Dear XIKAR Friend,

The days are getting shorter but this Midwest fall weather makes for great cigar smoking, don't you think?   

In this issue, we are proud to introduce new cigar essentials for every occasion, including our very special Havana Collection. We also want give you some great travel tips and some free gear:

SAVE your receipts from your next XIKAR purchase!
And stay tuned next month for a way to turn those receipts into premium accessories, FREE!

Sincerely,

Kurt Van Keppel

President

Cigar's Hidden Paradise

The strong early success of our Havana Collection caught me a bit by surprise -reminding me that passion for cigars transcends boundaries and cultures.  Ultimately, it captures the spirit of Havana, with American functionality and European styling.  Don't most successful products in our cigar world - from cutters to magazines - do the same?!

But what of this spirit's source - Havana, Cuba?  How much is still their reality, or instead our imagination?  I recently did a bit of research, and found that Cuba still embodies the core elements of this spirit: passion, intelligence and resourcefulness.

For passion, just check out the music scene, from Son Cubano (Buena Vista Social Club), to jazz clubs that rival New York City's in the '50's.  Or the incredible French Creole cuisine, which apparently didn't export with the Cuban sandwich and rice & beans.  Or the open-air art, of high sophistication worthy of (and shown in!) galleries in Europe and the US.  But after all, don't suppressed artists produce the best work?

Intelligence?  I hear they have the most doctors per capita in the world.  I believe it.  Anyone there can converse on the classics in literature, and clearly the artists, musicians and chefs are extremely well schooled.  But, what else is there to do, but study?

Resourcefulness?  You've seen the pictures of the fifties automobiles.  That nearly says it all.  How about cigars?  They must be resourceful to create that kind of quality in those volumes.  Everyone in the cigar business admires and emulates both.  But when you have nothing, isn't ingenuity your greatest asset?

The answer to my rhetorical questions is undoubtedly yes - in any place, any time.  However, in the case of Cuba, they had these traits before the revolution and embargo, and they will always have them.  Therefore, my research concludes that Cuba does still and will always embody the spirit of passion, intelligence and resourcefulness that we admire. 

But, I cannot end with a simple conclusion.  A call to action is needed!

Check out the Ellipse >>>

Find a retailer near you
 

Trezo In-Line Triple Jet Lighter:
Celebrate big ring gauge cigar smokers!!  You are now ready to fully light the largest of your sticks with the Trezo: the industry's first in-line triple jet flame lighter. Available with in gold, black, chrome and gunmetal accents.
LIFETIME GUARANTEED.  SRP $ 99.99

Check out the Trezo >>>

Find a retailer near you

HumiStore™ Humidification Bag:
You paid for cigars with flavor right?  Be sure your sticks arrive humidified and with all their essential oils by using HumiStore™ Bags.  Never leave the humidor without one. For temporary storage only.

Check out the HumiStore >>>

Find a retailer near you

Cigar Travel Tips

Whether you're packing for week long golf outing or a quick business trip, follow these easy tips and be a travel pro in no time:

BEFORE:

Trip length?          Use these (all come in varying sizes):  

1 - 2 nights              Envoy Case or HumiStore

2 - 5 nights              Humistore   or Travel Humidor

5 - 2 weeks              Travel Humidor

Which cigars?

• Choose sticks that have been in a humidor so they are already "stabilized". Now is not the time to try to re-humidify your favorite cigar.
• Fresh cigars from the local shop?  Fine.  Leave the wrapper on before storing.  Cello = better than nothing.
• When will you smoke?  If you don't know how much time you'll have, bring shorter sticks.
• Who you smoking with?  Novices or Full bodied folks?   Bring some for every palate.
• Why are you smoking cigars?  Special occasions deserve a special cigar, or the host's favorite.
• Where will you smoke?  Forced outside?!  Bring shorter sticks so you don't miss the whole event powering down that Churchill.

 
DURING:

• Keep your case out of extreme temperatures / environments if at all possible. 
• Rough conditions?  Use the indestructible travel humidor.
• High heat or bitter cold will damage the essential oils in cigars, so avoid. 
• Stow cases in between clothes/shoes so they aren't rattled in transit.
• Carry on if possible (less chance of them getting "lost")

 
AFTER:

• Get un-smoked sticks back safely into your regular humidor - the sooner the better.
• Make some short notes: What cigars were a hit?  How many should I bring next time?  Who owes me a cigar?!