Smoker Profile: Anthony Intelisano

What was your first cigar experience? 

A buddy of mine came over to my apartment smoking a cigar. I was 20 years old at the time and had no exposure to cigars. My only experience smoking anything was trying a cigarette from a friend in high school, which was not enjoyable and I didn't see the point in them. So out of curiosity I questioned him about cigars till he said next time he'll bring me one. They say you never forget your first cigar, but sadly I never paid attention to the label. I lit it up and remember the overwhelming pepper taste. I thought to myself, wow this is really good!

Smoker Profile: Steve McClelland (Owner of Smoker's Paradise of Clearwater)

What was your first cigar experience?

When I was 18 most of my friends smoked cigarettes, but I never did because I don't care for the smell of cigarette smoke. Then a new friend I met was smoking a small wood tip cigar, and I thought it smelled pretty good. The cigar was a Black & Mild. I asked if I could have one and he said yes. I enjoyed the aroma much more than cigarettes. This caused me to explore the world of cigars to see what I was missing out on. It's been a long time since I smoked a Black & Mild, but I still remember how I used to enjoy them when I was a novice cigar smoker.

Smoker Profile: David Colon (Co-Founder of Cigars Guns & Whiskey)

What was your first cigar experience?

My first cigar experience was on a business trip to Toronto during the summer of 1996. A colleague of mine who had been smoking cigars for quite some time, invited me to go with him to a local Tobacco store by the name of Thomas Hinds Tobacconist. Not only was this my first exposure to cigars, but it was my introduction to genuine Habanos. It was there that I purchased my very first Cohiba Siglo VI, for which I paid about a day's per-diem for one stick, due to the exorbitant taxes on tobacco in Canada. While it was my first time smoking and I didn't really know what I was doing, I quickly got the hang of it and started enjoying that amazing smoke. It was at that moment that my passion for fine cigars began to evolve and it has been a never ending love story ever since. 

Shop Spotlight: Smoker's Paradise of Clearwater

Smoker's Paradise of Clearwater

Interview with Steve McClelland

-The Smoker's Paradise of Clearwater takes a unique spin on it's logo and store sign

Cigar Review: New World by AJ Fernandez

This 2014 winner of Cigar Journal's Cigar of the Year award is rolled in the AJ Fernandez factory located in Esteli, Nicaragua. This cigar is rolled with 100% Nicaraguan leafs from the areas of Esteli, Ometepe, Condega, and Jalapa.

Link to the Cigar:

http://ajfernandezcigars.com/cigars/new-world/

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Smoker Profile: Bruce Gallagher (Co-Founder of Cigars Guns & Whiskey)

What was you first cigar experience? 

A friend of mine at work turned me on to cigars after I saw some books in his office.
He recommended that I visit Cigars International and start with a sampler pack and humidor setup. I think the whole thing ran me $45 shipped with 10 sticks. The first one I tried was the Cohiba Red Dot in Robusto, while I didn’t know anything about cigars or the cigar culture I did like this stick nice and creamy taste, etc. 

Smoker Profile: Mike Palmer (President of The Florida Cigar Club)

What was your first cigar experience?

Bought a bag of Backwoods with some older guys I was working with at in a warehouse. I was about 18 then, bought me a 40oz beer and that was lunch.

Smoker Profile: Ric "Ranger Ric" Berger

What was your first cigar experience?

My first cigar was many, many years back. It was in the beginning of my military career. All I recall is that it was good but I had to "cup the cherry" haha. I cannot remember the name or what it was, but it tasted great and smoked steady.

Smoker Profile: John Ferguson

What was your first cigar experience?

My boss gave me my first real cigar, to help with me stressing over my son having tests done on him.

Shop Spotlight: Coming Soon

There is a new section coming soon to The Smokemaster Blog. I will be interviewing, highlighting, and showing how cool the cigar shop that I will be spotlighting is.

Smoker Profile: Forrest Buhrmaster

What was your first cigar experience?

The first time I had a cigar it was two days before my 18th birthday and my father took my down to Ybor. I was incredibly excited to see what smoking a cigar would be like and could not wait. When we arrived we walked down 7th Avenue and went into a the tiny hand rolled shop next King Corona, at the time I had no idea what the shops were in that area.

Cigar Review: Carlos Torano Noventa Santiago

The Carlos Torano Noventa cigar was produced in 2006 as a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the company which started in 1916. 

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Welcome

Welcome,

My name is The Smokemaster and thank you for visiting my blog. The Smokemaster Blog will contain content regarding the fantastic hobby that is cigar smoking. Posts that you will see on this blog will embrace current news about the cigar industry and the local cigar community, my personal cigar reviews, and anything else I believe is worth sharing. More content will be posted soon so make sure you check back regularly.

Thank you,
The Smokemaster