OCTOBER 2002

Churchill

7" x 50

The Astral line is handmade in the cigar making mecca of Danli, Honduras. The Astral brand is a highly recognized and praised brand, known for its mild-to-medium body. The Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade wrapper gives the Phoenix featured this month an elegant appearance, with silky espresso and cream flavors. We found this Churchill to have a good draw, a perfect burn, and plenty of smoke volume. Look for a pleasant cedar aroma, followed by a somewhat sweet, woody, earthy character, finishing on a spicy, woody note. Astral has been consistently highly rated in Cigar Aficionado and Smoke Magazine and we know that you're going to enjoy this elegant, well-made cigar. Overall, a great smoke that would be complemented nicely with an oaky chardonnay.

Strenth:  4
Panel Rating:  94

Corona

5" x 42

The Baccarat Vintage Casino is manufactured by Tobacos Rancho Jamastran, deep in the heart of the Jamastran Valley of Honduras. This region has the perfect soil and a similar climate to Cuba's renowned Vuelta Abajo region. The company started over 25 years ago and now employs more than 3,300 people and will produce more than 15 million cigars this year, including the La Fontana and Camacho brands. The tasty corona you'll sample this month is handmade in Honduras from Honduran long fill, Mexican binder tobaccos and a Honduran wrapper. Look for a very mild smoke with a smooth taste and hints of coffee flavors. Look for excellent construction and an effortless draw. Overall, quite satisfying and fun to smoke. Try smoking this Corona with a full-bodied dry roasted stout or a single malt scotch.

Strenth:  5
Panel Rating:  92

Robusto

5" x 54

The Bohemian Red Corojo Robusto is manufactured by Victor Sinclair Cigars and hand rolled in the Dominican Republic by Jose Dominguez. One of the most interesting features of this cigar is the bright-red Corojo wrapper. This wrapper was not dyed to achieve this color; what you see is in fact the natural color of the wrapper. Note an aesthetically beautiful cigar, constructed of delicious long filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. We found it a medium to full bodied smoke, providing lots of rich tobacco flavor. Look for an easy draw with a spicy, pleasing aroma up front. Its flavor offers some spiciness paired with a wonderful cedar flavor. Note plenty of smoke volume. We loved it! Consider pairing it with your favorite single malt scotch.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  90

Churchill

7" x 52

The Habana Gold line has gone through some fairly extreme changes in the last few years...fortunately, for the better…in our opinion from somewhat of a "dog rocket" to a very enjoyable cigar. The only thing that is still the same as the "old" cigar is the name. This Churchill is now made by the same makers of Astral, at a new factory in Honduras, with a new blend of tobacco. The Habana Gold is a medium bodied cigar with an attractive Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade wrapper. The filler is from Nicaragua and the binder from Ecuador. Look for an excellent floral character in the flavor along with a toasty note in the finish. If you like Churchills, this may become your next day-to-day smoke. Try pairing it with your favorite India Pale Ale or Margarita.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  89

Corona

6.6" x 42

The La Hoja Selecta #1 Corona is considered to be a perfect cigar for anyone wanting to make the transition from mild smokes to something a bit stronger. We found the La Hoja Selecta to be medium to full bodied. Note a handsome traditional Cuban style, box pressed presentation. It's hand made with Connecticut broadleaf binder tobaccos, a Dominican and Nicaraguan long leaf blend, and a beautiful Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade wrapper. Look for a hint of light toastiness in this cigar, followed by a dry finish. Overall, a nice companion with a hoppy Pale Ale.

Strenth:  6.5
Panel Rating:  90