Past Newsletters
Vol. 4 No. 11
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Caonabo Gran Jefe | Torpedo | 6 x 54 |
| B. Caonabo Guanines | Long Corona | 6 1/2 x 44 |
| C. Caonabo Nabories | Corona | 5 1/2 x 42 |
| D. Don Manolo | Churchill | 7 1/2 x 52 |
| E. Don Manolo | Robusto | 5 1/2 x 50 |
Featured Cigars
The Caonabo Cigars
The year 1492 marked one of the biggest events of human history, as through the efforts of the Great Admiral, there was a marvelous encounter of two worlds and two cultures. But the arrival of Columbus to La Española land also produced the first encounter between conquest and rebellion. Caonabo, brave warrior and the Taino's chief who governed those lands, resisted the domination. He showed his resistance by destroying the Nativity Fort in 1493, built by Columbus with the remains of the Santa Maria, the flagship of his first trip. Upon Columbus' return roughly a year later, he promptly began building the establishment of Fort Saint Thomas in the Cibao Region. In 1495, the great Chief Caonabo and his brave followers attacked the fort. Columbus immediately commissioned Don Alonso de Ojeda to embark on a peace mission in an effort to conciliate with the insurgent Indian leader.
Taken before Columbus under deceit, Caonabo was apprehended, chained and sent to Spain as a prisoner in 1496. However, due to the difficulties of maritime travel, he died during the voyage and never made it. Let this message serve as a tribute to the great King of the Maguana, the Man of Gold, to the harbingers of the marvelous tobacco leaf, to the grand Chief Caonabo.
It seems appropriate that the founder of the Caonabo Cigar line featured this month was himself also a leader and rebel not dissimilar to Chief of the Tainos. Manuel Dominguez worked side-by-side with Castro in the 1950’s, a guerilla fighting the Bastida regime in Cuba’s mountainsides. He was named Deputy Minister of Communication soon after Castro came into power and when informed of the dictator’s infidelity with Russia, tried to escape the island with one of Castro’s personal helicopters. A gunfight killed several of his comrades and he himself was wounded and then placed in a Cuban prison for 26 years. After President Regan negotiated asylum in the U.S. for Dominguez, he began to build his cigar production operations in the Dominican Republic. We know that you will enjoy these exceptional cigars inspired by two exceptional men. They have just recently been brought to the United States and have already received high marks from many varied tobacco publications. For more information about Caonabo Cigars, contact their exclusive distributors, G&G Enterprises at 703-823-2234.
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon-CO Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7.5
Panel Rating: 95
Notes from the Panel:
We really like these cigars and the Torpedo you’re about to smoke doesn’t get much better. This cigar offers a complex, full-flavored, medium-bodied smoke. Look for superb construction and an effortless draw. We found its flavor to start slightly peppery with both sweet and spicy notes to round it out. An amazingly long ash indicates that the tobacco was properly aged. You’re gonna love it. Try it with a hearty Scotch Ale after a big meal.
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade-Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 4
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
As much as we liked the Camaroon-wrapped Torpedo and Corona, this Long Corona is an exceptional cigar in its own right. Note a very well constructed, beautiful cigar with a silky smooth Connecticut Shade wrapper. We found its flavor to be smooth, relatively mild, yet very flavorful, offering hints of woodiness and mild spice. Consider pairing it with a tawny port or English Special Bitter Ale.
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon-CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5.5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Caonabo is batting 1000 % as far as we’re concerned and you should consider trying the rest of the product line not featured. Another perfectly constructed cigar with a consistent, relatively easy draw. This cigar offers a complex flavor profile consisting of peppery, spicy, and some sweet notes. Its aroma was pleasant, soft and mellow. Smoke it with small batch bourbon or heavy single malt scotch.
The Don Manolo Cigars
The Don Manolo collection is produced by Tabacalera Contreras in Navarett, Dominican Republic. The Manolo cigar line features select Dominican filler and binder leaves that hail from the same tobacco field which have historically yielded leaf for select grower General Tobacco and Davidoff cigars. The line was conceived by Victor Santana whose family has grown tobacco on their Dominican plantation estate for over five decades. His family has maintained relationships with many of the top leaf growers and buyers who work his land, as such, he has been able to personally oversee the selection of tobacco for the Manolo line. All Don Manolo cigars feature U.S.-grown Connecticut Shade, Sumatran-seed or Indonesian Colorado Maduro wrappers, Dominican binders and a carefully formulated blend of Piloto Cubano and Olor tobacco. For more information about the product line contact The Cigar Celebration direct at 847-478-1510.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Piloto Cubano/Dominican Olor
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade/Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
Look for a nice golden colored, relatively smooth wrapper with some veins. This cigar offered an effortless draw and was rolled firm, yet was somewhat soft. We found it to be a medium-approaching full-bodied cigar, with notes of earthiness, nuts and spice. Halfway through though, its flavor heads more towards woody. Very rich. A wonderful blend of tobacco. Consider pairing it with a very light single malt scotch or your favorite Pilsner.
Binder: Dominican "Chocadia"
Filler: Piloto Cubano/Dominican Olor
Wrapper: Indonesian/CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
Although we were not blown away with the aesthetic appearance of this cigar, its flavor profile more than made up for any cosmetic imperfections. Appearance is the only thing that kept us from rating these cigars in the 90’s. This cigar is packed with flavor! Immediately note a firm draw, but one that easily allows you to get a full mouth of smoke in this nicely constructed cigar, medium-to-full bodied cigar. Look for a slightly spicy to mild beginning, with flavor and aromas of coffee beans, nuttiness and an earthy finish. Try this smoke with a glass of Knob Creek Bourbon or Single Malt Scotch.
Ask Murl
The Original Habana Hound
Dear Murl,
Although you send me more than one cigar from a manufacturer, I’m often surprised at how different one cigar is from the next when it’s a different shape. Don’t they all come from the same tobacco blend? Shouldn’t they be identical for the most part?
Jake Vaughan
Londonderry, NH
Yo Jakester!
So it’s the age old question of does size really matter, eh? Never been a concern of mine, you know, being hung like a … well, a dog. But that’s a whole different subject, and one that most likely has a very limited scope of truly interested readers. So let’s talk. Even though some of the cigars we send you are from the same manufacturer, most are of varied taste profiles for a number of reasons. Size does matter, Bucko. Larger gauges tend to smoke cooler. Length may impact the ease of the draw. You should also remember that each cigar is individually rolled which means there will always be subtle differences in how each smokes. Additionally, when a specific blend is used for a larger gauged cigar, all of the same types of leaves used in that blend may not be in a smaller ring cigar as there is simply not enough room. Generally, when some portion of the blend is left out, it is the ligero, or the more full-bodied leaf types. So the next time you’re pontificating on the subject of size and how it impacts the overall pleasure of partaking in any of your favorite vices, you tell ‘em, "You bet your Kibbles and Bits it matters, Baby!" Hope that was good for you, Jakaroo. I’ve Gotta ball I need to be chasin’.
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.
News and Entertainment
For centuries, the cigar has always had a strong sense of image in a way that the cigarette, despite its popularity, has never enjoyed. Generally speaking, cigars have developed their image largely from the personalities that enjoy them. We’ve compiled a few of the more memorable quotes on the subject of tobacco enjoyment for your amusement.
"It has always been my rule never to smoke when asleep, and never refrain when awake." Mark Twain.
"By the cigars they smoke, and the composers they love, ye shall know the texture of men’s souls." John Galsworthly.
"There are two things a man never forgets – his for love and his first cigar." John Bain
"Smoking a fine cigar is like squirtin’ on a fireplug in broad daylight or hurding 300 scared sheep into a highly organized marching platoon or knawing on your favorite sweaky toy until your owner puts you outside. I just wish I could do them all at the same time" Murl
"A good cigar is as great a comfort to a man as a good cry to a woman." Edward Bulwer Lytton.
"If you’re going to smoke a cigar, don’t be scared of the big ones." Tomina Edmark on women smoking cigars in "Cigar Chic".
"If a woman knows a man’s preferences, including his preferences in cigars, and a man knows what woman he likes, they will be suitably armed to face one another." Collette – French author of "Gigi".
"Given a choice between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar." Groucho Marx
"Smoking is indispensable if one has nothing to kiss." Sigmund Freund
"The light ones may be killers, And the dark ones may be mild. Not the wrappers, but the fillers, make cigars or women wild." Keith Preston.
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.
