Happy New Year!

We can hardly believe that we’re now in our 12th year of delivering premium cigars to savvy cigar connoisseurs like yourself! It amazes us that we’ve gotten this far, but then again, with fine stogies like this, and smart folks like you, we’ve started to really understand that we’ve got something truly special here. We hope you all enjoy the first 5 top shelf cigars we’ve lined up for you for 2006. And don’t forget, great wines and craft brewed microbrewed beers are the perfect complement to these tasty smokes—so pay us a visit at www.monthlyclubs.com and see what we’re offering these days. Even if you’ve visited us in the past, stop on by and check us out—we’ve got more options than ever, and with age, we’ve become more flexible with subscription options. And if you’ve got any suggestions for our clubs, or just want to say hello, you can find our e-mail address on the site. Drop us a line—we’d love to hear from you. And now, we proudly usher in the new year with 5 of the best cigars on the market today!

FEATURED CIGARS

CAO Gold Robusto

If you’re used to the typical power of a Nicaraguan cigar, the CAO Gold will surprise you. This is one of the very few mild Nicaraguan cigars on the market. Comprised of a mellow blend of aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long leaf fillers and binder and a Colorado shade Connecticut-seed Ecuadorian wrapper, this cigar is as nice to look at as it is to wake up with—consider smoking it over coffee or a full-bodied tea like Polish or English Breakfast. Note also the leathery aroma and a pleasant woody finish at the start. Expect this cigar to build in complexity about half way through the smoke, presenting creamy textures and notes of nutmeg & vanilla with a faintly sweet, anise-like spice lingering in the finish.

Double Happiness Toro

The last time we featured Double Happiness was right at the end of the cigar boom of the 90s—when this cigar was still made in the Philippines. After the boom fizzled out, so did the brand. For about 8 years it was in hiding, until production was moved to a small factory in the Dominican Republic. Truth be told, this cigar probably shouldn’t have dropped off the market, it’s a really nice smoke, with a truly unique flavor profile that somehow combines subtlety and smoothness with rich and robust tobacco flavors. Like the original, it still offers an intriguing blend of Isabela Superior Fina long-leaf filler from the Philippines. Look for an interesting floral quality and a subtle yet distinct nuttiness on the finish. Nice with a hoppy brown ale, or gin & tonic (heavy on the tonic).

Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Ebano Corona Gorda

Handmade in Cofradia, Honduras, Dark Sumatra was released in 2002, which makes it a new line for this originally Cuban brand. Hoya de Monterrey began in Cuba in 1960, produced by leaf grower and founder Jose Gener. His family farmed in the Vuelta Abajo valley (famed for its fertility) for many years during the late 1800s, making this one of the most deeply historically-rooted brands on the market today. A gorgeously dark beauty, master blender Estelo Padron has crafted a richly robust gem here, with a tri-national blend of fillers from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua, all bound to the extra-dark, Ecuadorian-grown, Sumatra-seed maduro wrapper by a Connecticut shade binder. Look for a complex and strong, yet silky, rich flavor with a dense, spicy smoke aroma offering a lingeringly sweet character. Consider pairing this treat with an espresso or imperial stout.

Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Maduro Corona

This is a great winter smoke (see Ask Murl column below for more info), as the thick Nicaraguan wrapper will hold up well in cold weather (which is part of why we chose this cigar—that and the fantastically deep, dark Costa Rican maduro wrapper that honestly makes us drool like Murl on a hot summer day (sorry Murl—folks, he’s going to tear us a new one for that comment—we’ll set him up with some free samples, that usually keeps him happy for a while)). Indian Tabac is an inarguably superior brand that constantly presents fantastic multi-national blends tobacco blends. In this case, we’ve got Nicaraguan, Honduran and Costa Rican fillers, which yield some of the most delicious and rich flavors available in the modern cigar market. Already 4 years old, these premium tobacco leaves are great for extended aging in your humidor. Look for mature, full-bodied and rounded tobacco and leathery flavors with creamy, spicy, hazelnut notes. This is a cigar to partner with a spicy IPA after a hot Indian or Thai dish.

Rocky Patel Sun Grown Torpedo

Introduced in 2004, this spicy cigar has some kick to get you through those cold winter nights. The wrapper is no less than 5 years old, and this destined-to-be-classic follow up to the Vintage by Rocky Patel is a top-notch premium. Expect the rich blend of choice tobaccos from Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua to jump start your palate with hugely complex flavors, while the aged Ecuadorian sun-grown Sumatran wrapper delivers a spicy sweet element that you can savor right down to the nub. We found that this smooth smoke begins with a full force intensity and finishes with a long-lasting earthy, full-bodied finish. We love this cigar, and Cigar Aficionado agrees (they recently named this among their Top 50 Cigars, with a '90' rating noting that “it's earthy and spicy, with a cedar base and a tangy finish.” A full tawny port or VSOP Cognac are the only way to match this stogie’s prowess.

ASK MURL

The Origional Habana Hound

Hey Murl!

It’s winter time again, and I tell ya, last winter I had a hell of a time trying to enjoy my premium Cigar of the Month Club stogies, as I don’t smoke in the house. I live in Northwestern New Jersey and while sometimes my garage stays warm enough to not freeze my keister off, I find that at less than 50°F, my cigar smoking experience is less enjoyable. Have you experienced the same thing? Can you provide any tips for getting through the winter without giving up my smokes?

Thanks Pooch,

Al Harnsberg
Independence, NJ

Yo Big Al!

This is a common problem we cigar smokers face, though I must admit, I’ve always taken to warmer climates where I needn’t deal with this situation. But one time I was off in Sweden (it was a stewardess thang, this pooch had free miles and took me to her home country, and a few other places if ya know what I mean Al). After a long flight and having settled in at her place, I felt like having a smoke. I took a big fat Churchill outside when it was about 35°F, thinking, “hey, what’s all this fur for anyway, I can deal with it.” Al, you think your nose gets cold outside in the winter? Try starting with a wet one… no fun my friend. No fun at all. Well, my cigar had been in my suitcase, which was in our taxi trunk, so it was darn cold. Not 10 minutes into it, the wrapper started to split along the side and the foot expanded to mutant proportions. Not a pretty sight.

What I was experiencing (besides a broken heart when tossing the thing) was thermal shock. Cigars, as you know, come from warm, tropical climates. They no likey the cold. My cigar was about 40-45 degrees cold when I lit it, and the 500 degree flame caused an abrupt temperature change that dried out the wrapper and caused the splitting. Anyway, I should have known better than to take a CT shade wrapper cigar in that weather. Your best bet, if you must smoke outside, is to try to do so at no less than 48°F, and if you do:

Some crafty folks I know have set up homemade rooms in their garages that are heated and designated for smoking (and poker, often with a sign on the door that reads “no wives allowed”). But if that’s not in your budget, try to find a cigar-friendly restaurant, or better yet, a cigar bar. That way you won’t have to completely stay away from your premium stogies until springtime. Good luck, and bundle up out there. Oh man, would ya look at the time, I’m late for my Sunday walk on the beach… Gotta love Southern California.

Woof!
Murl

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.

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.