A Baptist, a Catholic, a Jew, and a Muslim...

By Phillip Fullman.

A Baptist, a Catholic, a Jew, and a Muslim...

Sounds like the start of a bad joke doesn't it? Except, it's not. A Baptist, a Catholic, a Jew, and a Muslim were sitting at En Fuego discussing sports, movies, education, and food, which proved to be a rather popular topic. One of us also happens to be a proud New Yorker, who explained to the rest of the group why New York pizza is supposed to be the best. Apparently it all comes down to the cheese/crust/sauce ratio.

The most popular topic though was also the one that brought the four us together. Cigars. It was because of our mutual enjoyment of, and appreciation for fine tobacco that we found ourselves at En Fuego. Each of us with a burning cigar, each of us filling the air with plumes of smoke, and ashtrays with gray ruins. We weren't strangers, we weren't enemies, we weren't different. We were just people with a shared love of cigars.

The best way to get over our differences is to focus on what we have in common. Granted, that is not the easiest thing to do.

Think about the phrase "your fellow man." Now think about the view of earth from outer space. There are no political, ethnic, or religious borders. Only one planet, with one people. I imagine this is how God sees us, regardless of whether He is Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, or Muslim.

Outside the walls of the cigar shop there are people who will judge us for our beliefs- for some our love of cigars is reason enough to vilify us- because they see us as different, which makes me think, the world would be a better place if it were more like En Fuego.

Cataloging Customers

Cataloging Customers

This customers at EFTS come in all varieties of shape, color, and size, and we love them all. In fact, one of the things we love about the shop, is that everyone that sits down in the lounge is considered a welcome patron by the store and its inhabitants when they have a cigar. Of course, that doesn't mean that we don't see some humorous personalities walk through our doors. Mark decided to make an effort to catalogue the usual suspects while attempting to bring you a "I-know-that-guy" smile!

I’m a pretty boring guy. I can’t help it. I think one of the perks of running a small business is all the eclectic people you get to meet on a daily basis. That appeals to a boring guy like me. Each customer is a little quirky, a tad different and completely without equal, which makes for a perfect ingredient for the ever growing En Fuego melting pot. I decided to catalogue the diverse types of customers, with an emphasis on those who really stand out more than others. I’ve also added what their cigar and drink preferences are and who might play them, should En Fuego ever hit the big screen. If you’ve been an En Fuego customer for any length of time, you’ve probably met them.

1)  The in-Fidel

What he will smoke - Rocky Patel

What he will drink - Mojito

Cast - James Gandolfini

This curious creature is usually spotted a mile away. While usually diminutive in stature, it’s nothing his overzealous, wine soaked bravado doesn’t fail in making up for. The in-Fidel in concerned with one cigar and one cigar only, the elusive Cuban. He is immediately stumped when his twenty-dollar-bill-slight-of-hand-trick isn’t the correct combination to the En Fuego Cuban cigar vault, which in his mind surly exists. But not to worry, the inFidel will assure you that he has a brother who has a roommate whose ex-girlfriend knows someone who can get him a plethora of Havana’s Holy Grail on a regular basis. And for added emphasis, that “someone” is always accompanied with air quotes. Although amusing, I am reluctant in questioning the inFidels stories in fear of waking up with a horse head in my bed. 

2)  The Cowboy

What he will smoke - Cuban Small Batch

What he will drink - Beer

Cast - John Wayne

Not to be confused with the urban cowboy wanna be who has a single, so-called “western outfit” that he probably bought at Dillard’s (like me), the Cowboy is the real deal. His energy drink is scotch and the bumper sticker on his F-150 reads “my other car wears horseshoes”.  Slightly dismayed that we don’t sell Copenhagen, he usually settles on a cigar he has the option to just chew on. He is always polite, occasionally offering to bring me back a slab of whatever he’s going to kill the upcoming weekend as he barbarically cuts the end of his cigar with a bowie knife.

3)  The Ninja

What he will drink - unknown

What he will smoke - Drew Estate Undercrown

Cast - Bruce Lee

Obviously, there’s not much I can tell you about this mysterious customer. 

He usually makes his unassuming entrance through the side door, even though some of our stores don’t even have side doors. He brings his cigars to the counter even though I never saw him go into the humidor. He answers every question with an affirmative  “yes” or “no”. Even to “How’s your day going?” or “What’s your phone number?” One day I want to jokingly ask him if cigars are an ingredient for taking over the world. But knowing I’m going to get one of those two answers, I’m not willing to take that 50/50 chance.

4)  The Sidekick

What he will drink - Gatorade

What he will smoke - Arturo Fuente Short Story

Cast - Steve Carell

Always much more interested in cleaning ash trays than filling them with his own ashes, the Sidekick is the self-appointed Robin to whatever Batman happens to be running the cigar shop. While the extra help is always appreciated, sooner or later I’m gonna want to sit down and finish my cigar, regardless of the the sweat your shirt is mopping up as you clean all my windows. He is also more than eager to hijack an employee’s sales pitch mid-way through its execution. “Trust me Robin, you will regret ever recommending that Groovy Blue to the Cowboy.”

5)  The Gentleman

What he will drink - Scotch

What he will smoke - Padrón Anniversary

Cast - Sean Connery

The Gentleman is no frills, no non-sense and knows exactly what he wants. Dressed like he just left a photo shoot of a Neiman Marcus catalogue cover and usually accompanied by Swedish model, The Gentleman is the envy of everyone in the room. He rarely asks for advice on a cigar selection, as that would compromise his intelligence. Rather he strolls through the humidor, hands in pocket, damsel on one arm and gracefully picks out a cigar. One that just so happens to immediately become my favorite, regardless of what it is. Somewhere in the buying, cutting or lighting of the cigar, there will inevitably be some alligator skin involved. 

6)  The Alumnus

What he will drink - Red Bull

What he will smoke - Perdomo Champagne

Cast - Will Ferrell

Easiest to spot sporting his fabric billboard of school colors, his first question before the door chime has finished its last note is “Hey, what’s the score?” He will then go through the ritual of asking if I can put “the game” on this TV, stand in front of the TV until the next commercial, then spend about 5 seconds looking around wondering where he was at and why he came in in the first place. The ritual will repetitiously continue throughout the transaction. Upon hearing the announcer’s voice, his entire body will slightly convulse, his eyes will dart to his left and freeze. Kinda like my dog’s does when I suddenly pull a tennis ball out of my pocket. Due to this sequence of rituals, it will take about 2 1/2 quarters to pay, cut, light his cigar and find a seat. I purposely won’t buy TIVO just from the selfish entertainment standpoint he gives me. 

7)  The Free Safety

What he will drink - Crown and Coke

What he will smoke - Ashton VSG

Cast - Ving Rhames

No one warrants keeping an eye on more that the Free Safety.

He constantly waits from a crouching position looking for a conversation to intercept or a political point he can lay a big hit on. The Free Safety usually has no rooting interest in any one particular point, he just prides himself on putting as many people on the cigar shop stretcher due to a bruised ego or torn ACL (Asinine Comment Let out) as he can. However, with the right game plan, the blood thirsty Free Safety in easily drawn off sides. I call it the “Redirect Hard Count”. When you see the Free Safety lowering his helmet at you, just point to the guy sitting by the fireplace and say “Hey, see that guy?  He thinks we should trade Romo for Vick, Pete Rose should be in the Hall of fame and Ronald Regan was over-rated”. The Free Safety is a terrifying opponent, but he is your best friend when playing for your team.

8)  The Rookie

What he will drink - Coke

What he will smoke - Oliva NUB

Cast - Michael Richards

Guys, being the strange creatures we are, don’t like asking for help, especially the Rookie. This can be especially problematic when he lights his cigar with the cedar wrapper still on it. Or turns blue trying to draw out of a cigar he has yet to cut. It’s best to just leave him be when you see him violently shaking his non-responsive lighter like a can of old spray paint, as he hasn’t figured out that it’s just out of butane. Dear Rookie, if you’re that curious I’ll just open it up for you so you won’t break my lock. Sincerely, Locker Member #32

9)  The Businessman

What he will drink - Coffee

What he will smoke - Romeo y Julieta

Cast - Michael Douglas

The Businessman's’ self-imposed uniform is a laptop, cell phone,

Bluetooth, pens, paper, a book and usually a lunch sack. He always briskly comes in at the same time of day, sits at the same table, buys the same cigar and commences to his daily business. As he rushes in, I jokingly tell him he has three messages and his 3:00 appointment was rescheduled for Thursday at noon. But the Businessman is unphased with my antics as he is on a conference call with some investors overseas. From time to time, I’ll hear him say “Hey, what time are you leaving today?  I’ve got two tickets for the Mavs’ game.” I’ll start beamingly jump out of my seat and respond with, “5:00...that’s awesome! I could just meet you...” Then he will point to his Bluetooth with one hand while the other shews me off. Oh Business Man, you got me again.

10)  The Non-Cigar Shop Owner Cigar Shop Owner

What he will drink - Bottled Water

What he will smoke - Diamond Crown

Cast - Robert DeNiro

It doesn’t take long to spot out these customers, especially for the employee on staff. He starts with questioning why we don’t sell that ultra-rare cigar that he probably wouldn’t buy even if we did. Then it moves to what the TV and music he wants playing as he untangles his ear buds. We do love feedback, but doesn’t blue mouthwash taste just like green mouthwash? Not to The Non-Cigar Shop Owner Cigar Shop Owner. Within 24 hours of this being published, The N-CSOCSO will find the 4 misspellings I’ve made and why this should have been a list of 12, not 10. Hopefully, he at least likes the mention.

Cigars: The Great Equalizer

The Great Equalizer

Fraternity noun: an organized society of people associated together in an environment of companionship joined by similar backgrounds, occupations, interests, or tastes; dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and social development of its members.

I’ve always liked the idea of fraternities. The idea of a group of people gathering together sharing the same interest. After all, that’s how families, communities, cities, nations and empires were created. Even our own United States of America was colonized by a small band of fraternals looking to escape political and religious oppression. We are all part of one or more fraternities, whether we actually call it that or not. Your weekly golf foursome, a men’s bible study, the yearly fantasy football league, a regular poker game, supper club, the softball league, season ticket holders of our favorite team or your Saturday morning motorcycle riding club. The list goes on and on and the need for man to gravitate toward his fellow comrade through a common interest will always appeal to us.  

I have started a routine since opening up En Fuego Frisco. Every morning, I will make a cup of my favorite coffee, fire up a morning cigar, sit out on our patio and enjoy the morning. More often than not, I’m joined by two of my regular customers. Ken and Aaron. Aaron is a tall, lanky, slow talking, starving college kid who likes strong cigars. He is attending seminary and plans on being a Baptist minister. He apparently has embraced the life of poverty pretty well, judging by his choice of occupation. I have a deep affinity for those who aren’t motivated by the all mighty dollar. Ken, on the other hand, is a African-American baby boomer who talks unusually loud. He also has an accompanying, contagious laugh that share the same characteristics. His booming vocals bounce through the breezeway that envelopes our store from all sides.  Ken is a lifetime Navy guy.  After graduating from the Naval Academy, serving in 2 wars and captaining a Naval destroyer for the past 2 decades, he has made the rank of Admiral. His voice definitely fits his rank. I can only imagine how much endearment and respect he must have from so many of his subordinates. But every morning, over a cup of joe and a cigar, we are just three regular dudes.

What do Ken, Aaron and myself have in common? Absolutely nothing. We are from three different ethnic backgrounds, different personalities, different ages, different educations, different political views and 3 different incomes. So how is it that 3 guys with that little in common make it a ritual to carve 2 hours out of our schedules every day for each others company? The cigar. It’s what I call, “The Great Equalizer”. We don’t treat each other as Admirals, students or local business owners. We treat each other as brethren who come together in an environment of companionship joined by one single interest. Kinda like....well, a fraternity. 

One thing my Dad, brother and myself pride ourselves on is how diverse En Fuego is. En Fuego shows no prejudice toward color, age, race, social status, income or gender. We will always provide a comfortable lounge that anyone can sit and enjoy a cigar in. If you buy a cigar from us, you should be able to enjoy it with us. We don’t think you have to be the upper crust of society to enjoy the pleasures of our fraternity. While here, you may be sitting between 2 guys, one who makes double your income, and the other a fraction. But fear not. Once you walk  through the doors of En Fuego we are all fraternal brothers who share one common passion; the camaraderie that always accompanies the mutual love of a fine cigar.

Who knows, you may end up making a lifelong friend. One whom you never would have had the opportunity to meet outside of the En Fuego fraternity. Ken, Aaron, myself and about 4 hours worth of cigars took to the golf course last week. From the outside bystander, we were the most hodge podge threesome out there. But to us, we were part of a fraternal brotherhood. Apparently, God wasn’t listening to Aaron’s golf prayers that day and hopefully Ken is better at tracking down nuclear submarines than he is at reading greens. Oh well, at least the cigars were good.

-Mark Moore

En Fuego Announces Opening of New Location!

Press Release: For Immediate Release January 26th, 2012

En Fuego Tobacco Shop LLC is proud to announce the opening of their newest store in Frisco, TX. The store will be located at 6190 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco, TX 75034. En Fuego Tobacco Shop will be taking over the space previously occupied by Patriarch Cigars.  The opening of En Fuego Tobacco Shop-Frisco is estimated to be in early March.

Frisco area residents should expect to find En Fuego Tobacco Shop to be an upscale premium cigar store, offering the finest cigar and tobacco products on the market, giving the patrons a cozy, relaxing environment to enjoy themselves.  Most importantly, patrons should also expect unparalleled customer service in the premium tobacco industry.

Mark states, “Given the favorable demographics of the Frisco area and the surrounding businesses, I felt like this was an easy choice to expand the company into this area.”

Larry adds, “We know that our customers have many choices when it comes to buying premium cigars, we feel confident that this beautiful location, complimented with our customer service, will ultimately win over the cigar smoking population in this area.”

About En Fuego Tobacco Shop

En Fuego Tobacco Shop was founded in 2006. It is co-owned by Mark Moore and father, Larry Moore.  The En Fuego Company has built its success on offering quality customer service, a vast selection of premium cigars and a beautiful setting and lounge for patrons to enjoy. In 2010 En Fuego opened its second location in Murphy, TX. The stores are family owned and operated. While being upscale in appearance, En Fuego is noted for its comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. En Fuego customers enjoy the many brands that are available in the premium cigar industry including, Ashton, Padron, La Flor Dominicana, Oliva, Rocky Patel, Altadis, General Cigar, Drew Estate, Camacho, Alec Bradley, Xikar, Perdomo, Arturo Fuente and many others. Additionally, En Fuego carries top pipe brands, pipe tobaccos, cigar humidors, lighters and accessories.

En Fuego Tobacco Shop: Rockwall: 2083 Summer Lee Dr., 972-771-4888

En Fuego Tobacco Shop: Murphy: 205 E. FM 544, 972-509-4888

En Fuego Tobacco Shop: Frisco: 6190 Frisco Square Blvd., 214-494-4688

www.enfuegocigars.com                          

Facebook @ En Fuego Tobacco Shop                     

Twitter @EnFuegoTobacco

One of the Best Cigar Makers on the Planet

Don Jose "Pepin" Garcia

You may or may not of heard of this guy. In fact, if you have heard of him and smoked his cigars. Then you can probably attest to this article. This is not an exhaustive history of Pepin and his brand, but I was hoping to simply educate the noneducated about Pepin and his cigars.

In a very short period of time, Pepin has solidified himself as one of the best cigar makers in this industry. Pepin's story is alot like many other cigar makers in this industry, he emigrated from Cuba with his family, seeking a better life, and began plying his craft making cigars destined for the American market. However, Pepin was not a cigar maker in Cuba, rather he was one of the best rollers to ever come out of the country.

Shortly after coming to the states, Pepin opened his factory El Rey de los Habanos and began cranking top quality cigars bearing his own brand as well as making brands for other guys. One of the hottest brands that helped put Pepin on the map was Tatuaje, owned by Pete Johnson. Today, cigar companies are seeking out Pepin to blend a roll cigars for him, as he is about the best in the business right now. Pepin works predominately with Nicaraguan tobaccos and is known for his fuller flavored tastes. Some of the brands he makes are: Don Pepin Garcia brands including Vegas Cubanas, La Reloba and Jaime Garcia, Tatuaje, La Aroma de Cuba and Murcielago.

When you pick up a DPG made cigar you will find that it will have these qualities; rich flavors, great quality tobaccos, and an impeccable construction and draw. Next time you come to the store, ask one of us to point you to these great brands and see for yourself.

If you want to read a more through article on DPG, click here:
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/6220/p/1

10 good reasons NOT to smoke cigars at En Fuego.

By Mark

10 good reasons NOT to smoke cigars at En Fuego.

You’ll only be supporting 3rd world countries.

Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican are all countries who, we as Americans, have the perception of being ran by guerrilla militia, kidnapping professional baseball players for ransoms & having undrinkable water. But man, they sure do make some good cigars.

You might out live your spouse.

Recent studies have shown that on average, pipe smokers live longer than those that don’t. Why?  Most life threatening diseases, regardless of nature, in some shape or form stem from stress.

You may be accused of being a philanthropist.

Last fall, 150 of our most generous costumers dusted off their golf clubs & raised almost $30,000 for a local non-profit autistic charity. This October will be the 5th year of this charitable endeavor.

It will change your assumptions of cigar smokers.

Not all of them are cowboys, playboy tycoons or mafia types. They are just normal people like you & me. School teachers, mechanics, waiters, judges, cops, city workers, preachers, part timers, full timers, old, young, lower, middle, upper class & everything in between.

You may acquire a nickname.

Doogie, Dougie, the counselor, the professor, the musketeer, the chairman, Marky Mark, Pretty Ricky, Colorado Dave, Junior, Senior, Beagle, Fat Guy, Seahawk, Blue Tuna, Harvard & Bogey, just to name a few. If you have nightmares of your 5th grade bully calling you nicknames, this place might give you flashbacks.

You’ll see where your Doctor spends his money.

I was somewhat taken aback when I saw the guy whom I paid dearly to tell me how to get well, turned around & spend that money on cigars. The irony of the cigar smoking physician never gets old. As George Burns once said, “If I’d stopped smoking cigars when my Dr. told me to, I wouldn’t have lived to see his funeral.”

You may strike a lifelong friendship with someone more interesting than you.

For me, anyway, this happens on a fairly regular basis.

Your idea that “women don’t smoke cigars” will be shattered.

And I’m not talking about the ones who have no teeth & face resembles a 1907 Ty Cobb baseball mitt. I’m talking about classy, beautiful women who have proclaimed that the 21st century woman is taking part in what once was a male dominated past time.

You’ll develop a non-addicting addiction.

Cigars themselves aren’t addicting as you absorb virtually no nicotine (unlike cigarettes), but you’ll find the journey is. Cigar smoking is an experience at worse, a lifestyle at best. The ambience, the friendships, the laid back, easy going attitude of fellow cigar enthusiast has an essence that will leave you wanting more.

It’s a good way to piss of the left winged congress.

The fight for our right to enjoy a fine cigar has always been & will always be a battle with big brother. The most productive way is writing to your congressperson or joining Cigar Rights of America. Also, they always love to hear how many cigars we’re sending overseas to our troops each month. The same troops they depend on to uphold our freedom, which includes the freedom to enjoy cigars.

Cigar Aficionado- The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.

I had an encounter with a regular customer last week. Roy, came in with the latest Cigar Aficionado magazine and had about 5 cigars circled that he wanted to try. Evidently, the magazine had him convinced that these cigars were excellent for him and he must go out and try them right away. This is what he had circled.

1. La Flor Dominicana dl-700 Maduro.
2. Montecristo White Toro
3. Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Sungrown
4. Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary
5. La Gloria Cubana #7 Maduro

Sounds like a great list, right? I know that these are all excellent cigars, top quality and worthy of high ratings. Except, Roy only likes really mild, Connecticut wrapper cigars! On second thought, this list looks terrible for Roy! There's only 1 cigar in this list that he would enjoy, the Monte White. In addition, the 8-5-8 Sungrown, which is an awesome cigar, is about as hard to find as the Holy Grail itself. There are less than 50 stores in the U.S. that have them on their shelf.

So here are a few thoughts that I have on CA. Some good, and some bad.

1. Cigar smoking is one of the most subjective things out there. There are no absolutes in this industry. What one guy loves, the next guy hates. What one stores sells like crazy, collects dust in another store. Some guys think $5 is too much for a good cigar and some think you have to spend at least $20 to get a really good cigar. With that being said, it is impossible for CA to speak directly to you as to what is good and bad, worth smoking, and not.

2. Big ads, big ratings. Look, CA is first and foremost a business, and a very good one. If you do not take out ads with CA, then you simply will not receive the best ratings, or any ratings at all. Take, for example, Altadis USA. The largest cigar maker in the US. They are known for making Montecristo, H. Upmann, Romeo y Julieta, Por Larranaga, and about 20 other brands. Altadis had a tiff with CA and stopped doing business with CA for about 3 years. How many ratings did they get during that span? 0. Evidently, not one of their cigars was worthy of a rating or even making the famous CA Top 25 Cigars of the Year List. Last year, Altadis and CA buried the hatchet and resumed business together. Low and behold, they now have cigars that are in the Top 25 of the Year the last 2 years!

3. CA is great for the industry. CA is one of the best things to ever happen to this industry. There is no doubt about it. They have spread awareness of this very small industry to the layman cigar smoker. Many no-name cigars and their makers have CA to thank for their successes over the years. They raise awareness of legislative issues regarding smoking. They put on their yearly Big Smoke which is a raging success. They dwarf all other Cigar Publications because they are very good at what they do.

4. One thing that drives me a little crazy about CA is their love for the Cuban Cigar. If the majority of your magazine distribution is in the U.S. then why would you continue to shower accolades on a cigar that is largely unattainable for us Americans? Look, in short, Cuban cigars are good, some are great, some aren't. But, there are a TON of domestic cigars that are as good if not better than Cubans. Before you get your appetite whetted for Cubans, try 1 of the 1000's that are domestic, legal and probably better than Cubans. Ultimately, I feel like CA is largely responsible for perpetuating the idea that mysterious Cuban Cigar is the best cigar you'll ever smoke.

5. CA is very powerful, maybe too powerful. CA has solidified itself as the "Bible" for publications covering premium cigars. Many consumers think that, unless you are rated highly in CA, then you aren't a worthy smoke. This just simply isn't true. CA is useful as a resource about premium cigars, but there are many other useful resources as well. It's power means that, after all my criticism about CA, I will still use the magazine and it's ratings as a selling point when the opportunity presents itself because I know that many consumers will find value in the ratings.

In this, the day of the Internet, I believe that somebody who wants to gain the most knowledge about cigars, will probably find them self scouring the Internet instead of a print publication. Here's a list of some additional great resources that you may want to utilize as you take your cigar journey.

1. Your local tobacconist. Who knows what you like better than this person? He sees you every time you come in and knows your likes and dislikes. He is intimately knowledgeable about the industry, new cigars, the blends of cigars, and can steer you in the right direction when you come in. ASK! And you shall receive lots of good, usable knowledge from him. This industry moves and changes at a rapid pace, so even the regular aficionados are rarely are abreast of all that is out there, but your local tobacconist should be.

2. Blogs/Websites/Discussion Forums There are a multitude of these now and I believe they are having a negative effect on CA. You can get great info from guys just like yourself. I use Halfwheel.com, BOTL.org, CigarPass.com, and Puff.com

3. Print Publications: There are a few other magazine publications that have their own spin and philosophies on this industry. We usually have them in the store (for free) or you can get your own subscription. I'm not going to suggest that one is better than the other, but they are all quality publications. They include Cigar Press, Cigar Journal, and Cigar Snob.