Dear Friends,

Happy New Year everyone! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

This month, we are welcoming Brad Weinfeld and Ed Ryan from Casa Magna Cigar Brand to Seattle and will be featuring a fantastic Sales Event on Friday, January 27th @ 4:00pm – 9:00pm! The Casa Magna was just rated as the 10th best cigar of 2011 by Cigar Aficionado!

Please make time for Cigar Happy Hour each Tuesday – this month, our featured cigar is Rocky Patel! Your first Rocky Patel cigar each Tuesday during Happy Hour is 50% off!!

Have a wonderful day and I will look forward to seeing you all soon!

Sincerely,

John Ohm
J&J Cigars

Come meet Brad Weinfeld, Vice President of Marketing of the Casa Magna brand of cigars on Friday, January 27th @ 4:00pm – 9:00pm as we kick off a fantastic Sales Event featuring the Casa Magna portfolio of cigars.

The Casa Magna Diadema has recently been named #10 Cigar Of The Year 2011 by the Cigar Aficionado

Here are a few of the Specials you can expect:

• Buy 3 Cigars, Get 1 Free
• Buy 5 Cigars, Get 2 Free
• Buy 1 Box of Cigars, Get 7 + ashtray

Plus – We’re Raffling off Ashtrays and Lighters too!

I look forward to seeing you all there!!

Every Tuesday from 3:00 until 6:00, J&J Cigars is hosting Seattle’s First “Cigar Happy Hour”!

The 1st cigar you purchase from our featured list each Tuesday during Cigar Happy Hour is 50% off!! This is a great opportunity to try some fantastic new cigars at an incredible price!

For the month of January & February during Cigar Happy Hour Tuesdays, we will be featuring:

Every Tuesday this month, ALL ROCKY PATEL

So come down and join us every Tuesday this month from 3:00pm until 6:00pm and your 1st featured cigar on the Happy Hour menu for that day is 50% off!!

J&J Cigars – SODO
3207 1st Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 724-0111

Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm – 8:00pm
Sunday: Closed

About J&J Cigars
John Ohm of J&J Cigars has always catered to the needs of the discriminating cigar enthusiast. Specializing in hard-to-find premium boutique cigar brands, you will find the walk-in humidor of J&J Cigars replete with the finest selection in Seattle.


Not sure what cigars to try? Ask John or one of his friendly and knowledgeable Tobacconists for a recommendation and they will be more than happy to help you choose something for your enjoyment.


In need of cigars for Corporate events, Wedding parties, or general Get-togethers? John Ohm and his staff will be glad to assemble cigar packages custom tailored to your specific needs!


Be sure to stop by or call for the best selection in Seattle, whether fine hand-crafted cigars, premium lighters, handmade briar smoking pipes, or all your humidification needs, J&J Cigars is here for you.

Well, the 14 inches of snow that we had on our deck is just about gone, it’s been raining pretty good over the weekend. Never thought I’d wish for rain. You see to get to my place, you’ve got to go up and down a few pretty steep hills, including the street that I live on – my little car just doesn’t cut it in this crap. On the other hand, my wifey-poo’s car (FX35) will go just about anywhere, so thankfully I don’t have to worry too much about her getting around. Anyway, looks like we’re back to our normal Seattle weather. (Thank-God!)

I have a feeling that the snow might not return this year though: I bought a snow-shovel today.

I wanted to tell you about some boutique cigars that I recently bought from Nadi cigars. Ever heard of them? Nor had I until I stumbled across their website.

It turns out that one of the cigar reviewer that I like to watch on the web has actually gone out and bought a cigar brand. (Holy Cow!) I assumed that since she does such a great job reviewing cigars that she probably wouldn’t buy any ordinary brand, it must be something pretty special. So, I bought one of their sampler packages to check it out.

This is from their website:

The Ecuadorian Habano leaf wrapper on our Classic Habano line has moderate oils and is rich and smooth. The aroma has a slight sweetness along with leather and wood. The fine quality tobacco inside is a blend of aged Dominican Olor, Cubano and San Vicente long filler. Their superb construction provides a steady, consistent burn throughout the smoke making the quality of these medium bodied, well-balanced cigars notable. There are flavors of sweet wood and cream with hints of almonds and vanilla.

The Classic Habano line is available in seven vitolas, named after historical rulers:

• Genghis Khan – A 5 7/8 inch long, perfecto shaped cigar that is 64 ring gauge at the thickest part in the center and tapers to a 38 ring gauge at both ends
• Caligula – A Toro size at 5 3/4 x 52
• Attila the Hun – A classic 6 x 60 sized cigar
• Gilgamesh – A classic Churchill at 7 x 50
• Ramses – A Torpedo shaped cigar 5 7/8 x 52
• Alexander the Great – A classic Robusto at 5 x 50
• Cleopatra – A smaller version of our Torpedo, at 5 x 50

Anyway, the last couple of days I’ve had an opportunity to try out a few of these sticks.

So what did I think? I liked them! Excellent draw, perfect burn, medium-bodied, plumes of rich creamy smoke, and a very consistent taste. Actually I thought the Caligula (Toro, 5 3/4 x 52), might have started out a little rough, but developed into a very smooth, rich flavored cigar. Very nice indeed. However, the Ramses (Torpedo, 5 7/8 x 52), has been my favorite so far. Superb cigar! Love that torpedo shape!

Would I buy them again? Yes, I believe I would. They’re good cigars! Maybe not as sweet as some of the Nicaraguans that I like to smoke, but these are definitely worth it. If you are looking for something a little off the beaten path, you really ought to give these a try!

Side note: If you want to check out Nada’s cigar videos, you can find her at: SmokingCigarGirl

 

Please Note

The limited spaces for our cigar tasting on January 23rd are full. Thank you for your great response to this idea. We’ll post details for another similar tasting soon!

The Lit lounge area will be reserved for a private party for the Super Bowl on February 5th. You will still be able to purchase cigars and drinks, but the seating area is not available until after the game ends. We will be setting up tables on the outer ring of the Mist bar, complete with cigar ashtrays for those who are looking for a place to enjoy a cigar while watching the Super Bowl. Thanks for your understanding.

Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 of 2011

One of the most anticipated events of the year in the cigar industry is the release of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars. While we don’t agree with every cigar on the list, it generates plenty of buzz for the chosen cigars and highlights some great smokes. Congratulations to Alec Bradley for being #1 on this year’s list! Take a look at the list and let us know what you think. We have several of these cigars in stock already, and even more on order. We’re planning a tasting of the top 3 cigars some time in February, so keep checking this newsletter for updates.

Thanks again for all of your business and continued support, from all of us at Lit! We’ll see you soon.

A few weeks back when I was up at the Lit Cigar Lounge, I asked my friend Josh (El Jefe), what cigar he likes to smoke? He held up the cigar that he was smoking at the moment and said: “I really like this one”. He was smoking the Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve. I replied back to him: “I don’t think I’ve seen those in the humidor?” He told me that they’re kind of hidden in the back – probably something to do with it being a limited release.

Anyway, last weekend I had an opportunity to try one while I was in the bar.

Details:
6 1/4 x 50 box-pressed Torpedo
Wrapper: Connecticut Broad-leaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

So what did I think? Josh was right, GREAT cigar! Exceptionally smooth, medium-bodied, full flavored smoke. Really, really nice draw and a flawless burn. I love the box-pressed torpedo shape as well – just feels right in your hand. I paired it with a glass of Zaya rum, on the rocks. Oh man, what a perfect combo!

Would I buy one again? If they still have them, YES! Apparently Josh only has one box left. (limited release).

Speaking of the Lit Cigar Lounge, they’ve got a little contest going on where if you buy a Cohiba Capa Reserva 2011 (6 different sizes, limited production), you’ll be entered to win the beautiful Cohiba humidor that they’ve got on display up there.

Let me tell you that this humidor is even nicer than the Partagas humidor they had for the last contest. The photo doesn’t do it justice, it is very, very cool, probably holds a million cigars. God, I’ve gotta win this – Please! Please!!

Side note: Snowed 8″ at my house yesterday – Winter is here! I know what you’re thinking: 8″ is nothing. Well, if Seattle were flat-like-a-pancake, we’d have no issues too, but unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at, it’s nothing but hills and mountains out here, plus an abundance of California drivers. Yeah, look-out when it snows here!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us on New Year’s Eve in the Re-Lit satellite cigar lounge! It was a great time. Our good friend John from the Kirkland Cigar Club did a great writeup on the event and included pictures which can be seen here.

Join us this Sunday, January 15th from 6-9 p.m. as we feature EP Carrillo cigars and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch whisky. We’ll have great deals on both as well as prize giveaways throughout the event. See you there!

As another “Thank You” to all of our loyal Lit email list members, we’re going to be doing another special cigar tasting on Monday, January 23rd from 6-9 p.m. We’ve stocked away some rare cigars that are either one time releases or limited annual releases. For $35, you’ll get 4 cigars:

1.  Arturo Fuente 858 Sun Grown
2.  Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro
3.  La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro
4.  La Aroma de Cuba Lancero

If you’d like to attend this event and smoke these rare cigars, please RSVP by emailing me at jweltmer@snocasino.com
There are only 25 spaces, so please get your RSVP to me as soon as possible if you wish to attend.

We’ve just received the very limited Cohiba Capa Reserva 2011 cigar, featuring a 30 year old Cameroon wrapper from the legendary vintage crop of 1980!

Production of these cigars is limited to only 2,500 of each of six different sizes. What’s more, for every Capa Reserva cigar purchased, you’ll be entered to win this beautiful Cohiba humidor! It’s something you have to see to believe. Come on in and check it out, and try this wonderful and very rare cigar while they’re still here!

Thanks again for all of your business and continued support, from all of us at Lit! We’ll see you soon.

Just a quick note about the Re-Lit Event on New Year’s Eve up at the Snoqualmie Casino – GREAT TIME! Live music, comfortable seating, plenty of booze, friendly staff, and of course the main reason you came up here in the first place: “Enjoy a fine cigar!“

What they did this year was set up an area for us in that long corridor section right in front of the main ballroom entry doors. You’ve probably seen it before, good size area, maybe triple the size of the Lit Lounge, plenty big for a NYE party.

Josh my friend, you really know how to please the cigar smoking community. My wife and I, and I’m sure the rest of the gang, had a night to remember. Job well done!

Anyway, did you have a nice Holiday? Mine was most enjoyable! Got some pretty cool gifts too (new camera, single malt scotch, cigars, etc…). We had planned on spending the week after Xmas in Europe or Mexico, but we waited too long to buy our tickets and missed out on going. I’ve got to tell you though, the week after Christmas has got to be the most expensive week of the year to travel. JEEZus! The secret is to make your travel plans months in advance, that’s what we did last year when we booked our New Year’s Eve cruise in the Caribbean. It’s all in the planning…(next NYE I’ll be in South America!)

OK, so I wanted to tell you about a cigar that I’ve been smoking lately:

Carlos Toraño Noventa Santiago
5″x 50 (robusto) 

I saw these online for an amazing price, plus they threw in “free shipping“. Holy crap, I couldn’t resist the deal, especially since they were Toraños. (favorite cigar: Masters)

Anyway, I’ve been smoking these exclusively for a couple of weeks now and I’ve got to tell you that they kind of grow on you. No kidding. I like ‘em! Jeez, for the price I frickin LOVE them!

The first time I smoked one, just before I lit it up, I took a little whiff of the wrapper, then asked my lovely wife: “hey Honey, what’s this smell like?” She said: “kinda like a barn”. Yes indeed I said, it does kind of have that barnyard aroma to it, and I mean that in a good way. In my opinion, its rich chocolate color wrapper has an aroma of a very fine cigar. Wonder why these never sold?

So how did it smoke? For me, great! Medium-bodied, a little firm on the draw at times, beautiful white ash, and extremely smooth.  An occasional hint of sweetness to its rich taste kept me interested. The flavor is consistent throughout.

So how does it compare to the almighty Masters Series? Well, that’s a different story. I hold that cigar pretty high on my list, but the Noventa does pretty good measuring up against it. I definitely will pickup a few more of these. They’re good!

Well, I’ll probably head up to the Casino again tonight for a cigar at the Lit, just too cold and crappy to go downtown Kirkland. Heck, the Kirkland group will probably be up there anyway!

Happy New Year gang! I’m glad you took the time to stop by and read my stupid little blog. It’s good fun for me and I hope it’s entertaining enough for you. Let me know if have any comments, I’d love to hear what you’re smoking?

Take care,

Re-Lit NYE Party

Side note: Thanks for putting this together Josh, everything worked out perfect! Great time my friend!

Upcoming Events at Lit

Join us this Thursday, December 29th at 6pm for the Alamo Bowl as the Huskies take on Baylor. We’ll be featuring a great deal on a Macanudo Cru Royale Cigar and Glenkinchie 12 year old single malt scotch for only $15! See you there!

Thanks to everyone who RSVP’d for our New Year’s Eve Re-Lit event! RSVP early entry at 9pm is now full, so if you didn’t RSVP, you can still join us at 10pm when we open to the public. Admission is free, and we’ll have live music, drinks and cigars! Come ring in the new year with us!

New In Our Humidor

We’ve just received the very limited Cohiba Capa Reserva 2011 cigar, featuring a 30 year old Cameroon wrapper from the legendary vintage crop of 1980!

Production of these cigars is limited to only 2,500 of each of six different sizes. What’s more, for every Capa Reserva cigar purchased, you’ll be entered to win this beautiful Cohiba humidor! It’s something you have to see to believe. Come on in and check it out, and try this wonderful and very rare cigar while they’re still here!

Here’s to a safe and wonderful end to 2011 and a prosperous 2012!

Thanks again for all of your business and continued support, from all of us at Lit! We’ll see you soon.

Upcoming Events at Lit

Join us this Thursday, December 22th from 6-9pm as we feature Alec Bradley cigars and Dewar’s scotch whisky. We’ll have plenty of great deals to take advantage of for the holiday gift giving season as well as drink specials and prize giveaways. See you there!

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Tuesday Night Cigar Club Event last week featuring Woodford Reserve and Rocky Patel. A great time was had by everyone.

We made a special announcement at this event – earlier this month, we travelled to the Woodford Reserve distillery in Kentucky and blended our own special batch of Woodford, which will be available sometime early next year. I was involved in the selection, and, let me tell you, you will not be disappointed! We’ve posted some pictures on our Facebook page.

New Year’s Eve

Nothing rings in the new year like a great cigar shared with friends and there’s nowhere better to share a great cigar with friends than Lit.

Unfortunately, we get so busy on New Year’s Eve that many of you, our loyal customers are left without a spot to enjoy your cigar. We’re doing something about it this year!

Join us as we create a special New Year’s Eve cigar lounge near the casino ballroom: We’re calling it Re-Lit! To thank all of you who support us throughout the year, everyone on our Lit mailing list who RSVP’s will get exclusive early entry to Re-Lit from 9-10pm as well as a free cigar.

At 10pm the space will be open to the public. We’ll have live music, cocktails, cigars and comfortable seating, making this the perfect spot to enjoy the New Year’s Eve festivities. If you’d like to join us, please RSVP by emailing me at jweltmer@snocasino.com.

Thanks again for all of your business and continued support, from all of us at Lit! We’ll see you soon.