Review by Jim Scarbrough

6/26/09

 

For this review, rather than review a cigar, or even a line, I thought I would cover J.C. Newman Cigar Co.'s “The Cigar Connoisseur Club”, which includes 4 Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sungrown cigars in the membership package.  For anyone not familiar with J.C. Newman, they own the Cuesta-Rey, La Unica, Diamond Crown, and the new El Baton brands.

 

La Unica has been noted by many reviewers as their favorite bundle cigar, rivaling some premiums for taste and quality.  Diamond Crown and the MAXIMUS line are considered among the finest super-premium brands.  El Baton received a 90 rating in the latest issue of We're Too Good for You magazine (aka Cigar Aficionado).  Cuesta-Rey is by far their best known line, however, and is available in Centro Fino Sungrown and Centenario (Conneticut Shade or maduro wrapper) versions.

 

The Centro Fino Sungrown is fashioned with a sun grown (duh) Sumatra seed wrapper grown in Ecuador and binder and filler of Dominican origin.  Manufactured for JCN by the Fuente family, it comes as no surprise that the CFSs have a flavor reminiscent of some of the higher end Fuente lines.  Having smoked several sizes, they tend to be medium or medium-full bodied with a pleasant taste and aroma.  Slightly sweet with hints of spices fading in and out, the CFS is entertaining without being distracting.  It's an impressive premium cigar, usually available at reasonable prices.

 

A Centro Fino sampler of 4 vitolas (No. 60, No. 9, No. 1, and aluminum-tubed Captiva) is available on the intrawebz for $25 - $35.  Packed in an attractive mini version of the full size box, it would make an excellent gift, but I found the cigars to be too delicious to consider not smoking them myself.

 

What makes it an outstanding bargain is J.C. Newman's Connoisseur Club.  For only $18, you get the Centro Fino Sungrown sampler, an expensive looking golf shirt with a “Cuesta Rey Centro Fino Sungrown” logo prominently embroidered on the left breast, a copy of JCN's The Wrapper glossy magazine/newsletter, and a welcome letter with a thin plastic membership card bearing your name, membership number, and expiration date.  Despite the low price, JCN donates a portion of the proceeds to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, helping children and families in the DR.  Anyone following the cigar industry is probably familiar with JCN's activism for cigar smoker's rights in the USA and their efforts to improve the quality of life for Dominicans.  Due to state attempts to squash smokers' rights, NY and CA residents cannot receive the cigars via mail.  There is a special membership package for residents living under either of those oppressive regimes.

 

You can get more info and join The Cigar Connoisseur Club at www.jcnewmancigarclub.com.  Even if you only want the cigars, you'd be hard pressed to find them for this price, even on auction sites.  Add in the shirt and helping a charitable cause and you're looking good and feeling good while you smoke them!

After Easter dinner, I fired up an old reliable cigar. I have been smoking this Nicaraguan puro for years. It has never disappointed and is well under-priced at two dollars a stick. The La Finca robusto is the best selling Nicaraguan puro of all-time. It was the first recipient of the Golden Monkey Award. If you have not tried one, you are missing the boat.

La Finca robusto measures 4.5  x 50 and comes in a box of 25 for just under $46. This is a great everyday smoke. It has a beautiful appearance with it's natural tan wrapper. It is tightly packed with Nicaraguan binder and long-fillers. However, the draw is still smooth and effortless. It maintains an even burn from start to finish. It holds a two-inch ash every time. This medium-bodied delight packs a powerful flavor of nut and spice. Again, with the increased tobacco taxes, you may want to pick up a box of these cheap delights. Simply, wonderful.

MonkeyDan Rating: 91

I will be on a lengthy business trip for the next two-weeks. I am sure I will have some great cigar reviews when I return. Until then, good smoking!

Last night the neighborhood kids flooded my house with noise and hyperactivity. It was just a typical weekend night at my house, but for some reason I could not handled last night. I had to get out! All I wanted was some peace and quiet and a fine cigar. I sneaked out the back door and headed to my local B&M to watch the delayed Master's Second Round. There I fired up a 601 Blue Label robusto as I watched Gary Player's last round at Augusta. The Masters, the B&M, and the 601 Blue was the perfect escape from the neighborhood kids.

The 601 Blue Label was created by Don Pepin Garcia and is constructed with special-aged Nicaraguan long fillers. It is then finished in a dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, which is then box pressed into a square stick of delight. This blend of tobacco creates a powerful smoke that produces a flavorful kick. Early in the cigar, I noticed hints of leather then followed by some spice. There were undertones of toffee throughout the smoke. It lit easily and held an even burn. There was no relighting required and it was an effortless draw. It held a two inch ash before I forced it into the ashtray. I smoked the robusto (5.25 x 52) all the way to the nub. I was very impressed by the slow, even burn and the wonderful taste of this cigar. They come in a box of 20 for about $130. This smoke is not for the novice, so make sure you have a full stomach because it does pack a punch.

MonkeyDan Rating: 92

Still celebrating my recent resignation, I fired up a Litto Gomez beauty this weekend. Battling the cold, I pulled out a lawn chair and sat in my friends' heated garage and enjoyed every inch of the La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II. This is a dark, oily, full flavored creation that will sure to please. It was a perfect smoke to cap a restful weekend.

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II is constructed with aged Dominican fillers and binder. It is the only smoke by Litto Gomez that uses a Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper, which is then squared pressed into an absolute delight. I fired up the toro which measures an impressive 6.5 x 54. The appearance of the cigar is wonderful with it's dark, oily, square shaped aura sitting naked in it's factory tray just waiting to be enjoyed. It lit easily and maintained an even burn. It held a decent size ash roughly two plus inches long. It required no relighting and the draw was effortless. La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II was a medium-bodied delight that was packed full of flavor ranging from leather to caramel. Each stick runs for about $12. A tray of twelve costs $150 or a full box of 120 runs for about $1500. These are not cheap smokes, but are worth every penny. Would I smoke another? You bet. Will I buy a box? If I could, I would.

As a side note: I find it every surprising that not one La Flor Dominicana cigar made the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars of 2008?? I realize the Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro ranked third, but no other La Flor Dominicana product made it to the top 25? Instead, you have Casa Magna Colorado, Mi Dominicana, and Alec Bradley Tempus all making it to the list. Something is not right with this picture. Again, just an observation.

MonkeyDan Rating: 93

What a great afternoon! Today, I resigned from my real job for a better opportunity for myself and my family. I no longer have to deal with the leaderless talking heads and the constant flow of minutia. On to greener pastures, I hope. Who knows, but it's a new start for better pay. It's the start of a new chapter and it's up to me to make the best of it. Nonetheless, I celebrated by firing up a relatively new smoke to the market place. I fell in love with the El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados when I was up in Minnesota with my friends from Velvet Cigar. The El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados Châteaux T is a perfect medium-bodied delight to help you celebrate any victory or milestone in life. Olvidados means "forgotten", which was a great choice to help me forget the last four years with this current company.

El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados Châteaux T is a torpedo size smoke measuring 6-1/8 x 54. It is constructed with a tri-country filler: Ligero from Nicaragua, Seco from the Dominican and Viso from Honduras. The binder is a Connecticut Broadleaf and is finished with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. This blend of tobacco created a sweet delight with a woody flavor and hints of toffee. Unlike the traditional El Rey Del Mundo smokes, this was a pretty mild smoke. It was well balanced and beautifully constructed with a dark leather, vein less appearance. It lit easily and maintained an even burn. I was able to get a two inch ash off this beauty before it fell to the deck. This effortless smoke was pretty damn good. El Rey Del Mundo Châteaux T comes in a box of 20 for around $130.

If you have not smoked an El Rey Del Mundo in awhile, fire up the "forgotten" and remember what you are missing.

MonkeyDan Rating: 91

The other day my good friend, Stinkie at CigarBeat, sent me a surprise package of assorted cigars. One of the sticks contained in the box was a Cerdan Chamberlain.  I have never smoked this lonsdale, but was excited to fire it up. It had a very earthy and rugged appearance that was simply packaged naked with a white band. As you are aware, I love to try new cigars. I am always looking for a good smoke. With that said, I had to travel to a business meeting that was two hours away. This trip was the perfect opportunity to fire up the Cerdan Chamberlain.

The Cerdan Chamberlain is a medium-bodied delight developed by Juan Cerdan Soto. It is constructed with a Dominican binder and Dominican fillers. It is then finished with a Connecticut wrapper. It was tightly packed with long fillers creating an easy light along with a smooth draw. The Cerdan Chamberlain measures 6 x 44. It maintained an even burn with no issues. As I first lit this smoke, I got a surprise blast of a sweet floral or jasmine. At first, I thought I was smoking a flavored stick, but the taste quickly turned into an almond flavor that lasted for most of the smoking experience. However, as I approached the nub, the flavor turned to a sweet syrup. I was very surprised by the quality and construction of this cigar. More surprising was the unique cornucopia of taste coming from this mild Dominican.

I was very impressed with Cerdan Chamberlain. If you enjoy mild smokes, you may want to pick up a box of 25 for about $81. These would be perfect at ocean side or poolside. I just may pick up a box as well.

MonkeyDan Rating: 86

I was cleaning out my humidor and ran across a smoke that was buried in my humidor. It's called Empresario by Thompson Cigars. It's a low budget smoke costing less than two bucks a stick. The Empresario must have been in my humidor for well over three years, since I can't remember when the last time I ordered from them. After cleaning out my humidor, I fired up the Empresario Connecticut.

The Empresario Connecticut corona measures 6 x 44. They come in a bundle of 25 for just $47. The Empresario is a blend of short fillers from the Dominican Republic and finished with a Connecticut wrapper. I was not expecting much out of this low-budget smoke, but to my surprise it was a decent experience. It fired up easily and maintained an even burn that required no relighting. The construction was firm with a tight draw. It held a two-inch ash before it fell into the ashtray. Further, the taste was very pleasant with hints of buttery almond and cedar. This medium-bodied smoke surprised the heck out of me! However, towards the nub I did eat some short filler. This was not a surprise and the stick held together pretty good. I still have a couple left in my humidor and look forward to smoking these this summer.

MonkeyDan Rating: 85

The other day I visited a good friend at KawKaw's in the South Loop of Chicago. This is a relatively new cigar lounge located at 13th and Wabash. It is a huge place with high ceilings. The cigar selection is limited but they have a comfortable atmosphere, plenty of seating and a huge back room that is available for lounging or rental. This is a must visit on your way home from work or for an afternoon break. At KawKaw's, I fired up a Tatuaje Series P #3 as I talked politics and sports with my old friend.

The Tatuaje Series P #3 is a toro size stick that measures the standard 6 x 50. It is created by Pete Johnson down in Little Havana, Miami. This is a low budget line of Tatuaje which is constructed of short  (60%) and long fillers (40%). I purchased my Tatuaje Series P for just under four bucks. They come in a box of 31 for roughly $112. As mentioned, they are constructed with a Nicaraguan binder, wrapper and fillers. This medium-bodied smoke lit easily and had a very open draw. It held a very loose, but even ash. The Tatuaje Series P #3 burned evenly and required no relighting. However, towards the nub, I started to eat some short filler. If I was not eating it, I was pulling it out of the foot. This destroyed the last third of the cigar. I was unable to finish it nor did I want too. On a positive note, the taste was pretty good with hints of cedar and caramel throughout the smoke. In the end, I would never buy or smoke another one. This is a must pass and worthy of a vote for Worst Cigar of 2009.

MonkeyDan Rating: 74

Last week I paid a visit to my good friend down in Dallas, Texas. He took me to a wonderful cigar haven called Tap-In Pub & Grill in Grapevine, Texas. It is the utopia for all cigar smokers. It is a full service bar that allows cigar smoking. They offer a huge menu and have great beers on tap. I grabbed a Ruben and a Grolsch. After the meal, I fired up an Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Double Corona. This was the first time in a long-time that I remember having a great meal and firing up a cigar immediately after wards. Usually, you have to move from the table to a courtyard or outside the building to enjoy a nice smoke. Not at the Tap-In, you can fire up anytime you please. They also have a connecting cigar shop next door. Simply, a must visit next time your near Grapevine, Texas. The Tap-In Pub & Grill is very deserving of a GoldenMonkey Award!

The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol is constructed with all sun-grown tobaccos. The binder and fillers hail from the Dominican Republic and is finished with an African Cameroon wrapper. I fired up the double corona which measures 7 x 52 and comes in a box of 25 for around $245. This impressive size stick fired up easily and maintained an even burn until the nub. It required no relighting and was a pleasure to smoke. The draw was effortless; this medium-bodied creation produced hints of  spice, cedar and undertones of graham. It was a very tasty smoke. I still prefer the VSG over the Heritage, but the Heritage Puro Sol is worthy of a try. It is a bit pricey, so make sure you are in the right place and have enough time to enjoy this delightful smoke. I suggest firing one up at the Tap-In Pub & Grill in Grapevine, Texas.

MonkeyDan Rating: 89

Cigar Aficionado voted the Mi Dominicana by Jose Seijas a Top 20 cigar for 2008. I happened to find some at my local B&M, so I had to try one. They are a relatively new cigar that was produced in limited production. The cigar is named for the man who ran the largest factory for Altadis S.A. Technically, the robusto was rated a 91 in Cigar Aficionado. I purchased the churchill which is two inches longer than the number 20 ranked Cigar of the Year. With that said, I was excited fire one up.

The Mi Dominicana by Jose Seijas is constructed with Dominican fillers, binder and wrapper. As mentioned, I fired up the churchill which measures 7 x 54. A box of 20 runs for about $162. It had a rich appearance highlighted by a simple white band. This overly large stick fired up easy and had a smooth draw. Smoking time for this stick is well over two hours. It started out with an even burn, but an inch into the smoke, the burn started to run. The burn never evened itself out which caused an enormous amount of effort on my part to try to correct it. It never did! However, the taste of this medium-bodied smoke was very enjoyable. It had hints of spice, cinnamon and leather. It was very tasty which kept me motivated to finish this very large stick. As I approached the nub, the burn went out requiring a couple of relights. Overall, this cigar was a disappointment. It required a ton of effort to smoke and although delicious, the taste was not enough to want me to smoke another one.

Thanks to Cigar Aficionado for another wonderful suggestion. Further, evidence this cigar journal sucks. Granted, they did review the robusto, but I highly doubt the construction on the robusto was so much superior to rank this cigar number 20 for the year. Come on!

MonkeyDan Rating: 83