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December of 1998 marks a historic month for
The Cigar Renaissance
. With the development of
The Cigar Renaissance
web site this past year, the owners thought to do something a little different. For the first time ever, members, want-to-be-members, and competitors alike are able to see our December shipment in advance. You might say that we're trying to show off by letting people know (in advance) that we are featuring the Perdomo Reserve X, the 92 rated box pressed torpedo from La Tradition, or that we have the brand new Bolivar from the Dominican Republic, and the Celestino Vega Churchill which has gone unseen since January of 1998 when it was rated 89 in Cigar Aficionado. But, members who have been with us for a while know that even though this month’s selection is stellar, high quality and highly rated cigars are nothing new. Unlike any other club in the country,
The Cigar Renaissance
allows people to see every featured cigar for the past 12 months. Some may consider this a form of bragging, others may feel it’s just a great service, but for us, it’s the only way to prove that we’re the best. We hope you enjoy this month’s selections as much as we do.
Our first feature of the month is also a good introduction to a significant trend in the cigar industry: the re-introduction of old Cuban brands. The challenge for most manufacturers is not just establishing the right to use the name as a non-Cuban version, but to also make the cigar worthy of it’s Cuban pedigree. Belinda is one such brand that has successfully been re-introduced as a medium to full-bodied cigar wrapped in a Honduran leaf. This month’s Belinda Vintage Corona is one of the newer cigars in the Belinda line, and is noted for it’s excellent flavors, rich body, inexpensive price tag, and unique packaging. The Belinda Vintage Corona is presented in an ammunition crate of 105 cigars!
The biggest news in the cigar industry today is the latest introduction of a Cuban brand still surviving on the island! The name’s Bolivar, that’s Simon Bolivar. The face of Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), El Liberador, who fought the Spanish from 1817 to 1824 and liberated Venezuela, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia from the Spanish, decorates the band of these cigars. We believe it’s a most suitable signature for a cigar with such great character. This month’s Dominican Bolivar No. 4 closely resembles its Cuban counterpart with it’s distinguished band, box press form, and delicious flavor.
Just about every cigar has a story behind it. Celestino Vega is probably one of the most peculiar. Our third feature of the month, the Celestino Vega Churchill from Indonesia, was first sighted in January 1998 when the cigar received an 89 rating in Cigar Aficionado Magazine. People all over the world tried to contact the manufacturers but to no avail. No answers, and disconnected signals were the norm for about six months. It seems that despite Celestino’s fame, the manufacturers were suffering from the region’s political unrest. Fortunately, the company was saved and the inventory is now being handled through the Dominican Republic. Today we are delighted to offer one the world’s finest churchills. The Celestino Vega Churchill’s Indonesian tobaccos and Java leaf wrapper provide exceptional balance and smooth character in this big cigar.
If there’s one cigar in particular that you’ve been eyeing, we can guess it’s the La Tradition Cabinet Series Perdomo Reserve X from Nicaragua. This elegantly box pressed torpedo features the famous "rosado" wrapper, trademark of Nick’s Cigar Co. plantation in Ecuador. The Perdomo Reserve X features a blend of Nicaraguan filler and binder and four-year-old Ecuadorian wrapper box pressed to perfection. Cigar Aficionado calls this cigar a "box pressed torpedo with a perfect draw," and rates it a 92. We just call it a dream come true!
Our final feature of the month comes from the adored Punch line of cigars. Handmade in Cofradia, Honduras since 1969, the line features Cuban seed tobaccos grown in Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. This month’s Punch Grand Cru Robusto comes from the most coveted Punch line of cigars. The Grand Cru Robusto is made from vintage tobaccos aged from 3 to 5 years under the supervision of Villazon & Co.’s master blenders. The 88 rated Robusto provides a robust taste and marvelous bouquet.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes in the New Year! |
