FEBRUARY 1999

4.5" x 50

Great Buy! Suggested Retail:  $156.00

7" x 46

6" x 43

Great Buy! Suggested Retail:  $123.60

7.5" x 50

Great Buy! Suggested Retail:  $175.00

6.5" x 54

  Great Buy!  Suggested Retail:  $168.75

Greetings from the Humidor

Delivered to you with love, this month’s selections offer style in an array of shapes, grandeur in their aristocratic bands, ratings through the roof, and an overall appearance that’s more appealing than a box of chocolates.

Just as the introduction of super-premium brands has lost their ability to create sizable demand, Aristoff has challenged the likes of big names such as COHIBA, Montecristo, Partagas, and Macanudo. Aristoff offers a line different than a traditional composition of Chuchill, Robusto, Corona , and Lonsdale sizes. Aristoff has approached the marketplace with a strictly perfecto and torpedo line of cigars. Their hand-crafted masterpieces are built upon the traditions of Britain set forth over a century ago. Since their recent debut, Aristoff has received nothing but rave reviews from SMOKE and Cigar Aficionado. Besides being one of the easiest cigars to light (just heat the tip), this months 450S "short story" Special Perfecto wrapped in a Cameroon wrapper is short and shaweeeeet !

For those who love Cuban cigars, the Canary Islands of Spain offer a legal and inexpensive solution. Formerly produced in the Dominican Republic, Casa Martin moved its production of cigars to the Canary Islands in 1996. The switch seems to have made all the difference. With an Ecuador-grown, Connecticut seed wrapper, Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, and a Mexican binder, this month’s 87 rated Casa Martin Churchill rivals some of the world’s most sought after Cuban cigars!

One of the major quality issues that needs to be seriously addressed in the cigar industry is "aging." All cigars are automatically aged with the manufacture before release into the marketplace, but most all cigars will receive great benefit from even short term aging (3-6 months). Despite the benefits differing between blends, the additional aging is most often recognizable. To get to the point, we love well aged cigars – "vintages" if you’re really serious! Here at The Cigar Renaissance we are very proud to bring you a cigar blended with the finest Dominican filler and binder tobaccos, aged to perfection and surrounded by the best Connecticut seed wrapper from Ecuador: the Fonseca Vintage Cetro . This cigar is the epitome of "universal enjoyment." It simply makes the moment!

It seems that the Brits are making some headway into the U.S. cigar industry. Despite a different kind of "rich heritage" of conquests and royalty, their cigars are making an impact. Our fourth feature of the month comes from the makers of Montague . Montague begins their story with the commercial cultivation of tobaccos resulting from Columbus’ voyage, and the Spanish vessels used to transport tobaccos and long fillers by sea to many parts of the world. This introductory role is mirrored in the Montague Coat-of-Arms. The vertical bent lines (in the form of a V) represent shipping. The colors black and red (sables and gules) are common in heraldry. The mural Crown has been a symbol of self-governing cities in the Old World since the 18 ^th century. The flanking hummingbirds date back to pre-Conquest times where they appeared in the Inca civilization. They were sacred to the growing season. Gran Reserva means the ultimate in premium brands. Additionally, Montague’s semicircular cigar band mimics a "Spanish Shield." Not only a well thought-out band, but a fantastic line of cigars. They’ve spared no expense in the creation of their line and judging from the rave reviews from Cigar Aficionado and SMOKE, it shows! This month’s Montague Corona No. 1 is a claro Churchill from Indonesia with a smooth, well-balanced blend guaranteed to please!

Our fifth batter-up is Sosa ! We can see it now, cigar lovers all over the country doing the wave from their smoking chairs. It’s the Sosa Piramide No. 2 and it scored a 93 in Cigar Aficionado making it the highest rated torpedo in the world! Originally produced in Miami in 1964 then in the Dominican Republic in 1974, this cigar bears the name of one Juan Sosa. Sorry Sammy. This is one cigar that speaks for itself. Enjoy it to the bone.

Do we deliver, or what?!

Happy Smoking!

Hygrometer Highlights
(issues to keep an eye on & interesting topics)

The NBA's Cigar-Friendly Arenas

With the National Basketball Association lockout ended and a shortened season upon us, the bad vibes that have surrounded the dormant league for months are slowly giving way to a sense of anticipation for the post-Jordan era. For cigar smokers, though, the big question isn't whether the Bulls can win without Michael and Scottie, or whether Latrell Sprewell can keep his hands of Jeff Van Gundy's neck, or even whether Rodman's still married. No, the big question for cigar smokers is, "Where can I light up at halftime?"

Lucky for us Cigar Aficionado contacted every NBA team to find out. First the bad news: not a single arena in the Western Conference has even a designated smoking area, much less a spot that caters specifically to cigar lovers. Fortunately, things are a little better in the Eastern Conference. Here's the situation, broken out by division.

Atlantic Division Two of the seven teams in this division, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards, have bars that sell cigars.

At the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Holt's Cigar Club and the Red Bell Microbrewery downstairs are legitimate cigar havens. While the club is accessible to members only (memberships are $400 per year), Red Bell is open to everyone.

In Washington, the MCI Center is home not only to the Wizards, but also to the Velocity Grill. It's the only designated smoking area in the building, so Velocity is often crowded before, during and after the game. It opens two hours prior to tip-off and has live music after most games.

Central Division The Central is the most cigar-friendly division, though no smokes are sold at its arenas. The Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers permit smoking in the concourse areas of their arenas, so don't hesitate to bring a few robustos for halftime.

Same goes for Cleveland Cavaliers ticketholders. Along with a sports bar that allows smoking, Cleveland's Gund Arena has tented outdoor areas equipped with televisions.

The Georgia Dome also caters to cigar smokers. The temporary home of the Hawks (until next season, when the Atlanta Arena opens), the Dome offers smoking areas on every level and in two restaurants, the In-Zone Restaurant and Kickers. The In-Zone is for Club Level ticket holders only, but Kickers is open to everyone. Neither restaurant sells cigars, but both allow fans to fire up their own.

Cigar smoking is also welcome at the Palace Grille in the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the Detroit Pistons play. A restaurant with a lounge and televised game coverage, the Palace is open two hours before and after games. Cigars are not sold, but will be in the future, according to Palace spokeswoman Erica Packard. Fans can also light up in new outdoor smoking tents, which will include televisions and bars to accommodate guests.

Midwest and Pacific Division (the Western Conference) If you're a cigar lover and a fan of any of the 14 teams in the Western Conference, leave your smokes at home--unless you're willing to head outside for a few puffs. Not a single arena allows smoking inside.

-Mike Marsh, Cigar Aficionado