Past Newsletters
Vol. 5 No. 10
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Romeo y Julieta Dominicana Churchill | Churchill | 7 x 50 |
| B. Romeo y Julieta Dominicana Romeo | Figurado | 6 x 46 |
| C. La Plata Anniversario Dominicana | Robusto | 4 ¾ x 52 |
| D. La Plata Honduran Selection Hercules | Toro | 5 ½ x 54 |
| E. La Plata Honduran Selection Robusto Uno | Robusto | 4 ½ x 52 |
Featured Cigars
The Romeo y Julieta Cigars
One of the very best-known Havana Brands, particularly popular in Britain, Cuban Romeo y Julieta cigars come in a huge choice of over 40 shapes and sizes. Despite the vast range, which inevitably means that not all sizes can be trusted, there are some great cigars produced under this brand, many among them considered the best available in their size.
The brand's early success was directly due to the efforts of Rodriquez Fernandez. "Pepin," as he was known, was originally manager of the Cabanas factory in Havana, but unhappy at its imminent takeover by American Tobacco, he resigned in 1903 to branch out on his own. Using his savings, he bought a little-known factory which, since 1875, had made cigars called Romeo y Julieta solely for the Cuban domestic market. But he had bigger ideas, and encouraging his employees by distributing 30 percent of profits to heads of department, he traveled the world promoting the brand. Within two years, with his 1,400 workers, he had to move to a larger factory.
For monarchs, heads of state, and others, he specialized in providing personalized cigar bands (at one stage the factory was producing 20,000 different bands). Pepin remained devoted, almost obsessed by his brand, naming his racehorse Julieta, and trying to buy the House of Capulet in Verona, where Shakespeare’s play was set. He couldn't quite do that, but was allowed to have a stand under the famous balcony, so that until 1939, every visitor was offered a free cigar in honor of the ill-starred lovers who gave the brand its name.
The Dominican Republic-produced Romeo y Julieta cigars are produced with both Connecticut shade and Colorado Maduro Cameroon wrappers. Both types are very highly rated in several publications ranging from the high 80’s to mid 90’s in Cigar Aficionado. Produced by the Manufactura de Tabacos Co. in Santiago, Dominicana Republica, the two cigars you’ll have a chance to sample this month are highly sought after as a result of the shortage of Camaroon wrapper leaf. We were able to get our hands on some for you and paid a premium for them as we know you’ll enjoy these delicate, smooth legendary cigars. Enjoy!
Binder: U.S.A. Connecticut Olor
Filler: Dominican/Brazilian Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesia/Camaroon-CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 96
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a near perfect draw in this well constructed cigar. No soft spots, consistently rolled and soft to the touch, we found it to burn evenly and offer a lot of smoke as well. We really liked this cigar a lot! One of the best we’ve evaluated so far, we found its medium-to-full flavor to have a pleasant, mild aroma, a great mildly spicy flavor with some wood and coffee tones evident. Look for a slight bite in the aftertaste. Overall, a very easy cigar to smoke offering flawless construction and great taste. Consider pairing it with a dry Chardonnay or dry Pale Ale.
Binder: U.S.A. Connecticut Olor
Filler: Dominican/Brazilian Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesia/Camaroon-CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
Another great cigar from Romeo y Julieta. Look for a slightly firmer draw than the Churchill in this beautifully crafted rustic looking cigar. Note some hints of spice and coffee in the flavor and a bit of creaminess towards the end of the smoke. We found the aroma to be almost perfume-like, very pleasant. Look for a floral finish. Overall, very smooth, complex taste that builds in woodiness and spiciness to the end. We loved it. Try pairing it with an Oban Scotch or your favorite Czechoslovakian Pilsner.
The La Plata Cigars
Victor Migenes Sr., arrived in the United States from Puerto Rico in the mid-1940s, landed first in New York City and then moved to Los Angeles. He went to work as a roller for a fellow-Puerto Rican at a Los Angeles company named La Planta. Not too long after Migenes Sr. arrived, La Planta's owner decided he wanted to return to Puerto Rico. According to Victor Migenes, Jr. (Tito), "The guy said to my father, "Do you want this place?" "My dad bought him a ticket back to Puerto Rico, they signed a bunch of papers and that was that. No money passed hands." Except that Migenes Sr. found the company to be $10,000 in debt. "In those days, that was a lot of money. He paid it all off with his hands, making quality cigars."
Not long after Victor Migenes Sr. acquired the company, La Planta became La Plata Cigar Co.- The Silver Cigar Co. - as Migenes Sr. sought to establish his own identity in central L.A. Jokes Victor Jr., "He probably changed the name to save money. There's one less letter in La Plata, so he probably saved on printing labels." Migenes Jr., 37, took over La Plata at the improbable age of 23 when his father had a heart attack and retired.
The Company was originally a combination of factory, wholesale and retail cigar store located in downtown Los Angeles. Six years ago however, La Plata expanded into cigar production in Honduras, and more recently, purchased their own factory in the Dominican Republic to produce the well-received La Plata Anniversario.
All La Plata cigars are hand made with long leaf tobaccos grown in the finest tobacco regions including Ecuador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. They are enclosed in the world's highest grade Mexican and Connecticut shade and broadleaf wrappers. The Honduran lines are manufactured by the Villazon Cigar Co., who not only produce La Plata, but Punch, Excalibur, and El Rey Del Mundo.
Created to commemorate La Plata's first 50 years in business and manufactured in the mountainous region just two-and-a-half hours from Santa Domingo, the Anniversario Seleccion Dominicana line consists of all Dominican grown, long leaf tobaccos with a Rosado Dominican wrapper. "It was important to me that if we offered an anniversary cigar, that it be an excellent cigar," Migenes says. "I didn't want to settle for less. It is a Puro and as far as I know, the Fuente Opus X™ and the El Rey de Florez are the only two other Puros from the Dominican." The line has been compared by several objective rating groups as similar in taste to the Fuente Opus X line.
Our panel seems to be a good representation of what the general public prefers as they chose La Plata’s three best selling cigars as their favorites. Even better, they are three very distinct smokes, each with it’s own unique character. For more information on the La Plata Cigar line, call them at 888-450-5282 or email them directly at info@laplatacigars.com.
Binder: Dominican Olor
> Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Dominican – Rosado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
The first thing you’ll notice about this cigar is that is ha a beautiful silky and very appealing Rosado wrapper. It’s a weighty cigar, substantial in your hand, rolled in traditional Cuban style with quite a large amount of tobacco packed into it. Consequently, it smokes slowly. Note a good, firm draw and a very rich taste with plenty of spices evident. The Rosado wrapper seems to offer a slight natural tobacco sweet nutty character. We found the aroma exceptionally appealing. Look for a long finish. Overall, a great smoke, full, rich and satisfying. We’d smoke the next one with a Single Malt Scotch.
Binder: Honduran Olor
Filler: Honduran/Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Seed Ecuadorian – Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
It was no surprise when we found out that this cigar is La Plata’s signature cigar and best seller. It was, hands down, our favorite in the group. A very aesthetically appealing cigar. Beautiful, silky wrapper with very fine veins. Look for an excellent draw in this even and cool-burning, smooth, very well made cigar. Packed with flavor as you get into it, note a pleasant bite and full creaminess in the body. Perfectly aged. Overall, an easy smoking, well made smoke with plenty of earthy, rich flavor. Enough strength to satisfy a serious smoker, but not overwhelming. A perfect match for a hoppy India Pale Ale. Try Anchorsteam’s Liberty Ale.
Binder: Honduran Olor
Filler: Dominican/Honduran Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Broadleaf – Dbl. Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 88
Notes from the Panel:
This cigar smoked almost too easily. Look for a rustic, thick, double maduro wrapper that must be Connecticut Broadleaf. It’s well made, offering an easy draw, even burn and mild aroma. Note a mellow, rich tobacco taste. Very smooth. Overall, a very smooth, rich smoke. Consider pairing this one with a pint of Bass Ale.
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 our Cigar, Beer or Wine Clubs hasn’t been good enough this year to justify Santa himself bringin’ the loot. So it’s up to you. And as any of the three 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 place any gift order, for any club, two months or longer, we’ll send you your very own, personal Torch Lighter. Handy for light soldering jobs, prison breaks and occasionally guaranteeing a perfectly even light for your cigar, it’s second only to a set of Ginsu knives as a house hold must. But Wait! There’s More!
For members that place a total of 6 subscription gift months in any combination of any Club, you get your choice of either a sturdy Fruit of the Loom Cohiba T-shirt or a Cohiba Ball Cap AND the Torch Lighter! That’s $35 worth of stuff, baby! So you could knock out 3 gifts with 2 month memberships to each and get some FREE LOOT for yourself! You may also elect to receive a complimentary month’s shipment towards your membership if any of these slick promo items don’t trip your trigger.
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! Murl.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl
I don’t have a really sophisticated humidification device. It’s seems to fluctuate a fair amount so I was wondering, if I am knowingly off, would it be better to have a higher humidity level than lower one? And what about temperature? Does it have to be 70 degrees on the button?
Ron Jeremy
Brisbane, CA
Yo Rondo!
Brisbane, eh? Pretty nice digs up that way from what I hear. I’m thinkin’ you should have me over for some of that San Francisco renowned crab and clam chowda while we discuss this question of yours in greater detail. Can you see the Golden Gate Bridge from your dining room? Not that that’s an absolute criteria for a seafood fest with an old buddy. We are buddies, right, Rondo? So let’s make it happen. Have your guy call my gal and we’ll set it up.
In the mean time, let me give you a hint at the vast knowledge I have on this subject. Not the whole enchilada, mind you as I really want to keep you motivated to put this crab thing together. Okay, on humidity, I would have to say that you are correct in assuming that if you have to screw up, going on the high side would be better than drying out your smokes. However, you want to exercise some caution here, especially if you’re trying to revive some dried out smokes. Too much humidity can cause the binder and filler to expand faster than the wrapper resulting in a split wrapper and pretty much an un-smokable stogie unless you don’t mind the taste of duct tape.
With regard to temperature, the same applies. You can have some variance, but too much will cause adverse side effects. Storing you’re smokes in too warm a climate for an extended period of time may summon the dreaded Tobacco Beetle Gods. Temperature triggers the little bastards and unless you seek a hint of beetle juice in the aftertaste of your smoke, I’d suggest you err on the cooler side! Personally, I don’t mind a bit-o-bug in my Chuck Wagon from time to time. Must be a genetic thing to enjoy having some form of movement on the dinner plate. Don’t mind munchin’ a flea or tick here and there as well, but that’s more of a revenge thing. You know, blood for blood. Hope that helps, Rondo. Call me when the crab gig is set up.
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.
Discounted Box Re-orders!
5 Paks Now Available!
Cigar of the Month Society members can take advantage of our volume purchasing and re-order their favorite cigars in box quantities at just over our wholesale costs. Re-order any selection featured in box quantities of 25 cigars or order them in convenient 5 paks! Other cigar shapes and sizes not actually featured, but from a featured brand line may also be re-ordered. Call for pricing.
| Featured Cigar | Box Cost | Individual |
| Cost | ||
| A. Romeo y Julieta Dominicana Churchill | $110.50 | $5.40 a cigar |
| B. Romeo y Julieta Dominicana Romeo | $120.50 | $5.80 a cigar |
| C. La Plata Anniversario Dominicana | $95.50 | $4.82 a cigar |
| D. La Plata Honduran Selection Robusto Uno | $87.50 | $4.50 a cigar |
| E. La Plata Honduran Selection Hercules (15/Box) | $60.50 | $5.03 a cigar |
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery and add $6.95 for S&H for your first box and $2.00 for each additional box. S&H for 5-paks is $4.95 and $1.00 for each additional 5-pak. S&H for International re-orders must be calculated on an individual basis. Prices are subject to change.
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.
