The Last Stogie .....Editorial Comments
by Stinky.
This six foot wide canvas is an oil portrait (hand
painted) by Keith Roy Thomas of Raleigh, North Carolina. Keith has
been a member of this local cigar group for many years. The group
dubbed themselves “The Insane Cigar Posse”. Keith is included in the
portrait with his friends and fellow cigar enthusiasts. Keith is the
owner of Brush & Canvas.
I had the pleasure of smoking with this colorful group of characters
during a seven-month business assignment in Raleigh, North Carolina
back in 2001-2002. Our company headquarters were just down the street
from the Tobacconist of Cary. Of course I found this cigar store within
the first week where upon I met Larry "BluesMan" (aka Violent L).
Larry realized I was an avid cigar enthusiast (probably based on the
paint job on my truck) and invited me to join them for cigars, spirits
and (sometimes) dinner each Wednesday night.
The Insane Cigar Posse (pictured in the portrait titled "The Last
Stogie") represents the official core of their cigar-smoking group.
Their regular Wednesday smoking night is open to all cigar enthusiasts
who wanted to join their herf. And, just like the local Las Vegas
Cigar Posse, there are different levels of participation. Some associate
members (not necessarily official ICP inductees) join the group a
couple times a year and some show up a couple times each month. They
meet at the Tobacconist of Cary cigar shop about 6:00 PM each Wednesday
and Larry would keep the shop open as late as they want (sometimes
until 1:00 or 2:00 AM) to smoke, talk, eat, drink, relax and just
hang out. When Larry was otherwise committed, Joey Bag-O-Donuts or
another employee from the store would serve as host for the weekly
herf.
This portrait represents fond memories for me. As for our local Las
Vegas Cigar Posse, it represents an inspiration and possibly a model
for an association of gentlemen from all walks of life where we share
ideas and interests openly with our peers.
Should you find yourself near Raleigh, North Carolina, be sure to
visit the Tobacconist of Cary. Time permitting; you may be fortunate
enough to enjoy a cigar with the Insane Cigar Posse!
Seated from Left to Right:
Kelly* - Grand Master Hoochie
Female - Kelly's Mystery Women - his ideal woman!
Charlie - Ice Cuba
Glen - Road Whorrier
Mike* - Fedora Too Dope
Tom - Dali Toma
Dave - Himey Fire Bear
Standing from Left to Right:
Sara - "The Beer Wench"
Daniel - Da' Left Eye
Larry* - Violent L
Paul - Ru Doggie Dogg
Joe - Joey Bag-O-Donuts
John - Johnny Voices
Keith - G' Monet
John - Death Master J or The Arrango Sportsman
David - Jail Baity Bait (because he was under 21)
Missing from the portrait: Robert - FlyBoy Bobby Bob
(* Founding Members)
(Please note: Members prefer their last names not be used!)
History on the Insane Cigar Posse By Larry "Violent L"
No one had a choice in the selection for the "nicknames" they were
given. The nicknames were thought up, discussed and voted upon by
existing members. Then I created and printed a "Business Card" for
each of the members that included their nickname and an appropriate
caricature of my choosing... each colorful caricature illustration
represented their nickname.
The three founding members selected the fourth member. Then all members
in turn voted on the next member until it reached the current number
of 16 members.
You could not join; you had to be voted in by the existing members.
Once accepted, each member had to "pledge" before they were accepted
into the ICP - this event consisted of smoking three (3) cigars within
a specified time frame. The cigars were chosen by the existing members
and at least one of them had to be a "genuine" Cuban Cigar. These
were usually the "stoutest" cigars we could get our hands on. You
also had to drink three (3) alcoholic beverages of the existing members
choosing. The beverages were usually selected from the following:
Aged Port, Aged Single Malt Scotch, Aged Single Barrel Bourbon, Cognac
(top-shelf of course), Grand Mariner, Irish Whiskey (top-shelf again)
and 110 proof Apple or Peach Brandy (Charlie would usually be able
to acquire this for us). Each prospective "pledge" would be given
a cigar and a drink (the drinks would be different with each cigar).
Then as they finished each cigar and drink, the steps would be repeated
until they finished all three cigars and all three drinks.
