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Greetings from the Humidor
So far Y2K has marked asignificant shaking of the tree. Manufacturers that have survived theglut of new brands are not only regaining composure, but are alsoresponding to a leaner marketplace with ingenuity. All of this month’sfeatures come from manufacturers that have made keeping a hand on thepulse of the consumer a top priority. We believe that their strength,longevity, and ingenuity are bringing better cigars to the marketplaceand your doorstep.
After a four-year hiatus,Cuba Aliados cigars are back in the marketplace. The Honduran cigars,prized for their oily wrappers and low prices, had been in limbo forfour years because of a lawsuit between the maker and distributor ofthe brand. Cuba Aliados Cigars Inc. alleged that Rothman (distributorof Cuba Aliados) wasn't paying for the cigars he received, and Rothmanfelt that Aliados wasn't shipping as many cigars as it claimed. Therelationship reached a breaking point in the summer of 1995, whenRolando Reyes Jr. unveiled Puros Indios at the annual industry tradeshow. The Reyes family stopped shipping Aliados to Rothman in April1995, and sued Rothman's company in December 1995. The lawsuit madelittle progress until this past July, when depositions began. In themeantime, Aliados cigars were kept off the market. On July 20,settlement talks began, and by October the two parties had ended theirbattle. Rothman's company received an undisclosed cash settlement anddelivery of at least 50,000 Cuba Aiados cigars per month. So how’sthe quality four years later? The resurrected Aliados are made to thebrand's original specifications and have received scores in a range of87 to 90 points in the Cigar Insider review. Let’s give a warmwelcome to this month’s first delicious feature:
Cuba AliadosMaduro Toro Deluxe
.
In April of 1999 we got ataste for a brand new line of cigars with a very promising future. Itseems our intuitions were correct. Habano Primero cigars are rolled bythe makers of Astral and Don Tomas in the Dominican Republic. Thecombination of an Indonesian wrapper, filler leaf from the DominicanRepublic, Brazil and Mexico and a Mexican binder give it a morefull-bodied flavor for the seasoned smoker. This month’s 89 rated
HabanoPrimero 365 Lonsdale
is the latest and greatest from HabanoPrimero. The ‘365’ cigars have been aged for one year prior toboxing.
Our third feature comes fromthe Havana Republic. If you’re wondering if you missed theestablishment of a new country do not fret. Havana Republic isprimarily a chain of fine tobacconists in Florida. The owners havespared no expense or sense of imagination in the creation of theirprivate smoking parlors. At the Havana Republic, members can relaxwith a fine cigar and enjoy their favorite cognac while listening tosome soothing music, or reading a good book. It appears that theHavana Republic spared no expense with the creation of their privateline of cigars. This month’s
Havana Republic Robusto
sportsa gorgeous dark Nicaraguan wrapper and an alluring box press. As forthe taste, you need not be sitting in an exclusive parlor, sippingyour favorite cognac and listening to Yanni to enjoy. It’s ahands-down winner!
Hand-made in Santiago,Dominican Republic, and respected since its introduction in 1903, LaAurora cigars enters into our line up with their very best.Interestingly enough, there’s nothing new about this month’s 89rated
La Aurora Robusto
. The blend has not changed, northe quality controls in its production. La Aurora is benefiting fromtime-honored traditions and some exceptionally good tobacco harvests.The connoisseur will not want to miss this unique opportunity to catchLa Aurora at its finest in several years.
It seems that the craze overthe Habana 2000 wrapper is still in its nascent stages. After hittingthe cigar market in February 1998, Habana 2000 was lauded by industryluminaries and continues to be the latest in wrapper innovation. Todate, a majority of brands employing the H2000 wrapper have beenreincarnations of defunct Cuban brands, but now makers of moreprestigious brands are jumping on the bandwagon. Among some of themost respected brands that have created secondary lines sporting theprized wrapper are Henry Clay, Montecristo, and now Santa Damiana.Industry insiders report that H2000 is truly one of the mostconsistent, supple, and flavorful wrappers ever. The H2000 cigars havealso caught on amongst a growing number of cigar smokers seeking aricher, more full-bodied smoke. And with all the hype, the H2000 doesseem to help revive brands encountering slower growth stages. Ourfinal feature is the lovely the
Santa Damiana Habana2000Belicoso
from the Dominican Republic. Say goodbye toConnecticut shade and say hello to H2000. This one will knock yoursocks off!
Happy Smoking!
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