Life ore Cigars 101—Lesson One: Hop On The Bus (NAPSA)—It’s been said that Winston Churchill, a man who knew his way around finecigar, smoked 300,000 cigars in his lifetime. Not every cigar smokeris as knowledgeable. For those who feel a bit intimidated at the prospect of selecting a cigar, here are some facts about cigars you may want to draw on: Quality cigars come from a number of places—the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Ecuador and Nicaragua. Their sizes, shapes and colors vary from box to box and from brand to brand. Some are packaged in tubes, while some simply sport bands around their middle. With so many variables, there’s no doubt that “those who know,” know, while many others might find selecting fine cigars as intimidating as fine wine. Cigar Lover’s Luxury Bus General Cigar, makers of Macanudo, America’s best-selling premium cigar, has set a course to alleviate this confusion among cigar novices while allowing passionate cigar smokers to reward themselves with a fine, handmade Macanudo cigar. The cigar maker has taken America’s beloved brand, transformed a luxury 45-foot tour bus into a cigar lover’s paradise on wheels, and created the Macanudo American Passion Tour. The tour travels the country making stops at select tobacco retailers and starstudded sporting events/noteworthy happenings. Amy Anderson, a Macanudo American Passion Tour ambassador, offers these simple tips for the “green”cigar-buyer. The outside leaf (called the wrapper) must be flawless, with- Whetherrolling or resting, the luxurious American Passion Tour bus is always smokin’. out stainsor tears. * Quality cigars comein a variety of colors, from light brown to green, to brownish black. A good cigar can be anycolor, as long asit is completely uniform. Avoid cigars that feel dry or that flake or crumble when touched. Look for cigars with a luster or sheen. Make sure thecigar is well filled with tobacco. It should feel consistently firm, like a finger, throughits length. A quality handmade cigar does not have to be expensive. Macanudo cigars, for example, are completely handmade using the finest tobacco and manyare available for a suggested retail price of $5 to $7 a cigar. When asked about the true quality of Cuban cigars, Anderson remarks, “It’s a matter of taste. At Macanudo, we’re proud of the quality of our cigars and feel that a Dominican cigar is every bit as good as a Cubanone.” Cigar connoisseurs of legal smoking age whovisit the bus will see that whether rolling or resting, the bus is always smoking. It is equipped with a 30-cubic foot, built-in humidor, a fully operational kitchen, state-of-the-art electronics, including satellite television, available on three flat screen TVs, a stereo, a DVD player and indoor and outdoor speakers. The dcor is styled after New York City hot-spot Club Macanudo and features cushy Italian leather armchairs, a mirrored VIP lounge, sconces and custom windowtreatments. For those who prefer to indulge in their passion for cigars outdoors, the bus is equipped with an outdoor lounge, complete with Adirondack chairs and caf umbrellas. To find out more about the tour, log on to www.cigarworld.com.
