Cigar Captain

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…

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.

 

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.

 

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

Also, don’t forget that each week of the month, The Cigar Captain will be featuring seven cigars from the region we’re visiting and offering great sales and offers on 4 and 5 packs of many of these great cigars!

See this week’s “Around the World in 84 Cigars” Special Offer

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 (xxx) 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 double corona 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.