But it was when they met and befriended cigar guru Lars Tetens a few years ago that Aerosmith’s “habit” got serious. Tetens, of course, is the scion of a long-time tobacco family, who also designs and sells offbeat skateboards, runs a small record label, and leads a rock band. All that helped cement the relationship, but at base, Tyler and Perry love Tetens’ smokes for the very reasons many other “straighter” zealots don’t-their unique flavors. The way Perry sees it, “They look at it like some people look at flavored coffee. But I like it, because it’s a good break from ordinary tobacco. “Lars takes a lot of time and care with his product, as we found out when we asked him to change the blend for us: he said it takes three years to age the stuff, he can’t just turn around and remix the blend.” Adds Tyler, “The typical cigar smoker will say, ‘keep it natural, the aging process should be left alone,’ all that. Lars flavors his cigars with patchouli. What was it that [Bob] Dylan said: ‘Don’t criticize what you can’t understand.’ I remember in the 60’s I would go to this record store on 42nd St. in New York City, and go downstairs in the subway there was a tobacco store. It had hundreds of brands from around the world. It was there that I discovered regular tobacco has its different varieties, and I got into jasmine cigarettes, and started rolling vanilla-flavored pipe tobacco, because nobody had the smarts God gave to a stump to get funky with the stuff. So when we tasted Lars’ Grass cigar, it was just so good!” But while Tetens is one of their main sources, Tyler and Perry have open-minded cigar palates. As Perry explains, “One of the things that was great about recording in Vancouver (which the band did for several years) was that we had access to Cuban cigars. But with out traveling, we have developed a taste for good cigars from all over the world. There have been some really good Dominicans-Fuentes are great. “I also like Cuban Hoyo de Monterreys-but they’re hard to get. People smuggle in Montecristos and the big fat torpedos-the big cigars you can usually find. I mean, there’s more bang for the buck: if you’re gonna smuggle-in cigars, you might as well smuggle-in the $40 ones. The smaller ones I like are harder to find. So I mostly get my Hoyos overseas. I also like the Montecristo cigarillos-those are hard to find even over seas, outside of the big tobacco stores like P.G.C. Hajenius in Amsterdam. There’s definitely an advantage to being on the road in Europe. The other one I like is the Montecristo No. 4; that’s probably my favorite. It’s the best compromise between a really fat cigar, where you get all that cool smoke, and a shorter thing; you can make it through that cigar without wasting it. Montecristo No. 5 is also really good, but it’s a little harsh. That’s when you only have a few minutes to smoke, y’know?” Tyler is even more eclectic. “Cigar smoking for me is seasonal. Grass and Bassmasters, always. Mamacitas are for the spring. In the summer I like to roll up flavored cigar tobacco, just to give life some diversity. If it’s Sunday, I may grab anything from a Cuesta Rey to an H. Upmann. And if we’re getting ready for a show, and we’ve got 20 minutes from the plane ride to the gig, I’ll do a Fuente’s Hemmingway Short Story. Every once in a while, I’ll smoke a petite Montecristo. But my all-time favorite cigar is the Lars Tetens Mamacita.” -Smoke Magazine Summer 2001 Free domestic ground shipping on cigar and leather orders over $100.00; for orders under $100 and for international orders, please check out our information page for shipping pricing. Lars Tetens childhood was what you’d call a little less than ordinary. While his peers were learning their ABC’s, Lars began training in martial and internal arts. When he was five, without any formal training, he began painting, building furniture and he stated on the road to becoming a master chef, creating exotic dishes that delighted even master chefs and at 8 was already creating exotic spiced chocolate truffles and chocolates that will blow away most master chocolatiers. By the time he turned seven he was designing and making clothing and skateboards. His cigars brought him worldwide recognition using an ancient cigar making technique that dates back thousand of years. He also began selling his paintings at seventeen and since then he’s had a consistent following of those who have the wherewithal to be collectors of his works. His handmade and hand tooled platinum automatic watch movements are just another innovation in another industry that Lars is exploring. Lars has always been a big fan of science and technology so when he and Eddie Lakata, best friends since Lars was twelve, started working on a motor controller over fifteen years ago no one was surprised. Also soon to be released to the public, the most exotic and tasty beef sausage you’ve ever had, and the most delicious and unique chocolate bars you’ve ever sank your teeth into. Stay tuned for more innovation coming from Lars Tetens. Please call us at 877-262-7370 if you would like to have your package express shipped.