Past Newsletters
Vol. 4 No. 10
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. El Paraiso Pyramid | Pyramid | 7 x 54/36 |
| B. El Paraiso Robusto | Robusto | 4 3/4 x 52 |
| C. Plasencia Torpedo | Torpedo | 7 x 54/36 |
| D. Plasencia Robusto | Robusto | 6 x 50 |
| E. Plasencia Corona Especial | Grand Corona | 6 x 44 |
Featured Cigars
The El Paraiso Cigars
The proprietor of one of the world’s largest cigars factories, Nestor Placentia’s road to success has been anything but smooth sailing. Like most Cuban exiles of the mid 1960s era, Nestor has sharp, bitter memories of the island’s post-Revolution period. The Plasencia family had two large fincas dedicated to growing wrapper leaf in Cuba when, on October 3, 1962, at 6 am, they were confiscated by the Castro government. It took nearly three years to get permission to leave the country, and when they finally did, they were allowed to take only a few dollars and two changes of clothes. When the family arrived in Nicaragua, they had nothing except the reputation of Sixto Plasencia, Nestor’s father, to rely upon. After rebuilding the business over a decade, the Sandinistas expropriated their properties in 1979, of which included 1,000 acres of prime agricultural land. The 1980s put a stop to the Nicaraguan tobacco and cigar industries because there was blue mold in the fields, the U.S. imposed an embargo on the Sandinistas and the government was expropriating everything they could get their hands on anyway, so Nestor, rebuilt his business once more, this time based in Honduras.
Now, the 46-year-old Placentia owns cigar operations that span two countries, with more than 4,500 employees producing 33 million premium hand-rolled cigars a year, all rolled from Cuban-seed tobacco. One of Plasencia’s operations includes the El Paraiso factory, a small warehouse near the Nicaraguan border which was opened in 1994 to attract local workers that could not be persuaded to make the 12 mile trip to another nearby factory in Danli. The El Paraiso factory is home to 70 employees, all of which are either bunchers or rollers that work in one large room. The Plasencia factories produce a number of varied cigar brands including, but not limited to, CAO, V Centennial, Thomas Hinds, La Finca, Mocha, La Maya and Don Juan.
We are very pleased and proud to bring you two separate premium cigar brands, one of which was introduced just months ago, from this highly respected industry leader. The El Paraiso line, aptly named "The Paradise", tobaccos are grown in four different nations, giving each cigar a unique character of its own.
We’ve featured two of the product line’s finer, full-bodied, rich cigars and know that you’ll appreciate the years of experience behind their production.
Pyramid
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Rep. and Jamaica
Wrapper: Mexico (Maduro)
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8.5
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
We found the El Paraiso to be an expertly constructed, very flavorful cigar. Look for a near perfect draw in this rich, oily, full-bodied experience. Note a spicy, rich aroma that follows a nutty, slightly spicy flavor. This cigar would be a perfect end to a big, garlic-saturated Italian dinner. Consider pairing this smoke with a full-bodied, dry, roasted Stout.
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Rep. and Jamaica
Wrapper: Mexico (Maduro)
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7.5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Another wonderful cigar from El Paraiso. Not quite the commitment of the Toro, and slightly less bold, we found the Robusto equally, if not more enjoyable. Note an aesthetically appealing cigar with again, a very easy draw. A fine long white ash indicates the tobacco to be aged properly. Look for a rich, nutty body with traces of woodiness. We smoke this one all the way down as far as humanly possible without inhaling the entire butt! Consider pairing this one with a smooth, sweet Jamaican Rum drink.
The Plasencia Cigars
The brand good enough to carry the family name on its band was just recently made available to the United States only four months ago. The brand is hand made in the Nicaraguan town of Esteli with a blend of two premium tobaccos. The line’s binders and fillers are grown from Cuban seed at the Plasencia Esteli plantation, while the Ecuadorian wrapper is purchased just after harvest to be aged and fermented under Nestor’s care at the Esteli factory. You’ll find this line to be quite a bit different than the El Paraiso cigars, offering an amazingly smooth, medium-bodied smoke.
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a silky smooth, very appealing wrapper in this well-made cigar. We found this cigar to have a perfect draw and a nutty, floral aroma. Look for nutty, creamy and some spicy notes in the flavor and more nuttiness with floral traces evident in the aftertaste. Consider pairing this fine cigar with a nice, tawny port.
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5.5
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
This is a great cigar. Well-constructed, smooth, easy draw and it burned fantastically. Note a nutty and woody character with, again, some floral notes evident. Overall, a medium-bodied, rich, very flavorful smoke. We smoked it with a small batch bourbon and had no complaints what so ever about the entire experience.
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Our favorite of an exceptional line, the Torpedo, exemplifies our comments on the Robusto and the Extra Corona, but in a more pronounced manner. You’ll find it to be constructed as well as any cigar we’ve featured this month, burning evenly with a smooth, easy draw. Again nuttiness and floral notes seem to dominate with a hint of woodiness lingering in aftertaste. A great after dinner cigar. Smoke it with a single malt scotch or heavy ale.
Introducing… Ask Murl
The Original Habana Hound
Need to know more? Got a tough question? Don’t know where to get the answer? Just ask Murl. We understand your thirst for tobacco-related knowledge and have responded to your insatiable appetite for more information by sparing no expenses to train Murl, our Australian Sheep dog, how to research tough questions. Send your questions to: Ask Murl, PO Box 1627 Lake Forest, CA 92609 or E-mail him directly and he’ll get on it... if he doesn’t eat your letter first.
Dear Murl,
I was wondering why some cigar manufacturers package their cigars in aluminum tubes or what seem to be airtight glass vials? Is this to protect their freshness?
Scotty Musgrave
Atlanta, GA.
Dear Muskrat,
That had to be your nickname in High School. Don’t deny it. Protection. Indeed. A most popular topic in the realms of my two most favorite activities. Smoking and Schmokin’! Actually, I smoked my first cigar the way I initially enjoyed sex – alone in my room. Back to the aluminum and glass. In my humble opinion, the packaging designs you ask about are primarily geared towards protecting the cigar from physical damage and marketing. Aluminum tubes are a convenient way of transporting cigars, but not ideal for storage. They will grow tired and dull if you leave them in the container for an extended period of time. I’d recommend putting them in your humidor immediately after you get them home. Airtight glass vials may actually do more by means of actually preserving a cigars freshness. Their intent is to keep the cigar’s composition just as it was immediately after being rolled. Hope that helps Muskarato!
Woof!
Murl.
Christmas is a Coming Babies!
And don’t even think about a Rawhide Chewy!
As you sit in your favorite chair, meandering through this month’s newsletter and contemplating another turkey sandwich, consider the fact that most likely more than one person on your Christmas shopping list could be handled without leaving your command post. And the chances are better than average that whomever your thinking about for either tasteful gift hasn’t been good enough this year to justify Santa himself bringin’ the loot. So it’s up to you.
Consider a Gift Membership to either our Premium Cigar of the Month Service or our Microbrewed Beer of the Month Service. And as both services make Great Christmas gifts well suited for clients, work associates and employees as well as for friends and family members that are particularly hard to shop for, we’ve put together a special promotion for our existing customers.
MURL’S SPECIAL HOLIDAY SEASON OFFER!
For members that order a total of 12 subscription months in any combination of both the Beer of the Month or Cigar of the Month Service, we’ll give you a complimentary month towards your own membership! You can order any combination of gifts! ie. (1) 12-mo. gift, (4) 3-mo. gifts, (6) 2-mo. gifts or whatever you want!). You can still pay month by month and we’ll start the gift memberships whenever you want.
Remember, you can also simply order one gift membership (2-12 months) if that works best for you. To ensure that we can get a gift announcement card to the recipient(s) in time for Christmas, please call us no later than December 15th. So get your shopping done early and call 1-800-625-8238 right damn now and ask for Murl’s Special Christmas Deal-o-rama! It’s unique, easy to order, and a whole lot more fun than a Bass-o-matic.
Thanks for your patronage, Seasons Greetings, and Woof!
The Pairing of Alcohol and Fine Tobacco
Spirits and wine provide an ideal marriage with a premium hand-rolled cigar. Your choice of beverage depends on personal taste, but it can vary accordingly to the occasion. Sometimes what you want with your after-dinner cigar is the full-bodied, slightly sweet taste of a vintage Port; or maybe you want the palate-cleansing sharpness of an aged Cognac.
Port is a traditional partner of a great cigar. The sweetness and alcoholic power of vintage Port blend perfectly with a full-bodied smoke; even younger vintage Ports are appropriate because their strong tannins stand up to a spicy smoke. Nonvintage styles such as tawny Port also complement a cigar nicely because of the woody characteristics they acquire during long barrel aging.
The most popular traditional drink with fine cigars is Cognac or brandy. French Cognacs have solid cores of vanilla and sweet flavors derived from long years of oak-barrel aging. The crisp, clean flavors of the distilled wine keep the palate alive for the smooth spicy flavors of a hand-rolled cigar. American brandies are often slightly fruitier, but display the same complex flavors that come with barrel aging. Spanish brandies are usually deeper in color and often have a sweet, smoky component that enhances a cigar.
In the world of spirits, small batch and single barrel bourbons and single malt Scotches are superpremium products that have the complexity and depth of flavor to stand up to a cigar. The smoky quality of fine single malt, derived from the smoked peat used to filter the spirit, marries perfectly with a cigar. The small batch Bourbons are bottled at a higher proof level, which gives them a backbone of strong flavors, and they marry well with medium-and full-bodied cigars. Kentucky straight Bourbons and Tennessee whiskey, although often a bit lighter, also mix well with cigars because of the charred wood flavoring that turn the liquors dark brown. Aged rums, with their slightly sweet profile and burned molasses flavors, can smooth out a cigar.
Complementary wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, both from California and Bordeaux, and Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. The latter have spicy flavors, including pepper. Above all the combination of a relaxing cigar and a soothing spirit, Port, or wine adds up to more than the sum of both.
Cigar Comeback Is On in Private Clubs
Several years ago, the private club at 16 Gramery Park in New York City known simply as, "The Players", stopped selling cigars. "We just don't get any call for them anymore," said a somewhat baffled bartender. Times have changed at The Players, because cigars are very much at home again in the house that once belonged to the great actor Edwin Booth, one of the most illustrious Players of all time. Meanwhile, many other private clubs across the country are also experiencing upward trends in requests for cigars with Macanudo and Partagas brands clearly leading the way.
Last year in New York City, the largest increases were at the New York Yacht Club, where requests for cigars doubled, and at the University Club and the Metropolitan Club, which reported double-digit increases. As for two of the most famous Ivy League establishments in Manhattan, the Harvard Club recently emulated the arch-rival Yale Club, which has been known to host an affair or two for cigar smokers, by holding a cigar night of its own for some 70 delighted smokers. Cigars are doing equally well in some of the more renowned clubs on both coasts. Club 19, the 19th-hole oasis at Pebble Beach Golf Club in California, does a very brisk business. And the Doral Golf Club & Spa in Miami is selling "a lot more" cigars than ever before.
Elsewhere around the country and beyond, the number of cigar clubs increased during the past few years to the point where, in 1994, an informal organization called the International Association of Cigar Clubs was formed to keep track of them. In the words of Founder & Chief Smoking Officer Robert Langsam, IACC is a "for-the-smoker, by-the-smoker network" with only one motive: to generate good will among cigar lovers. To do so, IACC lets cigar lovers know where their peers are and provides assistance and support for existing clubs as well as clubs yet to be originated.
Made in the Shade
New England-based tobacco growers are salivating at the early indications of expected yield from the current crop of Connecticut shade, the most expensive cigar tobacco in the U.S. Grown in the Connecticut River Valley, shade tobacco is the preferred wrapper for many of the big dogs of the cigar world, including Davidoff and Macanudo. After four straight years of increases in acreage—including an increase of 25 to 35 percent this season—growers report they’re getting about 10 percent more per pound. "It’s probably the biggest I’ve ever seen it," reports Steve Garcia, a manager at Windsor Shade Tobacco in Connecticut. "The market snuck up on us, and it’s hard to tell when it will level off. We’re optimistic it will continue." The only thing holding the Connecticut growers back is available land. The tobacco is stored in curing barns while it dries, and the high price of real estate and labor required to build the barns in Connecticut, as compared to places like Honduras or the Dominican Republic, makes it difficult for growers to produce as many barns as the demand requires. Nonetheless, it’s not a bad predicament for them to be in.
Selling Smoke
For more than a century, cigar ads were among the best in the business. The philosophy behind much advertising is based on the observation that every man is really two men—the man he is and the man he wants to be. The philosophy applies to cigar advertising as well. Animals were never a major theme before the 1900’s, other than the occasional dog or cat at the subjects side, a horse racing scene to motivate the sportsminded smoker, or possible a subject riding on a horse which was the primary mode of transportation at that time. All that began to change after the 1900’s, most likely because the large staffs of artists at such companies as American Litho, O.L. Schwencke, and Schlegel Litho were really pressed for new subject matter, and with the introduction of a few animals and birds into the sample line, they started to catch on. Race horse were a natural transition, since racing scenes had been depicted in the past, but now the lithographers began to produce portraits of real race horses that the smokers possible were aware of, and by the 1920’s any horse that had ever won a major race or set a new record appeared on a cigar label. Pretty soon predatory animals like eagles; lions, tigers and wolves began appearing on labels and were accepted. Cock fighting, an accepted sport of the time, appeared on a number of labels, followed by dogs, cats, birds, fish and even a black bat! Although they could never be categorized as one of the major cigar themes, their comparative rarity and outstanding artwork make them very much in demand by today’s collectors. The image above is one of 225,000 museum-quality antique images displayed in Point Richmond, CA. The collection, which includes more than 85,000 cigar boxes and 5,000 other items related to the cigar industry is owned by author, painter, graphic artist and collector, John Grossman and should you attempt to look his collection up while in the area, his company’s name is The Gifted Line.
For Members Only
Give Your Friends FREE Beer, Wine, Cheese, Chocolate,
Cigars & Flowers!
Through our Customer Appreciation Program
Your name has real value to your friends, co-workers, and family members! Every time a friend, family member, or anyone else you know joins any one of our clubs, [or gives a gift] for 3 months or longer, we'll give them 50% off of their first month, but only when they mention your name. And we'll also give you 50% off your next month too which can either be applied towards your current membership or you can try one of our other Clubs out! (We can add one more month to your order at 50% off for prepaid memberships!)
The Fine Print: Members giving gift memberships do not qualify for referral credits and you can't give yourself a gift to qualify! This Program is mutually exclusive of any other promotions.
Membership Q & A
Note: Please do not use our email address to make any account related information changes such as address or billing changes, membership extensions, or terminations. To ensure timely processing of your request, please call us at 800-625-8238.
Q: What should I do if I'm moving or want to extend
my membership?
A: Please call us prior to the 10 th of the month to
make all account related information changes such as address changes,
membership extensions & terminations, or gift accounts desiring
to continue their memberships. Address changes made after that time
may require a $4.00 re-shipping charge.
Q: How will the charge appear on my credit card statement:
A: Your credit card statement will reflect our Incorporated
business name, C&H Clubs, U.S.A., Inc., NOT The Cigar Society.
Q: What happens if my shipment is damaged?
A: If you shipment arrives damaged, please call us immediately
toll free at 1-800-625-8238 and report the incident for a prompt resolution.
Q: What happens if my credit card is declined?
A: We will attempt to reprocess the card and if it does not
clear on the 2nd attempt, you’ll receive a courtesy notice
asking for an alternative payment method and your order will be temporarily
suspended until we hear from you. As we incur a $ 2.00 re-processing
fee each time your card does not clear, that charge is passed on to
you.
Q: What happens if I join under a special incentive program
and don’t stay a member for the entire term committed?
A: Not a problem. Although we want to do everything we can
to keep you as a member, we will allow you to cancel your subscription
early, however, you will be responsible to pay for the item which
was given to you as part of the promotion.
