CHECKING IN WITH ... Gary Gilbertson:

Gary Gilbertson, who runs the Siglo Cigar Lounge in Newport, said he started enjoying stogies when he and his sister shared a smoke over wine in Philadelphia.

Since then, the recovering cigarette addict has become quite the aficionado. The Pilot sat down with Gary while he had a cigar in his quiet, comfortable element.

Scottish soccer player John Bain once said, “There are two things a man never forgets: his first love and his first cigar.” Can you recall your first cigar, and if so — just how sick did you end up getting?

I was 18 years old and actually taking a girl from high school out into the Twin Cities [in Minnesota]. After a steak and lobster dinner, I went out into the lobby and bought a cigar in a tube, which is one of the best you can get. I can recall I spent 65 cents back then, which of course you’d never get a cigar in California for anymore.

Beyond the tubing, what’s a sign of a well-rolled cigar?

Well, there are 4,000 to 5,000 cigars made in the world right now; we have about 450 here. Of that 450, 50 of them sell well; the other 400 just take up room in the humidor.

Now, that doesn’t mean those 400 are bad. It’s just about merchandising. I think most guys just come in and try this, try that, find something they like and stick with it. Some move around and get tired of smoking the same one after a while.

So it’s pretty subjective, then? You can’t really put any objective qualities on a good cigar?

[Thinks] In most cases, price is usually a pretty good indicator. There are a number of reasonably priced cigars that are good, but with big name brands, the quality is definitely there.

The only place you have a problem with quality is…[pauses]. Well, we all know Cubans are illegal, but you’ll occasionally find someone that has them. Sometimes the Communist regime there doesn’t exercise a lot of quality control; in fact, the fake Cubans are even better than the real deal sometimes.

It’s interesting you say that, because I wanted to ask: In your experience, where’s the best place to hide your Cubans when the police—

[defensively] To hide them?

Yeah, you know, when—

Well, it’s illegal to own them, smoke them, hold them, whatever. I don’t know what you mean by hide them.

Um. Maybe in your luggage or something, when you’re sneaking back from Havana—

Oh, OK. Yeah, I hear you can just take the labels off — there’s no machine at customs that will detect the fact they are actually Cubans, and honestly, from the stories I’ve read they aren’t looking very hard for them.

Hmmm. All right [takes note of this]. Another question about the politics of smoking: As tobacco has slowly become a social taboo, has anyone ever come into the store and given you an earful about selling or promoting it?

Nah, not really. We have some rules to follow because of the potential for upsetting people — keeping our doors closed and that kind of stuff — but that’s about it. No complaints.

We’ve all heard of the proverbial “smoke-filled room” where people decide presidential elections, cover up UFO sightings — has anyone come in here to plan stuff like that?

[Laughs] Oh no, no. Nothing like that.

I’m just kidding you—

[Suddenly serious] Though I couldn’t tell you if I did, anyway.

Eep.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at chris.caesar@latimes.com.