyguards, of course.


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Cigar of the Month: Indian Motorcycle!

This is going to be a quick one, kids, because I'm going to try to get back on track after my hiatus. Had I been a wonderfully organized person, I would have come back on the 25th of a month, keeping the giveaways organized. Hahaha. But no. That could never happen.*

So this month, we're giving away this box of goodness, which includes a box signed by Phil Zhengi and five cigars, which, while at the Rhode Island launch of the cigar, organized and hosted by our pal Paul of Mr. J's Havana, Phil gave us to give to you:** We're giving you the basic info for now and we'll make it much more lively soon!***

Travel down to the bottom of the page for the contest entries!

Maybe one of us is a little obsessed with Lego people.
Maybe someone else who lives in this house should stop saying I have enough of them.

No, you do NOT get the Lego builder. We need him for cutting off our caps. And he only works for a little, so we can afford him.

The cigars come in two varieties:

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Dominican San Vincente
Filler: HVA Ligero, Nicaraguan Seco, Piloto Cubano
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (De Los Reyes)

...and the Maduro:

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Central America
Strength: Medium-Full

Available sizes:

Robusto: 5 x 50
Toro: 6 x 52
Gordo: 6 x 58
Churchill: 7 1/2 x 50

Inside box reads:

Indian Motorcycles, America’s First Motorcycle Company™ and Debonaire® have joined to capture the essence of the brand’s heritage with a new ultra-premium cigar range.

Since 1901 Indian Motorcycles® has produced some of the most iconic American V-Twin motorcycles. The Indian Motorcycle® Ultra Premium Cigars developed by 6th generation cigar markers truly are ultra-premium.

These cigars a blend of the most sought after Central American, Dominican, and American tobaccos produced.  This exquisite blend an inviting, full-flavored, well-balanced smoking experience with a quality befitting of today’s most revered motorcycle brands.

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*Being organized, I mean.

**And we're passing them on to you, and not keeping any, because that's the right thing to do. Plus, I hid them from Valentino so he couldn't "accidentally" smoke them.

***Probably. added later: That was an empty promise. I haven't changed anything except adding these two sentences. And this kitten picture:

Me, wondering what you're getting me for my birthday.

September Cigar of the Month: Rocky Patel

Last week,* Rocky Patel came to town, landing** at Broadway Cigars.

Broadway Cigars in Providence, RI.

Many men (and a few ladies--Hi Denise!) gathered for this rare Providence, RI sighting.

Just some of the usual suspects.***

And also one of the world's coolest dudes. Hi Brian!

Rocky was **** gracious, generous with his time, and funny--AND he put up with Will the Travelling Owl's willfulness, so in our book, he should be sainted.

The little bastard and Rocky

Of course, he also hung with Valentino for a bit, and they laughed it up like BFFs. (Not even kidding. I pity the guy who came up to Rocky and said, "Now who are you?")

Like Valentino's shirt? You can get one just like it here!

If you live on Planet Earth and have even taken a peek into the cigar world, you've heard the name Rocky Patel. Here's a spot of backstory so you can appreciate why his name is synonymous with cigars and you really only need to say "Rocky" and everyone knows who you mean.

Patel, er, Rocky, a former Los Angeles entertainment and liability lawyer, developed a fascination with cigars during the mid-1990s boom. After helping found the Grand Havana Club in LA, he invested in cigar manufacturing and the product--and his name--sailed to the annals of cigar history.

That beginning came in 1996, when the cigar world welcomed Rocky and business partner Phil Zhengi's Indian Tabac Company's**** "fresh ideas, bold packaging, and fuller cigars" and since then, his perfect tobacco blending and blending with smokers of his premium cigars is known throughout the community. [source]

Speaking of blending, at which Rocky excels, these were accidentally purchased during the Broadway Cigars event...

A smorgasborg of cigars!
What's the cigar equivalent of nom-nom-nom?

Also during the event, Rocky Patel (the company) rep Max Bichler provided some cigars to give away to you guys! Cigars that haven't been released to the public yet!

And we also got Rocky to sign a couple of boxes for you!

These boxes are empty, but they're still signed!

What's in the box?
Nothing. Not. A. Thing.
(Not kidding.)

In addition to what you see here, we're working on adding to the collection--more Rocky Patel cigars--we just couldn't finalize the secret switch in the back room of a speakeasy by "Dear god I have to announce next month's giveaway soon!" o'clock. But there will be more! Pinky swearsies!

So for now, we know there will be two first-prize winners. But of course we can't leave it at that! Stay tuned for The Adding of More Prizes.


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*Hahahaha. As if I did something in a timely manner.

**Not landing landing, as if his plane gently set down on Broadway's roof... Metaphorical landing.

***

In this picture,
they look like extras from a Sopranos episode.

****I'm sure he still is; after all, he's only been gone a few days.

*****Earlier this year, the company announced Indian Tabac's demise.

July Cigar of the Month: Perdomo! (Thanks, Two Guys Smoke Shop for the story)

First and foremost,

Congratulations to Miguel and Jon, pals from the Twitter,
who were chosen by the almighty Rafflecopter

and will soon receive a bunch of goodies from us and Ashton Cigars!
(And yes, we said we'd have something for a random commenter.
We're working on that! Don't worry!)

Second and secondmost,
You're going to have to read the story to find the link to the contest.
Bwah hahahaha!

Did you know this is the 12th monthly giveaway? Did you know that means we've been forcing our words upon you for a year? You're welcome. Or: We're sorry.

One of my all-time best friends Jack (also known as J. North Conway), recently signed a deal for some Hollywood-types to make his book Queen of Thieves into a television series.

Jack's most recent book.

Jack's also a fan of Perdomo Cigars, so I thought it apropos we bundle his book with some of his favorite cigars:

 

The four cigars on the right came from a Perdomo event
held at Cigars International in Hamburg, PA before CigarFest.
The other one, I swiped from the humidor when Valentino wasn't looking!

This match-made-in-delicious-cigar-smoke is also very very serendipitous, as a couple of weeks ago we headed to New Hampshire for a Perdomo, Pistols, and Pizza event, organized by David Garafolo, head honcho of Two Guys Smoke Shop.

I know we've chatted about how awesome and gracious Nick Perdomo and his family are, but I'm going to repeat it and you can't stop me: Nick Perdomo and his family are some of the most kind and gracious people on the planet.

So even though we were literally* out of our element, being in a different state and all,** he and David and Barry Stein (Hi Barry!) made us feel super welcome. We'd wanted to actually go to the sponsoring shop, but the day got away from us and we went running running running to be there in time. That means we're going to have make another trip north. Oh, the things we do for you in the name of research and semi-truth*** in reporting.

[Pretend there's a really cool video here highlighting the event. I tried and tried and couldn't upload it and then decided it was causing more stress than I could handle. So I moved on with my life. Of course that means you don't get to see the video. Sorry!]

And then we shot things on a shooting range. (Yes, we brought part of our arsenal to shoot as well.) And then had pizza. Soooo...awesome day!

(L to R) Perdomo Rep Roy Kirby,
Two Guys Smoke Shop Owner David Garafalo,
and Man of the Hour Nick Perdomo.
[photo swiped from David's Facebook page]

For realz, Two Guys Smoke Shop has tons of fantastic events. Before you go check them out, though, enter this month's contest: a Rafflecopter giveaway

You'll be glad you did! <---Because then we'll be internet BFFs.

And check out Jack's other books, one of which has been optioned (to be made into a movie) by Jeremy Renner. You'll be glad you did! <---Because then we'll be book BFFs.




*

Oh Archer, why must you be so awesome?

**Although technically we were about 15 minutes from the state line.

***Look, I write fiction (that's the made-up one, not the true one). Anything for a good story (which is why I decided to stop writing for an actual newspaper--back in the day when truth was key to reporting).

May Cigar(s) of the Month: CigarFest stuff!

First, congrats to Matt, who won last month's giveaway!

Nothing got done on time, what with CigarFest and the end of the semester coinciding, so in order to give the next sponsor the full month's worth of Wahoo!, we're going to lay down and beg forgiveness in making you wait.

So we went to that lovely event,* and brought home this:

That's 520 cigars right there. No, you don't get them all.

and this:

No, you don't get all of it. Sorry!

Again, you may not have all of it. But we'll put some of the loot together, and that will be your prize for entering this month's giveaway.

How do you get in on this looting?  This:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Okay then! Happy entering!

I'll be over here napping until the drawing, exhausted from all. the. things.



*CigarFest, not the end of the semester, although that was pretty darned awesome in and of itself.

April Cigar of the Month: Asylum 13 NOW! WITH MORE STUFF!

EDITED April 20, 2015: You guys! While the cat is away, the mouse will...
Sneak into Valentino's humidor and add to this giveaway!

Shhhhhhh!

So this, plus the t-shirt and four smaller Asylum 13s!

First of all, congratulations to our Twitter peeps Mark V, Tim M, and Chris B --all three won some Rocky Patel 1961 cigars! (And Mark, as the first one chosen, gets a lotta something extra!) 

(And we let Rafflecopter do the choosing, so no bias!)

Tom (left), Lauren, and Valentino. Photo by not me.

The other day, we got the chance to hang with Asylum co-owner and all-around awesome dude Tom Lazuka and the always lovely and charming CLE regional sales manager Lauren Ferraro at Habanos in Pawtucket, RI.

And they were nice enough to offer up this for you guys to win!

YEP! T-shirt and four cigars--plus whatever else we can dig up!

From the company website: "Asylum 13 cigars are true Nicaraguan Puros. A dark Nicaraguan Habana wrapper coats a combination of aged Cuban seed long filler grown throughout the black volcanic soils of Nicaragua. One can expect a slow, cool burn with a medium to full bodied array of flavor. These cigars are eventful throughout and something you don't want to miss out on."

Now you know Valentino is a superfan of Nicaraguan tobacco, so actually taking these away from him will be a challenge--but one I'm up for, because heh heh.*

As Cigars International so eloquently states about the Asylum 13, "A dark, Nicaraguan Habano wrapper cloaks a feisty combination of aged Cuban-seed long-fillers grown throughout the black, volcanic soils of Nicaragua. Upon lighting, one can expect a complex, medium to full-bodied array of flavorful, Nica-influenced goodness, along with a slow, cool burn letting you fully appreciate every last nuance. Earth, cocoa, espresso bean, black tobacco, sweet notes, and gentle spices. Indeed, Asylum 13 is eventful throughout, and a cigar you don't want to miss out on."**

And you won't miss out--if you enter the giveaway! But you can't win if you don't play!        
To sweeten the pot, I'm planning to break into these...

This is an old picture. They're both reasonably full now.

...and swiping a little something extra for you. (Because I'm nice like that.)

How do you enter? Via a Rafflecopter giveaway !! Do it now!!!!!



*Hi, Mom!

**Note to self: Get job writing copy for CI.

March Cigar of the Month! Gimme a 1 and a 9 and a 6 and a 1!

First, congratulations to Albert Crackenbush for winning last month's Joya Red giveaway!

We were wandering aimlessly around Habanos Cigar Lounge the other day, trying to figure out what would be a fantastic giveaway for March. We may or may not have had adult beverages in our hands.

I stood in the Habanos walk-in humidor trying to figure out what you would like. In my mind, you are all very picky, although that may not actually be the case.

Bassam, the Habanos owner, questioned my perplexidness (perplexocity?).

"How about this?" he asked, and held up:

.

"OMG Yes!" I said, merely thinking of you, of course.

At first I was thinking how I would become a hero in your eyes, handing off this entire thing to one fantastic fan. Then I thought you would all be better served if I broke it up and had several winners. At this point, I was pretty pleased with myself and my generosity--of giving away someone else's stuff.

Let's just pause for a moment and thank Bassam and Habanos for their super generosity.

Will's cousin Elmer. [source]

The Rocky Patel 1961celebrates its namesake's birth year and debuted at IPCPR in 2009. "This cigar represents the inaugural release from his newest Nicaraguan factory, Tabacalera Villa Cuba. He used only the finest select leaf in the construction. Wrapped in a dark oily Habano-seed wrapper, the cigar has a noticeable spicy finish." [source] The cigar was classified medium to full-bodied upon its release. But these babies have been resting comfortably for about five years, just waiting for you to light them up. We're pretty sure they are going to be smooooooth.

With a filler from Nicaragua, binder from Honduras, and an Ecuadorean Habano wrapper, it's almost impossible to go wrong. If you want to learn more about Patel's process and commitment to the highest quality, you should check out this Cigar Aficionado article.

And if you want to learn about the man behind the cigars, check out the company webpage.

So after much deliberation, we decided to break up the set so more folks would be able to score. We want to share the happiness and joy!

The grand prize winner will receive the wooden cigar, along with five of the 1961s.  Other winners will get a bunch too. I'd tell you the number of winners and the cigars they'd receive but math is hard.

True story.

To enter the giveaway, comment on this post for one entry. And!  Check out a Rafflecopter giveaway for other ways