Past Newsletters
Vol. 7 No. 9
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size |
| A. Double Happiness Nirvana | Torpedo | 6 x 37/52 |
| B. Garo Verde #1 | Churchill | 7 ½ x 50 |
| C. Liberty | Torpedo | 6 ¼ x 50 |
| D. Miyares Corona | Long Corona | 6 x 42 |
| E. Partagas Sabrosa | Grand Corona | 6 x 44 |
Featured Cigars
Handmade in Manila, the Philippines, The Double Happiness brand debuted in 1995. Our panel is of the belief that there are only a few Philippine cigars worth smoking including the Double Happiness line and the Fighting Cock stogies featured last month. The Philippines are gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable and high quality makers of premium cigars. An interesting and exotic blend, the Double Happiness cigars have a smooth, mild taste with an incredibly easy draw. Offering an intriguing blend of Isabela Superior Fina from the Philippines, the Double Happiness provides a full, very distinct and pronounced taste that will please many regular smokers but may overwhelm the more casual cigar lover. The Nirvana (6" x 52) sports a Connecticut shade wrapper and a Philippine binder and filler. Each is box-pressed in the traditional Cuban style, and each band is an attractive and unique replica of original Philippine art. SMOKE magazine rated Double Happiness very highly, saying "buy these in bulk - Recommended."
Binder: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Filler: Philippines Isabela Superior Fina
Wrapper: Brazilian - Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 4
Panel Rating: 88
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note an oil, smooth wrapper with some veins evident in the samples we received. We found the Nirvana to draw exceptionally easy and to offer a cool, even burn. Note a solid, very likeable and simple taste. It's clean and not overpowering. Double Happiness offers a mild smoke. We picked up hints of nuttiness and some definite earthy tones. Look for a mild, pleasant finish. Overall, a solid, very well constructed little smoke worthy of a test-drive if you've never smoked Philippine tobacco. Consider pairing it up with your favorite Pale Ale.
The Garo Cigar Company introduced its first line, the Blue line, when founder Garo Bouldoukian began down a path that would fulfill life-long dream. Garo desired simply to create a cigar of such quality that a seasoned smoker would remark upon trying it for the first time, That's a Great cigar!.
Residing in the Dominican Republic certainly expedited the long process involved in bringing a product to the market and Garo has unquestionably produced a winner. Recipient of high praise in Smoke, Smokeshop Magazine, The Robb Report, Wine & Dine Magazine and Milton encouraged the company to supplement its original line with two others, Garo Verde and Garo Maduro in 1997. All of Garo's lines are handcrafted under the watchful eyes of a fifth generation master blender in Santiago, in the Cibao Valley of the Dominican Republic. Garo later introduced a maduro line as well. For more information about the Garo Habano Cigar Company, call 1-800-995-GARO or visit their web site at www.garohabano.com.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian-CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6.5
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
We found Garo's Verde line to be slightly fuller bodied than their Blue line and less than the maduro line. The draw on the Churchill is nearly perfect, offering billows of smoke. Note a rustic Colorado maduro wrapper encasing this cool burning cigar. Look for a mellow smoke with a flavor profile comprised of cocoa beans, a creamy-nuttiness, and a hint of cedar. Look for a wonderful, pleasant aroma, mellow, yet packed with flavor. We found the finish lingered with rich cedar tones. Overall, a complex blend of tobacco tastes constructed very well. Try pairing this one with either a dark ale or cognac.
Prepare yourself for a treat. The Liberty Cigar line was created by Master blender, Carlos Fuentes when he and his brother, Martin, founded the relatively small Cigar manufacturing company less than five years ago. The Dominican-born brothers oversee operations at the plantation which is located in Santiago, Dominican Republic, which employs 30 rollers and manufactures just 125,000 cigars per month.
The line is offered in 8 shapes and sizes, but our panel gravitated towards the impeccably constructed Torpedo that you'll have a chance to sample this month. Extended aging in Spanish cedar-lined rooms provides a perfect balance of flavor and consistency in this complex cigar line.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian - Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
This Colorado Claro colored cigar is truly a beautiful display of craftsmanship. We found it silky to the touch, quite oily, well rolled with just the right firmness and generally very appealing. We couldn't wait to light it. Smoke pulled through the cigar very well and it burned slowly and evenly. Look for a very smooth, medium-bodied cigar with very distinct cocoa and coffee flavors present. Note big smoke volume and a somewhat woody aftertaste. Overall, we really loved the dominating cocoa and coffee flavors in this very well made Dominican treat! Smoke it with another exceptionally smooth consumable, a tall glass of Patron Anejo tequila on the rocks.
As it's been quite some time since we've featured a U.S. manufactured brand, we wanted to be sure that we did, it was one that is more than worthy of your attention. The Miyares Cigar Company is producing an exceptional product that surpasses many efforts made in more traditional cigar producing countries. The entire product line is manufactured in their Miami-based factory, located in the heart of Little Havana.
Each cigar is crafted from a unique and premium blend of choice Cuban seed tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Indonesian and Mexico, 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. The Miyares robusto in this particular blend received a huge 4.4 rating from SMOKE magazine: "This is clearly one of the best in the review. Its wonderful, nutty flavor stays with you to the very end. Well done!" Enjoy!
Binder: Mexican Olor
Filler: Dominican Republic & Indonesian Ligero
Wrapper: Sumatran – CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a beautiful, slightly reddish brown Sumatran wrapper. We found it rolled with just the right amount of tobacco and offering a delightful pre-smoke aroma. You'll find the draw easy from the start and a smooth, even burn. Look for a creamy start in this mild to medium-bodied smoke. We picked up hints of nuts, coffee and several thought it built to just a trace of vanilla. The aftertaste is rich and complex. Overall, a fully satisfying, rich and complex smoke. Consider pairing this one with an Oban single malt scotch or Knob Creek bourbon.
Before Castro took power in Cuba, Partagas cigars were made in Havana under the direction of Ramon Cifuentes and his father before him. Leaving Cuba after Castro took over, Cifuentes moved to Santiago, Dominican Republic and continued to make Partagas cigars. This Dominican version of a famous Cuban brand features spicy Cameroon wrappers and a blend of Dominican and Mexican tobaccos for the filler. The binder leaves come from the San Andres Valley in Mexico.
General Cigar manufactures the Partagas cigars at the Cifuentes factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Partagas cigars are currently available in 16 sizes. General is also experimenting with Dominican grown wrapper tobacco and when the quality meets the Partagas standards, look for a Dominican wrapper line.
Binder: Mexican Olor
Filler: Dominican & Mexican Seca & Ligero
Wrapper: Cameroon – Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 8
Panel Rating: 93
Notes from the Panel:
Partagas successfully combines Dominican and Mexico tobaccos and wraps them in highly sought after Cameroon wrappers to deliver a spicy, full flavor. Look for excellent construction, as you would expect from Partagas. A good looking cigar with a dark rough feel. We found it to be precisely rolled with a full load of tobacco. The flavor is full and rich and unquestionably aged properly. It may start mild, but quickly picks up steam and builds to a full-bodied, spicy smoke. Look for a more spiciness and a trace of burnt cedar in the aftertaste. Overall, we were impressed with it's strength and complex flavor. Try pairing it with an Oban Scotch or your favorite Czechoslovakian Pilsner.
Tobacco Bits
EL REY DEL MRS. PROUTY - Cigar manufacturing in the U.S. has taken a few leaps forward in the past ten years, and the end products are certainly a far cry from this country's first attempts at publicly available cigars. According to the Tobacco Record, the first commercial cigar made in America was made by a Mrs. Prouty of South Windsor, Connecticut, in 1801. she started experimenting with cigars in 1799 and placed them on the market once she felt she had the technique down pat. No work on what they tasted like, however.
TO LIGHT OR RELIGHT - If, for some reason, your cigar has gone out, don't just relight and start puffing away-your palate could be in for a shock. Tars present in the cigar upon relighting will make the smoke taste charred or stale. Instead, knock off all of the gray-white ash on the end of the cigar before placing the flame under it. When the heat from the flame causes the end to ignite into a bright yellow flame, blow through the cigar briskly for a few seconds. This will burn off the tars that build up in the cigar while smoking, and the cigar will smoke like it was freshly lit.
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,
Beggin' your pardon for my most likely really stupid question, but I'm a novice smoker and don't know much about the subject. Basically, I was wondering just how the packaged cigars you see in drugstores, liquor and convenience stores differ from a cigars that you might find in a smoke shop?
Tom Schnitzel
Montreal, Canada
Yo Schnitzel!
So what are we really talkin' about here, Tom? Are ya askin' me the difference between a Tiparillo and a Partagas # 10? How does a tasty Black and Mild stack up to La Gloria Cubana's Soberano? Man, I'm not sure they give me enough space to elaborate in my finest prose on this one. A few analogies of similar comparison come to mind. A cute, white, fluffy bunny and say the Raptors from Jurassic Park. Or, if you will, liken the two types of cigars in question to the comparison of a beautifully marinated 14 oz., cooked-on-the-damn-grill with a brew in hand, brick-o-fillet mignon and a cold bowl of Kibbles and Bits. You getting' my meaning. Night and Day, Pal.
Hell, the names alone should suggest some profound difference in quality. Compare the every popular Macanudo Ascot to say Tiajuana Smalls, White Owl, Dutch Treats, Rum Runners or Backwoods Smokes. One conjures up images of prestige, dignity and taste whereas the majority of the others immediately create such strong visual images as Josey Whales spittin' on mangy dogs and beetles, late night poker parties in back rooms of skanky strip clubs with names like Vinny's Live Nudes, and men with few teeth gumming a plastic tip in the park while scattering bird seed to cloud of disease ridden pigeons.
Of course you can buy about 25 Swisher Sweets for the price of one premium cigar and the economics here alone work for some folks. Never mind the fact that they're smoking a fair amount of non-tobacco ingredients such as paper - the wrappers of these machine made babies are generally some combination of tobacco by products like stems and other miscellaneous tobacco bits and paper. You like saltpeter with your evening smoke? You got it. Added to promote even burning. And don't forget just a spoonful of Glycerin to help the medicine go down – actually added to prevent them from drying out. Premium cigars are hand rolled, use long-filler tobacco leaves that run the entire length of the cigar, are properly aged and fermented and blended by a master blender with the same kind of passion and attention to detail that Julia Child pours into a Blueberry muffin. The experience of smoking these two types of cigars is truly not comparable. Gotta go for my evening walk and chase some cows around. Take it easy, Tom-boy.
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 Cost | Individual |
| Cost | ||
| A. Bahia Gold Corona | $105.00 | $5.20 a cigar |
| B. Bahia Gold Robusto | $110.00 | $5.40 a cigar |
| C. Dos Rios Pyramid | $78.50 | $4.15 a cigar |
| D. Dos Rios Robusto | $87.50 | $4.50 a cigar |
| E. Dos Rios Toro | $78.50 | $4.15 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.
