Past Newsletters - Dec 2008

Featured Cigar	Shape	Size	Strength	Country	Panel Rating
Exile Churchill	Churchill	6.75 x 50	6.5	Nicaragua	88
La Corona Corona	Corona	6.0 x 46	6.5	Honduras	89
Man O' War Torpedo	Torpedo	6.1 x 54	8.0	Nicaragua	92
Perdomo Reserve Golf Eagle	Toro	5.0 x 50	7.0	Nicaragua	92
Rocky Patel Double Maduro Lancero	Lancero	7.0 x 38	8.5	Nicaragua	91

Exile Churchill

The Exile, cloaked in a paper reproduction of the astonishing February 4, 1962, headline page of the New York Daily Mirror proclaiming President John F. Kennedy's enactment of the Cuban embargo, is one of the most uniquely packaged cigars we've featured in recent years. Hand crafted by the celebrated master blender Sr. Omar Ortez at Esteli's renowned Nicaragua-American Tobacco factory, it reflects the time-honored traditions of pre-embargo Cuban cigar making. These medium- to full-bodied gems are wrapped in one of the most expensive wrappers known to man, a reddish brown Ecuador Sumatra from the famous Oliva family. Premium Nicaraguan long-fillers and binders are blended in a fashion that mirrors the flavor of Cuban cigars past and present. This combo of finely aged tobaccos creates a smooth, creamy smoke with a spicy-sweet finish. Look for a pleasant, spicy, robust aroma. A medium-bodied ale, bourbon or blended scotch would complement your Exile Churchill nicely.

La Corona Corona

At the end of the 19th century, La Corona was the biggest cigar factory in Cuba, but ownership changed frequently. Eventually the factory settled in the "Iron House"—so named because it was the first building in Cuba with a steel framework. Production was discontinued in the 70's, but La Corona was reintroduced both in Cuba in 1989 and in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras. Sadly—for Cubans but not for us—the Cuban version is now a cheap machine-made one. We bring you the handmade version made in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras. It's a traditional Honduran blend, pairing Piloto Cubano and Honduran fillers with Connecticut and Ecuadorian-grown wrappers. Note the solid construction. Panelists found La Corona smooth off the start with notes of spice through the nose and subtle coffee-like undertones. Halfway though the cigar, spicy notes prevail on the back of the palate, but the medium body of the smoke remains consistent until the end. Coffee notes subside on a long finish, leaving a lingering "nutty" flavor. On a chilly winter's eve, sit by a fire with this cigar and a snifter of Appleton Estate Distilled 21-year-old Rum (or a similar well-aged dark rum) and suddenly you're transported to Cuba!

Man O' War Torpedo

Man O' War is carefully blended and hand crafted by Abdel Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua. He's probably the best cigar maker you never heard of! His list of clients includes Ernie Padilla, Rocky Patel, Kaizad Hansotia, and others. Born in Cuba, Abdel began working with tobacco at a very young age under the watchful eye of cigar legend Alejandro Robaina, considered the Godfather of Cuban cigars. Over 40 years ago, in the country's famed Pinar del Rio region, Don Alejandro cultivated what is still considered Cuba's finest wrapper leaf. Less than ten years ago—after decades spent absorbing the master's knowledge—Abdel moved to Nicaragua and began building what is now considered one of the finest boutique makers in the Central American country.

Of all the cigars expertly made in his factory – ITC 10th Anniversary and Rocky Patel's Fusion, among them – Abdel considers the Man O' War his best creation. Visually, it's stunning. The dark, sultry Habano Ecuadorian wrapper, covered with natural oils, is thick and smooth. But don't let the beautiful wrapper mislead—it's a velvet glove. Underneath it is a robust medium-full recipe of aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers which hit like a hammer, unleashing a bold potpourri of flavor. The opening is robust, with heavy spice and wood undertones. Then a chewy, velvety-smooth core of oak and earth with a sweet array of spicy notes develops. Throughout the burn, there are a variety of understated nuances that come and go, including coffee, cocoa bean, and a touch of vanilla. To say this cigar is complex is an understatement. Try it with a chocolate stout or your favorite cup of coffee.

Perdomo Reserve Golf Eagle Toro

Perdomo Reserve is the flagship series of Tabacalera Perdomo, a factory that has consistently delivered an array of flavorful super-premiums. Nick Perdomo calls this medium-bodied smoke one of his personal favorites. Over the years, it has also received ratings of 91 to 93 from Cigar Insider. Filled to the brim with lush, Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers, the beautiful Perdomo Reserve Golf is wrapped in a five-year-aged silky, dark Connecticut wrapper that's supremely smooth and almost flawless. The construction is impeccable. Expect a slow, even burn, a nice draw, and a solid white ash. The billowing creamy white smoke clouds, with their wonderful aroma, are almost hypnotic. Overall a surprisingly mild-tasting cigar with savory nuances of rich coffee and sweet cedar; then a spicy, almost herbal, aftertaste. This beauty is perfect for the course; or, if you prefer, enjoy it with your favorite single malt at the 19th hole.

Rocky Patel Double Maduro Lancero

In late 2006, when Rocky Patel's Fusion was rapidly climbing the charts, nipping at the ankles of his own Vintage series, he was on to the next challenge: creating yet another unique handmade, the Double Maduro Lancero. As the name implies, the cigar utilizes two wrapper-quality Broadleaf Maduro leaves for extra richness. One is used as the wrapper, the other as the binder, which is typically a coarse, purely functional leaf. With its dark, oily, toothy appearance and its slight box press, this stick is a beauty. Handmade in Nicaragua, the blend is comprised of well-aged Dominican and Nicaraguan long-leaf ligeros. The result is a complex medium- to full-bodied smoke with heavy notes of chocolate toast and espresso. Look for a long-lasting, spicy sweetness on the finish. The draw is excellent, the burn even. This is one you can enjoy down to the nub. Pair it with a VSOP Cognac or Armagnac.