Past Newsletters
Vol. 5 No. 1
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Havana Sunrise | Corona | 6 x 44 |
| B. Havana Sunrise Havana | Grand Corona | 6 ¾ x 46 |
| C. Havana Sunrise Lancero | Long Panatela | 7 ½ x 38 |
| D. Purofino Gold Label | Churchill | 7 x 50 |
| E. Purofino Blue Label | Robusto Gordo | 5 ¼ x 52 |
Featured Cigars
The Havana Sunrise Cigar Company
As we have yet to feature a cigar line that is manufactured in the United States, we took painstaking efforts to ensure that when we did, it would be an experience that you would not soon forget. We believe that the Havana Sunrise Cigar Company is producing an exceptional product that surpasses many efforts made in more traditional cigar producing countries. The Havana Sunrise Cigar Co. celebrates its two-year anniversary this March, and their rise to prominence lies solely in the quality craftsman- ship evident in their cigars.
The entire product line is manufactured at their new factory, located in the heart of Little Havana, in Miami, Florida. Each cigar is crafted from a unique and premium blend of choice Cuban seed tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Ecuador, meticulously hand-rolled by their staff of Cuban Master Rollers and aged in Spanish Cedar in traditional Cuban fashion. These medium-to-full-bodied cigars are custom made to provide an exceptionally rich flavor and aroma to satisfy even the most discriminating connoisseur. The line, three of which you will enjoy this month, is comprised of 11 varied shapes and is offered in both maduro and natural wrappers. For more information about the Havana Sunrise Cigar Company, call the factory directly at 305-649-2717.
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto
Wrapper: Sumatran
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Another superbly crafted cigar. Exceptionally mild for a maduro, and the perfect choice for those wishing to graduate a fuller-bodied cigar. Look for a cool, mellow, smoke that exhibits mild floral tones upon lighting and then picks up some coffee, nutty and leafy spice characteristics, offering a more robust experience. This cigar was a real treat. The smoke itself was wonderful. We know you’ll love it. Try it with another exceptionally smooth consumable, a tall glass of Patron Anejo tequila on the rocks.
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 95
Notes from the Panel:
This entire line is extremely well constructed and the corona is no exception. We found it smooth to the touch, offering a perfect draw and consistent, grey-white ash. Definitely aged properly. Its flavor is creamy, nutty and hints of floral spice. We also picked up some cedar-woodiness. This is a very complex and truly enjoyable cigar. Consider pairing it with a single malt scotch or an XO cognac.
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto
Wrapper: Sumatran
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a beautiful, high quality on this very well made cigar. It burned evenly and consistently with a relatively easy draw. We picked up hints of coffee bean, hazelnut and a peppery spiciness all encompassed by a wonderful creaminess. Very well aged. Overall, another complex, extremely well-crafted winner from the boys at Havana Sunrise. You might pair this one with either Oban or Glenord scotches.
The Purofino Cigars
The Purofino Gold and Blue Label cigars are manufactured entirely by hand in the mountainous heart of Spanish Honduras' lush Jamastram Valley, and represent a tradition of more than two decades of experience in the art of creating the finest, premium quality cigars possible. While being made in the hands of Honduran Master Cigar Makers, both blends are brought together from a complex spectrum of individually selected tobaccos from select growing regions in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Ecuador, where their Sumatran-seed wrappers are produced. Much of the tobacco used in both lines is grown on Purofino’s plantations located in the Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua. Tobacco obtained from Costa Rica, Mexico and Ecuador are also cured and processed at the Jalapa Valley plantation.
Purofino’s Gold Label line is a rich, complex five-tobacco blend of Nicaraguan Habano (Cuban Havana seed) long filler, combined with select leaves of the finest sweet Morron tobaccos, from San Andreas, Mexico, which is then wrapped in a premium, Sumatran Capa Rosada, grown in the tropical valleys of southern Ecuador. The Blue line is rolled with a sweetly mysterious blend of six assorted leaves from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico and comes in a premium, naturally cured, demi-maduro Sumatran Capa Oscura wrapper, grown in southern Ecuador.
Purofino Cigars International's founder and president, Roger Ralphs, became enamored with cigars in the late sixties, when, while traveling in South America. While there, he met and was invited to work with ethno-botanists from Harvard University, researching, photographing and illustrating the various plant phylum used by the indigenous tribes in the Amazon Basin. During the course of this activity, he encountered a tribe of Cofan Indians, living at the headwaters of an Amazonian tributary, on the border of Colombia and Ecuador. The Cofan's have a very highly developed horticultural tradition, including the growing and curing of sacramental tobacco. It was here that the seventy-two year old casique, Don Elias, first introduced Roger to the sacramental use of tobacco in the form of rustic, hand made cigars. His travels later carried him to the Far East where he met with tobacco farmers in Turkey, Pakistan, and India, as well as the makers of primitive cigars in Burma and Malaysia.
It was three years ago that Roger decided to become involved in the production of his own cigar lines and since that time, he has come to be recognized by many industry professionals as being a first rate blender and maker of uniquely delicious gourmet cigars. We know that you will enjoy this rich line of finely crafted cigars. For more information about Purofino cigars, call 505-989-4250.
Binder: Nicaraguan Bisso
Filler: Mexican & Nicaraguan Habano
Wrapper: Sumatra-Seed Ecuadorian
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Look for a relatively firm roll that is neither too hard or too soft. This is a very aesthetically pleasing cigar, nicely shaped, smooth and constructed of well-chosen wrapper leaf. Note a medium-bodied smoke, rich, with warm roasted nutty tones evident. Overall, a very pleasant smoke offering many varied flavors that worked well together. We really like it very much. Consider pairing it with either a dry Martini, a good Cognac or fine Armagnac.
Binder: Mexican Morron
Filler: Nicaraguan & Costa Rican Mexican
Wrapper: Sumatra-Seed Ecuadorian
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
A very well made cigar offering a near perfect draw. We found the blue line to have more of a sweet, aromatic profile than its Golden Boy sibling. Look for a mellow roundness in a body that delivers a somewhat lighter smoking experience, though one which is sweetly rich and smooth in flavor. Also look for a touch of herbs in this well-balanced smoke. This one would be well paired with a dry martini or your favorite pilsner.
Stogie Stats
Americans smoked 3.5 billion cigars last year, more than any other nationality except the Chinese - and there’s a whole lot more of them!
In 1994, there were over 125,000 new cigar smokers in the U.S., with the majority of these smokers being premium cigar smokers.
Source: The Cigar Association of America, Inc.
Ask Murl
The Original Habana Hound
Dear Murl,
I know you’ve most likely answered this one before, but I’m a new member and if you don’t answer it again, I’m gonna cancel my subscription! (Just kiddin’ pooch). Anyway, what’s up with the Cuban thing? I’ve never had one. Are Cuban cigars really that much better than ones produced elsewhere? Also, if I was to visit Cuba, can I bring back a box for personal consumption or not? I’ve heard conflicting stories.
Fidel Smith
New York, NY
Yo Fiddle!
All right, Bucko. You got my attention. Not your real name is it. It’s okay to ask what you think might be a bonehead question, Fiddle. Truth is, everyone wants to hear an opinion on Cuban cigars. I’ve attended a festival or two when we’re promoting the club and I can’t tell you how many weenies come up and ask the same question. "Got any Cubans? Got any Cubans? Got any Cubans?!" I usually tell them, "Sure Pal, this one right here was rolled on the thighs of a Cuban virgin just this morning and it’s yours for $150 if you want it." The glazed, confused stare, unaware of my jest, usually confirms my suspicions of a rookie who wouldn’t know a Cuban if Castro gave it to him personally!
Anyway, to the point. In my opinion, opinion being the operative word here Fiddle, the binders and fillers in the Dominican Republic are the best in the world, bar none. Cuba still grows the best wrappers, but the Dominican Republic is catching up rapidly in that respect as well. The difference isn't really in the growing of the tobacco, but more so in its processing and aging. The soils of the two countries are essentially the identical and they are on nearly the same latitude. Of course, the Dominican Republic is a little east of Cuba in longitude but the weather is very similar. I think a large part of the Cuban mystique is the appeal of the forbidden fruit. I saw this sexy she-wolf on the Discovery Channel the other day. I knew I couldn’t have her, and I wanted her all that much more. I’m telling ya, it’s human (and canine) nature, baby. Tell me I can’t buy a pint of Guinness any more and I’m calling my clan on the mainland to reserve my private reserve. Don’t focus so much on where the smoke came from, but rather did you personally enjoy it. It’s all very subjective, the appreciation of fine tobacco, so go with what you like. On the legality of bringing in contraband smokes for personal consumption, check out the article in this newsletter entitled, "Our Government on Cuban Smokes". Gotta trot. Got a milk bone stashed in the couch with my name on it.
Woof!
Murl.
Our Government on Cuban Smokes
From the desks of our favorite bureaucratic boys at the Department of the Treasury U.S. Customs Service, here’s the skinny on the legality of bringing in Cuban cigars into our fair country.
RELEASED Wednesday, July 9, 1997
CUBAN CIGAR UPDATE
The revival of interest in cigars and cigar smoking underscores the need to remind the public of the prohibitions that have been in place for many years with respect to cigars of Cuban origin. The number of attempted importations of Cuban cigars into the United States is rising and because dealing in such cigars may lead to Treasury enforcement actions, the public should be aware of - and make every effort to observe - the prohibitions which are in effect.
Only persons returning directly from Cuba after a licensed visit there are permitted to bring Cuban cigars into the United States, provided the value of such cigars does not exceed $100 US dollars and the cigars are for that individuals personal use and not for resale. All other importations of Cuban cigars are illegal. All offers to buy or sell such cigars in the United States involve cigars that were imported illegally. Contrary to what many people may believe, it is illegal for travelers to bring into the United States Cuban cigars acquired in third countries (such as Canada, England, or Mexico).
It is also illegal for U.S. persons to buy, sell, trade, or otherwise engage in transactions involving illegally-imported Cuban cigars. The penalties for doing so include, in addition to confiscation of the cigars, civil fines of up to $55,000 per violation and in appropriate cases, criminal prosecution which may result in higher fines and/or imprisonment.
These prohibitions are applicable to all goods of Cuban origin and are an important element of the comprehensive program of economic sanctions against the Cuban Government which have been in place since 1963. Those sanctions have had the support of the last seven Administrations.
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), administers the embargo of Cuba. Suspected embargo violations may be reported telephonically (is that a word? Telephonically?) to OFAC's Enforcement Division at (202) 622-2430 or via facsimile at (202) 622-1657.
So there you have it. In the words of the infinitely wise, Baretta, "Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time, baby. Don’t do it!"
Cigar Bands
There are many stories about the origin of cigar bands, but is seems well established that bands originated in Cuba. One story is that cigar makers were obliged to put a paper ring around the cigars in order to protect the fingers of the many ladies who smoked cigars and complained about nicotine stains o their fingers. Another version says that a prominent cigar manufacturer, discovering that some unscrupulous individuals were manufacturing cigars with inferior tobacco under his name, designed a colorful ring identifying each of his cigars in the box; the idea caught on, and other reputable manufacturers began to do the same. Existing bands go back as far as 1870, but it is known from Cuban archives that the first bands were issued in the 1830’s.
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.
