Columnist Muriel Stevens: Puffing up knowledge of cigars

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 | 10:03 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@vegas.com or 259-4080.

Why would this nonsmoker spend an evening at Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke Weekend at Paris Las Vegas? I asked myself that question as I headed for Paris Friday night, where the annual event was taking place.

The answer is simple. Cigars are back, big time. Not those terrible smelly machine-made things that I remember my Philadelphia uncles smoking at family gatherings, but the elegant, expensive cigars that affluent gentlemen have always favored. Those seasoned bon vivants still favor cigars, and there's a new breed of cool, younger cigar smokers these days.

These boomers and Gen-Xers are also passionate about cigars and are willing to pay up to $15 for one fine cigar, and plenty more for the accessories and humidors that are part of the mystique. It's easy these days to shop for appreciators of fine cigars.

Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, is, more than anyone else, responsible for the cigar renaissance. In the preface of the "Cigar Aficionado's Pocket Guide" ($4.95), he recalls the surge of anti-smoking sentiment that emerged in the 1970s. It effectively condemned the remaining devotees of premium hand-rolled cigars to what Shanken calls "second-class citizenship."

In 1992, when Shanken, an avid cigar smoker, launched Cigar Aficionado magazine, the cigar smoker's world was forever changed. It also changed for the makers of fine cigars. A number of the manufacturers I talked to as I walked the show said that their business skyrocketed after Shanken put his money where his passion was.

Until Friday evening the only knowledge I had about cigars was what I'd learned from my late husband, who treasured a fine cigar. I'll never forget how pleased he was when I managed to bring Havana cigars back to the States. Of course, it wasn't legal, so when the customs officer asked if I had anything to declare I told him the truth -- I was smuggling in Havana cigars for my husband. He thought that was a great joke and cleared me through the gate!

Cigar accessories can be found in specialty shops all over town, including Tiffany's, the Frey Boys shop in the Masquerade Village at the Rio, Alfred Dunhill London at the Forum Shops, Davidoff in the Grand Canal Shops at the Venetian, Neiman Marcus, Pheasant International Tobacconists at 2800 W. Sahara, and other tobacco shops all over town.

For serious smokers, a humidor is a must. A good desktop-size humidor makes a wonderful gift and offers a controlled environment that keeps the cigars from drying out. Make certain the moisture source is sufficient for the size of the humidor.

Choosing cigars requires knowledge of the smoker's preference, so opt instead for a gift certificate. Most stores sell them. Cigar cutters that open up the cigar tip to a free flow of smoke come in a variety of styles. The most popular is the double-edged guillotine type. Wooden matches remain a favorite way to light up, but a handsome lighter is a welcome gift.

For subscriptions to Cigar Aficionado or Marvin Shanken's Cigar Insider newsletter, call 800-644-4395. Tickets to the annual Las Vegas Big Smoke Evenings (includes food) would please any cigar enthusiast. For information about next year's Las Vegas Big Smoke Evenings at Paris Las Vegas, Nov. 10-12, call 212-684-4224.