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Deccember 2002 |
Maintenance-free Disposable Humidification System
Adventure Imports has created a fool-proof cigar humidifier maintenance system that uses high-tech disposable humidification elements. Humid-Eze units feature a porous membrane that allows the proper amount of moisture to permeate through it but prevents liquid from escaping. Each element is pre-filled with surgically purified water, triple filtered, and treated with gamma rays and ultraviolet light to eliminate element-caused mold or bacteria growth. The units can be used in any position, and are designed to fit into any standard round, puck-style humidification device. They can also be used as a stand-alone unit. Each Humid-Eze cup will maintain the proper relative humidity level of 70% for up to one month, and is packaged in a retail box of 12 to keep cigars fresh for an entire year. Suggested retail is $12 per box, at keystone; a 12-box case ships with a free counter display. Adventure Imports, Santa Monica, Calif., Tel: (310) 392-3683, 9am-7pm Pacific Standard Time, E-mail: adventureimports@earthlink.net |
Montecristo Blended Rum
A legendary name in premium cigars has been extended to the rarefied world of aged, super-premium rums: Montecristo Rum, a premium blend of 12 and 23-year-old rums aged in American oak barrels. Developed by a partnership of cigar retailers Michael Frey and Robert Frey, along with Altadis alum Tim Haughingberry, Montecristo Rum is hand-blended by master distillers from a century-old Guatemalan recipe. Oak barrel aging lends a rich, velvety texture and natural amber color. The rum is described as having “vanilla and honey overtones” that complement the “subtle textures.” Merchandising support includes a Montecristo Rum cigar humidor, t-shirts, and caps, as well as tasting cards, postcards, and shelf tags. Sidebar Spirits LLC, Las Vegas, Nev., Tel: (702) 318-8446, Fax: (702) 735-8334, Web: www.montecristorum.com |
Compact After Cigar Mints
Art CoCo Mint Company of Denver, Colo. offers a tiny, slide-top tin of sugarfree peppermints targeted just for cigar smokers: After Cigar Mints. Each tin measures a mere 23/4 by 15/8 inches, and is packed with .56 oz. of mini peppermints (about 70 pieces), made with real peppermint extract and other flavors. The company also offers a line of themed stock tins, as well as a complete program for creating custom printed tins, in four-color process or screen printing with optional design services. Minimum quantities start at 540. Art Coco, Denver, Co., Tel: (303) 292-6364, Fax: (303) 292-6365, Web: www.artcoco.com. |
Xikar Style Now in Pocket Knives
The national market for folding pocket knives, or ‘folders,’ is $150 million annually, notes Kurt Van Keppel, founder of cigar cutter manufacturer Xikar. Believing gentlemen’s knives are a natural fit for smoke shops, Xikar has created its own growing line of entries. The new Xi-118, designed by Xikar partner Scott Almsberger, is a gentlemen’s jewelry frame lock knife made of polished stainless steel with Quince wood, carbon fiber, abalone-shell, or mother of pearl handles. These jewelry knives, which required 18 months of development and tapped the expertise of artisans in Japan and Italy, are so small, thin, and light, they are undetectable in the pocket: the units measure a mere 2.72 inches when closed. Suggested retail, $89 to $99. Xikar, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., Tel: (816) 474-7555, Fax: (917) 464-6398, Web: www.xikar.com. |
Tabletop Antique Cigar Lighter
Indianhead has been chosen by Pioneer Manufacturing as the exclusive worldwide distributor for their replica antique tabletop cigar lighters. The Battle Lake, Minnesota manufacturer has been making the lighters for thirty years, and is the only source for them. Originally appearing between 1910 and 1920, the lighters were familiar sights and lit countless cigars in hotel lobbies, taverns, drug stores, and virtually all tobacco shops. Considered a novelty at a time when electricity was still uncommon, ignition for the lighter’s fluid-soaked wick was provided by an electric spark. Today’s units share the same authentic exterior, but use modern electronic ignition and reliable up-to-date components. The lighters are operated by pulling a small lever, which activates the ignitor. Releasing the handle extinguishes the flame, which emanates from a tube. Retailers who keep an operating lighter on the counter report that customers often buy them on impulse. Two versions of the antique lighter are available, featuring quality hand-fit workmanship and finish. The first, in oak with antique brass finish on its metal hardware, costs $250. The other, in walnut and 24-karat gold plated hardware, costs $295. The units are approximately 10”: high, 8” wide, and 10” deep. Indianhead, Miami, Fla., Tel: (800) 292-4858, Fax: (305) 623-5494, Web: www.indianhead.cc. |
Aluminum Can Ashtray
Here’s a new twist on recycling destined to become a true kitsch classic: hand-crafted ashtrays from Accoutrements individually made from pieces of Vietnamese beer cans. Smokers will be impressed by the intricate detail, amazed by the creative ingenuity, and delighted by the genuine rustic charm of these novelties. Each measures 51/2 by 1 inches and features plastic ribbing and slots for four cigarettes, and comes individually packaged inside a clear plastic container. Suggested retail price is $5.00. Accoutrements, Seattle, Wa., Tel: (425) 349-3838, Fax: (425) 349-5188, Web: www.accoutrements.com. |
Elegant Cigar Hutch
Don Salvatore by Buddy Products offers an unique new look in humidor designs with its Elegant Cigar Hutch. The square, vertically-oriented profile houses two stacked trays featuring large circular holes (about 3/4² in diameter) that allows for a much higher distribution of humidity than standard tray designs. The unit features solid Spanish Cedar lining, high polished solid brass quadrant hinges, and a maple border on the lid and base. Humidors come equipped with a highly accurate digital hygrometer with thermometer and a large rectangular humistat, and are offered in either walnut or ivory finishes. Don Salvatore by Buddy Products, Chicago, Ill., Toll-free: (800) 886-8688, Tel: (312) 733-6400, Fax: (312) 733-8356, E-mail: sdifiglio@att.net, Web: www.buddyproducts.com/prodcigar. |
Improve Humidor With Upgrade Kit
Western Humidor has introduced the new Up-Grade Kit for humidors, designed for the holiday season as a gift package. The kit provides for quality up-grade of humidification and monitoring instruments for off-the-shelf-humidors. Designed as a second-party gift for cigar smokers, it fills the void for gifts priced at $75. The Up-Grade Kit includes Western’s three main humidor accessories, presented in a designer style display. Included are the Western Humifier humidification system and the new Caliber II digital hygrometer/ thermometer. As a bonus gift, a free torpedo humidification element - a long, narrow device designed to fit inside a box of cigars - is also included. The Up-Grade Kit also serves as an product display of Western accessories. Western Humidor, Las Vegas, Nev., Toll-free: (800) 776-0096, Tel: (702) 644-7800, Email: westernhumid@powernet.net, Web: www.westernhumidor.com. |
SMOKESHOP - December 2002
