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Featured Selections
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Dominican Republic
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5" x 52
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A relatively new brandwhich was introduced only in 1968, Cohiba quickly became the flagshipbrand of the Cuban cigar industry. Developed initially as amedium bodied protocol cigar for presentation only by officials of theCuban government, Cohiba was marketed widely beginning in 1982. The initial sizes were the Lancero, the Corona Especiale and thePanetela, with the Esplendido, Robusto and Exquisito added in 1989. The Cohiba series was initially made in the El Laguito factory inHavana, but production is now also in the Fernando Perez Germanfactory.
Quite a few myths surround the Cohiba brand including one that relates directly to its name which was said to be the aboriginal Taino Indian word for "tobacco," but is now understood to have meant "cigar." The truth about Cohiba's origin is now offered by Emilia Tamayo, the Director at El Laguito. This charming and highly capable woman confirms that it all began in the mid-1960s when one of President Fidel Castro's bodyguards enjoyed a private supply of cigars from a local artisan. They so pleased the president that their creator, Eduardo Ribera, was asked to make cigars of his blend exclusively for Castro, under strict security in an Italianate mansion in the Havana suburb of El Laguito. At first, the brand had no name, then in 1968, under the name Cohiba, production began of three sizes, each a personal favorite of the President - the Lancero, the Corona Especiale, and the Panetela.
The Cohiba brand also is also produced in the Dominican Republic by two separate entities, General cigar, who owns the trademark for the name in the U.S., and by Monecristi de Tabacos, who holds Trademark for Cohiba in the Dominican Republic. Our panel preferred the selection offered by Monecristi and that’s what you’ll sample this month. So in a sense these smokes are somewhat contraband! These smokes generally retail in the $12-15 per stick range so we truly hope you enjoy this special Spring bonus selection.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Ligero Piloto Cubano Seco
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade - Claro
Strength Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a very light, silkyConnecticut shade wrapper. We found the draw to be effortlessand the burn even. The aroma of this cigar is one of its bestattributes. It’s very pleasant with tons of spiciness. Look for a very well balanced Dominican flavor, a bit milder than thechurchill, yet still full of rich, creamy and spicy tones. Thetobacco is definitely aged properly. Overall, a great Dominicansmoke.
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5 Pack:
$23.60
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10 pack:
$41.00
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Box of
25
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$102.50
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Dominican Republic
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7" x 52
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The Cubana Especial is ahighly praised Dominican line produced in Santiago. The brand iscurrently only offered in the Colorado wrapper from Ecuador.
Unlike many emerging cigar brands which merely trek tocigar-making countries to buy cigars, create their own band and callthem "their own", Cubana Especial owns their farms andfactory which are both 100% dedicated to producing only for their lineof cigars. All of their cigars use Habano Seco leaves forfiller. The Cubana Especial tobaccos are aged for 36 monthsprior to rolling and the cigars are aged another 6 months after beingrolled. Check out the Torpedo featured this month. Weknow you're going to enjoy it!
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubana Seca
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Colorado
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 91
Notes from the Panel:
Immediately note a near perfect drawin this well constructed cigar. No soft spots, consistentlyrolled and soft to the touch, we found it to burn evenly and offer alot of smoke as well. We really liked this cigar, finding itsmedium-to-full flavor to have a pleasant, mild aroma, a great mildlyspicy flavor with some wood and coffee tones evident. Look for aslight bite in the aftertaste. Overall, a very easy cigar tosmoke offering solid construction and great taste. Considerpairing it with a hoppy Pale Ale.
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5 Pack:
$19.29
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10 pack:
$33.50
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Box of
20
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$67.00
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Dominican Republic
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6.5" x 46
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The Don Leo brand has had alongstanding presence and is quite well respected in the Dominicancommunity. The line is hand made with long-filler, DominicanOlor as well as a Cuban-seed Dominican binder and features a spicy USAConnecticut Shade wrapper. Produced in the Cibao Valley, thebrand has been rated in the high 80's in Cigar Aficionado and offers aclassic Dominican smoking experience.
Filler: Dominican Olor
Binder: Dominican Piloto Cubana
Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Shade - Claro
Strength: (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 89
Notes from the Panel:
This claro colored cigar is truly abeautiful display of craftsmanship. We found it silky to thetouch, slightly oily, well rolled with just the right firmness andgenerally very appealing. We couldn't wait to light it. Smoke pulled through the cigar very well and it burned slowly andevenly. Look for a very smooth, mild to medium-bodied tastingcigar with a classic Dominican spicy character, with some hints ofcocoa bean. You'll also note a prevalent woodiness throughoutthe smoke. Look for a cedar finish. Overall, plenty ofsmoke and taste. We really enjoyed it! Consider pairing itwith a malty Bock.
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5 Pack:
$14.40
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10 pack:
$25.00
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Box of 25:
$62.50
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Dominican Republic
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7" x 52
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Three generations of theNafilyan family have experienced the pleasures of fine tobacco. Founder of the Nafilyan Cigar Co., Pierre Nafilyan, made his firstpresence in the cigar industry in the 1980's when he co-developed,manufactured and marketed the Knockando Cigar Line" and asa direct result of the success of that line, introduced the NafilyanSeries soon thereafter.
Nafilyan personally participates in the selection of the tobaccoblends and overseas the production of his newest line which is rolledat his factory at Villa Gonzalez in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The Nafilyan Signature Series is made with a four-blend agedCuban-seed and Dominican long filler tobacco and binder. CovetedU.S.A. Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf is used to encase each cigar. Each cigar produced undergoes a six-point quality control inspectionthat stems from tobacco selection through the final packaging process.
The line has been highly rated in Smoke Magazine, Wine & Dine, andCigar Lovers. For more information about the Nafilyan Cigar Co.,visit their website at:
www.nafilyan.com
or simply call 888-446-1030.
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Ligero Seco Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade Claro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 6
Panel Rating: 92
Notes from the Panel:
Our favorite of the Nafilyan cigars sampled. Look for anaesthetically pleasing cigar, obviously well constructed, nice to thetouch. Note a silky, slightly oily sheen on this very smoothwrapper. We found it to draw with ease, burn evenly and hold itsash well. This torpedo offers a classic Dominican taste,medium-bodied, slightly spicy and a very pleasant aroma. Lookfor a lingering finish in this tasty treat. Overall, a solidsmoke, full of taste, lots of smoke and very enjoyable. Considerpairing it with a hoppy India Pale Ale.
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5 Pack:
$21.99
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10 pack:
$38.20
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Box of 25:
$95.50
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Canary Islands
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4.75" x 50
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The seven small, volcanicCanary Islands were considered to be the cradle of modern cigarmaking, as cigar artisans left Seville, Spain, to settle in theCanaries and make cigars from tobacco imported from Cuba. EnriqueArgas, at 75, is considered the father of present-day cigars on theIslands. By official appointment, his are the exclusive cigars ofSpain’s royal house, as well as of the President of Spain. Argasstarted in the business at age eight, and is a master blender andowner of the Argas factory in La Palma. He is the only cigar maker inthe Canaries who needs not carry a license. Vargas would never thinkof retiring, as his passion for tobacco and cigars is transcendent.
Binder: Indonesian Olor
Filler: Canary Islands Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian Sumatran CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 88
Notes from the Panel:
The Indonesian wrapper tends toward a "toothy" and veinycomplexion. Its dark, warm, even color has a mild, dry sheen. Look for a nice, easy-to-medium draw, not hampered by firm bunching. Note a rich peppery, earthy, woody flavor and a pleasant lingeringaroma. Overall, a well balanced, expertly made, and fullflavored smoke. We loved it!
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5 Pack:
$13.25
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10 pack:
$23.00
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Box of 25:
$57.50
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Hygrometer Highlights
(issues to keep an eye on & interesting topics)
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TobaccoCrusader Waxman `Outed' As Closet Smoker
This little ditty was printed in the TrentonCourier-Ledger and reproduced
Verbatim for ya! Good stuff...
SELMA, NC (AP): Lew Rothman, flamboyant president of the popular J.R.Cigar mail order tobacco house, today announced that Congressman HenryWaxman (D,CA) has been a steady customer for years.
"He usually buys a box of cigars about once a month,"Rothman said in a telephone interview yesterday. "But he's a realcheapskate. Always buys the ten-dollar-a-box factory seconds,the real stinkeroos. And he never pays on time."
Waxman, as chair of the House Subcommittee on Health and theEnvironment, had conducted a highly publicized campaign against thetobacco industry last year, which included televised grilling ofindustry executives. Thomas Bliley (R,PA), a pipe smoker,replaced Waxman as chairman of the committee in the current Congress.
Rothman says that he made the announcement now because "I've hadit with that dried-out little creep. He owes me six hundreddollars in unpaid bills, and wants me to write it off. Called meat my home about it. At eleven at night. Woke up LaVonda[Rothman's wife] and the kids."
Rothman stated that Waxman "...said to make [the unpaid balance]a campaign contribution. Like I'd give a nickel to see thathumorless little goniff re-elected. I'll send a bushel of Avopyramids to whoever beats him."
Rothman continued, "I tried to be nice to that little hypocrite,because he is a customer and a Congressman. I even sat stillwhile he put on that monkey trial in Washington. But this is toomuch. The nerve of the guy!"
Reliable sources at other mail-order cigar retailers confirmed thatWaxman had been "a regular buyer, if not a particularly desirableone." Congressman Bliley declined to make a statement forthe record, but was overheard to say, "Couldn't happen to a nicerguy."
Congressman Waxman could not be reached for comment.
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Tobacco Bits
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BEFORE CHURCHILL'S CHURCHILLS
- Winston Churchill was not always a cigar smoker. In fact,early in his life, the world's most recognizeable stogie smoker smokedcigarettes. He didn't take up puffing puros until he was given afigt of 10,000 Havana cigars of Cuba during World War II.
FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
- General William Tecumesh Sherman was as much a "stogie-holic"as he was a workaholic. While making plans for battle, Shermanwould work for 20 hours at a stretch, lighting cigar aftercigar. After a puffing on a fresh cigar for a few moments,Sherman would lay it down on his desk and continue to work. Inpausing, Sherman would light another cigar, and continue in thatfashion until there was a row of partly consumed cigars. Sherman's aides called them "Sherman's old soldiers."
MARXISMS
-Groucho Marx was rarely seen without a cigar, which he used as a propin front of the camera and as an object of delight behind it. Only once did the get himself into trouble with the help of hiscigar. While hosting the 1950's game show YOU BET YOUR LIFE,Grouch reacted to a contestant's remark that he had a rather largefamily with many children. Marx, in his inimitable, off-the-cuffstyle, quipped, "I like my cigar, too, but I take it out everyonce in a while." This, not surprisingly, did not go overwell with television censors. Certainly Groucho loved hiscigars, but maybe he was taking his love for the leaf a little farwhen he said, "If I have to choose between a woman and a cigar, Iwill always choose thecigar."
BIRTH OF THE STOGIE
- It is widely believed that the first modern cigar, replete with
filler, binder and wrapper, was manufactured in Seville, Spain, duringthe late 17th and early 18th century and was made from cuban leafimported into the port city. The demand skyrocketed for thesecigales, or Sevillas (as they later came to be known).
Incidentally, the word "cigale" is Spanish for locust; andthe cigars were so named for their resemblance to a largelocust.
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