It’s not your fault, it’s human nature. We remember faces instinctively. It times back to when we were cavemen and remembering an enemies face was often the difference between life or death.

But names, however, are a relatively new phenomena, one not necessarily tied to survival. It is however, a skill that can be the difference between nailing a job interview or being unemployed, getting her number or getting her back, the modern man’s life or death.

Well as an evolving gentlemen, and reader of THS, we are about to make this faux-pas, a thing of the past- for you and your social life.

In social settings, we don’t like introductions from the start of conversation. If possible, post-pone it. Whether you are at a networking event, a soirée, or other social situation involving several people, introductions before conversations tend to be forgettable by nature as half the people are you talk to will be boring by nature.

Be nice to everyone, but you’re struggling to remember names, we’re going to filter some people out to make it easier for you. Let’s only focus on the people you truly want to befriend.

So what do you do?

First you must become a genuinely interested listener. You must actively listen in the conversation, rather than just waiting for your turn to talk. That way when you finally ask for their name it doesn’t just go in one ear and out the other. This is a skill that takes years to practice, but probably one of the most important skills you will ever learn in your life.

“You will gain more friends in two months by becoming interested in others, than two years trying to get others interested in you.”

Ok awesome, you have their name. Don’t forget it now! What do you do?

1.) 90% of the time it’s going to be a common name. In fact, you probably already know someone by the same name. We’ll use “Christie” as an example.

I want you to picture your new friend Christie doing something crazy with the Christie you already know. Sky-diving, robbing a bank together, making out, it doesn’t matter what it is, all that matters is that you associate your new friend with a familiar face. The name will come to you almost instantly whenever you need it.

Ok Christie. I've got the guard. Grab the money

2.) If the name is uncommon, ask for a spelling and then make up your own visual association. You are going to need to get creative with this one. For example: my name is Ayman, very weird, very uncommon, very exotic. I introduce people by saying:

“My name is Ayman, like Cayman Islands without the C.”

I think every single person I’ve used that line with has remembered my name. I don’t know if they associate me with a tropical paradise, but I’ve engaged their memory and made sure my name wasn’t another word falling on deaf ears.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as accommodating so you will need to make up your own visualizations. Get creative. What’s important is that you take a conscience effort to try and remember the name. If you do that, you’re already 80% ahead of the game.

Never again will you shy away from a business connection because you’re too embarrassed to ask for his name again, never again will you fumble your words in chance bumpings with acquaintances. This is your court and you will command it.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Hail Mary: The conversation went great, you’ve created a great business contact and plan to meet up for lunch, or finally asked for a girl’s number, you can’t screw it up now by asking for their name again. Here’s what you do:

As you’re entering their info in your phone, use this line:

“How do you spell your name?”

or if you’re certain their name is pretty common you can say

“Is your name spelled the normal way?”

Either way they will spell their name out for you so you can punch it into your phone.

No

Just because you’re wearing jeans and blazer does not mean you look good. If it looks like you borrowed your dad’s jacket, and are still wearing the same jeans you wore in high school then it’s time you change the way you shop. If you haven’t already followed our advice make sure everything you wear is slimmer and form-flattering.

If nothing is form flattering for you– then you’re probably fat-lose weight.

When you wear a button-down and blazer you need to get a shirt that fits well. Only a sliver of shirt cuff should show near your wrists. This means the shirt must fit you slim as well. No more bunching at the waist. That gives you the appearance of love handles even if you have a 6-pack.

Lose the baggy shirts Soulja Boi

Also square-toe shoes are never in fashion. They are the PT Cruisers of the fashion world. Never cool, but their owners are oblivious.

Next, the blazer. Make sure blazers hug your shoulders, and get a tailor to take it in at the waist and arms.

Jeans that are meant to go out should be dark. Hell, all your jeans should be dark. Opt for a dark navy with no crazy designs. We like Rock and Republic for their simple elegance and the lack of a douche bag stigma associated with True Religion. Make sure they fit you like your khakis do. Snug but not 80’s metal tight. If I can count the coins in your pocket- use them to call a tailor.

Spring for a nice pair- even if they’re $200 bucks. If you wear them 50 times over the next four years, they’ll be cheaper than that $60 dollar shirt sitting in your closet for that past five. Remember fashion rule number seven.

You follow this simple advice, you’ll walk on water next time you go out.

Unshakably Confident

Save the jumping for Kobe though.

Blazer, $2,025, and jeans, $450, by Dolce & Gabbana. Shirt, $168, by Steven Alan. Shoes, $820, by Church’s.

Corksavvy.com came out with a cheat sheet for wine pairings, which is great since you can print it out wallet-sized or just put it down in your phone or organizer. Now, anyone can fake wine expertise. Personally, we’ll just stick to making bold, confident generalizations, and have everyone at the table agree with our suggestions.

Sign up here

Registration is free, they don’t spam your inbox with emails, and the deals inside feel like you’re robbing someone. The site even feels like a black market- dark, spooky, and filled with rock bottom prices, exclusive membership just adds to the allure. Check it out- you won’t regret it.

A. Testoni Italian Bench Made Cognac Oxford -Regular Price $1,830 Sale Price $330

They even have stuff for the home, women, and children.

Sign up here

First Date Fiasco

Chances are you have probably been doing the dinner and a movie date for a while.

Or the dinner date.

Or the movie date.

These places are terrible for building attraction, they don’t highlight your personality, and they don’t foster affection. All key for securing a second date.

Here’s why they don’t work to your advantage.

If you are on a three-hour date, and the movie is 2 and a half-hours long, that is not a good way to get to know each other.

I understand the appeal of the movie- it eliminates awkward pauses in conversations.

I hate to break it to you, but if you’re on a first date, and you’re already having awkward pauses, chances are it wasn’t meant for the two of you to be together.

If you’re that worried about holding a conversation, at least take her to a comedy club so you’re not responsible for making her laugh (which you should anyway-constantly), and it gives you something to talk about after.

So do a little research, investigate some cafe’s in your area. Go to some dive bars. Ideally ones with bench seating so you can sit next to each other. Find a cool spot that you can take her to grab a drink, maybe some dessert and just talk and flirt.

You’ll end up spending less money if you don’t share chemistry, and you have more oppurtunities to play footsies if everything works out.

Regardless of the location, the goal of the date should be to get the kiss. And you can’t kiss without touching, and its very difficult to touch when you’re sitting across from her on a table eating who knows what.

You’ll probably be able to have more first dates now with less time, effort, and money, and eliminate a month of dating and hundreds of dollars only to realize it wasn’t meant to be.

Your wallet and your ego will thank you for it.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

-The Haute Spot

It is a remarkably simple dish, but when your guests taste it, they will swear they’re in Little Italy.

The recipe is called Chicken Gnocci Veronese.

Chicken Gnocci Veronese

For those that have never tried gnocci, it is a type of pasta made out of potato. Shaped like a dumpling, they have the consistency of play-doh and taste like fresh warm bread. It is remarkably different from any pasta you have tried and by itself will wow your guests. You can either make them yourself or just take the easy route like we did, and buy them pre-made at your local grocery store.

Potato Gnocci

This particular chicken pasta has a rich creamy taste with a zesty lemon chicken bite. It has a wealth of complexity in the flavors and tastes far better than it should.

Try it. We guarantee your guests will be begging for seconds.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced (julienned)
• 1/2 zucchini, sliced (julienned)
• salt
• 4 chicken breasts, sliced in 1/2 strips
• 2 small rosemary sprigs
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 lemon, juice of
• 1 pound of Gnocci (2 pounds if you’re serving more than 2)

VERONESE SAUCE

• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 14 fluid ounces heavy cream

Steps

1.) Combine the garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, and small chicken slices in a mixing bowl and let marinate for at least 2 hours. The longer the better.

2.) When the chicken has finished marinating, bring water to boil in a sauce pot. Drop in gnocchi. Reduce heat when it all floats.

2.) While waiting for the gnocci to cook: In a separate mixing bowl combine the ricotta cheese, the heavy cream and half the parmesean cheese together. Set aside

3.) Heat a Sauté pan on medium high. Add the extra virgin olive oil, onions, bell peppers, and zucchini. Saute the mixture until the onions are translucent- do not brown!

4.) Then add the marinated chicken slices into the same saute pan and cook until slices are brown on all sides and internal temperature is 165°F (When you slice the thickest piece open and it’s white the whole way through-no pink!)

5.) Reduce the heat on the chicken and vegetables and add the cheese sauce and bring to a simmer.

6.) Drain the gnocci and add to the chicken, vegtables and cheese sauce. Stir the entire plate together to coat the gnocci with the cheese sauce. Keep the pan on the heat until the sauce reaches the thickness of your liking- personally we like it pretty thick.

7.) Serve on a plate and sprinkle on the remaining parmesean cheese.

Light a candle and compliment with a cold glass of sparkling wine or champagne. This dish is pretty heavy so you’re going to need something light to wash it down.

And that’s it! Enjoy.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

-The Haute Spot
Oh and remember- Every guy should have a signature dish, even if it’s his only one.

Here at THS we will explain the difference between parties that flourish, and those that flop. More importantly we will show you the way to stay in the former camp and develop a reputation for throwing the best parties known to man.

Crowd surfing: A good indicator that your party is a success

1.) Location

The number one rule in real estate applies to parties as well. Parking must be plentiful. Make sure that it’s not too far from your guests or they may be discouraged by the long drive. And if they do come, they may not drink for fear of driving under the influence.

Visit your neighbors.

Inform them that you are having a party for a special occasion. Give them your cell phone number and tell them to call you personally incase the party gets too loud – you can even extend a friendly invitation. This insures no one calls the cops and gets your party shut down.

Make sure you have plenty of room for a dance floor. Don’t leave anything valuable in a public place that can be broken or stolen.

2.) Reason and Theme

Now we’re not suggesting that you need a reason to throw a party, but it helps with the planning if you have one. A reason helps you to determine a theme (which we find to be crucial for any legendary party). The theme doesn’t need to be as exaggerated as a 70’s party, but even simple colors can help bring cohesion to an otherwise unorganized mess.Themes will turn a random house party something your guests talk about tomorrow, to a party they text about tonight.

"Get over here now! This party is awesome!

Sometimes finding a theme will be easy like Halloween or New Years (the most overrated night of partying of all time), or it may be a little more obscure- a surprise party for a friend.

If you don’t have a reason for throwing the party then feel free to pick from any one of the themes below:

1.) Any combination of colors (black, white, red, black and white, back and gold, black and silver, white and red, etc.)

These parties are great and usually very classy. Let guests know the dress code early and make it mandatory- even going as far as stating you will not be admitted if you are not dressed in theme. There’s nothing like having that one asshole who decided to wear a purple graphic shirt to your white party.

A Beach White Party

2.) Decade party (20’s,60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s)

Hint: 80’s parties are irresistible to girls

3.) Heaven, Hell, Heaven and Hell

4.)Pirate theme

5.) ABC party- Anything But Clothes (garbage bags, duct tape, cardboard boxes etc.)

6.) School girl and Sexy Teachers Party

7.) G.I. Joe and Barbie Theme

8.) Superhero party

9.) Cowboys and Indians party

10.) Sports theme

11.) Wine or Champagne Tasting Party

-Everyone brings a bottle of wine. You cover each bottle by bag or paper and number them randomly. Everyone gets a sample of each bottle and rates them. Tally the scores and reveal the winners. The person who brought the best tasting wine wins a bottle to take home.

12.) Hawaiian Luau

13.) Mafia Party

14.) Lingerie/Playboy party

Now some of these themes may be a little too elementary for you, and some may be too high-brow, but it will give you a good launching point to help develop a successful party theme. Get the pulse of your female friends- they usually have a good sense of what the girls you know will get excited about going to.

Themes are important whether it's a house party or elegant Soiree

In fact get one of your hot female friends to help throw the party- both guys and girls tend to assume a party will be more fun when it’s thrown by a hot girl.

3.) Guest List

The guest list is vital. It will decide how successful the party will be. You want to aim for a 60/40 mix of women to men. Any more women and the party will be too catty. Any more men and it will look like a sword fight.

You should probably give guest list duties to someone else next time

Also be mindful of different social groups. A party is less fun when everyone knows each other. You want some guests to be strangers to each other at a party (this stimulates a fun chemistry), but you don’t want your hippy musician friends socializing with your boss from work. Be cognizant and recognize the social group of all your guests and try to invite like minded people.

Also be mindful that certain people won’t attend, so feel free to invite a few more people then you actually want attending. It’s always better to have a party that is too packed, then a party that is too empty.

4.) Invitations

Always start by developing a buzz via word of mouth. You want people to know that you are throwing a party soon. Use your hot friend to help accomplish this.

This can help develop an air of tension and anticipation for your party- especially if you have a reputation for throwing great parties (which you will after following our advice).

Once everything is set, and you have the date, time, and place decided, you can begin to invite people. You want to aim for at least 10 days before the party starts but never more then 3 weeks. This gives people enough time to prepare, girls enough time to go shopping for outfits, but it’s not so far ahead that people forget.

5.) Drinks

Probably the most vital thing at a party. Sure you can have fun without alcohol. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they’ve invented the lighter?

As a cardinal rule: The drunker the people at your party get, the more fun they will have.

The key is to have plenty of alcohol. Have it chilled and ready to drink before the party starts. Make all your mixed drinks and punches beforehand so you can play a good host rather than bartender.

Read our article on building an effective home bar so you’re always ready for an impromptu get together.

An Inviting Party Bar

But for the simple essentials just take this grocery list:

1.) A Keg: The most basic of party essentials. It will service a large amount of people for very cheap.

As a general guideline you don’t want to buy more expensive beer kegs. More expensive brands achieve a higher level of flavor by adding more hops- which although make the beer more flavorful, are also very filling (remember the cardinal rule).

For kegs, you actually want to spring for a cheaper beer- Bud Light or Miller Lite. These brands use rice as a substitution to more hops to help make the beer less filling and easier to drink. In fact “Light” beers were originally invented not for the health conscious but rather the heavy drinker.

Personally, we recommend Miller Lite for your Keg purchases. It may have the stigma as being a “girly” beer, however it has less carbonation and it is easier to drink than Bud Light which girls will appreciate. And guys will drink anything anyway.

2.) A Punch: If there is one thing you need for a party, it’s a bowl of punch.

Most girls don’t like beer- at least they don’t like it enough to drink it heavily. Which is why you should always have an alternative for your guests. We recommend this recipe from DrinksRecipe for Jungle Juice.

Jungle Juice Recipe

1 L Everclear® alcohol
5.25 L (3 1.75L bottles) vodka
1 bottle peach schnapps
1 pint Bacardi® 151 rum
1 bottle 99 Apples® apple schnapps
10 L Sprite® soda
1 L Sunny Delight® orange juice
1 L triple sec
1.75 L bottle gin
1 bottle DeKuyper® Sour Apple Pucker schnapps
4 bottles Boone’s Farm® Strawberry Hill wine
8 L Hawaiian Punch®
2 containers orange juice concentrate
fruit (as much as desired)

Mix all the ingredients in a Coach’s Cooler or similar apparatus. Add the fruit and let it soak overnight. Use dry ice in a ziplock bag to help keep it cold and prevent the dry ice from melting into the recipe. Add regular ice before you serve, and add water to taste, but honestly, you can barely taste the alcohol as it is, making this a very dangerous party starter.

One cup has about 15% alcohol or the equivalent of 3 beers. After 2 or 3 cups, you can imagine how fun your party will be. The concoction is expensive to make- approximately $200 per batch depending on your location so feel free to remove some of the ingredients as you see fit- if the punch tastes like juice to begin with, removing any of the alcohol wont’t hurt.

Feel free to put some punch in a serving bowl and ladle added with fruit so your guests can serve themselves. The fruit will have a lot of alcohol naturally soaked into it, so biting into it will just provide your juice with an added punch (no pun intended).

3.) The Basics: Any party can have a keg and a bowl of punch. The best parties have a slew of alcohol to choose from displayed broadly as if saying- money is no object.

1.) A great sipping whisky (Macallan’s 18, Highland Park 21, Blue Label)

2.) A great mixing whiskey (Dewer’s 12, Crown Royal, Maker’s Mark, Black Label)

3.) A premium bottle of vodka (Belvedere or Grey Goose, and Ketel One)

4.) A great Reposado or Blanco Tequila (4 Copas, Gran Patron Silver, 1921- great for shots to help get the party started)

5.) A great selection of beers (Lagers, Dunkels, anything for the discerning beer drinker)

6.) Champagne (It’s a celebration)

7.) Amaretto (For making amaretto sours- only for girls that don’t like the taste of alcohol)

8.) Respectable selection of wines (Red, Whites, Chardonnay, Sovereign Blanc, Zinfandel, etc)

9.) Extra’s: Ice! (Get As many bags as you think you need, then get 5 more), Quality glasses, Large Heavy Duty Shaker (don’t put anything carbonated in it- rookie mistake), Towels

10.) Mixers: Soda’s, Sour mix, Juices, etc.

11.) Garnishes: Lemon and Lime Wedges, Olives, Toothpicks, and Precut lemon and lime twists (Nothing makes a drink fancier than a twist- for girls only)

12.) Something impressive to put it all in (Go dark wood, with darker leather)

4.) The unsung heroes: Cups and Ice

I have seen many great parties go downhill because people ran out of the simplest things. No one wants to wait while someone goes on a quick run to grab more cups or ice.

Even worse is running out of alcohol. It’s as if the music stops the second the last beer is cracked open. Trust us- it’s not pretty.

Also a true gentleman doesn’t throw a BYOB party. At least if you’re over 27.

5.) Food: No

Unless it’s a dinner party we would shy away from foods. People come to parties to have a good time, not get fed.

Food sobers you up, makes your breath smell, and is generally unattractive. There’s nothing sexy about typical party foods- chips, salsa, pizza etc.

If you insist, keep the food items clean- fruits, hors’dourves, steaks. Shy away from spaghetti, fish, or anything greasy.

And leave out a plate of dinner mints to help bring the party back to it’s original glory.

6.) Sense of Arrival: The most important decorations of your party

When people pull into your party and see the venue in the distance, whether it’s your house or a banquet hall you want them to get excited. You want to decorate the outside of the venue with a sense of importance.

This subtle distinction will make the difference between “Showing up” and “You’ve arrived.”

You want to create a “Sense of Arrival.”

You can do this in many ways.

A.) Balloon Arch: A balloon arch is great for indoor events. It is very labor intensive but if you have a couple girls helping you then you have a very classy and cheap way to build an entrance.

B.) Tiki Torches: This is our favorite way to create the impression of a truly great party. A few strategically placed Tiki Torches creating a pathway leading towards the entrance will transform a “get-together” to a “Soiree.”

Tiki Torches Always Create A "Sense of Arrival"

C.) Ice Sculpture: If you have the money, there is really no better way to wow your guests. Places strategically in the lobby or hallway of your party, a well made Ice Sculpture will shock your guests, make a perfect backdrop for pictures, and truly leave a lasting memory for all your guests.

Epic Ice Sculpture

7.) Decorations

Cut a check. Give it to the girls. Let them go crazy. Trust us.

8.) Music

If alcohol is the lighter, then music is the gasoline. Hiring a DJ should definitely be part of your budget. Don’t take recommendations, make sure you have personally seen the DJ spin.

You want a DJ that can easily transition from one song to the next, but more importantly a DJ that can effectively read a crowd and know exactly what song to play next. Anyone can play a pre-recorded podcast from a famous DJ, but it takes real skill to play the perfect song for that particular crowd.

A Solid Dj is Important

A good DJ will start out with mild lounge music as people are mingling and developing their buzz. He won’t waste good songs when no one is dancing.

He will know exactly when to start playing the hits to coax the crowd onto the dance floor. And he will know exactly what songs to play to keep them glued there.

Feel free to give the DJ a few songs that you would like to be played throughout the night, but if he’s a professional- mostly just let him do his job.

If a DJ isn’t in your budget, make sure to make a playlist of songs designed well in advance of the party.

Ideally you will make two playlists: one of mellow techno, jazz, and Sinatra as people are entering the party.

Then a second full of the greatest dance hits once the party gets popping.

A Good Dj will coax people to the dance floor

Having a preset playlist will ensure that you don’t have a crowd of “experts” crowding around the Ipod trying to decide what to play next.

9.) Dancing

If the drinks are cold, the crowd is right, and the music is good, dancing is inevitable.

There are a few things you can do to help grease the system. Make sure you have a dance floor that is in front of the DJ.

There’s something about a solid piece of concrete, wood, or tile in front of a DJ system that makes people want to dance. People just don’t like dancing on grass or uneven surfaces, for obvious reasons.

Dancing is essential for any great party

Make sure the area is well air-conditioned or cool. If the party is too hot, you invited too many people for your venue which is bad planning on your part.

Don’t throw an outdoor party if you live in a humid location. People will avoid dancing because they don’t want to sweat, which is bad planning on your part.

The most important thing you can do to ensure people start dancing is keep the lights low. Your whole party should have a level of ambiance similar to a candlelit dinner (without the candles, those are dangerous and will start a fire).

Everyone looks better in a dim light, and are more inclined to dance if they feel they can hide in the shadows and the crowd. So turn off a few lights, install a dimmer, or shade a few lightbulbs, and let the organic flow of your party develop.

Low light doesn't hide everyone's dancing, though

If people are still shying away from the dance floor you can always tell the DJ that if anyone requests to play a song, he makes it mandatory that they dance to it. No one wants to be the first person on the dance floor. You can wait for someone to get drunk (brave) enough to try, or you can force it yourself.

10.) Being a Good Host

Take care of all the other rules well before the party starts because you will need to devote your time and energy to rule number ten.

This is the most important rule of throwing a great party.

Greet every guest at the door, whether they are a stranger or close friend. Welcome them to your party. Grab a drink for them and tell them to help themselves for another round. Then cordially pass them off to someone they know so they can feel comfortable.

Never stay with one group for too long. Be sure to introduce guests to each other. You must be a director of fun at your party and ensure that everyone is enjoying their time.

If you feel the party needs a spark you can always play one of my favorite drinking games- Flip Cup

Flip cup requires a long table, a pitcher of beer or punch and several plastic cups.

Teams of three or more will line up on opposite sides of the table with cups, half full of drink.

Then during every round you start at one end of the table, chugging your cup and then placing the cup on the edge of the table and “flipping” it until the cup lands top side down. The next person doesn’t begin chugging until the person before them has finished successfully ”flipping” his cup.

First team to finish flipping all of the cups wins.

Flip cup to help get the party started

Before every round make sure that both teams start by clapping and making noise, and then the first two opponents tap cups and then chug. This creates a lot of commosion and makes the party look a lot more fun and lively than it actually is.

This works especially well for parties that are just beginning. It is a lot better to see a small group of people cheering and playing this game, then sitting around waiting for the party to start.

Execution

If you keep up with these rules, you should immediately develop a reputation for throwing magnificent parties. Don’t skimp on any of the details. It only takes one great party to be crowned the “Diddy” of your friends, but it only takes one bad party to completely shatter that repuation.

Hope you have a great time throwing your next party.

Wilder things have happened

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

-The Haute Spot

Also, make sure to keep an eye on your guests and don’t let anyone drive home intoxicated.

1.) Inspection

Common CIgar Sizes

There are many camps on how to light a cigar. Some say you can only use a cedar spill. Some say you can only use a butane lighter. Some say you need a cutter. Some say real cigar aficionado’s use thier teeth. Whatever the theory may be, they all begin the same way..

Take the cigar our of the cellophane wrapper.

Cigar smoking is a love affair. You don’t just throw it in your mouth and puff away. Appreciate the cigar for what it is –A hand-rolled masterpiece. Anyone that has ever seen a cigar being made knows the level of craftsmanship that goes into creating a cigar. The amount of care and detail, and the level of quality of the ingredients makes it amazing that you can buy them for $10 a stick.

First let’s discuss the different parts of the cigar.

The bottom of the cigar where you can see the open tobacco is called the foot.

Cigar Foot

This is the part you light.

The other rounded end is called the cap or head.

Head, Shoulder and Cap of a Ciar

It is sealed so you will need to cut it open in order to properly draw in smoke. The rest of the cigar is composed of the filler, the tobacco inside of the cigar. This is all held together by the wrapper, which is the outside leaf that holds the filler together.

The glue used to hold this beauty together is vegetable based and non-toxic. Some companies even use sap to give a hint of molasses to their cigars.

So inspect the cigar. Gently squeeze it and feel for lumps. Notice if the outside leaf has any veins. Finally smell the tobacco. A properly humidified cigar will have a damp tobacco smell.

A cigar that has been improperly stored or dried out will feel dry in the hand, may crunch when squeezed lightly, have rips and breaks in the wrapper, and smell slightly stale, like the clothes of a smoker.

Avoid Bad Cigars

If you are purchasing the cigar for yourself, go with a “mild” flavored cigar. Don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation from the store owner, they love talking about their passion. Go for a smaller sized cigar to acclimate your taste buds. Typically the lighter in color the wrapper, the less intense the flavor. A “Maduro” or dark colored cigar may be too strong for some, but that’s what I started smoking with, so it can be done.

2.) Cut the Cigar

Look closely at the head of the cigar and you will see the cap.

Cigar Cap

The cap is a slightly different color than the rest of the cigar and looks similar to a Yakima on the top of the cigar. This is what you will cut in order to smoke a cigar.

The Perfect Cut

You must be careful however.

The cap is crucial and must remain intact for fear of the cigar unraveling. The most common mistake cigar smokers make is cutting off too much of the cap, or even worse, actually cutting into the cigar wrapper.

Way too much

The hole needed to smoke a cigar is a lot smaller then you think, about the size of a pencil eraser. So when cutting the cigar make sure to only cut off only a small amount. You can always make a hole bigger, but you can never undue the damage caused by cutting off to much.

Ok so now that you understand what needs to be done we will explain the tools:

Cigar Punch: The easiest way to cut a cigar is with a cigar punch. It is merely a round blade that will cleanly “punch” a hole through the cap. If you want a larger hole you can simply punch the cigar several times until the hole is large enough.

Cigar Punch

Cigar Guillotine: The cigar guillitoine is a double edged cutter that will cleanly cut the cigar from both ends.

Cigar Guillotine

The best way to cut with the guillotine is to gently rest the blades on the cigar so you can see where it will cut and then snip quickly and cleanly. This is our personal favorite cutter as it gives you the most freedom as the the size of the hole. We recommend the Xikar Cuttar as it is self sharpening,

Table Top V-Cutter: Usually seen in cigar shops, this is another fool-proof method of cutting a cutter.

V Cut Cigar Cutter

You merely insert the cigar and pull down on the lever and the cutter will cleanly shave a V-shaped opening at the head of the cigar.

V Cut CIgar

Personally, I feel the draw is too tight with this cutter and my cigar ends up being too hard to smoke, but it’s definitely worth a try.

Cigar Scissors: Self-Explanatory. Should work similarly to the guillotine cutter, but I’ve had terrible results and ruined many great cigars.

Cigar Scissors

They look great but aren’t gentle enough

Your Teeth: Only use as a last resort. Even a knife, pen, or key would be better suited to punch a hole in a cigar. But if you must, then nibble cleanly a small hole in the cap being careful not to accidentally pull the cap completely off.

Pull the tobacco from your lip with your fingers. Never Spit. It’s not effective. You will merely look like a bug landed on your lip and will ended up using your fingers anyway.

3.) Test the draw

Once the cigar is cut, puff on the cigar and see if the draw is too your liking. You should have to use a little pressure to get air flowing into your mouth.

If the cigar draws too open and allows too much air, the cigar will burn hot, quickly, and will mask the real flavor of the leaf. You cut off too much.

If the cigar draws too tight and is very difficult to puff, the cigar will burn cold and be frustratingly difficult to keep lit. Open the cut slightly.

If the cigar still draws tight, it might have a knot. Gentle squeeze the cigar and feel for any lumps, if the lump is near the foot of the cigar, consider cutting the section off and smoking the rest. If cutting is not an option, then use a small wire (paperclip) and very gently poke the knot to loosen the area. Be careful to not rip the wrapper or ruin the rest of the cigar. Usually this will help alleviate the problem, and save the stubborn cigar.

4.) Lighting the Cigar

First, remove any wrappers or labels located near the foot of the cigar if they have one.

Never use a candle, a liquid fueled lighter, or any other questionable source of flame. They will all ruin the taste of the cigar.

There are only three ways to light a cigar. Using a match, a cedar spill, or butane lighter.

Match: Light the match and let the match burn down slightly. The initial spark from a match comes from the sulphur and while it does make a larger flame, will impart a sour taste in your cigar. It will take several matches to properly light the cigar and get an even burn.

Although improper etiquette, feel free to puff the cigar under the flame to help jump the flame onto the tobacco. This will help get the cigar lit quickly and will use less matches.

Lighting a cigar with a match

If the number of matches is of no concern, then jump down to the butane lighter technique and use the same theory.

Cedar Spill: The most romantic of cigar lighting techniques. Commonly found in premium cigar shops, cedar strips or “spills” are strips of cedar, that can be used to create an aromatic even burning light. They can be found as dividers of cigar boxes or purchased separately.

Cedar Spills

Regardless of acquisition, they require the same technique as butane lighters, so just continue reading below.

Butane Lighters: The easiest and preferred method of lighting a cigar, butane lighters provide the most control and most even burning flame. You are looking for a lighter with a strong jet blue flame.

Cigar Torch

Some companies even sell lighters with two, three, or even four flames, but we feel that ruins the romance and allure of lighting a cigar. So here’s the proper gentlemanly way to do it:

Torch the foot: No we’re not torturing anyone here. We merely mean to light the foot of the cigar. Proper technique requires you to hold the cigar at a 45 degree angle above the flame and allow the cigar to flirt with the heat of the lighter- never directly placing the cigar in the flame (which will char the tobacco and impart a poor flavor).

Lighting a cigar

This requires time and patience, which is a necessity for cigar smoking. A small cigar will require at least half an hour of your time, and a larger cigar may take over an hour to fully enjoy. Lighting a cigar is part of the experience so don’t rush it.

Rolling: Continue to roll the cigar in the heat until you get an even burn emanating from the foot of the cigar. Feel free to blow on the cigar to help increase the heat on a particular section to ensure an even burn.

Ensuring an evenly lit cigar

Continue this process until you are satisfied that the cigar is properly lit.

Avoid puffing on the cigar while it is being lit, this will cause the flame to jump charring the tobacco and inhaling noxious fumes which alter the taste of the tobacco.

No

Puffing: Instead, after the cigar is lit, blow gently to remove any char/fumes that may impart a sour taste, inspect the burn, and then get ready to enjoy the cigar.

5.) Holding the cigar: You don’t hold a cigar like a cigarette. You hold it between your thumb and forefinger, letting it rest gently on the edge of your middle finger if you please.

Holding a Cigar, Notice the even burn

Keep the cigar in your hand and at your hip. Let it rest on an ashtray only if you are leaving the area.

Be mindful or wind direction from blowing on your cigar which will affect the even burn, and where the smoke is blowing- not everyone loves the smell of tobacco, and a true gentlemen never makes anyone feel uncomfortable, even unintentionally.

6.) Actually smoking the cigar: Ok enough foreplay. How to actually smoke a cigar.

Cigar smoke is very harsh and will cause you to cough so the key is to not inhale.

Easier said than done.

The trick, for those not used to breathing in without inhaling, is to take a deep breath, and the puff on the cigar.This will make it impossible for you to accidentally inhale the tobacco smoke. Once the cigar smoke is in your mouth, let it linger for a while,  and then breathe it out. Rinse. And  Repeat.

Congratulations, this may be your first cigar but everyone at the table thinks you’re a cigar aficionado.

Constantly check the cigar to ensure an even burn is maintained. Feel free to blow on the foot of the cigar if you feel a section is not keeping up, or in extreme cases you may use your lighter to speed up the process.

Cigar smoking does create a large amount of saliva which some find annoying. So if for the company is appropriate, and you are outdoors and near grass, feel free to spit. Do this cleanly and sparingly. Amongst proper guests, and indoors, suck it up and swallow.

7.)Remove the band: After a few puffs, the heat from the cigar will melt the glue on the wrapper, please remove it now. Leaving a wrapper on a cigar is controversial, and there are two camps of theory. Those in Europe and the Middle East consider it a sign of arrogance and showmanship, those in North and South America see it as optional.

Personally, it is better to err on the side of conservatism and simply remove the cigar label. Sure someone might think your Ed Hardy shirt is cool, but chances are people will think you’re a douche. Leaving a label on is for amateurs,

8.) Tasting the cigar:Typically, the first few times you smoke a cigar, you won’t be able to taste anything or truly appreciate the cigar. Your taste buds will simply tingle as they acclimate to the smoke. Similar to drinking your first beer, or sipping your first glass of wine. It may take several sticks to get used to the smoke and develop a taste for the cigar.

Once you get used to smoking a cigar, after several puffs, as the ash develops, and the cigar begins to burn cooler you will have a better sense of the taste of the cigar- usually about halfway down the cigar all the way to just below of the shoulder of the cigar (the sweet spot). Smoking will cause the flavor to concentrate in the bottom half of the cigar so while the first half of the cigar may taste empty and light, the bottom half will taste rich.

Let the smoke swirl in your mouth, cool down, and allow your tongue to bathe in the flavors. Note the hints of leather, chocolate, coffee, honey, and wood in your tobacco.

Also note the body of the smoke. A mild cigar will have the body of skim milk, while a full bodied cigar will feel like heavy cream in your mouth.

Hint: Write down your own personal review on the back of the wrapper and save them for later. You can help use this system to determine what cigars to buy next by knowing what you like, and what you don’t like. How will you ever know that you like Amberbock if you keep buying Guiness?

9.) Ashing the Cigar: Don’t worry about ashing a cigar. The long ash of a cigar is an indication of a well made stick. It also helps to cool down the burn of the cigar. This lets a cooler smoke enter your mouth and allows for a better tasting experience. Don’t worry about the ash falling on your clothes, it wipes clean (I know from experience).

The only time I would recommend ashing a cigar is if the cigar has gone out, or is about to go out. If that’s the case then follow these steps.

Relighting a Cigar

Ashing a cigar is easy. You merely gently tap it against the ashtray until the ash falls off. The problem is the char. If you relight the char it will be acidic and bitter. Feel free to blow on the cigar to help dislodge the ash or tap it lightly to cause to fall out, then simply follow the same technique you used before to initially light the cigar. You can also cut the cigar and begin a new.

Regardless it may take a while for the cigar to stabilize and return to it’s original flavor. Don’t let that discourage you, relighting a cigar is very common and is a skill that needs to be mastered if you ever intend on making cigar smoking a part of your lifestyle.

10.) Extinguishing the Cigar

When the flame gets too close for comfort, time is up, or you wish to save the rest of the cigar for later, there comes a time to extinguish the cigar.

The proper way is to let it die gently in an ash tray.

Do not try and press the flame out. This will cause the cigar to smoke heavily and leave an awful acrid smell that will not easily be removed. Cigar smoke usually dissipates within a few hours indoors, but extingusing a cigar by force in this manner and you will have a much harder time.

Also never leave a cold cigar for too long indoors as the same effect will occur.

Once the cigar has died, ensure the flame is extinguished by touching the foot gently. If it is too warm to touch, it is too warm to discard and could cause a fire hazard. Once properly cooled, feel free to discard, or place back into the cellophane wrapper and save it for later.

With these rules you should be well on your way to enjoying one of life’s simplest treasures. Churchill, Hemmingway, and all the Cubans on Calle Ocho can’t be wrong. Cigar smoking isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life.

Rusty Nail

Rusty Nail

Ice

1.5 oz. of Scotch Whisky

Splash of Drambuie

Lemon Twist (Optional)

Grab a heavy glass tumbler. The cup is important. It should fit your hand like a firm handshake. Men don’t drink from stemmed or footed glassware.

Add ice. If you have time, make large blocks of ice and chip to fit in your cup. The large ice cube will melt less than several cubes and won’t water down your drink.

Pour the whisky directly on the ice. This will super chill the whisky making it more refreshing and helping to eliminate the bite (pussy). Swirl several times to help lower the temperature even more.

Then splash the drambuie directly into your cup. Gently, now.The key here is to compliment the whisky, not overpower it.

Gulp down.

Then make yourself another one to sip and enjoy. The first will warm the soul and melt your stress away. The second you can use to savor and enjoy.

Also, leave the lemon twist out. There’s only one kind of twist a man should like, and that’s this one.

Suits? Arguable. In the 90’s it was all about 3-Button Suits. In the Early 2000’s vested 3-piece suits became all the rage. Now conjuring your best “Mad Men” impression 2-button suits are the only thing worth wearing.

Black Oxford Shoe? Good choice. But you can’t deny the popularity of laceless slip-ons, and the dismal ubiquity of square toed rubber bottom atrocities that plagued every middle-management type throughout the 90’s.

The Pea Coat has remained unchanged. Sure you have options. You can go single breasted, double breasted, short, long, camel, black, regardless of your choice we can guarantee you one thing– if you buy one, you will be able to wear it. Every. Single. Year. Regardless of the current fashion trend.

Which is why we recommend you don’t just buy one, we at THS recommend you invest in one.

Here are a few suggestions when looking for one.

1.) Fit is Everything

You want to wear a coat. You don’t want a coat to wear you. Get one in the same size as your suit jacket, not a size bigger. Take it to a tailor if you need to. If the shoulders of the jacket are hanging off your bony frame, and the arms look like you’re wearing a snuggie– then it looks like someone brought their kid to work day rather than commanding the respect you deserve.

Camel Cashmere Coat by Calvin Klein $1,995

If you want to be daddy; you can’t  look like you’re borrowing daddy’s clothes.

In terms of length you can go shorter, but the just shorter than knee length version is as classic as it gets.

2.) Know your colors

Black-Classic. The original. Resists stains the best, and will never fail you. Looks great with almost every color suit you own except that sharp chocolate brown one you save for casual friday.

Burberry Top Coat $2,300

Blue-Not just any blue. Navy Blue. This one is sharp. Get a cashmere blend so it has a sheen to it. Looks better on than a black topcoat with almost every color suit you own. Plus, it won’t clash when you decide to wear brown leathers instead of black- in fact it will enhance the outfit. If you buy just one color. This is it.

Navy Cashmere Coat by Prada $4,155

Grey-A nice alternative on days where you want your dark suit to really stand out.

Top Coat by Z. Zegna $1,095

Camel- The Ferrari of top coats. This color will make you stand out- and that’s what it’s designed to do. In an elevator of black, blue, and grey, the camel coat will get you noticed. Just take off the shades. You’re not that cool.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Coat $4,995

Also FYI: Camel-Haired coats are actually camel hair while Camel-Colored can be made from any fabric.

3.) Know your fit

Single Breasted- Going with a dark colored, single-breasted top coat and you will never go wrong. It’s also the most likely to fit flatteringly.

Fred Perry Top Coat $480

Double Breasted- Get this cut slim. It’s vital. With double the breast, you also get double the coat. Get a modern fit that compliments your figure, not disfigures it. The double-breasted also hails from days in the military, giving it a much more aggressive look. In the cutthroat environment of business-we’re not so sure that’s a bad thing.

Black Wool Coat by Burberry $2,250

Tip: Get your coat sprayed with suede protector. Not only will it become water repellent but will resist that unavoidable coffee spill in the elevator the first day you wear it.

With this new found knowledge you should be ready to upgrade your wardrobe and get the only piece of clothing that may outlast you.

[Hat Tip]