MARCH 2000

6" x 46

Since its recent inception in March of 1996, Havana Sunrise has quickly advanced into the top tier of the premium cigar category, garnering many fans with its medium-bodied yet smooth flavor and excellent construction.  The entire product line is manufactured at their new factory, located in the heart of Little Havana, in Miami, Florida.  Each cigar is crafted from a unique and premium blend of choice Cuban seed tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Ecuador, meticulously hand-rolled by their staff of Cuban Master Rollers and aged in Spanish Cedar in traditional Cuban fashion.  These medium-to-full-bodied cigars are custom made to provide an exceptionally rich flavor and aroma to satisfy even the most discriminating connoisseur.  Our panel really liked both the natural and maduro wrappers and we know you're going to enjoy the Grand Corona featured.

Binder:  Honduran Olor
Filler:  Dominican Republic Piloto  
Wrapper:  Sumatran-seed Ecuadorian – CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10):  6
Panel Rating:  88

Notes from the Panel:

This entire line is extremely well constructed and the Robusto is no exception.  We found it smooth to the touch, offering a perfect draw and consistent, gray-white ash.  It is definitely aged properly.  We picked up hints of coffee bean, hazelnut and a peppery spiciness all encompassed by a wonderful creaminess.  We also picked up some cedar-woodiness.  This is a very complex and truly enjoyable cigar.  Consider pairing it with a single malt scotch or an XO cognac.

6" x 50

"Pepin," as he was known, was originally manager of the Cabanas factory in Havana, but unhappy at its imminent takeover by American Tobacco, he resigned in 1903 to branch out on his own.  Using his savings, he bought a little-known factory which, since 1875, had made cigars called Romeo y Julieta solely for the Cuban domestic market.  But he had bigger ideas, and encouraging his employees by distributing 30 percent of profits to heads of department, he traveled the world promoting the brand.  Within two years, with his 1,400 workers, he had to move to a larger factory. 

  The Dominican Republic-produced Romeo y Julieta cigars are produced with both Connecticut shade and Colorado Maduro Cameroon wrappers.  Both types are very highly rated in several publications ranging from the high 80's to mid 90's in Cigar Aficionado. Enjoy! 

Binder:  U.S.A. Connecticut Olor
Filler:  Dominican/Brazilian Piloto Cubano
Wrapper:  Indonesia/Camaroon-CO Maduro
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10):  7
Panel Rating:  95

Notes from the Panel: 

First off, you'll note an appealing oily sheen on this cigar's wrapper.  We found it impeccably constructed, offering a very easy draw and cool, slow burn.  Note a pronounced spiciness as well as traces of cocoa in this creamy medium to full-bodied smoke.  Look for a pleasant aroma and billows of smoke. Overall, a full tasting, perfectly constructed Toro.  It is everything that you would expect of a classic brand.  We'd suggest pairing it with some hot mulled wine.

6.25" x 54

The Don Danilo line is rolled in Villa Gonzalez in Santiago, Dominican Republic and made from a three-blend aged Cuban-seed and Dominican long filler tobacco and binder. Each cigar produced undergoes a twelve-point quality control inspection that stems from tobacco selection through the final packaging process.  The Don Danilo line is available in 4 shapes & sizes.  Our panel favored the Torpedo and that's what you'll have the opportunity to sample this month.  The line has been highly rated in Smoke Magazine, Wine & Dine, and Cigar Lovers.  

Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Indonesian Seed Dominican – EMS
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 7
Panel Rating: 89

Notes from the Panel:  

We found the Don Danilo Torpedo to be an aesthetically appealing smoke, offering a slightly oily, well-rolled cigar with just the right firmness.  Note an effortless draw and even burn.  This cigar held its ash very well.  Look for a very smooth, rich, mild to medium-bodied tasting cigar with slightly sweet character.  We found the aroma to be very pleasant, but not overwhelming.  Overall, a nicely rounded, rich and satisfying smoke. We'd suggest pairing it with a big cup of hot buttered Rum.  

6.5" x 44

In the spring of 1997 Nicole Miller and CE-GAR, Inc. entered into a licensing agreement for a new line of premium cigars and cigar accessories and the Nicole Miller Couture Collection was born. Bud Konheim, Nicole Miller CEO, personally approved the blend: Dominican Piloto Cubana filler, Dominican olor binder and a Sumatran wrapper.  The line is manufactured by MTR Tobacco in the Dominican Republic.  The collection consists of five sizes (each with an  individualized designer band!):  The Gran Amour (Torpedo), Extravaganza (Churchill), Aristocrat (Lonsdale), Masterpiece (Robusto) and Black Tie (Corona Extra).  The line received high marks in Smoke Magazine and at Cigarweekly.com and our panel was impressed with all of the samples reviewed.     

Binder:  Dominican Olor
Filler:  Dominican Piloto Cubano
Wrapper:  Indonesia/Sumatran –CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10):  5.5
Panel Rating:  90

Notes from the Panel:

We were impressed with the pre-smoke aesthetics of this cigar.  The ruddy wrapper has an appealing oily sheen.  It looks to be well made.  No soft spots and substantial in the hand.  Note a very easy draw and perfect burn.  Note a light aroma and mild flavor.  A great morning or mid day smoke.  Look for hints of leather and cedar with a trace of saltiness evident.  Overall, a very enjoyable, relaxing, extremely well constructed smoke.  Consider pairing it with a hoppy pale ale or just with a cup of coffee to start the day off.  

6" x 54

Although not in Cuban origin, this Nicaraguan handmade is definitely an appealing, complex line of smokes.  A relatively new offering from Miami cigar maker Nick Perdomo, this line has a very full body and plenty of flavor.  Between the densely packed Nicaraguan tobacco and its sharply tapered shape concentrating the smoke against your tongue, you'll really enjoy the full tobacco taste of these cigars. 

Nick's Cuban Bullet line is a powerhouse arsenal of handmade "mini-torpedoes".  Comprised of specially aged and cured Nicaraguan tobacco and a Colorado wrapper from Ecuador, the Cuban Bullet is available in 5 sizes:  three torpedoes, a 50 gauge Churchill and 5 x 50 robusto.   

Binder: Nicaraguan Cubano Olor
Filler: Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Wrapper: Ecuador – CO
Strength (Mild 1, Full 10): 5
Panel Rating: 91

Notes from the Panel:

Our favorite of the Cuban bullets sampled.  Another very well-made cigar from as solid a brand as we've seen.  Note aesthetically pleasing silky Colorado brown wrapper.  Again, this one starts out sweet and creamy, but builds character in the first ten minutes and doesn't hold back until your finished.  Note a full, complex body with a distinct cedar character, a slight sweetness and long earthy finish. Overall, wonderfully made cigar, thoroughly enjoyable with plenty of flavor.  Consider pairing this one with a dry Chardonnay or dry German Pilsner.  

Tobacco Bits
 

HARVEST TIME - Tobacco seedlings are ready for the first harvest, or priming, 45 days after they are placed into the ground.  At that time, 2 to 4 leaves are removed by hand from the plant.  An average tobacco plant will undergo roughly six primings in its growth period, eventually yielding anywhere from 8 to 16 leaves that will be made into cigars. 

PICK OF THE LITTER - After the harvest, which can take anywhere from 20 to 40 days, tobacco leaves are sorted for curing.  Only leaves that are free of insect holes, sunspots, and blemishes make the first cut, and they must also have the right texture and construction to be chosen.  Veins must be intact and the leaves themselves must be thickly textured and slightly shiny.  Leaves that are too dry, too damp, or pockmarked are given to producers of seconds or machine-made cigars.  

LIGHTING TIPS - When you're ready to light up, be sure that the flame never actually touches the cigar.  Slowly char the foot of the cigar until it blackens, then place the cigar in your mouth, drawing lightly on the cigar while rotating it over the flame.  Contact with the flame could potentially "flavor" the cigar with residue from the lighter or match you are using.  

LIGHTING UP - When lighting your cigar, never put the tip directly into the flame.  Hold the cigar at an angle to the flame and puff gently, rotating the cigar as you do so.  Eventually the flame should leap up to the cigar.  Continue to puff and rotate until the diameter of the tip of the cigar is glowing.  Blow through the cigar to loosen any trapped smoke, then blow on the lit end to make sure it is completely lit.  If any portion remains unlit (it doesn't glow when you blow on it), try lighting it again, rotating the cigar so the unlit area is exposed to the flame.  Remember, never put the cigar into the flame.