Gary - I still follow the Indians in the AL and the Astros in the NL. In 2005, they could have faced each other in the World Series, but the Indians choked during the last week of the regular season. In 2006, I don’t know what happened to the Tribe, but the ‘Stros still had a shot at mid season. I was living in Cleveland when Jacobs Field opened, and in Houston when Enron Field opened and was later renamed to Minute Maid Park. I enjoyed watching games at both of those ball parks. I’m not following any Florida teams, yet.
Jerry - What do you think is the biggest myth that new cigar smokers buy into? What advice would you give to someone new to cigars? Best advice ever given to you?
Gary - The biggest myths are that Cuban cigars are the best in the world, and that you have to pay big bucks for any decent cigar. Advice for new smokers, sample many different single cigars that are mild to medium in flavor, and work your way up to the medium to full flavored cigars after your palate develops. Ask your local tobacconist for specific suggestions. Do not be discouraged if your first few cigars do not taste as good as you imagined. Best advice given to me, don’t smoke around your mother-in-law.
Jerry - Cuban cigars, are they over hyped? When Castro finally bites the dust and when Cuban cigars are available in the US, how do you think they will affect the cigar market? Will it be like the cigar boom of the 1990’s where manufacturers were more concerned with quantity than quality?
Gary - Cuban cigars are the forbidden fruit, which makes them more desirable, especially if you never had one. They are overpriced, and in most cases, not better than a good Dominican, Honduran, or Nicaraguan cigar. When the embargo is finally lifted, there will be a great demand in the U.S., which will taper off after a year or so. I think that most smokers are looking for a particular taste, and it will not matter where the cigar is manufactured. In the future, the best cigars could very well be made with a blend of tobacco from several countries, including Cuba. The country where the cigars are actually manufactured will be the one where the best cigar makers in the world decide to locate, which will be based on politics, economics, climate, soil, and many other factors.
