Ben BalliroFeb 92 minCigar Ratings and Public OpinionDo you believe in cigar ratings? Does your opinion change based on cigar ratings? This is a huge topic of debate because of our favorite rating system, Cigar...
Ben BalliroJan 283 minMoney is Not EverythingDuring our last Cigar Tipsters Episode Mark Jr. and I discussed the topic of the PCA Trade Show and how some of the biggest names in cigar industry including...
Ben BalliroDec 11, 20194 minWhat is a Boutique Brand Anyway? Some say it’s based on the number of cigars a company produces and the exclusive choices of cigars to choose from. Others say it’s how long you’ve been in th...
Ben BalliroAug 7, 20192 minEmotional Taste PerceptionEmotional Taste Perception. Sounds intriguing doesn’t it? Whether you are a novice or a veteran cigar smoker you have run into this topic either accidentall...
Ben BalliroAug 7, 20192 min(My Father) Don Pepin Garcia Cuban ClassicThe Don Pepin Garcia Cuban classic was the first blend developed in the Garcia Factory in Esteli Nicaragua. It uses all Nicaraguan tobacco with a Habano Rosa...
Ben BalliroAug 7, 20194 minIf It Costs More, It’s Better Right?“Yes, if it costs more it means it’s a better cigar right?....WROnG!”. Of course you’ve read this online before and heard this argument a million times on ci...
Ben BalliroJul 25, 20192 minThe Fields are Alive with the Sound of LobbyistsMarco Rubio is a (R) Junior U.S. Senator from FL, whom you may remember ran in the 2016 Republican Primaries for President of the United States. He has spok...
Ben BalliroJul 25, 20195 minWhat Are We Tasting?I hope this helps explain the fundamentals of cigar tasting.
Ben BalliroJul 16, 20197 minTop 5 Cigar MisconceptionsMisconception Number 1: Smoking Cigars are worse for your health than smoking cigarettes and just as addictive. Well, before everyone breaks out the pitchfor...
Ben BalliroJul 13, 20194 minSo What Would Happen if the U.S./Cuba Embargo was Lifted? This concern of US/Cuban relations has been on the minds of the U.S. cigar smoking community for generations. It has been debated and argued since the embarg...
Ben BalliroJul 11, 20192 minYeah It's Me...My name is Ben and although I currently live in Southern Maine, I moved from Knoxville TN where I grew up. I am a University of TN Graduate with a Bachelor o...
Ben BalliroJul 11, 20191 minR-E-S-P-E-C-TI was reading a couple of articles last night and I discovered an interesting article. Among all the political downfall and societal turbulence of anti smoki...
Ben BalliroJul 11, 20192 minWhat to do, what to do, what to do..You were told by someone, who knew someone, to go into the cigar shop and buy a cigar for some friends. You have never shopped for cigars for your friends be...
Ben BalliroJul 11, 20192 minI’ve noticed something...I hope this post helps you simplify your cigar smoking journey> Keep it simple, kept it clean, and keep it fun. From here the choice is your
Ben BalliroJun 11, 20192 minInfused Cigars and Public Opinion.I made a Twitter post showing a poll voting for one of three different cigars to choose from; a NUB infused, a Rocky Patel Java, and an ACID Kuba Kuba. Now, ...
Ben BalliroMay 15, 20195 minWeddings and Cigars and Choices Oh My!Need some ideas for choosing a cigar? I have a few suggestions, hopefully this article will help you on your journey!
Ben BalliroMay 12, 20193 minToo Loud? Or Not Loud Enough? You Decide.So here is the topic in question. What kind of atmosphere do you enjoy with your cigars? I bring this topic up because of a recent discussion I had with my f...
Ben BalliroApr 22, 20193 minLevel the Playing FieldI know I’ve written about this topic before, but as I was driving home today I realized I missed a valuable point. One time several years ago I was attending...
Ben BalliroApr 11, 20196 minHit Them Where It Hurts!I’ve been trying to keep up in the latest media on what’s been going on with the premium tobacco industry and the USFDA. There’s not much news unfortunately ...
Ben BalliroApr 7, 20193 minStand Your GroundI have noticed, as I’m sure you have as well, an insanely growing trend of smoking regulations, bureaucratic legislation, and overall condemnation of cigar s...