Past Newsletters
Vol. 6 No. 9
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Balmoral Royal Selection EMS | Torpedo | 6 ¼ x 52 |
| B. Balmoral Royal Selection Maduro | Torpedo | 6 ¼ x 52 |
| C. Licenciados Presidente Double | Corona | 8 x 50 |
| D. Licenciados Supreme #400 | Toro | 6 x 50 |
| E. Licenciados Wavell | Robusto | 5 x 50 |
Featured Cigars
The Balmoral Cigars
The Balmoral line is manufactured by the Agio Caribbean Tobacco Company Ltd., located in San Pedro de Macoris, in the south eastern corner of the Dominican Republic in between the country's capital Santo Domingo and the village of La Romana. The line has been in production for just over 100 years for distribution in Europe, however has just recently been introduced to the US market in February of 1998. In addition to the shapes you’ll sample this month, the line is also available in a Churchill, Corona, Lonsdale, Panatela and Robusto and available in EMS, Sumatran and Maduro wrappers. The only cigar in the line to have been rated by Cigar Aficionado was the EMS robusto in the Winter 1998 issue in which the cigar was rated an 85, the same rating as Arturo Fuentes’ Rothchild.
The Royal Selection EMS torpedo filler and binder tobaccos are a selection of premium tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Brazil and the ever important wrapper leaf is Connecticut Seed, Ecuadorian Shade grown. The binder is made of Dominican Olor. The fuller, richer maduro wrapper tobacco is grown in Brazil. We found the line to be well balanced, smooth, mild-to-medium-bodied and rich with flavor. Our panel favored the Torpedoes sampled and that’s why you’ll have the opportunity to taste two of the three torpedoes offered in the line this month.
For more information about the Balmoral Cigar line, call them at (888)-867-2446.
Binder: Dominican Cubano Olor
Filler: Brazilian & Dominican Ligero
Wrapper: Connecticut Seed Ecuadorian Shade – CO Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a smooth, even colored, aesthetically inviting wrapper. We found the draw easy and the construction excellent. Firm in the hand and holds its ash very well. Look for a spicy, pleasing aroma up front in this medium-bodied Dominican. Note a classic Dominican spiciness with wonderful cedar tones emerging as you get into the cigar and plenty of smoke volume. We’d liken it to either the Dunhill or Ashton brands. Note a creamy, spicy finish. Overall, volumes of easy drawing smoke with great cedar and spice flavors throughout. Consider pairing it with your favorite Single Malt Scotch.
Binder: Dominican Cubano Olor
Filler: Brazilian & Dominican Ligero
Wrapper: Brazilian – Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 88
Notes from the Panel:
An expertly crafted cigar. Note an even burn and smooth, cool, easy draw. We found the taste slightly sweet with hints of cocoa. The longer fermentation of the Brazilian wrapper really brings out the sugars on the leaf and leaves a sweet taste on your lips. Note a creamy smoothness with some traces of spice on the palate in this medium-bodied cigar.
The shape of this cigar concentrates if rich taste. Overall, a very well-constructed, rich and creamy cigar. We’d recommend pairing it with a hoppy India Pale Ale.
The Licenciados Cigars
While other cigar manufacturers have been engaged in multimillion-dollar purchases or building huge new factories, Manuel Quesada of Manufactura de Tobacos S.A. (MATSA) has quietly been building his business. In addition to the Licenciados cigars featured this month, Manuel also manufactures several other highly regarded brands including Fonseca, Jose Benito, Cubita, Royal Dominicana brands, Romeo y Julieta, Casa Blanca and Credo.
Quesada has been in the tobacco business his entire life, starting in the family enterprise at the age of 13. In Cuba, the Quesada family were leaf brokers for everything from cigarette tobacco to cigars, and one of the major exporters of Cuban tobacco to the world market. When they were forced into exile in 1960, they transferred their entire business to the Dominican Republic, where they had been buying and selling tobacco for years. It didn't take long before they began manufacturing cigars. When the cigar renaissance began in 1992, MATASA and Quesada were among the founding members of Pro-Cigar, an organization established to promote Dominican cigars. Today, Quesada is entering a new era.
Introduced in 1988 and handmade in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the Licenciados Cigars were created to compete with the classic mild and spicy Macanudo brand. Over the years, the brand has earned a reputation for excellence in taste as well as construction, rating as high as 93 in Cigar Aficionado. The wide range of shapes and the medium-bodied flavor characteristic to Licenciados Cigars makes the brand accessible to many smokers. The brand is available in 14 shapes in both USA Connecticut shade and broadleaf maduro wrappers, both of which you’ll have the opportunity to try this month. Although our panel favored the maduro wrapper slightly, we found the entire line to be solid across the board and know you’ll going to enjoy this flavorful collection of cigars.
Binder: Dominican Cubano Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade – EMS
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
Don’t be intimidated by the size of this mild, smooth and creamy treat of a cigar. Immediately note an aesthetically pleasing shiny wrapper in this expertly crafted, mild-to-medium-bodied cigar. It burned cool and evenly for just under 2 hours so be sure you’ve got the time to enjoy it before you light it. We found the flavor complex, offering hints of roasted coffee beans and a pronounced creamy, slightly spicy Dominican tobacco taste. Look for a distinct woody (cedar) finish that lingers pleasantly. Overall, quite creamy, very smooth and packed with flavor. We loved it. Consider pairing it with a Tawny Port.
Binder: Dominican Cubano Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf – Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7.5
Panel Rating: 94
Notes from the Panel:
Our favorite of the Licenciados line, we found this tasty little maduro smoke to burn very well and offer an effortless draw. The rustic, deep brown oily wrapper begs you to light it. Look for a slightly sweet character to emerge right from the start. The flavor keeps its sweetness and moves into a spiciness. Again, a complex flavor that also hints of liquorice. C.A. found the flavor to hint towards cola and we did pick up a bit of a tingly sensation while smoking it so perhaps that’s what they are eluding to. Note a smooth, rich taste throughout the cigar that finishes in the same fashion. Overall, a great smoke from top to bottom. Highly recommend this cigar any time of day. Try pairing it with a malty clean Oktoberfest Marzen.
Binder: Dominican Cubano Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade – EMS
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Still yet another great cigar from Licenciados. Note an even burn, firm grey ash, easy draw and plenty of smoke volume out of this obviously properly aged, well-constructed cigar. Look for a medium-bodied smoke with plenty of woodiness and nutty characters evident. As you get into it, the flavor picks up a bit of spice as well. We found the finish to be predominantly woody and very pleasant. Overall, absolutely no complaints on this fine robusto. You’re going to enjoy it. Consider pairing it with a Creamy Irish Stout such as Murphys or Guinness.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
Although you send me more than one cigar from a manufacturer, I’m often surprised at how different one cigar is from the next when it’s a different shape. Don’t they all come from the same tobacco blend? Shouldn’t they be identical for the most part?
Jim Gleason
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Yo Jimmy!
So it’s the age old question of does size really matter, eh? Never been a concern of mine, you know, being hung like a … well, a dog. But that’s a whole different subject, and one that most likely has a very limited scope of truly interested readers. So let’s talk. Even though some of the cigars we send you are from the same manufacturer, most are of varied taste profiles for a number of reasons. Size does matter, Bucko. Larger gauges tend to smoke cooler. Length may impact the ease of the draw. You should also remember that each cigar is individually rolled which means there will always be subtle differences in how each smokes.
Additionally, when a specific blend is used for a larger gauged cigar, all of the same types of leaves used in that blend may not be in a smaller ring cigar as there is simply not enough room. Generally, when some portion of the blend is left out, it is the ligero, or the more full-bodied leaf types. So the next time you’re pontificating on the subject of size and how it impacts the overall pleasure of partaking in any of your favorite vices, you tell ‘em, "You bet your Kibbles and Bits it matters, Baby!" Hope that was good for you, Gleason. If not, I’m gonna shoot you ta da Moon! Got a ball I need to be chasin’.
Woof!
Murl.
Cigar Blowout Sale!
Sales will be made strictly on a first come first serve basis. (CA residents add 7.75 % sales tax). Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery and add $5.00 shipping and handling per cigar box. Accessories can be shipped with your next monthly shipment to avoid shipping & handling charges!
| Cigar Brand | Size | Box Qty. | Cost |
| Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente | 4.5 x 50 | 20 | $95.50 |
| Cohiba De Dominicana Churchill | 7 x 50 | 25 | $125.50 |
| Cohiba De Dominicana Belicoso | 5.5 x 54 | 25 | $125.50 |
| Cohiba De Dominicana Jabarito | 6 x 50 | 25 | $110.50 |
| Cohiba De Dominicana Robusto | 5 x 50 | 25 | $105.50 |
| Tamboril Robusto (Sumatra) | 5 x 50 | 25 | $52.50 |
| Taurinos Vanilla Soaked Bundles | 5.5 x 38 | 20 | $37.50 |
| Accessories/Item | Description | Cost |
| Pocket Torch lighter | Blue, Red, Yellow, Black, Clear, Green | $15.00 |
| Double Bladed Guillotine Cutters | Black, Self Sharpening | $5.00 |
| Leather Cigar Case | 3 Cigars, Cigar Society Logo | $20.00 |
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. Licenciados Wavell | 25 | $85.50 | $4.42 a cigar |
| B. Licenciados Supreme #400 | 25 | $105.50 | $5.22 a cigar |
| C. Licenciados Presidente | 25 | $90.50 | $4.62 a cigar |
| D. Balmoral Torpedo - Natural | 25 | $110.50 | $5.42 a cigar |
| E. Balmoral Torpedo - Maduro | 25 | $10.50 | $5.42 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.
