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January 23, 2016

The End of an Era

A tradition in Arden Fair Mall for over 40 years, the Briar Patch has survived four owners, smoking bans and huge tobacco tax increases. Designed to look like an old English tobacco shop, the Briar Patch has been a Sacramento favorite for generations.

With the changes in tobacco tax law and increased restrictions on where cigar and pipe smokers could enjoy their pastime it became apparent we needed a larger space. The Briar Patch needed an area where our customers could enjoy a cigar or smoke their pipe in comfort, and without hassle from non-smokers. We tried unsuccessfully for several years to get Arden Fair Mall to move the Briar Patch to a larger space where we could add a smoking lounge.

In 2009 we opened a new store in Loehmann’s Plaza with nearly four times the space of our original store, and sporting seating in the store, outside and a private lounge. Last June we opened another store downtown, at 11th St and L St. While smaller than the Loehmann’s Plaza store, the downtown store also has a beautiful private lounge.

Our lease on the Arden Fair Mall store expires at the end of January. We will not be renewing it. With some sadness we are announcing the planned closure of our Arden Fair Mall location near the end of this month. We will be pleased to serve you at either our Loehmann’s Plaza or our Downtown location after the Arden Fair Mall store is closed. Both locations are larger, much more comfortable and you will continue to receive our world class service.

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January 23, 2016

Briar Patch Pipe Club Meeting for February

The Briar Patch Pipe Club will meet at the Loehmann’s Plaza store (in the lounge) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12th. Come to enjoy some complimentary pipe tobaccos donated by Briar Patch and enjoy chatting about all things pipes. Bear in mind that there are no dues or fees for club participation! Also, women are especially invited to participate at every club meeting, but even more so on this pre-Valentine’s Day meeting!

Agenda items for the February 12th meeting includes:

  1. One of the seasoned pipe smokers from among the Briar Patch staff will talk about his/her favorite pipes and tobaccos for a few minutes and answer any questions from the participants.
  2. Enjoy a couple of tobaccos compliments of the Briar Patch.
  3. Enjoy some chocolate treats compliments of your club president, Paul.

RSVP not necessary. If you have any questions, though, contact the president of the Pipe Club (Paul Woodward; cell number is 916-838-2108).

See our calendar for other events

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January 19, 2016

November Staff Cigar Picks

The Briar Patch staff cigar picks for November are in! If you haven’t already tried these great cigars, stop by the Briar Patch today to experience them for yourself!

ATABEY – BRUJOS

Announced by Two Guys Smoke shop on Superbowl Sunday to be the best cigar of 2013, the Atabey cigar is a special creation by Nelson Alfonso. The Atabey cigar is handmade in limited quantities from the highest quality tobaccos from the Caribbean and Central America. This is the kind of cigar that no cigar enthusiast will want to miss.

SECOND GROWTH

The Second Growth cigar is filled with Honduran and Dominican tobaccos surrounded by a hybrid Ecuadorian-Habano wrapper. When first smoked, these cigars possess aromas of fruit and lend flavors of wood, chocolate, and leather, until the flavor profile becomes slightly creamy. The Second Growth cigars have a perfect draw and are packed in unique wooden boxes made from wine barrels. Second Growth cigars were blended specifically to pair with fine red wine, so try one with your favorite bottle! You will be amazed at how the cigar opens the wine and vice versa.

SMOKING JACKET – TORO MAGNO

Hendrik Kelner, Jr., son of Davidoff Cigars company president Henke Kelner, is the mastermind behind the Smoking Jacket cigar. Created at Kelner’s factory in the Dominican Republic, the Toro Magno and Robusto Imperial sizes are wrapped in a Brazilian Cubra leaf.

L’ATELIER – 56

L’Atelier is a newer brand of cigars within the Tatuaje profile, blended and rolled by the My Father Cigars Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. L’Atelier pays homage to the Cuban Cohiba Behike. Offered in a 52, 54, and 56 ring gauge with a pigtail, l’Atelier is a medium-full-bodied cigar using all Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos with an Ecuadorian wrapper.

DAVIDOFF NICARAGUA – TORO

Davidoff master blenders, led by Hendrik “Henke” Kelner, went on an exploration for a new type of blend that would stimulate both the bitter and sweet taste buds. This relentless pursuit took them to Nicaragua and the fiery volcanic soil of the Estelí, Condega, Jalapa, and Ometepe regions.

With time, patience, and perseverance, the team crafted the Davidoff Nicaragua. With 10 years of preparation, curing, and aging, the Davidoff Nicaragua delivers an exceptional blend with all the intensity, excitement, and refined sophistication aficionados would expect from Davidoff. Handmade in Davidoff’s Dominican facilities, its quality and exceptional craftsmanship are unsurpassed.

ROOM 101 NAMAKUBI – SUCIO

The Room 101 Namakubi series of cigars features a Habano wrapper, Generoso-seed Honduran binder, and Dominican and Honduran Vuelta Abajo fillers. This smoke is medium- to full-bodied. It is strong without being too much on the palate; the presence of spice is more subtle.

The name of the line comes from the Samurai culture, where in ancient times, two Samurai clans would gather for competition. Normally, the losing party would die as a result of the wounds sustained in battle or be executed upon defeat. The Namakubi, or “freshly severed head” of the losing party, would be prepared on a wooden tray then tagged in a regimented manner and presented to the leader of the winning clan as a gift.

DIAMOND CROWN MAXIMUS – NO. 4

Diamond Crown Maximus cigars represent the apogee of cigar craftsmanship in a full-bodied compliment to the original Diamond Crown series. Created for J.C. Newman by Tabacalera A. Fuente, a dark natural Ecuadorian wrapper surrounds a robust blend of patiently cured and aged Dominican tobaccos for a rich, complex, and perfectly balanced smoke. These limited-production cigars are presented in uniquely designed chests of 20 cigars that form the letter ‘M’ or in 5-packs.

J.D. HOWARD RESERVE – HR52

The J.D. Howard Reserve, along with all of the other Crowned Heads projects, is created by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo at his Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. Factory in the Dominican Republic. The blend consists of a dark, Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos.

An impressive homage to the infamous Jesse James, J.D. Howard was the alias that James used while trying to live a normal life following an 1876 bank robbery in Minnesota that resulted in the death or arrest of several of his associates. James made his new life in Nashville, the home to Crowned Heads.

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January 18, 2016

Wrapping a Cigar

While the rolling of a cigar is a delicate process, the wrapping of a cigar is even more so. Wrapping is the most challenging aspect of the cigar making process and requires much care, diligence and talent.

The first step of cigar wrapping is preparing the glue to be used on the tobacco leaves. This glue or paste, usually referred to as vegetable gum, is made from vegetable starch powder and water. The vegetable gum is flavorless and odorless, and it is an easy way for rollers to keep the tobacco wrapper leaves bound to the rolled cigar.

The next step is to place the tobacco wrapper leaf on a flat surface. A small amount of the vegetable gum is applied to the wrapper and the rolled cigar is carefully situated onto the wrapper leaf.

Wrapping a cigar requires many tiny, precise movements of the hand. The wrapper must be expertly twisted, spread and constantly adjusted to keep the wrapper leaf tight and to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing cigar possible.

The wrapping process is essentially an art. It is difficult to describe all of the details of this process, so it may be beneficial to refer to this video link for more information on this process: http://www.tobacconistuniversity.org/tobacco-college/apm-rolling4.asp.

Once the wrapping is complete, either a cap is placed on thehead of the cigar or the protruding end of the wrapper is carved and glued to finish the head. Lastly, the cigars are placed to age for at least 21 days before being sold.

We hope that this series on the Making of Cigars was informative to cigar smokers everywhere! Stay tuned for more upcoming articles related to cigars, pipes and tobacco and be sure to visit the nearest Briar Patch Sacramento Cigar Shop for the latest products!

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January 17, 2014

July Staff Cigar Picks

The Briar Patch staff cigar picks for July are in! This month we feature the selections of Ron Michelson! If you haven’t already tried these great cigars, stop by the Briar Patch today to experience them for yourself!

Davidoff – Special T

The Davidoff Special T cigars are made from the finest, 4-year-aged Dominican tobaccos surrounded by a Connecticut wrapper. These medium cigars are robust and creamy, with an enticing aroma. The Special T cigars carry the Davidoff tradition of high quality, balanced flavors loved by all.

Hammer and Sickle – Hermitage

Handmade in the Dominican Republic, the Hermitage boasts of an incredibly smooth smoke, with hints of a creamy spiciness. This medium-bodied cigar is filled with three year old tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and bound with a five year old wrapper. The Hermitage is a well-balanced cigar with an outstanding finish that will leave every cigar lover completely satisfied.

Diamond Crown Julius Caesar – Toro

The Julius Caesar cigar a new release in the J.C. Newman line, created to honor Julius Caesar Newman himself. This cigar is made from rare Dominican tobaccos that have been aged for five years and wrapped with Ecuadorian Havana wrappers. The Julius Caesar is smooth, creamy and medium-bodied.

Atabey – Divinos

Announced by Two Guys Smoke Shop on Superbowl Sunday to be the best cigar of 2013, the Atabey cigar is a special creation by Nelson Alfonso. The Atabey cigar is handmade in limited quantities from the highest quality tobaccos from the Caribbean and Central America. This is the kind of cigar that every cigar enthusiast will not want to miss.

Byron – Poemas

Originally crafted in 1848 by Jose and Euseblo Alfonso, the Byron cigars were created to honor the English poet Lord Byron, famous for his romantic works of art. Completely handcrafted, every tobacco leaf is specifically chosen and separated for each individual cigar. After the cigars are rolled, they are allowed to age and marry flavors for an entire year, producing a cigar that possesses smoking qualities like no other. These premium cigars are sold in sets held in exquisite porcelain jars.

Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun – Toro

Handmade from Nicaraguan tobaccos and Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers, this Paul Stulac packs a bold flavor. The sweet taste of wood, light spices and a creaminess that almost hints at vanilla and cocoa, builds and intensifies as the cigar is smoked, leaving every cigar smoking lover wanting more of this complex Paul Stulac flavor.

Second Growth

The Second Growth cigar is filled with Honduran and Dominican Republic tobaccos surrounded by a hybrid Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. When first smoked, these cigars possess aromas of fruit and lend flavors or wood, chocolate and leather, until the flavor profile becomes slightly creamy. The Second Growth cigars have a perfect draw and are packed in unique wooden boxes made from wine barrels. Second Growth cigars were blended specifically to go with wine. Try one with your favorite bottle. You will be amazed how the cigar opens the wine and vice versa.

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