Past Newsletters
Vol. 9 No. 1
Member of the Month
Lawrence Enjoys a Smoke with his Battlebuddies!
My
name is Lawrence Smith, and I’ve been enjoying the cigars you
send every month since I joined the club back in September 2000. I’m
in the U.S. Army and it is nice to relax smoking a quality cigar.
I recently graduated from the U.S. Army’s Drill Sergeant School
and now I help young men transition from civilians to U.S. Army Cavalry
Scout (Reconnaissance Specialists). The picture enclosed is from the
day before graduation. After an intense 9 week course, sitting down
and relaxing with a cigar was GREAT. I am on the far right ready to
light up a Monte Cristo Tubo from the September 2000 shipment, and
my battlebuddies each have a Mayorga Robusto from the January 2000
shipment. The man on the left is Mark Robbins and the one in the middle
is Michael Olienyk.
Thank you,
Lawrence C. Smith
Ft. Knox, KY
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. Cabanas H-2000 | Torbusto | 5.5 x 60 | 5 | Dominican | 92 |
| B. Don Diego En Cedro - Natural | Torpedo | 6 x 50 | 4 | Dominican | 94 |
| C. Double Happiness Sublime | Corona | 5.5 x 44 | 5 | Philipines | 90 |
| D. Free Cuba | Robusto | 5 x 50 | 6 | Dominican | 89 |
| E. Macanudo Robust Portofino | Lonsdale | 6.5 x 42 | 7 | Jamaica | 95 |
Featured Cigars
Cabanas is a classic brand that has been around forever. Cabañas cigars have a tradition going as far back as 1733. The newer Habana 2000 offers the gorgeous H-2000 wrapper, a hybrid leaf that combines characteristics of both Connecticut shade and Cuban tobaccos, and offers a fuller, richer flavor and dark color, combined with the smooth feel of a Connecticut wrapper. Each cigar is either individually tissue-wrapped or cedar-wrapped. And hey, the cigar is pretty dang good too. The Torbusto is a chunky figurado shape that is a cross between a robusto and a torpedo shape. It is a hand made smoke from La Romana, Dominican Republic. This version was introduced in 1998 and expanded in 1999. The wrapper is from Nicaragua, the binder is from the Dominican Republic, and the filler is from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Connecticut. Any way you look at it, the Cabanas H-2000 is one rich, full-flavored cigar.
Don Diego En Cedro – Natural Torpedo
The Don Diego is produced by one of the largest cigar producers in the US. Altadis U.S.A. sells over 2 billion cigars a year and owns about 40% of the market share in the US. The Company now employs over 5,500 people. It operates production facilities in Honduras, Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Dominican Republic and affiliations for production in Mexico, Brazil and Holland. Leaf supplies are obtained from growers in every part of the globe. The company also grows some of its own tobacco in Honduras and Connecticut. The Company's enviable stable of trademarks include Antonio y Cleopatra, Backwoods, Cabañas, Dutch Masters, Dutch Treats, El Producto, Flamenco, Havatampa, Henry Clay, H. Upmann, La Corona, Mixture 79, Montecristo, Montecruz, Muriel, Onyx Reserve, Phillies, Por Larrañaga, Primo del Rey, Roi-Tan, Romeo y Julieta, Santa Damiana, Tampa Nugget and Te-Amo... among a number of others, not to mention that it is the biggest supplier of private label pipe tobacco to chains in the United States.
Masterfully blended by hand and made with care in the Dominican Republic with a light brown, smooth Connecticut shade wrapper, Dominican binder, and a blend of Dominican grown long fillers, the Don Diego cigar is a wonderfully aromatic mild to medium bodied cigar. Well known for its mild taste, Don Diego cigars have earned a wide following, thanks to their consistency of construction, accessible strength and excellent value for the money. This brand originated in the Canary Islands, but production was moved to the Dominican Republic in 1982.
Double Happiness Sublime Corona
Double Happiness is a unique cigar from the Philippines. Sporting a Connecticut wrapper and a Filipino binder and filler. Each cigar is ever so slightly box-pressed, and the band and box art are very interesting replicas of original Philippine art. An interesting and exotic blend, this smoke has 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 medium-bodied, very distinct and pronounced taste that will please many cigar connoisseurs looking for a slightly different taste. Those who enjoy bold, robust flavors will appreciate these well-constructed cigars.
Free Cuba was made in the Dominican Republic by the makers of Signature Collection by Santiago Cabana, Havana Classico, Calle Ocho, Morro Castle, Domino Park, West Indies Vanilla, Island Amaretto, Celestino Vega, Regalos, and Rum Runner. The Free Cuba Robusto was first introduced in 1996 by the Caribbean Cigar Company. In 1998, they focused their marketing efforts on four of their premium brands: Signature Collection, Calle Ocho, Free Cuba, and Celestino Vega, along with their three flavored cigars. The Free Cuba Robusto is a very popular cigar that is wrapped in a medium-brown, oily wrapper from Indonesia. It has a long-filler combination of Habano seed and Dominican Piloto Cubano long filler. It is a medium to full bodied smoke with hints of cocoa and sweet spice flavors on the palate with a sweet wood finish.
Macanudo Robust Portofino Lonsdale
Macanudo cigars are produced by the General Cigar Company. They have been producing fine cigars, such as Bolivar, Cifuentas, Cohiba, Partagas, and Punch, among others, since 1848. The Macanudo Robust was introduced in December of 1998 with immediate success. It took over four years to develop this robust cigar, which has a smooth taste. The robustness comes from a blend of the richest Dominican Piloto Cubano tobaccos and a unique Havana seed binder grown especially for this cigar in the Connecticut River Valley. The smooth taste comes from the darkest and most thoroughly aged of all Connecticut shade wrappers. This smoke was designed to please those searching for a rich, full-flavor, but with the same consistency and quality of the regular Macanudo line. This portofino has a silky feel to the hand and a taste that is only found in a Macanudo.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
I know you’ve most likely answered this one before, but I’m a new member and if you don’t answer it again, I’m gonna cancel my subscription! (Just kiddin’ pooch). Anyway, what’s up with the Cuban thing? I’ve never had one. Are Cuban cigars really that much better than ones produced elsewhere? Also, if I was to visit Cuba, can I bring back a box for personal consumption or not? I’ve heard conflicting stories.
Fidel Smith
New York, NY
Yo Fiddle!
All right, Bucko. You got my attention. Not your real name is it. It’s okay to ask what you think might be a bonehead question, Fiddle. Truth is, everyone wants to hear an opinion on Cuban cigars. I’ve attended a festival or two when we’re promoting the club and I can’t tell you how many weenies come up and ask the same question. “Got any Cubans? Got any Cubans? Got any Cubans?!” I usually tell them, “Sure Pal, this one right here was rolled on the thighs of a Cuban virgin just this morning and it’s yours for $150 if you want it.” The glazed, confused stare, unaware of my jest, usually confirms my suspicions of a rookie who wouldn’t know a Cuban if Castro gave it to him personally!
Anyway, to the point. In my opinion, opinion being the operative word here Fiddle, the binders and fillers in the Dominican Republic are the best in the world, bar none. Cuba still grows the best wrappers, but the Dominican Republic is catching up rapidly in that respect as well. The difference isn't really in the growing of the tobacco, but more so in its processing and aging. The soils of the two countries are essentially the identical and they are on nearly the same latitude. Of course, the Dominican Republic is a little east of Cuba in longitude but the weather is very similar. I think a large part of the Cuban mystique is the appeal of the forbidden fruit. I saw this sexy she-wolf on the Discovery Channel the other day. I knew I couldn’t have her, and I wanted her all that much more. I’m telling ya, it’s human (and canine) nature, baby. Tell me I can’t buy a pint of Guinness any more and I’m calling my clan on the mainland to reserve my private reserve. Don’t focus so much on where the smoke came from, but rather did you personally enjoy it. It’s all very subjective, the appreciation of fine tobacco, so go with what you like. On the legality of bringing in contraband smokes for personal consumption, check out the article in this newsletter entitled, “Our Government on Cuban Smokes”. Gotta trot. Got a milk bone stashed in the couch with my name on it.
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 | 5 Pak |
| Cost | ||
| A. Cabanas H-2000 Torbusto | $68.50 | $22 |
| B. Don Diego En Cedro - Natural Torpedo | $87.50 | $23 |
| C. Double Happiness Sublime Corona | $57.50 | $19 |
| D. Free Cuba Robusto | $65.50 | $18 |
| E. Macanudo Robust Portofino Lonsdale | $108.50 | $27 |
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery and add $7.95 for S&H for your first box and $3.00 for each additional box or grab bag. S&H for 5-packs is $4.95 and $1.50 for each additional 5-pak. All reorders are sent Priority mail unless otherwise requested. CA residents please add 7.75% Sales Tax. 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.
