Past Newsletters
Vol. 7 No. 10
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Balmoral Maduro | Corona | 5 7/8 x 42 |
| B. Hoja Cubana XXO Maduro | Belicoso | 5 x 54 |
| C. NextGeneration | Robusto | 5 x 50 |
| D. La Aurora | Belicoso | 5 x 50 |
| E. Sinatra | Churchill | 7 x 50 |
Featured Cigars
We featured this line just over a year ago and got such a positive response – It was one of the more highly reordered cigars of the year – that we decided to give you another look at it in a different shape! 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 was first introduced to the US market in February of 1998. In addition to the corona you’ll sample this month, the line is also available in a Churchill, Lonsdale, Panatela, Robusto, and Torpedo and available in EMS, Sumatran, and Maduro wrappers. The rich & full maduro line’s wrapper tobacco is grown in Brazil. We found the line to be well balanced, smooth, mild-to-medium-bodied and rich with flavor. For more information about the Balmoral Cigar line, call them at (888)-867-2446.
Binder: Dominican Cubano Olor
Filler: Brazilian & Dominican Ligero
Wrapper: Brazilian – Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
Balmoral makes a well-constructed smoke. We found the burn to be quite open and even. Look for a well-balanced smoke packed with rich flavor and more than adequate smoke volume. Some panel members picked up hints of cocoa in this slightly sweet corona. As with the rest of the maduro line, you’ll note that the longer fermentation of the Brazilian wrapper really brings out the sugars on the leaf and leaves a sweet taste on your lips. It ends slightly spicy and lingers pleasantly. Overall, another winner from Balmoral! Well made, offering a great blend of tobacco flavor. Consider pairing it with a creamy Irish Stout.
Hoja Cubana XXO Short Belicoso
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, makers of the Hoja Cubana XXO line, is considered by many to be one of the cigar industry’s most influential leaders. Tony knows Costa Rica’s unwritten law is true. Manufactured in the Costa Rican factory Tabacalera Tambor under the supervision of Don Douglas and Tony, Hoja Cubana XXO cigars received the 3rd highest rating from Smoke Magazine in the Winter 1999-2000 volume in a review of over 40 different maduros!
The XXO line is a limited production line and the newest edition to the Hoja Cubana brand. Released in the summer of 1999 after extensive aging, the Hoja XXO features unmatched construction, a smooth draw, and firm ash. The long-filler is a Cuban-seed Dominican and Nicaraguan blend, binder is Ecuadorian, and the wrapper is a lush Connecticut Broadleaf maduro. It’s rolled in four other sizes than the Belicoso you’ll have the opportunity to smoke and retails in the $8-12 range. You’re gonna love this smoke! Enjoy!
Binder: Ecuadorian Olor
Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf - Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8.5
Panel Rating: 94
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a deep chocolate brown, moderately oily and overall, very inviting wrapper. No soft spots. We found it firmly rolled, offering a perfect draw and even burn. It is certainly aged properly. The ash was firm and held well. You’ll find it medium-bodied and well-balanced with a classic slightly sweet coffee/cocoa taste. Just a hint of spiciness appears as you get into this bad boy. Look for a sweet, toasty and rich aftertaste leaving you waning for another! Overall, superb construction combined with full, rich taste. A real winner in our book. Try pairing it with either a robust Barley Wine or the cognac of your choice.
Jeffrey Avo Uvezian is the son of legendary cigarman Avo Uvezian, maker of AVO by Davidoff cigars, some of the most highly-regarded cigars in the world. And Jeffrey has clearly learned his father’s trade well as evidenced by the quality of the NextGeneration cigar line. Introduced in 1997 and hand rolled in Canca La Piedra, the Dominican Republic, the line is offered in both a Sumatran-grown medium-bodied spicy wrapper and a milder Connecticut shade wrapper. In addition to the robusto featured this month, the line is also rolled in a Churchill, Grand Corona, Torpedo, Lonsdales, and Toro.
Smoke Magazine reviewed the line favorably quoting, "Several of our oh-so-knowledgeable reviewers indicated that these smokes were Havana-born, and two even went so far as to identify them as Montecristos... representing high praise for these tall, dark, and handsome Dominican-made smokes. An undeniably top-flight cigar. Highly recommended."
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian - Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
We found the NextGeneration robusto to be very well made, offering an exceptionally easy draw that tightens as you get into it. It provided quite a bit more smoke that we anticipated for a cigar of this size. It’s obviously been aged properly. Note a fair amount of earthiness and spice in this medium-to-full-bodied Dominican. We got a bit of woodiness as well. It starts medium-bodied and builds to a full flavor quickly. Look for plenty of smoke and a highly appealing aroma. Note a pleasant cedary aftertaste. Overall, medium-to-full-bodied and well made. We liked it! Pair it with your favorite single malt scotch or malty red ale.
Guillermo Leon Herbert's family has been cultivating tobacco for six generations. His grandfather, Don Edwardo Leon Jimenes, founded La Aurora Cigars, located on the outskirts of Santiago, Dominican Republic with little more than a dream. He selected Santiago de los Caballeros, a region blessed with fertile ground and ideal climate for tobacco to produce his cigars. The Leon family began farming tobacco in the late 1880s, and in 1903 Don Edwardo began producing a traditional Dominican cigar -- smooth, sweet, and mild -- for public consumption.
Over ninety years later, La Aurora is a giant in the Dominican Republic, producing both the La Aurora and Leon Jimenes lines of cigars, their brew, Presidente (which commands 98% of the Dominican beer market and may be found in select U.S. markets), and their line of machine-made petite cigars. La Aurora has used long-filler leaves from the same fields for over 3 generations and you can expect unrelenting consistency with this brand. Rich, dark Cameroon wrappers from West Africa add a delicious touch to this famously mild, aromatic premium. We really liked this cigar and know you will too!
Binder: Dominican Republic Olor
Filler: Dominican Republic Seca
Wrapper: Cameroon – CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 4.5
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
The first thing you should notice is a toothy, oily, rich Cameroon wrapper that begs you to light it. We found it to be expertly rolled and packed substantially with tobacco. Surprisingly, this dense smoke draws very well and produces quite of bit of smoke. Note a very complex blend of earthiness and slightly sweet herbal qualities in this properly aged treat. The ash on the La Aurora Belicoso holds an extremely tight, white ash. Look for a lingering spicy finish. Overall, expertly crafted, mild-to-medium bodied and packed with rich flavor. Consider pairing it with a tawny port.
You want a juicy story? We’ve got one for ya! This is what we refer to in the industry as "a sweet deal"! Here's the story: the same company that made Hamilton's Reserve by George Hamilton created this cigar for Frank Sinatra. About 5 years ago, the company cut a licensing deal with the Sinatra estate, and then hired Felipe Gregorio to make the cigars. The licensing arrangement required $30 (30 bucks!) to be paid to the Sinatra family on the sale of every single box, and they told Felipe to make them a cigar that would retail for over $15 per stick. Needless to say, these poor guys lost their shirts on this one when the "boom" ended and we were able to secure them for the club at a great price relative to what they were selling at this time last year!
When asked to produce a cigar bearing the Sinatra name, boutique cigar manufacturer Filipe Gregorio was both very pleased and quite honored. "I realized it represented a challenge to produce a cigar so outstanding that it could live up to the Sinatra name", stated Gregorio. And we think he’s done just that. The Sinatra Limited Edition line is manufactured by combining superbly aged Dominican and Cuban seed tobaccos with a superior Connecticut wrapper tobacco. "It’s made entirely by hand in my Dominican Republic factory. The Sinatra Limited Edition cigar contains the subtle flavors and rich aromas of an exceptional cigar.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Seca & Ligero
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade – Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Aesthetically, look for a damn good looking cigar! We found no soft spots in the samples reviewed and each will filled with just the right amount of tobacco offering an even and cool burn and easy draw. What a beautiful wrapper. Very clean and a gorgeous color. We found the aroma very pleasing, offering traces of spiciness. The Sinatra Churchill is mild-to-medium-bodied and offers a straightforward creamy, slightly spicy blend we found very appealing. Overall, a creamy, rich, flavorful mild smoke. Perfect with a light dessert. Try pairing it with your favorite Merlot or a hoppy pale ale.
New Holiday Gift Ideas
From The Cigar of the Month Club!
You asked for them, repeatedly… so we are adding an International Cheese of the month club, a Gourmet Chocolate club, and Fresh Cut Flower club!
Rest assured all three clubs will deliver the same outstanding values and exceptional quality, just like our Microbrewed Beer Club, International Wine Club and Premium Cigar Club! You’ll be able to order online from the web sites when they go live in mid November or simply call us at 800-625-8238 to find out all about any service. Think about mixing a matching any club in any combination as a unique Holiday Gift! Cheese and Wine, Flowers and Chocolate, Beer, Wine & Cheese! We can custom tailor a gift just for you!
The Darwin Award Finalist Are In!
Ever heard of the "Darwin Award"? In a nutshell, it's an annual honor given to a person that was injured or killed in an extraordinarily stupid way. As always, competition this year has been keen again. Some candidates appear to have trained their whole lives for this event! Here are some of the better candidates we uncovered:
In September in Detroit, a 41-year-old man got stuck and drowned in two feet of water after squeezing headfirst through an 18-inch-wide sewer grate to retrieve his car keys.
In October, a 49-year-old San Francisco stockbroker, who "totally zoned when he ran," according to his wife, accidentally jogged off a 100-foot-high cliff on his daily run.
Buxton, NC: A man died on a beach when an 8-foot-deep hole he had dug into the sand caved in as he sat inside it. Beach goers said Daniel Jones, 21 dug the hole for fun, or protection from the wind, and had been sitting in a beach chair at the bottom Thursday afternoon when it collapsed, burying him beneath 5 feet of sand. People on the beach, on the outer banks, used their hands and shovels, trying to claw their way to Jones, a resident of Woodbridge, VA, but could not reach him. It took rescue workers using heavy equipment almost an hour to free him while about 200 people looked on Jones was pronounced dead at a hospital.
In February, Santiago Alvarado, 24, was killed in Lompoc, CA, as he fell face-first through the ceiling of bicycle shop he was burglarizing. Death was caused when the long flashlight he had placed in his mouth (to keep his hands free) rammed into the base of his skull as he hit the floor.
According to police in Dahlonega, GA, ROTC cadet Nick Berrena, 20, was stabbed to death in January by fellow cadet Jeffrey Hoffman, 23, who was trying to prove that a knife could not penetrate the flak vest Berrena was wearing.
Sylvester Briddell, JR, 26, was killed in February in Selbyville, Del, as he won a bet with friends who said he would not put a revolver loaded with four bullets into his mouth and pull the trigger.
In February, according to police in Windsor, Ontario, Daniel Kolta, 27, and Randy Taylor, 33 died in a head-on collision, thus earning a tie in the game of chicken they were playing with their snowmobiles.
In Guthrie, Okla, in October, Jason Heck tried to kill a millipede with a shot from his 22-calibre rifle, but the bullet ricocheted off a rock near the hole and hit pal Antonio Martinez in the head, fracturing his skull.
In Elyria, Ohio, in October, Martyn Eskins, attempting to clean out cobwebs in his basement, declined to use a broom in favor of a propane torch and caused a fire that burned the first and second floors of his house.
Paul Stiller, 47, was hospitalized in Andover Township, NJ, in September, and his wife Bonnie was also injured, by a quarter-stick of dynamite that blew up in their car. While driving around at 2 AM, the bored couple lit the dynamite and tried to toss it out the window to see what would happen, but they apparently failed to notice that the window was closed.
TACOMA, WA - Kerry Bingham, had been drinking with several friends when one of them said they knew a person who had bungee-jumped from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the middle of traffic. The conversation grew more heated and at least 10 men trooped along the walkway of the bridge at 4:30am. Upon arrival at the midpoint of the bridge they discovered that no one had brought a bungee rope. Bingham, who had continued drinking, volunteered and pointed out that a coil of lineman's cable lay nearby. One end of the cable was secured around Bingham's leg and the other end was tied to the bridge. His fall lasted 40 feet before the cable tightened and tore his foot off at the ankle. He miraculously survived his fall into the icy river water and was rescued by two nearby fishermen. "All I can say," said Bingham, "is that God was watching out for me on that night. There's just no other explanation for it." Bingham's foot was never located.
AND THE WINNER IS....
PADERBORN, GERMANY - Overzealous zookeeper Friedrich Riesfeldt fed his constipated elephant Stefan 22 doses of animal laxative and more than a bushel of berries, figs and prunes before the plugged-up pachyderm finally let fly-and suffocated the keeper under 200 pounds of poop! Investigators say ill-fated Friedrich, 46, was attempting to give the ailing elephant an olive oil enema when the relieved beast unloaded on him like a dump truck full of mud. "The sheer force of the elephant's unexpected defecation knocked Mr. Riesfeldt to the ground, where he struck his head on a rock and lay unconscious as the elephant continued to evacuate his bowels on top of him," said flabbergasted Paderborn police detective Erik Dern. "With no one there to help him, he lay under all that dung for at least an hour before watchman came along, and during that time he suffocated. "It seems to be just one of those freak accidents that happen."
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
I really love your cigar club, but I’m catching a lot of heat from my wife about the amount the general mess I make as a direct result of my newly acquired passion. Specifically, nasty looking ashtrays seems to draw the most fire. Any thoughts as how to best approach this particular situation?
Benny Campbell
Houston, TX
Yo Yo Benardo!
You know Benny my Boy, I have many thoughts on this particular subject, however, most of them are offenses that justify capital punishment in your state! First of all, there are really two dramatically different tactical approaches to discuss here. There’s the compromising justification tact that is preferred by those that actually intend to maintain a physical relationship with their spouse and then the blatant disregard approach which works only if you live in a state which condones multiple wives...which you don’t.
On the issue of the preponderance of ash lying around the house, I’m leaning toward a rather cleaver tactic. That of repositioning your by-product. Marketing 101 baby. Cigar ash does in fact possess some amiable characteristics. Argument goes something like this: "Honey, you should really consider the fact that cigar ashes don’t have to be just another mess for me to clean up (operative word in that sentence being "me"). Actually, it's well known that ash makes an excellent dentifrice, though it isn't known if it is a successful tartar buster. None the less, 4 out of 5 tobacconists recommend it. I’m gonna start brushing with it today. Additionally, when mixed with oils, it makes a beautiful gray paint for applying to canvas. And you were just talking about how much you’d enjoy learning how to paint. Why did you know that loose ash will also polish silver and other precious metals quite nicely. No need to spend all that money on Brasso as long as my subscription remains active." So what do ya think, Orville? Will it fly? Do let us know, will you.
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.
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.
| Featured Cigar | Box Qty | Box Cost | 5 Pak |
| Cost | |||
| A. Balmoral Corona Maduro | 25 | $82.50 | $22 |
| B. Hoja Cubana XXO Short Belicoso - Maduro | 20 | $92.50 | $28 |
| C. NextGeneration Robusto | 25 | $62.50 | $18 |
| D. La Aurora Belicoso | 25 | $82.50 | $22 |
| E. Sinatra Churchill | 25 | $72.50 | $20 |
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.
