Past Newsletters
Vol. 8 No. 2
Member of the Month
Ann Glasser Smokin' in the Big Apple!
This month's member of the month took the time to find someone with some descent writing skills to draft up her tobacco dossier for us. Albeit quite nicely written, it was a bit verbose and we had to edit here and thar. To sum it up…Had a Birthday. Lots of good eats. Fine beverage and exceptional tobacco was consumed. That's our version…Here's the real skinny!
What better way is there than to spend your birthday at one of New York City's world famous restaurants and finish off the evening smoking cigars at one of the best cigar bars in Manhattan? Cigar Club member Ann Glasser did just that on her 39th +/- birthday on January 18. (Actual age has been altered due to death threats to the author.)
No stranger to good food and fine cigars, Ann has been smoking cigars for the last 10 years. Being a world traveler, Ann has purchased and smoked cigars in over 23 countries, yet her favorite city remains to be New York City, and her favorite cigar…the (underestimated) Mexican-made TE AMO. People's reaction to Ann's cigar smoking is usually predictable. Men are amused and often turned on, and women are intimidated. As you can see in the picture, Ann looks very comfortable smoking an Executive sized TE AMO. For Alan, a short -smoking Robusto is his favorite size.
The night out with her husband consisted of dinner at world-famous The Oyster Bar in the lower level of Grand Central Station. A dozen cold water Belon Maine extra large oysters, a bottle of Gewurztraminer '98, and other assorted seafood goodies. Stuffed like the proverbial goose, next stop - a place for some digesting, relaxing, and smoking.
The two sashayed over to the Grand Hyatt Hotel's cigar bar and discovered a quiet couch for two in a dimly lit dark wood-paneled room. Out came the TE AMO for Ann and a Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur Epicure for Alan. The Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur, a Cigar of the Month Club featured cigar for January, was a holiday gift from their daughter Michele.
Being a new Cigar of the Month Club member brings a new excitement waiting for the mail carrier to bring four new surprise selections to Ann and Alan's door each month. They make it a habit that these four new cigars will be smoked during some pleasurable relaxing moments, where the enjoyment of the cigar will not be hampered by the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, New York City.
SUBMIT YOURSELF OR YOUR GROUP PHOTO FOR CONSIDERATION! And if you're selected, we'll send you a variety pack of 25 hand rolled smokes from past selections! Get your submissions in now before everyone else does or you gotta wait 3 months to see your pretty mug adorning the front page! Send your photos and letter to: Cigar of the Month Club Attn: Member of the Month, PO Box 1627, Lake Forest, CA 92609 or email your photo and letter to customerservice@cigarmonthclub.com
Featured Cigar Dimensions
| Brand Name: | Shape | Size | Strength | Country | Panel |
| Rating | |||||
| A. Anillo De Plata | Torpedo | 6 7/8 x 49 | 8 | Honduras | 88 |
| B. Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente | Robusto | 5 x 50 | 5 | Dominican | 93 |
| C. Fittipaldi - Maduro Box Pressed | Torpedo | 7 x 52 | 7.5 | Dominican | 94 |
| D. Juan Clemente | Churchill | 6 7/8 x 46 | 6 | Dominican | 91 |
| E. Don Juan Platinum | Toro | 6 x 50 | 7 | Dominican | 90 |
Featured Cigars
The Anillo de Plata Cigar line is produced in the town of Danli, in the heart of Spanish Honduras. A complex blend from four nations, the line's fillers and binders blends of tobaccos grown in the Dominican's Cibao Valley and San Victor Moca. All Anillo de Plata cigars are a blend of Cubano Piloto in both Lijero and Seco as well as Olor Dominicano used as the trippa or filler. The wrapper is 4 yr. Aged Ecuadorian grown, Connecticut shade. In addition to the Torpedo featured this month, the Anillo de Plata line is also available in a Presidente, Double Corona, Toro, Robusto and Lonsdale. Our panel liked them all so much, it was difficult to choose which one to feature!
Immediately not a creamy, coffee with milk colored, Connecticut Shade wrapper with very few veins. We found no soft spot and a substantial amount of tobacco in each stick. Look for an even burn and medium draw in this Honduran treat. The flavor is earthy and rich. Overall, very satisfying and full flavored. Consider smoking it with a peaty single malt scotch.
An all-consuming passion for cigars is the unsurpassed characteristic of Carlos Fuente, Sr. and Carlos Fuente, Jr., Chairman and President, respectively, of the Dominican Republic based Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., manufacturers of internationally renowned Arturo Fuente handmade cigars and the Fuente Fuente Opus X brands. When asked for the reasons for the success of Arturo Fuente cigars and the success of their estate-grown tobaccos, Carlos, Jr. points out that it is due to hard work, dedication to perfection and their overall passion for cigars. "We are a family business", he states, "Our factories and our plantations comprise our family 'kitchen'. By staying in the kitchen, we're able to consistently produce outstanding tobacco leaves and rich flavored, perfectly balanced cigars that please cigar aficionados every time, everywhere."
Fuente's Chateau Fuente is more than just well made. We found it's silky, light coffee colored wrapper to be very inviting. Very few veins. You find that it has no soft spots, burns evenly, holds a solid light gray ash and offers a perfect draw. What more could you want! This is a straightforward, mild-to-medium-bodied Dominican smoke. It's not hugely complex, but what a great tobacco taste. Very creamy and mild. Note a slight Dominican spiciness evident. We found this cigar to be as consistent as they come. You could enjoy this smoke any time of the day. Overall, a mellow, clean tobacco taste, not too overpowering. Try smoking it with your favorite Pale Ale or if you fire up in the am, with a cup of Joe!
The Fittipaldi brand is in fact owned by the world-renowned Brazilian Formula 1 driver, Emerson Fittipaldi, winner of Formula 1 world championships in 1972 and 1974 and the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993. Teaming up with the legendary Dominican cigar manufacturing family of Augusto Reyes, and Tom Sullivan, Emerson Fittipaldi has produced a line worthy of his name and reputation. The original blend of the line offered a 1993 Vintage Cameroon-seed wrapper, and although a great smoke, our panel really favored the Vintage Maduro Series which you'll have a chance to try this month. This box pressed beauty features a double fermented (twice as long, reduce ammonia levels - smoother, mellow smoke) 1996 broad leaf maduro sun cured wrapper.
You've got to like the presentation of this cigar. Immediately note a rich, oily, dark maduro wrapper encasing this elegant box-pressed torpedo. Look for a easy, even draw and solid construction. We found the flavor complex, starting peppery and offering tones of herbal earthiness. There's a hint of sweetness in there and pronounced hints of coffee. There's a lot going on! Overall, this smoke is bursting with flavor and will appeal to those who like Havana-style cigars. We found it very enjoyable and think you will too. Consider pairing it with a full-bodied Merlot or Dry Rye Ale.
Historically, the Juan Clemente line has been a difficult cigar to find. Sought after since 1982, it's the product of a small cigar factory that has only one, ultra-demanding client. Juan Clemente also offers a vintage Club Selection which is a bit more of a robust blend, however, our panel favored the classic line. The Churchill featured this month sports an appealing Connecticut Shade wrapper, grown in the United States. The filler and binder are all Dominican. The manufacturers of Juan Clemente cigars have always obsessed with perfect construction, as evidenced by the unusual -- and smart -- practice of placing the band around the delicate foot of the cigar to prevent cracking.
The Juan Clemente Classic Line offers a full, round, medium bodied smoke with complex flavors and spices. We found the draw easy, the smoke volume adequate, and the flavor classically Dominican. We'd suggest sparking up one this little gem with a hoppy pale ale or dry Chardonnay while you're walking off that big Mexican meal!
With a Cigar Aficionado rating of ´90´, these smokes are among the best everyday values in the cigar industry. Don Juan cigars are handmade by Cuban expatriate Pedro Martin in the Dominican Republic. True to Senor Martins uncompromising style, the Don Juan is a well-constructed, satisfying premium that exhibits a smooth, medium-bodied flavor. SMOKE Magazine raved: "The regular Don Juan line of cigars has won many fans over the years for being a full-bodied and flavorful smoke. Now, the folks at Tropical Tobacco unveil the new Don Juan Platinum series, which carries on the high-quality Don Juan tradition. The Don Juan Platinum fills a room with its robust smoke. It will also fill your taste buds with its complex smorgasbord of flavor, combining undeniable spice with some hearty, Havana-like flavors. Recommended!"
Immediately note an inviting silky, cream-colored Connecticut Shade wrapper with very few veins begging you to light it. Our panel found the Platinum Toro to burn evenly and offer an easy draw. Note plenty of smoke volume and solid construction in this meaty cigar. We found the cigar's flavor to be predominately a distinct Dominican spiciness. Look for a slight cedar finish. Overall, excellent construction and complex taste. We loved it! Consider pairing this one with your single malt scotch.
Tobacco Bits
ALMOST READY - Completed cigars are bundled in groups of fifty and stored for a few weeks to allow the flavors of the various tobaccos to intermingle. Bundles are then given to a sorter, who separates the cigars based on color, using a chart that has anywhere from 89 to 92 different shades of brown. Sorted cigars are then banded and boxed by hand. Sometimes, as in the case of vintage cigars, the bundles are stored in humidified rooms for extended periods of time, anywhere from three months to three years. (My girlfriend always told me there were 92 shades of brown and that's why she had 92 pairs of brown shoes. Go figure.)
WRAP IT UP - The bunch is left in the mold for about 30 minutes, during which time it is rotated a quarter turn, so lines where the two halves of the mold meet do not create a ridge in the bunch. After the bunch is taken out, the roller places the bunch on the wrapper leaf, which is quickly and precisely trimmed with the chaveta-the roller's knife. The bunch is then rolled from the foot to the head, and the cap for the cigar is secured with vegetable resin from the tragycanth plant-the resin is odorless, tasteless, and dries quickly. The roller then trims the cigar to the correct length with a tuck cutter. (And then you smoke the muther!)
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
I was wondering why some cigar manufacturers package their cigars in aluminum tubes or what seem to be airtight glass vials? Is this to protect their freshness?
Scotty Musgrave
Atlanta, GA.
Dear Muskrat,
That had to be your nickname in High School. Don't deny it. Protection. Indeed. A most popular topic in the realms of my two most favorite activities. Smoking and Schmokin'! Actually, I smoked my first cigar the way I initially enjoyed sex - alone in my room. Back to the aluminum and glass. In my humble opinion, the packaging designs you ask about are primarily geared towards protecting the cigar from physical damage and marketing. Aluminum tubes are a convenient way of transporting cigars, but not ideal for storage. They will grow tired and dull if you leave them in the container for an extended period of time. I'd recommend putting them in your humidor immediately after you get them home. Airtight glass vials may actually do more by means of actually preserving a cigars freshness. Their intent is to keep the cigar's composition just as it was immediately after being rolled. Hope that helps Muskarato!
Woof!
Murl.
Folklore or Fact? You make the Call!
A Charlotte NC man having purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars then insured them against fire among other things. Within a month having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the man filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the man stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires." The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The man sued... and won!
In delivering the ruling the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the man held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be "unacceptable fire," and was obligated to pay the claim.
Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the man for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires." After the man cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!! He convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and sentenced him to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.
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. Anillo De Plata Torpedo | 25 | $56.50 | $16 |
| B. Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Robusto | 20 | $97.50 | $29 |
| C. Fittipaldi Cameroon Torpedo | 25 | $95.50 | $24 |
| D. Juan Clemente Churchill | 24 | $108.50 | $28 |
| E. Don Juan Platinum Toro | 25 | $65.50 | $18 |
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.
