But a Good Cigar....Is a Smoke!: The History & Passion; Cigars 101

While watching Cigars 101, I kept wondering why--considering the beating cigarettes have taken over the past several months--cigar smoking has become the current trend among the young and the restless. Historically entwined with visions of political fat cats or disreputable gangsters, the cigar has now become the symbol of youthful exuberance, as well as a status step on the Yuppie ladder of prestige. Once restricted to stuffy gentlemen's clubs, cigars are now embraced by women (when asked why, one lady responded by quoting the mantra of her generation: "It's the '90's, we can do whatever we want to.") Cigar aficionado Jeff Allen discusses cutting, punching, lighting, and all of the other rituals that seem to make smoking a cigar as complex as a Japanese tea ceremony. Since his presentation is often rushed and a bit disorganized, novices will want to rewind the tape to catch every nuance of his instruction. Although I have no intentions of fouling the air with the nutty, fruity, or peppery fragrance of a cigar, nor do I feel that the practice of sharing cigars between smokers is a particularly healthful thing for this video to advocate (but, what the heck, when you're talking about smoking in terms usually reserved for describing great works of art, who cares about health issues), this is still a well-made, colorful, and entertaining introduction to the art of cigar smoking. Aud: P.Less pretentious and yuppified than Cigars 101, The Mission Group's But a Good Cigar...Is a Smoke takes viewers on a historical tour through cigar lore, showing how the development of the stogie became a family industry in many countries, including Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Various representatives of cigar companies explain their particular approach to the manufacture of cigars (selecting the right tobaccos, drying leaves, aging, etc.), while historical asides suggest that their 'creation' really hasn't changed all that much over the years: all good cigars are still hand-rolled, for instance. Of course, the enjoyment of a cigar is discussed, along with suggestions for what libations complement specific kinds of cigars. Health issues? Don't worry, says smoker Bob Curtiss, the Surgeon General is just an old fuddy-duddy...light up, have a glass of port, and puff to your heart's (and lung's) content. (Right.) Still, there's no denying that cigar smoking has become an "in" thing, and this historical overview nicely complements the "how-to" oriented Cigars 101. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)