Cigars, Cigar Information and where to find Premium Cigars, Discounted Cigars and even Cheap Cigars - GUTE GEBURTSTAG . . . THAT IS . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

GUTE GEBURTSTAG . . . THAT IS . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

GUTE GEBURTSTAG . . . THAT IS . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

European Cigar-Cult Journal celebrates its 10th year

Los Angeles, January 26 – Starting as a supplement to the Austrian fine-dining magazine Falstaff in 1994, the European Cigar-Cult Journal has become the touchstone for many European cigar smokers and more than a few here in the U.S., thanks to its text in both German and English.

The bilingual 10th anniversary issue is now on the stands and includes a lively look at the last decade of smoking in Europe, the rise of cigars in America and the future, clouded by an increasingly strident anti-tobacco lobby on both sides of the Atlantic.

Of course, there was a tasting to go along with the anniversary and the Journal panel sampled 30 cigars from five countries. Half earned mention as excellent . . . or better:

• Perfection:
Four brands earned five points out of five:

> Ashton VSG from the Dominican Republic;

> Bolivar from Cuba;

> C.A.O. Criollo from Nicaragua;

> Cumpay from Nicaragua (unknown in the U.S.);

> Davidoff Millennium Blend from the Dominican Republic;

> Juan Lopez from Cuba (our top-ranked medium-bodied blend from Cuba as well!).

• Excellent:
Eleven brands earned 4 1/2 points, from four different countries:

> Arturo Fuente Don Carlos, from the Dominican Republic;

> Dannemann Artist Line HBPR from Nicaragua (not sold in the U.S.);

> Davidoff Special Series from the Dominican Republic;

> El Credito from the Dominican Republic (very similar to the Dominican-made La Gloria Cubana blend);

> Flor de Copan from Honduras;

> Flor de Selva from Honduras, a consistent winner in European tastings, but which has had little U.S. success;

> La Aurora Preferidos No. 1 from the Dominican Republic

> Partagas from Cuba;

> Perdomo Exclusivo from Nicaragua.

The emergence of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan cigars on the list is further proof that Cuban-made cigars continue to carry the most cache in the industry, but cannot be simply be handed the title of “best.” Only three of the seven Cuban entries in the tasting ended up in the top half and the tasting of several brands indicated substantial draw problems.

In the meantime, Davidoff continues its march at the top of the list of quality manufacturers with both of its blends – Special Series and Millennium Blend – earning either 4 ½ or five stars.

More honors for Indian Tabac Vintage and Zino Platinum Crown:
In the magazine’s regular tasting section, another five-star winner was introduced: Rocky Patel’s Vintage 1990 line, notably the Robusto and Torpedo sizes, which earned top honors. We agree, having ranked the Vintage 1992 line in the top 16 of all full-bodied cigars available in the U.S.

The Zino Platinum Crown “Barrel,” a 6-inch by 60-ring toro, also received five points out of five for a blend which offered a “subtle, discreetly spicy, toasty-coffee aroma” and a “strong, however subtle at the same time” taste.

A separate review of travel humidors was also included measuring functionality, design and price against performance. Against a field of elegant cases wrapped in aluminum or leather or made of burlwood, the seemingly nondescript Road Warrior – an airtight plastic case enclosing three layers of foam with cut-outs for cigars – was rated as excellent in function and price/performance and good in design. Two humidors made by Safari, one of burlwood and one made from carbon fiber, scored best with rankings of “excellent” in all three categories.

Honorable mention honors also have to go to the Csonka Cigar Valet, which can hold 7-12 cigars depending on size and which costs only about $100. It received a rating of “excellent” in the price/performance category.

Welcome Reinhold!
With the new year will come a new editor for the ECCJ as Isabella Benda will end her run as editor-in-chief. Veteran tobacco correspondent Reinhold Widmayer (Austria) will take over with the start of the 2005 volume. We wish our colleague all the best for continued and future success.
~ Rich Perelman

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