Past Newsletters
Vol. 7 No. 1
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. C.A.O. Gold Line | Corona Gorda | 6 ½ x 50 |
| B. Havana Sunrise Colorado | Robusto | 5 x 50 |
| C. Havana Sunrise Maduro | Double Corona | 6 x 48 |
| D. Occidental Reserve by Davidoff | Torpedo | 6 ¾ x 54 |
| E. Sosa Wavell Maduro | Robusto | 4 ¾ x 50 |
Featured Cigars
The C.A.O. Gold Line Corona Gorda
Founded in 1973 by Cano A. Ozgener, C.A.O. is know not only for it’s exceptional cigars, but also as one of the best-known brand of Meerschaum pipes in the world, smoked by presidents, senators, actors and other dignitaries. Cano's love for art, antiquity, and the finer things in life inspired him to start the C.A.O. line of humidors as well.
The inception of the C.A.O. Cigar began five years ago when Cano met Carlos Torano and Nestor Plasencia, two Cuban ex-patriots with the love of tobacco leaf in their blood. Their goal was to create the finest cigar in the world by carefully selecting only the best of premium tobacco leaves from Central America. In 1995, the C.A.O. Cigar was unveiled to the public and the first shipment immediately sold out. In 1996, the C.A.O. Gold Line from Nicaragua was introduced to rave reviews, garnering accolades from both Cigar Aficionado and SMOKE Magazine. The entire line has been rated in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s by Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar Insider and is available in the following shapes: Churchill, Corona, Corona Gorda, Double Corona, Robusto and Torpedo. Our panel favored the Corona Gorda and know that you’re going to enjoy it as well! For more information on the C.A.O. Gold Line Cigars, call them at 800-237-8226 or visit their web site at www.caointernational.com.
Binder: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubana
Filler: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubana Seca
Wrapper: Ecuadorian – Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 95
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a very smooth, silky, aesthetically pleasing golden brown wrapper with very few veins. We found it firm with no soft spots. Note an even burn and solid gray ash that holds quite well. A perfect draw. Very well made. This medium-bodied Nicaraguan is packed with flavor including a slight spiciness, some cedar notes and hints of cocoa. We found it creamy throughout and a hint of anise once you get into it a bit. Look for a leathery aroma, plenty of smoke, and a pleasant woody finish. Overall, a well-balanced cigar with a very complex flavor profile. Thoroughly enjoyable to smoke. Consider pairing it with a robust smoked porter or spiced Christmas ale.
Since its recent inception in March of 1996, Havana Sunrise has quickly advanced into the top tier of the premium cigar category, garnering many fans with its medium-bodied yet smooth flavor and excellent construction. The entire product line is manufactured at their new factory, located in the heart of Little Havana, in Miami, Florida. Each cigar is crafted from a unique and premium blend of choice Cuban seed tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Ecuador, meticulously hand-rolled by their staff of Cuban Master Rollers and aged in Spanish Cedar in traditional Cuban fashion. These medium-to-full-bodied cigars are custom made to provide an exceptionally rich flavor and aroma to satisfy even the most discriminating connoisseur. Our panel really liked both the natural and maduro wrappers and so we’ve decided to let you sample one from each this month. The line, two of which you will enjoy this month, is comprised of 11 varied shapes.
Binder: Honduran Olor
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto
Wrapper: Sumatran-seed Ecuadorian - CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 88
Notes from the Panel:
This entire line is extremely well constructed and the Robusto is no exception. We found it smooth to the touch, offering a perfect draw and consistent, gray-white ash. It is definitely aged properly. We picked up hints of coffee bean, hazelnut and a peppery spiciness all encompassed by a wonderful creaminess. We also picked up some cedar-woodiness. This is a very complex and truly enjoyable cigar. Consider pairing it with a single malt scotch or an XO cognac.
The Havana Sunrise Maduro Double Corona
Binder: Honduran Olor
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto
Wrapper: Sumatran-seed Ecuadorian – CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Another superbly crafted cigar. Look for an exceptionally mild, yet full flavored smoke, a perfect choice for those wishing to graduate a fuller-bodied cigar. Look for a cool, mellow, smoke that exhibits mild floral tones upon lighting and then picks up some coffee, nutty and leafy spice characteristics, offering a more robust experience. We really liked this Double Corona and think you will as well. Try it with another exceptionally smooth consumable, a tall glass of Patron Anejo tequila on the rocks.
The Occidental Torpedo by Davidoff
All Davidoff cigars maintain well-defined standards of quality and excellence. The tobaccos that are used in the different blends have been cultivated in accordance with the most ancient traditions, in the richest soils and ideal climatic conditions of carefully selected fields. The choicest leaves from various harvests undergo four years of aging, which imparts to Davidoff cigars their rich aroma and consistently smooth taste. All \ Davidoff cigars are handmade in the Dominican Republic, where for over five centuries this art has been passed on from generation to generation. The Occidental line is produced at the same factory with Davidoff. Quite often a premium brand will distribute their cigars under entirely new brand names at a lower cost so as not to compromise the brand name line. Davidoff seconds are distributed under the Private Stock brand name. Fonseca also distributes under the Roller’s Choice brand and we suspect, although can’t confirm, that this might be the case with the Occidental line as it smokes and tastes very much like a Davidoff. Regardless, our panel loved this torpedo. It’s a smooth, creamy and somewhat spicy classic Dominican and we think you’re gonna love it! Enjoy.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesia/Sumatran - CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5.5
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
This cigar offers a complex, full-flavored, medium-bodied smoke. Look for superb construction and an effortless draw. We found its flavor to start slightly peppery with some prominent herbal notes to round it out. Look for a very smooth smoke, yet very flavorful, offering hints of woodiness in the finish. We’d suggest pairing it with a tawny port or English Special Bitter Ale.
The Sosa family has been in the cigar industry since the early 1900's in Cuba. They began as tobacco growers and later transitioned into the manufacturing and distribution of premium hand rolled cigars. They began small at the turn of the century but by the 1920's, Santa Julia, their hacienda in the Las Villas region of Cuba, became known and respected for its superior quality products and the family moved its operation to the Dominican Republic.
Today the company, headed by master blender Juan B. Sosa, distributes six premium brands of cigars: Sosa, Sosa Family Selection, Macabi, El Imperio Cubano, E. Trinidad by Sosa, and Royal Honduras. The company also owns and operates a chain of cigar shops in the Miami area under the Macabi Shops name. In 1995 Sosa joined forces with the Fuente family to make the Sosa brand in Fuente’s Santiago-based complex and later Macabi and the Sosa Family Selection as well. Get ready for a treat. You’re gonna love it!
Binder: Honduran Olor
Filler: Dominican / Brazilian Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf - Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 94
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note the kind of flawless construction that you would expect from the Fuente family. We found it not only pleasant to the touch and eye, but also offering a perfect draw and cool, even burn. Look for another complex flavor profile consisting of and earthy Dominican spice as well as some rich sweet tobacco notes. Its aroma is pleasant, soft and mellow. This cigar would be a perfect end to a big, garlic-saturated Italian dinner. Consider pairing this smoke with a full-bodied, dry, roasted Stout.
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.
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.
