I revisited a couple of YouTube videos the other day from The Modern Rouge Show that featured Skip Martin and Michael Rosales of RoMa Craft Tobac. I determined that Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac is Not a Chooch (derived from the Italian word “Ciuccio”, means jackass, dummy, idiot, or moron. A Chooch is a person, who against better judgment, acts inappropriately).

I’ve heard of Skip Martin several times by way of reputation and comments from Fellow BOTLs who after meeting him made it sound like Skip was their new best friend… Skip is a breath of fresh air in an Industry full of egos.

I am a recent fan of RoMa Craft Tobac cigars after encouragements of Cigar Sensei aka Mark Dikeos @bmwMark who is also Head-Sherpa at Pacific Motorsports (@PacificMotorsports) in Portland, Oregon. Others in the mix are knowledgeable folks in my cigar smoking circles; Isaac Miller aka @The_Nothing_ at The Stash Smoke Shop in Milwaukie, Oregon, and Jeff Martinez aka @CigarWrapper at Sellwood Cigar in Portland, Oregon.

Cigar Beginners, You Should Watch These Videos

As a Cigar-Beginner who after returning to the cigar hobby last year after a 20-year absence I am approaching this Cigar Hobby with the intent of learning and evolving my experiences and enjoyment. Cigars are not the same as they were when I exited the hobby 20+ years ago.

A “Shout-Out” to Brian Brushwood and Jason Murphy of The Modern Rogue Show for creating a well done and comprehensive way to understand and approach cigar smoking, the cigar hobby and how not to be a Chooch. Great job Fellas!

For those not familiar with these two sometimes crazy guys, The Modern Rogue Show is full of fun (Guy-Stuff) information and most of all, you get to see these guys vet things that you probably wouldn’t want to try at home.

Cheers
Stay Smoky
Stay Chill

Understanding Cigars

03:15 – Types of Cigars – Machine vs Hand Rolled

06:00 – Cigar Basic Parts (wrapper, binder, filler)

08:15 – Length Size/Ring Gauge (Flavor)

08:52 – What’s a Vitola

09:20 – Two Basic Cigar Shapes

09:25 – How to select a cigar (time, cost, strength, body)

13:15 – The Tobaccos (the tobacco plant and strength)

18:00 – The Cigars from mild to strong explained

19:20 – Tobacconist University (learn and become a certified consumer)

21:50 – Summary Wrap Up

23:25 – Don’t be a Cigar Chooch

How to Get the Most out of a Cigar

01:08 – Introductions and what is being sampled

06:47 – Inspecting a cigar

12:57 – Cutting a cigar

17:56 – Cold draw

20:00 – Lighting a cigar

25:30 – Smoking a cigar

34:13 – Storing cigars