Past Newsletters
Vol. 6 No. 12
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Bahia Trinidad Elegante | Lonsdale | 6 ½ x 42 |
| B. Don Danilo | Churchill | 7 x 50 |
| C. Havana Republic Grand Havana | Robusto | 5 x 50 |
| D. Nicole Miller Aristocrat Grand | Corona | 6 ½ x 46 |
| E. Romeo y Julieta Exhibition #3 | Toro | 6 x 50 |
Featured Cigars
There is an unwritten law in Costa Rica that anything worth having is also worth waiting for. Tony Borhani, Owner and Proprietor of Bahia Cigars, considered by many to be one of the cigar industry’s most influential leaders, knows that this is true. Manufactured in the Costa Rican factory Tabacalera Tambor under the supervision of Don Douglas and Tony, Bahia cigars have achieved top ratings wherever they have been smoked.
Bahia Trinidad was introduced to the US market in December of 1996. The elegant Sumatran seed Ecuadorian wrapper is one of the highlights of this very appealing boutique line. The very aromatic Dominican seco, blended with the ever-flavorful Nicaraguan ligero gives this smoke a deliciously mild, yet full bodied and aromatic character. The brand is notoriously difficult to get a hold of due to both its superior reputation and limited production and we know you’ll find it to be a full, rich and flavorful smoke deserving of its reputation. For more information on the Bahia Cigar line, call them at 800-352-2442 or visit their web site at www.bahiacigars.com.
Binder: Ecuadorian Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Sumatran Seed Ecuadorian – CO Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 94
Notes from the Panel:
Bahia delivers a full flavored yet mild cigar in the Trinidad line. We found the construction flawless, offering an even burn and easy draw. Look for a medium-to-full bodied cigar, packed with a full, rich and complex flavor. We found it to offer cocoa and leather flavors as well as some nuttiness evident. Note a lingering woody finish and a light floral character in the aroma. Overall, a big full taste delivered with an elegant, sophisticated presentation. Consider pairing it with Fonseca or other full-bodied Port.
The Don Danilo line is rolled in Villa Gonzalez in Santiago, Dominican Republic and made from a three-blend aged Cuban-seed and Dominican long filler tobacco and binder. Each cigar produced undergoes a twelve-point quality control inspection that stems from tobacco selection through the final packaging process. The Don Danilo line is available in 4 shapes & sizes. Our panel favored the Churchill and that’s what you’ll have the opportunity to sample this month. The line has been highly rated in Smoke Magazine, Wine & Dine, and Cigar Lovers.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian Seed Dominican – EMS
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
We found the Don Danilo Churchill to be an aesthetically appealing smoke, offering a slightly oily, well-rolled cigar with just the right firmness. Note an effortless draw, even burn. This cigar held its ash very well. Look for a very smooth, rich, mild to medium-bodied tasting cigar with slightly sweet character. We found the aroma to be very pleasant, but not overwhelming. Overall, a nicely rounded, rich and satisfying smoke. We’d suggest pairing it with a big cup of hot buttered Rum.
The Havana Republic Grand Havana Robusto
The Havana Republic Cigar Co. is one of the few publicly traded firms in the burgeoning cigar industry. Havana Republic carefully selects the finest quality Cuban seed available, and transports it to Nicaragua where it is grown on the rich fertile hillsides. The line is produced by the same folks that bring you the Davidoff brand and we think you’ll taste the difference in this high-end, lightly distributed line of box pressed beauties.
The factory and plantations are in the Jalapa region, the "Napa Valley" of the cigar tobacco market. Havana Republic introduced the "Grand Havana Series II " January 1999, to rave reviews. The cigar is a Nicaraguan Puros, meaning the filler, binder, and wrapper are all grown on Havana Republics Plantation in Nicaragua. The cigar uses a 2-year aged Cuban Seed wrapper that is as smooth as silk. It’s box pressed in traditional Cuban style. Our panel loved each cigar evaluated and really favored the robusto so that’s what you’ll get to try this month. Enjoy! For more information about the Havana Republic line, check out their web site at: www.havanarepublic.com.
Binder: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano Olor
Filler: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian Seed Nicaraguan – CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note another aesthetically pleasing box pressed treat encased in an oily ruddy wrapper. We found it to be expertly rolled, offering an even-burning, cool smoke with a perfect draw. This is a very tasty smoke. Look for a complex flavor comprised of rich spices, toasted caramel and leathery tones. We found the finish to be medium and offering lingering earthy tones. Overall, a great smoke from start to finish. We know you’re going to enjoy it. Consider smoking it with your favorite Spiced Christmas Ale.
The Nicole Miller Grand Corona
In the spring of 1997 Nicole Miller and CE-GAR, Inc. entered into a licensing agreement for a new line of premium cigars and cigar accessories and the Nicole Miller Couture Collection was born. Bud Konheim, Nicole Miller CEO, personally approved the blend: Dominican Piloto Cubana filler, Dominican olor binder and a Sumatran wrapper. The line is manufactured by MTR Tobacco in the Dominican Republic. The collection consists of five sizes (each with a individualized designer band!): The Gran Amour (Torpedo), Extravaganza (Churchill), Aristocrat (Lonsdale), Masterpiece (Robusto) and Black Tie (Corona Extra). The line received high marks in Smoke Magazine and at Cigarweekly.com. and our panel was impressed with all of the samples reviewed.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesia/Sumatran -CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5.5
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
We were impressed with the pre-smoke aesthetics of this cigar. The wrapper is smooth and has an appealing oily sheen. It looks to be well made. No soft spots and substantial in the hand. Note a very easy draw and perfect burn. Note a light aroma and mild flavor. A great morning or mid day smoke. Look for hints of leather and cedar with a trace of saltiness evident. Overall, a very enjoyable, relaxing, extremely well constructed smoke. Consider pairing it with a hoppy pale ale or just with a cup of coffee to start the day off.
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.
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. Enjoy!
Binder: U.S.A. Connecticut Olor
Filler: Dominican/Brazilian Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesia/Camaroon-CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 95
Notes from the Panel:
First off, you’ll note an appealing oily sheen on this cigar’s wrapper. We found it impeccably constructed, offering a very easy draw and cool, slow burn. Note a pronounced spiciness as well as traces of cocoa in this creamy medium to full-bodied smoke. Look for a pleasant aroma and billows of smoke. Overall, a full tasting, perfectly constructed Toro. All that you would expect of a classic brand. We’d suggest pairing it with some hot mulled wine.
What’s Up with the Tube?
We’ve migrated from our box and foam shipping container to a completely shrink-wrap-enclosed tube format. The decision was largely driven by a significant portion of our customer base desiring a container that fits inside a P.O. Box. By shrink wrapping the entire container, your cigars will stay even fresher on their way to you! We welcome any feedback by either calling us at 800-625-8238 or emailing us at customerservice@cigarmonthclub.com.
Tobacco Bits
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST - Once the tobacco plants are placed in the ground, the tobacco farmer, called a veguero, must tirelessly attend to them. While it takes only 45 days for a young tobacco plant to mature enough for its initial harvesting, a fledgling crop faces many hazards including weather, pests, mold, and disease. Most Tobacco farms actually plan for 15% of their planting to be lost.
ALMOST READY TO ROLL - Leaves to be used for binder and filler are taken through the de-stemming process, and the left and right sides of the plant are separated and sorted by size, color, and quality of leaf. Leaf used for long-filler cigars (all those in the premium and ultra-premium category) is usually de-stemmed before fermentation, but only a small part of the stem is removed, so the leaf does not fall apart during fermentation. These leaves are again sorted, graded, and finally categorized as leaves suitable for filler, wrapper, or binder.
STILL BREWING - While the bales of tobacco are being aged, a mellower, less volatile fermentation takes place. To control this process, bales are regularly inspected, unpacked, and remoistened. This is called casing. This process ensures that the leaves do not completely dry out, making them unsuitable for rolling. When the aging process has been determined to be of sufficient length, the bales are remoisturized once again, and allowed to drip dry.
DRYING BUT NOT DRIED - During the curing process it is important that the tobacco leaves do not become dry and brittle, or they will be ruined. If the sun beating down on the curing barn is too hot, the farmer will water the ground in the barn to increase the humidity. If the weather is too rainy and humid, the farmer will light fires under the leaves so they don't become so wet they begin to decompose. Careful attention to the leaves during this period produces a leaf that is light brown, slightly oily, and pliable enough to handle with care.
HUNG OUT TO DRY - Once the premium leaves have been sorted out, they are threaded in bunches, or hands, of 20 leaves and hung on long poles. These poles are left in curing barns for one to three months, where they will mature, developing a light brown color. This is a result of the chlorophyll leaving the leaf, because it lacks the sunlight needed to maintain its deep green color. It is in this process that the tobacco leaf shrinks in size and thickness, and the flavors are initially concentrated in the individual leaf.
NO TOBACCO BEFORE ITS TIME - One type of young tobacco is a leaf that has not been properly fermented. The fermentation process, which releases ammonia and decreases nicotine content, usually takes 40 days or longer for strong tobacco. Cigars made with improperly fermented tobacco often will note burn properly, can smell of ammonia, and become mushy after lighting. They will taste sharp, hot, and bitter, with little complexity in flavor. Cigars that were made with improperly fermented tobacco are so flawed that they'll never improve.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
Beggin’ your pardon for my most likely really stupid question, but I’m a novice smoker and don’t know much about the subject. Basically, I was wondering just how the packaged cigars you see in drugstores, liquor and convenience stores differ from a cigars that you might find in a smoke shop?
Tom Schnitzel
Bobcaygeon, Canada
Yo Schnitzel!
So what are we really talkin’ about here, Tom? Are ya askin’ me the difference between a Tiparillo and a Partagas # 10? How does a tasty Black and Mild stack up to La Gloria Cubana’s Soberano? Man, I’m not sure they give me enough space to elaborate in my finest prose on this one. A few analogies of similar comparison come to mind. A cute, white, fluffy bunny and say … the Raptors from Jurassic Park. Or, if you will, liken the two types of cigars in question to the comparison of a beautifully marinated 14 oz., cooked-on-the-damn-grill with a brew in hand, brick-o-fillet mignon and a cold bowl of Kibbles and Bits. You getting’ my meaning. Night and Day, Pal.
Hell, the names alone should suggest some profound difference in quality. Compare the every popular Macanudo Ascot to say Tiajuana Smalls, White Owl, Dutch Treats, Rum Runners or Backwoods Smokes. One conjures up images of prestige, dignity and taste whereas the majority of the others immediately create such strong visual images as Josey Whales spittin’ on mangy dogs and beetles, late night poker parties in back rooms of skanky strip clubs with names like Vinny’s Live Nudes, and men with few teeth gumming a plastic tip in the park while scattering bird seed to cloud of disease ridden pigeons.
Of course you can buy about 25 Swisher Sweets for the price of one premium cigar and the economics here alone work for some folks. Never mind the fact that they’re smoking a fair amount of non-tobacco ingredients such as paper - the wrappers of these machine made babies are generally some combination of tobacco by products like stems and other miscellaneous tobacco bits and paper. You like saltpeter with your evening smoke? You got it. Added to promote even burning. And don’t forget just a spoonful of Glycerin to help the medicine go down – actually added to prevent them from drying out. Premium cigars are hand rolled, use long-filler tobacco leaves that run the entire length of the cigar, are properly aged and fermented and blended by a masterblender with the same kind of passion and attention to detail that Julia Child pours into a Blueberry muffin. The experience of smoking these two types of cigars is truly not comparable. Gotta go for my evening walk and chase some cows around. Take it easy, Tom-boy.
Woof!
Murl.
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 Qty | Box Cost | Individual |
| Cost | |||
| A. Nicole Miller | 25 | $87.50 | $4.50 a cigar |
| B. Havana Republic | 25 | $105.50 | $5.22 a cigar |
| C. Romeo y Julieta Exhibition #3 | 25 | $110.50 | $5.42 a cigar |
| D. Bahia Trinidad Elegante | 25 | $95.50 | $5.75 a cigar |
| E. Don Danilo | 25 | $87.50 | $4.50 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.
