Past Newsletters
Vol. 4 No. 7
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Fighting Cock Sidewinder | Pyramid | 6 x 37-52 |
| B. Fighting Cock C.O.D. | Churchill | 7 X 47 |
| C. Fighting Cock Rooster Arturo | Robusto | 5 X 50 |
| D. Luna Azul Corona | Corona | 6 1/4 X 44 |
| E. Luna Azul Robusto | Robusto | 5 1/2 X 50 |
Featured Cigars
The Fighting Cock Cigars
Cock fighting is a sport in The Philippines that captures the complex spirit of the native Filipino like no other. And as the cigars distributed by the Splendid Seed Tobacco Company are all hand rolled in Manila, they found it appropriate to name this month’s featured cigar line after the sport. The Fighting Cock brand features a sun-grown Javan wrapper imported from Indonesia, while its wrappers and binders are constructed from Philippines Isabela Superior Fina tobacco. Each cigar in the line is named for an actual champion rooster: Texas Red (square); Sidewinder (pyramid); Smokin' Lulu (perfecto); Rooster Arturo (robusto); and C.O.D. (churchill): each vanquished a total of 7 rival cocks during the Super Derby, held annually in the world's largest cockpit, Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila. The cigars are packed in 25-count blonde Narra boxes that are sanded and varnished to a vanilla-like glow. These boxes are individually handcrafted and finished in Pampanga province, some 100 km from Manila. The cigars are wrapped in the famous Filipino Ikat cloth and each textile was designed and hand-woven exclusively for Fighting Cock. For more information about the product line, contact Splendid seed directly at 713-782-6048 or visit their web site: http://www.splendid.cigar.com.
Binder: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Filler: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Wrapper: Indonesia/Java - Colorado Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
This very well constructed cigar was wrapped to just the right firmness and offered a nearly perfect draw. We found the Sidewinder to have a wonderful, medium-to-full-bodied, complex tobacco taste. It was obviously properly aged. Look for a complex aroma with some strong spicy and cedar notes. Its well-balanced flavor was slightly fuller-bodied than the other cigars featured in this line. Look for a mild finish with no harsh aftertaste whatsoever. Consider pairing this one with a fine single malt scotch or brandy. Consider enjoying a light ale or lager with this fine cigar.
Binder: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Filler: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Wrapper: Indonesia/Java - Colorado Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Smoking Splendid Seed’s Churchill was truly an enjoyable experience. Perhaps the fullest bodied of the three, it presented similar flavor and aromatic characteristics to its smaller cousins, however they are definitely more pronounced in this cigar. It burned perfectly and left an almost perfect ash demonstrating that it was in fact rolled with mature tobacco. Consider settling down with a smoky single malt scotch such as Lag Vulin with your C.O.D.
Binder: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Filler: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Wrapper: Indonesia/Java - Colorado Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
We found Fighting Cock’s Robusto to be very well constructed cigar offering a silky smooth claro wrapper and generally pleasing appearance. Look for a firm, yet even and effortless draw. Note a wonderful woodsy, cedar aroma which hints of coffee beans. The body offered coffee bean, spice, and cedar notes. We’d pair this cigar with either Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout or Ron Anejo’s Pampero Anivesario Rum.
The Luna Azul Cigars
The Luna Azul (Blue Moon) cigar is produced in the Dominican Republic from tobaccos grown through the partnership of the Grand Cigar Company and Cia. de Tobaco Flor de los Reyes. Headed by renowned tobacco manufacturer Emilio Reyes, Cia. de Tobaco Flor de los Reyes is a Dominican Republic based tobacco grower (Located in the Yaque Valley and owning the largest plantation in the country), tobacco processor, and premium cigar producer. Innovations and accomplishments credited to Emilio Reyes include the introduction of Cuban seed tobacco to the Dominican Republic in 1962, the planning and supervising the establishment of a 4,000-acre shade grown wrapper plantation in Cuba, and the creation of premium cigar rolling factories for a variety of companies. The Luna Azul product line features four sizes including a Churchill, Corona, Corona Grande and a Robusto. For more information about the product line, contact the Grand Cigar Company directly at 800-428-9947 or visit their web site: http://www.grandcigar.com.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Cubano Piloto
Wrapper: Sumatran
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10):
5 Panel Rating: 85
Notes from the Panel:
We found the Corona to have a slightly firmer roll than the Robusto. Note a rich, flavorful body with a hint of spice. Look for an earthy, spicy and somewhat nutty character in both the aroma and flavor of this pleasurable Dominican. Consider smoking it with a Pale Ale or heavy lager.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Cubano Piloto
Wrapper: Sumatran
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 87
Notes from the Panel:
The Luna Azul Robusto had a somewhat loose draw, which made it very easy to smoke. It burned evenly and held a long white ash indicative of proper aging. The blend of Cubano Piloto fillers, Olor binder, and a rich and somewhat oily Sumatran wrapper offered a very complex and enjoyable smoke. Look for dark chocolate and coffee flavors in the body in this flavorful cigar. Consider smoking it with a blended scotch.
On Cutting, Poking, Snipping, and Biting
The first thing you should do is closely examine the "head" of the cigar - this is the closed end that needs to be clipped. Almost all have what is called a "cap" - a bit of tobacco leaf used to close of the end – you should be able to see how far down the length of the cigar the cap goes by inspection. Typically only a 1/4" - 3/8" or so; sometimes much less, and on figurado shapes sometimes quite longer. Anyhow wherever the cap stops is your cutting limit - cut beneath the cap's line or even too close and your cigar will start to unravel which will certainly contribute to an unpleasant experience. Typically I cut the minimal possible while trying to open approximately 75%-85% of the cigar end's surface area. Sometimes this means a cut as little as 1/32" down, where other times almost 3/8" - it depends entirely on the individual cigar's roll and cap construction.
The single bladed cheaper cutters that can be purchased for $3 typically do a very poor job of clipping the cap, and result in crushed, split, and tattered cuts. One thing to keep in mind when using a guillotine cutter is to line up your cigar at eye level and to then Clip it quickly and decisively - I have found this method to give satisfactory results nearly 100% of the time.
Many smokers swear by the .44 Magnum cutter which is a relatively inexpensive punch that is easy to use, makes a perfect round opening, and completely bypasses the problem of how much to clip. I personally don't use one because they do not work as well on figurado shapes, nor can I get as large an opening as I sometimes would prefer. Crestmark also makes a nice cigar punch that extracts the cut cap from itself. I own both types of punches and think they are excellent products and would recommend that you try one at your tobacconist, it may be ideal for you. V-Cut clippers are also available, and a few cigar smokers I know think this is the ONLY way to clip your cigar. You don't have to worry about the caps length using this type of cutter since you rest the cigar against it, and it "automatically" takes out a v-notched shaped bit of tobacco of the same size every time. Personally I hate this type of cut, I find that it tends to build up tar on the edges and that some cigars tend to burn unevenly when cut this way. These cutters typically work better on some sizes than others, depends on the size of the v-notch blade.
Cigar scissors are elegant, but they are difficult to use in my opinion. Plus they are damn near impossible to carry around. Some people use x-acto blades, Swiss army penknives, their teeth, and so on. How you clip your cigar is a matter of what works best for you. Just keep in mind where the cap ends and you should be fine.
Lighting Your Cigar Properly
Nearly everyone has his or her own opinion as to how to properly light a cigar. The method described below provides an even burn from the start, prevents any bitter taste during the lighting process, and creates a ritualistic ceremony that is quite enjoyable if for no other reason, because it is so deliberate.
If you use a match, wait till the sulfur burns off before using it to light you cigar. If you use a lighter, use a butane one. The gasoline-based ones impart a foul flavor to your smoke. Of course this statement irritates the hell out of Zippo manufacturers, so in rebuttal they actually published a rather nice little book that explains that if you allow the flame to burn for a few seconds all of the disturbing odor will dissipate. Try it yourself and then you make the call. Personally I use a butane lighter. Some people claim that the only proper implement for lighting up is a cedar spill. A cedar spill is a long thin strip of Spanish cedar which is lit first and then used in turn to light your cigar.
Prior to actually lighting the cigar, preheat the foot (the open end) by slowly rolling the cigar above the flame at an angle allowing a tiny black ring to form all the way around the wrapper. Be careful not to allow the flame to touch the cigar. Next, place the cigar in your mouth, and draw in as your repeat the process, slowly rolling the cigar at an angle above the flame, but never letting the flame actually touch the cigar. I’d guess about a 1/2 inch or so away. What appears to happen is the flame seems to leap from lighter up onto the foot of the cigar. Remember to slowly rotate the cigar as you light it to establish an even burn.
Once you think you have it lit, pull it from your mouth and actually look at the glowing foot to see if you’ve done your job properly. If the burn is really uneven, repeat the previous step on the appropriate side to even the burn. If it is just a bit uneven (which in my case, it typically is) I gently blow on the end in the appropriate place to intensify the heat there, and then take a couple steady draws. Simply waiting a few moments afterwards seems to allow the cigar a chance to stabilize and self correct the burn. If your smoke happens to go out, knock off the ash, gently blow through the cigar to clear out the old smoke, and repeat the process above.
Source: Both Articles jointly written and edited by Steve Sake and Bob Curtis
San Francisco Cigar Lifestyles Magazine
SAN FRANCISCO - The Cigar Magazine Network, LLC with corporate offices in Northfield, Illinois has recently launched their San Francisco Cigar Lifestyles magazine. A quarterly magazine, the publication is currently distributed in Chicago, New York, Boston, Detroit and Minneapolis, St. Paul, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and of course, San Francisco! San Francisco Cigar Lifestyles’ mission is to become San Francisco's hometown cigar magazine by providing entertainment and information to affluent Bay Area cigar aficionados regarding the cigar industry, local and national cigar events, and cigar smoking personalities. The scope of the editorial will include all aspects of the cigar smokers lifestyle including attire, arts, automobiles, fine dining, travel, finance, wine and spirits, and other goods and services of interest to Bay Area cigar smokes. By taking a community approach to the editorial format, San Francisco Cigar Lifestyles will feature photographs and stories about local cigar events and local personalities – the magazine will offer its readers a chance to be enlightened while having fun reading the publication. In addition to selecting the cover celebrities, the San Francisco editorial team is organizing the "First Annual San Francisco Cigar Lifestyles Magazine Golf Outing", to be held at a local golf course close to San Francisco. Local cover personalities and celebrities will be invited to participate in the outing, with sponsors on each hole. San Francisco Cigar Lifestyles will be circulated through a network of cigar wholesalers and independent magazine distributors. They will distribute the magazine to tobacconists, select kiosks, cigar retailers and cigar-friendly restaurants. For more information about the publication, contact them directly at 415-775-0703.
El Rey Del Mrs. Pouty
Cigar manufacturing in the U.S. has certainly taken a few leaps forward in the past ten years, and the end products are certainly a far cry from the U.S.’ first attempts at publicly available cigars. According to the Tobacco Record, the first commercial cigar made in the U.S. was made by a one Mrs. Pouty of South Windsor, CT in 1801. She started experimenting with cigars in 1799 and placed them on the market once she felt she had the technique down pat. No word on what they tasted like, however.
Crush and Burn at JFK
Ever wonder what happens to all those Cuban cigars the U.S. Customs Service seizes at the airports? Under the Trading with the Enemy Act, Customs officials like JFK’s Laureen Zizzo break them up by hand, two at a time, and dump them into the trash. You think that’s ugly? It gets worse. Customs also immolates its prey. Not over loose talk and stiff bourbon, but in the flames of a Long Island incinerator. Location? Customs says it’s classified.
The real mystery of this mass stogicide is that if everyone knows it’s illegal, how come one thousand-plus shipment of contraband Cubans, worth over a million bucks, get intercepted at the U.S. airports each year? Well, for starters, most people leave the labels on the cigars. Whoops.
Though Customs is likely to question anyone who, in random luggage checks, is found to be carrying a large quantity of unmarked boxes of unmarked cigars, there’s no litmus test that make products manufactured in Stalinist countries actually turn red. Nor is there a standard "cigar mule" profile, according to Kennedy inspector George Burns (yep, that’s his name) – "Hell, if they combed the baggage of everybody in a tailored suit and a pinky ring, it would take all afternoon just to unload the Concord". He does, however, pay special attention to people sweating, stuttering, and avoiding eye contact. Unlike drug couriers who face prison time if caught, personal-use cigar smugglers only suffer forfeiture, although the act is punishable by a $50,000 fine, ten years in prison, or both.
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