Past Newsletters
Vol. 7 No. 6
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Bauza Pyramid | Pyramid | 5.5 x 55 |
| B. Dunhill Romanos | Rothchild | 4.5 x 50 |
| C. Hamilton House DC | Double Corona | 7 x 48 |
| D. Indian Tabac | Toro | 6 x 52 |
| E. Yumuri 1492 Collection | Churchill | 7 x 48 |
Featured Cigars
Originally an exclusively Cuban brand, Bauza was first rolled in 1868. Echoes of pre-revolution Havana are still to be found on Bauza boxes today, however, the smokes themselves are in fact hand rolled by the Arturo Fuente factory in the Dominican Republic. Introduced in 1980, the Bauza line is very highly rated, consistently in the upper 80's to low 90's in Cigar Aficionado. The Pyramid featured this month received a 4.2 "Excellent" rating from Smoke Magazine in the December 1998 issue and recently was given the highest rating for the brand by CA at a 92!
We really love this cigar. It's rolled with Dominican and Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos, a rich Mexican binder and oily Cameroon wrapper. Its rich character delivers a pleasant, mild to medium-bodied smoking experience.
The cigars are well put together by hand, but you might want to note that the Presidente is actually produced with short filler tobacco and not to be compared to the rest. The line is available in nine sizes, eight of which are packaged in elegant wooden cedar boxes.
Binder: Mexican Piloto Cubano
Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano Olor
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cameroon - Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 95
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note an extremely well constructed cigar that is aesthetically, a beautiful thing to behold. It's not so bad to just hold either, packed generously with well-fermented tobacco. We found it medium-bodied and offering a complex flavor profile consisting of a heady sweetness and distinct woody and spicy tones. You should pick up a definite sweetness on the lips and tongue. The aftertaste hints to coco bean and more spice. Overall, we loved this smoke. It burns well and tastes great! Try pairing it up with a roasted Irish Stout like Murphys or Guinness.
The old English company of Alfred Dunhill can claim a long association with fine cigars. It was to Dunhill that the Menedez y Garcia company first took their infant Montecristo brand in 1935. There were house brands like Don Candido and Don Alfredo. The 1980s saw the brief creation of Dunhill's own brand of Hanvanas, sporting a red band bearing the company's elongated "d" logo on sizes like the Cabinetta, and Malecon.
Today Dunhill's accolade is reserved for two lines: one from the Dominican Republic - The Aged Cigar - which can be found throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East; and the other from the Canary Islands. Our panel favored the Dominican Aged Dunhills and that's what you'll have a chance to sample this month. They're rolled using tobacco from one specific crop only, and as a result they are always consistent and dependable. Not to be confused with the Canary Islands Dunhills or the new Honduran Dunhills, these super-premium smokes are mild-to-medium bodied in flavor. Dunhill is one of the most respected names in the Industry. They produce a cigar that is always well constructed and consistently good. We know you'll enjoy this smoke!
There are twelve sizes of Aged Cigars each made from Dominican fillers and wrapped in U.S. Connecticut leaf. Aged for a minimum of three months before they are distributed, these cigars look good dressed with their blue bands and are well made and blended. Uniquely, a vintage is declared for this brand, based on the idea that its tobaccos are taken from a single year's harvest.
Binder: Dominica Republic
Filler: Brazilian/Dominican Seca
Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Shade - Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 4.5
Panel Rating: 94
Notes from the Panel:
Again, another expertly crafted fine looking cigar. Note the lovely, silky smooth Connecticut shade wrapper. Very few veins. It offered an even and slow burn and distinctive, medium to full, but in no way heavy smoke, with a delicate aroma. This is an outstanding mild cigar that will please both experienced palates and those new to smoking. We loved the aroma. Very pleasant. Look for a creamy texture and hint of toastedness coupled with some woody notes. You should get some classic Dominican spiciness in the flavor as well. We found the finish non-lingering, dry and woody. Overall, a solid earthy tobacco taste with a very clean burn. We loved it and you will too! It would pair nicely with the Merlot of your choice.
Created by actor George Hamilton, the Hamilton House line is all long fill and hand rolled in the Tabacalera Tamboril factory in the Dominican Republic. Don't make the mistake of dismissing this smoke without trying it just because you've never seen a movie you liked with George in it! Unlike his somewhat less than inspiring performances in such blockbusters as "Love at First Bite" and "8 heads in a duffle bag", George either knows a fair amount about producing a fine cigar or more than likely, simply hired someone who does! In either case, we think you'll really be impressed with the Hamilton House double corona featured this month. Here's a little ditty we took from the inside of the box from George…
"In 1865, Luther Rice Hubbard, my great grandfather on my mother's side, a tobacco planter from one of the registered First Families of Virginia, ventured from Virginia through Kentucky, finally to arrive in Brooklyn, New York, on the heels of the great American Civil War. It was clear to Hubbard that if opportunities existed, they lay in the North, where the new captains of industry were located. Foreseeing that tobacco could be his future, and undaunted by time, distance or cost, he founded the Hubbard Rehandling Tobacco Company and brokered the only crops that had remained unscorched by the armies. With the pseudonym, "Brooks of Brooklyn," he traveled tirelessly on a quest to create the premium cigar. Successful, soon his cigars were being given as prized gifts by the victors to the vanquished - from hospitalized soldiers to returning generals. Over 130 years later we are pleased to continue his commitment to quality…uncompromised by price, geography or the high level of skill that represents this fine cigar."
Binder: Dominican Republic Olor
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian Sumatra - Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
You'll start by taking note of a rustic, rich Sumatran wrapper that looks full and tasty. This is a well made cigar. We found no soft spots on the samples reviewed and a consistently medium draw and fairly slow, even burn. The abundant, balance flavor in the Hamilton House blend added up to real satisfaction. It's robust, spicy and quite complex. Certainly on the medium to full side of body. We noted a slight woodiness as well. The finish is long and full and a bit earthy. Overall, an authoritative, but not overwhelming and very satisfying smoke. You can enjoy its restrained power without enduring any rough edges. We'd recommend pairing it with a malty Bock or Red Ale.
Indian Tabac Habano Blend 95 Toro
Success in today's hype-saturated premium cigar market goes beyond selling a few boxes. Short-term prosperity is all around us, riding on the tails of a solidifying trend. But how does a young company become known, not as a trend follower, but as a standard-bearer--a maker of truly fine cigars? Owners of the Indian Tabac Cigar Company, Rocky Patel and Phil Zanghi have obviously given these questions great consideration. In an astonishingly short period of time, Indian cigars have gained great cachet in the premium market and show no signs of fading from view anytime soon.
Indian Tabac is one of the hottest and genuinely fine cigar brands to emerge on the cigar scene in the past five years. Enjoying high accolades and praise unanimously from the cigar critics at Cigar Aficionado, SMOKE magazine and elsewhere, Indian Tabac offers a characteristically strong, full-bodied and powerhouse smoke across the board. The Habano Blend '95 line is no exception - a full-bodied stick with a an aromatic and rich flavor, it is rolled with a Nicaraguan Habano binder, Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and unique combination of Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and Honduran leaves.
For more information on the Indian Tabac Cigar Co., call them at 888-766-5387 visit their web site at: www.indiantabac.com. or email them directly at indiancgrs@aol.com.
Binder: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Filler: Nicaraguan & Costa Rican Ligero/ Honduran Seco
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatran - Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note an aesthetically pleasing and inviting medium-brown, slightly reddish wrapper in this well constructed cigar. It has a nice feel in your hand, firm, but not too tight. We found it to offer a flawless draw and an even burn. The ash was consistent and firm indicative of proper aging. We picked up definite strong cedar tones in this cool smoking, leathery full-bodied cigar. The aroma was a pleasant, woody, slightly sweet one and we found the aftertaste to be very full and lingering. Overall, a fantastic, complex, very well balanced smoke. Consider pairing it up with either your favorite Single Malt Scotch or Brandy.
Yumuri 1492 Collection Churchill
Under the direction of master grower Sergio Cuevas, the Yumuri's tobacco is meticulously cured and fermented. The labor intensive, hands-on process of perfection is still used today to produce a consistently mild-blend tobacco. The brand has received favorable reviews from quite a number of varied sources including an 86 in CA which noted that it was a "Top cigar in its class." Well respected industry reviewer, Dave Scott awarded the line 17.6 out of 20 points, commenting that (it) "Reminded me of high quality Dominican brands, and could be enjoyed with your morning coffee without being overbearing. This one's a keeper."
Binder: Dominican Republic Olor
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Sumatran - CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 90
Notes from the Panel:
This is a fine looking cigar. A nice amount of tobacco, but not packed to densely such that your draw would be affected. The wrapper is oily, rich and inviting. We found the 1492 line to offer a big woody aroma up front. The flavor is full with a somewhat natural sweet tobacco taste combined with a bit of spice. The body is mild-to-medium and it picks up a bit of steam as you get into it. Look for a hint of leather on the finish. Overall, a relatively mild and very pleasant smoke. Try pairing it with a traditional hefeweizen.
No Bones About it!
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed!
The boys at Corporate wanted me to get a message to ya. Here's the deal. As much as we love ourselves and personally, chicks dig me too… we're nothin' without you so we want to keep you happy babe! The lads on the panel (there are 5 of them by the by… None of which are employed or paid by the Cigar Society) look at 10 or more cigars each week in order to hone in on some winners that we think you'll enjoy. They look for consistency and quality. More than once we've sent back cigars that simply weren't representative of the samples that were reviewed.
So what? Where am I going with this, you ponder? Bottom line is that it's all subjective and that's the fun of trying new smokes each month. But we want to hear from you if you get a cigar that doesn't' arrive in good shape. Whatever the deal. Could be it's got a plug which is a filler leaf folded over that's gonna cause your eyes to bug out like Marty Feldman when you try to hit on it! Maybe your postal carrier was playing hacky tube with your shipment and a wrapper got torn. Let us know babies. And we'll fix it for ya. Deal? Okay then. That's all I gotta say.
Woof!
Murl.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
I don't have a really sophisticated humidification device. It's seems to fluctuate a fair amount so I was wondering, if I am knowingly off, would it be better to have a higher humidity level than lower one? And what about temperature? Does it have to be 70 degrees on the button?
Lee Finkel
Irvine, CA
Yo Finkel!
Got it. You got a tupador or something similar and she's about as accurate as anything that comes out of George W. Bush's mouth and most likely a helluva lot more pleasant to look at! What's up with that smirk?! How did this guy get nominated? I'm scared, babies. Really scared. Okay, on humidity, I would have to say that you are correct in assuming that if you have to screw up, going on the high side would be better than drying out your smokes. However, you want to exercise some caution here, especially if you're trying to revive some dried out smokes. Too much humidity can cause the binder and filler to expand faster than the wrapper resulting in a split wrapper and pretty much an un-smokable stogie unless you don't mind the taste of duct tape.
With regard to temperature, the same applies. You can have some variance, but too much will cause adverse side effects. Storing you're smokes in too warm a climate for an extended period of time may summon the dreaded Tobacco Beetle Gods. Temperature triggers the little bastards and unless you seek a hint of beetle juice in the aftertaste of your smoke, I'd suggest you err on the cooler side! Personally, I don't mind a bit-o-bug in my Chuck Wagon from time to time. Must be a genetic thing to enjoy having some form of movement on the dinner plate. Don't mind munchin' a flea or tick here and there as well, but that's more of a revenge thing. You know, blood for blood. Hope that helps, Doris the Finkel-saurus!
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 | 5 Pak |
| Cost | |||
| A. Bauza Pyramid | 25 | $115.50 | $28 |
| B. Dunhill Romanos | 25 | $120.50 | $29 |
| C. Hamilton House DC | 25 | $72.50 | $20 |
| D. Indian Tabac | 25 | $65.50 | $18 |
| E. Yumuri 1492 Collection | 25 | $62.50 | $17 |
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. All reorders are sent
Priority mail unless otherwise requested. S&H for International
re-orders must be calculated on an individual basis.
Prices are subject to change.
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.
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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.
