Past Newsletters
Vol. 6 No. 2
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Dos Reinas | Churchill | 7 x 50 |
| B. Dos Reinas | Robusto | 5 x 50 |
| C. Reyes y Benicio Gigante | Double Corona | 6 ¾ x 54 |
| D. Reyes y Benicio Escudo | Pyramid | 7 x 48 |
| E. Reyes y Benicio El Canon | Robusto | 4 ½ x 50 |
Featured Cigars
The Reyes y Benicio Cigars
The tradition of tobacco production in Nicaragua dates to the Colonial period of its history. Beginning in 1522, conquering Spanish explorers plundered the natural resources of the country much like the work of Cortes in Mexico and Pizarro in Peru. By the second half of the 16th century, in addition to slaves, indigo and gold, tobacco became an important export to Europe.
There are three distinct agricultural regions in Nicaragua, the Pacific Central Plain, the Central Highlands, and the Atlantic Coast. Although the Pacific Plain, characterized by fertile volcanic soils and tropical rainfall, is one of the richest agricultural areas in Central America, it is in the Central Highlands, with cooler temperatures, lower rainfall, and alluvial soil, that the tobacco plant thrives.
The best tobaccos of Nicaragua come from the Esteli area of the Jalapa valley. Here, tobacco growers produce long leaf filler, wrappers, and binders for cigars. While some of the tobacco grown is of the Connecticut seed variety, the majority is Cuban seed. These seeds are the same that were first grown in the Dominican Republic and then across the Caribbean in Honduras and Nicaragua. Many serious smokers in the industry only smoke Nicaraguan cigars, believing them to be the best produced anywhere. This month we're very excited to share with you two very different Nicaraguan cigar lines.
The Reyes & Benicio cigar line is hand rolled from the finest Cuban seed tobacco, grown in the Masatepe highlands of Nicaragua, a growing region that gives these cigars a rich earthy flavor with a hint of spice. With years of experience, they've perfected the aging and blending process of the Cuban seed tobacco, ultimately producing a fine handcrafted cigar. Ordinarily, the line is offered only in a natural or maduro wrapper, however, we were fortunate enough to come across a limited production run that utilizes a 4 year old aged Colorado Claro wrapper that our panel believes really sets this cigar apart from the standard line. In addition to the three shapes featured this month, the line is also offered in a Churchill, Corona and Robusto.
Binder: Nicaraguan Olor Piloto Cubano
Filler: Nicaraguan Seco Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: 4 yr. aged Nicaraguan - CO Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Our favorite of the Reyes y Benicio line. Look for a smooth, rich, oily sheen on this inviting wrapper. Note a good draw, an even burn and solid construction on this well made smoke. We found it's flavor to be a wonderful blend of mild earthiness and spice which consistently builds as you get about a third of the way through this great smoke. Overall, a tremendously satisfying, well-balanced and well aged cigar. Consider pairing it with a pleasantly tawny port.
Binder: Nicaraguan Olor Piloto Cubano
Filler: Nicaraguan Seco Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: 4 yr. aged Nicaraguan - CO Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 88
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a silky smooth, rich oily wrapper on this very well constructed cigar. Look for a firm roll and a good draw with ample smoke available. We found it to burn evenly offering a subtly sweet aroma. The big flavor come early and is earthy and slightly woody with traces of spice evident. A well aged wrapper adds to the complexity and smoothness of this cigar. Overall, as a pyramid should be, plenty of rich taste with a small mouth feel. We liked it! Try matching it up with your favorite single malt scotch or an ESB style ale.
Binder: Nicaraguan Olor Piloto Cubano
Filler: Nicaraguan Seco Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: 4 yr. aged Nicaraguan - CO Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Like all of the Reyes y Benicio cigars smoked, the Toro also offers an extremely inviting, rich, oily wrapper. It burned well, offered an exceptional draw and provided a lingering white ash indicative of plenty of aging. The flavor seemed slightly more mild than it's larger brothers, offering traces of woodiness, spice and tobacco. It's mellow, yet full with taste. Very satisfying. Overall, a well balanced great breakfast smoke. We smoked it with a small batch bourbon and would consider the entire experience to be worth repeating!
The Dos Reinas Cigars
Cuban born Don Claudio Pintor has been making cigars for almost fifty years. For more than a generation his family produced fine hand-made cigars in Costa Rica. (One of his Churchill's was rated 93 by Cigar Aficionado.) In 1996, Pintor moved into a new facility in Esteli, Nicaragua, closer to their tobacco supplier where he joined forces with Wild Bill Madonna to grow and construct the Dos Reinas (Two Queens) and Florentino Cigar lines. Each is crafted completely by hand in Nicaragua. The line's binder and wrappers make use of Indonesian grown Sumatran tobacco. Each made of the finest long filler Cuban seed tobacco from Nicaragua's Jalapa region. The country has a high composition of volcanic ash which closely resembles the rich composition of Cuban soil. Our panel enjoyed these cigars' ability to deliver a full, robust flavor in a smooth overall smoking experience. In addition to the two cigars featured this month, the Dos Reinas line is also available in a corona, pyramid, toro, and torpedo.
Binder: Indonesian Olor
Filler: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian - CO-Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8.5
Panel Rating: 94
Notes from the Panel:
Look for a rustic brown, oily wrapper in this very well constructed smoke. We found it to burn evenly, offering an even, perfect ash. Note a pleasing somewhat spicy aroma. This cigar is packed with flavor. We found it to be surprisingly spicy with plenty of smoke volume and an easy draw. The tobacco is definitely aged properly. Overall, a very full, rich tasting complex cigar with plenty of everything you'd want! Consider pairing it up with a full-bodied dry roasted Stout.
Binder: Indonesian Olor
Filler: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian - CO-Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7.5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note another rustic wrapper on this firm, solidly constructed smoke. It feels good in your hand. We found the draw excellent, the burn cool and even, and the ash to hold nicely. Look for another very full flavored smoke offering woody, spicy and slightly nutty taste. Lots of smoke. Note a pleasantly robust aroma and lingering finish in this hardy cigar. Overall, a great, full, rich tasting cigar which was a pleasure to smoke. Try smoking it with a sweet Jamaican Rum drink or a Full bodied Merlot.
Tobacco Bits
FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - General William Tecumesh Sherman was as much a "stogie-holic" as he was a workaholic. While making plans for battle, Sherman would work for 20 hours at a stretch, lighting cigar after cigar. After a puffing on a fresh cigar for a few moments, Sherman would lay it down on his desk and continue to work. In pausing, Sherman would light another cigar, and continue in that fashion until there was a row of partly consumed cigars. Sherman's aides called them "Sherman's old soldiers."
MARXISMS - Groucho Marx was rarely seen without a cigar, which he used as a prop in front of the camera and as an object of delight behind it. Only once did the get himself into trouble with the help of his cigar. While hosting the 1950's game show YOU BET YOUR LIFE, Grouch reacted to a contestant's remark that he had a rather large family with many children. Marx, in his inimitable, off-the-cuff style, quipped, "I like my cigar, too, but I take it out every once in a while." This, not surprisingly, did not go over well with television censors. Surly Groucho loved his cigars, but maybe he was taking his love for the leaf a little far when he said, "If I have to choose between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar."
BEFORE N.O.W. - In 1961, the El Laguito factory opened a cigar-rolling school exclusively for women, the first of its kind anywhere. Before that time there were only a handful of women rollers because factory owners felt that women did not have the hand strength to properly roll the various cigar shapes. It was also thought that women's presence in the factory would distract the men. Today, many of the most skilled rollers in factories around the world are women.
A CUT ABOVE - How a cigar will smoke depends heavily on airflow through its body. The best way to regulate airflow in the cigar is to cut before smoking. Cigar piercers are elegant, but the aperture is frequently too small for smoke to pass through smoothly. A plug or bullseye cutter is a better option, but don't force the plug cutter too far into the cigar. A catseye, or V-cutter, works well, but not on tapered-head figurados. The guillotine is the favored method, and a twin-bladed cutter is your best option. Just don't use your teeth.
BEST JOB IN THE WORLD - Before the precious, genuine Havana brands leave their various Habanos S.A. factories, the smokes must pass rigorous taste and aroma tests judged by the official Habanos S.A. Tasting Committee. There, tasters are separated in cubicles and given unbanded samples to evaluate before a batch of cigars can be distributed for sale. Unfortunately, job openings for this prestigious panel are rarely listed in the New York Times Classifieds.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl
I've seen guys roll a cigar with their fingers up next to their ear before and was wondering why the heck they do that. What's up with that o-mighty-tobacco hound?
Joe Bedutz
Normal, IL
Yo Joey! Joe! Dutzster!
What up Joey? You from da bronx der or wat? Sounds like a rough name. You a rough guy? And do you really live in Normal, Illinois? Damn! Very Midwest I'll bet. Lots-o-cornfields? Soybeans. Overalls. I got it. So you're wondering just what these seemingly expert cigar evaluators are doing when they violate a potential smoke before purchasing it, eh? Sometimes if you squeeze a cigar just right, any tobacco beetles that may be lurking inside will bust out of the wrapper seeking refuge and you've successfully avoided smoking an insect. Not always a good thing. Lots of cigars I've dusted could have used a little flavor enhancement. What they're doing, Joey my boy, is listening for a crackle that would indicate that the cigar's wrapper is dry. What's really happening is they doing some serious damage to their smoke's construction. The fact of the matter is that all cigar wrappers crackle, regardless of whether they have been properly humidified or not. Though drier cigars will crackle louder than properly humidified smokes. If you're hell-bent on manhandling a cigar before selecting it, pinch it ever so lightly down near the foot instead of rolling it. If it is in good condition, the cigar will give slightly and spring back into place. If you just like to squeeze cigars for no apparent reason, you might want to seek counsel with Dr. Ruth! Hasta Luego, Joe!
Woof!
Murl.
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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. Dos Reinas Churchill | $87.50 | $4.50 a cigar |
| B. Dos Reinas Robusto | $87.50 | $4.50 a cigar |
| C. Reyes y Benicio Double Corona | $110.50 | $5.42 a cigar |
| D. Reyes y Benicio Pyramid | $105.50 | $5.02 a cigar |
| E. Reyes y Benicio Toro | $95.50 | $5.82 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.
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A: Please call us prior to the 10 th of the month to
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may require a $4.00 re-shipping charge.
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toll free at 1-800-625-8238 and report the incident for a prompt resolution.
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A: We will attempt to reprocess the card and if it does not
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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
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