Pipe Weenies

The Teenie Weenies by

William H. Donahey

Yesterday for the first time I heard the term "Pipe Weenies"... It caught me by total surprise... Pipe Weenies?

Oh, yes said Frank Blews... I'm one of them and with great pride... He commented with a huge grin from ear to ear.

And what are "Pipe Weenies"? I asked...

Frank: You will find us at most of the pipe shows, buying, swapping and talking to our pipe heroes...

These shows are considered professional, but unlike the old RTDA, today known as IPCP (International Premium Cigars and Pipes), practically anything and anyone goes. If you can afford the table fee one can be part of the Chicago (or Richmond or Kansas) Pipe Show. The IPCP is a different story. You have to be a member and in business either as a manufacturer or retailer. The "Weenies" don't have access to the IPCP. But they will not make much of an effort to go either. Its mostly cigar and its accessories. So it doesn't matter. And not a lot of fun for the "Weenies". I also just found out why I can't get Samuel Gawith tobacco... Its a 4 man show! and they prefer to take their summer vacations than blend tobacco! Unheard of for an American pipe smoker or business man...lol So we will have to put up with the back-orders and wait till they return form vacation... We had a great time last night! Memorable! Frank Blews is a wealth of information, no wonder he considers himself a weenie himself. The man has his nose in everything pipe...lol Next week we will have a video to show regarding the meeting with Frank Blews.

Till next week everyone....

Jim

Cigar Etiquette

There are a few quite important and "common sense" cigar etiquette sets of rules. Its all to do with the respect of others and the value of oneself. If you're a regular person...lol

Cigar etiquette is polite behaviour when smoking cigars. For example, in 19th century Havana, it was considered an insult to give another smoker a light from your cigar without first knocking off the ash from the cigar. Another breach of etiquette was to pass on a cigar to a third-party for them to light up too - loaned cigars should instead be returned with a polite flourish. (wikkipedia)

The Swiss tobacconist and creator of the Davidoff cigar, Zino Davidoff devised the "Zino Davidoff Guide to Cigar Etiquette". The essay calls for cigar aficionados to smoke the cigar only halfway, let it burn out on its own, while it sits in the ashtray. Never ask another smoker for a light, refrain from smoking while walking, and so on. Davidoff dismisses the elaborate rituals of lighting, says that removing or leaving the band are equally correct, and insists that a gentlemen never relights a cigar that is more than two-thirds smoked.

So lets see....

The Dos

• LIght the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
• Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar (or not).
• Take your time in smoking it; a puff a minute is about right.
• Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
• Let the cigar die a dignified death. After it's smoked half way, it will go out on its own while sitting in the ashtray.
• Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly.
• Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behavior

The Don'ts

• Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar.
• Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead, simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly.
• Ask someone else for a light (the lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair).
• Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly.
• Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking.
• Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf.
• Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights.
• Clench it between your teeth. Likewise do not get the end of the cigar wet, chew it, or slobber on it.
• Smoke too quickly.
• Use a cigar holder, or worse, stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
• Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
• Smoke while working.
• Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger.
• Smoke when you're walking.
• Smoke more than half the cigar.
• Put the cigar out by squashing it in an ashtray.
• Chain-smoke cigars.

Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Aficionado's book "Cigar Companion" suggests two sets of rules: one when among non-smokers, and another when among cigar smokers. One should never smoke except where smoking is appreciated, and care should be taken to minimize criticism from non-smokers from the smell of smoke in one's home or on one's clothes. Among other cigar smokers, it suggests rules governing sharing, cutting, lighting, humidors, women cigar smokers, and gifts. It concludes with one ironclad rule: never give a prank exploding cigars, and do not associate with anyone who does.

Believe me its worth knowing and practicing these rules. People will appreciate your care and tact. And will give us cigar and pipe smokers a feather in our caps.

Long ashes.....

Jim

Coffee, Cigars & Pipe Tobacco

As far as I know there are two different and very distinct types of coffee: Arabica (Coffea Arabica), which is the Jamaican, Brazilian, Hawaiian, Columbian and so on. It has a vanilla, caramel, nutty round taste to it. Planted in a semi- tropical or temperate environment, purple soil and closer to mid mountain level. It is smooth and mellow. It has a rich round flavor, with delicate complex notes. It is originally from the Ethiopian Highlands.

Because the Arabica fruit or cherries fall to the ground and spoil, the trees must be carefully monitored and picked at different intervals, making its production more expensive.

The second type is the Robusta (Coffea Canifera) exclusively grown in the eastern part of the world. It likes equatorial and low altitudes. It’s fruit remains on the tree, producing a less expensive bean. The Robusta has twice the caffeine of the Arabica and is very acidic, bitter. Its what most restaurants offer. A kick in the proverbial pants…lol

How does one make a good cup of coffee? The first thing to consider is if you like your coffee bitter or smooth. Arabica or Robusta. The second is how do like your roast? Dark like the French? Or medium like Brazilians? I prefer mine Arabica with a medium roast ground medium to fine, brewed in a French Press. A Hawaiian Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain or a Brazilian Café do Ponto. Then comes which way to make it?

Brazilians still use a cloth filter. They grind their coffee fine and give it a medium roast. 1 tblsp of coffee per cup (a demitasse) of water. Also called a cafezinho.

The French like their coffee brewed in a “French Press”, espresso machine (makes a very strong brew) or the Italian volcano; it’s like an espresso but stovetop. They roast their coffee dark. The Italians are the same

But if you just like a good cup of java, American style, then go for a medium grind, use a drip coffee machine or automatic coffee maker. Oh, and get your coffee with a medium roast.

A good cup of coffee, a great bowl of tobacco or cigar is sometimes a better pairing than alcohol. A good smoke doesn’t always call for liquor. And the idea is to compliment the cigar or tobacco, not over power it.

If you like a Sumatra or Java wrapper, like a Zino Classic, an Avo XO or an English Pipe Tobacco blend, a Bennington #5; a dark roasted coffee made in a volcano or espresso machine would be a great combination.

If you prefer an Arturo Fuente Short Story cigar or Partagas Regular (they both carry a Cameroon wrapper, sweet and medium) and a mild to medium non-aromatic pipe tobacco like a Bennington #23; a medium roasted Arabica would be your best bet. Made in a French press or automatic machine.