Like a fine wine, cigars age to perfection in Loomis humidor

?It is complex and exceptionally flavorful, showing leather, sweet cocoa and toast flavors, with a hint of eucalyptus. Medium- to full-bodied, rich and flavorful. Score: 93 points.?Seeing how this is a wine column, your natural reaction is to anticipate that such a description are related to a fine wine, perhaps a premium zinfandel. Not exactly. You really need to read the rest of the review:?A cigar with lovely texture and exquisite construction. The draw and burn are fine.? This accolade was published in Cigar Aficionado magazine, the Bible of cigar lovers, about a Partagas Lusitania, a double corona made from 100 percent Cuban tobacco in Cuba.The more I explore the world of cigars, the more remarkable parallels I see with wine appreciation. The language, as already demonstrated, is strikingly similar. So is the hysteria surrounding where each is grown and who actually selects the fruit/tobacco, blends and vints/rolls the final product. Talking to a cigar lover is like looking into the eyes of a wine snob.Then there are the rituals associated with each. A wine lover is concerned about the optimum serving temperature, how to open the bottle and present and how to choose the perfect glass from which to sip. Similarly, the cigar connoisseur is consumed with methodology for preparing a cigar to smoke?cutting the tip and then toasting the end for two or three minutes, rather than ?lighting.?Storage is a key issue. Wine and cigars both need to be maintained at specific temperature and humidity, sheltered from heat and sunlight.Perhaps the most significant link, though, is that there is no better way to enjoy life?s bounty than in the company of outstanding vintages of wine and cigar. Sit back, sip and puff.And there is no better place in the foothills to learn about and experience the pleasure of a fine cigar than at the Tobacco Republic, 3589 Taylor Road in Loomis. You just don?t expect to find the largest humidor in Northern California across the street from a former fruit shed, but there it is.Most often, you?ll be greeted by co-owner Hector Marquez, a former California Highway Patrol officer who left a 10-year career in law enforcement because of the compelling allure of the world of tobacco and the chance to spend more time with his family. A native of Carmichael, both of his parents were born in Puerto Rico, which has served him well in the business.?Because of my ancestry and the fact that I speak Spanish, I can connect with many of the people I deal with in the industry,? Marquez said.He discovered cigars after a friend convinced him to try a Swisher Sweet, an inexpensive flavored brand. ?A few rum and cokes later, I really liked them,? he remembered.The next day, while exploring a cigar shop in Folsom, Marquez met Ron Schrankler, a cigar professional with more than 20 years in cigar distribution, manufacturing and retailing. Schrankler introduced him to premium cigars, and ultimately took Marquez along on a cigar trip to Nicaragua to serve as a translator. This unlikely pair has been partnered in Tobacco Republic for more than six years now. Marquez, with a shock of black curly hair, is young and hip. He handles marketing and business development while Schrankler, with a diminishing pate, handles the operations end. They make a great team, and both are adamant about what makes their business thrive.?What makes this place special is the people who work here,? opined Marquez. ?We try to make everyone comfortable; we cut and light your cigar every time you buy one.?The Tobacco Republic storefront is split between a 600-square-foot humidor jammed with premium cigars. Walk in, and the cool, damp air assures you that the cigars have been stored properly.The other side is a showroom and smaller, walk-in humidor stocked with primarily Drew Estates brand cigars (my favorite) and flavored smokes. Three wall-mounted humidors packed with premium cigars, including pre-embargo Cubans, share the space with all manner of accessories. All around the store are overstuffed chairs and sofas, perfect for sitting and relaxing for 45 minutes while you slowly enjoy one of the 350 different cigars available. Schrankler estimates that the Tobacco Republic sells upward of 100,000 ?sticks? per year.Right now, the best-selling cigars are two proprietary brands the store markets. Rasta Red and Rasta Green cigars are made from 100 percent Jamaican tobacco and sell for $8.95 a stick. My personal favorites are the Drew Estates Acid One and Kuba Kubas. Acid One cigars are made from Nicaraguan tobacco infused with a special sangria, producing a sweet and spicy smoke. Kuba Kubas are similar, yet much milder. Both are priced at around $10 per stick. Marquez says the United States is the No. 1 cigar market in the world, and a mini-boom is in the offing, thanks to Hollywood and because ?we have a governor (Arnold) who built a $25,000 tent on the Capitol grounds so he can conduct business and legally enjoy cigars at the same time.?For a great introductory visit to the Tobacco Republic, consider their next special tasting event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22, featuring the Padilla Cigar Company. Participants will enjoy complimentary food, wine and Padilla cigars. An artisan from the company will be on hand to demonstrate cigar rolling. For more information, call the shop at (916) 652-2010.Wine writer Gary Moffat owns Carpe Vino, a wine shop and tasting room in Old Town Auburn. He can be reached at (530) 823-0320.