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Put This in Your Pipe and Smoke It – Top 5 Nicaraguan Cigars

Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tom Cruise. Mel Gibson. Harrison Ford. Sylvester Stallone.

What in the world do all of these high-octane megastars have in common? No, they’re not all starring in Mission: Testosterone, this summer’s most muscled blockbuster. But, they do share a unique bond. In fact, they share the same connection with such historically notable folks as Fidel Castro, W.C. Fields, and even King Edward VII.

How could kings, comedians, and revolutionary leaders have anything in common with the Terminator, Rambo, and Braveheart?

It’s simple: They all love a good cigar! No, actually, they all love a great cigar!

And, when it comes to great cigars, arguably there are none better today than those coming from rich soils and humid mountain hillsides of Nicaragua. Long having taken a backseat to the Cuban cigar-making dynasty, Nicaragua is making its mark on the international scene with the finest cigars found anywhere on the planet.

Just like its booming real estate market that has rebounded after natural disasters and political unrest to become one of the best places in the world to invest, the Nicaraguan cigar industry is benefiting and experiencing a renaissance as well. From the center of it cigar revolution in Esteli to Condega and all the way out to the Jalapa Valley, Nicaragua is home to the world’s best cigar makers, tobacco, and established and up-and-coming brands.

With so many great cigars to choose from, the problem for the cigar aficionado and the newbie alike becomes not “How can I find a good Nicaraguan cigar,” but where should I even start? To help you make your way through the jungle landscape of choice, let’s take a look at five all-time favorites.

5. Plasencia Organica Nesticos

Profile: small cigar, mild, but rich taste

Big things come in little packages! The world’s first 100% Certified Organic cigar, the Plasencia Organica Nesticos are pure handmade tobacco magic. These little cigars take advantage of Plansencia’s renowned three-year-aged, organically-grown Nicaraguan tobaccos and serve it up in a smoke-able size that allows you to enjoy big cigar flavor even when you don’t have a lot of time.

4. Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970, Robusto Grande.

Profile: strong, robust, earthy, woody, big, heavy-bodied…you get the idea, this cigar ain’t messing around!

This hefty all-Nicaraguan tobacco cigar was crafted to appeal to an American clientele who could no longer puff their favorite Havanas after the Cuban revolution. Let’s just call it like it is: The Robusto Grande is a big daddy of a cigar – both in size and flavor. There’s no getting around the fact that it packs a seriously rich blow with that characteristic Nicaraguan metallic twang. If you like your cigars to knock you out with a power-packed punch, this is your choice.

3. Felipe II Fat Boy

Profile: medium-bodied, earthy, spicy coffee bean aromas, roasted butter finish

Rated 90 by Cigar Aficionado, this ridiculously rich tasting cigar by Felipe Gregorio is definitely round and robust, but has a seamlessly smooth quality that makes it a definite contender. The Fat Boy’s small, but stocky size (3.5 x 55) gives it a definite “Don’t Mess with Me” attitude. When you’re feeling like a fine fatty at a reasonable rate, find yourself a Felipe II and get ready for a taste explosion.

2. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series

Profile: medium to full-bodied, long finish, perfectly balanced.

If you want to feel like a celebrity, then you’ll want to take a pull on any cigar from the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series. Made to celebrate their 30th anniversary, this line is crafted from only their best tobaccos and is often quite difficult to find. However, when you do get your hands on one, you’ll experience a masterful cigar from first spark to final ash tap. Despite the price, this is a must-have in your collection.

1. Perdomo Edición de Silvio

Profile: robust, delicate tones, perfection

This exquisite cigar is considered by many to be one of the best in the world bar none. With a secret blend of the finest tobaccos, this is the holy grail of cigars. And, although it is by far the most exclusive (read: expensive) cigar on my list, it’s not to be missed. So, when you start making huge profits with your Nicaraguan real estate investments, you can experience a little decadence with a Perdomo Edicion de Silvio.

As you can quickly see, the Nicaraguan cigar revolution is in full swing – a rich variety of flavors that is unmatched anywhere in the world. With its fascinating history, the Nicaraguan cigar story is one that can’t be missed. When you light up any of the above cigars, you’ll know that you’ve found a new favorite in Nicaragua.

A few years ago, in 2006, the Nevada legislature imposed a public smoking ban.

The new rule doesn’t apply – as yet – to the storied casinos of Las Vegas, where smoking is still allowed on gaming floors. And of course Nevada is hardly the only recent state to impose restrictions on public smoking. Indeed, it joins over thirty states (at this writing) with such laws on the books. If you are reading this from the United States, it is likely that a similar law applies to your area: half the country’s population is currently under the jurisdiction of a public-smoking regulation of some kind.

But the idea of a smoking ban passing the Nevada legislature seems almost like a kind of spiritual defeat for cigar smokers: after all, what could more epitomize “cigar cool” than the mental image of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, cigars and drinks in hand, finger-popping their ways through the floor of a Vegas casino?

It just symbolizes a fact that’s made passionate smokers’ lives a little more difficult over the past decade: in the interest of public health (and out of consideration for asthmatics and others), more and more city councils and state legislatures are choosing to ban public smoking outright, or are limiting it to certain licensed facilities.

Arguments about the effectiveness or appropriateness of these bans to one side, we can all agree that they mean that smokers have to put a little more energy into planning vacations. For a person who loves the taste of a good cigar, for whom relaxation doesn’t become meaningful until there’s a stogie involved, there’s no point in a vacation where you can’t even smoke in your hotel room. With smoking bans underway in Atlantic City (and this ban extends to casinos) and similar one-time bastions of cigar culture, frustrated cigar smokers are turning to a new option: the cruise ship.

And why not? Cruise ship vacations offer the ultimate chance to “get away from it all,” a continuous expanse of blue water, and the opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the country (and world). Few cruises are completely smoke-free, with most offering, at the very least, designated smoking areas that might include cigar bars or lounges. So it’s hard to go completely wrong – wherever you book your passage, you’ll almost always have at least some chance to smoke.

More and more luxury cruise lines don’t allow smoking in living quarters – that’s one downfall. After all, the next person using your room might be a nonsmoker, and it doesn’t make economic sense for cruise ship directors to designate permanent “smoking” and “nonsmoking” rooms; such a move would involve logistical nightmares during booking. But luxury quarters often include balconies, where smoking is sometimes still allowed.

The recent case of a cruise line headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida gives smokers an indication of what they can expect. The cruise line, according to some reports, lost millions in bookings after instituting a partial smoking ban in 2007. But compared to those bans that have caused smokers such dismay in Atlantic City and Ottawa, the Florida-based cruise line’s smoking ban doesn’t even apply to the on-ship bars and casinos.

Indeed, the cruise ship industry seems to be following the opposite track of most US states and municipalities – as they grow more restrictive toward smoking, cruise lines are growing more permissive. One completely smoke-free cruise ship line went out of business awhile ago; another once-smokeless line changed its policies to allow some smoking on the boat.

Smokers will likely want to evaluate cruise line policies prior to booking as there are has examples of ships with almost smoke-free policies. Smoking on such lines may only be permitted in two designated areas – and if you light up anywhere else, you could be kicked off the boat! (That presumably doesn’t mean you’ll be forced to walk the plank, but it’s probably not worth finding out.)

Another rule of thumb mentioned by several travel writers: if you’re looking for company as you smoke, go for a cruise line with a high number of European and Asian clientele. Citizens of many of these countries often still smoke in higher numbers than do contemporary Americans, and there is a Spain-based cruise line that currently sports the least restrictive smoking policy out there.

Smoking has remained an integral part of young and old since the beginning of time. Ask a smoker what is the real charm of smoking and the twinkle in the eyes will speak a thousand words. Cigars enjoy mass appeal at all times. They are way to flaunt your style, monetary status, power, and passion. Your cigars are the integral part of each and every celebration, personal pride, and happiness. The cigars are available in many designs, colors and flavors. You just need to buy as per your taste.

Manufacturing of the cigars

Cigars are made up of tobacco leaves. Carefully collected and cleaned and packed manually, the taste of the cigars depends upon these small yet essential stages of manufacturing and packaging. The tobacco leaves are grown in parts of Poland, South Africa and Argentina. Depending upon the way each leaf is packed in the cigar you can categorize into mild, medium and full bodied. The amount of smoke produced in the mouth adds up to the value of the cigar, but this term is totally subjective. There are many brands available in the market and they are individually categorized into different categories for size, flavors, aroma and amount of smoke formed in the mouth.

Types of cigars

There are many world famous brands of which the Cuban cigars need special mentioning. The specialty of this brand is the fact that despite being banned by the government it is hot favorite of millions across the globe. Other than that the Macanudo cigars and Churchill, Robust, Corona etc are few of the worth special mentioning brands from the millions available.

Buying cigars online

You can now buy your cigars online at one convenient website. There are many agents who stock and supply the cigars of all reputed brands at heavily discounted prices. You simply need to click and order. Within days your order will reach your doorsteps. Also, these agents have collections of all related accessories at their online store as well. You can now compare prices and buy from the store of your choice.

Cigars have long been associated with the rich and powerful, with relaxation and rich flavor.  Cigar aficionados have created a culture around the art of smoking, assembling various theories and accessories to debate and facilitate smoking.  Much like wine tasting, cigar smoking has been seen as a diversion of the upper echelons of society.

It is believed that cigars were probably first produced in Spain, and then quickly caught on in other European countries.  Although many different countries manufacture cigars, Cuban cigars have long been highly regarded as one of the most flavorful and rich of all cigars.  This is due to regional microclimates that are said to produce the highest quality tobacco, as well as the skill of the country’s cigar makers.  Other countries that produce significant amounts of tobacco and cigars include Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and the United States. Why have cigars long caught the attention of so many?  Many speculate that the cigar’s main attraction is in the way it is manufactured.  High quality cigars are always wrapped by hand.  Unlike cigarettes, cigars undergo a lengthy process of fermentation and aging (much like wine), resulting in subtle flavors and textures.  They are highly individual and the best cigars will provide no smoky aftertaste at all.  

The taste of cigars is much more complex than cigarettes.  The majority of all cigars are created by wrapping three different layers of tobacco leaves together.  High quality cigars usually contain long leaves of nicotine as the filler, although they may also contain a combination of scraps.  This results in subtle variations, different textures, and complex flavors. Cigarettes, on the other hand, are mass-produced and generally only contain one type of tobacco.  Cigars also come in an incredible variety of flavors. The dedicated cigar aficionado can find chocolate, vanilla, apple, and even coffee-flavored cigars!  

Although cigars have long been lauded for their smooth and complex flavors, they can also pose a great health risk. All tobacco contains nicotine.  We’ve all heard about the negative health risks of nicotine, but what does it do exactly?  Nicotine is a stimulant that produces a sense of euphoria. Even the casual smoker cannot escape the fact that nicotine is highly addictive and contains various toxins, carcinogens, and irritants.  Although most connoisseurs of cigars will avoid inhaling the smoke, they are still at risk of developing various types of oral and larynx cancers.

                                          LIVING TRUSTS: FACT AND FICTION           

Living trusts are powerful estate planning tools that can help many people.  Living trusts provide certain advantages that are not available with other estate planning devices.  Living trusts are a way to manage and control property during life and distribute property at death.  They are not, however, a cure-all.  Disciples of the living trust abound today.  They tout the advantages of living trusts with the fervor of a television evangelist.  Let’s separate the facts about living trusts from some of the fiction that is being advocated.

First, it is necessary to understand the nature of a living trust.  Technically, living trusts are “revocable inter vivos” trusts.  If a trust is “revocable,” the person who establishes the trust can change all or any part of the trust, so long as that person is competent.  “Inter vivos” is Latin for “during life.”  At death, the living trust becomes irrevocable.  Assets owned by living trusts generally are not included as part of the probate process at death.  Probate is the court proceeding by which a deceased person’s assets are gathered and distributed to his or her beneficiaries.

Fact or fiction, avoiding probate is always desirable?  In a strict sense, this is fiction.  Probate can be an expensive and time consuming process.  However, many states have adopted the modern Uniform Probate Code that substantially streamlines the process.  Also, there are some situations in which a probate proceeding may be desirable. 

Fact or fiction, living trusts always save money during administration of the estate?  By avoiding the probate court, living trusts may save on the associated attorney fees and court costs.  However, there are still income and estate tax returns to file and legal, administrative and asset transfer work to do.  This claim is not fiction, although it is hyperbole.

Fact or fiction, living trusts save on estate taxes?  Fiction.  Living trusts do not necessarily save federal estate taxes.  Estate tax saving provisions can be incorporated into living trusts.  However, those same provisions can be incorporated into a will.  Therefore, living trusts do not offer any inherent tax saving advantages.

Fact or fiction, living trusts are private?  This is largely fact.  By avoiding the probate process, you can keep the distribution of your assets private.  Also, if the trust is funded (i.e. assets have been transferred into the trust before death) the size of the estate can be kept quiet.  Note, however, that some transfers, notably real estate, are always public.  Note also that the probate process in many states prohibits outsiders from learning what assets are part of the estate’s inventory.

Fact or fiction, a living trust can help in the event of incapacity? Fact, provided you have either placed assets in the trust before incapacity or a device exists to place your assets into the trust in the event of incapacity.  Another device, the durable power of attorney, can be used in some cases as a less expensive alternative to the living trust when planning for incapacity.

A trust is not appropriate for every individual.  You should discuss the advantages of a trust with your estate planning attorney if:  1.  you are the parent of minor children, 2.  you desire privacy, 3.  you own real property, 4. your estate is in excess of the applicable exclusion amount, and 5. you wish to avoid probate.

The living trust is an important tool that provides many advantages.  Living trusts are not, and never have been, a panacea.  It remains important to work with an experienced estate planning attorney and evaluate all alternatives before adopting an estate planning strategy.

This material was prepared by Raymond James for use by Kevin F. Duffy CFP® CRPC, Vice President, Investments of (Raymond James & Associates, Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC or Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC).

Kevin joined the Financial Services Industry in 2001; he has acquired both the CFP® and the CRPC® designations. These designations are a testament to his integrity and commitment to his clients. Kevin views every client relationship as unique and develops individual solutions to address individual goals. In today’s challenging market Kevin uses his knowledge to help retirees and pre-retirees like you plan for lifetime income, while minimizing the devastating effects of market risk. When you meet Kevin, he will address some of the common financial mistakes made by investors and how to overcome them. You do not want to miss this opportunity with Mr. Duffy.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/wealth-building-articles/living-trusts-fact-and-fiction-1650177.html