Fall 98 Volume III Issue 4

Photographs by Jeff Schnorr

SMOKE Cigar Ratings
Rating	Quality
0-2.0	Poor
2.1-2.9	Fair
3.0-3.5	Good
3.6-4.4	Excellent
4.5-5.0	Superior

Even better news is that the revised format is just the beginning of the exciting changes we are making to the SMOKE Cigar Review. In a departure from our past approach, where we focused on reviewing the many new cigar brands entering the market, we are now returning to the basics and concentrating on the familiar, established brands. As the market continues to shake out from its saturated condition and the major manufacturers are better able to fill their orders, we feel that the big-name brands are the cigars you will most likely find in your local smoke shop. And while you will see plenty of your favorites reviewed in this issue, we aren't completely ignoring the newer guys, as evidenced by exciting performances from MIYARES, a new company operating out of Caribbean Cigar's former Miami factory, and EMIGRANTE, a full-bodied, Cuban-style offering from the Dominican Republic.

Price Codes
A	$1.00 to $2.50
B	$2.51 to $3.75
C	$3.75 to $5.75
D	$5.76 to $7.50
E	$7.51 to $10.50
F	$10.51 to $14.99
G	$14.99 and above

An interesting, new feature appearing in this issue's Cigar Review is the Aged Cigar category, in which a few lucky panelists blind-tasted a box of 15-year-old ROMEO Y JULIETA CELESTIALES FINOS from Cuba, along with a box of 2-year-old LA GLORIA CUBANA (MADURO) CHURCHILLS from El Credito, in Miami. Reviewing aged cigars is something that has not been done in any cigar publication to date, and we are proud to unveil our findings here.

While we are aware that 15-year-old Cuban cigars are not readily available to most, a few foreign cigar merchants do keep some aged Cuban stock at their disposal, and these unique cigars may not be as expensive as you think. In the case of the La Gloria Cubana, devotees of this popular brand have long debated whether "LGCs" are better fresh from the factory or aged for up to six months, or longer. While we may not have settled the debate, the strong performance of the LGC Churchill shows that two years in the humidor certainly didn't hurt this cigar. This new category demonstrates that many age-worthy cigars are available, and if you have the willpower to keep from smoking them, you too can experience the smooth taste of a properly aged cigar.

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"Each evening after dinner, accompanied by my two dogs, I stroll onto Park Avenue to walk my cigar."
GAY TALESE, WRITER

Coronas | Petit Coronas | Gran Coronas | Double Coronas | Aged Cigars

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Aged Cigars...

		LA GLORIA CUBANA Churchill (Maduro)
		Country: U.S.A.	Wrapper: Ecuador	Binder: Nicaragua
		Manufacturer: El Credito	Filler: DR/Nicaragua	Price: C
	Panelist #1	This is a major-league cigar in every way. The taste is amazingly rich and complex and it never ceases to amaze the palate. SCORE: 4.7
	Panelist #2	This is a cigar for the connoisseur. Its rich and full-bodied style will thrill lovers of Cuban cigars. I must know what it is. SCORE: 4.5
	Panelist #3	Generally a top-notch cigar worthy of anyone's humidor. It's a quality blend that might need more aging to round it out. SCORE: 3.6
	Panelist #4	An ultra-smooth cigar that offers the perfect combination of great flavor, strength, and satisfaction. It's a winner. SCORE: 4.4

		ROMEO Y JULIETA Celestiales Finos
		Country: Cuba	Wrapper: Cuba	Binder: Cuba
		Manufacturer: Habanos S.A.	Filler: Cuba	Price: G
	Panelist #1	No question that many will find this cigar too strong and harsh, but for an iron palate like mine, this is why I smoke cigars! SCORE: 4.2
	Panelist #2	This cigar held me hostage as I was entranced by the intricate taste nuances woven throughout its full- bodied flavor. SCORE: 4.9
	Panelist #3	A few minutes into this cigar, I locked my door and ripped the phone out of the wall. I didn't want a single interruption. SCORE: 4.8
	Panelist #4	This cigar has the mellow flavor of very old tobacco. It's a fabu- lous experience, to be relished and appreciated. SCORE: 4.0

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Continued on next page...

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