SEPTEMBER 1998

4.5" x 54

Great Buy! Suggested Retail: $132.00

6 1/4" x 44

6" x 50

5.5" x 43

7" x 47

Greetings from the Humidor

There’s never a dull moment here at The Cigar Renaissance. Our September shipment features all new brands from the hottest manufacturers in the business.

With continued tribute to the " year of the torpedo" we’ve got another unique shape within this premier class of cigars. The La Flor Dominicana El Jocko Perfecto No. 2 is a petit figurado from the world famous La Flor Dominicana factory. The couple owned company has spared no expense in the production of their cigars at their state-of-the-art facility in Tamboril, outside Santiago, the capital of cigar manufacturing in the Dominican Republic. Producing more than 3 million cigars a year while seated in ergonomically designed chairs, the 43 rollers are treated like "friends" and "artists," and are handsomely compensated for their exquisite work. Formerly known as the Los Liberatadores brand, the La Flor Dominicana El Jocko offers the finest Cuban-seed tobaccos from the Cibao Valley of the Dominican Republic wrapped in a silky Connecticut shade wrapper. The El Jocko Perfecto No. 2 was recently rated 92 by Cigar Aficionado.

Our second feature comes from the world class Davidoff company. Their most recent line, Match Play has been receiving fantastic reviews as of late. We thought to include nothing but the best of their sizes for golfers and non-golfers alike. The 88 rated Match Play St. Andrews Lonsdale is a medium-bodied cigar hand-made in the Dominican Republic using a balanced blend of four distinctly different tobaccos, and enhanced by a Connecticut seed wrapper for a truly unique smoke.

Our next feature, the Mayorga Toro, has been on our minds for almost a year, after receiving rave reviews from SMOKE Magazine. Noted as a "Highly Recommended" cigar, the Mayorga de Segovia Toro is a true puro blend, with all three components (filler, binder, and wrapper) originating from Nicaraguan soil. It is the first-ever blend to introduce a shade grown Nicaraguan wrapper to the U.S. market. Production of this blend is extremely limited, as this high-grade, silky wrapper is one of a kind. This blend provides smooth, rich flavors with the subtle spiciness one has come to expect from fine Nicaraguan tobaccos.

When it comes to "highly rated" and "hard-to-find" cigars, you can’t come any closer than our fourth feature of the month. Ever since it received a 91 rating from Cigar Aficionado, the Montesino Diplomatico has become near extinct. Finally, we have gathered enough to feature it in the cigar club for the first time ever! Hand-rolled by the superb craftsmen of the Fuente factory in Santiago, DR, the Diplomatico offers high quality construction, great taste, and a modest price tag, for overall excellent value.

Not to pat ourselves on the back too hard, but what the hell. We are the heavy-weight champions of the world when it comes to cigar of the month clubs. No other club can offer La Flor Dominicana, Match Play, Mayorga, Montesino, and oh yes, Savinelli baby! The Savinelli family of cigars ranks among the most prestigious, well respected, and highly coveted cigars in the world. It’s also happens to be the cigar of choice in the White House. And let’s just say that Monica hasn’t been bad for business either. Enjoy the 90 rated Savinelli Oro 750 Churchill from the Dominican Republic.

Happy Smoking!

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

The federal government has dropped its case against two of the nine men arrested in New York City last month and charged with purchasing Cuban cigars. More dismissals may be on the way.

Last Thursday, charges were dismissed against Michael Dana, an investment banker with financial firm Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Dana had been charged with violating the Trading with the Enemy Act by purchasing 28 boxes of Havana cigars for $14,890. On August 21, the government dropped its case against John Steinhardt, head of U.S. securities for Chase Manhattan Bank, who had been charged with purchasing $12,535 (22 boxes) worth of Cuban Cohibas, Montecristos, Partagas and Bolivars.

"Most of these guys were just mere consumers," said James McGuire, a former U.S. attorney who is representing Dana and Jeffrey Kelter, a Philadelphia-based real estate developer who was also charged. "Mr. Dana is very relieved the charges have been dropped, and he's looking forward to getting on with his life." McGuire told CA Online that the government will soon dismiss the charges against Kelter as well.

The "Cohiba Nine," as they were dubbed by New York's tabloid media, were arrested in a high-profile sting operation that stemmed from the April arrest of Andrzej Moszynski, a commercial properties manager from Darien, Connecticut. U.S. Customs agents stumbled on the cigar smuggling operation while investigating Moszynski for allegedly smuggling illegal anabolic steroids. When apprehended, Moszynski had Cuban cigars in addition to steroids, according to court documents. Moszynski and an unnamed female accomplice then cooperated with federal agents as they built their case against the nine men over the next several months. The sting unfolded from August 5 to 9, as agents stormed a posh Manhattan restaurant and a private men's club, arresting Wall Street executives, real estate developers and affluent entrepreneurs charged with buying more than $500,000 worth of Cuban cigars from the woman, who was reportedly called Jennifer Corona by her customers.

Jason Sheftell, CA