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| Cigar News |
Revolutionary Cigar Security System
To Snuff Our Forgery in the Cigar Industry
Worldwide Cigar Security, (WCS) based in Miami, Florida, has announced the
development of the only cigar forgery deterrent in the world, designed to
safeguard the cigar industry from the widespread sale and distribution of
counterfeit cigars. The WCS Security System uses a multi-level, customized
holographic sticker with a proprietary PIN number, allowing distributors,
tobacconists and consumers to verify the authenticity of each and every cigar
box from around the world. With the exclusive hologram, manufacturers are able
to trace each cigar box, virtually eliminating Bogus Boxes and control the
"Gray Market" in this multi-million dollar industry.
While giants in the cigar industry are going to dramatic, yet unsuccessful
lengths to counteract counterfeiting, the WCS Security System offers
manufacturers the opportunity to have WCS Investigators follow the trail of
likely forgeries. Through this system they are able to identify the bogus
manufacturers and unauthorized distributors dealing in counterfeit cigar
brands. The WCS system also provides an immediate tool to recognize the "Real
Cigars" from the unauthorized version. Additionally, tobacconists and
consumers can verify over the Internet- free of charge- whether the cigar box
they purchased is authentic. WCS estimates the cost to manufacturers at less
than two cents per cigar, which should not affect current M.S.R.P. of the
cigars.
Through its sophisticated, state-of-the-art security system and Seal of
Authenticity, WCS provides the ultimate method for verifying the authenticity
of each cigar box distributed and ultimately purchased by the consumer. The
holographic stickers with the accompanying PIN numbers are virtually
impossible to duplicate using proprietary technology and high-capacity
production process. The system's development team of designers, holographers
and law enforcement professionals has established this vertically integrated
security system to rid the cigar industry of counterfeiters once and for all.
WCS's strategic partner, provides mass replication of holographic imagery to
several industries including international companies, world banking
institutions and pharmaceutical giants in North and South America, Europe and
Asia, such as Warner Brothers, Pepsi, General Electric, and Eastman Kodak,
just to name a few.
The Internet site verification can be linked to the manufacturer's site
and/or the WCS Web site, further ensuring long-term preservation of the
veracity of each product. WCS System provides management with useful reports
generated from Internet Site visits by consumers and tobacconists alike.
With the technological advances of the WCS Security System, the Cigar
industry is one step closer to eliminating the rampant fraud accounting for
millions of dollars of losses to the reputable manufacturers, distributors and
ultimately consumers.
For more Information Manufacturers, Tobacconists & Distributors should
contact:
Christopher O. Descalzo, C.E.O.
Worldwide Cigar Security Company
782 NW 42nd Avenue, Suite 634
Miami, Florida 33126
Telephone: (800) 624-0676 or (305) 529-0700
Visit our Internet Site- www.cigarsecurity.com
Please note that site is operational on a test mode. You can type the word
'GOOD'' in the pin number box to obtain the results of an authentic box. Any
other will provide you with a negative or bogus box response.
Buying Cigars
| Soft vs. Hard |
| If you are wondering whether or not a softer cigar is a better
indication as to proper humidification, don't worry about it. Yes,
a cigar that is slightly spongy or elastic may indicate that it has been
taken care of better than a cigar that feels hard, but then again a spongy
cigar may also indicate an underfilled cigar.
One of the best cigars that I've ever had was a quite firm, and I thought for sure there was something wrong with the shop's humidor. Still, it wouldn't hurt to take your time while in their humidor, just to see if the humidification device ever turns on. I know it's rather difficult to test a cigar's condition while it's still in the cellophane, but you should always inspect the cigar's wrapper before you buy it. You might also roll it around in your fingers and look for cracks in the wrapper. If you do this, however, do it GENTLY. While the relative firmness of a cigar won't really tell you much about the cigar, a wrapper that easily cracks while gently rolled in your fingers tells you volumes. |
Just Before You Smoke
| The Band |
| To remove or not to remove the band? That is the question.
Personally, though, I don't see the importance of this issue. Remove
it if you are uncomfortable smoking with it on (which I am). Leave
it on if you want to leave it on. One word of caution--sometimes the
band is stuck to the cigar's wrapper and may damage the wrapper
if care is not observed when removing the band.
The only interesting reason that I've heard of for people leaving the band on is when they're in a cigar bar trying to impress someone by showing-off their expensive cigar. Anyone who does this is, in my opinion, very insecure. |
| Cutting |
| First of all, use a guillotine cutter. They're the easiest
to use. As for the actual cutting, many people recommend that you make
the cut about 1/8th of an inch from the end of the head. I'd say that that's
just about right. However, 1/8th of an inch is smaller than you might
think when looking at that cigar.
Just remember this, the important thing is to cut the cigar as close to the end as possible. Why? Because the closer you cut to the end of the cigar the smaller the chance of damaging or tearing the wrapper. Everytime I forget what I'm doing when cutting I always cut the cigar too far away from the end and wind up pulling the wrapper away from the head. The wrapper then starts to unwravel and I start to get ticked off. A good practice is to cut the head so that just enough of the wrapper's cap remains to keep the rest of the wrapper secure. |
| Repairing Tears |
| If by chance you do come across a rip or tear in the wrapper,
or if the wrapper starts to unwravel after cutting the head, don't panic.
What I'm about to recommend might make you think I'm nuts, but
it works.
Wherever the wrapper is starting to come loose just use the old tongue or a slightly damp finger to wet the area where the wrapper should be and press the wrapper back onto the cigar. Let the cigar sit for a minute or so before lighting up so that it has time to dry. Trust me, this is almost as good as the original gum. You'd be surprised how sticky a slightly wet wrapper can be. |
While In The Heat Of Passion
| Moisture |
| It has been said that moisture at the head of a cigar will begin
to accumulate tar from the smoke being pulled through. This is true
as I have experienced the nasty taste of a cigar after accidentally wetting
the head. All I can say is try not to slobber on the head if at all
possible (unless, of course, you happen to like a bitter tasting
cigar).
The best way I've found to avoid this unpleasantness is to place you lips slightly forward of the head than you would normally do. In other words, place more of the cigar in your mouth. If you can keep from drooling long enough (or even if you can't quite help it sometimes), you will notice that, towards the end of your smoking experience, the head is usually dry. The bonus is you don't have to suffer through another bitter ending (unless the cigar itself tastes bitter in which case you should try another brand). |
| The Ash |
| The length of the ash when tapped off is not very important.
However, I have noticed that at what time you tap off the ash SEEMS
to effect the burn rate of the wrapper. I'm not kidding.
Okay, here goes--Everytime I draw on the cigar and then tap the ash off, the next time I draw I notice that part of the wrapper is not burning. However, if I wait to tap the ash off just before I draw on the cigar, the wrapper burns more uniformly. The only reason I can come up with for this is that when you tap the ash off some of the ash is still hot, and if part of that which you've tapped off is the wrapper what's left by the time you draw again isn't enought to keep part of the wrapper burning. This, of course, effects the flavor of the cigar. Some people feel that the wrapper doesn't contribute very much to the taste, but if you've ever smoked a cigar where only the bunch is burning you'd know what I'm talking about. |
| Drawing |
| I believe that drawing on a cigar is an art. You can draw
on a cigar like it's a cigarette, or you can draw on a cigar like it's
a cigar.
The method I prefer is to draw slowly but steadily. That's all there is to it. The reason for a slow and steady draw is this--a slow draw keeps the wrapper burning evenly. If you rush it, the filler will begin to burn faster than the wrapper and will eventually begin "tunneling." "Tunneling" refers to the behavior of a cigar in which the wrapper doesn't seem to burn as quickly as the filler, and a hurried draw will pull the burning portion of the cigar closer to the head and the core and farther away from the wrapper until the wrapper is fully extinguished. |
| Outdoors |
| Basically, if it's windy don't smoke a cigar outdoors. I've tried this a few times, and each time that I've attempted it the cigar's burn is wildly uneven. It's just not worth it. |
| When To Stop |
| When should you stop smoking it? Hmmm... Well, some
people only smoke a cigar half way while others burn their fingers while
holding the stub. Personally, I will smoke a cigar as long as it tastes
okay and doesn't burn.
If a cigar begins to taste bitter I throw it out. Life is too short to waste time on a bitter cigar. If a cigar begins to burn by tongue when I draw on it (this usually happens near the end) I might give it a toss, but that depends on it's taste. I can counter the burning sensation by swirling my tongue as I draw. This keeps the hot tobacco smoke from concentrating on one area of my mouth. But, as soon as it starts tasting nasty, it's time to call it quits. |
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