FEBRUARY 2003

Torpedo

6" x 50

The origins of the name of this cigar date back to the days of Christopher Columbus. Chief Caonabo was a brave warrior and leader of what is now known as the Cibao Region of the Dominican Republic. He led his people in the resistance against Columbus for over three years before being captured and imprisoned. It seems appropriate that the founder of the Caonabo Cigar line featured this month was himself also a leader and rebel not dissimilar to Chief Caonabo. Manuel Dominguez worked side-by-side with Castro in the 1950's, a guerilla fighting the Bastida regime in Cuba's mountainsides. He was named Deputy Minister of Communication soon after Castro came into power and when informed of the dictator's infidelity with Russia, tried to escape the island with one of Castro's personal helicopters. A gunfight killed several of his comrades and he himself was wounded and then placed in a Cuban prison for 26 years. After President Regan negotiated asylum in the U.S. for Dominguez, he began to build his cigar production operations in the Dominican Republic. We know that you will enjoy this exceptional cigar inspired by two exceptional men. This torpedo's binder and filler are from the Dominican Republic with a Connecticut Shade wrapper. This cigar offers a complex, full-flavored, medium-bodied smoke. Look for superb construction and an effortless draw. We found its flavor to start slightly peppery with both sweet and spicy notes to round it out. An amazingly long ash indicates that the tobacco was properly aged. You're gonna love it. Try it with a hearty Scotch Ale after a big meal.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  94

Robusto

5" x 50

This is one of the finest cigars produced by CAO. It is a limited edition of only 6,000 boxes to be sold in the United States. CAO unquestionably has earned the reputation as a manufacturer of superior cigars and it seems that they've pulled out all the stops on this one. This tobacco blend was crafted using extensively aged, top-tier tobaccos and packaged in beautifully hand-painted and hand-numbered boxes. Each cigar is individually wrapped in cedar. The wrapper is Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade, the binder is Nicaraguan-grown Habano-seed, and the filler is a complex blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Mexican tobaccos. This is a very complex cigar that is medium to full bodied. We found it to be loaded with creamy, spicy flavors, with hints of vanilla and cedar. Look for it to mellow nicely about a third of the way through and offer plenty of smoke volume. An excellent choice to pair with a full bodied cabernet or Barleywine style ale.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  95

Churchill

7" x 47

Regalos cigars are handmade in Honduras using a blend of all Cuban-seed tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic, the most mountainous regions of Honduras, and in the Jalapa region of Nicaragua. This line of cigars has received high marks and is recommended by both Cigar Aficionado and Smoke magazines. We found the Churchill featured this month to offer a very complex, flavorful, and thoroughly enjoyable smoking experience. Look for a smooth buttery wrapper with an appealing oily sheen in this very well-constructed cigar. It was very evenly wrapped with no soft spots and solid without being hard. We found it started smooth and mellow and then built to offer loads of creamy, full flavor. Note great billows of smoke on every draw but, surprisingly, the aroma was fairly light. Overall this is a great smoke for all tastes. Initiates to the maduro will appreciate the subtle creaminess that doesn't overpower; while experienced smokers will enjoy the medium-to-full-bodied flavor this cigar imparts. Consider smoking it with a heavy ale or brandy.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  94

Churchill

7.25" x 50

The Signature Collection, introduced back in the 1990s, was one of the finest new brands of cigars introduced in that decade. They were consistently acclaimed by Cigar Aficionado and, at one time, they were ranked among the top 40 brands in the world. This Churchill is wrapped in a smooth Ecuadorian leaf with long leaf fillers from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The Signature Collection line of cigars are aged an extra 5 years and offer a mellow, medium bodied experience. Look for a pleasantly sweet flavor with undertones of spice and earthy characteristics. A couple of our panel members even said they tasted some espresso and nutmeg! Our first reaction was, "You guys have gotta be smokin' something!"… and then we realized that obviously… they were! Overall, this a well balanced cigar that is very enjoyable to smoke at any time of the day. This may sound like an odd pairing, but consider firing it up with a wee bit of peppermint schnapps on the rocks.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  93

Corona Gorda

5.5" x 46

High in the mountains of Honduras' Copan lays the city of Santa Rosa. And located in Santa Rosa, you'll find the La Flor de Copan Cigar Co., manufacturers of fine cigars since 1964. In 1961, the first Havana seed tobacco plantations were started in the Copan region and soon a group of experienced tobacco growers were able to consistently demonstrate that they were capable of growing a fine quality product with Havana seed. A few years later, Jorge Bueso founded La Flor De Copan and introduced the Santa Rosa Line. Who can resist the sweet smelling Ecuadorian wrapper encasing this all-Honduran blend? This is a very well made cigar with very rich and tasty flavor. Look for a somewhat sweet and pleasant aroma. Look for some nice ripe fruit flavors followed by an earthy, woody finish. An excellent accompaniment to your favorite oaky Chardonnay.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  89