Featured Cigar Dimensions

Brand Name:	Shape	Size	Strength	Country	Panel Rating
A. 5 Vegas Torpedo	Torpedo	6 x 54	7.0	Dominican	92
B. Bahia 'B' .754 Maduro	Churchill	7 x 54	5.0	Nicaragua	90
C. K. Hansotia Symphony Series Toro	Toro	6 x 50	6.0	Nicaragua	92
D. La Vieja 'The Early Years' Wavelle Deluxe	Robusto	5.5 x 54	9.0	Honduras	92
E. Lone Wolf Lobo Fuerte	Torpedo	6 x 50	8.5	Dominican	93

5 Vegas Torpedo

In a recent Cigar Aficionado tasting, 5 Vegas (pronounced Cinco Vegas) was recognized as the best, non-Cuban cigar, scoring an outstanding ‘90’ on their very discriminating rating scale. The line is rolled with a combination of Indonesian Olor binder, Dominican Piloto Cubano filler and Indonesian Sumatran wrapper tobaccos. This medium-to-full-bodied premium Torpedo presents a creamy, smooth character reminiscent of the marvelous cigars of old Cuba. The name 5 Vegas comes from the legendary true story behind the brand's origin, when 5 renowned tobacco farmers in old Cuba took leaves from each of their fields (known as “vegas”) and blended them to create this distinctive blend. Now rolled in Esteli, Nicaragua, this brand is one of the finer cigars on the market. Immediately note solid construction on this well crafted tobacco-packed smoke, its ruddy Sumatran wrapper beckoning for a prompt lighting. Look for earthy tones as well as a hint of coffee bean, with an upfront spiciness that remains through the finish. Overall, a strong herbal character dominates and it produces more smoke than a 4-alarm blaze! Consider pairing it with a full tawny port and plenty of ventilation.

Bahia 'B' .754 Maduro Churchill

The Bahia B line from Tabacalera Tambor are big, fat, monstrous 54 ring gauge cigars handmade in Nicaragua. We love these larger gauge cigars, as they just command respect and present a powerful look. They are expertly made with ultra oily, dark, triple-fermented Ecuador wrappers and a sumptuous blend of tobaccos from Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We found this rotund Maduro Churchill to be on the milder side, offering plenty of rich flavor. Look for an intriguing herbal quality that mingles with a slightly citric zest and a balancing subtle sweetness. A light spice is present throughout and comes to bear atop a cedary, slightly bitter finish. Sounds like we’re describing a beer from our Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club, with words like “balancing” and “bitter”, but we think you’ll agree when you sample this big beautiful maduro that these are appropriate descriptors. Pair this one up with a good Doppel Bock beer, like Paulaner’s Salvator or Ayinger’s Celebrator, two remarkable examples of the style that will accentuate the sweeter notes in this cigar.

K. Hansotia Symphony Series Toro

With an MSRP of $10-12 per cigar, we’re not really sure how the heck we managed snagging this incredible cigar for this month’s lineup. But thanks to the “strictly legal” maneuverings of our industry savvy vendors (and the invocation of a few Jedi mind tricks), we got ‘em for ya. The Symphony Series is a gorgeous cigar, which is to be expected from K. Hansotia, creator of Gurkha Cigars—one of today’s most prestigious and sought after boutique brands. Working side by side with the Toraño family, Mr. Hansotia has ingeniously crafted yet another stunningly beautiful masterpiece that's often compared to the AVO Signature Series. Note flawless construction, with a noticeably thick wrapper. After lighting it up and letting it burn a bit, take a closer look at the profile of the ash; you’ll see that the wrapper is exceptionally thick. The Symphony opens with a smooth, mellow flavor, with a medium body to start. It gradually builds to a delightful, creamy, rich flavor filled with complexity, presenting a distinct cognac note and leaving a peppery spiciness on the palate. Notice how the pepper is understated, restrained until the finish when it is fully delivered. Enjoy with cognac and soda over ice (2-oz. liquor, 5-oz. soda out to do it).

La Vieja 'The Early Years' Wavelle Deluxe Robusto

The boys at Drew Estate have caused quite a stir in the cigar industry. With the release of several unique brands, including Acid Cigars, Mayorga Coffee Infused cigars, Subculture, Pimp Stick, and Ambrosia, they’re quickly becoming known for producing high quality, premium smokes that come with shapes and names as unusual and creative as the blends themselves! Handmade in Esteli, Nicaragua, this nearly black, oscuro maduro La Vieja Deluxe Robusto is very well made. Rolled with a blend of well-aged Nicaraguan viso and ligero long leaf filler grown in the magical soil of Esteli, it is ensconced in a beautiful Cuban Corojo wrapper. Look for a slow, cool burn in this full-bodied, characteristically Nicaraguan smoke. Tons of spice tingle the lips and the back of the throat, rustling up the toasty, woody finish which is laden with notes of chocolate and nuts. Overall, this is a very impressive smoke with lots of flavor. Grab a good Cognac and reflect on your early years with this delicious La Vieja.

Lone Wolf Lobo Fuerte Torpedo

Name two celebrities who come to mind when you think of cigars. David Letterman & Arnold Schwarzenegger? George Burns & Groucho Marx perhaps? Needless to say, when Lone Wolf International was formed in July, 1996, few folks would have guessed that a certain pair of celebs were behind the event. Turns out James Belushi and Chuck Norris teamed up with a group of investors who had recently opened a chain of retail cigar lounges in California. Their original intent was not only to create a private label premium cigar, but a chain of chic, nationwide cigar lounges. With the focus first on developing the cigar brand, the initial step was to enlist some of the most respected manufacturers in the industry to produce their product. Not exactly an easy task with the mid 90’s demand for premium smokes, but they pulled it off nicely. Lone Wolf brands are manufactured by a few different manufacturers, including M.A.T.A.S.A. (makers of Fonseca and Romeo & Julieta), the La Aurora factory, and the Palmarejo factory. The all new Lone Wolf Lobo Fuerte is a Nicaraguan puro, made entirely from tobaccos from that country. Note the chocolate brown wrapper which provides a rich creamy flavor to complement the robust dark ligero filler. It finishes dry and spicy. Overall, we found it to be a potent, very satisfying smoke, showcasing the standard Nicaraguan punch. Try it with a V.S.O.P. Armagnac.

ASK MURL

Dear Murl,

I’ve heard and seen cigars in my local smoke shop referred to as Segundos or Seconds and they’re always much cheaper than the normal prices of the same brands. Why is that and what exactly is a Segundo? Thanks mucho!

Darren Woodward
Huntington Beach, CA

Yo Woody!

Segundos or Seconds mean different things to different folks. First thing I think of are a pair of hunter green Sears Toughskins Jeans that were handed down to me and resurrected into a pair of Bitchin’ Wee Wee shorts for a summer. I think I even got a used spiked collar one year that my older brother outgrew once he stopped watchin’ his Kibbles and Bits intake. I personally have to draw the line with recycled chewie sticks. Won’t go there. But, I suspect, being the all-knowing and hyper-perceptive canine that I am, that you are not really interested in my recollection of varied puphood memories and are really desiring a more substantial response as it related to tobacco. I’m getting there. It is my column after all, pal.

Each cigar manufacturer also has a different definition as to what constitutes a second and as a result, it’s a bit of a challenge without getting into each specific manufacturer’s definition as to the difference between their second and their prime brand name cigar. There are, however, a few things most seconds have in common. It’s relatively safe to say that the cigar was made from leaf that didn’t pass muster to go into a prime cigar. It may, however, have been rejected purely for aesthetic reasons which most likely won’t alter your enjoyment of the smoke. The seconds will probably be rolled by less experienced rollers which may or may not affect the construction of the cigar. Now there is still yet another classification of Seconds which is affectionately referred to as "Dog Rockets". Generally, you’ll want to stay clear of those smokes and yes, I do resent the negative implication! Hope that helps, Woodman.

Woof!
Murl

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For Members Only

Original & Super Grab Bags!

That's right babies, help us put a little bit of our humidor into your humidor at insanely cheap prices! We've got some extra smokes that need a caring home to take them in so check it out! Choose between:

Discounted Box Re-Orders!

Members can take advantage of our volume purchasing and re-order their favorite cigars in box quantities at just over our wholesale costs. Re-order any selection featured in the box quantities listed below or order them in convenient 5 paks! Other cigar shapes and sizes not actually featured, but from a featured brand line may also be re-ordered. Call for pricing.

Featured Cigar	Box Quantity	Box Cost	5 Pack Cost
A. 5 Vegas Torpedo	20	$72.50	$27
B. Bahia 'B' .754 Maduro	20	$57.50	$19
C. K. Hansotia Symphony Series Toro	10	$42.50	$26
D. La Vieja 'The Early Years' Wavelle Dlx	25	$87.50	$23
E. Lone Wolf Lobo Fuerte	25	$105.50	$26

Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery and add $7.95 for S&H for your first box and $3.00 for each additional box or grab bag. S&H for 5-packs is $4.95 and $1.50 for each additional 5-pak. All reorders are sent Priority mail unless otherwise requested. CA residents please add 7.75 % Sales Tax. S&H for International re-orders must be calculated on an individual basis. Prices are subject to change.