some serious, some not, always interesting, cigars & history . . .

• In 1862, Union soldiers Private Barton W. Mitchell and Sergeant John M. Bloss found a piece of paper wrapped around three cigars at a campsite outside Frederick, Maryland. The paper was a copy of Confederate General Robert E. Lee‘s orders for the invasion of Maryland, apparently lost by the Confederates as they fled. This single piece of paper gave Union General George McClellan advanced notice of the enemy’s movements, and a big victory. Initially, Mitchell and Bloss were really interested only in the cigars!

• Pianist Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) once owned a Cuban tobacco plantation. Cigars were nearly as great a passion as was his music. We are so grateful that he chose a future in music!

• Pancho Villa (1878-1923) cautioned his gang not to smoke cigars before a raid, afraid the smell of smoke would forewarn their targets.

• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) and Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) both smoked countless cigars during Freud’s historic psychoanalysis of Mahler, a famed  Austrian composer,.

• An Italian statesman by the name of Mazzini saved his own life by offering cigars to the assassins who were sent to kill him. (That’s not hard to believe!)

• The New York Times in 1849 reported that New Yorkers spent more money daily on cigars than on bread.

• Hungarian composer Franz Liszt chose to enter a monastery when it was apparent the end of his life was near. But did so only after he was granted the right to smoke cigars as he resided there. He said, “A good (Cuban) cigar closes the door to the vulgarities of the world.”

• Often quoted: “I’m, sure there are many things better than a good cigar — but right now, I cannot think of any!”

Take a Close Look at this Month’s Cigar Selections . . .Featured Countries of Origin from your Favorite Cigar of the Month Club: NICARAGUA and HONDURAS

1) RAMON BUESO L.E. OLANCHO MUY BUESO – Nationality: Honduran   Appearance: MEDIUM-FULL bodied, 6.5; 60 ring; In an exclusive Colorado Oscuro Olancho wrap

Personality: Absolutely flawless, she has aged well, given personalized attention and care at every stage. She was fermented for a shorter time than is the norm, and it paid off in unique flavors of earth, spice, leather and cedar, all in perfect harmony.

2) TORANO EXODUS GOLD 20th ANNIVERSARY TORPEDO – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance:  MEDIUM-FULL bodied, 6.5; 54 ring; With a spicy Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrap

Personality: This lady packs the perfect punch in the flavor department. With a multi-country blend of long-leaves, she proves to be progressive and balanced, with a complex profile. A graceful smoke, she’ll delight you with coffee, cedar and earth.

3) SAM LECCIA LUCHADOR EL GRINGO CHIN MUSIC – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance: FULL bodied, 6.0; 48 ring; Sporting a silky-smooth Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper

Personality: Sam is a heavyweight cigar that’s not shy on richness, flavor or complexity. Expect black pepper with notes of licorice, hay, leather, dark chocolate, baking spices, wood, and coffee interspersed throughout this manly masterpiece.

4) BAHIA GOLD TORPEDO – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance: MILD-MEDIUM bodied, 6.5; 52 ring; dressed in a silky Ecuadorian CT wrapper

Personality: Every member of the Nicaraguan Bahia Gold Cigar family is ready to become a mainstay in your humidor. This one entices you with creaminess enhanced with leather, and just a bit of spice on the finish to hold you spellbound.

5) GRAN HABANO V.I.P. NATURAL CHURCHILL – Nationality: Honduran  Appearance: MEDIUM bodied, 7.0; 50 ring; A stunner in a dark brown Nicaraguan wrapper

Personality: Gran Habano, the company responsible for numerous 90+ rated blends, introduces you to their newest stunner. This cigar offers a banquet of leather, roasted nuts and coffee, showcasing her wonderful balance between flavor and strength.