Past Newsletters

Vol. 9 No. 9

Member of the Month

Schmokin' and Hoopin' in NC! Oh Yeah!

Dear Cig Club,

There was one month not too long ago where you had no member of the month and since I’ve been a member off and on for a while now I thought it was high time I got off my lazy cigar smokin’ butt and sent something in. This is me (on the right) and a friend at the 2002 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, NC. The school we work for was playing in the next game but I thought it would be a good picture for the newsletter. We didn’t get to enjoy our smokes (and many, many beers) until after the game (which we lost) and I can’t quite remember what smokes we had in our hands at the time. Love the club!!! Hope you pick my submission for member of the month. I can’t wait to get my next installment of great cigars.

March Madness and a great smoke…does it get any better?!

Shannon
Central, SC

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. Felipe Gregorio Glorioso	Presidente	7.75 x 50	6.5	Honduras	91
B. Havana Sunrise	Torpedo	6 x 52	5.5	Dominican	89
C. Indian Tabac Cameroon Gorilla	Corona Gorda	6 x 58	7	Dominican	92
D. Thomas Hinds Honduran Royal	Corona	6 x 44	6	Honduras	91
E. Maya Reserve #1	Lonsdale	6.6 x 44	6	Honduras	90

Featured Cigars

Felipe Gregorio Glorioso Presidente

The Felipe Gregorio line of cigars has come a long way since its rocky beginnings. The owner of this line, Philip Wynne, was born and raised in Switzerland and is the son of an American Foreign Service officer. Because he grew up in an area where Cuban cigars were legal, when he decided to get into the cigar business, he wanted to produce cigars similar to the many Cuban brands he grew up with…strong. At that time, Americans weren't used to strong cigars and so his first brand, Petrus, did not sell well in the States, but did do well in Europe and the Middle East. Wynne then decided it would be better to introduce a line of cigars that weren't quite so full bodied and that's when he saw his US sales take off! He now sells nearly 10 million cigars in the United States and there's a reason for it. They're damn fine smokes. The Presidente featured this month is a true Honduran puro; the wrapper, the filler, and the binder are all from Honduras. We found it medium to full bodied, starting with a slight woody flavor, hints of coffee bean and toasty flavors. Look for stronger, spicier notes around mid-smoke. And consider pairing it up with a full-bodied merlot or cabernet sauvignon.

Havana Sunrise Torpedo

The Havana Sunrise Cigar Company made its debut back in March of 1996 and has quickly advanced into the tops ranks of the premium cigar category. It's no surprise that they climbed to the top as quickly as they did when you note the true craftsmanship that goes into each cigar. Their entire product line is manufactured at their new factory in the heart of Little Havana, in Miami, Florida. Each cigar is crafted from a unique blend of Cuban seed tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Ecuador. They are then aged in Spanish cedar in the traditional Cuban fashion. We found the Havana Sunrise Torpedo to be a medium bodied cigar, offering both a rich flavor and aroma. Look for hints of coffee bean, hazelnut, and a peppery spiciness, culminating in a wonderful creaminess. We also picked up a little cedar woodiness. Overall, a complex cigar that would pair up nicely with a single malt scotch or an XO cognac.

Indian Tabac Cameroon Gorilla Corona Gorda

The Indian Tabac Cigar Company, owned by Rocky Patel and Phil Zanghi, continually impresses us with their newest lines of cigars and that's why you've seen them appear more than once in the club. They deservedly received high praise from the folks at Cigar Aficionado, SMOKE magazine, and elsewhere. This Dominican Corona Gorda is wrapped in a handsome Cameroon wrapper which complements the Dominican-grown Olor and strong Cubano Ligero leaves nicely. The blend delivers the characteristically strong, full-bodied flavor that the Indian Tabac Cigar Company is known for in a big way. We found this fat little beauty to be loaded with leather and cedar notes and offering slight hints of coffee. What more can we tell ya? It's a hugely satisfying smoke that would pair up nicely with a dark stout or a barley-wine style ale.

Thomas Hinds Honduran Royal Corona

The Thomas Hinds brand has a large and loyal following. We found it medium to full bodied, definitely to be enjoyed by those preferring full flavor and also a great introduction to complex and fuller bodied blends for those just feeling their way around the world of tobacco. Thomas Hinds' Honduran selection is made up of a unique blend of six different Honduran tobaccos, all encased in a spicy Ecuadorian wrapper. We found the aroma to be toasty and a bit sweet, with notes of leather, cinnamon, and orange peel. Look for a complex, but smooth flavor with not a harsh note to be found. Look for a core of woody flavors and some herbal notes, along with a substantial spiciness in its finish. Consider pairing it with a dry Chardonnay.

Maya Reserve #1 Lonsdale

When Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, he also discovered tobacco as well as cigars. The Mayan Indians of Central America were the first to smoke cigars and it just seems appropriate that there should be a brand to commemorate this little known fact. The Maya brand is hand made by none other than Nestor Plasencia, a true legend in the industry. Nestor produces them in Honduras using a Connecticut-seed, Ecuadorian grown wrapper, a unique blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos and a Havana seed binder. We found it to have a light floral aroma which carried into the flavor as well. Look for hints of an earthy woodiness on the palate. It's a medium bodied smoke offering a dry spice and slightly salty character. Consider smoking this Lonsdale with your favorite single malt scotch or brandy.

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. Felipe Gregorio Glorioso Presidente	25	$105.50	$26
B. Havana Sunrise Torpedo	25	$87.50	$23
C. Indian Tabac Cameroon Gorilla Corona Gorda	25	$95.50	$24
D. Thomas Hinds Honduran Royal Corona	25	$78.50	$24
E. Maya Reserve #1 Lonsdale	25	$68.50	$19

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 2^nd 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.