There are moments in life that don’t just pass—they settle into you. This evening, in the quiet sanctuary of my mancave, became one of those moments. The lights are dim, casting a warm amber glow across the room. I’m sunk deep into my leather recliner, wrapped in comfort, while the …
Read More »Chrome, Combustion & Character — A Garage Session with the Flathead
There’s something almost meditative about a clean garage under bright lights—the kind that reveal every curve, every reflection, every imperfection. My Porsche Boxster sat before me, freshly detailed, its paintwork gleaming like liquid glass under the overhead LEDs. The scent of polish still lingered faintly in the air, mixing in …
Read More »Proof of Life, Proof of Purpose — A Noon Reflection with the Volition America Habano
There are moments in life when something as routine as checking the mail quietly stirs something deeper. That Tuesday at noon in South Florida was one of them. I walked in from the mailbox, the sun already commanding the day, and sat down in my home office. Among the usual …
Read More »Odd Things About Me!
Well, if I’m going to write something for this blog every week… okay, maybe it won’t be every week because I’m just not good at doing anything EVERY week. So maybe before you keep reading this weekly thing I should acquaint you with some of the odd things I can …
Read More »Sunset Reflections: A South Florida Evening with the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Profundo
There’s something about a South Florida sunset that demands a proper companion—something bold, refined, and unapologetically rich. As the golden light danced across the still surface of my backyard pond, framed by gently swaying palm trees, I settled into my chair poolside with a freshly brewed Italian espresso in hand. …
Read More »Rest Home; Yeah It’s Me Again!
Here at the Home For Retired Cigar Czars (that’s us people who sold our businesses before the government got really crazy trying to destroy the cigar industry) most of the guys just sit around all day smoking cigars and looking at pictures of naked women on the internet! What the …
Read More »What I was Doing About 50 Years Ago – EATING LITTLE DONKEYS!
I’m not exactly sure what Abe wants me to do other than just write some stuff about the cigar business and what it was like before everyone started making up all this bullshit about how their grandfathers worked in the Cuban cigar factories before the embargo. And how every new …
Read More »Things That Annoy Me
So, sittin’ out here on the porch of the Home for Retired Cigar Czars with absolutely nothing to do — I’m just thinking about some of the things that annoy me. And just off the top of my head (and that even annoys me because where there used to be a …
Read More »The Home for Retired Cigar Czars Just Lost an Associate Member – Ed McVey
Ed wasn’t a genuine Czar, but he worked in the industry for over 50 years starting out for Bering Corral Wodiskya y Ca., and then for me for about 20 years. A long time ago, back when I still had a full head of hair, the Bering Plaza was the …
Read More »New Author — About Lew Rothman
Hey! Some of you may know me, but many of you may not, as I have been taking a little rest from the cigar business for the last 15 years or so. My name is Lew Rothman and I used to sell the lion’s share of the handmade cigars in this country …
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