Lifestyles

April 25, 2011 The Virtual Gourmand 14: Makin' Bacon!

Cigar Weekly Editor-At-Large and Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) has been making bacon... And he wants you to do so too! Read more...
April 11, 2011 A Rich Pour - Column No. 22: Golden Oldies

Why is it that many aficionados of Scotch whisky seem so drawn to older spirits? Join Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) as he looks behind the sometimes deceptive veil of aged spirits. Read more...
March 21, 2011 Cigar Paradise in Nicaragua!

Join Cigar Weekly's Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) for his description of a memorable four-day cigar lover’s tour of Esteli, Nicaragua - one of the great tobacco growing regions. Read more...
February 14, 2011 Ybor City Cigar Festival 2010

CW Contributing Editor Tom Chapman (tchapchap) traveled again to Tampa to attend the Ybor City Cigar Festival. He writes to update us on this year's festivities. Read more...
August 16, 2010 Local Flavors #4: Mike's Cigar Room, Conroe, Texas

Although there are many 'seasoned' CW members, there are also those who are fairly new to our wonderful world of cigars and related topics. This installment of Local Flavors provides the opportunity for some great perspective from a man who has been involved with cigars, pipes and tobacco since he fired up his first pipe in college in 1975! He has survived the 'Bust Years' as well as enjoyed the 'Boom Years', and has a unique view on business that may surprise you. Recently, CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) sat down with Mike McCoy, owner of Mike’s Cigar Room in Conroe, Texas (a northern suburb of Houston), to fire one up and learn about the history and current success of a true cigar B&M entrepreneur. Read more...
February 10, 2010 A tour of Ybor City's Cigar Heritage

CW Contributing Editor Tom Chapman (tchapchap) recently made a trip to Ybor City, the historic cigar-making district of Tampa. He was treated to an inside tour of the industry, both from a historical and a current perspective. Tom now shares the details of that tour with us. Read more...
January 04, 2010 A Rich Pour - Column No. 21: Scotland - A One Week Odyssey, Part 3

Scotland. Land of lochs, mountains, castles and, yes, Scotch. Join Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) for the third (and final) in a special A Rich Pour travel mini-series. Read more...
December 18, 2009 A 'Taste' of Ybor City

Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) recently sampled the sights, sounds, smokes and culinary offerings of Ybor City, Florida at the 11th Annual Cigar Heritage Festival. Come along with him as he describes the weekend events and activities in historic Ybor City. Read more...
November 28, 2009 A Rich Pour - Column No. 20: Scotland - A One Week Odyssey (Part 2)

Scotland. Land of lochs, mountains, castles and, yes, Scotch. Join Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) for the second in a special A Rich Pour travel mini-series. Read more...
November 02, 2009 A Rich Pour - Column No. 19: Scotland - A One Week Odyssey (Part 1)

Scotland. Land of lochs, mountains, castles and, yes, Scotch. Join Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) for the first in a special A Rich Pour travel mini-series. Read more...
July 27, 2009 A Rich Pour - Column No. 18: Muskoka On My Mind

Good food and the company of family, warm summer sunshine and cool cocktails, rejuvenating lake water and flavourful wines... It's hard to imagine a combination of ingredients better guaranteed to induce happiness and contentment. Care to join me at the cottage? Read more...
July 27, 2009 A Rich Pour - Column No. 18: Muskoka On My Mind

Good food and the company of family, warm summer sunshine and cool cocktails, rejuvenating lake water and flavourful wines... It's hard to imagine a combination of ingredients better guaranteed to induce happiness and contentment. Care to join me at the cottage? Read more...
May 18, 2009 Run to the Border

CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) takes us along on a motorcycle trip to the Big Bend area of south Texas. Read more...
March 19, 2009 Smoking Cuban Cigars and Eating Swiss Chocolates in Los Cabos

Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor (and wife to owner Gil Ellis) Claudia Ellis treats us to magical pairings of Grauer chocolate and Cuban cigars, and does it all from the sunny beaches of Baja, California. Read more...
March 09, 2009 A Rich Pour - No. 17: Wine Casks at Work in the Land of Scotch

The concept of placing distilled whisky into a used wine cask may seem slightly incongruous at first. Join Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) as he samples a baker's dozen of wine cask enhanced single malts. Read more...
February 19, 2009 Great Lakes Summer Tour

Last summer, CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) completed a long distance motorcycle tour with his wife, from their home in Texas to the far reaches of Quebec and the Gaspé Peninsula. He has chronicled his journey for the CW members. So join him on this journey as he fires up his Harley, fires up some cigars and hits the road. Read more...
February 16, 2009 Trinidad - The Real Cuba

Lawrence Leung (the nub) gives a puff by puff account of a recent trip to Cuba. Wandering the streets of Trinidad, he sifts through the city's best humidors searching for one last cigar, another ron and Tukola, and a seat at the ultimate herf. Read more...
January 26, 2009 A Rich Pour - No. 16: Measuring Up - Bourbon & Canadian Whisky Come of Age

Bourbon and Canadian whisky represent two distinct facets of the North American distilling industry, each one with its admirers. I happen to like both! Read more...
December 29, 2008 Cigar Heritage Festival

CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) recently attended the 10th Annual Cigar Heritage Festival in Ybor City, Florida. Join him as he recounts the weekend, and provides highlights of the festival and the other events taking place with fellow BOTLs. Many agree that the Ybor City historic district of Tampa is the heart and foundation of the cigar industry in the United States. Read more...
December 15, 2008 Autumn in London

CW Contributing Editor and Katrina Relief Coordinator Flipflop (Phil Steffen) recently had a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London for a weekend of soccer, cigars and ale. Read more...
December 08, 2008 The Virtual Gourmand No. 13 - Stacks and Facts: A Chef's Bibliography

Editor-at-Large and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) opens his personal bookshelf, lists the top 10 cooking books and top 3 cooking magazines in his collection, and explains why these are his favorite reference works. Read more...
December 01, 2008 A Rich Pour - No. 15: Spirits of Independents

Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) examines the valuable role of independent bottling companies within the single malt Scotch whisky industry. Read more...
November 26, 2008 Big Smoke Las Vegas, 2008

CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) recently attended the Big Smoke 2008 in Las Vegas. Join him as he recaps the event and provides highlights of a cigar lover's week in Sin City. You can almost hear the slots and see the haze of blue smoke over the crowd. Read moreâ€Â¦ Read more...
November 06, 2008 25 Smokin' Figurados burns up the stage at Ruta Maya

The band 25 Smokin' Figurados returned to Austin Thursday night to release their new CD, "Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke" in style at the Ruta Maya (http://www.rutamaya.net) night club. Over the course of the evening they welcomed party-goers to a pre-launch fete at the Habana House (http://www.showmeyourash.com) shop in the rear of the eclectic club, exchanged pleasantries with a sizable crowd of happy fans, and threw cigars from the stage as they belted out some old-fashioned rock for the appreciative crowd. Read more...
September 10, 2008 A Rich Pour - No. 14: The Dark Side of Red

Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) examines what lies behind the growing number of massively rich and alcoholic red table wines in the marketplace. Read more...
August 29, 2008 Women Smokers' Group Release Survey Facts

In a press release from spokesperson Heather Haddad (l0venpeace) the recently-incorporated Association for Women Cigar Smokers alerts interested parties as to the results of their current research survey. Read more...
July 30, 2008 Smokers' Haven in Spain?

Travel articles hints that there are still places where smokers can be in their element. Girona. Read more...
July 14, 2008 'Smoking' the Corners

CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) recently completed a motorcycle tour around the perimeter of the United States to each of the 'Four Corners'. He combined this 12,000 mile road adventure with a selection of smokes and has chronicled his journey for CW readers. Join him on this trek as he fires up his Harley, fires up some cigars and hits the road. Read more...
June 16, 2008 A Rich Pour - Column No. 13: All For One & One For All

In this instalment of A Rich Pour, Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) offers up ideas and techniques for creating some very tasty whiskies at home as he addresses one of his favourite subjects, the blending of single malt Scotches. Read more...
June 11, 2008 The Virtual Gourmand 12: Heavy Metal

CW Editor-at-large and Executive Chef BigO (Jason Clabaugh) walks us through the tedious task of selecting cookware, offering sage suggestions for sizes and types of cookware to have in a well-equipped kitchen. Read more...
June 09, 2008 Irish Smoking Up After Ban

In Ireland last month a piece of news was quietly slipped out through the back door that you've probably not heard about. The number of smokers among the population has RISEN significantly since the introduction of the Irish smoking ban. In 1998 rates were at 33%, smokers having decreased to 27% of the population by 2002. I can't find figures for 2003 but it's reasonable to assume the downward trend continued until the smoking ban was introduced in 2004. Since then, according to the Government-commissioned National Health and Lifestyle Survey (SLÁN 2007), the rate has leapt back up to 29%! Now before the antis start bleating "2% ain't a significant rise,innit?", when you consider the previous yearly fall one would expect the rate to be around 21% by now, indicating a potential yawning gap of 8% - a rise created directly as a consequence of the ban. Read more...
June 04, 2008 Friends Remember Red

Red Auerbach is remembered fondly by his close friends, the members of his former weekly lunch group. This, from Michael Lee of the Washinton Post. Read more...
May 22, 2008 The Virtual Gourmand Number 11: Ribs Redux

CW Editor-at-large and Executive Chef BigO (Jason Clabaugh) revisits the subject of barbecued ribs, the subject of an earlier column on the subject, and updates the technique to apply to upgraded equipment and knowledge. Read more...
May 05, 2008 Travelling With Kids: Savannah

Cigar Weekly Executive Chef and Editor-at-large Jason Clabaugh (BigO) takes a turn at being 'Editor-at-leisure', dispensing some helpful advice for traveling with children as he gives us a tour of Savannah, GA. Read more...
April 15, 2008 A Spirited Boil

Cigar Weekly contributing editor Todd Crandall (sevenmag) shares his experiences of building some home brewing equipment with his friend Nick Assad. Read more...
March 06, 2008 A Trip to the Mexican Riviera and Playa del Carmen

CW Contributing Editor Michael Connelly (ConMan) documents a well-photographed week spent with his wife on the Mexican Riviera. Read more...
January 28, 2008 No Return Stamp

By Steve Smith (ServiceRifle) CW Contributing Editor Steve Smith provides his experiences and insights on what it is like to be an American expatriate living and working in a country that was part of the Soviet bloc during the Cold War. Read more...
January 14, 2008 Travelogue-PERU: Cusco to Machu Picchu

In late August, Dave Carpenter (Cigar Weekly's DCarp), his wife and eight of their friends got a wild hair and headed down to Peru to spend five days trekking to Macchu Picchu and enjoying the Peruvian culture. Dave has chronicled the trip into words and photos for you to enjoy. Read more...
January 10, 2008 A Rich Pour - Column No. 9: A Place of Grape Expectations

Step back into the warmth of summer and join Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) as he recounts a journey taken this past July to one of Ontario's, not to mention North America's, most promising winegrowing regions â€" Prince Edward County. Read more...
January 10, 2008 A Rich Pour - Column No. 9: A Place of Grape Expectations

Step back into the warmth of summer and join Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) as he recounts a journey taken this past July to one of Ontario's, not to mention North America's, most promising winegrowing regions - Prince Edward County. Read more...
November 05, 2007 The Virtual Gourmand: Column No. 8A: Non-Turkey Talk: Three Alternatives to a Holiday Bird

Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) demonstrates three alternatives to turkey in a multi-part Thanksgiving special. Read more...
November 05, 2007 The Virtual Gourmand: Column No. 8C: Non-Turkey Talk: Three Alternatives to a Holiday Bird

Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) demonstrates three alternatives to turkey in a multi-part Thanksgiving special. In this last of three articles in the series, he discusses the various types of hams and different ways of preparing them. Read more...
November 01, 2007 Trek to Honduras: Cigars from Seedlings to Smoke

In mid-September, several BOTL's (Brothers of The Leaf) from Houston made a pilgrimage to Honduras with the objective of learning as much as possible about the growth, production and manufacture of our favorite leaf, on a trip hosted by a Houston area B&M (Elite Cigars) and the staff of Rocky Patel Cigars. Neil Noffsinger (Road Hawg) chronicled the trip in words and photos and submits the following article for your leisure perusal. Read more...
September 05, 2007 Travelogue: Playa del Carmen, the Subtle Seduction of Mexico

by Jeff Nichols Jeff Nichols (Jester) writes about 12 days he and his spouse Beatrice spend in Playa del Carmen. A light hearted narrative that humorously touches on all aspects of the experience, food, drink, culture and of course, cigars. Read more...
April 16, 2007 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 7: Crawfish, Crayfish, Crawdaddies or Mudbugs... It's all good!

Crawfish are in season now, so CW Contributing Editor and Executive Chef BigO (Jason Clabaugh) brings us 4 favorite recipes that make the most of the revered crustacean. Read more...
March 12, 2007 Travelogue: Havana - From the City to the Farm and Back (Part 2 of 3)

By Lawrence Leung (the nub) In Part Two of a three part series, Lawrence Leung (the nub) and a group of Canadian herfers pay a visit to Robaina's farm. (Read Part 1) Read more...
March 05, 2007 A Rich Pour - Column No. 8: Once Upon A Time Whiskies

In this installment of A Rich Pour, Cigar Weekly Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (Jazznut) nostalgically flips the Scotch pages back to recall notable whiskies from an era many consider the Renaissance of single malts - the 1980s. Read more...
February 19, 2007 Travelogue: Havana - From the City to the Farm and Back (Part 1 of 3)

By Lawrence Leung (the nub) Lawrence Leung (the nub) gives a puff by puff account of nine smoke filled days in Cuba. Wandering the streets of Havana along with twenty amigos, he sifts through the city's best humidors, searching for one last cigar, another mojito and a seat at the ultimate herf. Read more...
December 11, 2006 A VERY Private Club: New Jersey's Metropolitan Society

By George Koodray, Metropolitan Society Board Secretary Read more...
December 04, 2006 Travelogue: An Irish Tale

By Robert Burke Tinning (gumby) Read more...
November 23, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 6e: What About the Leftovers?

CW Contributing Editor and Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh offers a series of solutions to the most pressing of after-Thanksgiving questions: what to do with all that leftover turkey? Read more...
November 20, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 6d: The Perfect Finish

CW Contributing Editor and Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh, having answered frequently-asked questions about deep-frying, brining turkeys and preparing side dishes for the holiday table now turns his attention to the best part of the holiday feast... dessert. This is the fourth and final installment of a multi-part Thanksgiving special. Read more...
November 16, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 6c: Something on the Side

CW Contributing Editor and Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh, having answered frequently-asked questions about deep-frying and brining turkeys, turns his attention to the preparation of favorite holiday side dishes in this third of a multi-part Thanksgiving special. Read more...
November 13, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 6b: Ye Olde Brined Bird

EDITOR'S NOTE: This classic from the CW Vault is being re-run as a Holiday Special as a courtesy to CW's readers. Look for a new feature article on holiday entertaining coming soon as well as the rest of this series on holiday dishes. Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) answers frequently-asked questions about turkey preparation and holiday dishes in a multi-part Thanksgiving special. Read more...
November 09, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 6a: Deep-fry That Sucker!

EDITOR'S NOTE: This classic from the CW Vault is being re-run as a Holiday Special as a courtesy to CW's readers. Look for a new feature article on holiday entertaining coming soon as well as the rest of this series on holiday dishes. Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) answers frequently-asked questions about turkey preparation and holiday dishes in a multi-part Thanksgiving special. Read more...
November 06, 2006 A Rich Pour - Column No. 7: The Douro - Swinging From Sweet To Dry

In this installment of A Rich Pour, Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) profiles the emergence of exciting dry red wines from a region better known for its classic Ports - the Douro. Read more...
October 27, 2006 Rediscovering an Old Friend

Cigar weekly moderator Todd Crandall (sevenmag) shares his experiences of finding new favorites in the world of Single Barrel and Small Batch Bourbon, as well as some thoughts on a few of the new offerings. October 27, 2006 By Todd Crandall (sevenmag) Read more...
October 09, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 5: Jerk Your Meat!

Jah Mon! Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) dons his dreadlock wig and ventures forth a recipe for delicious Jamaican jerk. Read more...
September 25, 2006 A Rich Pour - Column No. 6: How I Learned To Like The Fire

Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (Jazznut) recounts his own introduction to and growing appreciation of the whisky of Scotland, as well as offering shopping suggestions for the first-timer. Read more...
August 28, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 4: Ribs, Wonderful Ribs...

Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) heads back out to the grill to give us a comprehensive look at one of summer's most delicious treats: barbecued ribs! Read more...
August 21, 2006 A Rich Pour - Column No.5: Smoke on the Water

Sooner or later, every Scotch lover worth his or her salt encounters Islay's whisky. In this installment of "A Rich Pour", Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) delves into the elixir of Islay and offers some sage advice for pairing it with cigars. Read more...
January 31, 2006 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 3: The Many Lives of a Leg of Lamb

Contributing Editor and CW Executive Chef Jason Clabaugh (BigO) heads away from the grill to show us three savory dishes that make the most of a misunderstood cut of meat - Leg of Lamb. Read more...
March 17, 2005 The Virtual Gourmand - Column No. 2: Grilling Side Dishes

Contributing Editor and 'CW Executive Chef' Jason Clabaugh (BigO) expands on his last column about the perfect steak and gives us five recipes for side dishes we can also prepare on the grill this summer. Read more...
March 04, 2005 Characters In Sports

Cigar Weekly member Todd Crandall (sevenmag) presents us with a view of the changes in today's sports personalities versus the days of old. Read more...
September 25, 2004 A Rich Pour - Column No. 4: A Tale of Two Wine Rivers - The Saar and the Ruwer

Follow Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (Jazznut) as he takes a detour from Germany's Mosel River in search of some very special white wines. Read more...
August 02, 2004 The Virtual Gourmand - Debut Column: Steak Through the Heart

August 2, 2004 Contributing Editor and "CW Executive Chef" Jason Clabaugh (BigO) takes us step-by-step through the process of selecting, preparing and grilling the perfect steak. Read more...
July 16, 2004 A Rich Pour - Column No. 3: Madeira - A Magical and Majestic Wine (Part 2)

July 16, 2004 In this, his second and concluding installment on Madeira, Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (Jazznut) focuses on the vinification, maturation, styles and consumption of Madeira, as well as on how ideally it complements the smoking of a fine cigar. Read more...
June 12, 2004 Trip to Camp Camacho - Part 2

On a recent trip to Honduras, Cigar Weekly member David Cooper (DaveC) had an opportunity to visit and document his experience at Camp Camacho, as well as spend some time with Christian Eiroa from Caribe Imported Cigar. He was joined on this trip by his pals from Tobacco Plaza in Great Neck, NY. The following is the second of two parts. Read the first part here. Read more...
May 26, 2004 Up In Smoke - Debut Column

Cigar Weekly member and columnist Jason Rhine (Rhino) discusses his favorite way to relax: Hockey and a good cigar. Read more...
May 21, 2004 A Rich Pour - Column No. 2: Madeira - A Magical and Majestic Wine (Part 1)

In this, his first of two installments on Madeira, Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (Jazznut) takes a look back at how this wonderful wine came to be, and at how the little island in the Atlantic gained renown far beyond its modest size. Read more...
April 14, 2004 Whiskey Or Whisky 101 - The Basics Of A Great Drink (Part 2)

Recently, Cigar Weekly's resident whisk(e)y enthusiasts Linn Spencer (Linn) and Doug Kuebler (Jazznut) got together on-line with a select group of members to have a casual chat on the basics of their favorite liquors, whiskies. Given the wealth of information which emerged from their conversation, we thought it worthwhile to share. Here is a portion of that exchange. We hope you enjoy it! Read more...
March 22, 2004 A Rich Pour - Debut Column: A Beginner's Guide to Starting and Stocking a Wine Cellar

Cigar Weekly's Managing Editor Doug Kuebler (jazznut) discusses the finer points of starting and stocking a wine cellar. Read more...
March 13, 2004 Mardi Gras and Cigars in Mobile, AL

Cigar Weekly member Todd Crandall (sevenmag) attended the lesser known Mardi Gras festivities in Mobile, AL, where Mardi Gras in America actually started. Here he presents us with a review of the parades and the cigars he enjoyed while attending. Read more...