JULY 1998

5" x 50

Smooth CT shade wrapper, well filled with a supple feel that allows for a full draw. Burns evenly producing a solid gray/white ash. This is an astoundingly spicy cigar with rich toast and wheat elements and earthy highlights.

6.5" x 44

Exceptionally constructed. Dark natural wrapper with a light rustic feel and some tooth present. Burns beautifully producing a solid white ash. A slightly firm draw makes this a mild cigar with sweet nut flavor, light pepper, and cedar notes. Hints of cocoa were also noted in the finish. A perfect indoor smoke. Rated 88 by CA.

5" x 50

Very well constructed. A dark, oily wrapper with a sandy feel. This cigar draws like a dream; seemless, as if on its own. A rich medium-bodied cigar offering deep earthy flavors with sweet spices, a touch of burnt coffee bean, and a hint of tea leaves.

5 5/8" x 46

A beautiful, chocolate-brown, colorado maduro cigar. A slow burning cigar of delicious flavors from the first puff. Solid maduro flavors consisting of cocoa bean, spice character, and burnt toast flavor. Rated 87 by Cigar Aficionado.

6" x 52

Greetings from the Humidor

"Deliver our members the very best. Keep the selections current. Make sure that even the most discriminating cigar smoker receives the highest level of satisfaction. And keep it within the budget!" That’s what they tell us over here at The Cigar Renaissance. It seems like a never ending challenge. People running around, panelists submitting their ratings, and smoke everywhere. Well, when the smoke settles and I take a look at what they’ve come up, it is simply amazing. "They’ve done it again." So here it is, once again.

Our first feature of the month, interestingly enough, comes from a humidor manufacturer. Now this is not some small time outfit that decided it would be a good idea to have a cigar with the company’s label on it. No, Daniel Marshall takes pride in everything they do. Since establishing his first workshop in 1983, DANIEL MARSHALL has created and private labeled for prestigious luxury gift houses such as Alfred Dunhill, Tiffany, S.T. Dupont, Fred Joaillier, Harrods, Garrard's of London to name a few, as well as serving the gift and personal demands of private clients that include four royal families, entertainment executives, captains of industry, well known performers and many special individuals who value his artistry in wood. Mr. Marshall has applied his commitment to investments in pleasure and excellence in artistry to a cigar worthy of carrying the Daniel Marshall name. Consistently recognized for it’s high ratings, this month’s Daniel Marshall Robusto from the Dominican Republic is a cigar that’s sure to put hair on your chest!

Our second feature comes from the most highly regarded Don Tomas line: the International Selection. This month’s International Selection No. 1 features an all-Cuban seed blend of tobaccos from Honduras. It’s exquisite myriad of mild flavors will appeal to the novice smoker and provide enough complexity to please the aficionado. The Don Tomas International Selection No. 1 also received an 88 rating in the latest issue of Cigar Aficionado Magazine.

The benefits of the cigar club are obvious. It’s a perfect opportunity to sample the best cigars from hundreds of manufacturers around the world. Well, in some cases it’s a shame that we cannot repeat a cigar brand more often. Such is the case with the Flor de Florez family of cigars. Their cigars continually meet the highest standards in every line they produce. In any case, we’re proud to have them apart of our selection once again. This month’s Flor de Florez cigar comes from the Dominican Republic under the El Rey de Florez line. The El Rey de Florez Robusto is a must smoke for any cigar smoker. It epitomizes the exemplary blends still coming out the Dominican. Whether you smoke it first or smoke it last, just make sure you smoke it soon, ‘cause they will not be around for long.

If you’re relatively new to cigars you may not of heard of it, but if you’ve been smoking for a while, and you’ve tried it, I’m sure you have a deep affection for our 4 ^th feature of the month. Oh Henry! Undoubtedly named for the famous American politician of the same name (U.S. Senator from Kentucky 1806-07, 1810-11, 1831-42, 1849-52; U.S. representative and Speaker of the House 1811-14, 1815-21, 1823-25; U.S. Secretary of State 1825-29), this brand has been more adored than any chocolate bar. The Henry Clay brand originated in Cuba, and is now a Dominican cigar with filler and binder of that island and an excellent Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper. Available in only 3 sizes, we selected only the best. This month’s Henry Clay Brevas a la Conserva Maduro is one of the best reminders of the cigars we smoked in Cuba this year. See for yourself and order quickly.

I could probably begin my final review with a repeat of the Flor de Florez scenario, however, the reasons for not featuring our last feature of the month are different: you CAN’T GET ENOUGH. First introduced in 1995, the blending talents of Rolando Reyes are again at work in Puros Indios cigars. Leaves from five nations are blended by hand in Honduras to create a cigar that’s not only recognized for its supreme flavor, but also its scarcity. The latest batch of this month’s Puros Indios Corona Gorda is big enough to satisfy the any palate craving colossal flavor.

Happy Smoking!