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Featured Selections
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Dominican Republic
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6" x 50
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Founded in 1844 by Herman Upmann, a German banker, the brand was originally rolled in Cuba and then distributed by Mr. Upmann to his best customers as a promotion. Later, it became one of the most popular Cuban brands smoked in the world. Today, both the Cuban and Dominican versions are some of the most recognizable and highly rated cigars in the world. The Dominican version featured this month first became available in the U.S. beginning in 1975. Originally developed with a Cameroon wrapper and Dominican filler and binder, the cigar is now wrapped in Indonesian shade grown leaf and rolled using a blend of Olor and Cuban seed Piloto Cubano tobacco.
The wrapper has a silky feel to the touch, although it is a bit grainy as you run your fingers across it. While overall it is a medium-bodied cigar, the taste is full, smooth and mellow. A touch of sweetness on the lips and in the aroma, make it a great cigar to have with dessert.
Strenth: 4
Panel Rating: 95
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5 Pack:
$24.00
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Box of 25:
$95.50
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Dominican Republic
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6" x 50
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La Perla Habana is one of the most coveted labels in cigar history. Two of the industry's most respected entrepreneurs took it upon themselves to recreate this
well-known Cuban brand in the Dominican Republic. We think they've done an exceptional job with this highly rated line right down to the level of detail in
re-creating the band to exacting standards.
The line featured this month was reborn almost a century after it was first produced. Sergio Cuevas and Doug Wood have created a cigar in which commitment,
quality, and flavor are the sole concerns. Using closely guarded techniques to age and blend the tobaccos, these men have produced a cigar that is worthy of the
name, the Pearl of Habana. The entire line has been rated between 88 and 91 in Cigar Aficionado and well deserving of such praise in our opinion.
This is a solidly constructed toro. We found it substantial in the hand and offering excellent construction. Handmade from long-filler leaves from the Dominican Republic, a Besuki binder, and Connecticut wrapper. La Perla's toro has an easy draw and consistent burn. We really liked the smoke volume and aroma. Note a sweet woodiness with perhaps some hints of pepper. A fairly complex flavor profile. It certainly picked up body as you got into the smoke. Overall, a solid smoke. Great taste and construction. Consider pairing it with a well-aged Cabernet.
Strenth: 5
Panel Rating: 91
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5 Pack:
$24.00
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Box of 20:
$92.50
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The E. Trinidad Churchill by Sosa is handmade in the USA - in "Little Havana" Miami, FL to be exact. These cigars are the product of over 180 years of combined cigar making experience by the Sosa and Trinidad families. Juan B. Sosa, master cigar blender, heads up the manufacturing and distribution of these cigars, through the Antillian Cigar Corporation. Antillian sells five brands; three from the Dominican Republic - Sosa, Sosa Family Selection, and Macabi; Royal Honduras from, well, Honduras; and Imperio Cubano, which are made in the Little Havana region of Miami. This Churchill is hand made with an Ecuadorian-grown Sumatran wrapper, Dominican filler, and Indonesian binder. It is a full bodied cigar that is well made with a smooth oily wrapper. A rich, delicious cigar. Look for a medium bodied, complex leather character and roasted coffee bean undertones. Some sweet spices and hints of ripe fruit were also noted.
Strenth: 4
Panel Rating: 90
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5 Pack:
$21.00
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Box of 30:
$78.50
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Dominican Republic
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7" x 48
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Carlos Torano's St. Charles line was originally designed as a top-flight smoke. Near the end of the cigar boom, it slowly dropped off the market; due to an overwhelming influx of new brands that flooded the marketplace. This sent this brand, along with several hundred other brands to the big ashtray in the sky. This Churchill hails from one of the finest cigar tobacco-growing regions in the world - the luscious green valley of Cibao in the Dominican Republic. The St. Charles cigar factory is located in the small town of Navarette and produces many well known brands sold throughout the US. This St. Charles Churchill is a mild to medium body smoke with a rich flavor. One very interesting thing about this cigar is the subtle taste of brandy. While they are being aged in the cedar lined rooms, 100 year old brandy is imbued to give the cigar a very subtle taste. Look for an aroma to be a combination of creamy nutmeg, black pepper and a touch of chocolate. Expect an almost creamy, chocolaty taste to complement the robust tobacco flavor.
Strenth: 5
Panel Rating: 92
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5 Pack:
$23.00
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Box of 25:
$87.50
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When you think Andy Warhol, you think premium cigar, right? Right? Not exactly! But don't let that scare ya! This line was introduced at the tail end of the cigar boom with a lot of fanfare and money, and within a year or two it became harder and harder to find. The sad part about the story is that it's a damn good cigar. It´s another deal similar to the Sinatra cigar story: a company decided to license the Warhol name, pay Felipe Gregorio to make a top-notch cigar, then sell the cigars in some elaborate glass boxes, with each size featuring a different Warhol image on each band.
The Warhol Churchill featured this month was hand rolled in Nicaragua using a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Note a very attractive Connecticut shade wrapper encasing a densely packed, elegant cigar. No soft spots what so ever and the draw is flawless. Our panel found it very smooth and medium to full-bodied. Overall, a very well made cigar. Very smooth and great taste. Try smoking it with a dry vodka martini, a blonde wig and some weird sunglasses.
Strenth: 7
Panel Rating: 92
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5 Pack:
$21.00
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Box of 25:
$78.50
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