Cigar Rights of America is a grassroots, consumer organization that works at all levels of government to protect your right to enjoy a premium, handmade cigar.  CRA along with the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association have filed a petition with the White House, a petition that with enough signatures will force the Obama Administration to formally address this pressing issue.  In order for this to happen, the Petition needs 25,000 signatures.  At last look, only 9,000 or so more signatures are required! (Sign the petition at CRA’s homepage, http://www.cigarrights.org)

As another way to support this important mission, Mike’s Cigars of Miami and General Cigars are pleased to bring to you this exclusive offer!

For a limited time only, Mike’s is offering a specially created, Support Cigar Rights of America Sampler that can’t be had anywhere else!  All proceeds from the sales of these samplers will go directly to Cigar Rights of America to support their efforts to lobby congress and the White House, ensuring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are not permitted to regulate handmade, premium cigars.

This special Support Cigar Rights of America Sampler includes the following cigars, all for a ridiculous price of only $29.99 FOR 10 CIGARS! (Larger samplers are also available!)

-          Cohiba Robusto (5” x 50)

-          Macanudo Café Count David (5 ¾ “ x 52)

-          CAO Brazilia Gol! (5” x 56)

-          Excalibur Epicure (5 ¼ “ x 50)

-          CAO Gold Robusto (5: x 50)

-          Old Fashioned No. 3 (4 ½ “ x 50)

That’s a savings of nearly 66% of some of General Cigars most sought after frontmarks, and remember, ALL PROCEEDS FROM SALES OF THESE SAMPLERS GOES DIRECTLY TO CIGAR RIGHTS OF AMERICA!

Don’t wait!  Get in on some great cigars, at a great price, and support a great organization!

Buy your Support Cigar Rights of America Sampler Now!

On Wednesday, April 11^th, in a joint effort, the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) filled a formal petition with the Office of the President of the United States of America.  The goal of the Petition is to compel the Office of the President to issue a formal response on the issue of FDA regulation of premium cigars.

In order for this to happen, we need to collect 25,000 signatures by May 11^th, 2012.  If this number of signatures can’t be met in time, the Petition fails.

If you are reading this, you are a cigar enthusiast.  You need to sign this petition!

Here’s how…

1. Visit Cigar Rights of America’s Homepage (http://www.cigarrights.org/)
2. Either follow the link to the Petition or scan the QR code found on the “Take Action Now” screen
3. When prompted, create a new White House account or log in with your existing account.
4. For new users, you will receive an email confirmation a few minutes after creating your account.  Follow the link in the message to sign the petition.

It’s that simple!

Remember, we need to collect 25,000 signatures on the Petition by May 11^th, 2012 in order to compel the White House to issue a formal response.  This is our goal and one that, with your help, we can accomplish!

Good smokes!
Martin Klausmeier, CCT
Managing Editor, CigarCaptain.com

Read the full text of the Petition on WhiteHouse.gov here.

IPCPR/CRA White House Petition For Cigars to share with your cigar enthusiast friends!

(Editor’s note:  Our good friend Tony Short continues his overseas deployment, until his return, you’re all stuck with me. – M.K.)

The Bahia Icon Presidente Ernesto is a nice looking cigar, no doubt there.  The striking chrome and black band highlights a deep, espresso brown wrapper giving the cigar a very classy appearance.  But, the Icon is not just about looks, it goes much deeper…

Beginning with the nearly oscuro, 6 year aged, Jalapa Valley raised Nicaraguan wrapper the Icon is all about well-aged, well balanced tobaccos.  Beneath this exquisite wrapper is a 12 year aged Nicaraguan binder, and at the core of it all is a 12 year aged, all Nicaraguan filler blend.  Taken as a whole, the Bahia Icon exemplifies what can be done with the highest quality tobaccos.

The Presidente Ernesto, a 7” x 52 Double Corona named for La Gloria Cubana creator, Ernesto Perez-Carillo, is one of three vitola that comprise the Bahia Icon line.  The cigars are produced by Tabacalera Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua.

The Bahia Presidente Ernesto

Now, you may recognize the name there…  We’re talking about the same Tabacalera Fernandez started and run by Abdel J. Fernandez, one of today’s hottest blenders.  A.J. Fernandez is the nephew of tobacco growing legend, Nestor Plascencia, and he brings a wealth of tobaccos to the blending table.  Fernandez also studied under Cuban cigar master, Alejandro Robaina, quite possibly the greatest tabaquero of all time.

All of this cigar mastery has been brought together in the cigar created by Tony Borhani of Bahia Cigars and young A.J. Fernandez, the Bahia Icon.

The cigar’s wrapper, in addition to being an incredible color, demonstrated some oil with few veins and a slight tooth.  The foot revealed nicely bunched collections of tobaccos and had a slightly sweet smell to it.  The cigars were wrapped smoothly in a left-handed fashion.  The caps were slightly flattened and expertly applied.  Both cigars cut easily using my Xikar Xi1 grip style cutter and lit beautifully with a single jet, torch lighter.

The opening salvos from the Icon Presidente Ernesto delivered a woody aroma with a bit of spice through the nose.  The spice drifted back as the cigar moves through its first few inches but never quite disappears, in fact, at times it roared back, if for only a few moments.

The burn of the Presidente was flawless and continued to produce predominately woody aromas with a slightly tangy and occasionally salty finish.  The tastes from the Bahia Icon were those classically Nicaraguan; leathery, slightly sweet, and deep.  The cigar maintained a medium to full body throughout, although the tastes and aromas increase and diminish, providing an interesting smoke.

As I smoked the Icon President Ernesto that I had for this review, I was constantly impressed with how well balanced the aroma and taste profile of this cigar was.  While not overly complex the Bahia Icon delivered constant, often subtle changes which kept my attention focused.

Considering the age and source of the tobaccos used in the production of the Bahia Icon, I shouldn’t be surprised by the harmonies achieved.  However, the Bahia Icon Presidente Ernesto did surprise me.  The Icon is the first Bahia cigar I’ve smoked and honestly, I was a bit unsure what was in store for me.  I was impressed with the high quality construction of the cigar and its great burn, enticed by the blend, and overall with the Icon’s ability to keep me entertained for a full one and one half hours.

A very good cigar worthy of a try for any lover of full bodied Nicaraguan cigars.

La Madeleine by Ramon Casas I Carbo circa 1892

Often referred to incorrectly as “Chica in a Bar,” this oil on canvas work by Spanish artist Ramon Casas I Carbo was completed in 1892 and is actually entitled “La Madeleine.”

One of my favorite works, I think this painting provides a powerful allegory for the plight cigar smokers today.  Notice the distant gaze, the single drink, the cigar in one hand and the nervous play of the other.  This is not a painting of a woman who is part of the mainstream, she is an unwilling outsider.  Reflected in the background one finds a company of revelers, yet the subject of the painting remains isolated, looking longingly for someone to join her in a drink and a cigar.

Born in Barcelona, Spain in 1866, Ramon Casas I Carbo was a early member of the late 19^th  and early 20^th century art movement known as “Modernisme.”  Well known for his portrait and crowd paintings, Casas I Carbo also painted posters and postcards as well as advertisements.

Ramon Casas I Carbo - Self Portrait

Judging from the perfecto he’s enjoying in this self-portrait, I think it would be safe to say that Ramon Casas I Carbo was also a fellow Brother of the Leaf…

To learn more about Ramon Casas I Carbo, his life and works I recommend “Underpaintings: Random Inspiration – Ramon Casas I Carbo,” by Matthew D. Innis.

Good smoking everyone!

Marty Klausmeier
Managing Editor, CigarCaptain.com

Captain’s Booty Sampler No. 1 Only $25.00 plus shipping!
(MSRP $35.55 – Save $10.55!)
Grab yourself some fine booty here!

Here at CigarCaptain.com we believe that every cigar in every sampler must be a star.  We have selected five of the finest premium, handmade cigars available from some of the biggest names in Cigardom and cut the prices down to an unbelievable $5.00 per stick!  Check out what we have in store for you in our first Captain’s Booty Premium Cigar Sampler…

This 6 1/8″ x 52 torpedo may be one of the finest cigars ever produced by Alec Bradley Cigars.  Using a Honduran Criollo ’98 wrapper and a rich filler blend comprised of long-fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua the Family Blend T-11 is a hearty, full-bodied smoke.  The line is a tribute to the fathers of Alec Bradley Cigar executives Alan Rubin, Ralph Montero and George Sosa.  The T-11 received a “94″ from Cigar Aficionado!
(MSRP $7.00)

The #2 is the toro sized offering from the Avo Classic cigar brand.  Created by renown cigar protégé and musician, Avo Uvezian, the Avo Classic #2 is a mild to medium bodied cigar with ample flavor and nice aromas.  Introduce in 1987, the Avo Classic cigars use only the finest US Connecticut Shade wrappers which surround a blend of 5 different Dominican long-fillers.
(MSRP $9.35)

Introduced as a line extension of the already popular Exodus series, the Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 – 50 Year robusto features a dark, grainy, oily and rich Brazilian maduro wrapper in place of the original Nicaraguan leaf.  With a Honduran binder and all Nicaraguan long-fillers in the blend, this cigar produces vast clouds of flavorful, thick and rich smoke.  Rated “93″ by Cigar Aficionado, this is a “must try” cigar for all full-bodied smoke lovers out there!
(MSRP $5.80)

Medium in body, lavish in flavor and aroma, the La Gloria Cubana Wavell is an excellent introduction to the La Gloria line.  Created by Ernesto Perez-Carillo and now produced by General Cigar, the La Gloria Cubana Wavell is a 5″ x 50, classic robusto.  Featuring an Ecuadorian wrapper and spicy filler blend from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, the Wavell produces a smooth smoke that delivers a slightly sweet background to an otherwise peppery, spicy smoke.  Plenty of spice is present through the nose, but it never becomes overpowering.  Rated a “91″ by Cigar Aficionado!
(MSRP $4.70)

The Montecristo White cigar line was introduced in 2003 and is one of the most popular cigars in the world.  With a flawless, golden US Connecticut Shade wrapper and a filler blend composed of the finest Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, the Montecristo Rothschild is an elegant cigar with a mild/medium body and toasty, woody flavors and pleasing aromas.  This is simply a classic cigar.
(MSRP $8.70)

Only $25.00 for all five outstanding cigars.

Captain’s Booty Sampler No. 1  (MSRP $35.55 – Save $10.55!)

Where Perelman’s guide provides the cigar lover a comprehensive list of premium brands in national distribution, it is focused foremost on brands and affords only a small, albeit well written, section about premium cigars and tobaccos.  To fill that gap, there is one book I recommend first time, every time…

The Tobacconist Handbook – The Essential Guide to Cigars & Pipes

By Jorge L. Armenteros, CMT

Rating:

(See the CigarCaptain.com Book Rating System)

This is the book that fueled my passion for premium cigars, plain and simple.

Although I have read more than 40 books about premium cigars, their manufacture, and history I have not found one that better presents the information an aspiring cigar aficionado needs to know in a more easy to read and logical fashion than that presented by Sr. Armenteros.

Let’s look at what you get…

Table of Contents:

Foreword (by Jorge Padron)

Introduction

Education/Certification

History – Timeline

Nicotiana Tabacum

Cigar Tobacco

Cigar Growing Regions

Seed to Cigar

Cigar Anatomy/Vitolas

Pipes and Tobaccos

How To

Humidor Etiquette

Cigar Myths

Tasting School

Glossary

And more….

For the sake of space, I’ve condensed and skipped several chapters in the list above, further illustrating just how comprehensive a book this truly is.

Unlike most books written about premium cigars, the Tobacconist Handbook does not devote space to information about specific brands.  (That’s what you’ve got your Perelman’s for, remember?)  Rather, the Handbook is all about premium cigars, luxury tobaccos, and their enjoyment.

The author's well worn copy of The Tobacconist Handbook

For example, the chapter entitled “Nicotiana Tabacum” explains the difference between the tobacco varietals “Criollo” and “Corojo” simply and clearly.  Primings in general and the differences between Criollo and Corojo primings, a subject which can often be extremely confusing to even veteran smokers, are very well explained and beautifully illustrated.

Enhanced by 39 full color photos, “Seed to Cigar” is a visual journey through the entire process of making a premium, handmade cigar.  The photos and accompanying text captured my interest in the cigar making process when I first read the book, and solidified my intrigue with premium cigars.  Anyone who has had a garden of their own will appreciate the amazing amount of “by hand” work involved in the propagation of premium cigar tobaccos!

However, the section of the from which I learned the most, the one that contains the knowledge and skills I use every day as I smoke cigars, for reviews and for pleasure, is found in the chapter titled, “Tasting School.”  It is here that Sr. Armenteros shares with us the best his best information… how to see, feel, hear, smell, and taste a premium handmade cigar.  Here, Armenteros outlines the science behind cigar appreciation; the “5 Tastes”, smell, spice versus heat, and more.  Most importantly, Armenteros outlines a proven and consistent method for the observation and evaluation of the premium cigar.

The system I use every day as I smoke and evaluate premium cigars is based on the system taught by Tobacconist University and Jorge Armenteros in this outstanding book.  The importance of following a set system of evaluation is crucial when I smoke a cigar for review.  The importance of approaching the cigar from a neutral position and the points of evaluation must be standard to ensure a high quality, reliable review.

The Tobacconist Handbook is also the textbook of Tobacconist University, the de facto industry standard certifying body for professional tobacconists.  The University offers several levels of certification including the “Certified Consumer Tobacconist” certificate program which is open to all non-professional tobacconists and cigar enthusiasts.  This is the certification program that yours truly completed in October, 2010 and I haven’t looked back yet!

Good smokes,

Marty Klausmeier, CCT

Book Details:

Title:  The Tobacconist Handbook – The Essential Guide to Cigars & Pipes
Author:  Jorge L. Armenteros, CMT
Pages:  211
Publisher:  Tobacconist University
Copyright:  2009
ISBN:  1-4392-4798-6
Website:  http://www.TobacconistUniversity.org

Martin Klausmeier, CCT

I’ve never been one to follow fads, especially when it comes to cigars.   With so many new brands and blends being released each year, no, each month, it would be impossible to try all of the new releases.  I tend to stick to lines I know and blends that I can surmise I will like, so when the Nub line from the Oliva Cigar Company was released, I hesitated.  Actually, I hesitated for two years.

Then, one afternoon as I perused the shelves of one of my local B&M’s I spotted a fresh box of Nub Cameroon 358’s.  They were reasonably priced, and although they also had the Maduro and Habano versions, I hadn’t had a Cameroon wrapped cigar in a bit, so I bought two, put them to rest in my tower humidor and proceeded to forget all about them.

In February, my favorite laptop took a dive leaving me in need of a new one.  My closest Best Buy is about 30 minutes away and since I was already in a relatively rotten mood, computers have that effect on me; I decided the trip called for a cigar… but which one?  That’s when I spotted the two Nub’s, resting just where I had put them several months earlier.  Short, fat, and perfect for the ride, I grabbed one and hit the road.  All I can say about that cigar is “wow!”

I was so impressed by this one cigar that I immediately went on a Cameroon bender, finding all of the Cameroon wrapped brands in my humidors.  My need to sampler a truly “representative” selection of cigars caused me to order several others for good measure.  My bender had turned to obsession…  So there I was, I knew that I love Cameroon wrappers, but I knew next to nothing about Cameroon, the place, or the tobacco growing industry of the region.  So I set out to fix that…

The Flag of Cameroon

Cameroon – The Country

Cameroon, or the Republic of Cameroon, is an African nation located on the west-central coast of the continent.  Cameroon is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Nigeria to the north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and the Congo regions to the south.  Cameroon is just north of the equator roughly parallel to northern Brazil and Ecuador, both areas known for excellent tobaccos.

Cameroon’s geography is so unique and diverse that it has been referred to as “Africa in miniature.”  Cameroon is home to deserts, rainforests, savannahs, mountains, and oceanic shorelines.  Cameroon is also home to several active volcanoes, the largest being Mount Cameroon which towers over the northwestern rainforest at over 4,000 feet.

Cameroon highlighted on a map of Africa

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Cameroon landing on the shores in the mid-15^th century, only a few years before Columbus was to discover the islands of the Caribbean.  Since then, Cameroon has been “owned” by the French, English, and Germans.  Political strife is commonplace in Cameroon and today violence is common on the streets of the capital city of Douala.

The Cameroon Plateau comprises nearly one half of the land area of the country and is the principal area of tobacco growing in the country.  The Plateau region is hilly with many small rivers and valleys, all of which contribute to the choice growing conditions found here.  The soil in the region is described as having colors “ranging from red or brown in the interior,” similar to the soils found in the famed Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba.  The soil is so rich tobacco farmers seldom, if ever, need to use fertilizers.  Given the hilly nature of the area, the dark green tobacco plants are sun grown, but benefit from the near constant cloud cover, similar to that found in the mountains and hills of Ecuador.

Little Mount Cameroon rises above the hills of Cameroon

Cameroon – Tobacco History

Tobacco has been cultivated in Cameroon as far back as the early 1800’s and likely even earlier, but records before this period are virtually non-existent.  As the Europeans were beginning to colonize the coastal areas, the indigenous Fang people migrated from the north to the southern Cameroon Plateau areas.  The Fang brought tobacco with them from the north and introduced its cultivation to southern regions, where it continues to be farmed today.

After World War II, the area we known today as Cameroon was divided between the British and the French.  Not long after the war, Sumatra strain seeds were introduced and began to yield great leaves.  The French tobacco monopoly SEITA sent an expert to the region to build plantations and develop the tobacco crop.  The Sumatra seed, Cameroon wrapper leaves grown by SEITA were of excellent quality and shortly became one of the most popular wrappers available.  By the 1960’s, Cameroon wrapped cigars had gained popularity

Unfortunately, at the time, SEITA opted to sell their tobacco crops by using a blind-bidding method where cigar manufacturers would bid on a lot of leaf, often without seeing the product.  This bidding method created a huge issue as manufacturers often felt they weren’t given access to the best product available.  At the same time SEITA was accused of intentionally driving prices up.

By the late 1970’s and early 80’s, many manufacturers gave up on the Cameroon wrappers and SEITA’s business practice.  As more and more manufacturers dropped out of the auction system, the quality and quantity of the tobacco being produced began to suffer.  By the early 1990’s the demand for Cameroon tobaccos had dropped forcing SEITA to sell the tobacco in lots from their offices.  In 1993, SEITA stopped its tobacco production in Cameroon saying that the endeavor did not “fit their goals.”

Enter tobacco magnate Richard Meerapfel who with the urging of his family formed CETAC and began to grow Sumatra seed tobaccos in Cameroon, even as others were giving up.  Meerapfel’s family was already famous worldwide for their other tobacco ventures began working with local growers.  These farmers often worked an area less than one acre, areas which were very difficult to access.  For an excellent article on the Meerapfel’s experiences growing tobacco in Cameroon, check this article from Cigar Aficionado.  Suffice it to say for our purposes that Meerapfel saved the African Cameroon tobacco industry from outright failure and has grown it into an enormous enterprise capable of producing wrapper leaf comparable to Cuban in many smokers’ opinions.  Meerapfel passed away at the age of 52 in November, 2003.

Leap forward to today, and again high quality, hand-made cigars wrapped with high quality, genuine Cameroon wrappers are again available, and often for a very reasonable price.  Manufacturers in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, and elsewhere are not only producing traditional brands featuring this great leaf, but rediscovering and rethinking its use and blending potentials.

Cameroon – The Leaf

Cameroon wrappers have been called both “taste neutral” and “mildly sweet,” even “sweet and spicy.”  In my experience preparing for this article, I would tend to favor the combination, “slightly sweet, medium spicy.”  As for how manufacturers coax the best out of these fine wrappers, to me, seems to be very blend dependent.  The range of tastes and aromas among these premium cigars varies greatly.  Some cigars were very “smoky” and rich yet lacked that certain “Cameroon Spice.”  Other cigars seemed to feature a blend, not necessarily more mild, but less thick; one that showcased the Cameroon wrappers sweet and spicy nature.

Most major cigar manufacturers feature at least one premium cigar line wrapped with a Cameroon leaf.  Big name cigar makers such as the Fuente Family, with both their Gran Reserva and Hemingway series, Oliva in their Serie G, and General with brands such as Cohiba, Don Tomas, and Partagas all employ high quality Cameroon wrappers.  Other Cameroon wrapped cigars that you may not be as familiar with include Licenciados Cameroon, Acid One (the only non-infused Acid cigar), and La Flor del Caney (a full bodied, personal favorite…).  There are many other Cameroon wrapped premium cigars on the market, and each is in its own way unique, however, there is a limit to how many cigars even I can smoke, so I’ve picked some favorites.

In order to help you in choosing a premium, Cameroon wrapped cigar here is a listing of the brands and vitola I smoked in preparation for this article along with short tasting notes and in some cases, links to full length reviews.  You will notice that I’ve compiled a list of cigars of varied sizes and styles, this is intentional.  Every cigar has its time and place and it is my hope that by offering a varied plate, you can find more to your liking.  Please remember, these tasting notes and reviews reflect my experience with these cigars, yours will most likely be different.  Cigars are always a matter of personal taste and preference, and what I love you may well hate

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature

The “classic” Cameroon cigar, the  Fuente Hemingway Signature is certainly one of the finest cigars made today.  Featuring an outstanding African Cameroon wrapper and very complementary filler blend, the Hemingway Signature delivers a woody, spicy smoke with a very refined finish…   (Read the Certified Consumer Tobacconist’s review here!)

Nub Cameroon 358

A short, stocky “uber-rothschild,” Nub is an interesting cigar.  Designed by former Oliva Sales Representative Sam Leccia, the Nub is designed to “hit the sweet spot” of a cigar right from the lighting.  The Cameroon 358 uses a Cameroon wrapper slightly lighter in color than usual with a wonderful sweet and spicy flavor.  Combined with the well balanced filler leaves, the Nub Cameroon is a cigar that to me typifies the classic Cameroon “taste.”  A great tasting cigar with huge dimensions, produce a long smoke and a great deal.

Partagas No. 4

The Partagas No. 4 is one of my favorite cigars.  For me, when I need a cigar I know without doubt will not fail me, I often reach for a Partagas No. 4.  This 5” by 38 petit corona smokes for about half an hour so it’s a convenient format when time is short or you just want a smaller cigar.  But, don’t be fooled by the small dimensions here.  With the smaller ring gauge of the No. 4 you get more wrapper in proportion to filler which results in a cigar that is nicely spicy with a prolonged sweetness on the finish.  The Partagas No. 4 is also a fantastic deal by the box if you have room.  This cigar just gets better with age as well.

Don Tomas Cameroon Collection Perfecto #1

One of the most interesting cigars on the market today is the diminutive Don Tomas Cameroon Collection Perfecto #1.  This tiny perfecto measures a mere 4” with a 48 ring.  Looking at this cigar you might think it a short smoke time wise.  Contrary to first glance however, the Don Tomas Cameroon Collection Perfecto #1’s smoked for an average 40 minutes.  Once past the tapered perfecto tip and into the full ring of the cigar, the #1 produces great smoke with a woody/spicy aroma and a smooth smoke.  If you’re short on room in the old humidor and crave a good Cameroon, you can’t go wrong here.

Licenciados Cameroon Robusto

Licenciados means “lawyers” in Spanish.  The label of these cigars is a direct replica of the band used on Cuban Diplomaticos and the brand name a play on the original Cuban brand.  Mike’s Cigars of Miami is the distributor for three Licenciados lines, the original which uses a US Connecticut wrapper, the Aniversaros line introduced in 2007 for the holidays, and the Licenciados Cameroon.  The Licenciados Cameroon uses a very nice, toothy Cameroon wrapper and a hearty filler blend.  When combined in a robusto size cigar the wrapper and filler combine to produce a thick, heavy smoke with deep oaky and earthy tastes.  The Cameroon wrapper contributes some sweetness to the finish and a touch of spice through the nose, but here, the wrapper  plays up to the best the filler has to offer.  The Licenciados Cameroon line represent a very good cigar for a seasoned cigar smoker searching for a new, deeper taste.

Acid One

I admit it, right here, right now… Acid cigars are simply not to my taste.  I’ve tried many and, with the exception of One, have not cared for any.  That’s right Acid “One” may be the best flavored, infused, whatever cigar out there.  Unlike the typical floral bouquet associated with so many Acid cigars, the One has a light, sweet tobacco smell with a brown sugary sweet tip.  One uses an extensively treated collection of fillers treated in wines including a Sangria endemic to Nicaragua.  These wine aromas carry over slightly to the cigar which has some Cameroon spice in the background.  The tip of the cigar is ultra-sweet, almost to the point of being too much at first, but this mellows as you smoke and by mid-cigar the sweetness if a nice complement to the smoke.  Definitely a different cigar, and sometimes, different is good!

H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon Robusto

Another “classic” Cameroon wrapped cigar, the H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon line harkens back to the earlier days of Upmann when their main cigar line utilized Cameroon wrappers.  This was of course in the 1970’s before the problems of the Cameroon tobacco market.  Today you can savor a cigar that approximates the original made by the only folks that would really know.  The H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon robusto uses a toothy, slightly greenish brown wrapper with great oils.  The presentation is perfect with cedar wraps covering the lower two thirds of the cigar and triple banding.  The smoke is hearty once cigar gets going and uses an incredibly well balanced combination of fillers with the genuine African Cameroon wrapper.

La Flor del Caney Toro

Produced by Manuel Quesada at his MATASA factory, La Flor del Caney is another remake of a classic Cuban brand.  Using a dark Cameroon wrapper that brings a slight sweetness to the finish initially and some background spice, La Flor del Caney is another great example of a cigar built around the Cameroon wrappers notoriety as “blend neutral” to add subtle compliments from the wrapper with a full on, heavy smoking filler blend.  The balance of hearty, thick smoke and hearty tobacco flavors from the filler and the subtleties of the wrapper produce a cigar with notes of cedar, spice and everything nice.  Not a good option for the beginner as it is quite heavy.  (Read the Certified Consumer Tobacconist’s review here!)

Carlos Torano 1916 Cameroon Robusto

Now, here’s a cigar that taught me something.  In an article I read about Cameroon wrappers, a noted tobacco grower said that Cameroon wrappers don’t really age and hence don’t change much with time.  One aspect of Cameroon wrappers that I noticed smoking all of these great cigars is that they are definitely better with rest.  I say “rest” as opposed to “aged” meaning a period of a few weeks to a couple months.  The three cigars I smoked were each different and improved as they rested.  The Torano 1916 Cameroon Robusto is another cigar that features great Cameroon wrapper characteristics.  Slightly sweet, mildly salty, with a moderate amount of spice in the nose, the Torano 1916 Cameroon Robusto is a very tasty cigar.  Great aromas and some complexities make this a fun cigar to smoke.  What’s better, the elegant presentation makes the 1916 Cameroon look like a cigar priced twice the reasonable MSRP of about $100 per box of 25. (Read the Certified Consumer Tobacconist’s review here!)

Oliva Serie G Robusto

The Oliva Serie G Robusto is what my daughter Olivia would refer to as a “cutie cigar.”  A slightly shortened robusto at 4 ½” by 50 the box-pressed Serie G comes wrapped in a deep, reddish-brown Cameroon wrapper with a good amount of tooth.  To my taste, which tends toward strong cigars, the Oliva Serie G robusto runs about the middle of medium.  The cigar doesn’t showcase the classic Cameroon sweet and spicy combination as much as other cigars here, nor is it as heavy and smoky as others.  Quality construction and a very balanced, medium everything blend make the Oliva G Serie robusto not only an accessible premium smoke to new aficionados, but also a very good investment in an all-around good cigar.

La Aurora Double Corona

The La Aurora Double Corona is a very large cigar dressed in a beautiful, finely toothed Cameroon wrapper.  The lighter than usual tan of the wrapper belies the mild nature of this cigar.  This perfectly constructed cigar produces mild aromas of tobacco and light wood.  A mild cigar from beginning to end with just a hint of that Cameroon sweet, spiciness this is a great cigar for the beginner or for an experienced smoker looking for an impressive, mild smoke.  Make sure you set aside at least an hour and a half to relax and enjoy these mild entries in the Cameroon field.

Cohiba “Red Dot” Pequenos

Cohiba Pequenos are one of my favorite “quick” smokes.  Available in tins of 5 and bundles of 6 tins from Mike’s Cigars of Miami, this little cigar produces a surprisingly rich smoking respite.  After the first few draws, a background of sweetness, faint, but there rounds the edges off the full bodied smoke.  The aromas are woody and earthy with a bit of spice in the nose.  With a smoke time of about 25 minutes, the Cohiba Pequenos are a welcome break in the day when time simply won’t allow a larger cigar.

I hope that this article has taught you something about the great wrapper leaves from Cameroon and the varied cigars featuring this prized leaf.

Good smoking!

Marty Klausmeier, CCT
Managing Editor
CigarCaptain.com

The world of premium cigars has changed dramatically over the past four decades, from the lows of the 1960s and 1970’s to the height of the Cigar Boom in the 1990’s.  Today, there are more brands for lovers of premium cigars to choose from than ever before.

When one searches out books on premium cigars, be it on the Internet or at a local library, it’s likely the books you locate will have been written during the 1990’s, “Boom-time.”  While there were some outstanding books written before this time, the bulk of the current premium cigar literature stems from the exponential growth of the premium cigar industry during the “Boom years.”  Lots of folks discovered premium cigars, and a lot of folks cranked out books about premium cigars.

In order to better help you locate books that will guide, educate, entertain, and otherwise capture the minds of cigar lovers everywhere CigarCaptain.com will be all of the books in our Recommended Reading List and rating these books, using our 5-star system.

The CigarCaptain.com Book Rating system:

5 stars:  These books are the classics.  Timeless in their content, expertly written, wonderfully illustrated, and masterfully conceived.  There are not many books about cigars that warrant a 5-star rating, but there are a few.  These are the books that every serious cigar aficionado will want on their bookshelf.  These are the must read books, those that you will read again and again.

4 stars:  These are the exceptional books.  Set apart from others for their writing, illustrations, or content, these books are the ones that you will want to read and share with your cigar smoking friends.  While some fine points may be time specific, such as cigar brand lists from the mid-1990s, the majority of the information found in these books is timeless.  Books receiving four stars are worthy of space next to any cigar aficionado’s humidor, but aren’t quite “classics”.  Pieces of fiction related to cigars or their history may receive a four star rating if the story is captivating, the characters rich and robust, and the recounting of actual events retold in the story are historically accurate.  These novels and other works deserve a place in the serious premium cigar smoker’s personal library.  These books are highly recommended.

3 stars:  The majority of books reviewed will receive a 3 star rating.  These are the books that are well-written, illustrated, or contain interesting fictional tales related to the cigar industry.  The majority of the books written about premium cigars during the boom era will fall into this category solely because they are time specific; many brands available at the time of their writing simply are no longer available.  While interesting from a historic point of view, the brand listings contained within these books is of limited use to today’s smokers.  These books are those with excellent sections that otherwise fall just short of a four star rating.  These books are worth reading with the caveat that there may be out of date information or some errors in the text.

2 stars:  These books are recommended with hesitation.  Two star rated books may have technical or historical errors in the text that should have been caught by the author or editor.  A well healed aficionado should be able to read these books and pick up any errors, but for the less experienced smoker, caution is advised.  Read these books if you like, but double check any facts that just don’t seem right.

1 star:  These books are quite simply worthless to the reader.  The text of these books is riddled with errors, gross historical mistakes are made, or the author simply had no clue what they were writing.  Don’t waste your time or money on these books.  Buy some nice premium cigars instead!

We hope that you find the CigarCaptain.com book reviews useful as you continue to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of fine, handmade, premium cigars.

If you know of a cigar book that is not in our Recommended Reading List, please drop us an email at:  TheCigarCaptain@gmail.com and we’ll try our best to find it, read it, and review it!

Good smokes,

Marty Klausmeier
Managing Editor

However, in addition to knowing all the “latest and greatest,” a well-trained tobacconist will have a solid understanding of all aspects of premium handmade cigars (and other tobacco products as well).

This takes study.

There have been a great many books written about premium cigars.  Some of these cigar books are outstanding and will take their rightful place as classics, some are strictly utilitarian, and a few are outright lousy.

Below is a downloadable list of the cigar related books that I keep in my personal library.  I can say that although there is no book in this list that does not contain at least one piece of useful information about premium handmade cigars, some are clearly better researched and written than others.

Over the coming months, I will begin reviewing these books for CigarCaptain.com and rating them using The CigarCaptain.com Premium Cigar Book Rating System.

I hope that you will find this list of books a useful resource as you further your appreciation of fine, handmade, premium cigars!

Good smoking!

Marty Klausmeier
Managing Editor
CigarCaptain.com

CigarCaptain.com Premium Cigar Book Reviews:

#1 – Perelman’s Pocket Cyclopedia of Cigars

#2 – The Tobacconist Handbook – The Essential Guide to Cigars & Pipes

Download “A Cigar Smoker’s Recommended Reading List” (.PDF file)