Rants & Ravings
Old Knoxville Smokes
I love Knoxville – Giant Sunsphere and all! What’s not to love about this place? From the Vols to the Bijou Theater, there’s something here in this town for any discriminating palate. We have great sushi and late night pizza, an abundance of bars and clubs to hang out in, and an exciting up-and-coming local art presence that is showcased every first Friday of the month. Particularly to my tastes, I like a good cigar, and Knoxville delivers when it comes to finding a good Habano. From way out in Farragut, to the vibrant and always...
read moreLook Out… Here Comes the Smoke Nazis!
One of the best ways to sit down and have a great conversation these days is to light up a cigar and start to smoke. I don’t know how many times that I have sat down in my local cigar shop after selecting a premium hand-rolled cigar, clipped it, lit it, and then suddenly a huge engaging conversation erupted. Most of the people who hang out in cigar shops have a variety of strong opinions on every topic. From their thoughts on the local sports teams, to the government and all of its crazy policies, to history, religion, guns, cars – you...
read moreThe Princess of Cigars
After lighting my “A” cigar and opening a crisp Presidente beer, I was able to sit down and spend a few moments with the incredibly charming brand ambassador for La Sirena, Ms. Arielle Ditkowich. She was in town at Silo Cigars this last Saturday promoting her line of cigars and the many other great smokes from Miami Cigar and Company. The conversation was light, the beer was cold, and the cigar was awesome. We reminisced about our first meeting a few years ago in New Orleans where we shared a few Heinekens and were overtaken by Pepin...
read moreIt’s Spring Cigar Time
The great thing about springtime is being able to get outside and enjoy a premium hand rolled cigar. There are many pleasures in life that I like to partake of, and none is better than sitting out on the porch having a glass of port and chomping on a good stogie. Also during this time of year there are many cigar events that take place here in Knoxville. This year already there have been plenty of great indoor and outdoor events that I have attended around town. Let me share with you just some of what I have been into this spring here in...
read moreCigars, Basketball, and the Mayor
Sometimes…timing is everything. Trifectas do not happen often, and when they do, the best thing to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Last night’s events were a result of a trinity of good fortune that I happened to stumble into. For the second time in my life I was able to share a few cigars with the former mayor of NYC, Mr. Rudy Giuliani, and I’m sure at the rate I’m going it won’t be the last meeting I will have with this humble national celebrity. A little bird told me that If I wanted to… maybe…...
read moreYou like my Ash? I’ve been working out!
It’s all about the ash. Big, white, flaky – so huge in fact that your wife is following you around the house with an oversize ashtray, waiting for the moment that monumental ash of yours starts to spin end over end off your double corona straight down on to her freshly vacuumed carpet. I’M TALKIN’ SOME SERIOUS ASH! Ash – that makes a cigar! No matter what country or plantation your stogie is from, size, shape, or color, natural or maduro, to me, it’s the ash on the end of a well-lit cigar that is the true sign that you love your...
read moreThe Good, The Bad and What do we have here…
I am thrifty, not cheap! I would never be accused of being cheap when it comes to good smokes, and I know value. I am willing to pay good money for the right Habano. Then again, like any good Italian mother at a one day sale at Macy’s, I like to sniff out a good value. Hey, I’m not trying to stereotype people, and don’t get me started about me being a look-alike for Sylvester Stallone’s mother…but that’s another story. I’m just saying I love a good value. That’s why I take it upon myself to go into all...
read moreFour Knoxville “Head Shops” Raided and Shut Down
Knoxville PD & DA’s Office Raid Four Knoxville “Head Shops” and Shut Them Down for Selling Synthetic Marijuana Last week the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) took steps to shut down what were described as local “head shops” as part of the new crackdown against misdemeanor sales of synthetic marijuana. KPD boarded up shops on Thursday the 2nd of February and shut them down until further notice. Four shops in total were padlocked. The Mystic Orb, Seventh Heaven, Pipes & More Smoke Shop, and Highlife...
read moreRomeo y Julieta Habana Reserve Toro
Cigars are my passion! So much of a passion that I have a pretty well developed palate to discern a really great cigar from that of a dime store rip-off. I’ve worked as a tobacconist for over 10 years, and I have seen cigars come and go – mostly go. Every cigar rep that I have come in contact with has promised that his cigar is the “Real Deal,” that his smoke is the best smoke on the market, and all his customers want to buy boxes and boxes. Most of the cigars out there are good ones, but rarely are there great ones – especially...
read moreTop Rated Cigars
Advertisement
