Past Newsletters

Vol. 5 No. 4

Featured Cigar Dimensions

Brand Name:	Shape	Size
A.La Flor Dominicana Reserva Especial	Belicoso	5 ½ x 52
B. La Flor Dominicana Maduro # 1	Grand Corona	6 ½ x 44
C. La Tradicion Cabinet Series Natural	Corona	6 x 44
D. La Tradicion Cabinet Series Maduro	Robusto	5 x 50
E. La Tradicion Cabinet Series Rosada	Torpedo	6 ½ x 54

Featured Cigars

La Flor Dominicana Cigars

The name and symbol of Litto Gomez and Ines Lorenzo’s cigar company, La Flor Dominicana, translates appropriately to, The Dominican Flower. Since breaking into the tobacco industry nearly four years ago, Gomez and Lorenzo have become one of the major players in the Dominican Republic. Starting with just 150,000 cigars in 1994, when the brand was known as Los Libertadores, La Flor Dominicana quickly expanded production, making three million cigars in 1996. Los Libertadores, a cigarmaker in the Dominican Republic, offered Gomez a position as the manager of its manufacturing factory in 1994, and he accepted.

Gomez and Lorenzo entered into a partnership with Los Libertadores in early 1994 with the intent of producing high-quality cigars. But the couple soon learned that their partners were more interested in entering the high-volume market of cheaper cigars rather than the premium market that they had envisioned. A serious rift developed that proved irreconcilable. A year later the partnership of Los Libertadores was dissolved, and although Lorenzo and Gomez owned the Los Libertadores brand, they decided to start fresh with a new brand instead, and La Flor Dominicana was born.

The couple spared no expense in the production of cigars at the state-of-the-art facility they own in Tamboril, outside Santiago, the capital of cigar manufacturing in the Dominican Republic. The factory, a converted disco, is itself something of a showcase. In the entranceway are columns that have been painted to resemble lit cigars, and a huge tobacco flower, the company's logo, bursts from an adjacent stucco wall. Everything about the factory is impressive, from the fermenting room, to the rolling gallery, to the two modern 330,000 cigar humidor rooms where everything in the finished cigar coalesces. In fact Litto, contests that his greatest advantage is that their manufacturing facility is one of the best in the world, "It's a state-of-the-art factory. I dedicate my life to what we do and, to me, this is not a business. I never look at anything in the manufacturing process as a business. We just do the best possible work with the best possible material. We never cut corners anywhere. We're dedicated to quality. I wish everyone could visit our facilities in the Dominican Republic and see how dedicated we are in every aspect--in every little detail--to the quality of the finished product."

The La Flor Dominicana line has received high praise from several well known publications including Cigar Aficionado, Smoke, and CA’s Cigar Insider with scores ranging from the mid 80’s to lower 90’s. Our panel loved them and think you will too. We’ve elected to feature a Belicoso from the Reserva Especial line, which is a fuller-bodied, more complex version of the company’s classic Connecticut shade line and a Grand Corona from their newly introduced and extremely well-received maduro line. We know you’ll love these smokes! For more information about the La Flor Dominicana cigar line, call Premium Imports, Inc. at 800-543-7131.

Belicoso

Binder: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade - Natural
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 91

Notes from the Panel:

A very well constructed cigar offering a perfect draw, even burn and firm ash all bundled in a silky smooth golden brown, gorgeous wrapper. Look for lots of creaminess as well as woody, leathery, and earthy characteristics in the body of this medium-bodied cigar. We found it to end on a slightly spicy note. This is one that will only get better with age. Overall, a very smooth, creamy and damn tasty cigar. You might pair it with a malty Bock which are generally brewed only this time of year or smooth small batch bourbon.

Grand Corona

Binder: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Mexican-Dark Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 89

Notes from the Panel:

La Flor Dominicana has only produced its maduro cigars since August of 1997 and at this point in time is still producing them in very limited quantities. This cigar burns very evenly and has an excellent draw. Very dark for a maduro, almost an oscuro, this cigar is deceptively mild and picks up steam as you get into it, ending more medium-bodied. It has a pronounced peppery characteristic balanced by a slight sweetness. Its aroma is pungent and pleasant. Consider pairing it with a heavy ale or brandy.

La Tradicion Cigars

Nicholas Perdomo Jr., president of Nick's Cigar Company, is a third generation cigar-maker. His grandfather was in the business in Cuba, and his father, Nick Sr. has worked in the cigar industry in both Cuba and the United States. Nick Jr. was born in the United States shortly after his family fled from Cuba after the revolution in 1961. Nick Sr. worked for numerous cigar companies and in other industries until the early 1970s when the family moved to Miami and Nick Sr. returned to the cigar industry full time.

Originally all of Nick’s cigars were made in Florida, but due to the high labor cost, most of the cigar rolling is now done in their own family run factory in Nicaragua under the watchful eye of Nick's father, Senor Perdomo. Quality control is of utmost importance to the Perdomo family and each cigar goes through 15 quality control steps before being shipped.

The La Tradicion Cabinet Series is a medium-to-full bodied line available in Natural, Rosado, and Maduro wrappers and you’re going to have the pleasure of smoking one of each. The Series is a blend of all Cuban-seed Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan long leaf filler tobacco which utilizes an Ecuadorian binder. The Natural wrapper is USA/Connecticut shade while the unique Rosado and Maduro wrappers are both Ecuadorian. Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar Insider conducted a vertical tasting of the La Tradicion line in which each and every cigar rated in the upper 80’s and low 90’s. "Nick's Cigar Co. in Miami isn't a household name, but it's making some impressive smokes. Its La Tradicion Torpedo with a Rosado wrapper scored 91 points. It’s impeccably crafted and full of flavor." Cigar Insider (June 1997, Vol.2 No. 6). For more information about the La Tradicion Cabinet Series, call Nick’s Cigar Co. at 888-NICKS97 or email the company directly at: ncigar@bellsouth.com.

Corona

Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Domincan/Honduran/Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade-Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 90

Notes from the Panel:

We found the line’s corona to be very well constructed, offering an even burn, easy draw, and firm gray ash indicative of a lengthy fermentation period. Note a creamy smooth and flavorful taste attributed most likely to the costly Connecticut Shade wrapper. We found the body to be rich, smooth, complex and perhaps slightly sweet. Overall, an outstanding medium-bodied smoke with quite a bit to offer. Consider smoking it with a full-bodied Chardonnay or English styled ESB Ale.

Robusto

Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Domincan/Honduran/Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Ecuadorian-Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8
Panel Rating: 92

Notes from the Panel:

This is a well rolled robusto with a very smooth capa which has a nice feel in your hand. The construction was consistently sound with a good draw and even burn. We found it to be a medium-to-full bodied, very rich cigar with traces of dark chocolate and a slight sweetness evident. Also note an earthy character and billows of smoke. Overall, a very flavorful, rich, smooth and expertly crafted smoke. Sit down and enjoy this one with your favorite dry roasted Stout or Porter.

Torpedo

Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Domincan/Honduran/Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Ecuadorian-Rosado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 96

Notes from the Panel:

Get ready for a delightful experience. This is an exceptionally well-crafted cigar. It begins mild, and builds steadily in strength as you smoke. This cigar produces a thick dense smoke with the distinct flavor of cedar. Also, we found that the sweet mouthwatering flavor of the Nicaraguan tobacco really asserts itself in this cigar. Overall, another very rich and flavorful medium-bodied smoke, with hints of spiciness and cedar. Easily, one of the best cigars we’ve had the pleasure of rating. Consider pairing it with your favorite single malt scotch, a pinot noir or full-bodied Merlot.

Tobacco Bits

The record for smoking the most cigars held in the mouth at one time is seventeen, held by Simon Argeritch of England. This record is no longer included in the Guiness Book of World Records as the publishers felt that it glamorized smoking to children.

Tobacco plant leaves grown specifically for use in cigar wrapper production can yield enough wrapper leaf to put the cap on as many as 36 cigars per leaf, provided all of the leaf is unblemished and intact.

In addition to the 1964 Surgeon General’s warning that cigarettes can be harmful to your health, a statement was also included recommending that the cellophane sleeve that occasionally comes on a cigar be removed before lighting. It just goes to show you, not just anyone can become the Surgeon General. Thanks Doc.

The largest cigar ever made was the Koh-I-Noor, by the brand makers of Henry Clay cigars. It was made for the maharajah of Indonesia, and measured eighteen inches long by a 47 ring gauge. It was generally placed in a hookah and smoked by as many as eight people at a time.

In 1993, premium cigar imports to the U.S. were at 107 million. In 1994, these imports rose to 126 million, an increase of 18%. Imports of foreign cigars have risen significantly again this year in the United States, by 32% in volume and 45% in dollar value.

Cigar Wrapper Leaf Tobacco Part 1:
To Lick or Not to Lick

Often at special events, we are asked the question: "Should I lick a cigar before lighting it?" The simplicity of the question can be somewhat surprising coming from an apparently seasoned smoker. But their honest uncertainty reminded me that many aficionados, though impassioned, are uninformed about cigar fundamentals and in this case, the nature of the wrapper.

The answer to their question is a qualified "no." Licking down a cigar is a holdover from a hundred years ago, when there were tens of thousands of cigar factories in America. Barbershops, drug stores, bars, hotels and cigar rollers were everywhere, turning out product for the neighborhood trade. Most were as skilled at their trade as an Irish sushi chef. Their spirally-wound wrappers had tears from manhandling and seams that weren't overlapped properly. Our grandfathers had to lick them down to seal the leaks. To compound the issue, the makers often sealed the seams with a bad-tasting vegetable gum, which prompted smokers to run a flame up and down the length of the wrapper to heat it away. This is unnecessary with today's quality cigars and the leaf is so elastic that its overlapping edges seal themselves as it is stretched and wound. The qualification applies to an occasional crack or flaking off of the fragile, thin wrapper. A touch of the tongue or a moistened fingertip at that one spot may be needed to seal it.

Wrapper leaf, even more so than filler and binder leaf, is a marvel. It must combine a number of properties: perfect complexion, attractive and uniform color, good fire-holding capacity, elasticity, even burning rate, regular ash formation, and a fine aroma and taste. The best wrapper leaf has a sheen and texture like fine silk, though some varieties have tiny, random bumps scattered on them, almost like fine grains of sand, called "tooth". Football shaped, a leaf may be as large as 24" long and 10" wide. Because of all the requirements mentioned, though, not many leaves qualify for wrapper usage and much of the chosen leaves is scrap.

Wrapper leaf, like binder and filler, goes through a drying period of several weeks. Then it is "sweated" in the fermentation process, during which the temperature in the core of the stack of leaves spontaneously reaches 120°F, like the center of a compost heap. Next, workers bale and leave it to age for months, even years. Despite all this, unlike the oak or maple leaf in your front yard, the forgiving tobacco leaf will spring back with the most marvelous elasticity if merely moistened. When cared for properly and shielded from harsh sun by cheesecloth tenting, weeded, sprayed for pests, and not spotted by careless watering, a wrapper leaf can be as blemish-free as Miss Teenage California. So try and show some respect and admiration for this amazing leaf before you set it on fire next time!

Ask Murl

Hey Murl,

I’ve recently joined the club and don’t yet have a humidor. My buddy told me that I should just put my cigars in a plastic bag and keep them in the fridge to keep them fresh. Is that a cool way to store them?

Greg Hall
Costa Mesa, CA

Yo Hallski,

The only thing cool about that advice is the fridge itself. Let your Amana stick to leftover burrito bits and cheese whiz! Many people store their cigars in the old ice box which is a Bozo-No-No cause the high humidity level in a refrigerator encourages the growth of mildew-like blotches/spots on the cigar wrapper, and presumably on the inner filler tobacco. The next thing ya know, you’ve got mold then providing a favorable environment for the growth of microbes, small pinholes appearing in the wrapper, and an A+ on your kid’s science project. The pinholes affect the draw of the cigar adversely, and unless you like smokin’ mold, the taste will be affected in a bad way as well. Onion and other refrigerator odors, some of which I can’t identify in my own fridge, can permeate the tobacco. The freezer is an even worse idea as your humidity level is virtually zero.

A much better temporary solution would be the ole tupa-dor we’ve described in past issues. Basically, your smokes in a zip lock plastic bag (open) and then place the bag in a Tupperware-like container. Put a dampened ball of paper towel in the container as well, but do not allow the paper towel to touch the cigars and keep them at room temperature. Be certain to examine your cigars frequently, checking for mold. If you see mold beginning to grow, allow your "Tupper-dor" to dry out somewhat and reduce the amount of moisture its receiving. Hope that helps Gregardo!

Woof!
Murl.

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