 Noteworthy opportunities from the pre-RTDA catalogs
Los Angeles, July 15 - While not exactly full of bargains, the latest round of the major cigar catalogs offered some interesting opportunities for the savvy smoker, especially for sampling some top brands at modest cost without having to buy a full box.
Subscribers to our CigarWire have access to a comparison-pricing spreadsheet of nearly 500 brands among eight top mail-order and on-line merchants. Among the gems we found while compiling this week's update:
Cigars International:
One of the hardest-to-read catalogs because of its frenetic layout, but beyond the hype:
• Cupido Churchills in the original packaging at $59.95 or two boxes for $99.95. Given the quality of this line, especially in this shape, this is a very fine value indeed.
• A sensational sampler of 14 cigars from Felipe Gregorio, an underrated, serious cigar maker with some wonderful blends from his Felipe Gregorio, Felipe II Fusion, Felipe Dominicana and Petrus lines for just $35.
• CI's four-brand sampler of CAO l'Anniversaire, Gurkha Master's Select, La Perla Habana and Puros Indios. Another chance to try the best for less at $49.95 for 20 sticks.
Famous Smoke Shop:
The great thing about this catalog is its attention to samplers and accessories, too often ignored by others. I smiled when I saw:
• Woefully underrated Vueltabajo cigars now in sampler packs of five from $16.95-18.95. This is a well-made, friendly smoke of medium body and excellent value, costing from $39.95-51.95 a box of 25. Try a sampler and you won't regret it.
• Great samplers including a six-pack of St. Luis Rey at $15.95, the Indian Tabac Vintage sampler (5-pack) at $21.95 and the CAO Commemorativo seven-pack for $34.95. These are a great way to try these brands, which are hardly cheap in full boxes of 20 or 25.
• The terrific Humid-EZE cups which you place in a jar or small humidor and change out once a month. Famous has them at $11.95 for a box of 12, which will last a year.
J-R Cigars:
Lew Rothman introduced a raft of new items in his newest catalog (2004 No. 4), including samplers and more four-packs of some newer H. Upmanns, Montecristos and Trinidads in the 4 1/4 x 44 ("444") size. Worth considering:
• "The Collection" of all four 444 brands: H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon, Montecristo, Montecristo Afrique and Trinidad in nifty wood carry cases, 16 high-profile sticks for $48 (i.e., $3 each).
• $10 off any box of Montecristo Peruvian Square Pressed. This is my favorite of the many Montecristo blends and is now offered in either a natural (Habana 2000 grown in Nicaragua) or maduro (Connecticut broadleaf) wrapper. At $70 for the 47-ring Buena Fortuna, this is a winner.
We're looking for more deals we like and will bring them to you here. For your everyday shopping, subscribe to the CigarWire and you can compare prices from Cigar International, Famous, J-R plus 2 Guys, Corona Cigar, Mike's, Mom's and Payless Cigars.
Watch for our list of the best in medium-bodied cigars. . . coming Monday!
~ Rich Perelman
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