Post in this thread when you smoke 100% state legal tobacco :benji:

[Kara]

Friday night smoke is a locally rolled stick with Nicaraguan tobacco that I got bamboozled into buying. Draw is sf tight, I can't believe the roller put their name on the band. This is what happens when you buy local in luxury goods.

[mormapope]

My favorite store bought cigs



Have never seen 100's for these though. Really easy or tempting to chain smoke these at social gatherings.

[Kara]

One of my smoking buds is a 27 fiend. Real easy smoke.

[mormapope]

Quick review of some Marbs:

Reds: Fantastic for hate smoking at things you don't want to be at, but you have reasons to be there. Taste is overpowering in a unique way, incredibly harsh throaty feeling.

Special Blends: A lot less flavor versus reds, but a lot smoother when it comes to taste and how your mouth feels. A good cigarette to start smoking with.

Blacks: Tastes almost identical to special blends, bitter aftertaste.

Skyline: Still menthol in the end, sweet, toothpaste.

27's: Really sweet, tasty aftertaste, isn't too throaty, great with liquor.

[benjipwns]

I feel I should post this minor research I just conducted in this thread.

http://www.bctgm.org/

The B&C began as the Journeymen's Bakers Union, organized in 1886 in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1957, the American Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union was formed. In 1969, the two organizations united under the B&C banner.

The Tobacco Workers International Union was founded in 1895. As it and the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union of America shared many common goals, both organizations merged in 1978, creating the Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers (BCT).

How did the tobacco workers find themselves having so many things in common with bakery and confectionery workers?!?

[benjipwns]

I guess a Twinkie is similar to a cigar or cigarette in its basic design.

[Kara]

There's so much fuckery in tobacco, benji-kun.

For example, a lot of Cuban cigar brands were expropriated post-revolution BUT the former owners of those brands kept them going from where they fled to (e.g. the Dominican Republic).

Having two identical brands is already fucked, but wait there's more.

A lot of these exile versions of the brands were bought by Altadis over the years. Altadis is a 50-50 partner with Cuba in Habanos (the company that sells Cuban cigars).

So basically Altadis is playing both sides. Isn't grand?

[benjipwns]

I did a huge project on the Master Settlement Agreement, one in grad school, one technically for the state's use where I lifted a ton of my prior research for  .

I think it might be in the conversation for the greatest fuckery of modern times.

Everybody in that is playing both sides too. It basically establishes a series of monopolies in exchange for extremely limited liability. Meanwhile the states sold a huge number of bonds based off the MSA funds. And it was such a windfall initially that states now are forced into raising cigarette taxes and New York is sending out undercover squads into other states to battle "smuggling". Also going after e-cigarettes because they're reducing the value of the bonds.

I love telling people that shitty The Truth campaign is paid for and run by the tobacco companies as part of the MSA.

 

 

 

[Kara]

I think it's shitty on purpose. What better way to reinforce the truthfact that smoking makes you look older and cooler than running an anti-smoking campaign that looks dweeby as heck. Did I mention that it's aimed at kids?

E: The best thing about the de facto moratorium on the Cuban embargo is that I can buy Communist cigars from arch-capitalist places like Hong Kong and not pay a dime in taxes*.

*I pay use tax because of my professional obligations, but a civilian doesn't have to.

[king of the internet]

Smoked like 7 or 8 marlboro menthols tonight 

[benjipwns]

Reminds me of the ABOVE THE INFLUENCE ads. Run by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

To steal from Wikipedia, some of my favorite things about the ONDCP:

By law, the drug czar must oppose any attempt to legalize the use (in any form) of illicit drugs.[12] According to the "Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998"[13] the director of the ONDCP

(12) shall ensure that no Federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalization (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and take such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that --

1. is listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812); and

2. has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration;

The Government Accountability Office has found that this law authorizes the ONDCP to disseminate information in order to oppose legalization:[14]

Finally, apart from considerations of whether any particular law has been violated, you have asked whether the Deputy Director's letter disseminated misleading information in connection with statements relating to the debate over legalization of marijuana. Clearly, the Deputy Director's statements reflect one perspective regarding marijuana - a perspective that is disputed by others with different viewpoints. However, ONDCP is specifically charged with the responsibility for "taking such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use" of certain controlled substances such as marijuana - a responsibility which logically could include the making of advocacy statements in opposition to legalization efforts. The Deputy Director's statements about marijuana are thus within the statutory role assigned to ONDCP. Given this role, we do not see a need to examine the accuracy of the Deputy Director's individual statements in detail.

In the spring of 1998, the ONDCP began offering additional advertising dollars to networks that embedded anti-drug messages in their programming. They developed an accounting system to decide which network shows would be valued and for how much. Receiving advance copies of scripts, they assigned financial value to each show's anti-drug message. Then they would suggest ways that the networks could increase the payments they would get. The WB network's senior vice president for broadcast standards Rick Mater admitted, "The White House did view scripts. They did sign off on them -- they read scripts, yes."[22]

Running the campaign for the ONDCP was Alan Levitt, who estimated that between 1998 and 2000 the networks received nearly $25 million in benefits.[22]

One example was with Warner Brothers' show, Smart Guy. The original script portrayed two young people using drugs at a party. Originally depicted as cool and popular, after input from the drug office, "We showed that they were losers and put them [hidden away to indulge in shamed secrecy] in a utility room. That was not in the original script."[22]

Other shows including ER, Beverly Hills, 90210, Chicago Hope, The Drew Carey Show and 7th Heaven also put anti-drug messages into their stories.[22]

In 2005, the Government Accountability Office found that the ONDCP had violated domestic propaganda and publicity prohibitions by preparing prepackaged news stories that did not disclose to television viewers that the government had produced them, had illegally spent appropriations to develop, produce and distribute the covert propaganda but use of the term "Drug Czar" in the "Video News Releases" had not constituted unlawful self-aggrandizement.

In September 2006, the ONDCP began running anti-drug messages through the YouTube System.[31] In response, many YouTube users began uploading rebuttals and "low-rating" the public service announcements. Consequently, since mid-September 2006, the ONDCP has removed the ability to directly evaluate, rate or comment on any of their messages.

It makes me feel so warm inside. They've kept us safe.

Excuse me while I take some prescription clonazepam.

[Kara]

Today's Saturday afternoon poolside smoke is the Nub Cameroon made by Oliva (iirc). Good smoke but not what I was looking for  (something smoother after my first time with a Cameroon wrapper).

The whole schtick with this line is that it's supposed to be IN TENTS for a short smoke (Mountain Dew stylée) which it is so really my displeasure is my own fault. Loved the predraw though, wonder if I can get a smoke like that.

Built a new humidor today for the box I have coming next week and was impressed with the results. Who needs a life with others when you can have vices that demand a lot of TLC.

[T234]

Today's Saturday afternoon poolside smoke is the Nub Cameroon made by Oliva (iirc). Good smoke but not what I was looking for  (something smoother after my first time with a Cameroon wrapper).

The whole schtick with this line is that it's supposed to be IN TENTS for a short smoke (Mountain Dew stylée) which it is so really my displeasure is my own fault. Loved the predraw though, wonder if I can get a smoke like that.

Built a new humidor today for the box I have coming next week and was impressed with the results. Who needs a life with others when you can have vices that demand a lot of TLC.

Tell me about it. I have 120 blunts in my humidor, all different strains. Most MMJ dispensaries ain't got that!

[Kara]

Do you get "sick" weed? Part of the reason I think Cubans are kinda overblown is that so much of what makes it to market is sick and you have to age it yourself. Castro pls.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Vintage H. Upmanns.

[close]

[Madrun Badrun]

Do the other cycles smoke-shame you Kara?

[StealthFan]

[Kara]

Do the other cycles smoke-shame you Kara?

My chain smoking cigarette friend does.

[Madrun Badrun]

Good.  Just wanted to make sure someone is doing it. 

[brawndolicious]

Right now I'm vaping some absurdly cheap juices that I got from China. Was delayed by customs but I guess they determined it wasn't cool enough to forbid.

[Kara]

Don't you smoke cigars? Whatcha blowing on these days.

[VomKriege]

I cycled through a lot of brands. Always had a fondness for old school brown tobacco Gauloises or Gitanes (got my first taste with it, that's what my mother smokes) but I have been warned by a member of the opposing sex that it really makes for a foul breath.

Otherwise my favorite are Craven A and Davidoff. The addiction means that I'm numb to it most of the time, but the Davidoff sometimes have some taste on the first inhaling.

[Kara]

I like Davidoffs, v. fancy, but they smoke a little too fast for me as a premium cigarette. If you have Nat Sherman over there you should give them a punt. Like Davidoffs but better imo. (More durable wrapper, longer smoke. Also good tobacco.)

Wish they sold unfiltered Gauloises in les États-Unis. I feel like they're the missing piece in my 1960s American faux-intellectual persona. Plus I'd get mad street cred at the "bohemian" café.

[kick51]

I'm the worst smoker.  e-cigs 90% of the time, camel menthol silver the other 10%. 

my weed game is on point tho 

[king of the internet]

Mellow Menthol American Spirits Crushed a pack last night.

[Kara]

Nat Sherman black and gold. Smoking cigs is 2 ez 4 RTZ.

[T234]

Do you get "sick" weed? Part of the reason I think Cubans are kinda overblown is that so much of what makes it to market is sick and you have to age it yourself. Castro pls.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Vintage H. Upmanns.

[close]

I used to buy wet weed once upon a time to dry and cure myself. These days I couldn't be bothered, unless it's something special. Like this Gorilla Glue #4. Tested at 31% THC.

[Brehvolution]

I got out of the smoking game when a pack of Marb lights was $4.80.

 I couldn't imagine paying $10+ a pack now.

If you smoke and make minimum wage, you are working over an hour of your day for a tobacco company.

[brawndolicious]

They are expensive and I hate having to bum one or buying a pack for a weekend and then only smoking 4 of them and giving the same number away to homeless dudes. I wish they sold Djarum Blacks as singles for the man who wants to sin in moderation.

Don't you smoke cigars? Whatcha blowing on these days.

I used to be pretty into them but now I just do like one a month now that I'm getting back into them. Last one I had was a Rocky Patel and I think the next one I'll go with is a Xikar with a Connecticut wrapper, just going back to my old favorites. I'm not the type of guy that can chew on a soggy donkey dick every day and not get bored.

[Kara]

Fair enough. I'm usually doing something else when I smoke 'em, don't deviate much from lanceros or coronas, and am not afraid to bin something if it's not doing much for me.

Never had a Patel but I'm aging one atm. Looking for an excuse to light it up tbh.

[brawndolicious]

Well you're excused. 

[Kara]

It's really #struggle these days for small ring gauge fans, ngl. I bought a box of toros, I'd be surprised if I nub even half of them.

[Kara]

Tonight's holy fuck it's cold why am I smoking outdoors smoke is the Tatuaje Havana VI. Predraw was , initial taste was , and finally it calmed down into something pleasant enough. Aside from L'Atelier I haven't fucked around much with Pete Johnson's blends somehow even though he's been around awhile, not sure I was really missing much though I do like the maduro L'Atelier a lot.

[Kara]

Got dap from an old man tobacconist today on my taste in cigars. I made it y'all.

Also my box came and I opened it up because the shrink wrap was ripped in transit and my room stank of that amonia smell when I came back.

[VomKriege]

Had a Romeo y Juliette 2. Not the best but still ok.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Today's Saturday afternoon poolside smoke is the Nub Cameroon made by Oliva (iirc). Good smoke but not what I was looking for  (something smoother after my first time with a Cameroon wrapper).

The whole schtick with this line is that it's supposed to be IN TENTS for a short smoke (Mountain Dew stylée) which it is so really my displeasure is my own fault. Loved the predraw though, wonder if I can get a smoke like that.

Built a new humidor today for the box I have coming next week and was impressed with the results. Who needs a life with others when you can have vices that demand a lot of TLC.

Tell me about it. I have 120 blunts in my humidor, all different strains. Most MMJ dispensaries ain't got that!

Gonna have to say pics or it didn't happen.

[Rufus]

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[Am_I_Anonymous]

Sorry, only registered users can see this content. Please Login or Register.

I just want to see what that many blunts looks like, honestly.

[Kara]

Had a Romeo y Juliette 2. Not the best but still ok.

Did it come in a metal tube? Smuggling those across the Mexico-U.S. border in your pocket is a teen right of passage.

Since all Cuban cigars are puros they're not going to be that great if you don't like Cuban tobacco. R y J has supposedly gotten better in recent years but imo better sticks to take a punt on to see if you like the tobacco are:

Juan Lopez corona (not a global brand iirc, might have to order online)

El Rey del Mundo (whatever vitola you can find) (same as above)

H. Upmann magnum 46

Hoyo de Monterrey petit robusto

Tried to cover a decent range of light to full, let me know if you have a taste preference 

[T234]

Yeah, I don't do pictures. They end up as Exhibit A. But I will break bread with ya the next time I pass through The North.

BORRRREEEEEE-CON 2016 BITCHES

[VomKriege]

Yeah metal tube. Cigars not a problem to find over here will look for the ones you mentioned, thanks. Looking for small to medium size, cost effective.

Should try the Quai d'Orsay but I suspect they are hefty.

[brawndolicious]

Last night I had a Romeo y Julieta Connecticut cigar. Was super light decent construction.

[Kara]

I don't think I've ever had one of the exile R y J's. Connecticut wrapper.

Quai d'Orsay is on my wish list but it's not real big on the classy websites Americans can buy contraband from.

[Kara]

My exploration of Cameroon wrappers continues tonight with Rocky Patel's Vintage 2003.

Mild predraw, had to really take a full one to get some flavor, which was very nice once I found it. Once I lit up though, there was no esaping the kick of the Nicaraguan tobacco inside. It's not a brutal combination, you can retrohale the smoke without shredding your nostrils, but it's still unmistakably Nicaraguan.

To veer off on a tangent, you tend to develop a preference for regional tobaccos as you smoke a lot of cigars. I don't smoke one to the exclusion of others, but unless I want to get blasted I don't really scream in glee at the prospect of smoking Nicaraguan tobacco. Ultimately I'm smoking to relax and I really don't relax while smoking tobacco from there. (Afterwards though I do enjoy the nicotine high quite a bit.)

This is my second Nicaraguan cigar with a Cameroon wrapper and it's just not a combination that appeals to me. Once the filler's flavor kicks in I find myself going from to . I think from now on I will try to limit my exploration of the wrapper to cigars with Dominican filler, which is my personal favorite regional tobacco.

If you're intimidated by smoking Nicaraguan tobacco, this is definitely a cigar you should try. You get a great feel for what it's about without it kicking your ass like so many of the cigars geered towards the American market from there can and will.

[VomKriege]

Had a second Romeo y Julieta 2 today after lunch (I took 2) and yeah didn't do anything for me. I'm not a connaisseur so pardon the vague talk, but it didn't have any distinctive flavour and therefore not really of a pleasing evolution in taste the shorter it gets except for the tingling of the hot smoke in its last third. Had a couple cigars in my life so far (mostly cubans) and they never fell so flat.

Otherwise compromised for the cheap option of cigarillos to replace cigarettes. Bought some Mehari's Ecuador. Suprised how unexpensive this is, basically the same as some cigs brands. Just had one. Nothing to write home about the taste, but it's a pretty strong nicotine kick. Will definitely slow the money bleeding.

[Kara]

Sounds like they were sick (too young). Stuff that's been aged as little as 6 months gets sold by Habanos, which is unbelievable for a premium product imo. It's probably rude to check this in the shop, but they stamp the production date on the bottom of their boxes. If it's been made in the last year or so I probably would pass unless you have a humidor and patience.

Cigarrillos are a lot more bang for the buck, yeah, just tend to get worse short filler than premium cigarettes imo.

E: if you like a strong flavor progression in a cigar you probably won't like a lot of Cubans. It's really not a strength of theirs.

[Kara]

Dumpster diving tonight and smoking the Tatuaje Series P. TBH I'm enjoying it more than the last Tatuaje I had, but I ascribe that to this being a "budget" cigar (it has long and medium filler) with a consequently milder taste than anything else.

I've read this described as an "everyday cigar" which is a term I hate because if you smoke that much idk how your taste recovers, but it's an apt fit. Nothing about this cigar will overwhelm you or demands your attention, which is why I'm not over the moon about it. Very little is worse than a boring cigar.