Past Newsletters
Vol. 9 No. 8
Member of the Month
Cigars… Pool… Can it get any better?
Dear
Friends at Cigar of the Month Club –
Here’s a photo of a happy group of cigar smokers sampling a few good ones from my December assortment. We were obviously hanging around the pool table, and we each enjoyed a few cigars that evening. Obviously it was a guys-only thing that night, but my wife Pat enjoys a cigar with me now and then.
My father-in-law Mike (second from left) frequently shares in my stash. Brother-in-law Steve in the white shirt never turns one down either. The big guy is a US Marine, soon to become a family member by marriage. I’m the good looking guy on the right.
Thanks for sending a terrific selection each month at extremely fair prices.
Bill Doherty
Hermosa Beach, CA
Yo Bill, the next time you have a guys night out thing, make sure you send us some pictures WITH the strippers! (just kiddin’ Pat!)
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. Fidalgo Negro Box-Press | Churchill | 7 x 50 | 6 | Dominican | 91 |
| B. La Habanera | Corona | 5.5 x 44 | 6.5 | Dominican | 91 |
| C. Mayorga Maduro | Gordito | 5 x 52 | 7.5 | Nicaragua | 89 |
| D. Perdomo Reserve #4 Maduro | Figurado | 5.25 x 54 | 7 | Nicaragua | 93 |
| E. Monte Albar | Gran Corona | 6.7 x 50 | 5 | Canary Islands | 90 |
Featured Cigars
Fidalgo Negro Box-Press Churchill
Box-pressed
in the traditional Cuban style, this Churchill features a beautiful,
dark & oily double maduro wrapper. This Oscuro wrapper offers
loads of taste and a medium to full body. A premium blend of Nicaraguan
long-filler tobaccos gives the Fidalgo a buttery-smooth flavor. We
found that the Fidalgo Negro quite smooth and satisfying. This expertly
rolled smoke felt heavy in the hand and offered a cool, even burn
and easy draw. Look for a spicy start on this very aromatic stick.
The spiciness quickly subsides and lends itself to a more mellow flavor…well,
mellow for a maduro. Open a window if smoking this one inside as it
offers plenty of smoke volume. Overall, lots of fun to smoke and even
better when combined with a roasted porter.
The
history of the La Habanera goes back many decades to 1902. Handmade
in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the brand used to be owned by the
Dominican government and was made in the same cigar factory that the
Pleiadas brand is rolled. The La Habanera Corona is rolled with 100%
Dominican filler tobaccos and a handsome golden shade Connecticut
wrapper. We found it to be a perfect example of a smooth, mellow,
Dominican smoke. It’s a well constructed, with no soft spots
and the oily wrapper shows signs of proper aging. You’ll find
that it produces a fair amount of smoke and has a pleasant woody aroma.
Overall, a very satisfying, medium bodied smoke. Try pairing it with
a dry Chardonnay or a hoppy India Pale Ale.
This
cigar line was first introduced in the US over six years ago. It was
one of only 12 cigars sold at each of the five Grand Havana Rooms,
one of the more highly exclusive cigar clubs in the country. The Mayorga
cigar line was founded by Nicaraguan-born brothers Carlos and Martin
Mayorga. The cigar factory, which is located in Esteli, Nicaragua,
just four hours north of Managua, Nicaragua’s capitol, employs
60 rollers and produces about 300,000 cigars per month. The cigars
are aged in cedar lined rooms to provide a perfect balance of flavor
and consistency. Lending a slightly sweet spiciness, the Sumatran
Seed Indonesian wrapper is dark, oily, and rich in flavor. Look for
a complex spiciness, with hints of toasted nuts and coffee, in the
flavor with a good woody finish. Overall, n excellent full-bodied
smoke with a rich, creamy body. Consider pairing this with your favorite
single malt scotch or brandy.
Perdomo Reserve #4 Maduro Figurado
The
Perdomo Reserve line is Nick Perdomo’s top of the line brand.
It’s received the highest taste rating ever from Cigar Insider,
the monthly newsletter of Cigar Aficionado in 1998 when it took 4
of the 14 highest rated cigars by the publication. That’s more
than any other cigar manufacturer! This line is manufactured on a
private farm in the highly fertile region of Esteli, Nicaragua. Only
the most experienced rollers are allowed to make these babies and
even Nick Perdomo himself hand selects each and every one of the Ecuadorian
Maduro wrappers. These box-pressed beauties are aged three times longer
than normal to produce an exceptionally rich flavor with hints of
spice and chocolate. The smoke emits an earthy, herbal-sweet, spicy
aroma. The flavors are concentrated, but not overpowering. One panel
member said, “A perfect balance of complex and simple.”
If that makes sense to you, then please explain it to us. Let’s
just say that once you smoke this Figurado, this will become your
number one favorite cigar.
When
compared to the rest of the cigar manufacturing world, the Dominican
Republic, Nicaragua, & Honduras, etc., the Canary Islands are
not a large exporter of cigars. And frankly there are only a few brands
produced there that we’d ever consider featuring in the club.
The Monte Albar brand is certainly one of them. This attractive hand-rolled
corona offers an H-2000 wrapper that’s been aged for no less
than three years! The beautiful wrapper complements the Dominican
long-filler extremely well. It’s a medium-bodied smoke with
spicy, expressive, earthy aromas, and hints of grass. Note a touch
of peppery spiciness in the flavor that extends all the way through
to a smooth, dry finish. Overall, a mellow cigar that you can fire
up any time of the day. A Sour Apple Martini or Margarita would pair
up nicely with this Gran Corona.
Ask Murl
Dear Murl,
Is there an appropriate time to stop smoking your cigar? Do you smoke yours down to the nub or leave an inch or so? What’s the etiquette, you mighty fine canine?
Tim Short
Chicago, IL
Yo Timmy!
Your name sounds familiar. Are you a baseball player? Rock Star? Maybe that wheelchair kid from South Park? Or just an average working Joe trying to live up to your mamma’s demanding expectations. No matter. I liked your name, so your question gets answered this month. What can I say; we don’t have a Bingo Master to assist with the selection process, so I have to devise my own methods.
Personally, I like to smoke my favorites until my whiskers begin to singe. One evening, I even tried to find my old College roach clip to savor an exceptional Monte Cristo. I like to enjoy the entire experience of a cigar and note the changes as it picks up speed and builds in flavor at the end of the smoke. But hey, that’s me, a somewhat compulsive pooch that also chews furniture to the bone as well.
According to Zino Davidoff, "A smoker of delicacy does not prolong it." There are those who say once the cigar has burned down more than halfway, it is done. Others will smoke a cigar down to the width of your finger. Some cigars definitely lend themselves to being smoked to the nub and others really ought to be extinguished before they’re lit. Like many subjects that revolve around the pastime of smoking, it’s quite subjective and you should keep it burnin’ until you ain’t enjoying any more. When you do finally put it down, don’t tamp or snuff it out. Simply set it down and let it burn itself out. Hope that sheds some light on it, Timski
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. Fidalgo Negro Box-Press Churchill | 25 | $90.50 | $23 |
| B. La Habanera Corona | 25 | $68.50 | $19 |
| C. Mayorga Gordito Maduro | 25 | $70.50 | $19 |
| D. Perdomo Reserve #4 Maduro Figurado | 25 | $72.50 | $20 |
| E. Monte Albar Gran Corona | 25 | $95.50 | $24 |
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.
